Alaska Airlines protects its most important Seattle/Tacoma markets with double miles

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) is stepping up to protect its top markets from the Seattle/Tacoma hub with a double miles offer through 2014. The company just issued this statement:

Alaska Airlines is making it easier for travelers flying to and from Seattle/Tacoma to fly more with double frequent flier miles* on eight of its most popular routes to and from the Emerald City.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members who enroll in the program before their first qualifying flights will earn double miles on flights through December 31, 2014, between Seattle/Tacoma and the following cities:

Anchorage, Alaska
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Oakland, California
San Diego
San Francisco
San Jose, California
Vancouver, British Columbia

The carrier will also offer double miles** from June 1 to Sept. 1, 2014, on flights between Seattle/Tacoma and Fairbanks, Alaska, and Seattle/Tacoma and Juneau, Alaska.

Alaska Airlines operates 279 peak-day departures nonstop to 73 destinations from Seattle. It also operates more daily flights (170 during peak season) to more destinations (28) within the state of Alaska and from Alaska to the Lower 48 states and Hawaii than any other major carrier.

* Double miles promotion terms: Registration is required prior to your first qualifying flight, and must be completed no later than Dec. 31, 2014. Double miles offer is valid only on qualifying paid nonstop flights between Seattle and Anchorage; Seattle and Los Angeles; Seattle and Oakland; Seattle and San Diego; Seattle and San Francisco; Seattle and San Jose; Seattle and Vancouver; and Seattle and Las Vegas from June 1, 2014, through Dec. 31, 2014. Flights must be marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines. Flight miles must be credited to your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ account in order to earn double miles. All travel must be completed by Dec. 31, 2014. Not valid on free or award travel. Double miles do not count toward Mileage Plan elite status. Please allow four to six weeks for miles to be credited to your Mileage Plan account. All terms and conditions of the Mileage Plan program apply. Offer subject to change without notice.

** Double miles offer terms: Registration is required for non-Club 49 members prior to your first qualifying flight, and must be completed no later than Sept. 1, 2014. Club 49 members will automatically be registered for this promotion. Double miles offer is valid only on qualifying paid nonstop flights between Seattle and Fairbanks and between Seattle and Juneau from June 1, 2014, through Sept. 1, 2014. Flights must be marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines. Flight miles must be credited to your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account in order to earn double miles. All travel must be completed by Sept. 1, 2014. Not valid on free or award travel. Double miles do not count towards Mileage Plan Elite Status. Please allow four to six weeks for miles to be credited to your Mileage Plan account. All terms and conditions of the Mileage Plan program apply. Offer subject to change without notice.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-890 N552AS (msn 34595) departs from Anchorage International Airport (ANC).

Alaska Airlines:

United Airlines to end all service to Klamath Falls and Modesto in June

United Airlines (Chicago) will end United Express Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia service to Klamath Falls, Oregon (from Portland and San Francisco) on June 3 per Airline Route. Service to Modesto, California from San Francisco will end on June 4. The routes are operated by SkyWest Airlines (St. George, Utah).

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer EMB-120ER Brasilia N233SW (msn 120307) arrives in Los Angeles.

United Express-SkyWest:

Current SkyWest (United Express) routes on the West Coast:

Mega Maldives Airlines to expand its fleet and destinations

MEGA Global Air Services (Maldives) Pvt. Ltd. (dba Mega Maldives Airlines) (Male) and it’s offshore partner, MG Holdings Limited, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with BB Airways Pvt. Ltd. of Nepal, whereby the companies agreed to collaborate on developing flights and sharing of resources for cost effective operation of both airlines. The two airlines plan to develop operations both within the SAARC region and beyond.

The cooperation between BB Airways and Mega Maldives Airlines will help both parties expand and open new markets.

According to CAPA, Mega Maldives plans to add four additional Boeing 757-200s and one additional Boeing 767-300 and add its first routes to the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The second phase of expansion will see the possible launch of services to Australia and Europe using a second type of widebody aircraft.

