Tag Archives: 757200

United Airlines and ALPA reach a tentative agreement

United Continental Holdings, Inc. (United Airlines) (Chicago) has announced that the company has reached an agreement in principle on a new joint collective bargaining agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) representing pilots at the United and Continental subsidiaries. The agreement is subject to definitive documentation, approvals by the ALPA master executive councils of each subsidiary and ratification by the company’s pilots.

“This agreement follows intense negotiations with our pilot group and is an important step forward for our company. I want to thank both negotiating teams for their efforts in reaching this agreement,” said Fred Abbott, senior vice president of flight operations for United.

“The National Mediation Board played a crucial role in our negotiations, and I want to recognize NMB member Linda Puchala for her personal involvement and thank Senior Mediator Patricia Sims for her professional and effective mediation support,” said Mike Bonds, executive vice president of human resources and labor relations at United.

United Airlines:

El Al orders two more Boeing 737-900 ERs

El Al Israel Airlines (Tel Aviv) and Boeing (Chicago) today have announced that the Israeli national carrier has finalized an order for two additional Next-Generation 737-900 ERs (Extended Range), adding to El Al’s previous order in March 2011, bringing the total number to six 737-900 ERs on order.

The 737-900 ERs will replace two larger, single-aisle Boeing 757-200s (above), which ceased production in 2004, and permit the carrier to expand. The 737-900 ER can seat up to 215 passengers in a single-class configuration and has a range of up to 3,235 nautical miles (5,990 km).

El Al’s 737-900 ERs will also feature the innovative Boeing Sky Interior, enabling the airline to differentiate themselves from their competitors by offering their passengers a more comfortable travel experience. The 737 Boeing Sky Interior features new modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, LED lighting to enhance the sense of spaciousness and larger pivoting overhead stowage bins.

Copyright Photo: Paul Denton. Boeing 757-258 4x-EBU (msn 26053) completes its final approach into Madrid (Barajas). The two 757s will be replaced with the newer 737-900 ERs.

El Al:

WestJet to lease two Boeing 757-200s from Thomas Cook Airlines

WestJet Airlines (Calgary) announced today it will lease two Boeing 757-200 aircraft from Thomas Cook Airlines (Manchester) to deliver more nonstop, daytime service between Calgary and Honolulu and Maui, and between Edmonton and Maui.

Pending regulatory approval, flights are scheduled to begin on December 13, 2012, and continue through April 21, 2013. Details of WestJet’s seasonal nonstop service include:

Route	Weekly frequency
Between Calgary and Honolulu	Twice weekly
Between Calgary and Maui	Four times weekly
Between Edmonton and Maui	Three times weekly

Just as in the previous year, WestJet flight attendants will be on board the Boeing 757-200s. Thomas Cook Airlines will provide the aircraft and pilots. The agreement complements the announcement in April that WestJet’s Boeing 737 aircraft will provide more seat capacity for Thomas Cook in the 2012-2013 winter season. As an expansion to its successful, two-year, Canada-wide, partnership, WestJet is the only airline providing capacity for Thomas Cook’s tour operator arm in the Canadian market.

Copyright Photo: Matt Dueck. In the past, North American Airlines operated its pictured Boeing 757-28A N750NA for WestJet. N750NA climbs away from Calgary.

WestJet:

Is American Airlines now getting serious about a merger partner?

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth), through the AMR Corporation, is under continued pressure from the unsecured creditors and the unions to consider a merger option while in bankruptcy court reorganization. AMR has stated it will now “reach out” to five prospective merger partners, namely Alaska Airlines, Frontier Airlines (2nd), JetBlue Airways, US Airways and Virgin America according to this report by Reuters. Is the “reaching out” a genuine gesture or just a stall tactic?

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Meanwhile, the Allied Pilots Association, representing AA’s 10,000 pilots called the announcement “an important milestone”.

The union issued the following statement:

“The Allied Pilots Association (APA), certified collective bargaining agent for the 10,000 pilots of American Airlines, characterized a letter from AMR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tom Horton to all employees on potential industry consolidation involving American Airlines as “an important milestone.”

“Mr. Horton’s letter represents an important milestone by acknowledging what we have believed for some time—that consolidation involving American Airlines is essential for all of the airline’s stakeholders,” said APA President Captain Dave Bates. “It’s an affirmation that consolidation represents the most promising path for our airline’s future. The biggest remaining questions center on who manages the new entity and whether a merger occurs during AMR’s Chapter 11 restructuring or thereafter.”

In April, the APA leadership and US Airways management—along with the leaders of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants and Transport Workers Union—jointly announced their support for merging the two carriers. The unions also announced that they had negotiated conditional labor agreements with US Airways management.

Meanwhile, APA and AMR management have been engaged in negotiations throughout the restructuring process, with the APA board of directors voting to approve a tentative agreement with management on June 27. That tentative agreement is now subject to a ratification vote by the APA membership. The tentative agreement includes a 13.5 percent equity stake in the restructured airline.

“The 13.5 percent equity stake is intended to compensate APA as an unsecured creditor on behalf of the pilots we represent,” Captain Bates said. “If our members approve the tentative agreement, this equity stake would give APA significant influence over strategic decisions that will be made in the weeks and months to come concerning American Airlines, including the makeup of the new board of directors and management team.”

The results of the APA membership ratification vote will be announced on August 8.”

Is American now finally serious about a merger? In many ways, AMR still feels it is superior to any of these potential suitors. In some ways, AA management has still not gotten over the fact that they lead the company into bankruptcy. A merger will only work if AA approaches a potential marriage suitor as an equal partner. The “American” name is likely to survive, but like the recent Delta-Northwest and United-Continental mergers, the surviving name does not always equate to surviving management. In essence, current AA and AMR management could be fighting to keep their jobs.

American Airlines:

The Teamsters want to represent Allegiant’s pilots

Allegiant Air‘s (Las Vegas) pilots will soon have a choice whether they want to be represented by the Teamsters or continue to directly negotiate with the company.

The airline issued the following statement:

“Allegiant has received notification from the National Mediation Board (NMB) that International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Airline Division has filed an application for a representation election on behalf of Allegiant Air pilots. This will be the first time Allegiant pilots have voted on union representation.

“We strongly believe that Allegiant’s success is attributable in large part to our pilots and the direct, open relationship we have with them,” Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr., Allegiant CEO and Chairman, said. “We are committed to ensuring a fair election and we are confident Allegiant pilots will cast their votes based on the facts, and not rush to judgment based on IBT propaganda.”

Copyright Photo: Eddie Maloney. Formerly operated by Britannia Airways/Thomsonfly/Thomson Airways as G-BYAO, the pictured Boeing 757-204 at hot Las Vegas joined the Allegiant fleet as N905NV on March 15, 2012 in time to launch new low-fare flights to Hawaii.

Allegiant:

US Airways announces a new code share agreement with Croatia Airlines

US Airways (Phoenix) and Croatia Airlines (Zagreb) today (June 27) announced a new bilateral codeshare agreement after receiving approval from the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). US Airways’ customers will enjoy expanded service to destinations in Croatia and the convenience of a single-ticket purchase for a seamless travel experience. Customers traveling on Croatia Airlines will also receive expanded access to the United States.

US Airways customers will be able to connect to Zagreb on Croatia Airlines flights from Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, London-Heathrow, Munich and Zurich. Equally, Croatia Airlines’ customers traveling from Zagreb will have access to US Airways’ East Coast hubs of Charlotte and Philadelphia when traveling from these European destinations. Croatia Airlines will also add its code on US Airways flights from Philadelphia to Cleveland, Detroit and St. Louis. In the future, US Airways and Croatia Airlines intend to expand their relationship to include flights to and from Dubrovnik and Split.

Top Copyright Photo: Jay Selman.

US Airways:

Croatia Airlines:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Keith Burton.

Air Finland shuts down and files for bankruptcy protection

Air Finland (Helsinki) operated its last flight last night (June 26) and immediately filed for bankruptcy protection. The airline commenced operations on April 3, 2003. The closure has stranded around 1,000 passengers.

Read the full report from YLE – Uutiset: CLICK HERE

Air Finland:

American inaugurates Los Angeles-Washington Reagan National flights

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) yesterday launched new daily nonstop service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Stars of the CBS television show “NCIS” and the Disney Pixar film “Brave,” along with World War II veterans, helped inaugurate the first flight from Los Angeles to Washington.

The new flight will feature American’s Boeing 757-200 aircraft with 22 First Class and 166 Main Cabin seats. As part of American’s fleet renewal effort, the airline is currently upgrading its Boeing 757 aircraft used on domestic routes to add style and comfort. Modifications include new Main Cabin and First Class seats, new sidewalls that give the interior a lighter and brighter look, and new LCD monitors to enhance inflight entertainment viewing.

DCA – LAX Schedule

From Los Angeles to Washington Reagan:
Flight 240	Departs: 8:00 a.m.	Arrives: 4:00 p.m.

From Washington Reagan to Los Angeles:
Flight 245	Departs: 5:10 p.m.	Arrives: 7:40 p.m.

Honoring Our Military Heroes

Actors Brian Dietzen, who plays “Jimmy Palmer” on the hit television drama series “NCIS,” and John Ratzenberger, who played “Cliff Clavin” on the award-winning sitcom “Cheers” – and who has voiced a character in each of Disney Pixar’s feature films, including the upcoming “Brave” – helped welcome a very special group of American heroes as the first customers on the inaugural flight.

Nine World War II veterans from the Los Angeles area traveled on the inaugural flight in conjunction with American’s relationship with the Honor Flight Network. These distinguished veterans will receive a VIP tour of the World War II Memorial that is dedicated to their bravery and will visit other monuments that honor our veterans and members of the armed services. Dietzen and Ratzenberger spent time with these heroes on the transcontinental flight.

American:

American relaunches Miami-Seattle/Tacoma and starts Miami-Manaus today

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) today (June 14) will relaunch daily service between Miami and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and start new service between Miami and Eduardo Gomes International Airport in Manaus, Brazil (MAO). American will also begin several additional frequencies to Brazil, increasing flights from Miami to Brasilia (BSB) and Belo Horizonte (CNF) from five and three times per week, respectively, to daily; as well as additional frequencies to Spain, increasing flights from Miami to Barcelona (BCN) from five times per week to daily.

The schedule for the new routes is as follows:

From Miami – Seattle

Flight 1058 departs MIA at 8:55 p.m.; arrives SEA at 12:15 a.m. (next day)

From Seattle – Miami

Flight 1088 departs SEA at 9:25 p.m.; arrives MIA at 6:15 a.m. (next day)

From Miami – Manaus

Flight 961 departs MIA at 5:15 p.m.; arrives MAO at 10:35 p.m.

From Manaus – Miami

Flight 964 departs MAO at 11:50 p.m.; arrives MIA at 5:15 a.m. (next day)

With the addition of these routes and frequencies, American and American Eagle® will operate more than 300 daily flights to 113 destinations from Miami.

American:

Allegiant receives ETOPS certification and Flag Carrier status from the FAA

Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) on June 12 obtained Extended-Range Operations (ETOPS) certification and Flag Carrier Status from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The company announced earlier this year its entrance into Hawaii. ETOPS certification and Flag Carrier status are both necessary for flying to Hawaii.

Allegiant will offer nonstop air service to Honolulu, Hawaii from:

Las Vegas — begins June 29

Fresno, California — begins June 30

Bellingham, Washington — begins November 15

Monterey, California — begins November 16

Eugene, Oregon — begins November 17

Santa Maria, California — begins November 17

Stockton, California — begins November 18

Allegiant will also offer nonstop air service to Maui, Hawaii from:

Bellingham, Washington — begins November 14

Allegiant will utilize 757-200 aircraft on its Hawaiian routes. The company operates four 757-200 aircraft and owns two additional, which are on lease to a European carrier. These aircraft are expected to be introduced into Allegiant’s fleet during the fourth quarter of 2012 and the first quarter of 2013.

Allegiant: