Lufthansa resumes flights to Atlanta, Orlando and Detroit

Lufthansa resumed its flights to Atlanta.

As of today, Lufthansa offers three weekly flights to Atlanta and Orlando with an Airbus A330. LH plans on a gradual increase to five flights a week. And tomorrow LH will resume flying to Detroit.

KLM’s North American destinations are restored to near 2019 level

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has made this announcement:

KLM’s North American network of destinations is practically back to its 2019 level, before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the seating capacity and flight frequencies are still far below that of 2019. Although there are still significant travel restrictions in the US and Canada, the vaccination rate is increasing both overseas and in Europe, which should gradually reduce restrictions. KLM is prepared for an increase in demand and is ready to welcome its customers safely and responsibly.

The network of destinations is central to KLM’s strategy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, KLM preserved its network of destinations as much as possible by reducing seating capacity, so passengers could travel if necessary and cargo transportation was able to continue. This strategy greatly supported KLM during the COVID-19 crisis, which makes it much easier to now scale up its operations again.

Changes compared to 2019

There will be a total of 16 North American destinations in the summer of 2021. That is one destination less compared to the summer of 2019, namely Salt Lake City. However, KLM will continue to offer a direct flight from Amsterdam to Salt Lake City in cooperation with its partner Delta Air Lines.
KLM intends to add Las Vegas and Minneapolis over the summer, but this will depend on the end of travel restrictions between the United States and Europe.
In its winter schedule, which runs from 31 October 2021 through 26 March 2022, KLM will add two new destinations to its North American network: the Mexican resort city of Cancun and Orlando, Florida.
The frequency of flights to the destinations this summer will be lower than in the summer of 2019. Both the frequency and seating capacity vary per destination. Thanks to the increasing rate of vaccination and the gradual reopening of Europe and also the United States, we expect that these numbers will gradually increase. We are very agile when it comes to planning our network and of course we consider market demand.

This is some high-flying aerial cinematography! 🎥🤩 A super special opportunity; SkyLynx Productions got to film our beautiful birds at airport @Schiphol…with a drone! #KLM #aviation pic.twitter.com/vkalU6r1OJ

— KLM (@KLM) May 27, 2021

Top Copyright Photo: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner PH-BKC (msn 42503) (100 Years) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 949880.

KLM aircraft slide show:

iAero Airways expands its flying of NHL teams

iAero Airways has expanded its NHL air charter program from eight NHL teams in 2019 up to twelve in 2021. These NHL teams, which represent half of all US-based teams, include:

Arizona Coyotes
Boston Bruins
Carolina Hurricanes
Chicago Blackhawks
Columbus Blue Jackets
Dallas Stars

Florida Panthers
Nashville Predators
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders
Pittsburgh Penguins
St. Louis Blues

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Lufthansa Cargo acquires another Boeing 777F, total now 15

Lufthansa Cargo made this announcement:

Another brand-new Boeing 777F aircraft is being added to Lufthansa Cargo’s highly efficient freighter fleet. Delivery of the aircraft is expected before the end of this year. A total of fifteen full-freighters will then be in service for Lufthansa Cargo’s customers.

The twin-engine Boeing 777F has a standard payload capacity of 103 metric tons with a range of more than 9,000 kilometers. It is the most efficient freighter in its class and significantly more silent than previously operated three- or four-engine models.

Most recently, in March, Lufthansa Cargo announced the fourteenth aircraft of this type for fall 2021.

Lufthansa Cargo slide show:

Rex Airlines attacks QANTAS refund policy

Rex Airlines is heating up its battle with QANTAS Airways in Australia. The airline is attacking QANTAS Airways refund policy.

Rex Airlines made this announcement on social media:

Rex today publicized its COVID-19 Refund Policy.

Rex is doing this because it believes that the best way to rebuild confidence in flying again is to provide Australians with complete peace of mind against any COVID-related disruption by providing a full cash refund speedily.

The guarantee even extends to promotional tickets that are normally subject to ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ conditions. Qantas on the other hand is using underhanded tactics to avoid refunding passengers.

The airline is also lowering its air fares on the major routes like Sydney – Melbourne.

Ryanair reports a jump in traffic in May, calls on the UK to open up more international travel

Ryanair reports its May traffic jumped from 700,000 to 1.8 million guests in May with this traffic report:

79% Load Factor As Covid Vaccines See EU Recovery Begin

Ryanair Holdings plc today (2 June) released May traffic statistics as follows:

	2020	2021	Growth⁽¹⁾
Ryanair Group	0.07m	1.8m	–

Rolling Annual	121.0m	30.2m (72% LF)	-75%

Ryanair operated over 12,000 flights in May with a 79% load factor.

⁽¹⁾Ryanair carried 1.0m passengers in April 2021.

In other news, Ryanair called on Minister for Transport Grant Shapps to open up international travel from all EU countries in his next revision of the UK’s green list on June 3, 2021.

Ryanair also urged Mr. Shapps to abolish travel restrictions for everyone that has been fully vaccinated and to scrap the current requirement to present a negative PCR test when coming back from EU green countries, which only adds cost and stress to UK citizens despite returning from low-risk EU destinations.

European holiday hotspots like Spain, Greece and Italy have already opened their doors to UK tourists – as UK adult vaccinations hit 75% and with the EU on track to hit the 70% target by the end of June, infections are dropping and restriction-free travel within Europe should be allowed this Summer.

Having added Portugal to its travel green list in May, UK families have been flying in their droves to Lisbon, the Algarve and Porto. Despite the lack of clarity around the amber list, hundreds of thousands of UK holiday makers have already booked to sunshine favorites Spain, Italy and the Greek islands for June, July and August. In order to provide as much flexibility as possible, Ryanair has extended its zero-change fee for all new bookings made before September 30, for travel by December 31, 2021, giving customers flexibility and peace of mind should their plans change.

Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary said:

“The highly successful UK vaccine rollout has already enabled hundreds and thousands of British families to book their flights to Portugal this summer, and today we call on Minister Grant Shapps to include all EU countries in the next revision of the UK’s green list so UK holiday makers can travel restriction-free to the beaches of Spain, Greece and Italy – all of whom have opened their doors to British visitors this summer.

The UK Govt must scrap the nonsensical requirement of PCR tests for those returning from low-risk (green) countries. There is no point in setting up a traffic light system if ‘green’ still requires additional measures that significantly add to the cost of a family trip. There is no justification for the UK Govt to delay the removal of all travel restrictions for those who have been fully vaccinated when research from Public Health England has demonstrated that two doses of the C-19 vaccines are highly effective against the Indian variant.

We look forward to seeing all of Europe open to restriction-free travel for British families this summer, and to welcoming millions of British guests on board very soon”.

Top Copyright Photo: Ryanair Boeing 737-8AS WL EI-EXF (msn 40322) (Costa Brava – Pirineau de Girona) PMI (Ton Jochems). Image: 943422.

Ryanair aircraft slide show:

JetBlue’s first Airbus A321neo with reimagined Mint® for domestic flying enters scheduled service

JetBlue today announced its first Airbus A321neo (new engine option) with Mint has officially entered scheduled service with the first revenue flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), departing shortly after 10:30 a.m. this morning. The aircraft is scheduled to operate select flights between New York-JFK and LAX for the next several weeks.

JetBlue’s A321neo with Mint is the first to feature the airline’s reimagined Mint premium experience, with 16 fully lie-flat, private suites with a sliding door for every Mint customer, including two new, ultra-spacious Mint Studios™, a custom-designed seat cushion by Tuft & Needle®, and countless design touches that help every customer feel at home in the air. The aircraft will also include 144 core seats with the most legroom in coach (a) and an unparalleled inflight entertainment and connectivity experience on-board.

Travelers can spot the A321neo with Mint by its unique “Ribbons” tailfin. The design features three blues from the airline’s brand palette and is the first tailfin inspired by so-called “Op Art” – as in optical art – using simple shapes to create the illusion of three dimensions and movement. The aircraft – tail N2105J named “NEO Mintality” – is JetBlue’s 16^thA321neo and the first of this aircraft type to feature Mint.

JetBlue Mint, Reimagined

JetBlue’s first major design overhaul of Mint – designed in partnership with Acumen Design Associates – will set a new standard for transcontinental flying.

We made every Mint seat a suite: JetBlue’s reimagined Mint will offer more privacy with 14 fully lie-flat, aisle-access suites. Every inch of space anticipates customer needs, with features including a tilting 17-inch Thales AVANT seatback screen, wireless charging capabilities, an integrated phone ledge for multitasking, and easy-to-reach in-seat power, as well as laptop, shoe and handbag stowage. JetBlue is the first carrier to outfit its aircraft with Thompson Aero Seating’s VantageSOLO seat, the company’s revolutionary single aisle seating solution with a herringbone configuration developed and designed specifically for narrow-body aircraft and further customized for JetBlue.
Mint Studio is the pinnacle of space and privacy: The all-new Mint Studio – conceptualized by Acumen and developed in partnership with AIM Altitude – is JetBlue’s latest game-changing innovation, offering the most space in a premium experience from any U.S. airline (b). Each aircraft will have two Mint Studios in the first row, providing ample room for working or relaxing, and featuring a 22-inch tilting Thales AVANT seatback screen, an extra side table for added productivity, and a guest seat that can accommodate an additional Mint customer during flight at cruising altitude. When reclined, customers can kick back and relax on the largest lie-flat bed of any U.S. carrier (c).
Our proprietary seat design is truly a bed in the sky: JetBlue tapped Tuft & Needle – the innovative mattress company that pioneered the bed-in-a-box trend – to shape the entire Mint sleep experience onboard. Engineered for comfort, every Mint seat is layered with Tuft & Needle’s proprietary T&N Adaptive® foam and a breathable cover to create a cool and comfortable sleep experience unlike anything in the sky. The seat complements additional sleep amenities developed in partnership with the brand, including a convertible blanket with a built-in foot pocket, a memory foam lined pillow with a pillowcase, and a snooze kit with a matching eye mask and earplugs.

Looking ahead, JetBlue will introduce a 24-seat layout on its Airbus A321 Long Range (LR) aircraft which will operate flights between New York-JFK and both London Heathrow and London Gatwick airports beginning later this summer.

Core and So Much More

JetBlue’s core experience on the A321neo – with the most legroom in coach – features the Collins Meridian seat, which was customized around customer feedback and features a number of design elements with comfort and convenience in mind.

144 seats with a width of 18.4 inches, the widest available for the A321neo aircraft.
Seven rows of Even More Space® seating, all located in the forward area of the core experience, based on customer feedback.
10.1 inch, 1080P high definition screen at every seat.
Easy-to-reach in-seat power, featuring AC and USB ports.
Enhanced cushion comfort and adjustable headrests.
Contoured seatback design at knee level creating additional living space.
Custom designed seatback storage.

Staying Connected at 35,000 Feet

JetBlue will build on its reputation as an industry leader in inflight entertainment options with Thales AVANT and ViaSat-2 connectivity. With this system, JetBlue will offer every customer aboard the A321neo with expanded and personalized entertainment choices in nearly every region the airline flies (d). With JetBlue, all customers have the ability to connect an unlimited number of devices and stream, surf, or chat during the entire flight, from gate to gate.

100+ channels of DIRECTV®, hundreds of movies, full seasons of binge-worthy TV shows, and custom seatback games.
Picture-in-picture function.
Enhanced, 3D flight map offering multiple ways to track time to destination.
Personal handheld device pairing capabilities for use as a remote or gaming controller.
Expanded Fly-Fi® connectivity, providing coverage to nearly the entire JetBlue network.

Bold Design Elements

JetBlue is also maximizing the A321neo’s ultra-modern design to create an elevated customer experience throughout the interior. Every aspect of the aircraft has been meticulously customized to create a perfect environment to deliver JetBlue’s award-winning service.

Refreshed onboard Pantry™ with a mini-fridge and drawers full of complimentary snacks.
Spacious overhead bins for additional carry-on bag capacity.
Custom LED mood lighting designed to provide a more soothing inflight experience with lighting scenarios that change with time of day or phase of flight.
Four full-size lavatories featuring subway tile patterns – a nod to JetBlue being New York’s Hometown Airline®.
Custom-designed front and rear wall panel featuring unique and modern patterns.

Impressive Aircraft Economics

The A321neo with Mint helps ensure JetBlue delivers on its cost-savings and sustainability commitments in the coming years. Thanks to the Airbus new engine option, the aircraft features a 20 percent increase in fuel efficiency compared to the previous generation of the aircraft. It also boasts an increased range of up to 500 nautical miles. JetBlue’s existing fleet of all-core A321neo’s has allowed the airline to enter new and longer nonstop markets not previously possible with other aircraft types.

Optimizing fuel burn is an important first step in JetBlue’s cost-conscious sustainability strategy, and prioritizing fuel-efficient aircraft and engines aligns with JetBlue’s approach to reducing emissions. In 2020, JetBlue became the first major U.S. airline to achieve carbon neutrality for all domestic flights, and later announced its commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

JetBlue continues to navigate the new travel environment with a steady hand and a long-term view on recovery. The investment in the A321neo with Mint allows the airline to continue to execute its low cost business model, and enables JetBlue to continue to offer low fares to more customers.

SkyUp Airlines partners with TAL Aviation for the Kiev – Belgrade, Serbia route

SkyUp Airlines is teaming up with TAL Aviation for the Serbian market:

Following the announcement of its new service between Belgrade and Kyiv, SkyUp Airlines, the Ukrainian low-cost airline entrusts TAL Aviation, global airline and travel representation leader, to serve as its General Sales Agent in Serbia.

SkyUp operates two weekly direct flights between Serbia and Ukraine, on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Serbian Service

Departure from Belgrade	Arrival to Kiev	Departure from Kiev	Arrival to Belgrade
18:40 hours	21:35 hours	16:35 hours	17:40 hours

The service is operated by a Boeing 737-700 NG aircraft, with a 149-seat capacity.

Top Copyright Photo: SkyUp Airlines Boeing 737-75C SSWL UR-SQE (msn 30034) (FC Shakhtar Donetsk) PMI (Javier Rodriguez). Image: 947180.

SkyUp Airlines aircraft slide show:

Air Montenegro to launch operations on June 10

Air Montenegro, the new flag carrier of Montenegro, will launch scheduled passenger operations on June 10, 2021 according to Ex-YU Aviation.

The first routes will link Podgorica and Tivat with Belgrade with an Embraer 195.

Air Montenegro is the successor of liquidated Montenegro Airlines.

A new logo and livery for the new airline is being developed.

Austrian Airlines operates the last turboprop flight, retires the last DHC-8-402 (Q400)

Austrian Airlines on May 31, 2021 operated the last Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) turboprop flight from Innsbruck to Vienna.

Austrian Airlines made this announcement:

• The last turboprop flight was the OS 905/6 from Vienna to Innsbruck and back
• Dash aircraft were an integral part of Austrian aviation for over 40 years
• “The Dash is and will remain part of our history”, says Austrian Airlines COO Francesco Sciortino

It is the end of an impressive era. On May 31, 2021 Austrian Airlines operated a passenger flight with a turboprop aircraft for the last time. The Dash 8-Q400 with the registration OE-LGI flew as OS 905/6 from Vienna to Innsbruck and back. After more than 40 years, this marks the end of the Dash’s time in Austria. The future Austrian Airlines fleet will consist entirely of Airbus, Boeing and Embraer aircraft.

https://twitter.com/_austrian/status/1399410627060326401?s=20

“The Dash has had an impressive career in our company, it is and will remain part of our history. We will not forget that. I would like to thank everyone who has served the Dash aircraft over the past decades, from the cabin and cockpit crews, to the technician team and many more”, says Austrian Airlines COO Francesco Sciortino.

“At peak times, the Dash 8-Q400 completed up to 44,000 individual flights per year”, says Austrian Airlines Dash fleet manager Thomas Bleimuth. “With this type of aircraft, it was also possible to fly to particularly demanding locations. For example, Tyrolean Airways used to fly the four-engined Dash 7 to Courchevel in the French Alps, an airfield at over 2,000 meters above sea level.”

Above Copyright Photo: Tyrolean Austrian Regional (Tyrolean Airways) de Havilland Canada DHC-7-102 Dash 7 OE-LLU (msn 113) INN (Jacques Guillem Collection). Image: 946654.

On April 9, 1980, the story of the Dash began not only in Austria, but all of Europe. At that time, Tyrolean Airways was the first European airline to take delivery of the first Dash 8 predecessor, a De Havilland Canada DHC-7 Dash 7. With its excellent short-landing characteristics, the 50-seat regional aircraft was ideally suited for use at difficult airports such as Innsbruck or Courchevel.

Above Copyright Photo: Tyrolean Airways de Havilland Canada DHC-8-311 Dash 8 OE-LTM (msn 527) ZRH (Richard Vandervord). Image: 946656.

From 1985, Tyrolean Airways used the twin-engined successor model Dash 8-100 on flights to Graz, Frankfurt and Zurich. Until the complete takeover of the Tyrolean carrier by Austrian Airlines in 1998, a total of 44 different Dash 8s of the -100, -300 and -400 series flew for Tyrolean.

At Austrian Airlines, 18 Dash 8-Q400s were last in service on short-haul routes, for example on flights from Vienna to Milan, Warsaw or Zagreb. After almost 20 years of operation at Austria’s home carrier, this aircraft type alone can boast some impressive figures:

• Over 20 million passengers have flown on the Dash 8-Q400 in the last 20 years.
• The Dash 8-Q400 has flown 237 million kilometers – accident-free. That is 310 flights to the moon and back.
• Our Dash 8-Q400s have spent a combined 54 years in the air.
• During their career, the aircraft completed more than 520,000 safe landings.
• During their pre-flight checks, the Dash 8-Q400 pilots covered more than 52,000 kilometers on foot – that is 20 circumnavigations of Austria.

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