Mega Maldives currently operates regular flights throughout the year from Male to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. These operations include 6 to 18 round trips per month from these cities depending on the time of the year (see map below).

Mega Maldives also operates seasonal routes from Male to Gan, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou and Seoul (Incheon). Due to the seasonality of demands on these routes, Mega Maldives does not normally operate flights to these destinations in mid-December to early January and between March and May.

According to the privately owned airline, “Mega Maldives Airlines is the privately owned international airline of the Maldives and serves the Chinese market with the greatest number of frequencies of any nonstop carrier. The airline operates Boeing 767 and 757 aircraft in a multi-class configuration. Mega, founded in 2010, carries up to 30% of the Chinese market to Maldives and up to 14% of all traffic to the Maldives. The airline plans to take delivery of several additional aircraft and expand to several new points over the coming year.”

Copyright Photo: Paul Denton/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 767-3P6 ER 8Q-MEG (msn 24496) of Mega Maldives Airlines prepares to depart from its Male base.

Video:

Current Route Map:

Australian Angus Houston: “I’m now optimistic that we will find the aircraft, or what is left of the aircraft, in the not too distant future.”

According to Reuters, Australian officials today (April 9) reported “two new “ping” signals” had been detected in the search for Malaysia Airlines (Kuala Lumpur) missing flight MH 370, boosting confidence after more than a month of searching for the missing Boeing 777-2H6 ER 9M-MRO (msn 28420) with 239 souls on board.

According to Reuters, “The signals, which could be from the plane’s black box recorders, bring to four the number of overall “pings” detected in recent days within the search area by a U.S. Navy “Towed Pinger Locator”(TPL).”

Angus Houston, head of the Australian agency coordinating the search, said “I’m now optimistic that we will find the aircraft, or what is left of the aircraft, in the not too distant future.”

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

The Joint Agency Coordination Centre today issued this statement:

Up to 11 military aircraft, four civil aircraft and 14 ships will assist in today’s search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

Today AMSA has planned a search area of about 75,423 square kilometres.

The centre of the search area is approximately 2261 kilometres north west of Perth.

A weak front is moving in from the south east, expected to bring scattered showers.

The underwater search continues today, with ADV Ocean Shield at the northern end of the defined search area, and Chinese ship Haixun 01 and HMS Echo at the southern end.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau continues to refine the area where the aircraft entered the water based on continuing ground-breaking and multi-disciplinary technical analysis of satellite communication and aircraft performance, passed from the international air crash investigative team comprising analysts from Malaysia, the United States, the UK, China and Australia.

Top Map: AMSA. The top map shows today’s search area and also the location of the areas where the pings were heard by the Australian ship ADV Ocean Shield on April 6 and the Chinese ship Hai Xun on April 5.

Malaysia Airlines:

Bottom Map: AMS. A close-up map of the pinger locations found by ADV Ocean Shield.

Video: From Malaysia Airlines:

American Airlines changes its policies concerning mileage redemptions and checked bag policies

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) today announced new mileage redemption options for American Airlines AAdvantage and US Airways Dividend Miles members, as well as new checked bag policies for customers traveling across the combined network of more than 356 destinations in 56 countries. The changes, along with enhancements in First and Business Class on flights operated by US Airways, part of American Airlines Group, will provide customers a more consistent experience and an onboard product in line with or better than that of American’s competitors.

Mileage Redemption Structure

Effective today for travel starting June 1, Dividend Miles members now will be able to book last seat availability awards for flights year-round without any blackout dates. For AAdvantage members, AAnytime award travel will now be available more for than half of the year at an even lower redemption level. Previous redemption rates called for 25,000 miles one way, and the new redemptions will start at 20,000 miles one way. Redemption mileage during the remainder of the year will begin at 30,000 miles one way for last seat availability. The exceptions will fall on the busiest travel days of the year. On those days, American will offer a higher award redemption option, which will be available starting at 50,000 miles one way. Since January, when American and US Airways launched the first phase of reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, AAdvantage and Dividend Miles members have earned more than 587 million miles through travel across the new American’s combined global network. For details on award travel levels, visit aa.com/aadvantage or usairways.com/dividendmiles.

