Lufthansa Group airlines introduce new economy “Light” fare on North American routes

As of summer 2018, Lufthansa Group passengers will be able to book a so-called Economy “Light” fare on routes to North America served by Lufthansa, Swiss, Brussels Airlines and Austrian Airlines.

As the basic rate, the new fare is the least expensive option for price-conscious passengers only travelling with carry-on luggage and who do not require any ticket flexibility. For an additional fee, passengers will be allowed to add one piece of luggage or request a seat reservation on an individual basis. Meals and drinks will continue to be served to passengers on board free of charge.

Lufthansa has been testing a Light fare since October 2017 on selected routes between Scandinavia and North America. Passengers can buy a basic rate with carry-on luggage on flights between Sweden, Denmark, Norway and selected North American destinations.

In 2015, the Lufthansa Group Airlines introduced a Light fare on their European routes. The various air fare options mainly differ with respect to the free baggage allowance, seat reservations as well as the possibilities to cancel or rebook flights. Standard features of all fares include the flight, carry-on luggage weighing up to 8 kg, a snack and drinks on board, a fixed seat assignment at check-in as well as bonus and status miles.

Lufthansa aircraft slide show:

Air France and QANTAS Airways renew partnership to offer customers more travel options between France and Australia

Air France has made this announcement:

QANTAS Airways and Air France customers will now have more options to travel between Europe and Australia via Asia following a renewed codeshare agreement between the two carriers.⁽²⁾

Available for booking from June 5 for travel from July 20, 2018, Air France will add its code to QANTAS flights between Hong Kong and Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and between Singapore and Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

Air France customers will also be able to access codeshare services from Sydney to five cities on the Australian airline’s domestic network including Canberra, Hobart, Adelaide, Cairns and Darwin.

Under the reciprocal deal, QANTAS will add its code to flights operated by Air France between Singapore and Hong Kong and Paris-Charles de Gaulle, as a continuation of flights from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.

The new agreement will see the two airlines codeshare on a total of more than 200⁽¹⁾ flights per week.

Customers will benefit from more seamless travel experiences with single ticket itineraries and through-checked baggage as well as the opportunity to earn points on the new codeshare services.

Air France eligible customers⁽³⁾ will also be able to access Qantas lounges in Hong Kong, Singaporeand Australia, as well as Qantas eligible customers to Air France lounges in Paris, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Patrick Alexandre, EVP Commercial Sales and Alliances at Air France-KLM, said: “We are very pleased to be re-establishing a partnership with Qantas. Thanks to this agreement, the Air France-KLM group will be able to offer one of the best possible travel solutions for its customers from Europe to Australia. It will also deliver a better travel experience for our Business customers, with connections in Singapore and Hong Kong, two of the most popular airports in the world. This new cooperation confirms our group’s desire to expand in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Alison Webster, CEO of QANTAS International, added: “This is great news for our customers who want to travel to Europe via Asia, giving them another option to get to Paris and more opportunities to earn Frequent Flyer Points. The return of this popular codeshare delivers on our strategy of partnering to provide customers with access to an expanded network and more seamless travel experiences wherever they want to fly.”

Flight schedules (in local time) operated by Air France in July-October 2018:

AF256: leaves Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 20:50, arrives in Singapore at 15:45 the following day;
AF257: leaves Singapore at 22:35, arrives at Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 6:00 the following day.
A daily flight

AF188: leaves Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 23:35, arrives in Hong Kong at 17:35 the following day;
AF185: leaves Hong Kong at 22:50, arrives at Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 5:55 the following day.
A daily flight

Daily flight schedules (in local time) operated by Qantas in July-October 2018:

QF002: leaves Singapore at 19:30, arrives in Sydney at 5:10 the following day;
QF082: leaves Singapore at 21:10, arrives in Sydney at 7:00 the following day;
QF036: leaves Singapore at 20:15, arrives in Melbourne at 5:35 the following day;
QF052: leaves Singapore at 20:40, arrives in Brisbane at 6:05 the following day;
QF072: leaves Singapore at 18:40, arrives in Perth at 23:55.

QF081: leaves Sydney at 10:15, arrives in Singapore at 16:50;
QF035: leaves Melbourne at 11:55, arrives in Singapore at 17:55;
QF051: leaves Brisbane at 12:00, arrives in Singapore at 18:15;
QF071: leaves Perth at 11:50, arrives in Singapore at 17:20.

QF128: leaves Hong Kong at 20:00, arrives in Sydney at 6:55 the following day;
QF118: leaves Hong Kong at 23:25, arrives in Sydney at 10:50 the following day;
QF030: leaves Hong Kong at 20:10, arrives in Melbourne at 7:35 the following day;
QF098: leaves Hong Kong at 20:15, arrives in Brisbane at 7:05 the following day.

QF127: leaves Sydney at 10:35, arrives in Hong Kong at 18:00;
QF029: leaves Melbourne at 9:35, arrives in Hong Kong at 17:20;
QF097: leaves Brisbane at 10:45, arrives in Hong Kong at 18:00.

Note:

(1) Subject to seasonal variation

(2) Subject to government and regulatory approvals

(3) Business Class customers, Qantas Frequent Flyer loyalty programme Platinum One, Platinum and Gold Traveling members as well as Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue loyalty program Club 2000, Platinum and Gold members

Top Copyright Photo: QANTAS Australia (QANTAS Airways) Boeing 737-838 WL VH-XZP (msn 44577) “James Strong” SYD (John Adlard). Image: 940843.

QANTAS Airways aircraft slide show:

Air France aircraft slide show:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Air France Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner F-HRBD (msn 42487) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 939729.

Etihad Airways to optimize operations with crew management solutions

Boeing has announced an agreement with Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, to provide multiple crew management solutions to support the planning and operation of the airline’s 7,500 crewmembers.

Through the agreement, Etihad Airways will integrate Crew Pairing, Rostering and Fatigue Risk Management solutions to optimize planning, crew satisfaction and reduce costs. Provided through Boeing subsidiary Jeppesen, these solutions are powered by Boeing AnalytX and provide airlines with advanced optimization and analysis.

“By adopting crew solutions, we are confident that we will be able to respond and adapt more quickly to the ever-changing airline factors and constraints within our operation,” said Rick Allen, senior vice president operations, Etihad Airways. “Our crew team will also appreciate that their preferences will be more flexibly considered, as we will now be able to publish crew schedules further in advance.”

Crew Pairing helps airlines create optimized work duties, improving crew efficiency and operational robustness, while minimizing cost. Crew Rostering allows airlines to build quality rosters that respect crews’ preferences and relevant constraints, while reducing total costs and time to market. Fatigue Risk Management solutions, supported by the Boeing Alertness Model, provide strategies and proven solutions for reducing fatigue risk in crew rosters.

Etihad Airways aircraft slide show:

Ethiopian Airlines to take delivery of its 100th aircraft

Ethiopian Airlines has announced it will take delivery of its 100th aircraft, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, on June 5, 2018.

Ethiopian has five additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 16 Airbus A350-900s on order (below).

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Ethiopian Airlines): Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner ET-AUO (msn 38778) BRU (Ton Jochems). Image: 941071.

Ethiopian Airlines aircraft slide show:

Allegiant welcomes its first-in-fleet American assembled Airbus A320

Allegiant Air this week welcomed its first U.S.-produced Airbus A320 aircraft from the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, Alabama (below).

The pictured Airbus A320-214 N256NV (msn 8220) was handed over on May 22, 2018 and immediately ferried to the Sanford, FL base.

Aerial Photos of the Assembly Line Mobile Airbus FAL at Brookley

A team of Allegiant employees and executives from the company’s headquarters in Las Vegas (below) joined Airbus’ leadership team at the production facility for a special ceremony to officially mark the delivery. The Airbus A320 is the 11^th of 13 new A320 aircraft scheduled for purchase directly from Airbus, to be inducted into Allegiant’s fleet this year.

A team of Allegiant employees take delivery of the airline’s first U.S.-produced A320 aircraft from the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, Alabama on May 22, 2018 (PRNewsfoto/Allegiant)

Previously inducted aircraft have been assembled in Airbus facilities in Toulouse, France and Hamburg, Germany.

This delivery marks another step in Allegiant’s planned transition to a single fleet type by the end of 2018. Allegiant currently has a total of 99 Airbus aircraft either in service or committed for future delivery.

All photos by Allegiant Air or Airbus.

Xiamen Airlines takes delivery of its first Boeing 737-8 MAX 8, expanding the fleet to 200 airplanes

(PRNewsfoto/Xiamen Airlines)

On May 22, 2018, Xiamen Airlines took delivery of its first Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 (B-1288, msn 42956) aircraft in Seattle, expanding the fleet to 200 aircraft, and, by doing so, formally entering the pantheon of the world’s largest airlines.

With the addition of the aircraft, Xiamen Airlines passes a key milestone, with the size of the fleet now at 200 airplanes. The airline passed the first milestone of 100 planes in 2013, and continued to grow by adding roughly 20 aircraft per year and doubling the size of the fleet within five years. During the period, the airline’s operating profits also increased year by year, booking gross profits exceeding 10 billion yuan (approx. US$1.5 billion). The airline has been profitable for 31 consecutive years, reflecting the rapid growth in China’s civil aviation industry.

Che Shanglun, chairman of Xiamen Airlines, revealed that the airline’s rapid growth was mainly attributable to the economic stimulus that resulted from China’s reform and opening up and the constant improvement in the living standard across China, which, in turn, led to the massive boost in the demand for air travel. Over the past five years, the US, Europe and China recorded an average annual growth rate of roughly 4 percent, 6 percent and 10 percent in civil aviation passenger volume, respectively, while Xiamen Airlines experienced an average growth rate of 15 percent.

After expanding the fleet to 100 airplanes in 2013, Xiamen Airlines accelerated the move into international markets. The airline bought the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner in August 2014 and launched the first intercontinental flight, between Xiamen and Amsterdam, in July 2015. Over the following two years, the airline launched 10 intercontinental flights to cities across Europe, North America and Oceania, including Los Angeles, Melbourne, New York, Seattle/Tacoma, Sydney and Vancouver. All the intercontinental flights are now serviced by Boeing 787 aircraft.

Photo: Xiamen Air.

United Airlines and The Private Suite create a new luxury experience at Los Angeles International Airport

United Airlines and The Private Suite Create a New Luxury Experience at Los Angeles International Airport (PRNewsfoto/United Airlines)

United Airlines and The Private Suite today announced a new relationship, offering the airline’s customers access to a newly built, private terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Customers who purchase access will enjoy private and personalized check-in and baggage handling as well as private screening by Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. United customers using the new terminal will be driven across the airfield in BMW 7-Series sedans directly to their aircraft. The United-branded lounge at the new terminal includes individual suites and restrooms and features a full bar and top-tier food service.

Access to The Private Suite will be included in certain business-class fares. United has negotiated a highly preferential rate for use of the exclusive service. The Private Suite experience will initially be available through select corporate travel booking desks and travel agents, and later available for purchase on united.com or through the United app as part of a premium-cabin ticket fare.

United customers flying to or from New York/Newark; Aspen, Colorado; Hawaii; London Heathrow; Los Cabos, Mexico; Melbourne and Sydney, Australia; Shanghai; Singapore; and Tokyo Narita who purchase this service will have access to the exclusive co-branded lounge at The Private Suite’s terminal on the LAX airfield. Customers arriving from overseas will be met at the aircraft and escorted to private customs and immigration processing. A Private Suite logistics team of eight people is assigned to each booking, ensuring a seamless airport experience without traffic, lines or wait time.

“We are excited to offer this new experience for our customers who are seeking additional efficiency, comfort, privacy and the ultimate service during their travels,” said Janet Lamkin, President, California, for United Airlines. “The partnership with The Private Suite affords our customers the opportunity to enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience that makes travel through LAX the best in class. As California’s global airline, our customers expect the best, and United is delivering on that promise.”

The Private Suite is owned and operated by Gavin de Becker & Associates, a world-renowned consulting and service firm that handles logistics and protection for many of the world’s most prominent people.

United at LAX

United’s hub at LAX is a key gateway, offering service to Latin America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the domestic U.S. network. From Los Angeles, United operates daily nonstop service to five Asia-Pacific destinations, including Melbourne, Tokyo Narita, Shanghai, Sydney and Singapore. At 8,700 miles, the flight between LAX and Singapore holds the record for any airline operating a flight to or from the U.S. The airline also operates nonstop service to London Heathrow, Vancouver, Canada, and five destinations in Mexico, as well as 138 daily flights to destinations across the U.S. Over the last two years, United has invested more than $570 million in its LAX hub.

The first Swoop Boeing 737-800 is unveiled

Swoop is ready for takeoff with the first Swoop flight heading from YHM to YXX on June 20, 2018. (CNW Group/Swoop)

On May 22, 2018, the first Boeing 737-800 aircraft (C-GDMP) was delivered to Swoop, marking one of many exciting milestones as the airline prepares for the launch of operations on June 20, 2018. In the coming weeks and months, Canadians can look forward to many exciting milestone announcements, from Swoop’s official uniform unveiling to the launch of a range of international destinations.

The unveiling of Swoop’s livery has been much anticipated, prompting Swoop to share a first look teaser image on social media last week. Emblazoned with the eye-catching magenta Swoop logo, and magenta accented tailfin and winglets, this is the first of six Boeing 737-800 aircraft to be delivered this year.

Swoop has named their first aircraft #Hamilton as a nod to their first airport base at John C. Munro International Airport in Hamilton, Ontario. (CNW Group/Swoop)

About the Fleet
Swoop will operate a modern fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft which offer superior reliability and fuel efficiency and are equipped with blended winglet technology to improve aerodynamic performance and reduce fuel burn by up to four per cent. Optimizing efficiencies while minimizing maintenance and operating costs is an important cornerstone of Swoop’s ultra-low-cost business model.

With 189 seats – including 39 extra legroom seats offering an additional 4-6 inches of space – the aircraft interior features -pop of colour- accents like embossed leather headrest covers, and bullnose strips. (CNW Group/Swoop)

With 189 seats – including 39 extra legroom seats offering an additional 4-6 inches of space – the aircraft interior features ‘pop of colour’ accents like embossed leather headrest covers, and bullnose strips. The aircraft interior is also outfitted with amenities including in-seat power, fully adjustable headrests, WiFi connectivity and in-flight entertainmentⁱ.

(CNW Group/Swoop)

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft has three onboard lavatories: a single lavatory in the front and two in the back. And no, travellers will not be charged to use the bathrooms on board. Swoop’s Duty Not Free initiative was nothing more than a widely-shared April Fool’s Day prank, with most travellers catching on to the ruse quite quickly.

Swoop has named their first aircraft #Hamilton as a nod to their first airport base at John C. Munro International Airport in Hamilton, Ontario. Swoop plans to name the first four aircraft after people and places that have been integral in the journey to launch. With two more aircraft delivered in 2018, Swoop partners and travellers can expect an aircraft naming contest later this year.

About Swoop

Swoop has flown into the Canadian travel market to provide the country with a no-frills, lower-fare air travel option that will get more Canadians travelling. Swoop has the unique position of being the only ultra-low-cost carrier in Canada with a strong balance sheet, a modern fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft and a management team with deep knowledge of the aviation market.

All photo by Swoop.

Video:

DFW Airport to begin runway rehabilitation project

Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport will begin a major infrastructure project to rebuild one of its busiest runways. The project for the refurbishment of Runway 17-Center/35-Center will begin on May 24 with a partial closure, which will still allow the southern portion of the runway to be used during daylight hours. Full closure of the runway will begin in August, with completion of the project slated for December.

“This runway work is a critical need for DFW Airport, and the first major step in our ten-year plan to modernize infrastructure across the Airport,” said Khaled Naja, executive vice president of Infrastructure and Development at DFW Airport. “We’ve taken a long look at our 44-year old facilities and have developed a comprehensive plan to address the upcoming work on runways, taxiways, aircraft ramps, roadways and bridges over the next few years. We’re grateful to our partners in the industry and the community who helped us put together a plan that minimizes the impact to our customers and our neighbors.”

DFW has worked with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its airline partners to reduce the time required to replace the center third of the runway, utilizing new construction techniques and taking advantage of seasonal air traffic patterns. DFW has six other runways that will allow airlines to continue operating a full schedule of flights. Traveling customers should not experience significant delays due to the closure.

Before the end of 2018, DFW will have replaced a section of the runway about 6000 feet long and 50 feet wide, reaching a depth of more than three feet of sub-base, cement-treated base and concrete. The runway will be resurfaced with a polymer-modified high performance black asphalt, designed for strength, flexibility and weather resistance.

The project will include the installation of new technologies, including an updated pavement sensor system for measuring weather impacts and enhanced in-pavement lighting, which improves the safety of the runway and connecting taxiways. In addition, crews will also build connected portions of the planned Perimeter Taxiway for the northeast side of the Airport.

The cost of the project will total about $135 million. DFW received an Airport Improvement Program grant from the FAA totaling about $49.5 million for the runway work.

Built in 1984, Runway 17-Center/35-Center handles more arrivals than any other runway at DFW.

Air China to launch new Beijing-Hanoi service

Air China will launch a new service between Beijing and Hanoi on June 1, 2018.

In recent years, Air China has opened routes between Beijing and Ho Chi Minh, Hangzhou and Nha Trang, and Chongqing and Nha Trang.

Flight information:

The new route between Beijing and Hanoi will be operated under flight numbers CA741/742 four times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Outbound flights will depart from Beijing at 01:25 and arrive in Hanoi at 04:15; inbound flights will depart from Hanoi at 05:45 and arrive in Beijing at 10:25 (all times are local).

Air China aircraft slide show: