Monthly Archives: October 2018

Etihad Airways to introduce Boeing 787 on services to Kuala Lumpur and Brussels

First flight on October 8, 2017

Etihad Airways will introduce the Boeing 787-9 on its daily scheduled services from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, effective 20 December this year, and to Brussels, effective 3 January 2019.

The new two-class 787 Dreamliner service features Etihad Airwaysโ€™ next-generation Business and Economy Class cabins, configured with 299 seats – 28 Business Studios and 271 Economy Smart Seats.

Etihad Airwaysโ€™ modern fleet of 21 Boeing 787-9 aircraft feature innovative, award-winning cabin designs and products, complemented by the airlineโ€™s acclaimed service and hospitality offering. Flights include Food and Beverage Managers in Business Class and a Flying Nanny in Economy Class to provide extra specialised care for families with young children.

Timetable

Boeing 787 schedule to Kuala Lumpur, effective December 20, 2018

Flight

Origin

Departs

Dest

Arrives

Freq

Aircraft

EY 418

Abu Dhabi

22:30

Kuala Lumpur

 10:00 +1

Daily

Boeing 787-9

EY 411

Kuala Lumpur

19:15

Abu Dhabi

22:20

Daily

Boeing 787-9

Boeing 787 schedule to Brussels, effective January 3, 2019

Flight

Origin

Departs

Dest

Arrives

Freq

Aircraft

EY 57

Abu Dhabi

02:50

Brussels

07:20

Daily

Boeing 787-9

EY 58

Brussels

10:05

Abu Dhabi

19:35

Daily

Boeing 787-9

Notes: All departures and arrivals are listed in local time.

About Etihad Airwaysโ€™ Boeing 787-9 (two-class)

The 28 Business Studios offer direct aisle access, a fully-flat bed of up to 80.5 inches in length, and an increase of 20 per cent in personal space. Upholstered in fine Poltrona Frau Leather, the Business Studio is equipped with an in-seat massage and pneumatic cushion control system which enables guests to adjust the firmness and comfort of their seat.

Each Business Studio has an 18-inch personal touch-screen TV with noise-cancelling headsets. Guests can also enjoy mobile connectivity, onboard Wi-Fi and seven satellite channels of live TV.

271 Economy Smart Seats provide enhanced comfort with a unique โ€˜fixed wingโ€™ headrest, adjustable lumbar support, a seat width of approximately 19 inches and an 11.1โ€ personal TV monitor on each seat. The aircraft has been designed with enhancements including humidity controls while air pressure levels are set to ensure a smoother flight, allowing guests to arrive feeling fresher.

The airlineโ€™s Boeing 787 fleet is equipped with the latest inflight entertainment system featuring over 750 hours of movies and programmes, as well as hundreds of music choices and a selection of games for both adults and children.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Etihad):ย Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner A6-BLR (msn 39663) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 939458.

Etihad aircraft slide show:

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Iberia to bring the Airbus A350-900 to Chicago O’Hare and Buenos Aires

Iberia Airbus A350-941 F-WZHC (EC-MYX) (msn 227) TLS (Paul Bannwarth). Image: 942971.

Iberia is assigning the new Airbus A350-900 to two new routes; Chicago (O’Hare) (May 2019) and Buenos Aires (February 2019) from the Madrid hub.

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Top Copyright Photo (all others by Iberia):ย Iberia Airbus A350-941 F-WZHC (EC-MYX) (msn 227) TLS (Paul Bannwarth). Image: 942971.

Iberia aircraft slide show:

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SAS to rename tickets types

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS has released this statement:

To make it easier for travelers to choose the right ticket SAS will rename its ticket types as of ย November 13, 2018. Both the price and the content of the ticket types will stay the same.

SAS. Scandinavian Airlines. SAS New Cabin.

SAS offers tickets in three well known travel classes; SAS Business, SAS Plus and SAS Go. Within these three, there are seven ticket types that will get new names in order to make it easier for customers to differentiate them from each other.

โ€œTravelers expect ease, clarity and efficiency. We want to make it easier for our customers to understand what type of ticket they buy and what is included. It is only the ticket name that changes โ€“ there is no difference in content or in the price,โ€ says Annelie Nรคssรฉn, EVP Global Sales and Marketing, SAS.

The names of the three travel classes SAS Business, SAS Plus and SAS Go will stay the same. The new names for the ticket types are โ€“ โ€œLightโ€, โ€œSmartโ€ and โ€œProโ€ and will be combined with the travel class names.

The new classes are named SAS Business Smart, SAS Business Pro, SAS Plus Smart, SAS Plus Pro, SAS Go Light, SAS Go Smart, SAS Go Pro. The SAS Business travel classes are available on flights outside Europe. The name change will take place on 13 November 2018 and tickets that are bought before the name change will automatically get the new names.

KLM celebrates its 99th anniversary

KLM's 2016 "OrangePride" special livery

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines introduced its latest Delftblue miniature on its 99th anniversary onย October 7, 2018. The famous collector item, a unique gift to World Business Class travellers on long haul flights, is a sought after collector’s item.

KLM presented their latest Delftblue miniature of the first grocery store by the iconic Dutch coffee brand ‘Douwe Egberts’ in Joure, a beautiful village in the middle of Friesland. Fittingly, at the end of October, KLM will be serving Douwe Egberts sustainable UTZ-certified coffee on all its European and intercontinental flights.

To celebrate KLM’s 99th anniversary, KLM just launched their ‘winter hot picks’ on sale from today until 2 November, 2018 for travel from October 31, 2018 until May 31, 2019.ย Economy class return fares from Jakarta to Europe including taxes start from IDR 8,500,000 and in Business class return fares from Jakarta to Amsterdam including taxes start from IDR 42,400,000.ย From Denpasar Economy class return fares including taxes start at IDR 9,000,000.ย 

About KLM Royal Dutch Airlines in Indonesia

KLM’s first flights between Amsterdam and Indonesia started on October 1, 1924 when KLM initiated its first intercontinental flight from Amsterdam to Jakarta. In September 1929 KLM started regular, scheduled services between Amsterdam and Indonesia. Until the outbreak of the Second World War, this was the world’s longest distance scheduled service.

KLM offers daily direct flights between Jakarta and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport with a stop in Kuala Lumpur and daily flights between Denpasar and Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport with a stop in Singapore.

KLM Jakartaย – Amsterdam

  • KL810 departs Jakarta at 19:25 and arrives in Amsterdam at 05:55 the next day
  • KL809 departs Amsterdam at 20:50 and arrives in Jakarta at 18:10 the next day

KLM Jakartaย – Kuala Lumpurย 

  • KL810 departs Jakarta at 19:25 and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 22:30 the next day
  • KL809 departs Kuala Lumpur at 17:05 and arrives in Jakarta at 18:10 the next day

KLM Denpasarย – Amsterdam

  • KL836 departs Denpasar at 21:35 and arrives in Amsterdam at 08:00 the next day
  • KL835 departs Amsterdam at 21:00 and arrives in Denpasar at 20:20 the next day

KLM Denpasarย – Singapore

  • KL836 departs Denpasar at 21:35 and arrives in Singapore at 00:05 the next day
  • KL835 departs Singapore at 17:35 and arrives in Denpasar at 20:20 the next day

Departure and Arrival times based on winter scheduleย — 29 October, 2018ย – 31 March, 2019)

The daily flights are operated by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with 34 seats in Business Class and 374 seats in Economy Class.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by KLM):ย KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777-306 ER PH-BVA (msn 35671) (OrangePride) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 943972.

KLM aircraft slide show:

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Qingdao Airlines takes delivery of first Airbus A320neo aircraft

Airbus A320neo for Qingdao Airlines

Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp. and Qingdao Airlines celebrated delivery of the airline’s first Airbus A320neo aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney GTFโ„ข engines.ย  Pratt & Whitney will also provide Qingdao Airlines with engine maintenance through a long-term EngineWiseยฎ Comprehensive service agreement. Qingdao Airlines is the eighth GTF engine operator in China.

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Qingdao Airlines, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Qingdao, Shangdong, China, announced its selection of the GTF engine to power an order of 18 firm A320neo family aircraft in November 2016.ย  The airline offers domestic and international flight services to destinations across China and Northeast Asia.

Top Copyright Photo:ย Qingdao Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL D-AXAH (B-302P) (msn 8478) XFW (Gerd Beilfuss). Image: 943666.

Qingdao aircraft slide show:

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Air Canada to open new facility for ground support equipment services and cargo at Edmonton International Airport

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Air Canada broke ground today for a new facility that will house its ground support equipment service and cargo teams at Edmonton International Airport(YEG), allowing the airline to further enhance its operational capabilities and reinforcing the airline’s commitment to Alberta’s capital city.

The 50,000 square foot (4,645 square metres) building will be constructed by Terracap Group. Air Canada has signed a 15-year lease for the multi-tenant facility, representing an investment of $19 million by the airline over the term of the lease.

Air Canada’s Ground Support Equipment team will utilize 30,000 square feet (2,787 square metres) of the new facility, while Air Canada Cargo will occupy the remaining 20,000 square feet (1,858 square metres). The new facility is expected to open in September 2019.

The new facility will include five spacious maintenance bays to facilitate the upkeep of Air Canada’s approximately 167 airport vehicles in use at Edmonton International Airport, comprising pushback tugs to bag tractors and other vehicles. The building has separate, dedicated areas for maintaining an ever-increasing fleet of baggage carts and container dollies, as well as for welding and machining operations and enables equipment painting year-round regardless of the season.ย  Other features include a dedicated area for electricians to carry out specialized electrical repairs and a training room that will support continuous learning by keeping mechanics current with the latest technology. Air Canada will continue to meet environmental requirements efficiently through a dedicated area to effectively handle hazardous materials.

The new building will also provide modern, upgraded facilities for Air Canada Cargo which will enable the integration of technology infrastructure and enhanced space usage for the optimal flow of goods. In 2017, Air Canada Cargo handled 3.2 million kilograms of goods, including pharmaceuticals, mail, art, and oil and gas industry equipment through its Edmonton cargo facility.

This fall from Edmonton, Air Canada will offer more than 290 flights each week (up to 44 daily flights) to 12 destinations (14 in winter) in North America, including one daily flight to Las Vegas which will launch on October 28, and the daily non-stop flights to San Francisco which began earlier this year. The carrier will offer an average of 1,770 additional seats per week from Edmonton International Airport this fall and winter, when compared to the same period last year.

Jetlines selects CAE for Airbus A320 pilot training

Canada Jetlines Ltd. has announced the signing of an exclusive Airbus A320 pilot training agreement with global aviation training leader CAE.

Starting in the first half of 2019, CAE instructors will train Jetlinesโ€™ pilots at CAEโ€™s training centre in Montreal using the latest training equipment suite.

In addition, the airlineโ€™s pilots will have access, on-site and remotely, to the most advanced training material, leveraging Pelesys, a CAE company, for Airbus A320 comprehensive ground-school training solutions. This holistic training solutions experience reduces the time spent in the classroom and will allow crews to be more productive while ensuring their technical knowledge is maintained at the highest standards.

Jetlinesย has completed a second set of advance lease payments to AerCap, a global leader in aircraft leasing and aviation finance, for two Airbus A320 aircraft.

Delivery of Airbus A320 msns 2594 and 2663 are expected by early Q2 of 2019.

Both aircraft are currently with Air New Zealand and are approaching end of lease service with the airline. Jetlines has made another deposit to AerCap for USD $438,000 per the terms of the agreement and in demonstration of the continued partnership. To date Jetlines has made payments totalling USD $2,190,000 toward securing these aircraft.

Planned Route Map:

JetBlue increases international flights with new Guayaquil service

JetBlue Airways Airbus A320-232 N603JB (msn 2352) (jetBlue vacations) LGB (Michael B. Ing). Image: 943393.

JetBlue Airways today announced that new flights between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood international Airport (FLL) and Guayaquil, Ecuadorโ€™s Josรฉ Joaquรญn de Olmedo International Airport (GYE) are set to launch on February 28, 2019.

Guayaquil becomes JetBlueโ€™s sixth destination in South America, second in Ecuador and expands the airlineโ€™s broader reach into Latin America and the Caribbean. In recent years, the airlineโ€™s network strategy has focused on enhancing international markets which has translated into service in 22 countries. JetBlueโ€™s footprint outside of the U.S. continues to grow as the airline adds and increases routes to more than a dozen unique island destinations in the Caribbean and in various cities in Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica, and Colombia.

The new service also advances JetBlueโ€™s position as the top airline at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, where the airline plans to operate 140 daily flights in the coming years. It is one of JetBlueโ€™s fastest-growing focus cities, serving customers throughout South Florida and offering a fast and convenient alternative for Miami-Dade travelers. The airline also recently expanded its operation to new gates in Terminal 3 and began utilizing Terminal 1 for additional international arrivals to help support future growth.

Additionally, JetBlue customers in a variety cities beyond Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood โ€“ including New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Philadelphia and more โ€“ will benefit from the new route with convenient connections through JetBlueโ€™s south Florida focus city.

Daily Schedule between Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood (FLL) and Guayaquil, Ecuador (GYE)
Beginning February 28, 2019 (southbound) & March 1, 2019 (northbound)
FLL – GYE Flight #1255 GYE – FLL Flight #1256
7:00 p.m. โ€“ 11:45 p.m. 12:45 a.m. โ€“ 5:21 a.m.

New service between Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and Guayaquil will be operated on JetBlueโ€™s Airbus A320 aircraft.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by JetBlue):ย JetBlue Airways Airbus A320-232 N603JB (msn 2352) (jetBlue vacations) LGB (Michael B. Ing). Image: 943393.

JetBlue aircraft slide show:

Routes from FLL:

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Alaska Air Group reports third quarter 2018 results

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-890 SSWL N589AS (msn 35686) SNA (Michael B. Ing). Image: 944063.

Financial Highlights:

  • Reported net income for the third quarter under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of $217 million, or $1.75 per diluted share, compared to net income of $259 million, or $2.09 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2017. As the company has recently implemented new accounting standards, including the standards relating to revenue recognition and retirement benefits, 2017 financial information has been adjusted.
  • Reported net income for the third quarter, excluding special items such as merger-related costs and mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting adjustments, of $237 million, or $1.91 per diluted share, compared to $270 million or $2.18 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2017. This quarter’s adjusted results compare to the First Call analyst consensus estimate of $1.81 per share.
  • Paid a $0.32 per-share quarterly cash dividend in the third quarter, a 7% increase over the dividend paid in the third quarter of 2017.
  • Repurchased a total of 582,942 shares of common stock for approximately $37 million in the first nine months of 2018.
  • Generated approximately $1 billion of operating cash flow in the first nine months of 2018, including merger-related costs and other special items.
  • Held $1.4 billion in unrestricted cash and marketable securities as of Sept. 30, 2018.
  • Reduced debt-to-capitalization ratio to 49% as of Sept. 30, 2018, compared to 53% as of Dec. 31, 2017, and down from 59% immediately following our acquisition of Virgin America. Reduced long-term debt balance to $1.7 billion as of Sept. 30, 2018 from $2.6 billion as of Dec. 31, 2016.

Operational Highlights:

  • Updated food and beverage menus to highlight West Coast inspired fresh meals, snacks and local craft beers further enhancing the airline’s onboard guest experience.
  • Announced one new route to Columbus, Ohio, which will begin service in March 2019, and two new routes to El Paso, Texas, which will begin service in February 2019.
  • Began our fleet-wide installation of satellite Wi-Fi, completing three Airbus aircraft during the quarter.
  • Completed the painting of Alaska livery on 16 Airbus aircraft, and expect to have 33 completed by the end of the year.
  • Finalized the integrated seniority list for our pilots; all groups except for aircraft technicians are now under a single contract and have an integrated seniority list.
  • Added three Boeing 737-900ER aircraft to the mainline operating fleet and four Embraer 175 (E175) aircraft to the regional operating fleet in the third quarter of 2018.

Alaska Air Group, Inc., today reported third quarter 2018 GAAP net income of $217 million, or $1.75 per diluted share, compared to $259 million, or $2.09 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2017. Excluding the impact of merger-related costs and mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments, the company reported adjusted net income of $237 million, or $1.91 per diluted share, compared to $270 million, or $2.18 per diluted share, in 2017.

“In the nearly two years since our merger closed, we’ve now completed approximately 90 percent of our integration milestones,” said Alaska CEO Brad Tilden. “With that work now behind us, we are doubling down on what we do best – keeping fares low, delivering leading operational performance and offering top-rated customer service. The recent recognition by Condรฉ Nast Traveler shows what our people can accomplish when we focus on what’s most important and pull together as one team.”

The following table reconciles the company’s reported GAAP net income and earnings per diluted share (diluted EPS) for the three and nine months ended Sept.ย 30, 2018 and 2017 to adjusted amounts.

Statistical data, as well as a reconciliation of the reported non-GAAP financial measures, can be found in the accompanying tables. A glossary of financial terms can be found on the last page of this release.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Alaska):ย Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-890 SSWL N589AS (msn 35686) SNA (Michael B. Ing). Image: 944063.

Alaska Airlines aircraft slide show:

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SAS improves the travel experience in Copenhagen Airport

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Scandinavian Airlines-SAS has issued this statement:

At Copenhagen Airport passengers traveling with SAS can now enjoy bothย upgraded lounges with innovative technology features, and new service products. The new products will make time spent in the airport more efficient and pleasant.

 

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Travelers can now beat the effects of jet lag and winter depression with light therapy, enjoy a barista-brewed coffee or try out new technology before heading off on their next trip.

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SAS is investing an amount in the double-digit million rangeย to improve the travel experience for passengers traveling to and from Copenhagen Airport. These investments include a comprehensive upgrade of the SAS Lounges, a brand-new SAS Service Point and a redesign for SAS Fast Track.

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โ€œWeโ€™ve made a large investment that takes our services at Copenhagen Airport to a new level,โ€ says Lars Sandahlย Sรธrensen, Group Director at SAS. โ€œSAS passengers can now enjoy a modern and innovative service that is among the best in the industry and spend their time at the airport doing exactly what they want and find useful, whether traveling for business or pleasure.โ€

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Room for more guests in the lounges

The SAS Lounges at Copenhagen Airport have been refurbished with brand-new, classical Scandinavian furnishings and a design that is optimized for the rising number of visitors, which is the result of more passengers traveling with SAS. The SAS Business Lounge has been given more seats and upgraded toilets and washing facilities. The furnishings also ensure that the rooms and spaces feel larger andย more airy.

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โ€œCopenhagen is a large and important SAS hub, where thousands of passengers from Denmark, Norway, Sweden and all over the world board SAS aircraft every day,โ€ย Sรธrensenย says. โ€œThey expect us to deliver the service for which we are renowned,ย and we can now make the travel experience even smoother and more comfortable, both in the airport and onboard the aircraft.โ€

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Passengers in the new SAS Gold Lounge can enjoy a barista-brewed coffee and beat the effects of jet lag and winter depression in Scandinaviaโ€™s dark, winter months using light therapy in the โ€˜Daylight Booster Zoneโ€™. In the SAS Lounge, passengers can now try outย and exploreย upcoming technologyย and digital productsย inย aย newย innovationย hub, hosted by tech giant Panasonic.

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Theย lamps and light fittings in the lounges are LED-based and energy-saving. All light installationsย haveย beenย designedย centredย aroundย circular economy. This means, parts and material can be recycled and upcycled.

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SAS customers can also experience a new and updated range of wines in the lounges and those who are in a hurry can now enjoy the โ€˜On the Goโ€™ food bar, a concept adapted to modern travelers, who visit the lounge a short time before departure.

The Kids Room in the SAS Lounge has also been renovated, with a new, child-friendly design. Here, children can watch an animated film, relax, read a book, build a train track or a tower of bricks and create a chalk drawing on the wall. Passengers can take children under the age of two with them into the lounge free of charge.

Brand-new SAS Service Point

A brand-new SAS Service Point has also opened in Terminal 3, where SAS check-in and Bag Drop are located. The SAS Service Point has a recognizable SAS identity and, among other things, will provide computers for booking tickets, check-in, charging points for mobiles, tablets, etc. and personal service from SAS staff, who can help if problems arise with the customerโ€™s journey.

SAS Fast Track, whichย is located inย Terminal 3, has also been given a visual refresh and an interior in line with SASโ€™ updated design concept, which is characterized by subdued color tones and long-lasting materials such as leather, metal and wood.

All photos by SAS. ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย ย