Monthly Archives: October 2018

An inside look at Delta’s new Airbus A220-100

 

Delta Air Lines has issued this inside look at its new Airbus A220-100:

Following the delivery of its first Airbus A220-100 last week, Delta shared a sneak peek of the aircraftโ€™s modern interior with Delta people as the airline celebrated the 10th year anniversary of its merger with Northwest.

โ€œAs we look back at our growth over the past 10 years since the Delta-Northwest merger, we reflect on the complementary strengths the two airlines brought to form a combined company thatโ€™s well positioned to continue leading the industry in decades to come,โ€ said Gil West, Deltaโ€™s Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. โ€œIn many ways, the A220 represents our continued work to make flying better for everyone and represents the go-forward objectives of our fleet strategy.โ€

Designed to be experience-rich for customers, Deltaโ€™s A220 will bring elements of the international travel experience that customers have enjoyed on widebody aircraft โ€” like Deltaโ€™s flagship A350 โ€” to domestic routes for customers to enjoy at home.

Inaugural A220 flights are set to depart on Jan. 31, from Delta’s hub at New York’s LaGuardia airport to its growing operation at Boston Logan International, and from LaGuardia to top business destination Dallas/Ft. Worth.

Highlights of Deltaโ€™s A220-100 include:

  • 109 seats total, including seating for 12 in First Class, 15 in Delta Comfort+ and 82 in Main Cabin
  • State-of-the-art interior featuring seat-back screens, 2Ku Wi-Fi and among the widest seats of any narrowbody aircraft
  • Thoughtful innovations like high-capacity overhead bins, extra-large windows and full-spectrum LED ambient lighting

A walkthrough of the cabins:

Main Cabin

Delta’s A220s will feature 18.6″ wide Main Cabin seats โ€” the widest Main Cabin seats in Delta’s fleet โ€” in a two-by-three layout. Each customer will also have personal power ports and complimentary premium entertainment on individual seat-back screens.

A220 Main Cabin

Delta Comfort+

Customers flying in Delta Comfort+ on the A220 can expect thoughtful extras, like more legroom and dedicated overhead bin space, in a customer-preferred two-by-three seat configuration.

 

First Class

In the First Class cabin, customers can look forward to the debut of a new, modern First Class seat design in a two-by-two layout, featuring the largest IFE screens of any Delta domestic First Class seat.

 

Powered by Pratt & Whitney’s latest geared turbofan PW1500G engine, the A220 takes advantage of advanced technology and composite materials designed to deliver an expected 20 percent improvement in fuel efficiency over similar-sized aircraft when it enters service with Delta.

Video:

https://news.delta.com/photos-delta-s-new-a220-interior-modern-elevated-experience-domestic-travelers

CityJet to operate two Avro RJ85s for Aer Lingus

https://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Europe-1/Airlines-Ireland/Aer-Lingus/i-vJMXPQ2/A

CityJet will operate two Avro (BAe) RJ85s (the pictured EI-RJN and EI-RJH) for Aer Lingus on the Dublin – London (City) route. The two aircraft will be leased for three years.

EI-RJN rests at Dublin after acquiring a more simplistic Aer Lingus “livery” pending a new look in January 2019.

The inaugural flight (EI284) departed DUB on October 30, 2018 for London (City).

Copyright Photo:ย Aer Lingus – CityJet Avro (BAe) RJ85 EI-RJN (msn E2351) DUB (Greenwing). Image: 944191.

Aer Lingus aircraft slide show:

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United Airlines begins service between Chicago O’Hare and Leรณn, Mexico

United Airlines this weekend inaugurated year-round, daily nonstop service between Chicago O’Hare and Leรณn, Guanajuato, Mexico. United is the only U.S. carrier to offer nonstop service between Chicago and Leรณn, providing convenient one-stop service for business and leisure customers from 42 cities across the U.S., Asia and Europe.

Date

Depart

Departure Time

Arrive

Arrival Time

Daily

Chicago (ORD)

4:15 p.m.

Leรณn (BJX)

8:00 p.m.

Daily

Leรณn (BJX)

5:40 a.m.

Chicago (ORD)

10:30 a.m.

United has operated service to Leรณn for more than 25 years from its hub at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

United’s Chicago Hub

O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is United’s hometown hub and the sixth busiest airport in the world. United operates more flights out of ORD than any other airlines and occupies nearly 80,000 square meters of terminal space at the airport. From Chicago, United flies to 22 destinations in Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean. Recently, United invested in an $8.7 billion capital program that will increase gate capacity; add millions of additional square feet of terminal capacity and bring innovative technology and amenities that will bring a new level of service for passengers traveling through Chicago.

United in Mexico

Mexico is United’s second largest market after the United States, measured in the number of flights and destinations. United has operated in Mexico for more than 50 years and employs more than 750 people. United is a leader and pioneer in opening new international routes between Mexico and the United States, which includes services to Aguascalientes, Leรณn, Puebla, Queretaro, and Tampico, among other cities. Over the last 20 years, United has grown from eight to 21 destinations in Mexico, adding services and capacity to new leisure destinations and key commercial markets.

Ethiopian to fly to Moscow

"Tokyo", delivered on August 11, 2018

Ethiopian Airlines has announced it will launch services to Moscow, Russia as of December 1, 2018.

page1image14121792

Flight Number

Effective Date

Frequency

Departure Airport

Departure Time

page1image20116384

Arrival Airport

Arrival Time

page1image20119296

Sub fleet

ET 0760

05-DEC-18

MON, WED, FRI

ADD

23:45

page1image19999568

IST

04:55

page1image14143040

ET 788

…….

page1image14145728 page1image14151488

IST

page1image14153024 page1image14153792

05:55

page1image14030848

DME

page1image14034496

page1image14036800

08:35

page1image14031808

ET 788

ET 0761

05-DEC-18

TUE, THU, SAT

DME

21:20

IST

23:55

ET 788

…….

page1image14017728 page1image14009472

IST

01:05

page1image13918848

ADD

page1image13912128

6:25

ET 788

As of December, Ethiopian will connect Moscow with 59 cities in Africa, with thrice a week flights operated with the ultra-modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner, will facilitate better trade, investment and tourism relations between the two regions.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Ethiopian):ย Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner ET-AUR (msn 38793) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 943204.

Ethiopian aircraft slide show:

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airBaltic launches two new routes from Tallinn

airBaltic (airBaltic.com) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) YL-BAY (msn 4331) ARN (Stefan Sjogren). Image: 942377.

airBaltic on October 28, 2018 launched two new nonstop services from Tallinn to Stockholm and Oslo. Since the expansion in Estonia, airBaltic now bases two aircraft at Tallinn Airport. The new flights offer convenient connections between Tallinn and the two cities.

Route Flight frequency Start date Price*, Basic Price*, Premium Price*, Business
Tallinn โ€“ Stockholm 12 flights weekly October 28, 2018 22 EUR 69 EUR 379 EUR
Tallinn โ€“ Oslo 2 flights weekly October 28, 2018 29 EUR 69 EUR 379 EUR

*Lowest fare (one way), including taxes, fees and service charges, on www.airBaltic.com, subject to availability

airBalticย flies from Tallinn to Stockholm 12 times weekly. The scheduled flight time to Tallinn is one hour and 5 minutes. One-way ticket price to Stockholm starts at 22 EUR, including airport fees and transaction costs. The flights to Oslo are performed two times a week and the scheduled flight time is one hour and 45 minutes. One-way ticket price to Oslo starts at 29 EUR.

In addition, airBaltic continues to offer nonstop flights from Tallinn to London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, Vienna and Vilnius as well as convenient connections via Riga.

During first nine months of 2018 airBaltic has transported over 330,000 passengers to and from Estonia. The airline has carried 12% more passengers in Estonia to its network spanning Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, CIS and the Middle East than during the same period last year.

airBaltic serves over 70 destinations from Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius, offering the largest variety of destinations and convenient connections via Riga to its network spanning Europe, Scandinavia, the CIS and the Middle East. For summer 2019, airBaltic has introduced three new destinations from Tallinn to Malaga, Brussels and Copenhagen. In addition, next summer airBaltic will launch a new direct route connecting Riga and Stuttgart.

Top Copyright Photo:ย airBaltic (airBaltic.com) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) YL-BAY (msn 4331) ARN (Stefan Sjogren). Image: 942377.

airBaltic aircraft slide show:

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Air Canada inaugurates two new transborder routes from Alberta

Air Canada rouge (Air Canada) Airbus A319-112 C-GITR (msn 1577) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 942738.

Air Canada on October 28 launched two new daily, seasonal transborder routes.ย  Celebrations were held prior to the departure of the inaugural flights from Edmonton to Las Vegas and from Calgary to Palm Springs.

The Edmonton to Las Vegas and Calgary to Palm Springs flights are onboard Air Canada Rouge A319 and Air Canada A320 aircraft respectively, both offering premium and economy cabins.

Flights are timed to connect with Air Canada’s extensive domestic schedule, provides for Aeroplan accumulation and redemption, Star Alliance reciprocal benefits, and for eligible customers, priority check-in, Maple Leaf Lounge access at Canadian airports, priority boarding and other benefits.

 

From

To

Frequency

Aircraft

Effective

Edmonton

Las Vegas

Daily

Air Canada Rouge Airbus A319

Oct 28/18 – Apr 30/19

Calgary

Palm Springs

Daily

Airbus A320

Oct 28/18 – Apr 30/19

Above Copyright Photo:ย Air Canada rouge (Air Canada) Airbus A319-112 C-GITR (msn 1577) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 942738.

Air Canada rouge aircraft slide show:

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Lion Air Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 crashes into the Java Sea, debris found

Delivered August 13, 2018, crashed into the Java Sea on October 29, 2018

Lion Air flight JT 610 from Jakarta to Pangkal Pinang, in the Bangka Belitung Islands, today (October 29, 2018) crashed into the Java Sea shortly after takeoff from Jakarta. The flight was carrying 181 passengers and six crew members. The flight crew made a request to return to JKT.

The aircraft involved was a new Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 (PK-LQP).

Lion Air issued this statement:

Lion Air flight JT610 en-route to Pangkalpinang has crashed near Kerawang (S 5โ€™49.052โ€ E 107โ€™ 06.628โ€), 13 minutes after taking off from Jakarta Soekarno Hatta International Airport at 6:20 AM.

The flight carried 178 adults, 1 child and 2 infant, including 3 crew under training and 1 technician.

The aircraft is a Boeingย 737 MAX 8 with registration number PK-LQP. It is made in 2018 and started its operation at Lion Air since August 15, 2018.ย  The aircraft was declared operationally feasible.

The aircraft is commanded by Captain. Bhavye Suneja and co-pilot Harvino with six cabin crew Shintia Melina, Citra Noivita Anggelia, Alviani Hidayatulย  Solikha, Damayanti Simarmata, Mery Yulianda, and Deny Maula. The captain has 6,000 flight hours and the co-pilot has more than 5,000 flight hours.

Lion Air is concerned with the incident and will work with the relevant authorities and agencies on this matter.

The number to the crisis center is 021-80820001 and for customer information 021-80820002.

Read more from CNN: CLICK HERE

Read more from the BBC: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo:ย Lion Air (PT Lion Mentari Airlines) Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 PK-LQP (msn 43000) BFI (James Helbock). Image: 944189.

Lion aircraft slide show:

Video:

IAG reports strong financial results, livery change coming at Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus Airbus A330-302 EI-ELA (msn 1106) JFK (Stephen Tornblom). Image: 910752.

International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) on October 26, 2018 presented Group consolidated results for the nine months to September 30, 2018.

The IAG is the holding company of Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Level and Vueling.

IAG period highlights on results:

  • Third quarter operating profit โ‚ฌ1,460 million before exceptional items (2017 restated(1): โ‚ฌ1,450 million)
  • Net foreign exchange operating profit impact for the quarter adverse โ‚ฌ111 million
  • Passenger unit revenue for the quarter up 1.3 per cent, up 2.4 per cent at constant currency
  • Non-fuel unit costs before exceptional items for the quarter up 0.5 per cent, down 0.7 per cent at constant currency
  • Fuel unit costs for the quarter up 14.3 per cent, up 15.0 per cent at constant currency
  • Operating profit before exceptional items for the nine months period โ‚ฌ2,575 million (2017 restated(1): โ‚ฌ2,400 million), up 7.3 per cent
  • Completion of second โ‚ฌ500m share buyback programme on October 24
  • Interim dividend of 14.5 euro cents per share

ย 

Performance summary:

ย ย  Nine months to September 30 ย 
Highlights โ‚ฌ million 2018 2017

(restated)(1)

Higher / (lower)
ย  ย     
Passenger revenue 16,326 15,507 5.3 %
Total revenue 18,346 17,450 5.1 %
Operating profit before exceptional items 2,575 2,400 7.3 %
Exceptional items 584 (271) nm
Operating profit after exceptional items 3,159 2,129 48.4%
ย  ย     
Available seat kilometres (ASK million) 244,343 231,417 5.6 %
Passenger revenue per ASK (โ‚ฌ cents) 6.68 6.70 (0.3)%
Non-fuel costs per ASK (โ‚ฌ cents) 4.84 5.01 (3.2)%
ย  ย     
Alternative performance measures 2018 2017

(restated)(1)

Higher / (lower)
ย  ย     
Profit after tax before exceptional items (โ‚ฌ million) 1,970 1,805 9.1 %
Adjusted earnings per share (โ‚ฌ cents) 91.9 81.7 12.5 %
Adjusted net debt (โ‚ฌ million) 7,475 7,183 4.1 %
Adjusted net debt to EBITDAR 1.4 1.4 (0.0x)
  ย     
Statutory results โ‚ฌ million 2018 2017

(restated)(1)

Higher / (lower)
ย  ย     
Profit after tax and exceptional items 2,514 1,597 57.4 %
Basic earnings per share (โ‚ฌ cents) 121.9 75.3 61.8 %
Cash and interest-bearing deposits 6,923 7,523 (8.0) %
Interest-bearing long-term borrowings 7,342 7,578 (3.1) %
ย ย       
For definitions refer to the IAG Annual report and accounts 2017.
(1)Restated for new accounting standards IFRS 15 โ€˜Revenue from contracts with customersโ€™ and IFRS 9 โ€˜Financial instrumentsโ€™.

Willie Walsh, IAG Chief Executive Officer, said:

โ€œWeโ€™re reporting a good quarter 3 performance with an operating profit of โ‚ฌ1,460 million before exceptional items, up from โ‚ฌ1,450 million last year.

โ€œThese were strong results despite significant fuel cost and foreign exchange headwinds. At constant currency, our passenger unit revenue increased by 2.4 per cent while non-fuel unit costs went down 0.7 per cent.

โ€œWeโ€™re pleased to announce an interim dividend of 14.5 euro cents per share and this week we completed our second โ‚ฌ500 million share buy-back programmeโ€.

Trading outlook

At current fuel prices and exchange rates, IAG expects its operating profit before exceptional items for 2018 to show an increase of around โ‚ฌ200m from a base of โ‚ฌ2,950m in 2017. Both passenger unit revenue and non-fuel unit costs are expected to improve at constant currency for the full year.

It’s back! College Football is returning to Dublin for the Aer Lingus College Football Series. Five epic games from 2020-2024. First up: Notre Dame Football v Navy Football.

Top Copyright Photo: Aer Lingus Airbus A330-302 EI-ELA (msn 1106) JFK (Stephen Tornblom). Image: 910752. The desire to create larger profits are driving an upcoming livery change at Aer Lingus. Look now, the amount of green is expected to be significantly reduced with the upcoming new livery.ย The first Aer Lingus aircraft in the new colors is expected at the end of January, 2019. The pictured Airbus A330-302, registered as EI-ELA, will probably be the first aircraft to be repainted (always subject to change). The new livery is expected to be something likeย Iberia Express with green engine cowlings and a dark green shamrock on the tail with two cheat lines down the fuselage. The size and style of the titles are still under discussion pending a final livery decision.

In other news, Aer Lingus is expecting their first Avro (BAe) RJ85 (EI-RJN) on Sunday with Aer Lingus titles and a shamrock in green decals.

Below Copyright Photo:ย Aer Lingus Airbus A330-302 EI-ELA (msn 1106) DUB (SM Fitzwilliams Collection). Image: 925195.

Named "St. Patrick".

Aer Lingus aircraft slide show:

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Jetstar Asia celebrates 10 years of direct services between Singapore and Darwin with special livery

Jetstar Asia has partnered with Tourism Northern Territory to celebrate ten years of flying between Singapore and Darwin with a special livery on Airbus A320 9V-JSB depicting scenes from the Top-End.

The airline continued:

In celebration of our 10th year of flying to Darwin, we’ve launched a commemorative livery, featuring the top icons of Australiaโ€™s Outback, Northern Territory!

Designed by Singaporean illustrator Ben Quek Made By Ben, this special livery is on our 9V-JSB A320, so look out for it as it flies around Asia and of course to Darwin.

โ€œFrom vast deserts to lush wetlands, koalas to crocodiles โ€“ these are the contrasts I wanted to

capture in the design and colours in the livery,โ€ said Mr. Qwek.

Jetstar Asia operates a daily service from Singapore to Darwin during peak periods.

All photos by the airline.

Delta Air Lines takes delivery of its first Airbus A220

Airbus today welcomed Delta Air Lines as the first U.S. carrier to take delivery of the Airbus A220 aircraft.ย  On hand for the delivery ceremony at the aircraft’s assembly line in Mirabel were members of the A220 team as well as government officials and executives from Delta, Airbus, Bombardier and Investissement Quebec.

“It is with great pride that we take delivery of our first, state-of-the-art A220-100,” said Delta Chief Executive Ed Bastian. “We have big plans for our A220 fleet and are confident that Delta customers and Delta people alike will be delighted with the in-flight experience provided by this thoroughly modern and efficient aircraft. We value our longstanding partnerships with Airbus and Bombardier and are grateful for the great design and manufacturing work done by the team here in Mirabel.”

(CNW Group/Airbus)

Delta’s A220 will enter service in early 2019, making Delta the fourth global airline to operate the aircraft previously known as the Bombardier C Series. The C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP) welcomed Airbus as lead partner earlier this year, prompting the change of name to the Airbus A220.ย  Delta is the largest A220-100 customer, with a firm order for 75 aircraft.

Guillaume Faury, President of Airbus’ commercial aircraft business, said, “We at Airbus are dedicated to providing our customers the right products for a marketplace that needs modern, efficient and passenger-friendly aircraft โ€“ and the remarkable A220 certainly delivers. When a great airline like Delta puts a new aircraft into service as a platform for their outstanding passenger service, the entire industry takes note. The A220 team is gratified by the confidence that the Delta family has placed in this excellent, Canadian-born aircraft.”

The A220-100 delivers unbeatable fuel efficiency. It brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines to offer at least 20 percent lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft.

With an order book of over 400 aircraft to date, the A220 has all the credentials to win the lion’s share of the 100- to 150-seat aircraft market, estimated to represent at least 7,000 aircraft over the next 20 years.

As of the end of September, Delta was operating a fleet of 235 Airbus aircraft, including 182 A320 Family members, as well as 42 A330s and 11 A350 XWB, or eXtra Wide Body aircraft. The airline has more than 275 additional Airbus aircraft on order. Next year, Delta will become the first U.S. airline to operate the new Airbus A330neo.

Delta issued this statement:

It’s official: Delta Air Lines’ fleet now features the state-of-the-art and experience-rich Airbus A220-100, slated to debut on scheduled flights in January.

At a ceremony in Mirabel, Quebec earlier today, Delta became the first North American operator of the A220, continuing its effort to transform the travel experience for Delta customers.

“The innovation, creativity and remarkable engineering skills that went into the design and production of this aircraft is simply breathtaking,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian to an audience of Delta, Airbus and Bombardier employees gathered in Mirabel. “The A220 will serve as the cornerstone of our future domestic growth.”

Delta’s A220 is the latest investment in a fleet modernization program that aims to replace 20 percent of older, less-efficient aircraft by 2020. The A220 will bring an elevated customer experience to top business routes with features that customers will look forward to every time they fly.

“We at Airbus are dedicated to providing the right products for a marketplace that needs modern, efficient and customer-friendly aircraft โ€” and the remarkable A220 certainly delivers,” said Guillaume Faury, President of Airbus’s commercial aircraft business. “When a great airline like Delta puts a new aircraft into service, the entire industry takes note. The A220 team is gratified by the confidence that the Delta family has placed in this aircraft.”

In addition to a modern interior with a spacious, widebody feel, Delta’s A220 will feature best-in-class fuel performance. Powered by Pratt & Whitney’s latest geared turbofan PW1500G engine, the A220 takes advantage of advanced technology and composite materials designed to deliver an expected 20 percent improvement in fuel efficiency over older, similar-sized aircraft when it enters service with Delta.

Inaugural A220 flights are set to depart on Jan. 31 from Delta’s hub at New York’s LaGuardia Airport to its growing operation at Boston Logan International, and from LaGuardia to top business destination Dallas/Ft. Worth.

Delta’s first A220 rolled out of the paint shop in its signature Delta colors and took its first test flight earlier this month. Today, the aircraft will fly from Mirabel to Delta’s hometown of Atlanta, where Delta employees will carry out additional induction work and flight crew training on the A220 in the months ahead to finalize readiness for its first customer flight.