American and British move closer to a single terminal at New York JFK

American Airlines and British Airways announced more details regarding plans to co-locate operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s (JFK) Terminal 8 beginning Dec. 1, 2022. Enabled by a $400 million investment to redevelop, expand and enhance the terminal, the move will bring the Atlantic Joint Business partners closer together. Jointly, the terminal investments and co-location will offer a more seamless customer experience while supporting the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s ambitious plan to transform JFK into a leading global airport.

“American is eager to welcome British Airways to their new home at JFK,” said American’s Chief Customer Officer Alison Taylor. “Their move to Terminal 8 further deepens our longstanding partnership and makes it easier than ever for customers traveling between New York and London or onward across our global networks.”

American and British Airways were the first carriers to begin redevelopment efforts at JFK, breaking ground in January 2020 on five new widebody gates, four new widebody hardstand parking positions, an enhanced baggage handling system, new customer amenities and expanded premium guest offerings — including approximately 130,000 square feet of new and renovated terminal space.

Tom Stevens, British Airways’ Director of Brand and Customer Experience said: “New York holds a special place in our heart as one of our most well-loved and important destinations. Our move to the redeveloped and expanded Terminal 8 will bring a range of benefits for our customers, including a better transfer experience, enabling them to travel to more than 30 destinations across the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America with American Airlines. British Airways will remain in Terminal 7 until Dec. 1, 2022, and we have continued to invest in the experience for our customers, including our check-in area, concessions and lounges.”

Further elevating the premium guest experience

When complete later this year, premium customers traveling on both airlines and other oneworld® partners will have access to a reimagined journey through JFK depicted by newly released artist illustrations.

As customers arrive at Terminal 8, a co-branded premium check-in area providing personalized, concierge-style service for top-tier guests will replace American’s former Flagship First Check-In space. Thoughtfully designed architectural elements will also define an exclusive new check-in space for eligible business customers.

The expanded and reconfigured terminal will include five new widebody gates and 130,000 square feet of new and renovated space.

Architectural features will define, guide and direct customers towards an expanded joint premium check-in area on the ticketing level of JFK’s Terminal 8.

Once through security, three distinctive custom lounges combining the best of both brands will provide a refined, welcoming preflight experience for select guests based on cabin of travel and loyalty program status. The expanded premium lounge offerings will incorporate seating for approximately 1,000 of American and British Airways’ most loyal customers. Each lounge has been designed with original high-end finishes — evoking a unique sense of space while elevating the experience and service offered to every guest.

The most exclusive lounge will have an all-new champagne bar, fireside lounge and a la carte dining room, which reimagines American’s Flagship First Dining into a fully immersive experience.
Adjacent, another premium lounge — with sweeping airside views, a wine bar, cocktail lounge, library and buffet — will offer an elevated, lively experience.
American’s Flagship Lounge and Concourse B Admirals Club will be repurposed into a contiguous lounge for eligible business class customers.

A high-end champagne bar defines the entry to American and British Airway’s most exclusive lounge.

Distinctive elements and finishes create a unique sense of place for guests in the adjacent lounge as they dine and relax.

While disruptions to the customer journey remain limited, American’s Flagship First Check-in at JFK is expected to close, beginning Feb. 1 for construction. Premium customers traveling on eligible itineraries will be directed to temporary check-in counters located nearby. All lounge spaces will remain open and operational through the duration of the redevelopment project. Following completion, the Concourse B Admirals Club will close. The Concourse C Admirals Club will continue to serve members, qualifying elite customers and those traveling on eligible itineraries.

Creating a seamless travel experience

As Atlantic Joint Business partners, American and British Airways offer the most flights and the most competitive schedule for customers traveling between New York and London compared to any other partnership — with up to 14 peak daily departures scheduled to operate between JFK and London Heathrow Airport (LHR) this summer.

When co-located, American and British Airways customers will be able to realize even more value from established reciprocal benefits while enjoying unprecedented flexibility and a truly seamless connecting experience when traveling across airlines. Until operations are fully transitioned to Terminal 8 in December, British Airways will continue to provide a world-class experience for their customers at JFK’s Terminal 7.

Is Korean Air planning to change its livery?

Korean Air is rumored to be preparing to rebrand for the planed Asiana merger. The company has reportedly applied for a new simplified logo trademark which implies a reduction of fuselage colors in a new livery.

The current powder blue top and silver livery (Taegeuk design) (top) was introduced on March 1, 1984 when the airline name was formally changed from Korean Air Lines to Korean Air.

The 1984 livery was initially introduced on its MD-80s and Boeing 747-300s. It was designed with the help of Boeing.

Since then the easily-recognized livery has helped the flag carrier grow around the world.

The red and blue spiral logo represents the opposing forces of nature.

Top Copyright Photo: Korean Air Boeing 777-300 ER HL7205 (msn 60379) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 956577.

Korean Air aircraft slide show:

Korean Air aircraft photo gallery:

Jump Air commences operations

Jump Air is a new European ACMI and charter airline that was established in 2020 in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The newcomer received its AOC on December 31, 2021 (below) and commenced operations on January 24, 2022.

The airline provides charter and long/short term ACMI services with ATR 72-500s.

Currently Jump Air‘s fleet consists of one 72-seat ATR 72-500 (LY-JUP) which is currently parked at Bergamo.

Bamboo Airways launches new Tokyo Narita – Hanoi service on January 25, 2022

Bamboo Airways made this announcement:

This is the first commercial flight connecting Japan and Vietnam of Bamboo Airways which will hit a milestone in its network expansion. From February 10th, the airline plans to conduct 2 round flights per week, with a bulk-up frequency depending on the market demands.

Bamboo Airways will operate Airbus A321neo on this route. As the most modern and safest aircraft in the Airbus family, A321neo offers various outstanding features like being eco-friendly and fuel-efficient.

The operation of a commercial nonstop route Narita – Hanoi by Bamboo Airways at the beginning of 2022 is expected to fulfill the increasing travel needs, especially of Vietnamese diasporas wishing to return home for the Tet holiday. This signals a recovery of the economy and exchange activities between the two countries.

50 years of Vietnam – Japan diplomatic relation has reached many achievements in all aspects including economy, commerce, investment, science-technology, education, tourism, people-to-people exchange, etc.

In terms of tourism, Japan is one of the key markets of Vietnam, ranking in the top 5 markets with the most tourists visiting Vietnam. With diverse cuisine, breathtaking landscape, and friendly people, Vietnam is considered a favorite destination for Japanese visitors. Before the pandemic, the number of exchange tourists between the two countries recorded 1.5 million in 2019. Vietnam is also the second-largest expat community in Japan, with about 500.000 people living and working at the end of 2020.

Bamboo Airways hopes to rebuild the aviation bridge connecting Japan and Vietnam through this nonstop commercial route and to further increase the number of two-way exchange visitors. This will be a launch pad for the promotion of a bilateral partnership between Japan and Vietnam in the future.

With an expansive network to the US, UK, Australia, and many other countries, Bamboo Airways has drastically proved the global standard operating capacity of a Vietnamese airline. Bamboo also targets 40 international routes in 2022, meeting the travel demands of both domestic and foreign passengers.

QANTAS Group reduces its domestic schedule by 10%

QANTAS Group has made this announcement:

The Qantas Group has reviewed its domestic capacity settings given the decision by the Western Australian Government to indefinitely delay reopening its borders.

As a result, the Group will reduce its planned domestic capacity by approximately 10 per cent from February 5 through to March 31, 2022 as a placeholder. This is calculated on an available seat kilometre basis and reflects the long sector lengths of trans-continental flights.

Though at a fraction of its pre-COVID levels, Qantas will maintain core connections between Perth and the rest of Australia, with up to 15 flights per week from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Darwin, supporting essential personnel and freight.

The Group retains the flexibility to adjust flying levels depending on demand and clarity on border re-opening in the weeks and months ahead.

Further to the capacity update provided by the Group last week – which identified the WA border opening as a swing factor on its forward expectations – this takes total Group Domestic capacity for the third quarter of FY22 to approximately 60 per cent of pre-COVID levels. A further update will be provided at the Group’s half year results in late February.

Timing to reinstate Qantas’ Perth-London route, which is currently operating via Darwin and was due to return to Western Australia in late March 2022, is under review.

Azorra places an order for 20 Embraer E2 aircraft

Azorra has signed an agreement with Embraer to acquire 20 new E2 family aircraft, plus a further 30 purchase rights. This flexible deal enables Azorra to acquire E190-E2 or E195-E2 aircraft. At list prices, the order is valued at USD 3.9 billion. Azorra is a Florida-based aircraft leasing company specializing in executive, regional and crossover aircraft. Deliveries will begin in 2023, adding a further 20 Embraer aircraft to the 21 already in Azorra’s existing and committed portfolio.

Previously, Airbus signed a purchase agreement with Azorra for twenty-two A220 Family aircraft including twenty A220-300s and two ACJ TwoTwenty aircraft.

Azorra is a Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, based aircraft lessor focused on executive, regional and mid-size (“crossover”) aircraft.

ITA Airways and airBaltic to codeshare

ITA Airways and airBaltic are starting codeshare cooperation that will open new and wider travel opportunities.

airBaltic customers will benefit from convenient access to various destinations in Italy. At the same time, ITA Airways passengers can now purchase tickets to Riga on direct flights from Rome (Fiumicino) and Milan (Malpensa).

airBaltic will expand its network by putting its BT designator code on selected ITA Airways operated flights covering 10 Italian cities in the current winter season, namely Brindisi, Bari, Catania, Genoa, Palermo, Reggio Calabria, Lamezia Terme, Turin, Trieste, Venice, which will be joined by Bologna, Florence, Naples, Verona in the summer season.

Similarly, ITA Airways will offer new connections to its passengers and will apply its code AZ on flights operated by airBaltic between Italy and Latvia.

ITA Airways receives an Expression of Interest from MSC Group and Lufthansa

The Company announces that today it has received an Expression of Interest from the MSC Group and Lufthansa to acquire the majority of ITA Airways. The MSC Group has agreed with Lufthansa its participation in the partnership on terms to be defined during the Due Diligence.

Both the MSC Group and Lufthansa have expressed the wish that the Italian Government maintains a minority stake in the Company. Furthermore, the MSC Group and Lufthansa have requested 90 days of exclusivity to work on this Expression of Interest.

ITA Airways is satisfied that the work carried out in recent months to offer the best prospects to the company is starting to have the expected results, providing for a company recognized as viable for partners of international reputation both in passenger and cargo transport. The Board of Directors will examine the details of the Expression of Interest in an upcoming meeting.

Lynx Air to start flying in April, begins selling seats

Lynx Airlines will commence scheduled operations in April in Canada. One-way fares between Calgary and Toronto for example will start at $69 (Can).

YYZ, YVR, YWG, YYC and YLW – starting from $39 one-way! We are excited to announce that tickets are on sale for a number of our routes taking off in April 2022. Flying Lynx is the easy decision. Where to go first is the hard one. To purchase, go to https://t.co/kZccJ3q5xw! pic.twitter.com/WzNHOd4mCr

— Lynx Air (@Lynx_Air) January 19, 2022

Stowaway survives 11-hour Cargolux cargo flight to Amsterdam in wheel well

From NBC:

“A man who was discovered hiding in the wheel section of a cargo plane at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport on Sunday survived an 11-hour flight, Dutch military police have said.”