Level Europe ceases operations and files for insolvency

Level Europe of Austria announced it was stopping all operations and would file for insolvency on June 18, 2020. The airline last operated in March 2020 when COVID-19 grounded all flights.

Level Europe GmbH was an Austrian airline owned by Vueling, and by extension the International Airlines Group (IAG).

The airline was founded as Anisec Luftfahrt in November 2017 as a subsidiary of Spanish airline Vueling.

In late December 2019, the airline was renamed from Anisec Luftfahrt to Level Europe.

The company issued this statement:

Level Europe entered insolvency on June 18, 2020.

All flights have been grounded as of March 2020 and the Austrian business has ceased trading with immediate effect.

CUSTOMERS

 

Please note that Level Europe is unfortunately not able to arrange alternative flights for passengers. At this time we kindly request you do not contact our Call Centres unless your travel is within the next 48 hours, as we are experiencing high levels of call volume at this time.

If you have a booking sold by a marketing carrier or travel agent for LEVEL Europe flight, please contact that marketing carrier or travel agent to confirm if there is any impact to your travel plans.

An administrator will be appointed to answer further questions.

EMPLOYEES

 

In the event that you were an employee of the Company and you require any further information or assistance in relation to the Administration, an administrator will be appointed. Contact information for the administrator will be posted on this page on or before Wednesday June 24, 2020.

CREDITORS AND SUPPLIERS

 

In the event that you were a supplier or creditor of the Company and you require further details in relation to the Administration, an administrator will be appointed. Contact information for the administrator will be posted on this page on or before Wednesday June 24, 2020.

Level Europe aircraft photo gallery:

Southwest to keep middle seats open until at least September 30

Southwest Airlines hasย announced plans to keep middle seats open through at least September 30, reinforced its face mask policy and added another layer of confidence for travelers by requiring Customers to complete a Health Declaration prior to traveling.

The Southwest Promise outlines policies and protocols designed to further the comfort of Customers and Employees throughout their travel journeys. The carrier has bolstered communication of its round-the-clock cleaning efforts and distancing protocols through new videos that overview the travel journey of Southwest Customers through airports and onboard. Today, we are announcing additional enhancements to the Southwest Promise.

MIDDLE SEATS OPEN THROUGH AT LEAST SEPTEMBER 30

Employee and Customer Safety is, and always will be, the carrier’s top priority from check-in to deplaning the aircraft. Today, Southwest announced that middle seats will remain open through at least September 30, 2020, to provide Customers more personal space onboard and promote physical-distancing.

Customers may still pick their own seat, and Southwest will not block or direct seating. In the open seating environment, families or those traveling together may sit together.

SOUTHWEST HEALTH DECLARATION

Today, Southwest announced that middle seats will remain open through at least September 30, 2020, to provide Customers more personal space onboard and promote physical-distancing.

Southwest is announcing an additional element of the Southwest Promise by introducing a Customer Health Declaration which must be acknowledged during online check-in beginning on June 16. Customers will now be required to acknowledge an awareness of the carrier’s face covering policy and confirm they do not have symptoms of COVID-19 and have not been diagnosed with, or exposed, to COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to travel. They will also have to confirm they do not have a fever when they travel. The declaration will appear during the online check-in process via the Southwest app, Southwest.com, SWABIZ.com, and the carrier’s mobile website.

“The introduction of the Customer Health Declaration is an additional layer offered by our Southwest Promise. As part of this commitment, Southwest is performing enhanced cleanings and giving special attention to our airport locations and aircraft to support Customer and Employee well-being. Now, we ask that our Customers join us in these efforts by acknowledging their personal wellness prior to flying with us,” said Tony Roach, Managing Director, Southwest Customer Experience. “When Customers are ready to fly again, the Southwest Team is ready to welcome them with our ongoing commitment to safety and comfort, paired with our low fares.”

In addition to the Customer Health Declaration, Customers will notice these Southwest Promise highlights the next time they fly:

  • Boarding in groups of 10 to allow for distancing and queuing only on one side of boarding poles
  • Airport signage and floor markers encouraging distance throughout gate areas
  • Plexiglasยฎ at ticketing and gate counters, and baggage service offices
  • If Customers forget a face covering, a mask will be provided
  • Hand sanitizer will be available in airport locations

REQUIREMENT FOR FACE COVERINGS OR MASKS

In May, Southwest began requiring Customers and Employees to wear face coverings or masks while in airports and onboard Southwest aircraft. During this pandemic, the airline asks that individuals comply with the policy out of respect for the well-being and comfort of fellow travelers and all those who are serving Southwest Customers. As part of this ongoing policy, Southwest will deny boarding to any Customer choosing not to wear a face covering or mask while traveling. Southwest’s Ground Operations Team and Flight Attendants will make announcements to remind Customers of this requirement throughout the travel journey and will have masks available, upon Customer request. Additionally, the carrier is notifying Customers of the policy in advance of travel dates and requiring acknowledgement of the policy via the new Customer Health Declaration Form.

Video:

Southwest Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

LOT Polish Airlines to resume some European flights on July 1

LOT Polish Airlines has made this announcement:

LOT Polish Airlines will expand its route network with international flights from July 1. Passengers will be able to fly to selected Schengen countries, including Germany, the Czech Republic, Belgium and Norway, as well as plan their holidays in Greece, Croatia, Bulgaria or Spain. The resumption of international flights is accompanied by the launch of new FLEX PLUS fares, offering even more flexible conditions for managing reservations.

This year’s July 1st will be a special date for travel lovers and those planning a foreign holiday. On this day, LOT will resume its first regular international passenger flights since their suspension on March 13. The flight schedule for the first two weeks of July includes primarily flights to the Schengen countries and popular holiday destinations. The route network of 20 European cities includes:

  • seven flights a week to Prague, Duesseldorf, Vilnius and Budapest;
  • six flights a week to Berlin;
  • five flights a week to Vienna, Brussels and Kiev (Boryspil Airport);
  • four flights a week to Amsterdam and Bucharest;
  • three flights a week to Barcelona, Tbilisi and Oslo;
  • two flights a week to Split and Dubrovnik;
  • at least one flight per week to Zadar, Podgorica, Corfu, Chania and Varna.

All international flights will be operated from Chopin Airport in Warsaw until July 14.

In addition, two connections from Budapest will return to the resumed LOT network – to Varna and Dubrovnik, operated once a week during the weekend. LOT will also maintain its existing schedule of over 30 domestic flights a day. Passengers will be able to conveniently transfer to any of the international flights in Warsaw. Tickets for all connections are already available in reservation systems, including our website lot.com

โ€œFor the first two weeks of July, the network of LOT’s international flights has been planned with passenger safety in mind, which is always a priority for us, and to ensure comfort during travel. Most of the proposed routes are to Schengen countries, which have a stable epidemic situation and at the same time have abolished the quarantine obligation and other restrictions for travellers coming from other countries. Our passengers can therefore plan their holidays, short recreational trips or business trips with confidence, knowing that they will be able to fully enjoy their journey abroad. At the same time, we strive to resume new directions and increase the frequency of flights. We are analysing the possibility of launching scheduled passenger flights to the United States, which we are currently carrying out as part of cargo transport”, said Rafaล‚ Milczarski, CEO and President of the Management Board of LOT Polish Airlines.

The safety rules are also maintained – all domestic and international flights of LOT will continue to be operated according to the #FlySafeFlyLOT procedure. To ensure the protection of travellers and onboard crews in the era of COVID-19, safety rules have been accompanying LOT passengers since June 1st . The key restrictions applicable both at the airport and on board each aircraft include maintaining the requisite socially distancing during check-in, and during the flight, the obligation to wear masks throughout the entire journey. There are also modifications in onboard flight service in accordance with the principle of limited contact between passengers and staff.

The Recommendations for travellers tab containing necessary information to help passengers prepare for their flights has been created at the lot.com website. A detailed description of the epidemic procedures introduced as part of the resumed LOT’s passenger flights is located in the #FlySafeFlyLOT tab.

New fares for more freedom of travel

Caring for the comfort of travel planning in the era of the pandemic, LOT also introduces additional facilities for its passengers. The existing offer has been extended by new FLEX PLUS fares, available on domestic, medium and long-haul flights in all booking classes except Premium on short-haul flights. FLEX PLUS fares are intended for direct flights available in LOT’s offer and will not apply in the case of international transit.

LOT’s response to the increased need for passenger reservation management is the first such flexible offer on the European market. If it is necessary to change plans, tickets purchased in FLEX PLUS fares can be exchanged, returned and also transferred to another person on preferential terms. The offer is available and going on sale beginning
June 17th.

โ€œFLEX PLUS fares bring a new quality of travel in a pandemic. We understand the uncertainty and fears of our passengers, related to planning this year’s trips. That’s why we want to convince them that flying with LOT is both comfortable and safe. By offering more and more travel opportunities, we will also support their decisions in case of any change of plans. For this purpose, a new offer of FLEX PLUS fares was created. For the first time, we allow for such extensive changes in the booking – cancellation of a trip within 24 hours from the purchase of the ticket, change of passenger data and free choice of a new date of flight (subject to availability of seats), as well as reimbursement of the ticket on preferential termsโ€, said Rafaล‚ Milczarski.

The new FLEX PLUS fares offer an opportunity to:

  • change your travel date free of charge;
  • change the data on the ticket up to 48 hours before departure for a fee (250 PLN or 60 EUR for flights operated by LOT);
  • cancel the purchased ticket at a preferential price before the beginning of the journey (short-haul flights: 30 EUR/Economy FLEX PLUS and 65 EUR/Business FLEX PLUS, long-haul flights: 60 EUR/Economy FLEX PLUS and 100 EUR/Premium FLEX PLUS and Business FLEX PLUS);
  • cancel a ticket at a preferential price of 100 EUR also for passengers who do not show up on a flight;
  • choose your seat on the aircraft free of charge for all FLEX PLUS passengers, except Economy on long-haul flights.

Additionally, there is also the possibility of a free cancellation of a trip within 24 hours from the purchase of the ticket. For tickets purchased less than 24 hours prior to departure, cancellation is available free of charge, up to 6 (six) hours before the flight. The offer is valid for domestic and international flights within all of LOT’s fare classes and sales channels (tickets purchased at the lot.com website, at ticket offices, through the LOT Contact Centre and by travel agencies).

LOT Polish Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Qatar Airways expands flights to U.S. with Boston, New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. joining airlineโ€™s existing Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth flights

Qatar Airways has made this announcement:

Qatar Airways commitment to the U.S. market has not waivered throughout this unprecedented crisis. While other airlines from the Gulf stopped operating, Qatar Airways has continued to work closely with the U.S. Government and airports to take over 160,000 stranded people home from Australasia, Africa, India and the Middle East. The national carrier of the State of Qatar is proud to reaffirm its further commitment to the U.S. with the resumption of flights to New York (JFK) from 19 June (rising to 10 weekly from 2 July) and to Boston, Los Angeles and Washington Dulles from 1 July. This will see the airlineโ€™s U.S. network rebuild to 39 weekly flights by mid-July 2020.

With strong existing partnerships with American Airlines and JetBlue in place, the restarting of these flights brings even greater benefits to Qatar Airways passengers. Existing services to Dallas-Forth Worth and Chicago currently enable passengers to book onward travel with American Airlines to almost 180 destinations on more than 350 domestic flights per day. This will increase to more than 600 daily flights with the addition of services to Boston, New York, Los Angeles and Washington Dulles. Qatar Airwaysโ€™ New York flights and five-weekly Boston flights will also facilitate the resumption of the JetBlue codeshare. Passengers will immediately be able to book travel across the entire JetBlue network on 70 flights per day to 46 destinations.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: โ€œSince the pandemic outbreak, at Qatar Airways we have been completely focused atย fulfilling our mission to bring people home. We worked closely with governments around the world to ensure their stranded citizens could travel home safely and our repatriation efforts were widely recognised and applauded. The United States is historically a hugely significant strategic market for our airline and at the end of April, U.S. Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo personally expressed his appreciation of Qatar Airwaysโ€™ continued assistance and the tremendous efforts extended by the airline to repatriate tens of thousands of Americans.

โ€œWith the relaunch of these additional four destinations bringing our total to six, Qatar Airways is clearly demonstrating its strong commitment to the U.S. market. All of the six destinations will be served with a minimum of five weekly flights from mid-July, with 10 weekly flights operating to JFK. Offering unrivalled connectivity via Hamad International Airport in Doha, recently voted the Best Airport in the Middle East for the sixth year in a row, passengers to and from the U.S. can seamlessly connect with over 40 cities across Africa, Asia, Australasia and the Middle East from mid-July. Qatar Airways has continually led the industry during these unprecedented months, accumulating unrivalled experience in carrying passengers safely and reliably. By maintaining a global network that never fell below 30 destinations, Qatar Airways has stayed up to date with the latest in international airport procedures and implemented the most advanced safety and hygiene measures on board its aircraft and in Hamad International Airport.โ€

Passengers flying Business Class on Qsuite equipped aircraft can avail of the enhanced privacy this award-winning suite provides, including sliding privacy partitions and fully closing doors that create a private sanctuary. Passengers can also opt to use the โ€˜Do Not Disturb (DND)โ€™ indicator in their private suite, if they wish to limit their interactions with the cabin crew. Qsuite continues to be available on flights to more than 30 destinations including London, Sydney, Singapore and Dallas-Fort Worth with plans to add it to more routes throughout the summer.

Qatar Airways has further enhanced its on-board safety measures for passengers and cabin crew. The airline has implemented several changes, including the introduction of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits for cabin crew while on board, as well as a modified service that reduces interactions between the passengers and the crew inflight. Passengers will also be required to wear face coverings inflight, with the carrier recommending travelers bring their own for fit and comfort purposes.

U.S destinations available for booking:

Boston starting from 1 July (Five weekly flights increasing to daily from 1 August)

Doha (DOH) to Boston (BOS) QR743 departs: 08:00 arrives 14:15

Boston (BOS) to Doha (DOH) QR744 departs: 22:00 arrives 16:55

Chicago continually operating (daily flights)

Doha (DOH) to Chicago (ORD) QR725 departs: 07:45 arrives 13:45

Chicago (ORD) to Doha (DOH) QR726 departs: 18:50 arrives 16:20

Dallas-Fort Worth continually operating (Five weekly flights increasing to daily from 23 June)

Doha (DOH) to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) QR729 departs: 07:50 arrives 15:30

Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Doha (DOH) QR730 departs: 18:10 arrives 16:40

New York starting from 19 June (Friday only, daily from 22 June and 10 weekly from 2 July)

Doha (DOH) to New York (JFK) QR701 departs: 08:15 arrives 15:00

New York (JFK) to Doha (DOH) QR702 departs: 21:00 arrives 16:15

Los Angeles starting from 01 July (Three weekly flights increasing to five weekly from 17 July and six weekly from 1 August)

Doha (DOH) to Los Angeles (LAX) QR739 departs: 07:35 arrives 13:35

Los Angeles (LAX) to Doha (DOH) QR740 departs: 15:35 arrives 17:05

Washington, D.C. starting from 1 July (Five weekly flights increasing to daily from 1 August)

Doha (DOH) to Washington (IAD) QR707 departs: 08:40 arrives 15:35

Washington (IAD) to Doha (DOH) QR708 departs: 20:25 arrives 15:55

Qatar Airways aircraft photo gallery:

All 5 TUI airlines to be merged, based in Hanover, as fleets are reduced

TUI fly Germany has made this announcement:

  • Supervisory Board supports restructuring plans and mandates management to negotiate with works councils and trade unions
  • Existing employment guarantee until the end of 2021 for all German TUI companies also applies to the restructuring of TUI fly
  • Commitment to company headquarters and the airline base Hanover: Hanover and Dรผsseldorf remain the largest bases of the TUI fly fleet

TUI fly Germany Managing Director Oliver Lackmann explains after the meeting of the Supervisory Board of TUI fly GmbH in Hanover:

“At the June 18 meeting, the management again presented the plans for the restructuring of the German holiday airline to the TUI fly Supervisory Board and explained in detail the need for changes. There is no doubt that these are major changes and cutbacks for our employees and for the company. Nobody takes the decision lightly, neither I myself as managing director and flight captain nor the supervisory board. But the TUI fly fleet is too large for the customer base of our German TUI tour operator. We must reduce this fleet and work more closely together within the five airlines of the Group. Otherwise, as a premium provider of holiday flights, we will further increase our competitive disadvantage over other airlines.

Even before the Coronavirus pandemic, the German airline market was characterised by considerable overcapacity and a fierce price competition. The coronavirus pandemic has led to severe disruptions in the airline sector, especially for holiday flyers. The regular business of TUI fly has come to a complete standstill since mid-March. According to forecasts, air traffic in the coming year will still be significantly lower than the volume in 2019. Even in the peak season, the TUI fly fleet was not able to achieve a cost-covering occupancy rate before Coronavirus. In the past, between 14 and seven aircraft with crews were permanently leased to Air Berlin and later to Eurowings. These were thus aircraft and seats which we as a tour operator were unable to fill with our own customers. The situation has now become even more difficult due to the pandemic. In the long-term interests of all employees of our airline – and in the interests of TUI as a whole – we must make TUI fly fit for the future.

We want to come to an agreement with the representatives of the workforce as quickly as possible. The Supervisory Board of TUI fly has mandated the management to enter into negotiations with the works councils and the trade unions. The negotiations are also based on the employment protection scheme in place until the end of 2021, agreed with the Group Employee Council for all TUI Group companies in Germany. It excludes dismissals for operational reasons with effect before the end of 2021. We see this agreement, which has been in place since 2019, as an opportunity to make the restructuring as socially responsible as possible. The Supervisory Board also underlined this goal today. We are very aware that the reduction of each individual position is about colleagues who are highly loyal to their airline. Our aim is to secure as many jobs as possible in TUI fly in the long term. However, this will only succeed if we adjust the size of the airline to a healthy and future-proof level. We will take into account the interests of the employees, the Hanover airport location and TUI as a whole in our decisions. We are now at the beginning, not at the end, of the negotiations on the design of the restructuring. The core of the plans is the announced adjustment of the fleet to about half of the current 39 aircraft.

In addition, central functions are to be more closely integrated across all five Group airlines. In a first step, TUI’s European airlines will be merged under one company. This central flight division for TUI Group airlines will be based in Hanover.

TUI fly plans to cut jobs in technical, administrative and crew functions since fewer aircraft will be used. In future, TUI fly intends to concentrate on the departure airports of Hanover and Dรผsseldorf as the largest fleet locations, as well as Frankfurt, Munich and Stuttgart”.

Currently there are five airlines in the TUI Group operating around 150 medium- and long-haul aircraft, including the largest fleet of the Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The airlines are TUI Airways, TUI fly, TUI fly Belgium, TUI fly Netherlands and TUI fly Nordic, serving more than 180 destinations around the world.

TUI fly Germany aircraft photo gallery:

Delta welcomes travelers back with layers of protection for safe travel

Delta Air Lines has released this statement:

During Deltaโ€™s annual shareholders meeting Thursday, CEO Ed Bastian shared details about the Deltaย CareStandardย โ€“ the global airlineโ€™s commitment to a superior level of cleanliness, more space and safer serviceย designed toย ensure customers can travel with confidence. As a result of the airlineโ€™s comprehensive approach to health safety for customers and employees, theย rate of positive COVID-19 cases among Deltaโ€™s global employees isย nearlyย five times lower than the U.S. national average in Mayย and during the first half of Juneย 2020.

Customers can count on theย followingย layers of protection across the Deltaย experienceย indefinitely:

Aircraftย interiorsย sanitizedย beforeย 100% of flights:ย Every flight. Every day. Everywhere. Thatโ€™s Deltaโ€™s commitment to sanitizing aircraft interiorsย because customers tell us cleanliness,ย above all,ย isย the most important factor they considerย whetherย toย return toย travel. We use twoย proven disinfecting methods:

  • Using a high-grade electrostatic spray that seeks out and clings to surfaces, instantly killing viruses on contact. The spraying method allows the disinfectant to reach even the smallest nooks and crannies of an interiors like the corners of overhead bins. Electrostatic spray sanitization continues to be expanded to employee areas, gates,ย baggage claim,ย jet bridges and other common areas.
  • Wiping downย surfacesย customers care about most including tray tables, seat-back entertainment screens, seat belts, arm rests and more.

Cleanerย airย onย board:ย Air onboard is recirculated every two to six minutes with fresh, outside airย orย through HEPA filters that extract more than 99.99% of particles, including viruses. Theseย filtersย function similarly toย filters used in hospital operating rooms,ย and Delta is committed to changing them out twice as often as recommended by the manufacturer.

Makingย it easy to keep your hands clean:ย One of the first things customers notice when entering anyย Deltaย airport spaceย is that theyโ€™re never more than a few steps away from a hand sanitizing station.ย Delta is also providing each customer with sanitizing wipesย or gel packsย upon boarding and as part of snack bag service on board.

Cues for safe distance:ย From check-in lobby bag-drop lines to gate areas and jet bridges, Delta is providingย spacingย markers to make it easy toย determine a safe distance from others in the area. We are also boarding customers 10 at a time starting at the back of the plane to reduce the instances of people passing one another in the aisle.ย ย Additionally, customers will notice acrylic shields on all Delta countersย to protect both customers and employees during ongoing interactions.

Masks required

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Additionalย layers of protection include those Delta will have in place for the foreseeable future, including:

Face masksย are required for everyone:ย Delta has had aย mask-wearing requirementย in place since May for customers and employees because medical experts say that wearing a mask is one of the most important ways customers and employees can help prevent the spread of the virus while flying. It also provides a consistent layer of protection across all travel touchpoints.ย We take our mask requirement just as seriously as the non-negotiable requirements for customers to remain seated when taxiing or wearing a seat belt during take-off. Thatโ€™s why those who donโ€™t comply with crewmemberย or ambassadorย instruction to wearย a face covering or follow other safety requirements risk future flight privileges with Delta.

Creating more space by limiting people on board:ย Delta has capped the number of people weโ€™ll allow to book seats on our flights atย 60% in the main cabin and 50% in First Class, while blocking the ability to select middle seats. Weโ€™re committed to this through Sept. 30, at which point weโ€™ll re-evaluate. Weโ€™re doing all of this because medical expertsย recommendย having space between each other in conjunction with wearing a maskย as anย importantย stepย in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Similarly, customers are telling usย thatย havingย more space between travelers is one of the most important factors they consider when deciding toย fly.

Delta Care Kit

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Care Kitsย provideย customers travel safety essentials:ย Customers arriving at a Delta check-in area without a face mask will receive aย complimentary care kitย to comply with our mask requirement andย individual hand sanitizer gel pouches.ย The kit also includes an information card that outlines the Deltaย CareStandardย layers of protection.ย Bill Lentsch, Chief Customer Experience Officer said of the Care Kits:ย โ€‹โ€œOur survey data showed a clear desire for these kits and we have a bias toward action when we see new trends emerge.”

Testing employees before they go to work:ย In addition to temperature checks for all employees when they arrive at work, Delta has launchedย a program to test employees for COVID-19 โ€“ both the active virus and antibodies.ย We view this as a critical step in protecting employees, families, coworkers and customers that can help identifyย ill employees even if they are not exhibiting symptoms.

NEVER LETTING UPย 

The Deltaย CareStandardย isย the foundation of cleanliness and care upon which the future Delta travel experienceย โ€“ one that brings joy back to travel โ€“ย is being built.ย Thatโ€™s whyย Delta launched theย Global Cleanliness organization. This uniqueย organization led by ourย VP of Global Cleanlinessย will continueย innovating and elevating cleanlinessย so thatย Deltaโ€™s transformed standards remain just as high, if not higher, as more customers return to travel.ย This new divisionย will bring the same focus and rigor through data, testing and tracking to cleanliness thatย Delta isย known for in transforming customer expectations onย tracking bags and on-time reliability.ย In doing so, our new standard of cleanlinessย is fast becoming an underpinning of the Delta culture.

KEEPING CUSTOMERS INFORMEDย WITHย CUES TO CLEANLINESS

Delta is working to build customer confidence by making sureย travelersย are aware ofย what they can do to help reduce the spread of virusย when travelingย andย confirming theย layers of protection Deltaย has in placeย as they make their way across their journey with us.

  • Pre-flight emails:ย Customers receive an email in the days leading up to their flight with tips for travelย including remindersย about our face maskย requirementย and links to information about our Deltaย CareStandardย so they canย knowย what to expect before everย settingย foot in the airport.
  • Fly Deltaย appย reminder:ย ย With more than 60% ofย customersย using the Fly Delta app to check in, weโ€™ve introduced a notification uponย check inย with links to our sanitization process, travel requirements and even TSA guidelines in case customers have questions on the go.
  • Aircraft sanitization notifications:ย Customers are notified through a push notificationย in theย Fly Delta appย and gate information displays when their aircraft has been sanitized and passedย inspection by our teams.
  • Airport signageย 
  • Care Kit information cardsย 
  • Gate and onboard announcements:ย Gate agents, pilots and flight attendants work together to announce milestones in the departure process like when the aircraft has been sanitized, and to encourage spacing between customers during the boarding and deplaningย processes.

See the Deltaย CareStandardย layers of protection for yourself!ย ย 

JetBlue will add 30 new routes, launch Mintยฎ at Newark

JetBlue Airways hasย announced it is adding 30 new domestic routes to serve customers in markets where leisure and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) travel is showing some signs of strength. With business travel facing a less certain recovery timeline, the new routes offer JetBlue the opportunity to generate revenue, bring aircraft back into service that would otherwise sit idle, and add more flying opportunities for JetBlue crewmembers.

Each market was identified as one in which JetBlueโ€™s award-winning service and low fares will benefit travelers as well as support the airlineโ€™s cash position. The expanded service focuses on:

  • Growing relevance in JetBlueโ€™s focus cities
  • Launch Mint flights between Newark and LAX/SFO
  • Playing to JetBlueโ€™s strength in Florida with new point-to-point routes

New markets will be phased in between July and October. Seats on all new routes will be available for purchase Friday, June 19.

โ€œCoronavirus has transformed airline route maps, and as we begin to see small signs of recovery, we continue to be flexible with our network plans to respond to demand trends and generate cash in support of our business,โ€ said Scott Laurence, head of revenue and planning, JetBlue. โ€œWeโ€™ve selected routes where customers are showing some interest in travel again and where our low fares and award-winning experience will be noticed.โ€

Mint Between the Garden State and the Golden State

JetBlue, New Yorkโ€™s Hometown Airlineยฎ, will expand its successful Mint service in the broader metro area to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) with daily nonstop service to both Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Mint offers a rethought design and a more personal approach to service with exceptional hospitality from specially trained crewmembers. Favorite Mint features include lie-flat seating โ€“ including individual suites with sliding privacy doors, tapas style dining, fresh espresso from the first purpose-built cappuccino machine for a U.S. airline, amenity kits by Hayward and Hopper, and dessert from local artisanal ice cream makers based in Mint cities.