Checked Bag Policies

American has also updated its checked bag policies. For flights operated by American, these changes take place for tickets issued starting today. For flights operated by US Airways, these changes take place for tickets issued starting April 23. The changes include removing the second bag charge on flights to and from South America. Also, AAdvantage Gold members and Dividend Miles Platinum and Gold members will receive one fewer free checked bag than they do today. Customers traveling on an AAnytime award or a full-fare economy ticket (on legacy American) will no longer receive free checked bags. Lastly, Citi cardholders will continue to receive one free checked bag, and starting April 30, that same benefit will also apply to customers who have the US Airways MasterCard® with an annual fee of at least $79.

Importantly, American leads the industry in baggage exemptions for our nation’s military as the only airline to offer five free checked bags to military servicemen and women traveling on orders, and three bags to military servicemen and women on personal travel.

Inflight Enhancements

Customers in First Class on flights operated by US Airways will now enjoy an updated selection of fresh meals on most flights longer than 1,000 nautical miles, or about 2 hours 45 minutes in duration. Customers in international Business Class on flights operated by US Airways will be able to tune out or tune in to new entertainment options with new Bose® Quiet Comfort® 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones. Another feature includes Business Class on Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft which will now offer 60 movies and a greater variety of television programs, as well as audio selections on the new Samsung Galaxy Tab. Business Class on Airbus A330 aircraft now offers double the previous entertainment options, with more than 250 movies and 350 audio choices.

American Airlines (current):

US Airways:

Iberia Group is adding new destinations

Iberia Group (Iberia and Iberia Express) (Madrid) has announced new routes from its Madrid hub.

Iberia Express has already added a new route to Stockholm (Arlanda) with two weekly flights. It will also add a new route to Amsterdam with twice-daily service starting on July 1.

Iberia Express is also increasing the number of flights to Berlin, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf and Frankfurt.

Iberia will add daily service to Istanbul starting on June 20. Santo Domingo will be added on September 1 with five weekly nonstop flights. Athens, which has been a summer route, will become a new year-round route.

Iberia is adding three weekly frequencies to Chicago (O’Hare) for the summer, two more to Panama City starting in July and additional frequencies to Brussels, Geneva, Munich, Rome, Tel Aviv, Venice and Zurich. Iberia has also resumed nonstop flights to Boston and Los Angeles and will also operate summer routes to Dubrovnik, St. Petersburg (Russia) and Zagreb.

Copyright Photo: Ariel Shocron/AirlinersGallery.com. Iberia Express’ Airbus A320-216 EC-LVQ (msn 5590) climbs away from the Madrid hub.

Iberia:

Iberia Express:

Delta to operate seasonal New York JFK-Vancouver flights starting on May 22

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) will begin seasonal daily nonstop flights from New York (JFK) to Vancouver on May 22. The route will operate with Boeing 737-800s until September 1 according to Airline Route. This route was also operated last summer.

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-832 N375DA (msn 29623) completes its final approach into Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS).

Delta Air Lines (current):

Mokulele Airlines adds Honolulu-Kahului, Maui flights on April 1

Mokulele Airlines (Kona, Hawaii) began offering nonstop flights between Kahului, Maui and Honolulu on April 1 as part of its expansion plans for 2014. This summer, Mokulele will also begin offering service from Kalaeloa Airport on O’ahu which is located at the former Barber’s Point Naval Air Base John Rogers Field. To meet these expanding flight schedules, Mokulele is adding three new Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft to its fleet.

Mokulele is also reassuring the public that it is separate from go! Airlines and is still operating despite the shutdown of go! on April 1. In 2011, Mokulele’s parent company, TransPac Aviation, purchased the turbo prop division of Mesa Air Group, the operator of go! Airlines. Since that time, Mokulele and go! have operated as two separate airlines, which is why Mokulele flight operations are not being affected by go!’s April 1 shutdown.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/AirlinersGallery.com. Cessna 208B Grand Caravan N841MA (msn 1084) “Spirit of Kona” waits for the next assignment at Honolulu International Airport (HNL).

Route Map:

Virgin America doubles down on the San Francisco-Austin route as it celebrates being rated number one

Virgin America (San Francisco) today announced that it will expand its schedule to two daily nonstop roundtrips between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and its home base at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) as of July 8, 2014.

Earlier today, Virgin America was named the best airline in 2013 in the Airline Quality Rating, a joint research project conducted annually by faculty at Wichita State University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University that looks at airlines’ on-time performance and baggage handling, involuntary denied boarding and the customer complaint rates as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Virgin America Airbus A319-112 N530VA (msn 3686) “Gogo Dancer” arrives in Los Angeles.

Virgin America:

Route Map: Current routes from San Francisco:

Wichita State University and Embry-Riddle issue their annual Airline Quality Rating for U.S. airlines

Airline Quality Rating 2014

The Airline Quality Rating (AQR) was developed and first announced in early 1991 as an objective method for assessing airline quality on combined multiple performance criteria. This current report, the Airline Quality Rating 2014, reflects monthly Airline Quality Rating scores for calendar year 2013. AQR scores for 2014 are based on 15 elements in four major areas that focus on airline performance aspects important to air travel consumers over the calendar year of 2013.

The Airline Quality Rating 2014 is a summary of month-by-month quality ratings for U.S. airlines that are required to report performance by virtue of having at least 1% of domestic scheduled-service passenger revenue during 2013. Using the Airline Quality Rating system of weighted averages and monthly performance data in the areas of on-time arrivals, involuntary denied boardings, mishandled baggage, and a combination of 12 customer complaint categories, airlines’ comparative performance for the calendar year of 2013 is reported. This research monograph contains a brief summary of the AQR methodology, detailed data and charts that track comparative quality for domestic airline operations for the 12-month period of 2013, and industry results. Also, comparative Airline Quality Rating data for 2012 are included, where available, to provide historical perspective regarding performance quality in the industry.

What the Airline Quality Rating Tells Us About 2013

The Airline Quality Rating industry score for 2013 shows an industry that improved in overall performance quality over the previous year. As an industry, performance in 2013 was better than the previous two years. The AQR score for 2013 was the best industry score for all of the 23 year history of the Airline Quality Rating. United Airlines had the largest improvement in overall score, while Air Tran Airlines had the largest decline in AQR score for 2013.

The overall industry AQR score was improved for 2013, even though declines were seen in two of the four performance areas tracked. As an industry, the AQR criteria show that on-time arrival percentage was worse (78.4% in 2013 compared to 81.8% in 2012). Industry mishandled baggage rates were worse, increasing from 3.07 per 1,000 passengers in 2012 to 3.21 per 1,000 passengers in 2013. Involuntary denied boardings per passenger served by all carriers improved from 0.97 per 10,000 passengers in 2012 to 0.81 per 10,000 passengers in 2013. Consumer complaint rates across the industry improved to 1.13 per 100,000 passengers in 2013 from 1.43 per 100,000 passengers in 2012. Of the 9,684 complaints registered with DOT regarding all U.S. domestic carriers, 64.5% were for either flight problems, customer service problems, or baggage problems. Taking all 15 rated airlines together, the AQR score for the industry improved from a level of -1.11 in 2012 to -1.07 in 2013. With a mixed bag of gains and losses across the 15 carriers rated, the improvement in AQR score for the industry is a positive sign. The movement of the AQR score to a record low level during difficult economic times speaks well of the industry.

AirTran Airways (FL) On-time performance declined in 2013 (79.4% in 2013 compared to 87.1% in 2012). AirTran’s denied boardings performance (1.29 per 10,000 passengers in 2013 compared to 0.95 in 2012) was worse. A decrease in customer complaint rate to 0.73 complaints per 100,000 passengers in 2013 was better performance than their 2012 rate of 0.91. The mishandled baggage rate of 3.71 bags per 1,000 passengers in 2013 was worse than their 2012 rate of 1.58. With improvement in only one area rated, Air Tran Airways overall AQR score showed the largest decline in of all airlines rated in 2013.

Alaska Airlines (AS) had performance improvement in two of the four areas tracked. Slightly worse on-time arrival performance (87.2% in 2013 compared to 87.5% in 2012) and a very small increase in mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers (2.94 in 2013 compared to 2.93 in 2012) were their only negatives. Fewer customer complaints (0.44 per 100,000 passengers in 2013 compared to 0.51 in 2012) and a lower rate of involuntary denied boardings (0.39 in 2013 compared to 0.63 per 10,000 passengers in 2012) were the positives. Alaska Airlines’ overall AQR score improved for 2013. With two of four areas showing improvement, the AQR score of -0.77 for Alaska Airlines for 2012 was improved to -0.69 for 2013.

American Airlines (AA) AQR score for 2013 stayed nearly the same as their score for 2012. The slight improvement in AQR score (-1.10 in 2013 compared to -1.11 for 2012) reflects a combination of better performance for on-time arrivals (78.1% in 2013 compared to 76.9% in 2012) and involuntary denied boardings (0.43 in 2013 compared to 0.73 in 2012) and a decline in performances regarding baggage handling (3.02 per 1,000 passengers in 2013 compared to 2.92 in 2012) and customer complaints per 100,000 passengers (1.99 in 2013 compared to 1.80 in 2012). The combination of performance outcome gains and losses produced very little improvement in their AQR score for 2013.

American Eagle (MQ) had a denied boarding rate of 1.14 for 2013, an increase from 1.07 per 10,000 passengers in 2012. The airline had an increase in the rate of customer complaints (1.70 in 2013 from 1.27 per 100,000 passengers in 2012). On-time performance was 72.1% in 2013 compared to 81.6% for 2012. Their mishandled baggage rate of 5.90 per 1,000 passengers in 2013 was only slightly worse than their rate of 5.80 for 2012, but was still well above the industry rate of 3.21. This combination of performance on the criteria produced a decline in AQR score for 2013 (-1.95 in 2013 compared to -1.78 for 2012.

Delta Air Lines (DL) On-time percentage for 2013 shows a decline over 2012 (86.5% in 2012 and 84.5% in 2013). Their rate of mishandled baggage of 2.19 bags per 1,000 passengers in 2013 was slightly higher than the 2.10 rate for 2012, but was better than the industry average of 3.21 mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers. An increase in denied boardings (2013 rate of 0.57 per 10,000 passengers compared to 0.51 for 2012) and a reduced rate of customer complaints (0.59 in 2013 compared to 0.73 in 2012) combined to basically keep Delta’s AQR score the same for 2013 (-0.59 in 2013 compared to -0.58 in 2012).

Endeavor Air (9E) Data for Endeavor Air reflects data for renamed Pinnacle Airlines (thru of 7/31/13) with the Endeavor Air name becoming official on 8/01/13. On-time performance (80.3%) is better than the industry average of 78.4%. Endeavor Air’s involuntary denied boarding performance (0.85 per 10,000 passengers) compares favorably to the industry average of 0.89. A customer complaint rate of 0.86 complaints per 100,000 passengers is better than the industry average rate of 1.13 for 2013. Their mishandled baggage rate of 2.66 per 1,000 passengers was below the industry rate of 3.21 bags per 1,000 passengers for 2013. Overall, Endeavor Air entered the AQR ratings with score of -0.85 for 2013.

Frontier Airlines (F9) On-time performance in 2013 (73.1%) declined compared to 2012 (77.9%). Frontier’s denied boarding performance (1.23 per 10,000 passengers in 2013 compared to 0.78 in 2012) was worse than last year. Their mishandled baggage rate of 2.15 per 1,000 passengers was slightly improved from their 2012 rate of 2.22. A customer complaint rate of 3.09 complaints per 100,000 passengers for 2013 was nearly three times higher than their 2012 rate of 1.05. Frontier’s 2013 AQR score of -1.35 compared to -0.78 for 2012 was among the largest drops in AQR score of all the airlines rated.

Hawaiian Airlines (HA) On-time performance (93.3% in 2013 and 93.4% for 2012) is the best of all airlines rated for 2012 and 2013. Hawaiian’s involuntary denied boarding performance (0.17 per 10,000 passengers in 2013 and 0.18 in 2012) is among the best of the airlines rated and compares very favorably to the industry average of 0.89. A customer complaint rate of 1.06 complaints per 100,000 passengers is higher than last year’s rate of 0.89. Their mishandled baggage rate of 2.25 per 1,000 passengers is better than their 2012 rate of 2.88. Hawaiian had the third best AQR score for 2013 at -0.59.

JetBlue Airways (B6) On-time performance in 2013 declined to 74.4% from 79.1% in 2012. Jet Blue’s denied boarding performance (0.01 per 10,000 passengers in 2013 and 2012) is consistently the lowest of all the airlines rated. A customer complaint rate of 0.63 complaints per 100,000 passengers was lower in 2013 (0.79 in 2012) and was well below the industry average of 1.13 for 2013. Their mishandled baggage rate of 1.91 per 1,000 passengers in 2013 was second best among airlines rated but was higher than their 2012 rate of 1.88. JetBlue had the second best AQR score (-0.42) of the airlines rated for 2013.

SkyWest Airlines (OO) On-time performance of 79.7% in 2013, declined from 81.6% for 2012. SkyWest’s involuntary denied boardings performance (2.55 per 10,000 passengers in 2013 compared to 2.32 in 2012) increased and was well above the industry average of 0.89. A customer complaint rate of 0.80 complaints per 100,000 passengers in 2013 compared to the 2012 rate of 0.88 had a positive impact on their 2013 AQR score. Their mishandled baggage rate of 4.93 per 1,000 passengers in 2013 improved from the 2012 rate of 5.26 bags per 1,000 passengers. SkyWest’s AQR score improved slightly in 2013 to -1.84 from -1.88 in 2012.

United Airlines (UA) On-time arrival performance improved from 77.4% in 2012 to 79.3% in 2013. Their mishandled baggage rate decreased from 3.87 per 1,000 passengers in 2012 to 3.47 in 2013. Performance regarding involuntary denied boardings of 1.83 per 10,000 passengers in 2012 improved to 1.17 in 2013. A lower customer complaint rate of 2.14 in 2013 compared to 4.24 per 100,000 passengers in 2012 combined with improvements in all other performance areas to move United’s 2013 AQR score to -1.43 from -2.18 in 2012. United was the only airline to show improvement in all four areas rated in 2013. United also had the most improvement in AQR score of all airlines rated for 2013.

US Airways (US) showed improvement in two of the four performance areas tracked for 2013. A closer look reveals that US Airways performed worse in on-time performance (81.1% in 2013 compared to 85.9% in 2012) and mishandled baggage (2.52 per 1,000 passengers in 2013 compared to 2.14 in 2012). A customer complaint rate of 1.42 per 100,000 passengers in 2013 compared favorably to a 2012 rate 0f 1.74. An involuntary denied boarding rate of 0.61 per 10,000 passengers in 2013 compared to 0.68 in 2012 was also an area of performance gain for US Airways. Their overall 2013 AQR score of -0.88 reflects a slight decline over their -0.87 score for 2012.

Virgin America (VX) On-time performance of 82.1% in 2103 was a decline from their 83.5% for 2012. Virgin America’s involuntary denied boarding performance (0.04 per 10,000 passengers in 2013 compared to 0.07 in 2012) was again the second best of the airlines rated and compares very favorably to the industry average of 0.89. A 2013 customer complaint rate of 1.28 complaints per 100,000 passengers is higher than the industry average of 1.13, but is an improvement over their 2012 rate of 1.50. Their mishandled baggage rate of 0.97 per 1,000 passengers in 2013 (best of all airlines rated) is clearly better than the industry rate of 3.21 bags per 1,000 passengers, but is a decline from their 2012 rate of 0.87. Overall, Virgin America improved on their industry leading AQR score of -0.35 for 2012 with a 2013 AQR score of -0.32.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE