Tag Archives: A319-115

American Airlines changes its policies concerning mileage redemptions and checked bag policies

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) today announced new mileage redemption options for American Airlines AAdvantage and US Airways Dividend Miles members, as well as new checked bag policies for customers traveling across the combined network of more than 356 destinations in 56 countries. The changes, along with enhancements in First and Business Class on flights operated by US Airways, part of American Airlines Group, will provide customers a more consistent experience and an onboard product in line with or better than that of American’s competitors.

Mileage Redemption Structure

Effective today for travel starting June 1, Dividend Miles members now will be able to book last seat availability awards for flights year-round without any blackout dates. For AAdvantage members, AAnytime award travel will now be available more for than half of the year at an even lower redemption level. Previous redemption rates called for 25,000 miles one way, and the new redemptions will start at 20,000 miles one way. Redemption mileage during the remainder of the year will begin at 30,000 miles one way for last seat availability. The exceptions will fall on the busiest travel days of the year. On those days, American will offer a higher award redemption option, which will be available starting at 50,000 miles one way. Since January, when American and US Airways launched the first phase of reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, AAdvantage and Dividend Miles members have earned more than 587 million miles through travel across the new American’s combined global network. For details on award travel levels, visit aa.com/aadvantage or usairways.com/dividendmiles.

Checked Bag Policies

American has also updated its checked bag policies. For flights operated by American, these changes take place for tickets issued starting today. For flights operated by US Airways, these changes take place for tickets issued starting April 23. The changes include removing the second bag charge on flights to and from South America. Also, AAdvantage Gold members and Dividend Miles Platinum and Gold members will receive one fewer free checked bag than they do today. Customers traveling on an AAnytime award or a full-fare economy ticket (on legacy American) will no longer receive free checked bags. Lastly, Citi cardholders will continue to receive one free checked bag, and starting April 30, that same benefit will also apply to customers who have the US Airways MasterCard® with an annual fee of at least $79.

Importantly, American leads the industry in baggage exemptions for our nation’s military as the only airline to offer five free checked bags to military servicemen and women traveling on orders, and three bags to military servicemen and women on personal travel.

Inflight Enhancements

Customers in First Class on flights operated by US Airways will now enjoy an updated selection of fresh meals on most flights longer than 1,000 nautical miles, or about 2 hours 45 minutes in duration. Customers in international Business Class on flights operated by US Airways will be able to tune out or tune in to new entertainment options with new Bose® Quiet Comfort® 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones. Another feature includes Business Class on Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft which will now offer 60 movies and a greater variety of television programs, as well as audio selections on the new Samsung Galaxy Tab. Business Class on Airbus A330 aircraft now offers double the previous entertainment options, with more than 250 movies and 350 audio choices.

American Airlines (current):

US Airways:

American to add nonstop Dallas/Fort Worth-Edmonton service on April 2

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) will add a new nonstop route connecting its Dallas/Fort Worth hub with Edmonton, Alberta starting on April 2, 2014. The new daily service will be operated with an Airbus A319 featuring eight First Class seats, 24 Main Cabin Extra seats with additional legroom and 96 Main Cabin seats.

The new service will operate daily, with the three-hour, 55-minute southbound flight leaving Edmonton at 8:10 a.m. (0810) and arriving in Dallas/Fort Worth at 1:05 p.m. (1305). The four-hour, five-minute northbound flight will leave Dallas/Fort Worth at 4:20 p.m. (1620) and arrive in Edmonton at 7:25 p.m. (1925).
About Edmonton International Airport:

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/Airlinersgallery.com. Airbus A319-115 N9002U (msn 5698) arrives at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

American Airlines:

American Airlines to hire 1,500 pilots over the next five years

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) today announced it is beginning the process to recruit and hire approximately 1,500 new pilots over the next five years, American’s largest pilot hiring in more than a decade. American will open the job posting Oct. 1, with the first new-hire class expected to begin training this winter.

According to the airline, “American’s ability to welcome new pilots is a result of its broad fleet renewal efforts that include taking delivery of new single-aisle Airbus aircraft and a mix of narrow body and wide body Boeing aircraft, an expansion of flying to international destinations important to customers, projected pilot retirements and the Federal Aviation Administration’s new rest and duty time rules that come into effect in 2014. Today’s news reflects the measurable progress and momentum the airline has achieved through its restructuring, along with its strengthened financial position.”

American currently anticipates the need to initially hire approximately 45 to 50 pilots per month through at least summer 2014, including pilots from American Eagle Airlines, Inc. and the appropriate balance from external sources. The comprehensive hiring process will include an online assessment evaluating each pilot’s skill set, experience and compatibility with American’s brand values; interviews; and a multi-step background check process. Interested candidates are encouraged to visit aacareers.com.

Copyright Photo: Brian Peters/AirlinersGallery.com. A beautiful ramp portrait of brand new Airbus A319-115 N9004F (msn 5745) with Sharklets. The new addition joined the AA fleet on August 19, 2013.

American Airlines:

Atlantic Airways reports a net profit of $626,150 in the first half, up 160%

Atlantic Airways (Vagar, Faroe Islands) reported improved financial results and issued this financial report for the first half of 2013:

Revenue increased 5% to DKK 129.5 million in Q2 2013 from DKK 122.8 million in the corresponding period in 2012. The increase is mainly attributable to an increase in passenger numbers on scheduled services and increased charter activity as well as increased duty-free sales.

EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization) in Q2 2013 decreased 1% from DKK 24.7 million in the second quarter of 2012, to DKK 24.3 million.

The result before tax (EBT) for the second quarter of 2013 was DKK 7.6 million, compared with DKK 6.9 million in the same period last year and the result after tax for the second quarter of 2013 was DKK 6.2 million, compared with DKK 5.7 million in the second quarter of 2012.

The main explanatory factors for the higher result in Q2 2013 are the increased number of passengers and higher load factor on scheduled services. However, the result in Q2 2013 was also affected by decreased helicopter activity.

EBITDA in the first half of 2013 were DKK 37.7 million, compared with DKK 31.7 million in the first half of 2012, an increase of 19%. The result before tax for the first half of 2013 amounted to DKK 4.3 million, compared with DKK 1.7 million in the same period in 2012 and the result after tax amounted to DKK 3.5 million, compared with DKK 1.4 million in the same period in 2012.

The supply of seats (ASK) on scheduled services in the second quarter was 1% lower than in the corresponding period last year due to adjustments in capacity. Passenger traffic (RPK) on scheduled services increased 8% in the same period resulting in an increase in passenger load factor (PLF) from 71 to 78%. During the first half the supply of seats grew by 7% owing to the introduction of Airbus capacity in Q 1 and passenger traffic increased by 9% in total.

“Growth in traffic has been significant although there is still room for better loads in the low season”, says Magni Arge, CEO. Growth has been driven by low-fare campaigns and supported by growth in capacity in Q1.

In June, the second Airbus was introduced to service both the route network to the Faroes and charter operations out of Denmark. Like the first aircraft it was also modified to support the groundbreaking RNP AR navigational aid system. The system has improved the regularity and saved us a number of diversions. However, in July, the severe fog interrupted operations consistently over a period of four weeks resulting in 54 diversions and cancellations as well as a further 70 delays.

Without RNP AR equipped aircraft we would have experienced a further 20 diversions. The total cost of the unrecedented weather interruption in July is estimated at between 7.5 and 8.5 MDKK .” says Magni Arge.

Atlantic Airways currently estimates that the full-year result in 2013 will be about the same level as in 2012, yet fuel prices, adverse weather, and advice against travel to Egypt may have a negative impact on the result. Other risk factors mentioned in the Risk management section in the 2012 annual report may similarly affect the financial performance.

Vagar Airport Webcam: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Karl Cornil/AirlinersGallery.com. The company is pioneering its RNP AR navigational aid system at Vagar Airport in the Faroe Islands. Airbus A319-115 OY-RCG (msn 5079) arrives at Barcelona on a flight from Vagar.

Atlantic Airways:

Route Map: Atlantic Airways is the only scheduled passenger airline on these routes from the Faroe Islands:

Videos:

TACA and Avianca to merge under one company

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Please click on photo for full view, information and other photos.

Grupo TACA (TACA International) (Transportes Aereos del Continente Americano) (San Salvador) and Avianca (Aerovias del Continente Americano) (Bogota) and all of the subsidiary airlines within the two groups will be merged into one single holding company. The Avianca owners (National Federation of Colombia Coffee Growers and the Synergy Group) will control two-thirds of the new holding company. The Grupo TACA owners will control the remaining one-third of the shares of the new holding company. All airlines will retain their independent brands (however Avianca was consolidating its brands) but each will become subsidiaries of the new holding company.

News link:

www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idINN0748094020091007?rpc=44