WestJet Group boosts Calgary’s global connectivity through enhanced Winter 787 Schedule

The WestJet Group today announced significant enhancements to its transoceanic and leisure travel offering with its winter 787 schedule, revealing expanded year-round service between Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) and an increase to daily connectivity between Calgary and Paris Charles-de-Gaulle International (CDG) and London Heathrow International (LHR) Airports. As The WestJet Group continues to fortify its position as Canada’s leisure travel champion, the airline is also enhancing its 787 presence on popular leisure routes with service between Canada, Mexico and Hawaii.

Year-round service to Tokyo, Unlocked

Building on the existing summer seasonal service, WestJet is investing in year-round service between Calgary and Tokyo. The service enhancement is a strategic milestone for the airline, bringing more visitors to Alberta and strengthening global tourism opportunities, while preserving Calgary’s position as the most connected mid-sized city in North America. Through WestJet’s longstanding codeshare agreement with Japan Airlines guests will also have access to seven destinations beyond Tokyo.

Route	Frequency	Start Date
Calgary-Tokyo	3x weekly	October 27, 2024

Strengthened year-round service to Europe

This winter, WestJet is bolstering its European winter service offering with daily connectivity to both London and Paris from the airline’s global hub in Calgary. While these routes were previously served throughout the winter, frequency to Paris has been increased to daily to match London, and to meet the unprecedented demand for business and leisure travel between Western Canada and Europe. Guests will also benefit from WestJet’s codeshare agreement with Air France, which unlocks 53 additional European destinations beyond Paris.

Route	Frequency	Start Date
Calgary-London	7x weekly	October 27, 2024
Calgary-Paris	7x weekly	October 27, 2024

Leading the nation in leisure, adding more access to Mexico

In line with The WestJet Group’s strategy, the airline is committed to providing Canadians with more affordable leisure travel options than any other carrier in the country. This winter, the airline is deploying its 787 aircraft on some of its most in-demand leisure routes, including doubling its capacity between Calgaryand Cancun to twice daily and increasing to daily service between Calgary and Puerto Vallarta. Additionally, the airline will continue to offer daily 787 service between Toronto and Cancun and three times weekly service between Calgary and Honolulu.

Route	Frequency	Start Date
Calgary-Cancun	13x weekly	October 28, 2024
Calgary-Puerto Vallarta	7x weekly	November 11, 2024
Calgary-Honolulu	3x weekly	November 16, 2024
Toronto-Cancun	7x weekly	October 28, 2024

About the Boeing 787 Dreamliner

As the largest aircraft in WestJet’s fleet, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner can fly intercontinental journeys, carrying up to 320 guests per flight, making it ideal for European, Asian and high-demand routes. It features a three-cabin configuration to serve a variety of guest needs, and spacious seats with entertainment systems at every seat for added comfort.

Top Copyright Photo: WestJet Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner C-GKKN (msn 64977) LGW (Robbie Shaw). Image: 956004.

WestJet aircraft slide show:

Lufthansa to partner with Meta on Quest 3 headsets

Lufthansa has announced a new cooperation of Lufthansa and Meta.

For the first time an airline will offer access to Quest 3 headsets in an in-flight setting.

Together, Lufthansa will equip selected flights for an exclusive test case for customers of the new Allegris Business Class!

Avianca Cargo transported more than 400 million flower stems to the United States for the Mother’s Day celebration

Avianca Cargo announced the close of its Mother’s Day season with the transportation of more than 400 million flower stems, representing close to 18,000 tons of cargo, on some 300 flights from Colombia and Ecuador to the United States.

More than 14,000 tons were transported from Colombia, once again positioning the cargo airline as the national leader in the transportation of this product to the United States. The company is also expanding its fleet with new A330 freighters, enabling it to continue to position itself as an important strategic partner for the flower industry in the region.

For this Mother’s Day season, and for the second time this year, Avianca Cargo doubled its regular capacity for the transportation of flowers, highlighting the export of roses and carnations from Bogota, pompons, hydrangeas and chrysanthemums from Medellin, and roses, carnations, and gypsophila from Quito.

“It is a constant in our mothers’ seasons to transport flowers with the utmost care to keep them fresh to their destination and meet the needs of our customers. In this way we also support the dynamization of the Colombian and Ecuadorian economy, moving one of the most significant products in the region, and helping to boost this industry,” said Diogo Elias, Senior VP of Avianca Cargo.

The company responded in a timely manner to the requirements of its customers, thanks to the preparation of each team months before the launch of the season, increasing its operating personnel by 30% and increasing the extended 24/7 reception hours at origin stations such as Colombia and Ecuador and arrival stations such as Miami and Los Angeles.

Top Copyright Photo: Avianca Cargo (Tampa Cargo) Airbus A330-243F N332QT (msn 1428) MIA (Jay Selman). Image: 404307.

Avianca Cargo aircraft photo gallery:

Lufthansa Group flies the flag for Europe and presents four ‘Yes to Europe’ aircraft in Brussels

The Lufthansa Group sent a clear and loud message for a strong Europe at Brussels Airport today (Monday), when four specially liveried Airbus A320s from Lufthansa Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings simultaneously met.

All four aircraft carry the eye-catching ‘Yes to Europe’ slogan and the European circle-of-stars emblem on their fuselage sides. The message from this joint initiative ahead of the next European elections: Take a stand – strengthen democracy.

About 100 invitees had gathered at Brussels Airport for the occasion. The guests included the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola and Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who both spoke out in favor of a strong and free Europe.

Carsten Spohr, CEO of the Lufthansa Group, said: “Soon millions of citizens will have the opportunity to shape the future of the European Union. Now more than ever, it is up to all of us to use our votes in the European elections to stand up for democracy and a united and free continent. This is the prerequisite for a strong location and a strong economy.”

The four specially liveried Lufthansa Group Airbus A320s with their ‘Yes to Europe’ slogan have been operating throughout their European home continent for several weeks now, serving as flying ambassadors of the European idea in the run-up to the European elections. As a European airline group, the Lufthansa Group is looking to encourage people to vote in these elections, and also to make its own clear statement in support of a strong Europe.

The election to the European Parliament will take place between June 6 and 9, 2024.

Top Copyright Photo: Eurowings – Yes to Europe Airbus A320-251N WL D-AENE (msn 10932) PM I (Javier Rodriguez). Image: 963111.

Below Copyright Photo: Brussels Airlines – Yes to Europe Airbus A320-214 OO-TCV (msn 1968) PMI (Javier Rodriguez). Image: 963138.

Alaska Airlines salutes members of the U.S. military and their families

Alaska Airlines outlined the ways it respects military personnel and their families:

At Alaska, we are so very grateful for the service of active duty military and veterans and appreciate the personal sacrifices they and their families make for us all. We take seriously our responsibility to care for our military guests, and we prioritize it with every flight.

Here are some of the ways we show our care—from booking to landing and everything in between.

Special military fares

We offer special military fares to active duty military and their dependents in some markets. These fares apply to service members traveling on an official excused absence, and those discharged from active duty military service in any one of the US military agencies.

Learn more

Priority boarding

When it’s time to fly, listen closely to the announcements at the gate. Our gate agent will offer active members of the military the opportunity to board the flight early. Stow your bags before most guests and settle into your seat to relax.

Our Boarding Process

Check 5 bags for free

For active duty US military personnel, and military dependents with travel orders, we’ll check your first 5 bags for free.

Learn more

Save on inflight purchases

Members of the military and their families get a 15% discount on food purchased during a flight with us. Just show your military ID to our flight attendant, and then prepare to snack.

Browse our inflight food menu

Lounge access

Alaska Lounge Day Passes are complimentary for U.S. military personnel traveling on official government-sponsored travel booked through SATO and ticketed to fly on an Alaska flight departing within 3 hours. All other active duty military personnel with a valid Military ID, traveling on a paid or award ticket, may purchase a day pass at the discounted rate of $30 when traveling on Alaska. Available in all Alaska Lounge locations, subject to space availability. A valid Military ID must be presented.

Learn about day passes

Receive a WeSalute discount

We offer a discount on our flights for members of WeSalute. If you’re already a member, sign into your VetRewards to redeem your discount. If you’re not yet a member, enroll today to start saving on Alaska Airlines flights.

Learn more

Fly with four-legged friends

Trained service animals travel for free with proper documentation. Plus, we offer active military members and their dependents a pet shipping discount on Alaska Air Cargo.

Learn more.

We’ve got your back.

No matter what direction life takes you after your service, we’ll continue looking for ways to support you and your families, and to show you that we’re grateful for all you’ve done.

Thank you, heroes.

We are fortunate to work with the Honor Flight Network to provide complimentary travel and reduced fares for veterans on specially planned tours of Washington D.C., to honor them for their military service. Since 2012, we have flown nearly 5,000 veterans to the D.C. Area on over 100 Honor Flights.

Alaska Airlines aircraft technicians created and implemented the “Fallen Soldier Program” in 2011. This process ensures that military protocols are followed when handling the remains of fallen servicemen and women being flown to their final resting place on Alaska Airlines. Watch video

Top Copyright Photo: Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-990 ER SSWL N265AK (msn 62682) (Honoring Those Who Serve) SEA (Bruce Drum). Image: 106085.

Alaska Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Vueling’s support of FC Barcelona Women’s team with a new logo jet

Vueling Airlines is showing its support of the F.C. Barcelona Women’s team with this Airbus A320 logo jet.

The airline issued this statement:

FC Barcelona and Vueling have unveiled the design of the new Barça Women’s plane, which features an image of a selection of squad members. This is the first time that a European women’s football team in Europe has featured this way on a regular airliner.

The aircraft was presented in an event held in the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat airport hangar and was attended by most of the women who appear on one of the sides of the design: Aitana Bonmatí, Fridolina Rolfö, Patri Guijarro and Ingrid Engen. Also attending on behalf of FC Barcelona were Elena Fort, vice-president of the Institutional Area, and Xavier Puig, the director responsible for the Women’s team. Vueling’s representation was headed by Sandra Hors, Director of Sustainability, Institutional Relations and Sustainability.

The plane, an A320, will be bearing the new vinyl wrap for the final games of the season. The design combines the team colours and the blaugrana crest, together with the images of eleven players. One side contains the players who were present at the event today, while the other composition is made up of Keira Walsh, Salma Paralluelo, María León, Alexia Putellas, Lucy Bronze and Ona Batlle.

The aircraft also includes the tagline ‘Blaugranes al Vent‘ (Blaugranes on the wind), which is a line from the Barça anthem that perfectly ties in with the idea of flying through the sky. The interior of the plane has also been customised, sporting blaugrana headrests that also include this tagline.

The agreement is applicable in Europe, Israel and North Africa (Tunisia, Libya, Morocco, Egypt and Algeria) and also contemplates commercial activations by Vueling in association with matches at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, collaborations in the form of digital content and dissemination via the platforms of both entities, among other assets.

An alliance based on common origins and values

The union of Barça and Vueling is built on three key pillars, namely the shared origin of the two entities in Barcelona; their non-conformism and their will to break from conventionalism and drive the role of women; and their commitment to society through actions that have a positive impact on its environment.

Both parties are especially keen to highlight their pride in being from Barcelona, a city that forms part of their identities with its cosmopolitan, open character and that is constantly reimagining itself. Likewise, both Vueling and Barça seek to break down prejudices through the empowerment of women, working to offer role models to new generations by highlighting women who have challenged conventions in sectors traditionally linked to more masculine identities. And finally, they are two entities that seek to have a positive impact on the communities in which they are present, through programmes and initiatives to support people in situations of difficulty or vulnerability.

Copyright Photo: Vueling Airlines (Vueling.com) Airbus A320-232 WL EC-MER (msn 6510) (FC Barcelona Women) MUC (Arnd Wolf). Image: 963193.

Vueling Airlines aircraft slide show:

Lufthansa brings back Fanhansa titles for European Championship

Lufthansa – Fanhansa Airbus A321-271NX WL D-AIEH (msn 10318) (Fanhansa) MUC (Arnd Wolf). Image: 963191.

Lufthansa has applied “Fanhansa” titles to the pictured Airbus A321neo registered as D-AIEH.

This aircraft is supposed to be a transport aircraft assigned to the upcoming European World Cup, but there has not been any official announcement from the airline.

The European Championship 2024 commences on June 14 in Munich with a match between Germany and Scotland.

The UEFA European Championship 2024 is set to be the 17th edition of one of the most prestigious tournaments in international football, where Europe’s finest national teams compete for the title of continental champion. Scheduled to take place in Germany, the tournament promises to deliver a festival of football across various iconic cities and stadiums. Germany previously hosted the Euros in 1988 and the World Cup in 2006, both events remembered for their exceptional organization and electric atmospheres. With 24 teams set to participate, the competition will feature a month of high-stakes matches filled with passion, skill, and national pride. The most recent update has seen the tournament’s final draw and qualification process detailed, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling battle for European supremacy.

Top Copyright Photo: Lufthansa – Fanhansa Airbus A321-271NX WL D-AIEH (msn 10318) (Fanhansa) MUC (Arnd Wolf). Image: 963191.

Lufthansa aircraft slide show:

Flying on North Korea’s Air Koryo

From Sam Chui traveling the world:

The flying experience on North Korea’s “one-star airline” Air Koryo is completely different from any other airline! You can fly this airline and visit a museum at the same time! But are they really bizarre and terrible?

I share my experience of flying Air Koryo on their Soviet Ilyushin IL-62, Ilyushin IL-18 and modern Tupolev 204 and Antonov 148 aircraft. It actually has more leg room and the seats are wider than most other airlines, customer service may be better than United or RyanAir. There are free food and drinks for everyone. It is definitely an exotic experience you don’t want to miss!

The aviation tour to North Korea has given us the opportunity to visit many parts of the country including the sacred Mount Paektu near Samjiyon. I share some of the first hand insights about the country, the tour guide, accommodation and food.

The video also covers North Korea’s first Air Show; Wonsan AirShow. It was the most exotic airshow I’ve ever attended with a lineup of rare Soviet vintage fleet of Air Koryo and North Korean Air Force, many joy flights on Air Koryo, and the possibility to meet with North Koreans freely at the airshow.

Air Koryo aircraft photo gallery:

Austrian’s 2024 “Yes to Europe” special titles

Top Copyright Photo: Austrian Airlines – Yes to Europe Airbus A320-271N WL OE-LZO (msn 11076) (Yes to Europe) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 963189.

Austrian Airlines aircraft slide show:

Ed Wegel, former CEO of Eastern 2 and GlobalX announces Miami-based Zoom

Ed Wegel, Founder and CEO of AVi8 Air Capital, made this announcement:

We are moving forward on our scheduled airline operation, and we will launch with the Embraer E190/195 E1, as we await Airbus A220s in a few years.

The E1 gives us great range with an excellent engine type- the GE 34- . We have decided to go with the name Zoom!

Zoom! will work closely with UrbanLink to connect passengers- and UrbanLink pilots- who will start with 500 hours- will build flight hours until they can move to Zoom’s 190s and eventually 220s- we will home grow our cockpit crews