American Airlines invests in the future of urban air mobility

American Airlines has made this announcement:

As part of its ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, American Airlines today announced it will invest in Vertical Aerospace, a leading UK-headquartered engineering and aeronautical business developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. With the investment, American is demonstrating its focus on emerging technologies to reduce carbon emissions and investing in innovative ways that could improve the customer journey.

As part of its investment in Vertical, American has agreed to pre-order, subject to certain future agreed upon milestones and other terms, up to 250 aircraft, representing a potential pre-order commitment of $1 billion, and an option to order an additional 100 aircraft. The airline also expects to make a $25 million investment in Vertical through a private investment in public equity (PIPE) transaction. Vertical is developing the VA-X4, a zero-carbon aircraft that can carry four passengers and a pilot, and fly at speeds up to 200 mph over a range of over 100 miles.

These aircraft could potentially transport customers quickly around urban city centers and to airports. Vertical plans to conduct its first test flight of the VA-X4 later this year, with certification of the aircraft as early as 2024.

American’s partnership with Vertical is the latest in the airline’s commitment to sustainability. The airline’s recent efforts include:

Invested $24 billion since 2013 in 595 more fuel-efficient aircraft as part of the most extensive fleet renewal effort in the aviation industry’s history.
Over the same period, American retired a similar number of less fuel-efficient planes, including retiring more than 150 older and less fuel-efficient aircraft in 2020.
Committed to purchase 9 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel over three years from Neste, a leading producer of renewable products.
Engaged American’s customers in boosting demand for sustainable aviation fuel through agreements with Deloitte and Kuehne+Nagel.
Invested in new technology to help our aircraft operate more efficiently.

Southwest announces its new schedule, adds Syracuse, will resume all international services

Southwest Airlines, which is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of its first flights this month, has extended its bookable flight schedule through Jan. 5, 2022, adding the carrier’s 18th new airport since early 2020.

The carrier announced today service to Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) in New York, will begin Nov. 14, 2021. Syracuse will become the 121st airport for Southwest®. The carrier also published new flights today that resume service to all previously served international destinations.

SOUTHWEST SERVICE IN SYRACUSE, NEW YORK BEGINS NOV. 14, 2021

Southwest continues to grow across North America with service to its sixth destination in New York: Syracuse, beginning Nov. 14, 2021. Southwest initially will offer up to three daily flights each way between Syracuse and Baltimore/Washington (BWI).

Fly nonstop between Syracuse and:	Initial service:	One-way fares as low as*:
Baltimore/Washington (BWI)	3 times daily	$49

*The number of seats, days, and markets for these fares are limited; blackout dates apply. Book from June 10, 2021, through June. 11, 2021.

Southwest additionally will offer nonstop service on select Saturdays during peak fall and winter holiday periods between Syracuse and Orlando.

SOUTHWEST TO BEGIN SERVICE FROM BELLINGHAM, WASH. NOV. 7, 2021

On Nov. 7, 2021, Southwest also will begin service to Northwest Washington with new service twice daily between Bellingham, Wash. and Oakland and once daily between Bellingham, Wash. and Las Vegas.

Fly nonstop between Bellingham, Wash. and:	Initial service:	One-way fares as low as*:
Las Vegas	1 time daily	$39
Oakland	2 times daily	$39

*The number of seats, days, and markets for these fares are limited; blackout dates apply. Book from June 10, 2021, through June 11, 2021.

RETURNING TO INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS, PLUS NEW CANCUN SERVICE FOR CHICAGO (O’HARE) AND KANSAS CITY

With demand for beach and leisure destinations continuing to increase, Southwest intends to resume service to all of its previously served international destinations by Nov. 7, 2021.

Effective Oct. 7, 2021, Southwest intends to resume once daily nonstop service between Ft. Lauderdale and:	One-way fares as low as*:
Nassau, Bahamas	$69
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands	$99**
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos	$99

Effective Nov. 7, 2021, Southwest intends to resume once daily nonstop service between Ft. Lauderdale and:	One-way fares as low as*:
Cancun, Mexico	$99
Montego Bay, Jamaica	$129

Effective Nov. 7, 2021, Southwest intends to resume once daily nonstop service between Houston (Hobby) and:	One-way fares as low as*:
Belize City, Belize	$99

*All international destinations served prior to April 2020 will resume operations by Nov. 7, 2021. Not all routes previously offered will be available. The number of seats, days, and markets for these fares are limited; blackout dates apply. Book from June 10, 2021, through June 11, 2021.

**Service to Grand Cayman resumes Oct. 7, 2021, subject to border reopening.

Photo creds: @nortex.jets on Instagram.

New Nonstop Flights to Cancun

Southwest will serve Cancun nonstop from 17 airports in the U.S. as winter 2021/2022 begins. Starting Nov. 7, the airline will offer new, seasonal, daily service between Chicago (O’Hare) and Cancun, complementing the carrier’s daily Cancun service from Chicago Midway Airport.

Fly nonstop between:	Initial service:	One-way fares as low as*:
Chicago (O’Hare) and Cancun	Daily	$129

*The number of seats, days, and markets for these fares are limited; blackout dates apply. Book from June 10, 2021, through June 11, 2021. See a full list of fares, fare rules, and terms and conditions below and at Southwest.com.

On Nov. 13, Southwest will bring its first-ever international service to Kansas City with seasonal service on Saturdays between Kansas City and Cancun.

Escape to the Caribbean and Central America

Southwest continues responding to growing Customer demand for more access to beaches. Beginning Nov. 13, 2021, Southwest intends to launch seasonal service on Saturdays between Denver and Liberia, Costa Rica. The same day, the airline will begin Saturday-only service between both St. Louis and Buffalo/Niagara Falls and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

More Heart for Hawaii
As Southwest begins previously announced service this month to Hawaii from Los Angeles (LAX), Las Vegas, and Phoenix, the carrier is also adding new service between Sacramento and Kona on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, starting Dec. 19, 2021.

NEW NONSTOP FLIGHTS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES

Effective Oct. 7, 2021, Southwest will add daily nonstop service between:
Sacramento and Palm Springs, Calif.

Effective Nov. 7, 2021, Southwest will add nonstop service between:
Washington, D.C. (Reagan National) and Sarasota, Fla. (Daily)
New York (LaGuardia) and Sarasota, Fla. (Sundays through Fridays)
Dallas (Love Field) and Palm Springs, Calif. (Weekly on Sundays, plus peak travel days).

United Airlines is in talks to buy 100+ Boeing MAX jets according to Bloomberg

United Airlines is reportedly in advanced talks to buy at least 100 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft according to Bloomberg.

WestJet to offer Canadians the most flights to Hawaii this winter

WestJet today announced significant growth to its Hawaii network, featuring more Dreamliner flight options from Western Canada to Maui and new non-stop service from Calgary to Kona and Lihue this winter. With 57 weekly roundtrip flights on 10 nonstop routes, WestJet offers more service between Canada and Hawaii than any other airline.

“With easing travel restrictions, we know our guests are planning to turn their long-awaited Hawaiian getaway dreams into a well-deserved reality.” said John Weatherill, WestJet, Chief Commercial Officer. “We’ve increased our winter service to Hawaii by more than 25 per cent from 2019 to ensure our guests have increased flexibility and the most affordable, non-stop options from Western Canada.”

New service from Calgary to Kona and Lihue

WestJet is adding new weekly nonstop service from Calgary (YYC) to Kona (KOA) and Lihue (LIH) beginning in December. With the addition of the new service, WestJet will offer service to four Hawaiian destinations non-stop from Calgary and two from Edmonton.

“Our guests will love to say aloha to the additional direct flights to tropical Hawaii,” said Bob Sartor, President & CEO, The Calgary Airport Authority. “We’re ready to welcome guests back safely to the home and hub of WestJet and we look forward to the added sunny winter options for Albertans and connecting passengers from out of province.”

More 787 Dreamliner options

Starting this winter, WestJet will add 787 Dreamliner service from Calgary and Vancouver to Kahului, Maui (OGG) with 13 weekly flights. WestJet’s 787 service to Maui from Western Canada is conveniently scheduled with daytime departures to ensure guests arrive in Maui in the early afternoon, with time to make the most out of their plans. The airline’s signature Dreamliner service features lie-flat seats with on-demand dining and entertainment.

“Like the Kolea bird, many Canadians return each year to the Hawaiian Islands during the winter months,” said David Y. Ige, Governor, Hawaii. “They respect the people, place and culture, and we welcome them back. Increased international passengers can help us better balance the needs of our residents and visitors. Mahalo to WestJet for partnering with the state to keep residents and visitors alike safe and healthy.”

“We are very happy with the launch of WestJet’s additional routes to Hawai’i,” said Lorenzo Campos, Account Director for Hawai’i Tourism Canada. “We would like to thank WestJet for being our trusted partner and for their continuous support of The Hawaiian Island and sharing the aloha spirit and always embracing the Hawaiian value of malama. We are looking forward to welcoming our Canadian family back this winter.”

Current Hawaii entrance requirements can be found at https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/.

Earlier this week, WestJet launched its Travel Ready Series aimed to welcome guests back to travel. Travel Ready was created to ensure guests are equipped and prepared with the information they need to enjoy a smooth and safe return to the skies.

WestJet route and schedule frequency

Market	787 Peak Frequency	737 Peak Frequency	Effective
Calgary-Maui	6x weekly	1x weekly	November 5, 2021
Calgary-Honolulu		7x weekly	December 3, 2021
Calgary-Kona*		1x weekly	December 19, 2021
Calgary-Lihue*		1x weekly	December 19, 2021
Vancouver – Maui**	7x weekly	3x weekly	October 31, 2021
Vancouver-Honolulu**		14x weekly	October 31, 2021
Vancouver-Kona		7x weekly	October 31, 2021
Vancouver-Lihue		7x weekly	October 31, 2021
Edmonton-Maui		2x weekly	December 12, 2021
Edmonton-Honolulu		1x weekly	December 18, 2021

*New routes added to WestJet’s winter schedule serving Hawaii.

**Service currently operating in WestJet’s summer schedule.

American to add 14 more routes from Austin

American Airlines has made this announcement:

Since the first American Airlines flight landed in Austin, Texas (AUS), 40 years ago this week, the airline has grown alongside the capital city.

Today, American is making it even easier for customers to travel to and from AUS with the addition of 14 new routes beginning this fall, including four new international destinations, further connecting Austin to the carrier’s global network.

Ten new domestic nonstops

As customers continue to return to the skies, American will add three-times daily service to El Paso, Texas (ELP); twice-daily service to Cincinnati (CVG); Indianapolis (IND); Kansas City, Missouri (MCI); and St. Louis (STL); and daily service to Jacksonville, Florida (JAX); Oklahoma City (OKC); Reno, Nevada (RNO); San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU); and Tulsa, Oklahoma (TUL):

Destination	Frequency	Flights Begin
ELP	3x/day	Sept. 8, Oct. 7 and Nov. 2
CVG	2x/day	Sept. 8
IND	2x/day	Sept. 8 and Oct. 7
MCI	2x/day	Sept. 8 and Nov. 2
STL	2x/day	Sept. 8 and Oct. 7
JAX	Daily	Sept. 8
OKC	Daily	Oct. 7
RNO	Daily	Sept. 8
SJU	Daily	Oct. 7
TUL	Daily	Nov. 2

Four new international destinations

Just in time for planning winter getaways, Central Texans will have four new international options to consider as American adds nonstop service to Cancun, Mexico (CUN); Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR); Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (PVR); Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ). The carrier will also begin year-round nonstop service from AUS to Los Cabos, Mexico (SJD) and Nassau, Bahamas (NAS) following this summer’s successful seasonal service:

Destination	Frequency	Flights Begin
CUN	4x/week	Oct. 7
LIR	4x/week	Nov. 2
NAS	4x/week	Nov. 2
PUJ	4x/week	Nov. 2
PVR	3x/week	Nov. 2
SJD	3x/week	Oct. 7

Moov Airways wants to be the next new Swiss airline

Moov Airways (Basle/Mulhouse/Freiburg) is a prospective new Swiss airline.

Moov Airways is the new name for upstart Swiss Skies.

Moov intends to operate Airbus A321LXRs on long-range routes from Basel (EuroAirport) which covers three countries.

The CEO is Nogueria de Oliveira, formerly of VARIG, Gol and Azul.

Swoop announces its winter schedules, will return to the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean

Swoop today released its expanded winter schedule including increased nonstop domestic service and the re-introduction of flights to the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Following a sustained pattern of new daily bookings on par with pre-pandemic levels, the airline also announced it will proceed with planned fleet growth, inducting its tenth Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft into service this winter.

The first Canadian airline to fully re-enter its entire fleet into service, Swoop will operate all nine of its aircraft domestically during peak summer. The airline’s winter schedule will provide travelers with ultra-low-cost flights across Canada, as well as to sun and fun destinations including Montego Bay in Jamaica, Las Vegas and Mesa/Phoenix in the U.S., and Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán in Mexico.

Swoop will offer scheduled winter service to 14 destinations.

The addition of a tenth aircraft in time for the winter flying season will allow Canada’s leading ULCC to add new routes, destinations, and frequencies in pace with demand.

Details of Swoop’s Winter 2021 Schedule and flights currently for sale:

Domestic Routes	Peak Season Frequency	Days of Week	Service start dates
Toronto – Edmonton	14x weekly	2x Daily	Already in Service
Toronto – Abbotsford	7x weekly	Daily	Jun 20
Toronto – Halifax	7x weekly	Daily	Jul 16
Toronto – Kelowna	7x weekly	Daily	Already in Service
Toronto – Victoria	6x weekly	Daily, except Saturday	Jun 24
Hamilton – Edmonton	7x weekly	Daily	Already in Service
Hamilton – Abbotsford	14x weekly	2x Daily	Already in Service
Hamilton – Halifax	4x weekly	Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun	Jun 24
Hamilton – Winnipeg	4x weekly	Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat	Already in Service
Hamilton – Kelowna	6x weekly	Daily, except Saturday	Jun 20
Edmonton – Abbotsford	14x weekly	2x Daily	Already in Service
Edmonton – Winnipeg	2x weekly	Mon, Fri	Nov 1
Edmonton – Victoria	7x weekly	Daily	Already in Service
Winnipeg – Abbotsford	7x weekly	Daily	Already in Service
Winnipeg – Kelowna	3x weekly	Tue, Thu, Fri	Jun 24
Transborder Routes	Peak Season Frequency	Days of Week	Service start dates
Edmonton – Mesa/Phoenix	4x weekly	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat	Sept 17
Edmonton – Las Vegas	5x weekly	Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun	Sept 23
Toronto – Mesa	2x weekly	Tue, Thu	Nov 2
Winnipeg – Mesa/Phoenix	2x weekly	Mon, Fri	Nov 1
International Routes	Peak Season Frequency	Days of Week	Service start dates
Toronto – Puerto Vallarta	2x weekly	Wed, Sun	Nov 3
Toronto – Cancun	4x weekly	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun	Sept 18
Toronto – Montego Bay	3x weekly	Tue, Thu, Sat	Sept 11
Hamilton – Puerto Vallarta	2x weekly	Tue, Fri	Oct 5
Hamilton- Cancun	3x weekly	Mon, Wed, Sat	Oct 2
Hamilton – Montego Bay	1x weekly	Friday	Oct 15
Edmonton – Cancun	3x weekly	Mon, Wed, Sat	Oct 2
Edmonton-Puerto Vallarta	3x weekly	Tue, Fri, Sun	Oct 5
Edmonton – Mazatlán	2x weekly	Wed, Sat	Oct 23
Winnipeg – Cancun	3x weekly	Tue, Thu, Sun	Nov 7
Winnipeg – Puerto Vallarta	2x weekly	Mon, Thu	Nov 4
Abbotsford – Puerto Vallarta	2x weekly	Wed, Sat	Nov 3

†One-way flight from Abbotsford (YXX) to Edmonton (YEG) when you book by June 20, for travel between October 31 – November 10, 2021.

Alaska Airlines adds new flights to sun-filled spots this winter

Alaska Airlines has made this announcement:

Alaska Airlines is now offering several new nonstop routes to make it easier to escape to places known for wintertime sun and fun:

Just in time for the holidays, we’ll begin weekly, seasonal service between San Francisco and Cancun on Dec. 16, offering our Bay Area guests a convenient way to get away to eastern Mexico.
We’ll launch two new flights from Portland on Dec. 16 to Tampa and New Orleans – the only nonstops from the Rose City to these two Southern destinations. These routes are also seasonal service, each with several flights a week.
On Nov. 19, we’ll say howdy to another new route connecting Palm Springs and Austin. It’s the only nonstop flight between the heart of the Coachella Valley and the Texas capital with flights five times a week.

“Since March, our bookings for leisure travel have exceeded what they were before the pandemic. For many of our guests, there’s an increased confidence that comes after being vaccinated. They were cooped up for well over a year – now they’re ready to relax, enjoy and explore,” said Brett Catlin, vice president of network and alliances at Alaska Airlines. “With these new routes, we can whisk them away to destinations that have a warm sparkle in the wintertime.”

Start Date	End Date	City Pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency	Aircraft
Nov. 19	April 18	Austin – Palm Springs	9 a.m.	10:35 a.m.	5x/Weekly	E175
Nov. 19	April 18	Palm Springs – Austin	11:05 a.m.	4:10 p.m.	5x/Weekly	E175
Dec. 16	April 18	San Francisco –Cancun	9:40 a.m.	5:55 p.m.	Weekly	737
Dec. 16	April 18	Cancun – San Francisco	11 a.m.	2 p.m.	Weekly	737
Dec. 16	April 18	Portland – Tampa	12:10 p.m.	8:29 p.m.	4x/Weekly	737
Dec. 16	April 18	Tampa – Portland	8 a.m.	11 a.m.	4x/Weekly	737
Dec. 16	April 18	Portland – New Orleans	12 p.m.	6:30 p.m.	3x/Weekly	737
Dec. 16	April 18	New Orleans – Portland	8 a.m.	11:10 a.m.	3x/Weekly	737

All flight times are local.

These leisure routes are part of a series of new ones we’ve recently announced. With the addition of our new nonstop service to Belize from Los Angeles and Seattle this November, our guests have access to 42 more nonstops now than they did before the pandemic.

SmartLynx introduces the first freighter registered in Malta

SmartLynx has made this announcement:

As the latest edition to its growing fleet, SmartLynx is proud to announce the introduction of the first freighter aircraft registered in Malta. The A321F, with the registration 9H-CGA, is the first aircraft of its type to be registered in Malta and is also the first of its type to be introduced to the SmartLynx line-up of A320 and A321 aircraft.

SmartLynx – a family member of the Avia Solutions Group, the largest aviation and aerospace business group operating in Central and Eastern Europe – is also proud of the aircraft’s new livery, specially commissioned to feature both SmartLynx and DHL branding. The new freighter will fly to Leipzig where it will commence operations in support of the Express Division of Deutsche Post’s DHL group. The partnership will further enhance DHL’s unit Co2 emissions by introducing the most fuel-efficient narrow-body aircraft in its class.

Compared to similar class freighter models, the A321F is regarded as a better option for the environment and lowering Co2 emissions, with a 20% reduction in fuel burn and its enhanced performance in range, payload, and volume capacity. The aircraft type is also acknowledged as being one of the most technologically advanced narrow-body fleet types in its class.

Through its investment in the introduction of the A321F to the fleet, SmartLynx Malta is visibly demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and a forward-facing focus on a cleaner, more environmentally aware future for air freight transportation.

The introduction and Maltese registration of the new aircraft are regarded as setting new standards for SmartLynx and their progression in the freighter market. The SmartLynx A321F is perfectly placed to meet the ever-increasing demand for express global cargo transportation and comes as confirmation and recognition of the aviation company’s position in support of the freight movement sector. Among SmartLynx’s other main strengths that allow them to bolster their progressive response to the changing face of freight transportation are adaptability, swift response times, and a commitment to safety.

In addition to this quantum leap for SmartLynx Malta, plans are afoot for the introduction of additional A321Fs along with a future target of becoming one of the largest narrow-body cargo freight carriers.

United advances innovation through corporate venture capital fund

United Airlines launched a new, corporate venture fund today – United Airlines Ventures – that will allow the airline to continue investing in emerging companies that have the potential to influence the future of travel. The new fund will concentrate on sustainability concepts that will complement United’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050 – without relying on traditional carbon offsets – as well as revolutionary aerospace developments and innovative technologies that are expected to create value for customers and United’s operation.

“Younger companies today have learned from aviation’s rich history and are combining it with more advanced technology and creative thinking to develop new ideas that give us the ability to revolutionize how airlines operate and in turn, the experience customers have when they fly,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “With United Airlines Ventures, we’re signaling our confidence in these companies and propelling them forward with our expertise and financial support to demonstrate that our commitment to innovation will strengthen our company and improve our customers’ experience more quickly than anyone ever anticipated.”

With major agreements announced in just the last six months including agreements to invest in, collaborate with and purchase aircraft from Archer Aviation, United has proven its commitment to work with companies that are developing transformational technologies and services that are designed to revolutionize the customer experience and redefine how airlines operate.

Through United Airlines Ventures, United will continue to forge a new path by accelerating the growth of small- to medium-sized companies with strong potential.

United’s current Vice President of Corporate Development and Investor Relations, Michael Leskinen, will assume the role of President of United Airlines Ventures in addition to his current responsibilities.

“United has always been a pioneer within the industry and United Airlines Ventures will help us grow companies that are pushing the envelope to make air travel better for our customers, our employees and our planet,” said Leskinen. “We’re making more than a financial commitment to companies within this new portfolio; we’re lending our expertise so that new ideas can really take off.”

United continues to be a leader in the adoption of new sustainable aviation technologies and innovations. Last week, the company announced its agreement to purchase 15 of Boom Supersonic ‘Overture’ aircraft with an option for an additional 35 airliners. Once in service, Overture will not only re-introduce supersonic commercial flight, it is expected to be the first long-haul commercial aircraft to be net zero carbon from day one optimized to run on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).