Emirates (Dubai) has released itsย new TV commercial featuring Jennifer Aniston.
“Wake up to flying as it should be”
Monthly Archives: October 2015
450 Southwest Airlines flights impacted yesterday due to computer systems, may persist today
Southwest Airlines (Dallas) yesterday (October 11) experienced computer problems that delayed approximately 450 flights (out of 3,600 scheduled flights). The airline is warning the problems could persist today. The airline has issued this statement:
Weโre continuing to use back-up systems around the country to check-in Customers arriving at our airports without printed or mobile boarding passes. Intermittent performance issues continue impacting our in-airport Customer Service technology systems and across our online platforms (Southwest.com, Southwest Mobile App and site).
We have teams working around the country to support getting our Customers and their checked luggage to their destinations tonight; other groups are troubleshooting multiple applications to determine the cause of some technical challenges experienced Sunday which, as of 6:30pm CDT, have delayed approximately 450 flights (out of 3600 scheduled on Sunday); other groups are making operational decisions to minimize impacts for those who are checking in for travel tomorrow.
We urge Customers traveling Monday to visit Southwest.com to check-in and print boarding passes before coming to the airport. We also encourage Customers to arrive at least two hours prior to their scheduled departures to help minimize delays. Finally, if checking luggage, visit a self-service kiosk adjacent a ticket counter to print bag tags where applicable and present your luggage and identification to Southwest Employees.
We thank our Employees for their tireless efforts to take care of our Customers, and we appreciate our Customersโ patience as we work towards a solution.
Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. The former Sea World “Shamu” logo jet, nowย Boeing 737-7H4 WL N715SW (msn 27849) in the new 2014 livery, arrives at Baltimore/Washington (BWI).
Southwest Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):ย 
Oman Air becomes a new Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operator with the first delivery
Oman Air (Muscat) and Boeing (Chicago, Seattle and Charleston) celebrated the delivery of the airline’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The airline ordered six 787-8s in November 2011 as part of its expansion plans. The pictured Boeing 787-8 A40-SA (msn 42378) was handed over to the carrier on October 7, 2015.
Boeing currently has eight 787 customers in the Middle East with a total of 175 Dreamliners ordered and 140 in backlog.ย Boeing has also been contracted by Oman Air for a suite of services to support the upcoming entry into service of its 787 Dreamliners and to ensure ongoing efficiency and cost savings for its fleet. These services will help Oman Air minimize the time and cost of maintenance while increasing airplane availability.
Oman Air issued this statement:
The state-of-the-art airliner will fly from the Omani capital of Muscat to the southern city of Salalah following its delivery to Oman Air. The flight will be hosted by members of Oman Air’s senior management team, and will carry VIPs, high-ranking government officials, dignitaries from public and private sector organisations, and media representatives. During the one-and-a-half-hour flight each guest will be amongst the first to enjoy Oman Air’s outstanding Dreamliner passenger experience, prior to the aircraft entering scheduled service.
Following the special showcase flight, the Dreamliner will enter service on routes from Muscat to Europe and Saudi Arabia.
Oman Air’s new Dreamliner is one of six currently on order. Following delivery of the first aircraft in October, a second Dreamliner will arrive with the airline in November 2015. A further four deliveries are expected between 2016 and 2018.
Images Above: Oman Air.
Photo Below: Boeing.
Oman Air aircraft slide show:ย
Video:
Delta Air Lines becomes the first U.S. airline to allow customers to pay for flights with Apple Pay
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) has made the following announcement:
Delta is the first U.S.-based airline to allow customers to purchase tickets using Apple Pay, making the booking process even easier for iPhone users.
Delta customers can now book and pay for flights via Apple Pay, the easy and private way to pay that the company says is safer than credit cards, using the latest version of the Fly Delta app. Delta is the first U.S.-based airline to allow its customers to purchase tickets using Apple Pay, making the booking process even faster and easier for iPhone users.
Purchasing tickets using Apple Pay within the Fly Delta app is as simple as the touch of a finger and users will continue to receive all of the rewards and bene๏ฌts offered by their credit and debit cards.
This latest feature to the Fly Delta app is just one of many digital improvements designed to elevate the overall customer experience.
โOur Fly Delta app has come a long way since it was first introduced in 2010. More than 18 million customers have now downloaded the Fly Delta app and we are excited to be the first U.S.-based airline to allow our customers to book and pay for their tickets with Apple Pay. By providing a way to pay for flights with just the touch of a fingertip, Delta continues to optimize our robust mobile channels and provide an easy-to-use and seamless digital experience for our customers,โ said Rhonda Crawford, Vice President – eCommerce.
Security and privacy are at the core of Apple Pay. When customers add a credit or debit card to Apple Pay, the card numbers are not stored on the device or on Apple servers and each transaction is authorized with a one-time unique dynamic security code.
In other news, Delta has also announced a codeshare agreement with Aerolรญneas Argentinas expands customersโ travel options to and from the U.S. to Argentina and Uruguay.
A new agreement between Delta and Aerolรญneas Argentinas will provide customers from both airlines more travel options to and from the United States and South America. The agreement gives Delta customers access to flights from Buenos Airesโ Ministro Pistarini International Airport to Montevideo, Uruguay, as well as to Mendoza and Cordoba, two important destinations in Argentina.
Likewise, the agreement provides Aerolรญneas Argentinas with codesharing on Delta flights to 14 top business destinations in the U.S.
Delta will be able to codeshare with Aerolรญneas Argentinas on two other important routes, connecting customers from Ezeiza to New Yorkโs John F. Kennedy International Airport and Miami International Airport.
Delta will codeshare on Aerolรญneas Argentinasโ routes from Ezeiza to Montevideo, Uruguay, and from Jorge Newbery Airport to Santiago de Chileโs Comodoro Arturo Benitez International Airport, providing connectivity to Santiagoโs daily flight to Atlanta.
Image: Delta.
Delta Air Lines aircraft slide show:ย
Frontier Airlines takes delivery of its first Airbus A321
Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) yesterday (October 9) took delivery of its first Airbus A321. The pictured A321-211 D-AZAA (msn 6793), named “Otto, the Owl” became N701FR on the handover.
As a result Airbus issued this statement:
Frontier Airlines, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, USA has taken delivery of the first Airbus A321 to join its fleet. In the last year, the airline has placed firm orders for 19 A321s, reflecting its market strength and the need for the largest Airbus A320 Family member. All 19 A321s are the current engine option (ceo) and will be equipped with Sharklets. Each will seat 230 people in a single class, and be powered by CFM56-5B engines from CFM International. Frontierโs current in-service fleet consists of 57 A320 Family aircraft (35 A319s and 22 A320s). In addition to the remaining 18 A321s on backlog, the airline has 18 A319neo (new engine option), 62 A320neo, and two A320 ceo aircraft on order, for a total backlog of 100 Airbus single-aisles.
All of Frontiers A321s will feature lightweight composite Sharklets, 2.4-meter/94-inch tall wing-tip devices that provide a fuel consumption reduction of up to 4 percent, plus either a range extension of 100 nautical miles or increased payload of up to 450 kilograms/992 pounds.
Frontierโs new A321s will initially be used on their routes from Orlando to Philadelphia, Denver, Cleveland and Detroit. The airline just this fall opened up a new crew base in Orlando to support the A321.
Top Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss/AirlinersGallery.com (all others by Airbus).ย A321-211 D-AZAA (msn 6793) is pictured at the Airbus facility at Hamburg (Finkenwerder).
Frontier Airlines aircraft slide show:ย
Aeroflot assigns an Orenair Boeing 777-200 to fly Transaero’s passengers for Biblio Globus
Aeroflot Russian Airlines (Moscow) has issued this statement:
Aeroflot, tour operator Biblio Globus and Transaero Airlines (Moscow) have reached agreement on transportation of Transaero passengers through December 15, 2015.
Aeroflot has made available a long-range Boeing 777-200 from the fleet of its Orenair (Orenburg Airlines) (Orenburg) subsidiary to the tour operator in fulfilment of obligations between Biblio Globus and Transaero to carry tourists through December 15. The decision was taken due to Transaeroโs inability to operate its own planes on the tour operatorโs routes and the cancellation by Transaero of all charter flights after October 25.
Biblio Globus thanks the management of Aeroflot and Transaero for its assistance in resolving the challenge of carrying Transaero passengers. The airplane will be made available for two months, from October 15 to December 15.
Copyright Photo: OSDU/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Orenair (Orenburg Airlines) Boeing 777-2Q8 ER VQ-BNU (msn 29908) departs from Moscow’s Shermetyevo Airport.
Orenair aircraft slide show:ย
Alaska Airlines takes delivery of the first Boeing 737-900 ER featuring Boeing’s new “Space Bins”
Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) and Boeing (Chicago, Seattle and Charleston) have jointly issued this statement about the delivery of the first Boeing 737 with Boeing’s new “Space Bins”:
Boeing and hometown partner Alaska Airlines celebrated the first 737 featuring Boeingโs new Space Bins, which increase the room for carry-on baggage by 48 percent. Alaska is the launch customer of Space Bins.
Alaska will take delivery of 34 Next-Generation 737s and one 737 MAX in the next two years and will also begin retrofitting 34 aircraft with the Boeing Sky Interior, primarily 737-900 ERs (Extended Range), in 2016.
Each Space Bin stows six bags, two more than the current pivot bins installed on Next-Generation 737s with the Boeing Sky Interior. Thatโs based on a standard size carry-on bag measuring 9 in x 14 in x 22 in (23 cm x 36 cm x 56 cm).
When open, the bottom edge of a Space Bin hangs about 2 inches (5 centimeters) lower, so travelers can lift their carry-on bags more easily. The deeper bins allow more bags to be stowed and increase visibility into the back of the bins. Alaska Airlines also reports that the Space Bins, designed without a flight attendant bin assist mechanism, are easier to close.
Alaska Airlines is installing Space Bins on all its 737-900 ERs and 737 MAX aircraft currently on order and by 2017 will have 69 airplanes, or 46 percent of its passenger fleet, outfitted with Space Bins.
In other news,ย Alaska Airlines yesterday (October 9) began nonstop service from Orange County, California, to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The flights are year-round and will operate three times a week.
Boeingโs Space Bins are available as an optional feature on in-production Next-Generation 737s and 737 MAXs. Space Bins are also available for retrofit on in-service Next-Generation 737s.
Photo: Boeing.
Alaska Airlines aircraft slide show:ย
Air France has a new message to its customers
Air France (Paris) has issued this statement in the wake of violent demonstrations in Paris following an important board meeting which announced a new round of stiff cuts:
Dear Sir, Madam,
I am sure that like all of us, you were shocked by the events that took place at the end of Air Franceโs Central Works Council meeting last Monday.
What we all saw does not represent Air France.
These violent acts were the work of isolated individuals and do not reflect the reality nor the ambition of your airline. Furthermore, these events did not disrupt our flights in any way.
In a highly competitive world, Air France needs to take brave steps to ensure its future as a leading airline with global ambitions. As you’ve no doubt noticed when you travel with us, Air France is committed to an unprecedented transformation of its products and services.
Our goal is simple: to offer you a high quality product, with a French touch that makes us stand out. We will continue to do this.
We are doing all we can to earn your trust and look forward to welcoming you again soon on one of our flights.
Frรฉdรฉric Gagey and the teams at Air France
Video: Air France (in French)
United Airlines to add three new international routes from the San Francisco hub
United Airlines (Chicago) is adding three new routes from its San Francisco (SFO) hub. The airline issued this statement:
United Airlines, the U.S. airline with the most comprehensive route network and the most trans-Pacific service, will further expand its global reach with new nonstop service from San Francisco to:
- Tel Aviv, Israel, with service three times each week beginning March 30, 2016;
- Auckland, New Zealand, with service three times each week beginning July 1, 2016, expanding to daily service in October; and
- Xi’an, China, previously announced, three-times-weekly service beginning May 8, 2016, for the summer season.
Each new service is subject to government approval.
The airline intends to operate the new flights with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the world’s most advanced passenger airplane.
San Francisco-Tel Aviv: Linking High-Tech Markets
As part of United’s evaluation for serving San Francisco (SFO) to Tel Aviv (TLV) nonstop, the airline considered the opinions of thousands of customers who petitioned for the service through the SFOTLV.ORG petition effort.
Flight ย From ย To ย Departure ย Arrival
UA954ย SFOย TLV ย 8 p.m. We/Fr/Suย 8:10 p.m. the next day
UA955ย TLVย SFOย 12:55 a.m. Tu/Fr/Suย 6 a.m. the same day
Flight times will be 14 hours, 10 minutes eastbound and 15 hours, 5 minutes westbound.
United has served Israel since 1999. The airline currently offers twice-daily Boeing 777 nonstop flights between Tel Aviv and New York/Newark.
San Francisco-Auckland
United’s three-times weekly service to Auckland (AKL), New Zealand’s largest city and main transportation hub to other points throughout the country, will launch July 1, 2016, with 787-8 aircraft. The schedule will expand to daily flights operating with 787-9 aircraft on Oct. 28, 2016, in time for the peak-winter travel season.
The Auckland flights will operate in partnership with United’s Star Alliance partner Air New Zealand.
Flight ย From ย To ย Departure ย Arrival
UA917ย SFO ย AKLย 10:45 p.m.ย 6:55 a.m. two days later
UA916ย AKL ย SFO ย 1:20 p.m. ย 6:40 a.m. the same day
Flight times will be 13 hours, 10 minutes westbound and 12 hours, 20 minutes eastbound.
United in San Francisco
From its San Francisco hub, United operates nearly 280 daily flights to more than 90 destinations in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia/Pacific.
United’s 787 Fleet
United currently has 22 787 Dreamliners in its fleet and expects to take delivery of three more by the end of 2015.
Copyright Photo: AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner N27957 (msn 36409) taxies to the gate at the nearby Los Angeles (LAX) hub.
United Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):ย
Southwest Airlines launches its new “Transfarency” TV ad campaign
Southwest Airlines (Dallas) has launched a new advertising campaign:
Southwest Airlinesยฎ premiered its latest advertising campaign today during an exclusive event inside the new international concourse at William P. Hobby airport in Houston. The campaignโcalled TransfarencySMโincludes multiple TV advertisements, print and digital elements, as well as a microsite focused on the industry’s competitive landscape.
“Transfarency is a unique approach to treating Customers the way they expect and deserve to be treated. Being a low-fare airline is at the heart of our brand, and the foundation of our business model, so we’re not going to nickel and dime our customers,” said Kevin Krone, Southwest’s Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “Southwest continues to lead the pack as the only airline that offers low fares and an inclusive approach to travel. Transfarency is not a new chapter for us, but another tone to the bell that we’ve been ringing for more than 44 years.”
The initial ad that debuted today will begin airing this evening as the Texas Rangers, who Southwest proudly sponsors, fight to advance in the baseball playoffs. It continues to run Sunday, Oct. 11, in conjunction with existing placements airing during NFL Sunday Football. Working with agency of record, GSD&M, in Austin, Texas, this campaign includes a heavy focus on the Company’s low-fare philosophy with no unexpected bag fees, change fees, or hidden fees.
The Transfarency campaign features a heavy emphasis on the unique philosophy created by Southwest Airlines. Transfarency is where Customers are treated honestly and fairly, and low fares actually stay lowโwith no unexpected bag fees, change fees, or hidden fees. The Transfarency philosophy was created by and is practiced exclusively by Southwest Airlines.
“Transfarency rose to the top for us,” said Marianne Malina, president of GSD&M. “In one word you get the idea; you get the playfulness from it. It has smart humor that Southwest can own, and it elevates the idea beyond just inclusive pricing. It’s about transparency and being honest.”
In addition to the TV advertisements, campaign elements include print and digital components as well as a microsite focused on the industry’s competitive landscape. The microsite includes videos and quizzes focused on Southwest’s unique philosophy. A “Fee or Fake” quiz provides tips for travelers to avoid pervasive fees from other airlines.
The 30-second initial advertisement that debuted today will begin airing Sunday, Oct. 11, during NFL games on NBC, CBS, and FOX NFL programming. It highlights the bold new look one year after its initial launch and verbalizes the airline’s low fares and 86 U.S. destinations.
The ads will run nationally for 15 weeks. Following the Oct. 11 launch, Southwest is scheduled to release three additional ads in the coming months. The airline also plans to roll out digital extensions on Facebook and Twitter surrounding the new campaign.
International Concourse
Today’s rollout of the new campaign comes as Southwest gets ready to open a new, $156 million international concourse at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston. On Oct. 15, Southwest will begin operating flights to six international destinations across Latin America and the Caribbean. The new era in air travel will provide Southwest’s Houston Customers a low-fare choice to reach destinations that have been not been reachable through Hobby airport in decades.
Video: Southwest Airlines.
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