LATAM Airlines to offer nonstop Santiago – Sydney flights

LATAM Airlines (Chile) is planning to offer nonstop service between its Santiago hub and Sydney, Australia starting in November 2019. The new nonstop route will be 14 hours.

The route will compliment LATAM’s Santiago – Melbourne route.

Top Copyright photo: LATAM Airlines (Chile) Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner CC-BGB (msn 35318) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 946364.

LATAM Airlines aircraft slide show:

British Airways partners with more British brands

British Airways has made this announcement:

In its milestone year, British Airways is partnering with more great British brands than ever before with the introduction of limited-edition food, drink and gifts that customers can enjoy.

From today (May 1) coffee lovers can go plastic free with an organic, fully compostable coffee bag from London based roasters, CRU Kafe, who have developed an exclusive three bean blend that will be available on short-haul flights in Euro Traveller. In true British style the airline has also launched a centenary edition afternoon tea including a scone, jam and clotted cream for a traditional cream tea experience in the air.

In a world first, Edinburgh based gin distillers, Pickering’s, have created a gin that has been specifically developed to be enjoyed at altitude. The 10-botanical blend is available on all short haul flights and through the High Life shop as part of a trio pack. Customers will also be able to enjoy an English white wine straight from the Kent countryside as Chapel Down’s 2018 Bacchus is added to the inflight menu. The wine has been bottled exclusively for British Airways.

The airline is also launching a handcrafted, huggable teddy bear by heritage bear-makers Merrythought. The collectible bear has been named Jarvis, after British Airways’ late museum curator, Paul Jarvis. Jarvis Bear has been designed with an anniversary 100 emblem and styled with a vintage scarf, giving a nod to the airline’s proud history.

Customers will also have the chance to buy a heart shaped locket by Wales based jewellers, Clogau, containing rare Welsh gold and limited to only 100 pieces. Luxury lovers can also purchase a limited-edition Mulberry Bayswater tote in ruby red with a cobalt blue lining, along with a limited-edition scarf in Mulberry’s signature tree pattern in bright navy. Both items have been created to mark 100 years of the airline.

British Airways and Marmite have also teamed up to create a limited-edition travel-sized jar that customers can take in their carry-on. As Marmite is the most confiscated branded food at airport security, the centenary jar is conveniently sized to fit within the liquid allowance.

Earlier this month the airline announced a partnership with Scottish craft brewers, BrewDog, who have created a transatlantic IPA for customers and in a world first brewed the beer on a flight. The airline has also partnered with luxury British watchmakers Bremont on the launch of a new limited-edition timepiece, featuring metal from one of the most famous and iconic planes in history – Concorde.

CNN: Boeing relied on single sensor for 737 Max that had been flagged 216 times to FAA

From CNN:

“The device linked to the Boeing 737 Max software that has been scrutinized after two deadly crashes was previously flagged in more than 200 incident reports submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration, but Boeing did not flight test a scenario in which it malfunctioned, CNN has learned.

The angle-of-attack (AOA) sensor, as it’s known, sends data to a 737 Max software system that pushes the nose of the aircraft down if it senses an imminent stall. That software, triggered by erroneous data from AOA sensors, is believed to have played a role in crashes of Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines jets.”

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

Delta to start New York – Mumbai service on December 22

Delta Air Lines made this announcement:

Service made possible by 2018 agreements between the U.S. and governments of the U.A.E. and Qatar to address Open Skies-violating government subsidies to state-owned carriers
Delta will fly the route with a newly renovated Boeing 777-200LR, featuring the airline’s award-winning product, seatback entertainment throughout, Gogo Ku Wi-Fi connectivity and free mobile messaging

Delta Air Lines will launch service connecting New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport with Mumbai beginning December 22, 2019. This route establishes a link between the financial capitals of two large trade partners and boosts competition, choice and options for customers traveling between the United States and India.

Improved connectivity between U.S. and India benefits communities in both countries

The JFK-Mumbai flight will be operated out of Delta’s premier international gateway at New York-JFK, and will offer convenient connections from more than 50 communities throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America. Demand for flights between the U.S. and India has increased significantly in the last decade, and New York is the largest U.S. market to India with the largest base of corporate customers.

Delta first offered service between the U.S. and Mumbai beginning in 2006, but was forced to suspend the service in 2009 as illegally subsidized Middle East carriers made the route untenable.

New route adds even more international options for New York’s No. 1 airline

Delta has grown its presence in New York City by over 65 percent in the last 10 years and today operates more than 500 peak-day departures from its hubs at LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport – including more than 200 daily departures from JFK, where Delta and its partners serve 43 international destinations in 32 countries.

Delta recently announced plans to add new service to London’s Gatwick Airport in 2020, along with joint venture partner Virgin Atlantic. Delta has also announced a second daily flight from JFK to Tel Aviv and a second daily flight from JFK to Paris beginning this summer, along with a third flight from JFK to Amsterdam that will begin in October 2019.

In recent years, Delta has added nonstop service from JFK to new destinations including The Azores, Portugal; Lagos, Nigeria; and San Jose, Calif. The airline unveiled its $1.2 billion, state-of-the-art international gateway at JFK’s Terminal 4 in 2013.

Delta has made significant investments to provide more consistency, comfort and convenience in the travel experience throughout all cabins of service on its flights to and from New York. Delta has added thousands more flights on new aircraft in the market and offers more seatback entertainment than any other airline.

Delta will fly newly renovated Boeing 777-200LR aircraft on the route

This aircraft features award-winning Delta One suite, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort + and Main Cabin options for customers. In addition to the industry-leading service and operational reliability for which Delta is known, all customers traveling on the Boeing 777-200LR will enjoy:

Seatback entertainment screens with Delta Studio and thousands of hours of content — free across all cabins
Gogo Ku Wi-Fi connectivity and access to free mobile messaging while on board through iMessage, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger
Full-spectrum LED ambient lighting

All photos by Delta.

Transat AT Inc announces preliminary discussions concerning a potential sale of the corporation

Transat AT, Inc., the parent of Air Transit, has made this announcement:

The Corporation announces being in preliminary discussions with more than one party concerning a potential transaction involving the acquisition of the Corporation.

These discussions result from expressions of interest received by the Corporation. The Corporation has formed a special committee of independent directors to evaluate the proposals with the assistance of financial and legal advisors, consider, and if deemed advisable, undertake a process for the formal review of strategic alternatives, consider any alternative proposal, and make recommendations to the Board of Directors in the best interests of the Corporation and all its stakeholders.

This situation has no impact on the clients or employees of Transat, nor on its operations, which are continuing as usual.

The discussions are at a preliminary stage. No decision has been made as to any potential transaction. There can be no assurance that any transaction will take place. The Corporation does not intend to provide further updates or comments with respect to the foregoing except as required by law.

Turkish Airlines to add the Istanbul – Strasbourg route

Turkish Airlines will launch the Istanbul – Strasbourg route with four weekly frequencies on May 31, 2019.

Virgin Australia pushes back its first Boeing 737 MAX delivery to July 2021

Boeing

Virgin Australia has announced it will delay the delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

The airline has 48 copies on order (23 MAX 8s and 25 MAX 10s).

The first delivery has been delayed from November 2019 to July 2021. The first delivery will be a MAX 10.

SpiceJet Boeing 737-800 skids off the runway while landing at Shirdi Airport

SpiceJet Boeing 737-800 (VT-SGJ) overshot the runway while landing at Shirdi Airport on Monday. Flight SG946 was operating from Delhi to Shirdi, India with 164 passengers and crew members on board. There were no reported injuries.

SAS announces it expects additional traffic disruptions due to pilot strike, cancels more flights

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS has made this announcement:

We deeply regret that our customers are being affected by the ongoing pilot strike that has led to delays and cancellations. As a result of the ongoing conflict, SAS will cancel additional departures on Wednesday.

In total, about 47 000 travelers will be affected when SAS cancels 504 departures across Scandinavia on Wednesday 1 May. See the table below for information about all canceled departures. In the meantime, we’re doing everything we can to help our travelers affected by the strike. SAS is striving to reach a solution as quickly as possible to prevent additional inconveniences for travelers. Negotiations between SAS and the pilots’ unions have not yet resumed.

“I am deeply concerned that the pilot strike hasn’t been resolved and that it is continuing to affect our customers. The consequences are serious for all travelers, for society and also for all our employees who are working around the clock to help everyone. The demands made by the pilots’ unions entail significant cost increases for SAS that would threaten the company’s long-term competitiveness and consequently, the jobs of all SAS’ employees. SAS has clearly stated that we are prepared to continue negotiating and find a solution. The unions have not yet indicated that they are ready to release their ultimate demands and return to the negotiating table, which means that we remain in a deadlock”, says Rickard Gustafson, President & CEO of SAS.

Flights operated by SAS’ partners will not be affected by the strike. Travelers concerned that the strike could impact their travel plans may rebook or cancel their tickets free of charge until 5 May. More detailed information about rebooking and cancellation rules can be found on SAS’ website at https://www.flysas.com/en/traffic-information/disruptions/

Date	Canceled departures	No. of passengers
Friday April 26	673	72 300
Saturday April 27	329	33 912
Sunday April 28	587	63 360
Monday April 29	667	60 813
Tuesday April 30	546	48 949
Wednesday May 1	504	47 583

Top Copyright Photo (all others by the airline): Scandinavian Airlines-SAS Airbus A320-251N WL SE-ROE (msn 7791) AYT (Ton Jochems). Image: 943747.

SAS aircraft slide show:

Qatar Airways to launch services to Rabat, Morocco and expand joint business agreement with Royal Air Maroc

Qatar Airways has announced that it will launch flights to Rabat, Morocco on May 29, 2019.

Services to the Moroccan capital will be served by a Boeing 787 three times a week.

In addition, Qatar Airways has also announced its joint business agreement with Royal Air Maroc to expand the number of services available to meet increased consumer demand for flights to Morocco.

In addition to launching Rabat via Marrakech, Qatar Airways will also now offer daily flights to Casablanca, providing seamless connectivity for passengers who wish to explore the country’s many vibrant cities.

Qatar Airways currently operates five weekly flights from Doha to Marrakech via Casablanca on a Boeing 777, in addition to two direct weekly flights from Doha to Casablanca. The carrier’s joint business agreement partner, Royal Air Maroc, provides five weekly flights from Casablanca to Doha.

Qatar Airways will add a number of other new destinations to its extensive route network in 2019, including Izmir, Turkey; Rabat, Morocco; Malta; Davao, Philippines; Lisbon, Portugal; Mogadishu, Somalia and Langkawi, Malaysia.

Qatar Airways Flight Schedule:

Until May 28, 2019 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday)

Doha (DOH) to Casablanca (CMN) QR1395 departs 09:15 arrives 15:40

Casablanca (CMN) to Marrakech (RAK) QR1395 departs 17:00 arrives 17:50

Marrakech (RAK) to Doha (DOH) QR1395 departs 19:00 arrives 04:45 +1

Until June 16, 2019 (Friday and Sunday)

Doha (DOH) to Casablanca (CMN) QR1397 departs 07:05 arrives 13:30

Casablanca (CMN) to Doha (DOH) QR1398 departs 14:50 arrives 00:15 +1

May 29, 2019 to October 26, 2019 (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday)

Doha (DOH) to Marrakech (RAK) QR1463 departs 09:55 arrives 16:10

Marrakech (RAK) to Rabat (RBA) QR1463 departs 17:30 arrives 18:20

Rabat (RBA) to Doha (DOH) QR1463 departs 19:30 arrives 05:25 +1