United Airlines (Chicago) is planning to operate a weekly New Orleans-Cancun flight this summer. The Saturday-only service will operate from May 9 through September 5 per Airline Route.
Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-924 N38403 (msn 30120) prepares to touch down in Las Vegas.
United Airlines aircraft slide show:ย 
Alaska Airlines‘ (Seattle/Tacoma) fleet of fuel-efficient Boeing airplanes is growing again. Seattle’s hometown airline is purchasing six more Boeing 737-900 Extended Range aircraft, valued at $594 million, Boeing’s current list price. The new planes, four scheduled for delivery in 2016 and two in 2017, bring Alaska’s total of locally manufactured jets on order to 79.
Over the next few years, Alaska’s remaining 737-400s will be replaced with 737-900 ERs, which transport 25 percent more passengers on the same amount of fuel.
Above Photo: Alaska Airlines.
Starting later this year, all of Alaska’s new 737-900 ERs will feature Boeing’s innovative Space Bins (above). The larger overhead bins have a similar look and feel to Alaska’s current pivot bins, yet will hold 48 percent more bags than the current bins. When open, the bin’s bottom edge hangs about 2 inches lower, which means customers don’t have to lift their bags as high to load them. The deeper bins allow more bags to be stowed, and let customers load bags with less struggle.
Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-990 ER N464AS (msn 40714) with Aviation Partners Boeing Split Scimitar Winglets arrives in Los Angeles.
Alaska Airlines aircraft slide show:ย
Video: Alaska Airlines’ beautiful new video.ย Alaska Airlines “Spirit of Disneyland II” and “Adventure of Disneyland Resort” photographed over Washington State and Arizona from a Clay Lacy Aviation Astrovision-equipped Learjet.
Okay Airways (OKAir) (Tianjin) and Boeing (Chicago, Seattle and Charleston) yesterday (January 30) celebrated the delivery of the carrier’s first Next-Generation 737-900 ER (Extended Range). The delivery marks the first 737-900 ER to be delivered to a Chinese customer and is the first of eight 737-900 ERs that Okay Airways has on order.
The addition of the 737-900 ER airplanes will join the existing fleet of 737-800 airplanes.
Okay Airways’ new 737-900 ER is configured with 200 seats in a one-class layout. It will feature Boeing’s Sky Interior.
Okay Airways, the first privately owned airline in China, is headquartered in Beijing with its main hub at Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN). Its jetliner fleet includes 13 Boeing 737-800s and one Boeing 737-300 Freighter, which serves more than 100 domestic and international routes.
Photo: Boeing. Boeing 737-9KF ER B-1739 (msn 41114) departs from Boeing Field.
OKAir aircraft slide show:
http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-2/Airlines-Asia2-FP/OKAir-Okay-Airways-Company
Alaska Air Group (Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air) (Seattle/Tacoma) had a good financial year in 2014. The group is now rewarding its employees and has issued this statement:
Employees at Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are receiving annual bonuses today of more than 9 percent of their annual pay, or more than five weeks’ pay for most workers. The bonus is in addition to the approximately $1,000 in 2014 monthly bonuses that most employees earned for achieving on-time and customer satisfaction goals.
The combined monthly and annual bonuses amounted to nearly $116 million, the highest in Alaska’s history, and are part of the company’s incentive-based pay program.
“We’re really excited to reward our employees for all the great work they’ve done this year,” said Tammy Young, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of human resources. “This is the sixth year in a row Alaska and Horizon employees have exceeded their payout targets for performance-based pay.”
Nearly $51 million in annual bonuses โ 55 percent of the total โ is being paid to nearly 6,000 Alaska and Horizon employees in the Puget Sound area. Another $12 million is being paid to 2,122 employees in the Portland, Oregon, area, while $9 million is going to workers throughout the state of Alaska.
Bonuses in Alaska Air Group’s Performance Based Pay Plan are determined by meeting specific company-wide goals for safety, customer satisfaction, cost control and profit that are approved annually by the board of directors. Since the inception of the program in 2003, Alaska has paid employees $624 million in combined incentive-based pay and monthly bonuses.
As part of its philosophy to provide employees with rewarding careers and good retirement benefits, Alaska Air Group has contributed $620 million over the past 6 years to its defined benefit pension plans, which were fully funded in 2013.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-990 ER N469AS (msn 41702) prepares to land in Anchorage.
Alaska Airlines aircraft slide show:
http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/Alaska-Airlines
United Airlines (Chicago) today reported full-year 2014 net income of $1.97 billion, an increase of 89 percent year-over-year, or $5.06 per diluted share, excluding $834 million of special items. Including special items, UAL reported full-year net income of $1.13 billion, or $2.93 per diluted share. UAL reported fourth-quarter 2014 net income of $461 million, an increase of 86 percent year-over-year, or $1.20 per diluted share, excluding $433 million of special items. Including special items, UAL reported fourth-quarter 2014 net income of $28 million, or $0.07 per diluted share.
UAL earned a 12.9 percent return on invested capital in 2014.
United’s consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) increased 1.6 percent for full-year 2014 compared to full-year 2013.
Full-year 2014 consolidated unit costs (CASM), excluding special charges, third-party business expenses, fuel and profit sharing, increased 1.3 percent year-over-year on a consolidated capacity increase of 0.3 percent. Full-year 2014 CASM, including those items, decreased 1.6 percent year-over-year.
In 2014, United returned approximately $320 million to shareholders as part of its previously announced $1 billion share buyback program. In addition, throughout the year, United spent $310 million to retire convertible debt that was convertible into approximately 5.8 million shares of UAL common stock.
Employees earned $235 million in profit sharing for full-year 2014, which will be distributed on Feb. 13.
UAL ended the year with $5.7 billion in unrestricted liquidity.
Fourth-Quarter Revenue and Capacity
For the fourth quarter of 2014, total revenue was $9.3 billion, a decrease of 0.2 percent year-over-year. Fourth-quarter consolidated passenger revenue increased 1.3 percent to $8.1 billion, compared to the same period in 2013. Ancillary revenue per passenger in the fourth quarter increased 9.7 percent year-over-year to more than $22 per passenger. Fourth-quarter cargo revenue grew 18.2 percent to $260 million driven by higher volumes year-over-year, as cargo traffic recovered from the prior year’s lower bookings. Other revenue in the fourth quarter decreased 14.3 percent year-over-year to $970 million mostly due to the company choosing to discontinue an agreement to sell fuel to a third party. The corresponding expense decline appears in third-party business expense.
Consolidated revenue passenger miles increased 0.1 percent and consolidated available seat miles increased 0.9 percent year-over-year for the fourth quarter, resulting in a fourth-quarter consolidated load factor of 81.7 percent.
Fourth-quarter 2014 consolidated PRASM increased 0.4 percent and consolidated yield increased 1.3 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2013.
Fourth-Quarter Costs
Fourth-quarter consolidated CASM, excluding special charges, third-party business expense, fuel and profit sharing, increased 1.2 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2013. Fourth-quarter consolidated CASM including those items decreased 5.3 percent.
Fourth-quarter total operating expenses, excluding special charges, decreased $420 million, or 4.7 percent, year-over-year. Including special charges, total operating expenses decreased $406 million, or 4.5 percent, in the fourth quarter versus the same period in 2013.
Fourth-Quarter Liquidity and Cash Flow
UAL ended the fourth quarter with $5.7 billion in unrestricted liquidity, including $1.35 billion of undrawn commitments under its revolving credit facility. During the fourth quarter, the company had gross capital expenditures of $1 billion, excluding fully reimbursable projects. The company made debt and capital lease principal payments of $534 million in the fourth quarter, including prepayment of $248 million of convertible debt that was convertible into approximately 4.3 million shares of United common stock.
As part of United’s $1 billion share buyback program, the company spent approximately $100 million in share repurchases in the fourth quarter. For the year, United returned a total of approximately $320 million to shareholders through share repurchases and open market transactions. In addition, for the year the company spent $310 million to retire convertible debt that was convertible into approximately 5.8 million shares.
For the 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2014, the company’s return on invested capital was 12.9 percent.
Read the full report: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-924 ER N68836 (msn 60088) with Aviation Partners Boeing Split Scimitar Winglets departs from Los Angeles International Airport.
United Airlines aircraft slide show (historic liveries):ย 
United Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):ย
Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) has issued this statement:
Alaska Airlines is giving its Mileage Plan members a chance to fly from Seattle/Tacoma to Phoenix on a special charter to cheer on its Chief Football Officer, Russell Wilson, when his team plays in the big game on February 1. Alaska is launching “Russell Wilson’s Fan Flight II โ For Strong Against Cancer,” a four-day sweepstakes on Alaska Airlines’ Facebook page.
Above Photo: Alaska Airlines. Alaska has also changed the on-board mood lighting to the team colors.
Fifty-six prize winners will receive two roundtrip tickets for an โinflight tailgate party’ from Seattle to Phoenix on its “Go Russell 737-900ER” aircraft (above and below). Winners will also receive two nights of hotel accommodations, admission to an exclusive game day party and transportation to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and their hotel.
The sweepstakes is open to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members who are residents of Washington, Oregon and Alaska.
Sweepstakes winners will be notified by phone and email beginning on Friday, January 23. To enter and review complete sweepstakes rules, visit www.facebook.com/AlaskaAirlines at 8 a.m. PT.
“We’re thrilled to have a second opportunity to fly Russell’s fans to the big game. We invite our loyal Mileage Plan members to join us in cheering on Russell and his team as they pursue their second championship win,” said Joe Sprague, senior vice president of communications and external relations for Alaska Airlines. “By entering this sweepstakes, Mileage Plan members are also helping to raise funds to help defeat childhood cancer, a cause that’s a priority for both Alaska and our Chief Football Officer.”
Above Photo: Alaska Airlines.
Russell Wilson’s Fan Flight for Strong Against Cancer
For every sweepstakes entry, Alaska Airlines will make a $1 donation to Strong Against Cancer, up to $50,000. Strong Against Cancer is a multi-year initiative dedicated to ending childhood cancer. Funds raised go directly to breakthrough pediatric cancer immunotherapy research underway at the Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research. In just one of the Center’s clinical trials for patients who have relapsed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), this breakthrough treatment has had a stunning 85 percent success rate โ 11 of 13 patients’ cancer went into remission. Alaska joined Wilson in supporting Strong Against Cancer initially pledging $100,000 and is donating an additional $3,000 for every touchdown scored by Wilson and his offense in the playoff games and the championship game.
Alaska Adds Extra Flights Between Seattle and Phoenix
To help football fans trying to attend the February 1 championship game, Alaska has added two roundtrip flights between Seattle/Tacoma and Phoenix.
Summary of extra flights:
Top Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin/AirlinersGallery.com. Alaska Airlines has embraced its relationship with the Seattle Seahawks quarterback with special appearances and this special logo jet. Boeing 737-990 ER N453AS (msn 36354) carries unique “Go Russell!” markings. The markings have now been modified (below). The wingtip also includes Russell’s jersey number. (Alaska Airlines):
Alaska Airlines aircraft slide show:
http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/Alaska-Airlines
American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) is expanding its codeshare relationship with El Al Israel Airlines (Tel Aviv). According to Airline Route, American on December 18 added its AA code on the following El Al European routes:
Tel Aviv โ Amsterdam
Tel Aviv โ Barcelona
Tel Aviv โ Frankfurt
Tel Aviv โ London (Heathrow)
Tel Aviv โ Milan (Malpensa)
Tel Aviv โ Munich
Tel Aviv โ Paris (CDG)
Tel Aviv โ Rome (Fiumicino)
Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-958 ER WL 4X-EHA (msn 41552) of El Al taxies at Amsterdam.
American Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):ย
El Al aircraft slide show:
http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-1/Airlines-Asia1-AE/El-Al-Israel-Airlines
Alaska Airlines‘ (Seattle/Tacoma) flight attendants have approved a new five-year contract. Included in the new contract are quality of life enhancements and pay increases that rank Alaska’s 3,400 flight attendants among the highest paid in the industry at every pay step.
Under the Railway Labor Act, which governs collective bargaining agreements in the airline industry, contracts do not expire, they only become amendable. The previous agreement became amendable on May 1, 2012 and the new contract will become amendable again on December 17, 2019.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Alaska Airlines’ Boeing 737-990 ER SSWL N459AS (msn 36352) arrives in Los Angeles with Aviation Partners Boeing Split Scimitar Winglets.
Alaska Airlines aircraft slide show:ย
Ukraine International Airlines-UIA (Kiev) has announced it will connect Kievย with Riga and Minsk with Boeing 737 aircraftย starting on March 30, 2015.
The Kiev โ Riga โ Kiev routing (PS 185/186) will be operated five times per week on weekdays.
Starting on April 20 and through October 25, 2015, the Kiev โ Minsk โ Kiev flights (PS 891/892) will be operated seven times per week.
Moreover, in summer 2015 UIA plans to launch nonstop scheduled flights from Kiev to Amman, Jordan.
Ukraine International Airlines in the summer 2015 season is also introducing Kiev โ Beijing service, on board Boeing 767 aircraft. Service begins ย on April 29, 2015 with two weekly flights, while the third weekly flight will be added on May 10, 2015.
Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. UIA’s Boeing 737-94X ER UR-PSK (msn 36086) in the Sky Airlines colors pushes back at Antalya.
Ukraine International aircraft slide show:
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) today announced it is also redefining its travel products with this announcement:
Delta Air Lines is redefining the products it offers customers to further distinguish the choices available to them. Delta will offer best-in-class options for each of its customer segments with innovative multi-cabin experiences. Customers will have five products to choose from, including Delta One, First Class and Delta Comfort+ which offer premium amenities. Main Cabin and Basic Economy service will offer value options with Delta’s high standards of service.
Photo: Delta Air Lines. The new Boeing 737 First Class.
“We’re providing Delta customers with a thoughtful, well-defined spectrum of options as they make decisions about travel,” said Glen Hauenstein, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. “Whether a customer prioritizes the perks of Delta One or the value of Basic Economy, every seat comes with impeccable service and unmatched reliability.”
Providing an easy-to-recognize range of products and a high level of service is the latest step in Delta’s strategy to offer differentiated experiences to customers seeking to tailor travel to their specific needs.
Photo: Delta Air Lines. The Delta Comfort Plus cabin.
Starting March 1, 2015, Delta customers can choose between:
Delta One, formerly BusinessElite, is offered on long-haul international routes; also between New York-JFK and Los Angeles or San Francisco*
First Class is offered on short-haul international and domestic routes**
Delta Comfort+ offers an upgraded experience on all two cabin aircraft around the world
Main Cabin experience is provided everywhere Delta flies offering a high standard of customer service
Basic Economy offers Main Cabin service with fewer flexibility options available in select markets.
*Delta One full flat-bed and Delta Comfort+ seat upgrades between New York and San Francisco are projected to be complete in the spring of 2015. **Select international flights may offer Business Class service in lieu of First Class. Amenities in the Business cabin may vary by flight and aircraft.
Chart of services by class:
Read the analysis by Bloomberg Businessweek: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. The “Spirit of Seattle” arrives in Los Angeles. Boeing 737-932 ER N809DN (msn 31915) has been decorating with the special markings.
Delta Air Lines aircraft slide show (current livery):ย
Video:ย Delta Air Lines is introducing branded products to further distinguish the variety of choices to improve the travel experience. Each of the five distinct products โ Delta One, First Class, Delta Comfort+, Main Cabin and Basic Economy โย will be available starting March 1, 2015.
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