Tag Archives: 717

Delta to bring the Boeing 717 to the West Coast, will resume Atlanta-Honolulu Boeing 747-400 flights

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) is bringing its leased Boeing 717-200s to the U.S. West Coast on four routes. Los Angeles-Las Vegas, Los Angeles-Portland, Oregon, Salt Lake City-Kansas City and Salt Lake City-Las Vegas will be changed to Boeing 717-200 equipment starting on June 4 per Airline Route.

In other news, Delta is bringing back the Boeing 747-400 on the Atlanta-Honolulu route starting on May 1.

Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 717-231 N927AT (msn 55077) departs from Montreal (Trudeau).

Delta Air Lines aircraft slide (current livery):

AirTran Airways operates its last flight, now fully integrated into Southwest Airlines

AirTran Airways (Orlando), as planned ended its operations last night (December 28) on its original Atlanta-Tampa route. Special flight FL 1 arrived at the gate at Tampa International Airport (TPA) at 2339 (11:39) EST. As a result, the AirTran brand was retired and the flight marked the full integration of AirTran into Southwest Airlines (Dallas). The last flight was operated with Boeing 717-2BD B717JL (msn 55042).

Read about the history of AirTran Airways: CLICK HERE

Southwest Airlines issued this statement:

Southwest Airlines embarked on a new era on December 28 as it celebrated the last AirTran Airways revenue flight. At 10:25pm EST, AirTran Airways Flight 1 departed Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Tampa Bay International Airport.

“With this special flight, we are celebrating history and setting our sights on a bright future for all of Southwest Airlines,” said Bob Jordan, Southwest Airlines’ Chief Commercial Officer and AirTran Airways President, who was on the flight to Tampa. “The work of so many People culminates in this moment as we salute the enormous accomplishments of AirTran and Southwest. For our Customers and Employees, we now move forward with one airline, one Customer Experience, one flight schedule, one Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program, and one award-winning Brand.”

More than 400 AirTran and Southwest Employees and special guests gathered in Atlanta Sunday evening to commemorate the milestone. AirTran Flight 1 retraced a route that is a nod to AirTran’s first commercial flight in October 1993. Flight 1’s flight crew consisted of longtime AirTran Employees, including the airline’s Chief Pilot, Floy Ponder, a 19-year veteran of AirTran Airways. Each of the flight’s 117 passengers, consisting of many former AirTran Employees, retirees, special guests, and aviation enthusiasts received a special keepsake celebrating the historic flight.

“As we’ve grown in both the domestic and international markets, I can’t help but think about all the doors the AirTran acquisition has opened for Southwest Airlines,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President & CEO, who was in Atlanta for the send-off. “The most important things—which cannot be measured and are irreplaceable—are the great People of AirTran who have worked hard to achieve this milestone, and are all soon to be part of the Southwest Airlines family.”

The acquisition of AirTran was a unique opportunity to extend the Southwest network into key markets it didn’t yet serve, such as Atlanta and the greater Washington, D.C., area, via Ronald Reagan National Airport. The integration gives Southwest the opportunity to serve Customers from 93 airports in the U.S. and near-international destinations, providing Customers more low-fare destinations as it expands the well-known “Southwest Effect” to hundreds of additional low-fare itineraries for the traveling public.

Southwest Airlines acquired AirTran Airways in 2011.

Photo: Southwest Airlines. Boeing 717-2BD N717JL taxies into the gate at TPA ending the history of the airline.

AirTran Airways aircraft slide show:

Video: Southwest Airlines. The last AirTran flight from Atlanta to Tampa:

Video:

<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/115567085″>The last departure of AirTran Airways</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/user19954503″>Bruce Drum</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p>

SAS Group to phase out the remaining five Blue1 Boeing 717s in 2015, reports a full-year net loss of $92.4 million

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) issued its year-end financial report for the period ending on October 30, 2014. The company continues to reduce its losses. The Group report a SEK (Swedish Krona) 719 million ($92.4 million) full-year net loss.

The comments by the CEO:

“SAS has delivered the promised efficiency measures, with declining unit costs as a consequence. In parallel, passenger growth was strong and the load factor posted a year-on-year improvement for the eighth successive month. However, earnings were impacted by intense com- petition and strong price pressure. This trend is expected to continue. External production models, proprietary low cost carriers and the use of staffing agencies are increasingly becoming the established indus- try norm and are changing competitive conditions for European avia- tion from the ground up.

To meet these challenges and strengthen competitiveness, we are implementing additional long-term cost-saving measures that spans the entire business and together generates an earnings impact of SEK 2.1 billion with full effect in 2017. Measures include our continued opti- mization of production and streamlining the aircraft fleet. On December 8, 2014, the Danish airline Cimber was acquired as part of this strategy and SAS intends to transfer regional CRJ900 production to Cimber in 2015. We are also enhancing our offering to our frequent travelers. For example, in 2015, the first of the new Airbus A330 Enhanced long-haul aircraft will be delivered to SAS and, in Septem- ber, a new direct route from Stockholm to Asia will be opened.”

Rickard Gustafson, SAS President and CEO.

As part of its cost reduction plan, SAS stated the following in its financial report about Blue1 (Helsinki):

“During the year, SAS has reduced capacity at Blue1 by about 40% as a result of the decision to divest four Boeing 717s. The five remaining Boeing 717s will be phased out in 2015. As a consequence, the SAS aircraft fleet will only comprise four aircraft types compared with nine types in 2012. SAS has also transformed Blue1 into a competitive production company and future production is currently being evaluated.”

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: SPA/AirlinersGallery.com. SAS’ Boeing 737-7BX SE-RER (msn 30736) arrives in London (Heathrow).

SAS aircraft slide show:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 717-2K9 OH-BLO (msn 55056) taxies from the gate at Amsterdam.

Blue1 aircraft slide show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Europe-1/Airlines-Europe-1/Blue1

Southwest takes over AirTran routes to Punta Cana and Mexico City, launches eight new routes from Love Field

Southwest Airlines (Dallas) reached a milestone in the final stage of its integration of wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways by launching Southwest-branded flights to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and Mexico City. All international flights between seven destinations outside the United States and the carrier’s nine U.S. gateway cities are now flown by Southwest.

Southwest has completed the integration of booking and frequent flyer functions into Southwest.com, referring all Customers who visit airtran.com to Southwest.com. All bookings for remaining flights on AirTran Airways flown through December 28, 2014, will now be made through Southwest.com and all of AirTran’s A+ Rewards Members have Rapid Rewards accounts in the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® frequent flyer program, which offers unlimited reward seats, no blackout dates, and points that don’t expire. (Flight or Partner earning activity required every 24 months. Benefits apply to points transactions. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply.)

The expansion of service at Dallas Love Field continued with the launch of additional eight nonstop destinations, following the launch of nonstop itineraries to seven cities that began last month. New flights began yesterday (November 2) between Dallas (Love Field) and Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood, Nashville, New York (LaGuardia), Phoenix, Orange County/Santa Ana, San Diego, and Tampa.

Additional nonstop service between the San Francisco Bay Area and North Texas begins after the first of next year when new flights between Dallas Love Field and both San Francisco (SFO) and Oakland (OAK) begin on January 6, 2015.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. The sun will be setting next month for AirTran Airways when the last Boeing 717 flight is operated between Atlanta and Tampa on December 28. All of the AirTran 717s will be leased to Delta. Boeing 717-231 N985AT (msn 55090) banks on its final turn on the river approach to Washington’s Reagan National Airport (DCA).

AirTran Airways:

Southwest Airlines:

Video: A first for Southwest, a wedding at 32,000 feet:

Delta to introduce the Boeing 717 on five routes from the Minneapolis/St. Paul hub

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) continues to expand Boeing 717 operations as more aircraft are released from AirTran Airways. As previously reported, AirTran will operate its last flight on December 28.

Delta will introduce the 717 to the Minneapolis/St. Paul hub starting on January 6, 2015 with a route to Charlotte. Kansas City, Madison and Philadelphia will be added on February 13 followed by Detroit on March 2 per Airline Route.

Delta is also assigning the 717 to two new routes from the Atlanta hub to both Georgetown (December 20) and Nassau (January 12) in the Bahamas.

Delta Aircraft Slide Show (current livery):

Volotea to add 15 new routes for next summer

Volotea (Barcelona) for next summer season is adding 15 new routes according to Airline Route:

Bastia – Caen twice weekly (April 12)

Bordeaux – Brest twice weekly (April 17)

Bordeaux – Corfu weekly (April 19)

Bordeaux – Dubrovnik weekly (April 18)

Bordeaux – Prague twice weekly (April 17)

Bordeaux – Toulon twice weekly (June 29)

Lille – Figari twice weekly (April 26)

Lille – Biarritz twice weekly (April 27)

Naples – Irakleion weekly (June 30)

Strasbourg – Olbia weekly (April 24)

Strasbourg – Figari twice weekly (April 25)

Strasbourg – Venice twice weekly (April 27)

Toulouse – Figari twice weekly (April 25)

Toulouse – Palermo weekly flight (starting April 10)

Toulouse – Palma Mallorca twice weekly (April 11)

Top Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 717-2BL EI-FBM (msn 55192) taxies at Nantes, France.

Volotea:

Current routes from Venice:

Delta to move its Boston Delta Shuttle flights to Terminal C at LaGuardia Airport

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) will move New York operations of its Delta Shuttle between Boston-Logan International Airport and New York’s LaGuardia Airport from the Marine Air Terminal to Terminal C beginning on November 2.

Boston Shuttle customers will enjoy new departure and arrival facilities at LaGuardia in Terminal C as well as upgraded service to Boeing 717 aircraft. The move is part of Delta’s strategy of adding bigger aircraft on more routes.

In 2012, Delta completed renovations to Terminal C as part of its $160 million investment to modernize and connect Terminals C and D at LaGuardia and opened a new 7,600 square foot Delta Sky Club featuring a full wall of windows with runway views. Customers will also have access to Delta’s five new restaurants with menus led by celebrity chefs, an expansive food hall and fresh markets.

Weekday flights depart near the top of the hour from 6 a.m. through 8 p.m. and will be operated by Delta using Boeing 717 aircraft which accommodates 110 passengers including 12 First Class seats in a two by two configuration, 15 Economy Comfort and 83 economy seats in a two by three configuration. Boston-based customers will now be able connect through Delta’s LaGuardia hub for access to 64 additional cities.

Delta Shuttle service began on its Boston to New York and Washington, D.C. to New York routes on September 1, 1991 after Delta completed the purchase of the Pan Am Shuttle. For nearly a quarter century the Delta Shuttle has been a core part of its New York operations. In June 2010, Delta added New York to Chicago-O’Hare service to the Shuttle operation.

Customers flying the Delta Shuttle between New York-LaGuardia and Boston will enjoy:

Convenient, top of the hour schedule for Delta Shuttle customers including 15 weekday departures

Check-in as close as 15 minutes prior to departure without bags or 30 with checked bags

Dedicated check-in counters exclusively for Shuttle customers

Expedited security screening with nearby access to TSA Pre-Check lanes for eligible passengers

Dedicated gates – located near the Delta Sky Club in LaGuardia’s Terminal C – with access to complimentary coffee and newspapers for all customers including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Financial Times and power at the gate

Advanced seat selection on all Delta Shuttle flights and complimentary access to Economy Comfort seats for SkyMiles Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallion members at the time of booking

Two classes of service with complimentary upgrades for SkyMiles Medallion members when available.
Complimentary onboard snacks including bagels in the morning before 10:30 a.m. or gourmet nut mix for flights after 10:30 a.m.

Complimentary beverages in-flight including craft beer and wine in all classes of service

Cocktails available for purchase in economy

Access to in-flight Wi-Fi on all Shuttle flights

Access to power from every seat on the Boeing 717 aircraft

The November 2014 schedule between New York–LaGuardia and Boston is below.

Delta Shuttle flights between New York and Chicago-O’Hare International Airport or Washington Reagan-National Airport will continue to operate from LaGuardia’s Marine Air Terminal operated by Delta Connection partner, Shuttle America using Embraer E175 aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Ex-AirTran Airways Boeing 717-2BD N995AT (msn 55139), now with Delta, arrives at Washington (Dulles).

Delta Air Lines (current):

Blue1 to cut four Boeing 717s and up to 160 jobs

Blue1 (SAS Finland) (Helsinki) will see its nine Boeing 717s reduced by four aircraft according to the CEO Mikael Wångdahl as reported by Taloussanomat. The subsidiary of SAS may also be forced to eliminate up to 160 jobs (one half of its workforce). The cuts are being driven by lower demand and the mounting financial losses of parent Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm). The cuts will start at the beginning of the winter season in November.

Copyright Photo: SM Fitzwilliams Collection/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 717-2CM OH-BLI (msn 55061) prepares to depart from Dublin bound for Helsinki.

Blue1:

Southwest Airlines announces new routes from Dallas and Washington’s Reagan National Airport, Mexico City and AirTran Airways final flight on December 28

Southwest Airlines (Dallas) adding to what we previously reported, today published dozens of new nonstop markets for Customers flying the carrier from Dallas Love Field and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The schedule also includes new Southwest Airlines service to an additional Caribbean destination—Punta Cana, Dominican Republic—as well as to North America’s largest metropolitan area, Mexico City (replacing AirTran Airways).

New, nonstop service for Dallas Love Field:

Beginning October 13, 2014, Southwest will offer nonstop service between Dallas and:

Baltimore/Washington (three roundtrips a day)
Chicago Midway (five roundtrips a day, up to six as of November 2)
Denver (three roundtrips a day)
Las Vegas (three roundtrips a day, up to four as of November 2)
Los Angeles (three roundtrips a day, up to four as of November 2)
Orlando (two roundtrips a day, up to three as of November 2)
Washington Reagan National (three roundtrips a day, up to six as of November 2)

Beginning November 2, 2014, Southwest will offer nonstop service between Dallas and:

Atlanta (four roundtrips a day)
Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood (two roundtrips a day)
Nashville (two roundtrips a day)
New York LaGuardia (three roundtrips a day)
Phoenix (four roundtrips a day)
San Diego (two roundtrips a day)
Santa Ana/Orange County (one roundtrip a day)
Tampa (two roundtrips a day)

Southwest Airlines also announced today new nonstop service between Washington Reagan National Airport and both Akron/Canton and Indianapolis beginning on November 2, 2014, increasing the carrier’s service at Reagan National from a present day offering of 17 departures to 44 departures a day by year’s end to a total 14 destinations: Atlanta, Akron/Canton, Austin, Chicago Midway, Dallas Love Field, Houston Hobby, Fort Myers, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, St. Louis, and Tampa.

Southwest Airlines also will add new nonstop service between Washington Dulles and both Las Vegas and San Diego, and to existing nonstop destinations of Chicago Midway and Denver.

Southwest Airlines continues its historic launch of international service with two additional destinations—Mexico City and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic—to be added on November 2, 2014, to the carrier’s network map of more than 90 destinations across five countries in North America and the Caribbean.

AirTran Airways will be fully integrated into Southwest Airlines by the end of 2014:

AirTran Airways flight 1 (Southwest 5001) will operate on Sunday, December 28, 2014, as the carrier’s final scheduled departure. The evening flight from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to Tampa reprises the first flight the carrier operated on October 26, 1993 (as ValuJet). Southwest Airlines Company announced its acquisition of AirTran Airways in September 2010, and closed the transaction on May 2, 2011. The FAA awarded the Company a single operating certificate for the two carriers on March 1, 2012, and the Company plans to close 2014 with wholly owned subsidiary AirTran fully-integrated into Southwest Airlines serving a network of 93 destinations in five countries.

Copyright Photo: Marcelo F. De Biasi/AirlinersGallery.com. Goodbye AirTran Airways. We now have the date when AirTran Airways will operate its last flight – December 28, 2014. The sun will set for AirTran in Tampa on that Sunday in December. Last flight 5001 is due to be operated with a 117-seat Boeing 717-200 (going to Delta on lease) departing ATL at 10:25 pm (2225) and arriving in TPA at 11:55 pm (2355). AirTran’s Boeing 717-2BD N996AT (msn 55140) soars into the sky at Washington’s Reagan National Airport (DCA).

AirTran Airways:

Southwest Airlines:

Delta to operate the Boeing 717 between New York (JFK) and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) will begin operating the Boeing 717 on the New York (JFK)-Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood route starting on January 15, 2015 per Airline Route. This very competitive route used to be served with wide-body aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Former TWA/AirTran Airways Boeing 717-231 N933AT (msn 55071) arrives in Atlanta.

Delta Air Lines: