Yearly Archives: 2019

Southwest Airlines extends flight schedule through August 10, 2020

Southwest Airlines today extends its bookable flight schedule through August 10, 2020.

As part of the schedule extension, Southwest also announces plans to bring new service to some of the largest cities across its network including: Atlanta, Baltimore/Washington, Chicago (Midway), Denver, Houston (Hobby), and Nashville.

Atlanta
Effective June 7, 2020, Southwest will fly seasonal service daily between:
Atlanta and Charleston, S.C.
Atlanta and Panama City, Fla.
Atlanta and Norfolk, Va.
With these new additions, the carrier will operate 135 weekday departures during the summer, the most weekday flights ever offered by Southwest from Atlanta.

Baltimore/Washington
Effective June 7, 2020, the carrier will add seasonal service between:
Baltimore/Washington and Pensacola, Fla.
Baltimore/Washington and Tulsa, OK
Southwest’s summer schedule from Baltimore now will peak at 248 weekday departures, an increase of 11 flights. This is also the most departures the carrier has ever offered Baltimore travelers.

Chicago
Southwest is strengthening its position at Chicago Midway by adding flights across routes already served. The summer schedule will see the carrier offering up to 260 flights, an increase of 14 flights.

Denver
The carrier is adding flight frequencies in Denver to give travelers more options. In May, the airline will operate 240 weekday departures before increasing weekday departures to 249 in June, the most flights Southwest has ever operated from Denver.

Houston (Hobby)
Southwest is expanding its international options from Houston with nonstop service seasonally between Houstonand Nassau, The Bahamas, available on Saturdays beginning June 13, 2020, subject to requisite government approvals. This will be the carrier’s second announcement of new international destinations from Houston this year, as it previously announced twice-daily service between Houston and Cozumel will begin on March 7, 2020, subject to requisite governmental approvals. The carrier is also adding flights on routes already served from Houston to offer 191 weekday departures in summer 2020.

Nashville
In Nashville, the carrier is adding several new destinations with nonstop service on Saturdays seasonally between:
Nashville and Portland, Maine
Nashville and San Juan, Puerto Rico
Nashvilleand Portland, Ore.

Finally, Southwest also will offer new seasonal service linking Kansas City, Mo. and Charleston, S.C. The Saturday-only service will begin June 13, 2020.

Southwest Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

airBaltic launches new direct routes from Tallinn and Vilnius

airBaltic continues its expansion in the Baltics and announces the launch of four new direct destinations from Tallinn, Estonia, and five new destinations from Vilnius, Lithuania. In total, airBaltic will add 13 new routes to its summer season 2020 route map.

As of next summer season airBaltic will commence direct flights from Tallinn to Rome, Zurich, Hamburg and Nice, the latter had already been announced previously. In addition, airBaltic announces introduction of five new direct routes from Vilnius to Hamburg, Zurich, Gothenburg, which will start operations in late March, as well as Dubrovnik and Rijeka, which will begin in May. As informed earlier this year, airBaltic will also launch new flights from Riga to Manchester (United Kingdom), Yerevan (Armenia) as well as Bergen and Trondheim (both Norway).

Destination served	Flight frequency	Start date	Price*, Basic	Price*, Premium	Price*, Business
Riga–Manchester	4 flights weekly	March 29, 2020	39 EUR	115 EUR	589 EUR
Riga–Bergen	3 flights weekly	March 31, 2020	35 EUR	89 EUR	365 EUR
Riga–Trondheim	2-3 flights weekly	April 1, 2020	49 EUR	115 EUR	375 EUR
Riga–Yerevan	2 flights weekly	May 3, 2020	99 EUR	145 EUR	529 EUR
Tallinn–Hamburg	4 flights weekly	March 29, 2020	69 EUR	125 EUR	455 EUR
Tallinn–Rome	2 flights weekly	March 30, 2020	79 EUR	125 EUR	479 EUR
Tallinn–Zurich	3 flights weekly	March 31, 2020	79 EUR	125 EUR	455 EUR
Tallinn–Nice	2 flights weekly	May 1, 2020	99 EUR	145 EUR	549 EUR
Vilnius–Gothenburg	2 flights weekly	March 29, 2020	25 EUR	85 EUR	335 EUR
Vilnius–Hamburg	3 flights weekly	March 30, 2020	49 EUR	95 EUR	439 EUR
Vilnius–Zurich	2 flights weekly	March 31, 2020	55 EUR	109 EUR	399 EUR
Vilnius–Dubrovnik	2 flights weekly	May 2, 2020	55 UER	119 EUR	339 EUR
Vilnius–Rijeka	1 flight weekly	May 7, 2020	49 EUR	115 EUR	325 EUR

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

airBaltic aircraft photo gallery:

Ethiopian Q400 ET-AQC runs off the runway at Juba

Ethiopian Airlines Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) ET-AQC operating flight ET 357 from Juba to Addis Ababa on December 10 with 21 passengers and crew members on board overran the runway on takeoff at Juba.

There are no injuries but the aircraft is damaged.

Photos by the Kenyan Aviator:

Harbour Air and magniX announce successful flight of world’s first commercial electric airplane

Harbour Air, North America’s largest seaplane airline and magniX, the company powering the electric aviation revolution, announced on December 10 the successful flight of the world’s first all-electric commercial aircraft. The successful flight of the ePlane, a six-passenger DHC-2 de Havilland Beaver (C-FJOS) magnified by a 750-horsepower (560 kW) magni500 propulsion system, took place on the Fraser River at Harbour Air Seaplanes terminal in Richmond (YVR South) this morning. The plane was piloted by Harbour Air CEO and founder Greg McDougall. This historic flight signifies the start of the third era in aviation – the electric age.

Earlier this year, Harbour Air announced its partnership with magniX and the company’s intention to build the world’s first completely electric commercial seaplane fleet. The magni500, which was unveiled at the Paris Air Show in June, 2019, is a high-power-density electric propulsion system that provides a clean and efficient way to power airplanes. Today that plan took flight and became a reality.

magniX and Harbour Air will now begin the certification and approval process for the propulsion system and the retrofitting of aircraft. Once the certification is complete, the rest of the fleet can be magnified with magniX’s all-electric propulsion technology.

All photos by the airline.

British Airways upgrades its catering for flights from London Gatwick

(Picture by Nick Morrish/British Airways)

British Airways has made a multi-million pound investment in its catering on flights from London Gatwick, with reimagined and improved food across its short- and long-haul cabins.

Now available on all flights, the catering brings in new menus featuring new dishes and recipes as part of the airline’s £6.5bn investment for customers. The new food has a focus on provenance with the provider, Newrest, working closely with suppliers in the south of England to source the best quality ingredients.

Customers can enjoy the benefits across all long-haul cabins – World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy), Club World (business) and First – as well as Club Europe (business) on short-haul. A range of Marks & Spencer products continue to be on offer to Euro Traveller customers.

Menus vary based on route and cabin, samples include:

Club Europe main courses
- Hampshire ChalkStream trout gremolata, roasted new potatoes, fennel and dill sauce
- Poached free-range egg, grilled halloumi, potato and red onion hash, spiced beans
- Spinach and ricotta ravioli, cherry tomato sauce, bocconcini, basil pesto
- Severn and Wye smoked salmon blinis, crème fraîche, keta caviar
- Seared fillet of cod, lemon and chive linguine, tomato basil sauce
Club World starters
- British cured Cumbrian ham, smoked aubergine purée, basil pesto
- Roasted heirloom winter squash, goat’s curd, caramelised pear, honey and Tewkesbury mustard dressing
Club World main courses
- Seared fillet of cod, butter beans with saffron, crispy chorizo, smoked paprika
- Ale-braised feather blade of British beef, chive mashed potatoes, horseradish dumplings, Chantenay carrots
- Pan-friend Parmesan polenta, wild mushroom ragoût, wilted greens, savoury walnut granola
First main courses
- Onley Oak ribeye steak with vine cherry tomatoes, baby watercress and beef jus
- Roasted monkfish with tadka dal, pickled carrots, curry leaf and mustard coconut sauce

British Airways flies to more than 70 destinations from Gatwick, offering a variety of routes to suit both business and leisure travellers. As part of its £6.5bn investment, the airline has refreshed its Boeing 777 fleet at London Gatwick with new generation economy (World Traveller) and premium economy (World Traveller Plus) seats. These seats have all new Panasonic inflight entertainment 10” screens in World Traveller and 12” screens in World Traveller Plus, offering four times more choice, including movies, television and audio programmes. British Airways customers can collect Avios on their flights from Gatwick, which can be put towards Reward flights, upgrades, or reducing the cost of future flights through Avios part payment.

British Airways aircraft photo gallery:

Congo Airways signs order with Embraer for two E175 jets

Embraer and Congo Airways have signed a firm order for two E175 aircraft, with purchase rights for a further two. The deal has a total value of USD 194.4 million at current list prices with all purchase rights exercised, and will be added to Embraer’s 2019 fourth quarter backlog.

The aircraft will be configured in a dual class layout seating 76 passengers in total, with 12 in business class. Deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Swoop adds a second Mexico destination to its Winnipeg network

Swoop, Canada’s ultra-low-fare airline and subsidiary of WestJet Airlines Ltd., launches its inaugural flight from Winnipeg Richardson International Airport (YWG) to Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) departing at 8:45 a.m. CST.

Swoop (CNW Group/Swoop)

This is Swoop’s second route from Winnipeg to Mexico, offering travellers the choice to vacation on the beaches of Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos from Manitoba’s capital. Having just recently launched a series of new routes from YWG, including Fort Lauderdale, Tampa Bay and Las Vegas, Winnipeggers can enjoy a total of nine destinations through Swoop’s year-round and seasonal operations.

Direct flights from Winnipeg to the beaches of Puerto Vallarta are providing more Canadians the opportunity to head south of the border this winter. Swoop prides itself on its low price-point because of its unbundled model, with a base fare that includes only a seat, giving travellers the power to add the things they want, and nothing they don’t.

Swoop currently serves 17 domestic, transborder and international destinations, with its summer 2020 schedule set to add even more options for Canadian travellers beginning April 2020.

Winnipeg flights to Puerto Vallarta are now available for booking through until April 21, 2020. Details of Swoop’s new service out of Winnipeg include:

Service Between	Service Offered	Weekly Frequency	Service Run-time
Winnipeg, MB to Puerto Vallarta, MX	Tuesday	1 x per week	December 10, 2019 – April 21, 2020
Puerto Vallarta, MX to Winnipeg, MB	Tuesday	1 x per week	December 10, 2019 – April 21, 2020

Top Copyright Photo: Swoop (WestJet) Boeing 737-8CT SSWL C-FLSF (msn 40838) YHM (TMK Photography). Image: 948534.

Swoop aircraft slide show:

Route Map:

Air Canada announces new U.S. trans-border routes and services from Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver next Summer

Air Canada today announced two new seasonal summer routes and added service to major U.S. destinations from Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver. New daily, non-stop services linking Montreal and Nashville, and Calgary and Boston, as well as the addition of a second daily flight between Vancouver and Newark, will give customers more choice and added convenience when travelling transborder beginning in June.

Air Canada today announced a new summer route between Boston and Calgary, the only non-stop connection between these two cities, beginning in June. (CNW Group/Air Canada)

Montreal–Nashville (Between June 1 and October 25, 2020)

Flight	Departs	Arrives	Days of Week
AC7714	Montreal 18:05	Nashville 19:48	Daily
AC7713	Nashville 08:25	Montreal 11:51	Daily

The new route from Montreal will be operated by Air Canada Express on a 76-seat Embraer E175 aircraft featuring Business Class and Economy Class cabins. It complements existing year-round service to Nashville from Toronto.

The flights are timed to provide connectivity through Air Canada’s North American and international destinations such as Shanghai, Tokyo, Paris and London.

Calgary–Boston (Between June 22 and September 7, 2020)

Flight	Departs	Arrives	Days of Week
AC580	Calgary 16:15	Boston 22:46	Daily
AC581	Boston 06:30	Calgary 09:32	Daily

The flight will be operated with a mainline Airbus A319 aircraft featuring Business Class and Economy Class cabins. These flights are timed to provide excellent connectivity to and from Air Canada’s Western Canada network. This seasonal route is in addition to existing service to Boston from Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax.

Vancouver–Newark (June 15 and October 12, 2020)

Flight	Departs	Arrives	Days of Week
AC546	Vancouver 13:55	Newark 22:05	Daily
AC547	Newark 06:30	Vancouver 09:20	Daily

The addition of a second daily flight between Vancouver and Newark for the summer season will enhance an important trans-border connection as it is timed for optimal connectivity to Air Canada’s Western Canada network and flights to Asia.

Air Canada aircraft photo gallery:

American to start new flights from Austin to Boston and San Jose this Spring

American Airlines is giving customers a treat this holiday season with the announcement of two new routes from the vibrant and eclectic city of Austin, Texas (AUS), to the capital of Silicon Valley, San Jose, California (SJC), and to the historical city of Boston (BOS). These new routes will operate twice daily beginning in April.

The airline is also introducing unique service in support of special events like golf tournaments in Augusta, Georgia (AGS), music festivals in Palm Springs, California (PSP), and the annual visit to one of the nation’s biggest shareholder meetings with increased service to Omaha, Nebraska (OMA). Austin flights will be available for purchase starting Dec. 16 and special events flights will be available for purchase starting Dec. 22.

New Austin flights takeoff in April

American’s newest service is in response to strong demand from customers who need to travel between one of the nation’s largest tech cities, Austin, to the tech centers in San Jose and Boston.

Flights will operate twice daily, Monday through Friday, on a Boeing 737-800, year-round. The aircraft features high-speed Wi-Fi, access to power at every seat and 16 first class seats, providing additional comfort while commuting. With convenient flight times, customers flying the new service can get to meetings early and get back home in time for dinner. The airline has also recently renovated the Admirals Club to relax before flights, and, by the end of the year, American will have five contiguous gates at AUS.

And, for a quick weekend beach escape from the capital of Texas, American will also introduce the only service from AUS to Los Cabos, Mexico (SJD) on Saturday and Sunday, starting May 9.

Departure City	Arrival City	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Start Date
Austin, Texas (AUS)	San Jose, California (SJC)	7 a.m.	9:05 a.m.	Daily, except Saturday beginning April 7
SJC	AUS	9:55 a.m.	3:47 p.m.	Daily, except Saturday beginning April 7
AUS	SJC	6:50 p.m.	8:55 p.m.	Mon.–Fri. beginning April 7
SJC	AUS	6 p.m.	11:52 p.m.	Daily, except Saturday, beginning April 7
AUS	SJC	4:30 p.m.	6:35 p.m.	Sunday only
AUS	Boston (BOS)	6:15 a.m.	11 a.m.	Mon.–Fri. beginning April 7
BOS	AUS	11:45 a.m.	3:10 p.m.	Mon.–Fri. beginning April 7
AUS	BOS	4:30 p.m.	9:15 p.m.	Mon.–Fri. beginning April 7
BOS	AUS	8:05 p.m.	11:30 p.m.	Mon.–Fri. beginning April 7
AUS	BOS	10 a.m.	2:45 p.m.	Sunday only
BOS	AUS	3:30 p.m.	6:55 p.m.	Sunday only
AUS	Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas (SJD)	9:30 a.m.	11:10 a.m.	Sat.–Sun. beginning May 9
SJD	AUS	12:05 p.m.	3:40 p.m.	Sat.–Sun. beginning May 9

Special flights for special events

In addition to the yearly increase in service for special events, American is also adding more unique flights that will make it easier than ever to attend must-see special events such as sports tournaments, concerts and meetings. American is adding direct service from Los Angeles (LAX) to PSP in April, for a faster way to get to one of the biggest music festivals of the year. The airline is also adding new service to AGS from BOS on an Embraer E175, and upgauging existing service from Chicago (ORD) to Augusta on a 737-800 to help customers who want a front row seat to golf’s biggest championship tournament. And in May, American will have the most seats to Louisville, Kentucky (SDF), for one of the most unique sporting events under the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs, from BOS, CLT, DCA, DFW, LAX, LGA, MIA, ORD and PHL. American also has customers covered who care more about investing with the only service from BOS to OMA, as well as new flights from New York City (LGA) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to OMA on an E175 on May 1.

Flight times are subject to change.

Special Events Schedule*

Departure City	Arrival City	Date Range
Boston (BOS)	Augusta, Georgia (AGS)	April 7–13
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)	AGS	April 7–13
Washington, D.C. (DCA)	AGS	April 7–13
New York City (LGA)	AGS	April 7–13
Miami (MIA)	AGS	April 7–13
Philadelphia (PHL)	AGS	April 7–13
Chicago (ORD)	AGS	April 7–13
BOS	Louisville, Kentucky (SDF)	April 30 and May 3
BOS	Omaha, Nebraska (OMA)	May 1 and May 3
DCA	OMA	May 1 and May 3
LGA	OMA	May 1 and May 3
MIA	OMA	April 30–May 3
Los Angeles (LAX)	Palm Springs, California (PSP)	April 9, April 13, April 16 and April 20

*Flight schedules change daily

American Airlines aircraft photo gallery (Boeing):

Wear a holiday sweater on Alaska, get priority boarding on the busiest day in December

Alaska Airlines has made this announcement:

Alaska Airlines is spreading holiday cheer by offering guests wearing any kind of holiday sweater priority boarding on December 20, National Ugly Sweater Day. The one-day promotion will be celebrated by guests and employees alike and includes all Alaska and Horizon Air flights.

Alaska is celebrating the holidays throughout December, with festive décor and boarding music, as well as free holiday movies to help flyers have a merry flight.

“We know holiday travel can be stressful for some, which is why we’ve made sure flying with the ‘merrier carrier’ this time of year is an experience that brings nonstop joy to all our guests. We love going above and beyond to make your trip memorable; celebrating Ugly Sweater Day is just another way we’re making the holidays a priority,” said Natalie Bowman, Alaska Airlines’ managing director of marketing and advertising.

This year, Alaska is getting in the holiday spirit with a festive holiday-themed plane dubbed the “Snowplane,” which is flying across the airline’s network through the winter ski season. Additionally, Alaska Lounges will feature holiday-inspired beverages and cocktails, including snowflake sprinkled lattes and peppermint mochas, along with a special hot toddy cocktail available on National Ugly Sweater Day.

Airports are busier than ever in December. As a reminder, anyone traveling during the holidays is encouraged to arrive to the airport at least two hours before their flight given anticipated congestion at the airport.

Flyers are urged to share their holiday sweater fun by tagging their photos and videos using the hashtags #iFlyAlaska and #UglySweaterDay.

All photos by the airline.

Alaska Airlines aircraft photo gallery (Boeing):