Tag Archives: 737-400

Alaska Airlines is again the official airline of the Iditarod Dog Race

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) will again serve as the official airline sponsor of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, marking the 36th year the carrier has supported the event.

As the official airline of the Iditarod, Alaska continues its tradition of presenting the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award, which recognizes one musher for providing exemplary dog care and is considered the highest honor a competitor can receive. Voted on by trail veterinarians, the Leonhard Seppala award is named after one of Alaska’s most-celebrated mushers, whose 1925 sled-dog team traveled the longest distance to transport diphtheria serum to Nome.

As part of its sponsorship, Alaska Airlines also will help provide air transportation and dog-care supplies for 45 Iditarod veterinarians who come to Alaska from across the United States to care for the race dogs’ health and safety.

In addition, many Alaska Airlines employees contribute their time at the event. Among them are several pilots who lead the Iditarod Air Force, flying veterinarians, supplies and volunteers to remote checkpoints along the trail.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-490 N705AS (msn 29318) in the “Spirit of Alaska Statehood” special color scheme departs from Anchorage, Alaska.

Alaska Airlines:

QANTAS Airways retires its last Boeing 737-400, could report a large first-half loss this week

QANTAS Airways (Sydney) yesterday (February 23) retired its last Boeing 737-400. According to the QANTAS Source, Boeing 737-476 VH-TJS (msn 24444) operated flight QF 819 from Canberra to Melbourne. VH-TJS was originally delivered to Australian Airlines (1st) on May 4, 1993.

In other news, the group is expected to post a large loss for the first half of its fiscal year this week. Media speculation in the Australia press reports the company could cut upwards of 5,000 jobs according to Herald Sun.

Read the full report from The Australian: CLICK HERE

QANTAS issued this short statement:

There is fresh speculation about what things we will or won’t announce on Thursday as part of our half year results. We are not in a position to comment on that speculation.

We have said that we will be making some tough decisions in order to achieve $2 billion in cost savings over the next three years, which is a consequence of an unprecedented set of market conditions now facing QANTAS.

We’ve also said that we must take steps to reduce our costs regardless of whether the Federal Government acts on the uneven playing field in the Australian aviation market.

QANTAS Airways:

Florida Express Jet wants to start operations on March 20

Florida Express Jet (Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood) is a new charter airline that wants to start scheduled intra-state passenger operations in Florida on March 20 between Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and Orlando and between Orlando and Tallahassee and return with Boeing 737-400s wet leased from Swift Air (Phoenix).

The company previously issued this statement:

Florida Express Jet Travel, Inc. d/b/a Florida Express Jet announced that it will inaugurate a low-cost pattern of air service throughout the State of Florida. Initial service will be between Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando and Tallahassee for as low as $69.00 and even includes free Wi-Fi.

Starting March 20, 2014, Florida Express Jet will inaugurate air service and provide vacation packages with Boeing 737-400 jets between Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando and Tallahassee. The prices on the Florida Express Jet flights will be low and without any advance purchase or minimum-stay requirements. “All” coach seats on “all” nonstop flights will be priced at $69.00. This includes all 8 daily flights in the Ft. Lauderdale-Orlando and Orlando-Tallahassee markets. One-stop service between Ft. Lauderdale and Tallahassee will be a flat $99.00. A Better Business Class service with (2-2) first class like seating, extra legroom and free drinks will be a $30.00 add-on. There will be a $25.00 per bag fee to offset ground handling and airport costs but no extra fees for ticket changes, preferred seating, carry-on bags or for snacks or soft drinks.

Flights will depart Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood at 7 am nonstop to Orlando arriving at 7:50 am and continue on to Tallahassee arriving at 9:20 am. The morning return flight will depart Tallahassee at 10 am nonstop to Orlando arriving at 10:50 am and continuing on to Ft. Lauderdale. This pattern will be repeated in the afternoon with a Ft. Lauderdale-Orlando departure at 2 pm that will arrive in Orlando at 2:50 pm and depart at 3:30 pm to Tallahassee. The late afternoon return will leave Tallahassee at 5:10 pm nonstop to Orlando and continuing on to Ft. Lauderdale. The last flight will depart Orlando at 6:35 pm and arrive in Ft. Lauderdale at 7:25 pm.

This pattern of service, which focuses exclusively on flights within Florida, is designed to give travelers in both South Florida and Orlando the opportunity to arrive in Tallahassee by 9:20 am each morning and return at 5:10 pm–a full day in the State Capitol. Residents of Northern Florida will also now have nonstop jet service to Orlando twice daily and 1 stop service to Ft. Lauderdale and South Florida. This service should prove extremely attractive to business and vacation travellers as well as to the many state students and alumni at FSU, the University of Florida; UCF and many other state educational institutions that have had to drive between these cities in the past.

The Florida Express Jet service will be provided with Boeing 737-400 jets that are operated by Swift Air. Swift Air is an FAA-certified large jet operator that currently provides charter flights for major collegiate athletic teams and for the NBA Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks and NHL Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues. The Florida Express Jet aircraft will be equipped with 12 Business Class and 138 Coach seats. Free Wi-Fi will be available on all flights. The aircraft will be painted in true Florida colors featuring the Florida sun, water and beaches, palm trees and the state Everglades. All seats on the aircraft are soft blue leather.

Thompson further added, “This new service and low prices are designed to stimulate new travelers to see the great State of Florida and to offer flying that `costs less than driving.'” He further states that “our low cost, unrestricted fares will remind Floridians of the early days of Air Florida, Southwest Airlines and PSA Airlines as they established their foothold with low fares and great service in their respective states of Florida, Texas and California. We will continue to add service as demand warrants to all of the major cities throughout the State of Florida. Like many of the travel companies in Florida that offer regularly-scheduled charter flights and vacation packages to Cuba on a daily basis, Florida Express Jet will focus its attention and service exclusively on markets within this great state.”

The company describes itself in the following words:

Florida Express Jet Travel is a registered entity with the Florida Division of Corporations and is incorporated in Florida as Florida Express Jet Travel, Inc. The flights and vacation packages offered by Florida Express Jet are intra-state charter flights operated by FAA certified airlines and available to residents of the State of Florida. All services are operated solely within the State of Florida. Florida Express Jet Travel, Inc. is registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel Registration No. ST39101.

The company continues:

Our Heart Belongs to Florida

The magical splendor of Florida is an allure that sticks to you longer than beach sand.

So the saying “home is where the heart is” could not be truer than in Florida. Most native Floridians wouldn’t trade their right flip flop for a homestead in a different state. And for hundreds of years, a similar scene has been playing out among visitors: Folks visit Florida on what starts as a short business trip or vacation, only to discover that their heart turns hostage in this stunning and vivacious state. If those affected don’t move to the Sunshine State permanently, they often buy winter homes or visit regularly.

At Florida Express Jet, we’ve got sand in our shoes too.

Founding Florida Express Jet was a labor of love. And while providing excellence in the Florida travel industry is something that we’re committed to, at its heart, Florida Express Jet is about bringing the remarkably distinct and extraordinary parts of Florida closer together. It’s about making Florida more accessible to all of us.

That’s why our symbol expresses our two most important passions: The fascination of air flight, combined with the beauty and wonder of Florida. Fixed in the shape of a “butterfly heart,” each color symbolizes an important feature of Florida that keeps people love-struck year in and year out.

	Florida Sun – The bright yellow sun confers energy and the hope of a new dawn, representing opportunity, transparency and success.
	Florida Water and Beaches – A symbol of life, the blue water represents the fun, vibrancy and richness of Florida
	Florida Nature and Everglades – Florida’s greenery helps keep the state fertile and healthy, signifying purity, youth and innocence.
	Florida’s Heart – We’ve reserved the color of passion to symbolize why Florida Express Jet exists. Quite simply, we LOVE Florida!

Let Florida Express Jet put its passion to work for you. With better fares, every flight, every day, we’re on a mission to celebrate Florida and change the way Floridians travel.

It continues again:

The Best Way to Travel the Sunshine State

Breathtaking rosy sunrises… alluring midday azure clouds… magnificent golden sunsets… Every day, the sunny skies over Florida display a magical collection of colors that celebrate the diverse and bustling activities taking place below in the Sunshine State. And now, those inviting skies are also the best pathway to experience any part of Florida you wish.

Welcome to Florida Express Jet, a happy new concept in Florida travel.

Like a sip of fresh-squeezed Florida orange juice, Florida Express Jet is an exciting new flavor of air travel in the Sunshine State. We’re fast, fun and uniquely Florida and we’re able to offer amazing fares on every flight, every day because we specialize only in Florida destinations.

Florida Express Jet was conceived as way to help Florida travelers reach their destinations faster and without the headache of having to drive. While it’s true that no place in Florida is more than 60 miles from the coast, the long, lanky shape of the Sunshine State — which stretches 361 miles wide across the north part of the state and more than 445 north to south — makes it a challenge to drive. And yet, major air carriers have not stepped in with flights to provide real travel choices throughout the entire state.

With no traffic, no tolls and no speed limit, Florida Express Jet is on a mission to change the way Floridians travel. Currently, we offer flights to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Pensacola, and Tallahassee, establishing the first layer in a network that will eventually connect every region in state. Coming in 2014, we plan to open flights to Jacksonville, Tampa, Key West and Daytona. Ultimately, Florida Express Jet will be the most economical, fastest and most enjoyable way to travel Florida.

Why Fly Florida Express Jet?

Smart Fares, Smarter Schedules – Florida Express Jet is the Sunshine State’s only point-to-point jet service featuring smart schedules, transparent pricing and world-famous Florida fun. By focusing resources and expertise within Florida, Florida Express Jet creates efficiencies that translate into a faster and more affordable air travel experience than a typical large airline. Well-planned schedules get you where you need to be, when you need to be there. And at $69, you could hardly drive to your destination for less.

Sky’s the Limit on World-Class Amenities

Don’t let the $69 rate fool you. Our fleet of Boeing 737s is loaded with all the “essentials” a Florida traveler could want. Sink into cozy leather seats, stay connected with free in-flight Wi-Fi and stretch out with ample legroom. When you Fly Florida!, it will be easy to finish that business presentation or keep the kids entertained until you land.

The Ultimate in Travel Convenience

The happiest flying experience means no hassles and no surprises, so every Florida Express Jet passenger receives one carry-on or checked bag for free. In addition, we’ve streamlined the boarding process to make it quicker and easier to fly anywhere in Florida. Our so-simple-it’s-ingenious boarding process will make your Florida Express Jet trip so enjoyable, you’ll never want to drive again.

Let Florida Express Jet Help you Celebrate Florida

When you fly Florida Express Jet, be prepared for an entertaining travel experience you won’t soon forget. You’ll encounter the perfect blend of Florida hospitality that combines southern charm and casual tropical comfort, with the enchantment of a theme park and a dash of South Beach chic. We promise to exceed your expectations.

It’s time to stop arguing with the GPS, kick back and relax … and Fly Florida.

All images by Florida Express Jet.

Route Map:

Sky King ceases all operations

Sky King‘s (Lakeland) remaining employees were notified on January 26, 2014 that Sky King, Inc. was ceasing operations. On January 6, 2014, President Frank Visconti was replaced by Dr. Daniel Carson, formerly of Vision Airlines. According to this article by AviationPros.com, Lakeland Linder Regional Airport Director Gene Conrad confirmed the charter airline has suspended operations at LAL.

Sky King in late 2013 returned most of its fleet as it lost some business including many of its charters flights to Cuba.

The company never really recovered after Direct Air went out of business on March 13, 2012 causing Sky King to filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization on March 16, 2012. It filed again on August 31, 2012.

The company originally commenced operations in July 1990, based in Sacramento, California. Its first customer, the NBA Sacramento Kings, was the reason for its name which was also the name of an old TV show.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Luimer Cordero/AirlinersGallery.com. Most of the aircraft did not have titles. Boeing 737-4Q8 N916SK (msn 24706) wore C&T Charters titles, one its Cuban charters clients.

Sky King:

Alaska Airlines responds, more routes from Salt Lake City

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) is adding more flights at Delta’s Salt Lake City hub while Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) has been adding more routes from Alaska’s Seattle/Tacoma hub. Is the Alaska-Delta partnership dissolving or is each carrier feeding the other at their hubs with additional flights?

Alaska Airlines is adding daily flights to three more cities from Salt Lake City next summer, marking the latest in a series of route expansions. The carrier will begin flying nonstop from Salt Lake City to Boise, Idaho, and Las Vegas on June 16 and between Salt Lake City and San Francisco on June 18.

The airline will fly one daily roundtrip each between Salt Lake City and Boise and San Francisco, and two daily roundtrips between Salt Lake and Las Vegas. Flights from Salt Lake City to San Francisco allow travelers same-day connections to the airline’s nonstop service to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Summary of new service:

Boise-Salt Lake City
Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency	Aircraft
June 16	Boise-Salt Lake City	7:10 a.m.	8:22 a.m.	Daily	Q400
June 16	Salt Lake City-Boise	5:55 p.m.	7:12 p.m.	Daily	Q400

Las Vegas-Salt Lake City
Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency	Aircraft
June 16	Salt Lake City-Las Vegas	9:45 a.m.	10:15 a.m.	Daily	Q400
June 16	Las Vegas-Salt Lake City	10:50 a.m.	1:18 p.m.	Daily	Q400
June 16	Salt Lake City-Las Vegas	1:50 p.m.	2:20 p.m.	Daily	Q400
June 16	Las Vegas-Salt Lake City	2:55 p.m.	5:23 p.m.	Daily	Q400

San Francisco-Salt Lake City
Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency	Aircraft
June 18	San Francisco-Salt Lake City	8:35 p.m.	11:20 p.m.	Daily	737
June 19	Salt Lake City-San Francisco	8 a.m.	8:50 a.m.	Daily	737

All times based on local time zones.

The routes will be operated with Alaska Airlines Boeing 737s and Horizon Air Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) turboprop aircraft.

Alaska Airlines continues to expand in the Lower 48. However the name “Alaska” no longer properly describes its expanding operating area. Most of its flying is along the West Coast and from/to the Seattle/Tacoma hub in Washington State. The Eskimo tail logo no longer properly defines the operating area of the airline. The company has outgrown its original name when it was a niche airline flying from Portland and Seattle/Tacoma up to Alaska. A new more appropriate name and livery is probably in the works for 2014.

Alaska Airlines:

US Airways Group reports a 3Q GAAP net profit of $216 million

US Airways Group, Inc. (US Airways) (Phoenix) today reported its third quarter 2013 financial results. For the third quarter 2013, pretax profit excluding net special items was a record $367 million, a $174 million, or 90%, year-over-year improvement.

On a GAAP basis, the Company reported a third quarter pretax profit of $336 million, up from $246 million in 2012. The GAAP net profit for the third quarter 2013 was $216 million, or $1.04 per diluted share versus a GAAP net profit of $245 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, for the same period in 2012. The Company’s 2013 third quarter results include a provision for income tax of $120 million, comprised principally of non-cash federal income tax expense, while the 2012 provision for income tax was only $1 million.

US Airways’ Chairman and CEO Doug Parker said, “We are extremely pleased to report a record pretax profit in the third quarter. These tremendous results are a testament to our 32,000 team members and their dedication to our millions of customers.

Revenue and Cost Comparisons

Total revenues in the third quarter were a record $3.9 billion, up 9.1 percent versus the third quarter 2012 on a 4.1 percent increase in total available seat miles (ASMs). Total revenue per ASM was a record 15.97 cents, up 4.9 percent versus the same period last year driven by a 4.4 percent increase in passenger yield and a record load factor of 85.5 percent.

Total operating expenses in the third quarter were $3.4 billion, up 5.0 percent over the same period last year on a 4.1 percent increase in ASMs. Mainline cost per available seat mile (CASM) was 12.94 cents, up 1.9 percent. Excluding special items, fuel and profit sharing, mainline CASM was 8.08 cents, up 1.7 percent versus the same period last year. Express CASM excluding special items and fuel was 14.36 cents, up 2.8 percent on a 0.4 percent decrease in ASMs.

Liquidity

During the third quarter, the Company repaid in full the prepaid miles loan issued in connection with its Barclays affinity credit card program at its face amount of $200 million. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had $3.9 billion in total cash and investments, of which $350 million was restricted. This is up $1.1 billion from the Company’s third quarter 2012 total cash and investments balance of $2.8 billion, of which $347 million was restricted.

Special Items

The Company recognized approximately $31 million of net special items before taxes in the third quarter. Mainline operating special items totaled $40 million and consisted primarily of merger related costs. Express operating special items consisted of a $14 million credit resulting from a favorable arbitration ruling related to a vendor contract. The Company also recognized approximately $5 million in nonoperating special items primarily related to non-cash write offs of debt discount associated with conversions of our 7.25% convertible senior notes. The net tax effect of these special items was approximately $6 million.

Notable Accomplishments

As part of the Company’s fleet renewal program, the Company took delivery of five new A321 aircraft and one new A330-200 aircraft. These aircraft replaced 737-400 aircraft.
Standard & Poor’s (S&P) raised the Company’s credit rating by one notch from “B-” to “B.” S&P cited the Company’s improved financial results and strong cash position as part of its upgrade.
As part of the Company’s operational incentive program, employees have earned approximately $10 million in year-to-date operational incentive payouts.
Pilots at PSA Airlines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of US Airways, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), ratified a Letter of Agreement that amends their existing collective bargaining agreement originally reached with the airline on March 27, 2013.
Introduced US Airways’ Track Your Bag, a free service allowing customers with a smartphone, tablet or laptop connected to the internet access to real-time information on the status of their checked luggage. Customers can check when their luggage is loaded and offloaded on their flight.
Announced agreement with Bags VIP delivery service that allows customers to schedule luggage delivery directly to their home, hotel or business. Travelers can schedule and pay for Bags VIP delivery up to one hour prior to their scheduled departure by visiting maketraveleasier.com/usairways.
US Airways’ Education Foundation awarded $270,000 in educational grants to 21 nonprofit organizations in the airline’s hub cities of Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. as part of its 2013 Community Education Grant Program.
In partnership with the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (MSABC), the Company has launched its second annual “BE PINK” campaign. As part of the campaign, thousands of employees have purchased and are wearing pink uniform items in October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Proceeds from the sale of uniform items are donated to the American Cancer Society. In addition, employees will show their support of breast cancer programs through the sponsorship of MSABC walks in the airline’s hub cities of Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C.
As part of the Company’s “Hope Takes Flight” campaign, which benefits United Way, US Airways’ employees raised more than $1.4 million. Money raised will go to support the communities in which US Airways’ employees live and work.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. The new Airbus A321s are gradually replacing the older Boeing 737-400s which should be gone by the end of 2014. This phase out will end the company’s long relationship with the Boeing 737. Boeing 737-4B7 N434US (msn 24556) climbs away from runway 27R at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

US Airways:

Alaska Airlines continues its Portland, Oregon expansion with a new route to DFW

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) inaugurated nonstop service between Portland, Oregon, and Dallas/Fort Worth starting today.

Portland-Dallas/Fort Worth is the eighth new route Alaska has added from PDX and it will help connect with its partner American Airlines’ hub in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Summary of new service:

Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Sept. 16	Portland-Dallas	10:15 a.m.	4:04 p.m.	Daily
Sept. 16	Dallas-Portland	5 p.m.	6:59 p.m.	Daily

All times based on local time zones.

Alaska Airlines has inaugurated service from Portland to seven other destinations since June 2012, including Atlanta, Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., the Hawaiian island of Kauai, Fairbanks, Alaska, Bozeman, Montana, Pasco, Washington, and Santa Barbara, California.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Alaska Airlines is gradually replacing its aging Boeing 737-400 fleet. 737-490 N794AS (msn 28889) climbs away from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport hub.

Alaska Airlines:

LOT Polish Airlines will not seek any more public aid, will drop underperforming destinations during the winter season

LOT Polish Airlines (Warsaw) will not apply in September to the Treasury for payment of the second tranche of public aid. According to the airline, this is possible thanks to the promising results of the Restructuring Plan consistently implemented in the Company. At the same time LOT is introducing the flight schedule for the winter season 2013/2014 to its reservation systems. A new network is in line with the Restructuring Plan submitted by the Ministry of the Treasury to the European Commission. It is also a result of necessary compensation required by the European Commission.

The first tranche of aid for LOT was paid in December of last year. Disbursement of the second – in accordance with the Restructuring Plan submitted by the Ministry of the Treasury to the European Commission – was planned for August this year. Meanwhile, the Company has not applied for the second tranche in August and will not apply for it in September. An amount of the second tranche will be carefully assessed when the Company will apply to the Treasury for its payment. Perhaps this will happen only in October.

According to its underlying principles, the Company will achieve sustained profitability starting from 2015.

Consistently implemented restructuring measures include, among others, the network of destinations for the winter season. These changes are in line with the objectives of the Restructuring Plan submitted in June by the Ministry of Treasury to the European Commission. They are also a result of necessary compensation required by the European Commission. Within planned changes, destinations from Warsaw to Bydgoszcz, Rome and Stuttgart will be suspended from the beginning of the winter season 2013. In the coming months, passengers will also not find in the network flights to Beirut, Cairo and Nice, which are seasonal destinations. At the same time, like last winter, flights with the aircraft staying overnight from Warsaw to Stockholm will be suspended. This means two, not three flights a day to the Swedish capital.

The Polish carrier also decided to suspend flights from Warsaw to Zurich, Helsinki and Dusseldorf. These destinations did not generate enough transfer traffic for other LOT flights from Warsaw, especially the long haul which are key to the company’s long-term strategy.

Since, in accordance with assumptions, LOT focuses on expansion of its hub in Warsaw, there will be also less flights from Polish regional airports. In winter 2013, LOT aircrafts will not fly from Cracow to Frankfurt, from Poznan to Munich and from Katowice to Munich.

At the same time, flights from Warsaw to Yerevan, Athens and Belgrade will be unchanged in the coming winter season. Belgrade, one of the strongest destinations in the network of the Polish carrier, will continue to support the flow of transit passengers in their further travel to North America or other European ports. And Athens will remain in the flight schedule due to Greek Presidency of the European Union, which will begin on January 1, 2014.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography. LOT Polish has been gradually replacing its older Boeing 737 fleet with newer Embraer E-Jets. The remaining 737-400s are likely to be retired this winter with this schedule reduction. Boeing 737-45D SP-LLF (msn 28752) approaches Belgium for landing in the updated 2011 livery.

LOT Polish Airlines: