Monthly Archives: October 2021

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi to fly to Moscow

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the UAEโ€™s ultra-low-fare national airline, has announced a new route connecting Moscow with Abu Dhabi.

The UAE has long been a popular travel destination for those in Russia, and vice versa. The flight to Moscow will operate daily services, four times a week on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday (in December 2021 and January2022), ramping up to seven days a week in February.

The Moscow route brings Wizz Air Abu Dhabi to a total of 33 announced flight destinations, since it launched operations in January 2021.

*One-way price, including administration fee. One carry-on bag (max: 40x30x20cm) is included. Trolley bag and each piece of checked-in baggage is subject to additional fees. The price applies only to bookings made on wizzair.com and the WIZZ mobile app. Number of seats at indicated prices are limited.

Route Operating Days Flights start Fares from*
Abu Dhabi – Moscow Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sundayย (in December-January)

Dailyย from 7 February 2022

15/12/2021 EUR 49.99 / AED 219

ย 

KLM produces its first operating profit during COVID-19 in the third quarter

KLM issued this financial report for the third quarter:

The process of recovery that was already visible in the second quarter continued into the third quarter. This therefore marks the first time KLM has closed a quarter with an operating profit since the start of the Covid-19 crisis nineteen months ago.

KLM Groupโ€™s operating result in the third quarter of 2021 amounted to a profit of โ‚ฌ168ย million, compared to a loss of โ‚ฌ234 million in 2020 and a profit of โ‚ฌ511 million in 2019. Turnover totaled โ‚ฌ1.890 billion, compared to โ‚ฌ1.144 billion in 2020 and โ‚ฌ3.131 billion in 2019.

With the summer holiday period from July through to the end of September, this is traditionally a strong quarter for the airline industry. Borders within Europe gradually opened up for travelers and the Caribbean part of the kingdom was assigned a green or yellow colour code by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Partly as a result of this, KLM welcomed 5.2 million passengers on board last summer, compared to 2.3 million in 2020 and 9.5 million in 2019. Transavia also reflects a positive trend. This shows that recovery has continued across the passenger business. Customers want to travel and the impact of borders opening up is directly visible in the bookings. For next winter, customers will be able to choose from 162 KLM destinations. Whatโ€™s more, the range of destinations, with more emphasis on leisure, will return to its pre-Covid-19 level.

Cargo continues to perform well. Turnover rose to โ‚ฌ467 million, representing an increase of 13%, even though market capacity was up compared to the third quarter of 2020. The maintenance division continued to suffer from the decreasing demand for third-party maintenance. Third-party turnover therefore amounted to โ‚ฌ77 million, reflecting a decrease of 22%.

Aer Lingus announces its 2022 summer schedule with 16 transatlantic routes

Aer Lingus has made this announcement:

16 Transatlantic routes

62 destinations across the Aer Lingus network

71 routes in total

Aer Lingus has unveiled an ambitious schedule for Summer 2022 which includes 16* transatlantic routes as the airline seeks to reconnect Ireland to the world. Aer Lingus will operate 71 routes and 62 destinations in Summer 2022.

Aer Lingus already has a strong Christmas schedule on sale and will incrementally build capacity in the lead up to Summer 2022. This strong schedule reflects the airlineโ€™s ambition to build to pre-pandemic levels of flying over time and anticipates continued momentum in customer demand.

Aer Lingusโ€™ most recent consumer survey conducted in September showed that almost 2 in 3 (65%) adults in Ireland are planning to travel internationally in 2022, whether thatโ€™s to reconnect with family and friends, to have that important business meeting in-person, or to simply enjoy a relaxing and refreshing break abroad.

Due to popular demand, Aer Lingus has extended its market-leading โ€˜Book with Confidenceโ€™ policy which allows all customers traveling with the airline to change their travel dates free of charge*, and as many times as they wish, up to seven days before they travel. The flexible booking policy is available on all bookings up until 30thย September 2022.

The welcome return of flying to North America

Anticipating strong customer demand for travel to / from North America, following 18 months of travel restrictions, direct flights are available to favorite destinations such as New York, Chicago, Boston, LA, San Francisco, Toronto, Washington, Seattle and Philadelphia from as little as โ‚ฌ169 each way including taxes and charges. Aer Lingus will re-introduce flying from Shannon in March to JFK and Boston with 14 flights per week to the USA.

Aer Lingus is also delighted to support the return of the US College Football to the Aviva Stadium in August 2022, welcoming the teams and supporters of theย Northwestern Wildcats and the Nebraska Cornhuskers at theย Aer Lingusย College Football Classic.

Summer in Europe

Aer Lingus will ramp up short-haul capacity between now and Summer 2022, flying at least 50 short-haul routes next summer, 41 routes will fly from Dublin โ€“ with more to be added in the coming weeks, and a further 7 from Cork. Aer Lingus will operate to Heathrow from Shannon and Belfast, and to Gatwick from Knock. The schedule will include favorite destinations for Irish holiday makers seeking summer sun next year in Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Canaries and the Med, as well as lots of city break destinations to choose from throughout Europe, with flights starting at โ‚ฌ35.99 each way including taxes and charges.

Air Canada introduces company-wide plan for the safe return of its employees to the workplace

Air Canada said today that it has enacted a Return to the Workplace Plan to transition employees working remotely safely back into the workplace, beginningย November 15. The plan, developed in compliance with Public Health Agency ofย Canadaย guidelines, uses a hybrid approach combining on-site and remote work options to give employees flexibility and confidence as they return to their pre-pandemic work routines.

“While frontline employees at Air Canada have attended work running the operation throughout the pandemic, for which I thank and commend them, sinceย March 2020ย a significant number have worked remotely pursuant to Federal Public Health directives. Now, with caseloads falling nationally, Air Canada’s mandatory workplace vaccination policy, and other company health measures, it is possible for people to begin a structured return to the office and safely resume a more normal work life. Our plan takes a balanced approach, meeting the needs of those eager to work again in-person with their colleagues and others who may prefer to continue, for personal or professional reasons, working remotely certain days of the week,” saidย Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada.

“For individuals, companies or any organization to achieve their full potential requires personal connections and interactions. This makes the return of Canadians to the workplace a necessary step in the recovery of our society and economy from the pandemic’s isolating effects. As a country, we can and must begin to resume our pre-pandemic routines, especially as our high vaccination rates, effective public health policies and the sacrifices made by all of us to beat COVID-19 have created the conditions to do so safely.”

Beginningย November 15, those Air Canada employees who are presently working off-site will start a graduated return to the workplace, with options to continue working set days remotely. To ensure the health and safety of employees in the workplace:

  • A mandatory vaccination policy requires all active employees to be fully vaccinated;
  • All visitors and anyone entering company buildings are required to be fully vaccinated;
  • Employees will be strongly encouraged to wear a face mask whenever outside of their personal workspaces or when interacting with others;
  • Physical distancing is required where practical;
  • Home screening programs continue to be offered and their use encouraged;
  • Hand sanitizer and disinfection products will continue to be readily available.

AeroMรฉxico expands operations to Terminal 1 at Mexico City Airport

Grupo Aeromรฉxico, S.A.B. de C.V. informs that as part of the airline’s strategy, starting December 11, 2021, it will extend its operations atย Mexico Cityย International Airport (AICM) to Terminal 1 (“T1”). The Company will initially operate 20 daily departures from T1 and will continue to operate from Terminal 2.ย  The Company will launch an extensive communication campaign through all its official channels to ensure that customers are duly informed about any changes to their original schedule and arrive for check-in at the correct terminal. Aeromexico will relocate operations of nine domestic routes to T1:ย Campeche, Durango,ย Los Mochis,ย Matamoros,ย Nuevo Laredo,ย Reynosa,ย Tampico,ย Zacatecasย andย Zihuatanejo, and also will offer lounge access to eligible customers departing from T1.

British Airways continues its roll out of its newest business class seat, Club Suite

British Airways Boeing 777-300 ER G-STBP (msn 66585) JFK (Fred Freketic). Image: 955700.

British Airways is continuing with the roll out of its newest business class seat, Club Suite, as it continues to retrofit the seat across its Boeing 777 fleet, with the roll out expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

The airline already has retrofitted a number of its Boeing 777 aircraft with the latest seat and will be working with Collins Aerospace to ensure the rest of the airlineโ€™s 777 aircraft are fitted with the new cabin.

The airline’s sophisticated Club Suite wasย first rolled outย in July 2019 on the first A350 and since then has been installed on theย Boeing 787-10 aircraft. The seat offers direct-aisle access, a suite door for greater privacy and luxurious flat-bed seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Boasting 40 per cent more storage, including a vanity unit and mirror, WiFi, enviable 18.5-inch inflight entertainment screens, high definition gate-to-gate programming and PC / USB power; every aspect of British Airways’ Club Suite has been designed for today’s customer.

As part of its commitment to the North Atlantic, all British Airways flights to JFK will be operated by an aircraft that has the airlineโ€™s Club Suite product.

As part of the upgrade, the airlineโ€™s Club Kitchen is also getting a makeover with new Club chillers and built-in storage for snacks, drinks and other refreshments, allowing customers in Club World to help themselves to refreshments at their leisure.

The latest generation of the First cabin including the introduction of the First suite door will also continue to be rolled out across the airlineโ€™s Boeing 777-300 aircraft. The First suites were meticulously designed based on our customersโ€™ feedback, the cabin puts comfort at the heart of the experience and makes the very best use of the generous space designed for just a few customers at a time. ย The suite includes a fixed 23-inch high definition inflight entertainment screen that can be controlled with an integrated handset.

Top Copyright Photo: British Airways Boeing 777-300 ER G-STBP (msn 66585) JFK (Fred Freketic). Image: 955700.

British Airways aircraft slide show (Boeing):

British Airways aircraft photo gallery:

JetBlue expands at LaGuardia in two terminals with significant growth made possible by its Northeast Alliance

JetBlue Airways today announced effective this Sunday, October 31 it will expand its footprint at New Yorkโ€™s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) across two terminals, operate more daily departures than ever before with up to 35 daily flights and serve more than triple the number of nonstop destinations flown in 2019. JetBlueโ€™s growth โ€“ aimed at delivering more competition and low fares to travelers โ€“ is made possible through its Northeast Alliance (NEA) with American Airlines.

Simple, Split Terminal Operations

Starting this Sunday, JetBlue will expand operations to two separate terminals at LaGuardia to make way for more flying and new destinations. The airline will continue to operate in the historic Marine Air Terminal (Terminal A) but will also be expanding into LaGuardiaโ€™s state-of-the-art Terminal B.

Allย Bostonย flights will operate at the Marine Air Terminal, while flights to and from all other destinations will operate at Terminal B. JetBlue will operate up to 12 daily departures toย Bostonย at the Marine Air Terminal and up to 23 additional daily departures to other destinations from Terminal B. Terminal B is also home to American Airlines and will allow for convenient connections between the airlines within the same terminal.

JetBlueโ€™s split operation at LaGuardia will continue until the airline fully relocates to Terminal B in the future.

The LaGuardia Terminal B redevelopment โ€“ now more than 85% complete โ€“ includes a new 1.3 million square foot terminal with 35 gates, an array ofย New York City-inspired shops and dining options, permanent pieces of art by leading artists and a one-of-a-kind water feature.

More Departures to More Destinations

In addition to expanding its footprint at LaGuardia, JetBlue will also expand its list of nonstop destinations and number of daily flights. Starting Sunday, October 31, the airline will introduce three all-new routes with daily service between LaGuardia and:

  • Jacksonville, Fla.ย (JAX), up to twice daily.
  • Sarasota, Fla.ย (SRQ), once daily.
  • Savannah, Ga.ย (SAV), once daily.

With the addition of new destinations and increased flying on select routes, JetBlue will now operate up to 35 daily departures at LaGuardia, more than ever before. Still, JetBlue intends to grow further in the months ahead. In 2022, the airline will operate more than 50 daily departures and add service to even more new destinations, again enabled by the NEA. In the first half of the year, JetBlue will introduce nonstop service between LaGuardia and:

  • New Orleans, La.ย (MSY), on sale and launching March 27.
  • Nashville, Tenn.ย (BNA), on sale and launching March 27.
  • Portland, Maineย (PWM), on sale soon and launching summer 2022.

By summer 2022, JetBlue will serve 16 nonstop destinations from LaGuardia, more than even before.

Northeast Alliance Supercharges Competition

JetBlueโ€™s expansion at LaGuardia is a direct result of the NEA with American, which creates a viable third competitor in the Northeast by, among other things, connecting JetBlueโ€™s growing network to Americanโ€™s through codeshare and reciprocal loyalty benefits. The NEA is already delivering countless benefits to customers and enabling the expansion of JetBlueโ€™s low fares and great service.

JetBlue has announced nine all-new destinations and 32 new routes, enabled by the NEA. Together JetBlue and American have added 58 new routes, including 18 international flights that will launch by 2022 and increased frequencies on more than 130 routes giving more options and choices to customers. The airlines are now codesharing on 175 routes, giving the pair a combined schedule with the number of markets and seats that for the first time in JetBlueโ€™s two-decade history allows it to offer its customers options that stack up against larger, dominant carriers.

Inย New York, JetBlue and American plan to operate close to 500 daily flights next month, 300 of which will be flown by JetBlue. Given a vastly expanded network and flying, the NEA is estimated to generate more thanย $800 million dollarsย in annual consumer benefits. JetBlue is also in the process of hiring 1,800 new Crewmembers as a direct result of the growth that the NEA is enabling โ€“ jobs that otherwise would not be created without this alliance.

JetBlue will continue to implement the NEA and deliver tremendous benefits of added competition to its customers.

SkyTeam welcomes ITA Airways

SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, has welcomed ITA Airways – Italyโ€™s new national carrier – into the alliance, replacing Alitalia. With ITA Airways on board, SkyTeamโ€™s 700 million customers will continue to enjoy seamless connections to key destinations across Italy.ย 

Alitalia ceased operations on October 14 and left the SkyTeam global airline alliance on the same date. SkyTeam has agreed with Alitalia Loyalty to continue the partnership that will enable the six million members of the MilleMiglia frequent flyer program to earn and redeem miles on selected SkyTeam membersโ€™ flights, offering a wealth of opportunities and exclusive services.ย 

ย 

Air France-KLM loses 192 million euros in the third quarter

Air France-KLM has made this announcement:

Hawaiian Airlines increases California and Seattle/Tacoma flights

Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiสปi’s largest and longest-serving airline, is offering holiday travelers more options to reconnect with family or take a Hawaiสปi vacation with additional nonstop flights between the islands and the U.S. West Coast.

To meet anticipated holiday demand, the carrier is expanding once-dailyย service betweenย Honoluluย (HNL) andย Seattleย (SEA) andย San Franciscoย (SFO), as well as betweenย Kahului,ย Mauiย (OGG) andย Los Angelesย (LAX), with the following additional flights:

Flight No.

Route

Holiday Schedule*

Date of Holiday Additions

Est. Departure

Time

Est. Arrival

Time

HA 27

SEA-HNL

2 daily flights

19-Nov-21 to 21-Nov-21

27-Nov-21 to 29-Nov-21

17-Dec-21 to 5-Jan-22

8:00

12:15

HA 28

HNL-SEA

2 daily flights

18-Nov-21 to 20-Nov-21

26-Nov-21 to 28-Nov-21

16-Dec-21 to 4-Jan-22

21:45

5:30

HA 55

LAX-OGG

2 daily flights

19-Nov-21 to 21-Nov-21

27-Nov-21 to 29-Nov-21

17-Dec-21 to 5-Jan-22

12:05

15:45

HA 56

OGG-LAX

2 daily flights

18-Nov-21 to 20-Nov-21

26-Nov-21 to 28-Nov-21

16-Dec-21 to 4-Jan-22

22:00

5:00

HA 54

HNL-SFO

1 daily flight Mon-Thur

2 daily flights Fri-Sun

18-Dec-21 to 9-Jan-22

13:15

20:30

HA 53

SFO-HNL

1 daily flight Tue-Fri

2 daily flights Sat-Mon

19-Dec-21 to 10-Jan-22

8:00

11:45

* All listed routes operate once-daily before the holiday additions

Guests traveling between HNL and SEA will enjoy the roominess and comfort of Hawaiian’s wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft, which features 18 lie-flat leather seats in First Class, arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration tailored for couples, families and honeymooners while offering great functionality to business travelers. Hawaiian also offers 68 of its popular Extra Comfort premium seats with more legroom and enhanced amenities, in addition to 192 Main Cabin seats. The carrier will use its quiet and fuel-efficient narrow-body Airbus A321neo to operate the additional flights between LAX and OGG and HNL and SFO. The aircraft features 16 luxurious leather recliners in First Class, 44 Extra Comfort premium seats and 129 Main Cabin seats. All guests will enjoy Hawaiian’s award-winning hospitality, including island-inspired meals prepared by Hawai’i’s leading chefs.