Lufthansa passengers can now enjoy a whole new flying experience on short and medium-haul routes. Thanks to a new innovative cabin, the airline is noticeably improving travel comfort. Tomorrow, the first Airbus A321neo with the modern Airspace Cabin will take off from Frankfurt for Fuerteventura.
In addition to Lufthansa, the new cabin will also be used by Swiss, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings in new aircraft of the Airbus A320 family. And it has a lot to offer: The huge new overhead bins have a forty percent larger volume and can even hold sixty percent more suitcases, as they can be stowed vertically in the bins.
The cabin design and the entrance area have been extensively redesigned and now appear brighter and friendlier. So-called Human Centric Lighting, a specially programmed, flexible lighting system, illuminates the cabin in warm red light, graduated intermediate tones to colder blue light. Depending on the time of day or night, the light in the aircraft cabin is thus geared to the passengers’ biorhythms. Seating comfort has also been improved: the side walls of the Airspace Cabin will in future offer passengers more space in the shoulder area. In addition, the modern washrooms are even more usable for people with limited mobility.
Thursday, September 2, 2021 saw an important debut for London City Airport. At 5:45 pm, an Embraer E190-E2 made its first commercial flight into the iconic airport in the center of the British political and financial capital. Registered as HB-AZG, the Helvetic Airways aircraft flew from Zurich to London in 1 hour 20 minutes, also reestablishing an essential link for the global financial community.
Flight LX 456, operated by Helvetic Airways on behalf of its partner company Swiss International Air Lines, was welcomed by a water salute from London City Airportโs fire service. On board the sold out flight were 110 passengers, including representatives of the international media, business travelers, as well as those visiting friends and family.
With LCYโs runway length of only 1,508 meters and descent angles of up to 5.5 degrees, the Embraer E2 is particularly suitable for operations at the legendary Thames-side airport.
Swiss regional airline Helvetic Airways provides a range of short and medium-haul air services from its hubs at Zurich Airport and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg. The carrier deploys its 16 Embraer E Jet aircraft (8 E190-E2, 4 E195-E2 und 4 E190-E1) on scheduled, charter and wet-lease flights. Eight Helvetic Airways Embraer E190-E1s and E2s are currently operated on behalf of Swiss International Air Lines under a long-term wet-lease agreement.
Lalona Air (Dusseldorf) is a new proposed virtual airline. Air Alsie will operate the aircraft.
The business airline is planning to commence operations from Dรผsseldorf to other European business destinations on January 15, 2022 using ATR 72-500 aircraft.
Friedrichshafen, Klagenfurt and Gothenburg have been advertised as the probable first destinations.
Passengers will be able to enjoy a free shuttle service to Dรผsseldorf Airport to catch their flights.
Theย oneworldยฎ Alliance has outlined its path to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, reiterating its commitment to sustainability across the allianceโs 14 member airlines.
The initialย oneworldย carbon roadmapย illustrates how the alliance will meet its net zero emissions target that was first announced in September 2020, establishingย oneworld as the first global airline alliance to commit to a common carbon neutrality goal.ย oneworld member airlines will reach the target through various initiatives, including fleet modernization, improvements in operation efficiencies, advancing the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) certified by ICAO-approved schemes, and carbon offsets and removals.
On behalf of member airlines,ย oneworld is calling on government and industry stakeholders for their support and partnership in decarbonizing aviation. As aircraft technology evolves and the availability of SAF continues to develop, the roadmap will be updated to reflect the allianceโs approach towards reaching its net zero emissions target by 2050.
oneworld member airlines are actively collaborating on several environment and sustainability initiatives, through theย oneworld Environment and Sustainability Board chaired by Jonathon Counsell, Group Head of Sustainability at IAG (the parent ofย oneworld member airlines British Airways and Iberia). Details on these initiatives will be announced in due course.
oneworld Alliance Chairman and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer H.E. Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: โItโs an honor to reaffirm our commitment and leadership to tackle climate change. Even as we continue to navigate through the complexities of the pandemic, outlining our โpath to net zero emissions by 2050โ, demonstrates that we remain steadfast with our responsibility to care for the environment and promote a sustainable air transport. Today, oneworld establishes another milestone and call to all the industry stakeholders and governments to play their role and collaborate with airlines; we need a strong commitment to improve airspace inefficiency, incentivize the commercial use of recognized sustainable aviation fuels and accelerate the development of new propulsion and airframe technologies. Now is the time for industry and governments to work together towards our shared climate goals.โ
oneworld CEO Rob Gurney said: โThe carbon roadmap that we have released today demonstrates our allianceโs commitment to environmental sustainability. Despite the uncertainty faced by the industry, we remain focused on playing our part in reducing emissions. We are thankful to our member airlines for their support and to IAG for their leadership in this important collaboration and look forward to our continuing partnership in advancing sustainability.โ
Severalย oneworld member airlines have continued to prioritize environmental sustainability initiatives, furthering their commitment to reducing emissions. For example:
ยทย ย Alaska Airlines, which joinedย oneworld as its newest member in March 2021, has announced a commitment to net zero emissions by 2040.
ยทย ย American Airlines has committed to set an intermediate, science-based target for reducing emissions by 2035.
ยทย ย IAG (parent of British Airways and Iberia) plans to power 10% of its flights with SAF by 2030 and has extended its net zero emissions target to its supply chain.
ยทย ย Cathay Pacific has pledged to cut their ground emissions by 32% from their 2018 baseline before the end of 2030, through enhancing energy-saving measures and exploring renewable energy options in its premises and ground operations as part of its net-zero carbon emissions commitment.
ยทย ย Finnair is committed to carbon neutrality by 2045 and to halving its net emissions by 2025 from 2019 levels.
ยทย ย Japan Airlines committed to use SAF at 10% of its total fuel consumption, reducing total emissions in 2030 by 10% compared to 2019.
ยท Malaysia Airlines and sister companies under the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) launched the MAG Sustainability Blueprint in April 2021, with the aim to promote socio-economic development and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. MAGย has also set a goal for 50% of the materials used for inflight operations to be biodegradable by 2025.
ยท The Qantas Group has committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and investing A$50 million in developing a sustainable aviation fuel industry.
ยทย ย Qatar Airways has further enhanced environmental sustainability education for its employees, including engaging with IATA on additional sustainability training.
ยทย ย S7 Airlines recently launched its Green Steps edutainment program. It includes short lessons in the S7 Airlines mobile app on how to make travel more environmentally friendly and users could earn S7 Priority miles when they pass tests after lessons. S7 Airlines uses blankets on board which are made from recycled plastic bottles and has reduced the packaging for business-class travel kits.
ยทย ย SriLankan Airlines is continuing its sustainability commitments through its aviation fuel efficiency enhancement program, conservation through education program and waste upcycling project.
On September 1, 40 years ago, Horizon Air, our sister airline in the Pacific Northwest, flew its first flight between Seattle and Yakima, Washington.
If youโre from theย PNWย thereโs a strong chance youโve flownย with Horizon. Theyโreย the regional airline for Alaska Airlines and help connect our guests in the West with the world.
โHorizon connects us all to the Pacific Northwestโs incredible outdoor communities and amazing small cities and enables our connection to the country and world. Horizon Air employees make travel feel personal and bring incredible heart and care to every guest,โ said Ben Minicucci, Alaska CEO.
Meet Travion Smith, a ground service agent in Seattle who stays โgroundedโ through kindness and awareness.ย Read more
Did you know?
Horizonย fliesย toย more thanย 50ย destinations in our route network.
First airline to serve Starbucks coffee in the sky.
Are always looking forย great new team members. Check outย current job openings!
Known for delivering performance with excellence and developing industry leading innovations to create safe, incomparable flying experiences.
Fliesย 32ย Bombardier Q400ย aircraftโperfectly suited for servingย smaller communities in the PNWโand 30ย Embraer E175 aircraft.
Wellย known for offeringย FREE beer + wineย to guests 21 years youngย on Q400 flights!
To commemorateย Horizonโsย momentous day,ย a special flightย will flyย theย sameย routeย that started it allย on Sept 1, 1981.ย This time,ย it will be flown onย Horizonโsย โMeatballโ plane, aย custom-paintedย retro-themed aircraft, whichย will flyย some ofย itsย beloved employees and guestsย from Seattle to Yakima.
โWeโre flying our meatball livery on the same route Horizon flew 40 years ago,โ said Capt.ย Perry Solmonson, 40th Anniversary Committee Chair.ย โThis is a huge milestone forย usย and this anniversary flight recognizes not only the hard and successful work accomplished to date, but also celebrate ourย up-and-comingย team members of the future.โ
40 years of history
Founded in 1981 by entrepreneur Milt Kuolt and a group of venture capitalists in Seattle, Horizon had fewer than 100 employees at that time and operated a fleet of two Fairchild F-27 propjets.
Kuolt believed that every guest deserved more than just a ride from point A to B, which turned into the superior service that Horizon is still known for today.
โService began with complimentary wine then blossomed into other little but much-appreciated amenities such as free newspapers handed out at the gate, complimentary coffee, and baskets on board filled with munching snacks that included all kinds of goodies,โ wrote Robert J. Serling in the chapter on Horizon Air in the book, Character & Characters: The Spirit of Alaska Airlines.
The service created a culture, a way of life and a state of mind that was โfirmly embedded in the work ethic and attitude of every Horizon employee,โ wrote Serling.
Today, Horizon hasย more thanย 3,500ย employees and operates a fleet ofย 62ย aircraft.
Reaching 40 years is a huge milestone. Despite the ups and downs of the industry, itโs been the people of Horizon who have carried the company forward. Our 40th anniversary is all about our people.
First Officer Perry Solmonson waves from the cockpit.
โWhat I love most about Horizon is our family unit. I have never seen a group of people come together more for the good of a company or each other as I have witnesses during my time with QX. The commitment to our values, the love and respect we show each other and the service to our guests across all work groups is unmatched. I look forward to seeing my colleagues who I consider extended family.โ โ Natalie Razor, Flight Attendant. SEA
โI love the opportunities to travel around the world on behalf of Horizon Air. I love the opportunitiesย Iโveย had to mentor the next generations of Maintenance Technicians. I love the opportunities to travel through the system andย assistย in new station openings. I love the dynamics of the business, always learning the newย aircraft, working through the highs and lows, (9-11, the pandemic). Raising my family.โ โ Willard Clark, lead technician, GEG
โBeing a part of the Horizon family is exactly that. Like any family, we have our ups and downs, highs and lows. We support our Horizon family members and help each other overcome our problems. Some say you canโt pick your family; Horizon is the exception.โ โ Bill Bowling, Q400 Captain, PDX
โGrowing up in the tiny town of Connell, WA; Horizon Air was the airline I trusted to get me to the nearest major airport. It is always the airline I flew on my voyage outside of home and back to my home. Now I am living in Seattle and Horizon still connects me to my parents in my hometown that I love flying to! I am proud to be part of the airline that keeps us connected through the years. #PSCโ โ Jaime Chavez, passenger service agent, SEA
โI love the loyalty and dedication the employees have and flying with a regional airline I see that same loyalty with our customers. In the short 10 months I have already seen several of our elites on a regular basis and it feels good to be able to build that relationship with them.โ โ Catherine Alder, Flight Attendant, PDXย
Throughout the pandemic, the safety of our employees and guests has always come first, and we are committed to protecting our fellow employees, guests and loved ones from the impacts of the COVID-19 virus.
We believe having as many people as possible vaccinated is the is best path for protection against COVID-19 and we will continue to strongly encourage our employees to be vaccinated. As of today, 75% of Alaska and Horizon employees who have shared their vaccination status are vaccinated. This is good progress, but we have more work to do. Thatโs why we are implementing new measures designed to increase vaccination rates and enhance our multi-layered approach to safety.
Moving forward, we will implement a testing protocol for unvaccinated employees as another layer of safety, while continuing to enforce safety protocols such as masking and distancing. We will also require all unvaccinated employees to participate in a vaccine education program and have stopped special COVID pay for unvaccinated employee absences due to exposure or infection. All new hires, effective immediately, will be required to be vaccinated before being hired at Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air. Finally, we will recognize those employees who provide proof of vaccination with a $200 payment.
And as we have throughout the pandemic, weโll continue to adjust our safety protocols as we learn.
Rackham, still one of the most photographed planes in the world, will be part of the Brussels Airlines fleet until 2026. As Rackham reached its repainting deadline, Moulinsart and Brussels Airlines agreed to prolong their partnership and restore the aircraft painting in its original state, meaning that Rackham will stay in the airlineโs fleet for at least five more years.
While the painting on the outside remains almost identical, the interior of the aircraft has been upgraded with more Tintin illustrations by the hand of Hergรฉ.
Thousands of American Airlines flight attendants volunteer each year to crew flights of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, a U.S. government program that provides the Department of Defense with additional aircraft capacity in times of national crisis. Dozens of those flight attendants were called into service recently, willingly accepting the assignment and helping American fulfill its duty to the country. These are their reflections on their experiences as crew members on Americanโs rescue flights transporting evacuees from Afghanistan.
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