United to launch new platforms for corporate customers to fully customize and manage business travel programs

United Airlines on August 11 announced a new platform that will allow corporate customers to fully customize their business travel program contracts with the airline. This could include higher status in United’s loyalty programs including United Corporate Preferred, the airline’s loyalty program for corporate customers; options to make working while traveling easier, including reserving more spacious seats in Economy Plusยฎ and wi-fi access; and incentives like discounts on leisure travel for employees.

In an innovative shift from discounted airfare being the only option available during the contracting process, customers will now be able to work with a United sales representative to choose from the airline’s extensive product catalog to design a program that best fits their business travel needs. With the additional ability to customize these options down to individual flights, travelers and destinations, United is set to be the first airline to offer this level of customization in the contracting process through its new platform, United for Business Blueprint, which is scheduled to launch in late 2022.

In addition to launching United for Business Blueprint, Unitedย willย begin rolling out a new website in late 2022 that will make it easier for companies who book business travel on united.com or the United app toย enroll in and manage their travel program. The site will have one of the most intuitive sign-up processes in the industry. With just a few clicks, customers can register with United for Business, browse programs and enroll in an option that best meets their business travel needs. Customers will gain access to a variety of new capabilities, including the ability to easily rebook and exchange travel and view and use future flight credits. Customers will also be able to view reports on travel activity based on money spent or trips taken, with the option to filter based by date of travel, origin, destination and more. New customizable booking and payment settings will also give travel administrators more choice in the payment options and spending guidelines they set for their travelers. The site was designed with small businesses in mind but will also bring great value to larger organizations that book their business travel through united.com or the United app.

United Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

 

Alaska Airlines corporate sustainable aviation fuels program adds Deloitte as participant with business travel emissions-reduction agreement

Alaska Airlines and Deloitte on August 11 announced an agreement to advance purchase and use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) through Alaska’s new corporate SAF program, part of the company’s Ever Green program to advance environmental sustainability. As a participant in the program, Deloitte will reduce the emissions of their business travel with Alaska by approximately 1,050 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

Alaska and Deloitte will collaborate on the purchase of SAF certificates which provide an accounting framework to expand the market for SAF and capture the emissions reduction value for corporate purchasers.

By Chad Slattery.

SAF is currently available in volumes amounting to less than one percent of total fuel use but is a safe, certified fuel that meets all jet fuel standards and can reduce carbon emissions by as much as 80% on a lifecycle basis. Through their corporate SAF program, Alaska intends to address some of the key barriers to scaling SAF production such as feedstock accessibility, facilities, transportation and storage, pricing, engine infrastructure and demand from operations and customers.

Alaska Airlines aircraft photo gallery (Airbus):

Alaska Airlines launches new program to advance sustainable aviation fuels through corporate partnerships, shared learning

Alaska Airlines is taking the next step in advancing sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) as part of Alaska’s Ever Green program for improvements in environmental sustainability. On August 11 Alaska launched a program to engage its corporate customers in the decarbonization journey through purchase of SAF credits and continued efforts to expand education and awareness about opportunities to improve the sustainability of business travel including through use of SAF. The program builds on a first-in-the-US program launched with Microsoft in 2020 to reduce corporate business travel emissions through corporate partnerships.

The program launches with participation from Microsoft, Boeing and Washington State University (WSU). Microsoft has also committed to reducing the scope 3 emissions of their business travel with Alaska. Program participants will further deepen the experience with pilot book and claim systems and build upon those efforts to advance awareness and education on sustainable travel topics among all corporate customers.

Alaska’s program includes Boeing and WSU as aviation and academic value chain partners to share knowledge and advancements in sustainable business travel with corporate participants. Together, participants will collaborate to advance sustainability in business travel, increase education and awareness, and identify and act on opportunities for collective action.

“WSU has long been a national leader in climate and sustainability research, including in the development and adoption of SAF,” said Kirk Schulz, president of WSU. “We look forward to supporting this coalition of forward-looking companies committed to decarbonizing air travel.”

SAF is currently available in volumes amounting to less than one percent of total fuel use but is a safe, certified fuel that meets all jet fuel standards and can reduce carbon emissions by as much as 80% on a lifecycle basis. Through the program, Alaska intends to expand understanding of and action to address some of the key barriers to scaling SAF production such as feedstock accessibility, facilities, transportation and storage, pricing, engine infrastructure and demand from operations and customers. Additionally, participants may tackle other topics related to sustainability in travel.

Last year, Alaska announced its commitment and five-part roadmap to reduce the company’s carbon emissions to net-zero by 2040, including SAF as the most significant opportunity to reduce carbon emissions over the next few decades. Additionally, Alaska set 2025 goals to improve its impact relative to carbon, waste, and water.

Alaska Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Avelo Airlines flies its one millionth customer

Avelo Airlines has made this announcement:

Just 16 months after making history as America’s first new airline to take flight in more than a decade, Avelo Airlines announced it is flying its one millionth Customer today. To celebrate the milestone, Avelo Founder, Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy will be aboard the milestone flight โ€“ surprising every Customer with a free future roundtrip ticket anywhere Avelo flies.

BURBANK, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 28: Avelo Airlines takes off with first flight between Burbank and Santa Rosa at Hollywood Burbank Airport on April 28, 2021 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Avelo Air) (PRNewsfoto/Avelo Airlines)
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 28: Avelo Airlines takes off with first flight between Burbank and Santa Rosa at Hollywood Burbank Airport on April 28, 2021 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Avelo Air) (PRNewsfoto/Avelo Airlines)

The one millionth Customer will be aboard Avelo Flight 165 from Los Angeles’ popular Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) to Boise Airport (BOI). However, Levy will thank all of the nearly 160 Customers aboard the Boise-bound Boeing 737-800 milestone flight with a free roundtrip ticket.

At the BUR departure gate surrounded by Avelo Customers and Crewmembers Levy said, “From the start, Avelo has been on a mission to Inspire Travelby making flying affordable and easy so you can travel more. Since our first flight 16 months ago, one million Avelo Customers have enjoyed the everyday low fares and convenience of flying with us. On this momentous occasion, all of us at Avelo are grateful to you and every Avelo Customer who has chosen Avelo. I’m also very appreciative of our Avelo Crewmembers who deliver the smooth, reliable and caring travel experience that keeps our Customers coming back. Thanks a million!”

Avelo will also be awarding one lucky traveler with a year of free tickets to any Avelo destination. The winner will receive 12 pairs of roundtrip Avelo tickets that are valid for one year. Inspired travelers can enter the Avelo One Million Sweepstakes*at Avelo’s Instagram page (@AveloAir) or by visiting AveloAir.com/OneMillion through September 12, 2022.

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Atlas Air extends its partnership with QANTAS Freight

Atlas Air, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. has announced an agreement to extend its long-standing partnership with Qantas Freight, the leading air freight carrier in Australia. The successful partnership between Atlas Air and Qantas Freight began in 2004.

Under the extended agreement with Qantas Freight, Atlas Air will provide long-haul, widebody main deck capacity with two Boeing 747-400Fs operating its existing network linking Australia, Asia and the U.S. An additional 747-400F has also been extended to service the one-way U.S.-Australia-Hong Kong routing, boosting capacity to meet customer demand.

Both Atlas Air and Qantas are committed to meeting the industry-wide 2050 sustainability targets set forth by the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

Atlas Air aircraft photo gallery:

New airline from Nigeria – Umza Xpress

Umza Xpress (Umza Aviation) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) C-FSRY (5N-CAC) (msn 4174) SEN (Keith Burton). Image: 958512.

Umza Xpress (Umza Aviation Services) is a new airline based in Nigeria. The new airline has taken delivery of this former Air Canada Express Q400.

C-FSRY will become 5N-CAC.

Aero Contractors will operate the aircraft. Aero Contractors issued this statement:

Copyright Photo: Umza Xpress (Umza Aviation Services) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) C-FSRY (5N-CAC) (msn 4174) SEN (Keith Burton). Image: 958512.

 

Air New Zealand is taking proactive measures to protect the travel plans of its customers as sickness levels continue to cause disruption

Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner ZK-NZG (msn 37963) HNL (Ivan K. Nishimura). Image: 956949.

Air New Zealand has issued this statement:

Over the next six months, the airline will operate a slightly reduced schedule of 1.5 percent fewer seats than originally planned, meaning a change to some flights.

Most customers who experience a flight change will be transferred to another flight on the same day for domestic travel, and for international travel, on the same day or a day either side of their original booking. Where customers cannot be accommodated within these timeframes, they may change their booking online, opt into credit or request a refund.

Those customers with changes will start to see them from today and will be automatically transferred to another flight. Those with further onward connections may also be disrupted and we will work through these directly with impacted customers.

Airย Newย Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran says making these changes now gives customers advance notice and will help the airline provide a service that’s more reliable during its rebuild.

“Like many airlines around the world, we’ve been ramping up our operation at a time when Covid and the flu continues to impact the aviation industry. Looking at the disruptions our customers and staff have faced over the past five weeks, we’ve made some adjustments to reduce short-notice cancellations in the months ahead.

“While we did factor sickness into our ramp up plan, we’ve seen the highest rates of crew sickness in over a decade. We see these challenges continuing not just for crew, but for our whole operation, and so we’re making proactive changes to address them.”

Mr Foran says reducing the number of flights means the airline will be able to have crew on standby to cover illness, which has not been possible lately.

“We’re pulling out all the stops to minimise disruption and provide surety for our customers over the next six months. We have rehired or brought on more than 2,000 pilots, airport staff, cabin crew, contact centre and engineers, and we’re going as fast as we can with recruitment and training.

“We’re also exploring options to lease a crewed widebody aircraft for the busy summer period. We know customers want the Airย Newย Zealand experience, and that’s what we want to deliver too. But at the moment we’re stretched to capacity and making sure our customers are able to travel is our top priority. The lease of an additional crewed aircraft may help us achieve that.”

Airย Newย Zealand’s domestic and international schedule will be operating atย 90%ย of pre-Covid capacityย for the next six months.

In other news, ANZ is bring back grounded Boeing 777-300 aircraft:

Top Copyright Photo: Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner ZK-NZG (msn 37963) HNL (Ivan K. Nishimura). Image: 956949.

Air New Zealand aircraft photo gallery:

Additional freighter enables Lufthansa Cargo to grow its network to Asia and North America

"Sustainable Aviation Fuel"

Lufthansa Cargo is expanding its long-haul route network in the 2022-2023 winter flight schedule with additional flights to high-demand destinations, including a new destination. From the end of August, Lufthansa Cargo is marketing additional capacity with the entry into service of another Boeing 777F freighter. A further Airbus A321F will supplement the medium-haul offering from October. Related adjustments and extensions to the short- and medium-haul flight schedule are currently still being planned.

Lufthansa Cargo’s current 2022-2023 winter flight schedule consists of a total of 78 weekly Boeing 777F freighter rotations. On Asian routes alone, customers can choose from 38 weekly connections to attractive destinations. New to the schedule is the destination of Hanoi (HAN). Hanoi will be served twice a week from Frankfurt via Mumbai (BOM) from the beginning of November. Lufthansa Cargo already flies twice weekly from Frankfurt via Bangkok (BKK) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), thus doubling its presence in Vietnam. In addition, service from Frankfurt via Kansai (KIX) to Seoul (ICN) will increase from three to four weekly flights. The frequency to Hong Kong (HKG), China, will also be increased from four to five weekly flights.


Additional frequencies will also be offered on the future 34 weekly freighter rotations between Europe and North America: The service from Frankfurt to Mexico City (MEX) will be increased from five to six and to Chicago (ORD) from seven to eight flights per week.
Lufthansa Cargo is maintaining its proven four weekly routes to South America and two weekly connections within Europe with the B777F to Tel Aviv (TLV) and Cairo (CAI) in the winter flight schedule.

Top Copyright Photo: Lufthansa Cargo Boeing 777F D-ALFG (msn 66090) (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) FRA (Jay Selman). Image: 404100.

Lufthansa Cargo aircraft photo gallery:

TAP Air Portugal sees a massive 526% increase in traffic between Europe and Brazil

"Vasco da Gama"

TAP Air Portugal (TAP) experienced a massive 526% increase in customers carried between Europe and Brazil in the first six months of 2022, compared to the previous year.

The Portuguese flag carrier flew more than 640,000 customers on more than 3,100 flights, grabbing nearly a third (28%) of the whole market share of all customers flown between Europe and Brazil.

During the first half of 2022 it operated 3,129 flights and was the third largest international airline in the number of take-offs, representing a huge increase of 130% compared to the same period in 2021.

This summer, TAP will operate 76 flights a week between Portugal and Brazil, the largest number of flights by a foreign airline flying to Brazil.

TAP connects Europe to 11 cities in Brazil from its Lisbon hub, flying to Sรฃo Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belรฉm, Belo Horizonte, Brasรญlia, Fortaleza, Natal, Maceiรณ, Porto Alegre, Recife and Salvador. The airline also connects Porto with Sรฃo Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Currently, TAP connects Portugal with three destinations in the United Kingdom – London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Manchester – as well as offering flights to the Irish capital, Dublin.

The airline, which boasts one of the youngest fleets in Europe, currently operates a mix of short-haul and long-haul Airbus aircraft, from the state-of-the-art A330neo to the game changing single-aisle A321neoLR.

The carrierโ€™s regional arm also operates a fleet of ATR and Embraer aircraft for those travelling a shorter distance.

Top Copyright Photo: TAP Portugal – Air Portugal Airbus A330-941 CS-TUR (msn 1943) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 958273.

TAP aircraft photo gallery:

Archer Aviation receives $10 million pre-delivery payment from United Airlines for 100 eVTOL aircraft

Archer Aviation Inc. has announced that it has received a $10 million pre-delivery payment from United Airlines for 100 of the companyโ€™s initial production eVTOL aircraft. The payment represents a watershed moment for the eVTOL industry, validating confidence in the commercialization of eVTOL aircraft and Archerโ€™s leadership. United is making the deposit on 100 of Archerโ€™s production aircraft which it agreed to purchase in 2021.

Archer recently completed its production aircraftโ€™s Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and is now advancing to the next stage of its development and commercialization efforts. The PDR is a meticulous review of the aircraft design to ensure the program is on track and the design is mature enough to proceed to the next development phase and kick-off of production of long lead time hardware. The PDR lays out all aspects of the aircraftโ€™s specifications and manufacturing requirements, necessary pre-conditions for determinations that the design is feasible for regulatory compliance and viable to bring to market. Unitedโ€™s decision to place a deposit for 100 of Archerโ€™s eVTOL aircraft signals its desire to be one of the first airline operators in the U.S. to bring eVTOL aircraft to market.

The pre-delivery cash deposit continues a trend of strong support by the airline throughout development of its aircraft. Recently, United formed a Joint eVTOL Advisory Committee with Archer, allowing the parties to work more closely on eVTOL maintenance and operational matters. Committee members include Archerโ€™s operations and maintenance leadership, as well as leadership from Unitedโ€™s maintenance, materials, and engineering groups.