Swiss to serve six new destinations from Geneva in summer 2020

Swiss International Air Lines will be adding six attractive new summer destinations to its Geneva-based route network from June 22, 2020. The new services will operate to and from Ponta Delgada (on the Azores), Antalya (Turkey), Menorca (Spain), Djerba (Tunisia), Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Rhodes (Greece).

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will add six new routes to its Geneva-based network next summer, serving destinations in Portugal, Turkey, Spain, Tunisia, Croatia and Greece. The additions will bring to 53 the number of points receiving non-stop Swiss service from and to Geneva.

Ponta Delgada

Ponta Delgada on the Azores will be served every Monday from June 22 to August 31, 2020. The new route will make Swiss the only airline offering nonstop flights between Geneva and the Portuguese mid-Atlantic archipelago, which is famed for its unspoilt nature and its spectacular landscapes.

Antalya

Swiss will be offering a weekly Friday service between Geneva and Antalya from June 26 to October 23, 2020. A seaside resort on Turkey’s southwest coast, the city is considered one of the country’s finest.

Menorca

Menorca will enjoy Swiss services from and to Geneva every Saturday between July 4 and August 29, 2020. A quieter alternative to neighboring Mallorca and Ibiza, the island in the Spanish Balearics is renowned for its unspoilt natural landscapes and its fine-sand beaches fringed by turquoise waters.

Rhodes

In adding the picturesque islands of Rhodes to its network, Swiss will serve no fewer than eight Greek destinations from Geneva in its 2020 summer schedules. Rhodes will receive a weekly Sunday service between July 5 and August 30, 2020.

Djerba

Swiss will be providing a weekly Saturday service between Geneva and Djerba from July 4 to August 29, 2020. A highly popular holiday destination, the island off the Tunisian coast is reputed for its beaches and its white desert towns.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik will enjoy weekly Saturday Swiss services from and to Geneva between July 4 and August 29, 2020. The Southern Croatian city, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most charming in Europe with its stunning architecture and its rich cultural history.

Swiss aircraft photo gallery:

Air Canada takes delivery of its first Airbus A220

Air Canada has taken delivery of its first Airbus A220-300, designed, built and delivered from the Mirabel A220 program facilities in Canada.

The first aircraft out of an order of 45 will enter service in January 2020, making Air Canada the first airline to operate the A220-300 in North America.

The A220 will enable the Montreal-based airline to comfortably fly passengers on various routes in Canada and to the United States, offering a dual-class cabin that comfortably seats 137 passengers; 12 in business class and 125 in economy class.

Being the only aircraft purpose-built for this specific small single-aisle market segment, the A220 will enable Air Canada to open new routes that were previously not feasible. Together, the performance, economics and comfort features of the A220 will allow Air Canada to fly Montreal to Seattle as well as Toronto to San Jose, as of Spring 2020.

The first Air Canada A220 will be unveiled to the public and media during a ceremony at the airline’s headquarters in Montreal on January 15, 2020.

Air Canada’s two-class cabin on the A220 will have a total of 137 seats: 12 in a 2×2 configuration in Business Class and 125 in a 3×2 layout for Economy passengers. Every seat on the A220 features a Panasonic eX1 in-flight entertainment system with content available in 15 languages and featuring more than 1,000 hours of high-quality entertainment, including access to Bell Media’s premium entertainment service, Crave, and Canadian-based multi-platform audio service, Stingray. (CNW Group/Air Canada)

By the end of November 2019, the A220 had accumulated 530 orders. Around 100 A220s are currently in service with 6 operators worldwide.

Previously Air Canada announced the first two new routes to be operated with the Airbus A220-300, will be the only nonstop service between Montreal and Seattle/Tacoma and between Toronto and San Jose, California, both beginning in the spring of 2020.

FlyOne to fly to Hahn near Frankfurt

FlyOne has made this announcement:

FlyOne announces the launch of a new direct flight, Chisinau – Frankfurt – Chisinau.

We are excited to unite this city on our flight map as the first destination for FlyOne in Germany.

FlyOne brings smiles making meetings with friends and family easier or discover new cultures and people.

Starting on April 6, 2020, the flights of the Chisinau – Frankfurt – Chisinau route will be operated by FlyOne.

The flights will be operated twice a week, on Monday and Wednesday from April 6, and from July 3 times a week, also operating on Fridays. Because we think about the comfort of our passengers, the flight will be operated at the compact and easy to get to the Frankfurt Hahn (HHN) airport at:

Departure Chisinau KIV – 8:00 → Landing Frankfurt Hahn (HHN) – 9:30

Departure Frankfurt Hahn (HHN) 10:00 → Landing Chisinau KIV 13:30

FlyOne aircraft photo gallery:

Cape Air to start flying to Nashville in January

Cape Air is adding new routes to Nashville, TN starting in January 2020.

Cape Air, the nation’s largest commuter airline, begins service between Owensboro, KY, and Nashville, TN, starting Wednesday, January 22, 2020.

Cape Air will operate 2 daily, year-round flights between Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport (OWB) and Nashville International Airport (BNA).

The airline will continue to offer 1 daily flight between OWB and St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL).

The carrier will also begin service between Marion, IL, and Nashville, TN, starting Wednesday, January 29, 2020. Cape Air is set to operate 2 flights on weekdays between Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois (MWA) and Nashville International Airport (BNA). On weekends, Cape Air operates 1 flight per day between MWA and BNA.

The airline will use the 9-seat Tecnam P2012 Traveller aircraft on both routes.

All photos by the airline.

Air Transat operates the first flight from Vancouver to Costa Rica

Air Transat YVR-SJO Inaugural Flight (CNW Group/Transat A.T. Inc.)

Air Transat on December 18 inaugurated a service between Vancouver and Costa Rica, consisting of a direct flight to San José and a second flight segment to Liberia. The route is available twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, until April 18.

After its initial stop in San José, the aircraft landed at Daniel-Oduber-Quirós International Airport in Liberia to a traditional water cannon salute. Disembarking passengers watched a ribbon-cutting celebration and enjoyed snacks in the company of César Jaramillo, CEO of the airport.

Air Transit is operating flights between Vancouver and Costa Rica using its brand-new A321neo LR.

Air Transat aircraft photo gallery:

Qatar Airways to bring the Airbus A350-1000 to Los Angeles

Qatar Airways has announced that its ultramodern Airbus A350-1000, equipped with the luxurious, award-winning Qsuite, will be available on flights to and from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) starting May 1, 2020.

The world’s most technologically advanced passenger aircraft will also commence service on Qatar Airways’ second JFK flight starting February 28, 2020. The award-winning airline first launched the A350-1000 on its New York to Doha route on October 28, 2018, marking the historic entry of the A350-1000 aircraft on U.S. routes.

One of the latest additions to the Airbus family of twin-aisle, widebody jetliners, the A350-1000 offers 327 seats across two cabins – 46 Qsuite Business Class seats and 281 extra-wide 18-inch seats in Economy Class. Similar to the A350-900 – for which Qatar Airways was also the global launch customer – the high-performance A350-1000 boasts an advanced airframe with extensive use of composite materials. Coupled with a fuselage innovatively built with carbon-fiber reinforced plastic, the jetliner burns less fuel, reducing harmful effects to the environment. On the inside, LED mood lighting mimics a natural sunrise and sunset to help reduce the effects of jet lag.

Qatar Airways aircraft photo gallery:

American Airlines and Royal Air Maroc launch codeshare agreement

American Airlines has launched a reciprocal codeshare agreement with Morocco’s largest airline, Royal Air Maroc, to add new options for travel to Morocco starting Dec. 26.

American’s customers will be able to purchase select Royal Air Maroc flights to Casablanca, Morocco (CMN), which will provide seamless connecting service to Marrakech, Morocco (RAK). These flights are available for sale now for travel beginning December 26. The codeshare will expand to additional cities across the African continent in early 2020.

Beginning in early 2020, the codeshare agreement will provide American’s customers access to popular destinations in Africa, including:

Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire (ABJ)
Accra, Ghana (ACC)
Lagos, Nigeria (LOS)
Luanda, Angola (LAD)
Monrovia, Liberia (ROB)

The codeshare will also allow Royal Air Maroc customers to connect to new destinations throughout American’s domestic network beginning Dec. 26.

American will begin seasonal service to CMN June 4 as the only U.S. carrier with nonstop service to Morocco, which will be operated three times per week. Flights are available for purchase now.

Royal Air Maroc aircraft photo gallery:

Cabo Verde Airlines receives its third aircraft in the new livery named “Fontainhas”

Cabo Verde Airlines (CVA) received “Fontainhas”, the company’s third aircraft in its new livery, a Boeing 757-200 with registration D4-CCH.

“Fontainhas” arrived in Amílcar Cabral International Airport, Sal, in Cabo Verde, on December 17, 2019 at 08:09 am, and started flying on CVA’s routes the same day.

The new aircraft’s colors were inspired by the natural landscapes of the island of Santo Antão. The new colors aim to be a gentle mix of the people, the houses and the Cape Verdean culture.

All airplanes of the company will follow the same model of inspiration from every Island with the tricolour style. The color palate inside and outside show that change comes from within, in the search to better serve the airline’s customers and to bring Cabo Verde to the world and the world to Cabo Verde.

The “Fontainhas” was named through a public poll on Facebook, were the users voted between three natural beauties of the island of Santo Antão, with Fontainhas village receiving the largest share of votes.

The first two airplanes with new livery, “Praia de Santa Maria” and “Baía de Tarrafal”, received its name using the same process. With these open polls through social media, the company wants to bring the Cape Verdean people closer and involve them in the process of welcoming the new airplane to the country.

There will be other open votes on Facebook dedicated to all islands and their natural beauties. This way, the Cape Verdean people will assist in bringing a little bit of Cabo Verde to the world, while calling back to the Cape Verdean pride in its islands and regions.

“Fontainhas” will have 16 premium class seats and 180 seats in the business class.

Cabo Verde Airlines today operates five Boeing 757-200, three in dry lease and two in wet lease, and plans to receive one more by the end of January to replace one of the wet lease aircraft.

Finnair reveals the completion of its flagship non-Schengen lounges

Finnair has made this announcement:

Finnair unveils the final phase of its non-Schengen lounge expansion with the opening of its new Business Class Lounge. The new Platinum Wing Lounge was opened in June of this year. Showcasing contemporary Nordic design throughout, the lounge offers a series of new spaces to explore and upgraded food and beverage options.

“With more passengers flowing through Finnair’s home hub of Helsinki Airport, the new lounge complex increases seating capacity and space,” says Karim Al-Soufi, Vice President of Ground Experience at Finnair. “Together, the new combined lounge complex provides 200 additional seats over the lounges they replace.”

A Nordic interior that stands the test of time 

The aesthetic of the new lounge complex marks the emergence of Finnair’s new design language which centres on Nordicness, simplicity, clean lines, natural materials and texture to provide a warmer and more “human” experience.

The furniture selection includes both modern and classic design pieces from esteemed Nordic brands that stand the test of time. For example, the entrance area features Eero Aarnio’s ball chairs.

Alongside the previously opened Platinum Wing Lounge, the Business Lounge was designed as a collaboration between Helsinki-based KOKO3, London-based Tangerine and Finnair’s internal design team.

A fresh Nordic menu tailored to international tastes

Guests can taste the Nordics with a menu that features the best local produce in season. The lounge is operated in partnership with Finnish food provider Fazer, who will be preparing food in a new open kitchen concept which is coupled with a dedicated dining area. The rotating menu consists of a choice of three main courses with meat, fish and vegetarian options, six salads and a wide selection of desserts.

A new full-service bar will operate at peak times offering an enhanced range of beverages including premium alcohol and specialty coffees. Several drinks stations are dotted throughout the lounge, alongside a “quick coffee” area at the front of the lounge for those who are in a hurry.

Letting people choose how to spend their time

The new lounge is broken up in a variety of smaller “pockets” aligned to different customer needs and activities. The deeper you go into the lounge, the quieter and more private it becomes. Several different seating options are available, ranging from social open banquet style seating suitable for groups through to more private solo seating. A new family pocket stocked with games and activities is available for those travelling with children.

There are power outlets at almost every seated position. Soundproof phone booths and printing facilities are also available. For those wishing to freshen up, five newly refurbished shower suites stocked with L:a Bruket cosmetics can be booked with a touchscreen reservation system.

Entrance eligibility and operating hours
The Business Lounge is available to all Finnair Business Class customers, Finnair Plus Gold and oneworld Sapphire members when the departure flight leaves from the non-Shengen area and is operated and marketed by a oneworld airline. All other customers can purchase lounge access for off-peak hours either in advance or at the lounge reception. The Lounge fits 600 customers.
The lounge is open daily from 5:30am to 12 midnight.

The return of the Singapore Airlines Boeing 737

Singapore Airlines was an early adopter of the Boeing 737, operating the initial 737-100 model. Singapore operated 5 of the type which it inherited from MSA – Malaysia-Singapore Airlines.

As previously reported, Singapore Airlines has announce it will fold subsidiary SilkAir into Singapore Airlines including its 17 Boeing 737-800s and six grounded MAX 8s.

SilkAir is currently transitioning to an all-737 fleet,

Now the first Singapore Boeing 737 MAX 8 (9V-MBN, msn 44258) has been painted by Boeing pending re-certification and delivery.