All customers will benefit from JetBlue’s Airbus A321 with Mint aircraft. Features of the A321 core interior include 10-inch television screens offering free entertainment, comfortable seats with the most legroom in coach (a) and power outlets accessible to all customers. JetBlue’s popular marketplace โ€“ a self-serve station full of free snacks, sodas and water for customers to enjoy at their convenience โ€“ is also available throughout the flight. And all A321 aircraft offer JetBlue’s free Fly-Fi high-speed broadband Internet service (b).

Filling Out Focus Cities and Florida Flying

Elsewhere in JetBlueโ€™s focus cities and in Florida, the airline will launch new routes where there are small signs of recovery in leisure and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel. Adding more destinations in these key markets will help make JetBlue more relevant to more travelers and drive loyalty.

Outside of JetBlue focus cities, the airline is launching several new point-to-point routes that play to JetBlueโ€™s strength in Florida. These routes will gives customers a new option that offers low fares with great JetBlue customer service and the layers of protection offered as part of its Safety From the Ground Up program.

โ€œWe donโ€™t believe customers should have to choose between a low fare and a great experience,โ€ said Laurence. โ€œThese new routes are a win for customers, and we believe they will work especially well for us in this unique environment.โ€

JetBlue will reactivate some temporarily parked aircraft to support the new routes. Like the rest of the JetBlue network, these new routes will be regularly evaluated. The airline will remain flexible, allowing market demand to determine how long a particular route continues to operate.

Summer Capacity, Some Closures Lifted and Certain Seasonal Flights Return

With the new routes and service announced today, as well as additional capacity added back into the July and August schedules, JetBlue intends to operate more than half of its typical capacity this summer to better match demand trends.

Additionally, nine temporarily closed cities and several summer seasonal destinations will reopen in early July:

  • Aguadilla, Puerto Ricoโ€™s Rafael Hernรกndez Airport (BQN)
  • Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
  • Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
  • Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
  • Martha’s Vineyard Airport (MVY)
  • Minneapolisโ€“Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
  • Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK)
  • Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
  • Ponce, Puerto Rico Mercedita International Airport (PSE)
  • Portland International Airport (PDX)
  • Providence T. F. Green International Airport (PVD)

New Markets and Frequencies

Effective July 23, 2020

New Mint Service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and:

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) | Up to 3x Daily

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) | Up to 2x Daily

New Service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and:

Charleston International Airport (CHS) | Up to 1x Daily

Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) | Up to 1x Daily

New Service between New York John F. Kennedy international Airport (JFK) and:

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) | Up to 2x Daily

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) | Up to 2x Daily

Effective August 6, 2020

ย New Service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and:

Austinโ€“Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Up to 2x Daily

San Diego International Airport (SAN) | Up to 1x Daily

Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS) | Up to 2x Daily

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) | Up to 2x Daily

Sarasotaโ€“Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) | Up to 1x Daily

New Service between New York John F. Kennedy international Airport (JFK) and:

Minneapolisโ€“Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) | Up to 2x Daily

New Service between New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and:

Fort Myers Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) | Up to 1x Daily

Tampa International Airport (TPA) | Up to 2x Daily

New Service between Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and:

Orlando International Airport (MCO) | Up to 2x Daily

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) | Up to 2x Daily

Fort Myers Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) | Up to 1x Daily

San Juan Luis Muรฑoz Marรญn International Airport (SJU) | Up to 1x Daily

Tampa International Airport (TPA) | Up to 1x Daily

Effective October 1, 2020

New Service between New York John F. Kennedy international Airport (JFK) and:

St. Thomas Cyril E. King Airport (STT) | Up to 2x Weekly

New Service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and:

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) | Up to 1x Daily

Portland International Airport (PDX) | Up to 2x Weekly

Seattleโ€“Tacoma International Airport (SEA) | Up to 3x Weekly

New Service between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and:

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) | Up to 1x Daily

New Service between Fort Myers Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and:

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) | Up to 1x Daily

Providence T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) | Up to 1x Daily

New Service between Tampa International Airport (TPA) and:

Providence T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) | Up to 1x Daily

Washington National Airport (DCA) | Up to 1x Daily

New Service between Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) and:

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) | Up to 1x Daily

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) | Up to 1x Daily

JetBlue will operate all new, non-Mint routes using its Airbus A320 aircraft offering the airline’s award-winning service featuring the most legroom in coach (a); free Fly-Fi, the fastest broadband internet in the sky (b); complimentary and unlimited name-brand snacks and soft drinks; free, live DIRECTVยฎ programming and 100+ channels of SiriusXMยฎ radio at every seat.

Wizz Air expands in Serbia, establishes a new base in Russia

Wizz Air has announced an expansion of its Serbian operations, adding one new Airbus A321 aircraft to the Belgrade base as well as converting the other two based aircraft to Airbus A321 from August 2020. The new aircraft will join the fleet in July 2020, which will grow the local Belgrade fleet to three aircraft.

In July 2020, Wizz Air will launch 9 new routes from Belgrade to: Hamburg, Cologne, Friedrichshafen (Germany), Brussels Charleroi (Belgium), Milan Malpensa (Italy), Lisbon (Portugal), Barcelona El Prat (Spain), Oslo Sandefjord Torp (Norway), Turku (Finland).

The first Wizz Air flight from Serbia departed in 2010. Belgrade was one of the first airports in the SEE region for Wizz Air with flights to Dortmund and London. Since that moment Wizz Air has constantly expanded its operations, bringing opportunities through affordable travel and has welcomed over 5 million passengers in Serbia. With the latest expansion of its Serbian fleet, in 2020 Wizz Air will have 3 based aircraft in Serbia, employing more than 70 customer-oriented crew, who deliver excellent service on each WIZZ flight. Wizz Air now offers 28 routes to 16 countries from 2 Serbian airports: 23 routes from Belgrade and 5 routes from Niลก. The conversion of the entire Belgrade fleet to A321 operations would mean an annual capacity of 1,31 million seats on sale from Belgrade.

 


WIZZ AIRโ€™S NEWEST ROUTES FROM BELGRADE:

DESTINATION DAYS STARTS FARES FROM**
BELGRADE – Friedrichshafen Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 16 July 2020 BGN 47.99 / EUR 24.99
BELGRADE – Brussels Charleroi Thursday, Sunday 16 July 2020 BGN 37.99 / EUR 19.99
BELGRADE – Hamburg Monday, Wednesday, Friday 17 July 2020 BGN 47.99 / EUR 24.99
BELGRADE – Cologne Monday, Wednesday, Friday 17 July 2020 BGN 47.99 / EUR 24.99
BELGRADE – Turku Monday, Friday 17 July 2020 BGN 37.99 / EUR 19.99
BELGRADE – Milan Malpensa Tuesday, Saturday 18 July 2020 BGN 47.99 / EUR 24.99
BELGRADE – Lisbon Tuesday, Saturday 18 July 2020 BGN 57.99 / EUR 29.99
BELGRADE – Barcelona El Prat Tuesday, Saturday 18 July 2020 BGN 47.99 / EUR 24.99
BELGRADE – Oslo Sandefjord Torp Tuesday, Saturday 18 July 2020 BGN 37.99 / EUR 19.99

* Wizz Airโ€™s carbon-dioxide emissions were the lowest among European airlines in FY2019 (57.2 gr/km/passenger)

** One-way price, including administration fee. One carry-on bag (max: 40x30x20cm) is included. Trolley bag and each piece of checked-in baggage is subject to additional fees. The price applies only to bookings made on wizzair.com and the WIZZ mobile app. Number of seats at indicated prices are limited.

In other news, the carrier is establishing its first base in Russia. The company will start new routes fromย St. Petersburg to new destinations, including Salzburg, Stockholm, and Malta.

Finally the airline willย open its 7th base in Romania: Bacฤƒu to London and Rome and to the sunny Larnaca and Catania.

Qatar Airways halts all deliveries until 2022, cancels its Boeing 737 MAX order

Qatar Airways is deferring all Airbus and Boeing deliveries scheduled for 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.

The airline has also cancelled its order for 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

Volotea takes off with its summer 2020 schedule

Volotea re-started its operations on June 16 after three months of hibernation due to Covid-19โ€” with a first flight of the Airbus shuttle connection between Hamburg and Toulouse.

The airline has also revealed the resumption of its operations in France (June 17), Italy (June 18), Greece (June 18) and Spain (June 25).

This Summer, Volotea will offer a total of 274 routes among which 75 are new and 122 are exclusive.

Volotea has restarted today its Airbus Charter Service between Toulouse and Hamburg. With this service, Volotea provides Airbus employees with a service to commute between Airbusโ€™ two most important facility sites, with a frequency of four flights per day. The take-off of the Airbus Shuttle officially marks the return of the airline operations.

Volotea aircraft photo gallery: