Tag Archives: A320214

Newsworthy Photo of the Day – May 21, 2013

Avianca (Colombia) Airbus A320-214 WL F-WWBE (N632AV) (msn 5632) (Sharklets) (partial new livery) TLS (Eurospot). Image: 912194.

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Avianca (Colombia):

Virgin America arrives in Austin, Texas

Virgin America (San Francisco) today celebrated the launch of its new daily roundtrip service to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) from San Francisco with an onboard concert.

In keeping with Austin and the Virgin brand’s musical roots, guests onboard the inaugural flight were also treated to a live, in-flight acoustic performance onboard the Airbus A320 aircraft by the award-winning Austin-based psychedelic rock band, The Bright Light Social Hour. En route from SFO to the “live music capital of the world,” the band surprised guests and performed in the aisles on the commercial flight (see video below).

Virgin America:

Video:

Newsworthy Photo of the Day – May 18, 2013

Air Corsica Airbus A320-214 F-HDMF (msn 4463) (100th Tour de France Official Supporter) TLS (Eurospot). Image: 912097.

Air Corsica:

Frameable Color prints and Posters:

Frontier Airlines updates its livery to promote its website

Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) is gradually replacing its large FRONTIER billboard titles on its aircraft with equally large FLYFRONTIER.COM billboard titles. The move will be gradual as new aircraft are added or when the older aircraft need to be repainted. The move is to drive more traffic to its website.

In other news, Frontier Airlines launched new routes this week from its Denver, Colorado (DEN) hub to three new cities: Cincinnati, OH (CVG); Eugene, OR (EUG); and Fresno/Yosemite, CA. (FAT).

Following is the schedule for Frontier’s Cincinnati service:

Denver-Cincinnati (beginning May 16, 2013)

Route	Departs	Arrives	Frequency	Aircraft
DEN-CVG	6:59 p.m.	11:35 p.m.	Daily	A320
CVG-DEN	6:15 a.m.	7:15 a.m.	Daily	A320

Following is the schedule for Frontier’s Eugene service:

Denver-Eugene (beginning May 16, 2013)

Route	Departs	Arrives	Frequency	Aircraft
DEN-EUG	12:15 p.m.	1:55 p.m.	Tues, Thurs, Sun	A319
EUG-DEN	2:35 p.m.	6:05 p.m.	Tues, Thurs, Sun	A319

Following is the schedule for Frontier’s Fresno service:

Denver-Fresno (beginning May 17, 2013)

Route	Departs	Arrives	Frequency	Aircraft
DEN-FAT	12:45 p.m.	2:05 p.m.	Mon, Wed, Fri	A319
FAT-DEN	2:50 p.m.	6:00 p.m.	Mon, Wed, Fri	A319

Top Copyright Photo: Frontier Airlines. Mickey, the Moose is back on newly-acquired Airbus A319-112 N954FR (msn 1786).

Frontier Airlines:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Airbus A320-214 N213FR (msn 4704) displays the old silver FRONTIER titles as it lands at Washington (Reagan National).

Airberlin returns to profitability, produces a $8.7 million net profit for 2012

Airberlin (airberlin.com) (Berlin) has announced its financial results for 2012. The company has returned to profitability and issued this statement:

Net result of EUR 6.8 million ($8.7 million), 33.3 million guests
Group revenue of EUR 4.31 billion, capacity utilization and yield increased
Strategic partnership with Etihad Airways provides joint revenue of EUR 100 million, new code share routes expected to provide further growth
First “Turbine” measures started – EUR 400 million until the end of 2014
180 positions already cut between January and the end of March 2013
As of summer 2013, the Berlin and Dusseldorf hubs will be strengthened with increased flight frequencies and new destinations
Revenue growth with fewer routes and increased frequencies: routes will be reduced from 523 in summer 2012 to 438 in summer 2013.
Fleet reduction by twelve aircraft to 143 aircraft by the end of 2013
The goal for 2013 is operational profitability, break-even at the EBIT level

Over the first months of the year, Airberlin, Germany’s second-largest airline, implemented numerous measures of the “Turbine” turnaround program. At the press conference on the 2012 results, airberlin’s CEO Wolfgang Prock-Schauer stated: “With Turbine, we are setting up airberlin in line with the market. We are becoming leaner, faster and are, at the same time, continuously improving our service and flight offers. In the first months of 2013, we have initiated a number of measures. It goes without saying that such programs have a start-up phase and start-up costs. We will reach ‘cruising altitude’ by the end of 2014.”

This two-year program will enable Germany’s second-largest airline to further expand its presence in core markets and to make structural changes aimed at making the company sustainably fit for the future. For that purpose, airberlin will further promote its integrated business model through which the company caters to tourist travelers and business clients. Up to the end of 2014, the Turbine program includes initiatives of approximately EUR 400 million, so as to achieve a sustainably competitive profit situation.

Turbine program with multiple measures started

The turnaround program comprises in particular the areas network and fleet, sales & distribution, products and services as well as operations. The first Turbine measures have already been implemented in this year’s summer flight schedule. The optimized offer strengthens airberlin’s presence in Europe and further expands the long-haul connections to North America. Airberlin is carrying out the network optimization by using the principle of increasing frequencies on economically profitable routes. The target is a robust network that is less susceptible to seasonal fluctuations and provides for more productive aircraft and personnel. As a result the airline is strengthening its long-haul hubs Berlin and Dusseldorf with additional long-haul frequencies and improved flight connections. These will increase in Berlin from ca. 7,600 to ca. 11,000, and in Dusseldorf from ca. 3,000 to ca. 4,050. At both airports, the number of weekly flight frequencies will grow by a total of 61 additional connections as compared to the previous year. At the same time airberlin has reduced economically unprofitable routes, with the number of routes decreasing from 523 to 438 on an annual comparison. With the optimized flight schedule, the fleet will be reduced from 155 aircraft at the end of 2012, to 143 aircraft at the end of 2013.

Network and station optimization will result in increased crew productivity. In the future, comprehensive aircraft maintenance (Base Maintenance) will only be carried out in Munich.

In connection with the restructuring cost reductions in personnel are necessary. Between January and the end of March 2013, 180 jobs will have been eliminated.

Airberlin is expanding its service in line with passenger requirements. From mid-year onwards, a modular catering concept will be introduced on the short and medium-haul flights. This will provide passengers with services commensurate with the duration of the flight. An example is the new Business Class seats introduced on long-haul flights.

Net profit for 2012

Airberlin concluded the 2012 business year with a return to profitability. The operating profit before interest and taxes (EBIT) of EUR 70.2 million was a significant improvement over the previous year results. The company’s net income of EUR 6.8 million marks a return to profitability and follows a loss of reported EUR 271.8 (restated: -420.4 million) in the 2011 business year.

In the past year, airberlin increased its group revenue to EUR 4.31 billion (2011: EUR 4.23 billion). While the number of passengers decreased by 5.5 per cent to 33.3 million (previous year: 35.3 million), capacity utilisation increased by 1.6 percentage points to 79.80 per cent (previous year: 78.21 per cent). This was achieved by a further fleet reduction of 15 aircraft to 155 aircraft and improvements of the flight schedule. Yield (revenue per passenger) improved by 7.7 percent to EUR 120.05 (previous year: EUR 111.43).

The spin-off of the frequent-flyer program “topbonus”, the implementation of the efficiency program “Shape & Size” and the increasing synergy effects resulting from the strategic partnership with Etihad Airways have contributed to the positive development of the operating result. In this context, Shape & Size has contributed EUR 250 million.

“The profit of the past financial year and the successful placement of the convertible bond enabled us to further stabilize the financial basis of the company. The favorable conditions, the swift placement and over-subscription of the bond demonstrate the market’s confidence in our company,” stated Airberlin’s Chief Financial Officer, Ulf Hüttmeyer. The goal for 2013 is a break-even at the EBIT level and therefore operational profitability.

The strategic partnership with Etihad Airways, which started at the beginning of 2012, has already shown positive effects within less than 12 months. By the end of 2012, codeshare routes enabled the two airlines to generate together a revenue increase of EUR 100 million. airberlin and Etihad Airways have already concluded almost 100 agreements with companies and sales partners and through synergies have further increased revenue and reduced operating costs. By further expanding codeshare routes with other Etihad Airways partners, airberlin will be able in the future to offer more destinations and increase revenue generated by codesharing. Furthermore, the strategic partnership is increasingly reducing costs for both airlines. For example, in the areas of procurement, maintenance, training and product harmonization, the two airlines are increasingly making use of their synergy potentials and expect these to reach their full potential in the coming years.

Global network established

Wolfgang Prock-Schauer assesses the advantages of the strategic partnership with Etihad Airways: “Our cooperation with Etihad Airways exceeds all our expectations.” This cooperation enabled airberlin to set up a global route network in the course of the past year. Within one year, Etihad Airways and airberlin have increased the number of codeshare routes to 90 connections and are flying to a combined 239 destinations in 77 countries. In 2012 alone, more than 320,000 passengers used the common flight network.

Airberlin’s membership in the global airline alliance, oneworld_^®, which started in March 2012, is also positive. The number of passengers traveling on these codeshare routes increased to 310,000 passengers.

Airberlin CEO Wolfgang Prock-Schauer added: “Our optimized route network together with the global network of our partners will enable us to be sustainably successful in the future. For that purpose, we need a functional hub in Berlin and the new airport BER that adheres to the operating times as foreseen in the official planning.”

Airberlin:

Aeroflot gets ready to introduce its 1956 retrojet to celebrate its 90th Anniversary

Aeroflot Russian Airlines (Moscow) as we first reported on November 19, 2012, is getting ready to introduce this 1956 retrojet.

Aeroflot issued this statement back in November:

On November 12, 2012 the open Internet voting for Aeroflot new aircraft retro livery was finished. Celebrating the company’s 90th Anniversary, an airplane in a heritage livery will join the Aeroflot fleet in 2013.

In the middle of this summer Aeroflot addressed to its passengers through social networks, asking about their vision of expected Aeroflot jubilee events. As a result, more than 45 per cent of our flyers wished to see one of the national carrier’s aircraft in a retro livery.

So, the voting in Aeroflot official Facebook group had begun. There were four candidates representing four different types of painting historically worn by Aeroflot airplanes. More than 2500 passengers participated in the voting process, and the livery of one of the first world’s jet airliners – Tupolev Tu-104 (appeared in 1956) was declared a winner.

During the voting Aeroflot received from its passengers a lot of useful recommendations and remarks, which will allow updating and improving of the color scheme of the livery.

One of the brand new A320 aircraft to make part of Aeroflot fleet in the first middle of 2013 will wear a retro livery. The painting itself will be made at the Airbus manufacturing plant.

Copyright Photo: Eurospot. The pictured brand-new Airbus A320-214 has been painted in a modified 1956 almost-retro livery. Still carrying the test registration of F-WWIF, the airframe will be delivered as VP-BNT (msn 5614). The airliner is pictured at Toulouse today.

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Aeroflot:

Virgin America achieves a 4Q operating profit but loses $31.7 million in 2012

Virgin America (San Francisco) has reported its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2012, full-year 2012, and the first quarter of 2013. The airline reported its first-ever fourth quarter operating profit in the quarter ending in December 2012, with a 4.4 point improvement in operating margin over the fourth quarter of 2011. In addition, Virgin America improved financial results in the first quarter of 2013, significantly narrowing its operating loss from the same period the year prior. For the first quarter of 2013, Virgin America reported a 69 percent year-over-year improvement in operating results compared with the first quarter of 2012, driven by an 18 percent growth in RASM.

Highlights of the two quarters are as follows:

Fourth Quarter 2012 Financial Highlights

Virgin America achieved its first-ever fourth quarter operating profit with $5.1 million of operating income, an improvement of $13.2 million, compared with the fourth quarter of 2011.
Fourth quarter revenue per available seat mile (RASM) increased by 9 percent, the highest in the domestic industry.
Available seat miles (ASMs) increased by 16 percent, primarily the result of increases to the fleet size early in 2012.
The airline recorded operating revenues of $350.4 million in the fourth quarter, a year-over-year increase of 27 percent.
Its average fare increased 14 percent year-over-year, indicative of growing awareness and guest loyalty that Virgin America has built in its markets through its industry-leading product and service.
Cost per available seat mile (CASM) excluding fuel increased by 6 percent compared to the year earlier quarter, largely a result of the airline’s change in strategy to reduce aircraft utilization and eliminate seasonally weaker frequencies.
The average fuel cost per gallon during the quarter was $3.00, a decline of 6 percent year-over-year.
EBITDAR increased to $65.1 million in the fourth quarter, a year-over-year improvement of 54 percent.
The airline held $76 million in unrestricted cash as of December 31, 2012.

First Quarter 2013 Financial Highlights

Virgin America reduced its operating loss by $33.6 million or 69 percent year-over-year, posting a modest operating loss of $15 million.
The Company significantly outpaced the entire U.S. airline industry with year-over-year RASM growth of 18 percent.
ASMs decreased by 4 percent year-over-year, as the airline focused on improving its schedule for business travelers and eliminating seasonally weak frequencies during the winter.
Its average fare increased by 19 percent over the year earlier quarter, continuing the trend demonstrated in the fourth quarter of 2012 of increased demand by guests for Virgin America’s product.
Operating revenues were $301.3 million, an increase of 13 percent from the first quarter of 2012.
CASM excluding fuel increased by 8 percent year-over-year, primarily due to reduced utilization of the fleet.
EBITDAR increased seven fold to $44.7 million from $6.5 million in the same period a year-ago.
Unrestricted cash was $58 million as of March 31, 2013.

“We’re pleased with our first-ever fourth quarter operating profit and the progress we have seen in the first quarter – traditionally the most challenging period for our industry,” said David Cush, Virgin America’s President and CEO. “Our improved financial performance reflects the changes we made last year to optimize our winter network schedule as we slow our growth. And it also reflects the growing guest awareness and loyalty we’ve seen as our network has grown. We’ve always said that once people fly us, they stick with us – and show a preference for our service. Our industry-leading RASM growth for the past six months is a testament to that and to the work of a team that has truly delivered on the promise of creating the best guest experience in the skies.”

The airline’s full-year 2012 operating loss was $31.7 million. The Company’s operating margin for 2012 improved by 0.2 points, to (2.4) percent, compared with 2011. Year-over-year, revenue grew by 29 percent in 2012, to $1.3 billion, on a 27 percent increase in capacity. Virgin America added six Airbus A320 family aircraft to its fleet during 2012, ending the year with an operating fleet of 52 aircraft. The airline ended 2012 with $76 million in unrestricted cash.

Virgin America completed a major two-year growth phase during 2012, having taken delivery of 25 aircraft between the second quarter of 2010 and the second quarter of 2012, almost doubling the size of the fleet. With this major growth phase largely behind the Company, Virgin America is now experiencing improved revenue performance across its network. Virgin America took delivery of one aircraft in the first quarter of 2013, increasing its total operating fleet to 53 aircraft. The Company does not expect to increase its fleet size again until 2015, when aircraft on order from Airbus are scheduled for delivery. The Company expects continued improved year-over-year financial performance throughout the remainder of 2013 as a result of the slower growth strategy.

In addition to slowing growth by deferring new aircraft deliveries, Virgin America made targeted changes to its network schedule in the first quarter to optimize seasonal flying and better match supply with winter demand. These changes resulted in a 17 percent reduction in the average daily utilization of the fleet to 10.3 hours per aircraft per day. While the reduced schedule was a major driver behind the 18 percent improvement in RASM, it also contributed to an 8 percent increase in CASM excluding fuel costs. The airline ended the quarter with $58 million in unrestricted cash.

Balance Sheet Improvements

The airline also announces today that it has recently reached agreements with investors to modify the interest rate on a large portion of existing debt and to eliminate certain indebtedness to restructure its balance sheet. The restructuring eliminated $290 million of debt as of December 31, 2012, and approximately $20 million of accrued interest recorded in the first quarter of 2013. If this restructuring had been in place on January 1, 2013, Virgin America’s first quarter net loss would have been reduced by approximately $20 million. These changes with investors are a first step toward preparing the Company for access to the public markets at a future date.

In addition, the Company closed an additional $75 million debt financing that was fully funded at the closing. This additional liquidity will further strengthen Virgin America’s improving financial position.

As a result of these balance sheet and liquidity initiatives, the Company expects its interest expense for the second half of 2013 to be approximately $20 million, or roughly one third of the interest expense recorded in the second half of 2012.

“With the strong improvement in first quarter 2013 financial performance, we are on track for a significant operating profit for the full year,” said David Cush. “The agreements reached with our investors enhance the improvements we are seeing in our business, and are a first step in modifying the Company’s capital structure to one more in line with public companies. With this solid improvement to our capital structure, we now expect to achieve a net profit in the second half of 2013, and are well positioned for sustained healthy financial performance in 2014 and beyond.”

Virgin America continued to drive significant growth in 2012: expanding its fleet from 46 aircraft in January 2012 to 52 aircraft in December 2012 (in March 2013, the carrier took delivery of its 53^rdaircraft, which came into service in April); achieving major carrier status as defined by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT); launching service to Philadelphia, Portland, Ore., and Washington D.C.’s Reagan National Airport; and in December announcing plans to inaugurate Newark service from both San Francisco and Los Angeles in 2013.

Operational Highlights

In 2012 the Virgin America achieved an 83.5 percent cumulative A-14 on-time ranking, compared to the industry average of 81.9 percent.
The airline’s baggage handling rate for 2012 was 0.87 mishandled baggage reports per 1,000 guests, placing it first among all U.S. carriers reporting to the DOT for baggage reliability.
Virgin America took the top honors for the fifth consecutive year as “Best Domestic Airline” in the prestigious Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards readers’ survey as well as the Condé Nast Traveler’s 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Virgin America was named the best airline in 2012 in the Airline Quality Rating, a joint research project conducted annually by faculty at Wichita State University and Purdue University that looks at airlines’ on-time performance and baggage handling, involuntary denied boarding and the customer complaint rates as reported by the DOT.

Key milestones achieved in the fourth quarter of 2012 include:

The airline added three new interline partners.
The airline introduced codeshare and agreed upon frequent flyer partnerships with Singapore Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
In December, the airline announced plans to begin flying to Newark Liberty International Airport from both SFO and LAX.
In December, the airline opened its first ever domestic lounge, the Virgin America Loft at LAX.
In December,the airline entered into a codeshare agreement with Singapore Airlines.
In December, the airline inaugurated the only nonstop flight offered from the New York City area (JFK) to Palm Springs with new winter seasonal service between the two cities.

Key milestones achieved in the first quarter of 2013 include:

In January, the airline announced plans for new daily service between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
In February, the airline announced plans for new daily service between San Jose and Los Angeles. Also in February, the airline announced plans for new daily service between San Francisco and Austin, Texas and new summer seasonal service between San Francisco and Anchorage, Alaska.
In March, the airline announced the appointment of industry veteran Steve Forte as its chief operating officer.

Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin. Airbus A320-214 N361VA (msn 5515), the first with Sharklets, pushes back from the gate at the SFO base.

Virgin America:

Virgin America arrives in San Jose, California, launches its “#nerdbird” contest

Virgin America (San Francisco) yesterday (May 1) launched new service to Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport in San Jose, California (SJC) – the latest destination city in the carrier’s network. The addition of SJC expands the airline’s presence in the greater San Francisco Bay Area (SJC is in the South Bay). Virgin America will serve SJC with four daily nonstop flights from and to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Guests on the very first LAX-SJC inaugural flight traveled on board Virgin America’s new Airbus A320 (N841VA), appropriately named “#nerdbird,” and were greeted by Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson at a red carpet welcome at SJC’s new Terminal A.

Upon arrival at SJC’s brand new Terminal A, travelers were given a red carpet welcome with a touch of Silicon Valley-inspired irreverence: flight guests were given nerd glasses and pocket protectors onboard. The inaugural #nerdbird flight received a traditional water cannon salute as Flight 534 touched down in San Jose. Once deplaned, the inaugural flight guests were greeted by Mayor Reed, U.S. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, business and civic leaders and Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson, for a champagne brunch gate-side to toast the new route.

Virgin America on May 1 also kicked off a #nerdbird Goes South online promotion sweepstakes inviting Elevate® frequent flyer program members to enter their membership number by May 16 for a chance to win a prize that includes Elevate Gold Status and 15 single-use WiFi passes good for any Virgin America flight through the end of 2013, courtesy of Gogo®. All entries will get a code good for 25% off flights between San Jose and Los Angeles (restrictions applying).*** For contest rules please visit: https://www.virginamerica.com//html/pdf/130501_nerdbird_contest.pdf

The new SJC-LAX route will also carry the codes of Virgin America codeshare partners Hawaiian Airlines and Singapore Airlines, offering seamless connectivity for guests traveling to and from San Jose via LAX. The addition of Virgin America San Jose-Los Angeles service creates convenient new online connections for San Jose guests traveling to and from Virgin America’s Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, New York (JFK and EWR), Orlando, Philadelphia, and Washington DC (IAD) destinations.

Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin. All others by Virgin America. Airbus A320-214 N361VA (msn 5515) at the San Francisco hub is the first with Sharklets.

Virgin America:

Video of the recent LAX-LAS launch:

Route Map:

Frontier uses a new strategy for services and fares

Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) is unbundling its services while maintaining the bundled option as it moves to a the Ultra Low Fare model. The goal is for the prospective customer to have a choice on services and hopefully the passenger will select the more expensive bundled “Classic Plus” fare which is being portrayed as a value fare rather than paying for individual unbundled add-ons. The airline is also giving advantages to those customers using the Frontier website. This strategy is a new version of the Ultra Low Cost Carrier model that has been developed by Allegiant Air and Spirit Airlines in the United States which advertises low fares but passengers are faced with many add-ons. Spirit Airlines, for example, does not offer the bundled fare alternative like the new Frontier model.

Frontier issued this statement:

Frontier Airlines announces forthcoming changes to further reduce fares and to improve the travel experience for its most loyal customers, including those who book through FlyFrontier.com. Frontier will further differentiate its services by charging customers only for the services they use and make FlyFrontier.com the best place to book Frontier travel. Frontier guarantees that customers will get the best value at FlyFrontier.com with our Best Fare Guarantee.

Carry-On Baggage

Frontier’s most loyal customers have made it very clear that finding overhead bin space for carry-on bags has become unacceptably difficult. In response, Frontier will be introducing a charge for carry-on bags for customers buying Basic fares through third party sites. All tickets sold at FlyFrontier.com include a carry-on bag with the fare.

FlyFrontier.com will become the only channel through which customers will continue to enjoy free carry-on bags on all tickets. Frontier encourages customers to save time and money by booking their travel at FlyFrontier.com, where they will always be able to choose their seats, earn more miles, and enjoy more perks, now including a carry-on item in the overhead bin at no additional charge.

This change will increase overhead space for Frontier’s most loyal customers and speed the boarding process for all passengers. This change will take effect in summer 2013, with the start date to be announced later this spring.*

Frontier will continue to offer all customers to carry one free personal item, no more than 18” x 14” x 8”, on the aircraft, provided such item fits under the seat.

“With this change, we are ensuring that our most loyal customers – Ascent and Summit level members of EarlyReturns®, those who book Economy, Classic and Classic Plus tickets, including all customers who book through FlyFrontier.com, will have more space onboard the aircraft for their carry-on bags,” said David Siegel, Frontier’s chief executive officer. “As we unbundle our product further, we ensure those customers who want the absolute lowest fares can always find them at FlyFrontier.com.”

Ascent and Summit level members of Frontier’s EarlyReturns® program will continue to receive access to the overhead bins without additional charge. With some of the lowest elite qualification rates in the U.S. airline industry, it pays to be a loyal flier with Frontier.

Once this change has been implemented, Frontier bag fees will be priced as follows:

Fare Type	Checked	Carry-on
Summit & Ascent	$0	$0
Classic Plus	$0	$0
Classic	$0	$0
Economy: lowest fares at FlyFrontier.com	First bag: $20 (when checking in at FlyFrontier.com) or $25 at the airport; Second bag: $20	$0
Basic: lowest fares through outside booking channels	First bag: $20 (when checking in at FlyFrontier.com) or $25 at the airport;Second bag: $20	$25-100 (customers enjoy the lowest price by checking in at FlyFrontier.com)

First Bag Fee

The fee to check a first bag will remain $20 when purchased during on-line check-in at FlyFrontier.com but will increase to $25 when purchased at airport check-in for all Economy and Basic tickets booked on or after June 1, 2013 for travel on or after July 11, 2013.

Second bag fees for Economy and Basic bags remain unchanged at $20. Classic and Classic Plus tickets continue to receive two free checked bags.

Onboard Beverages

As part of the transformation into an Ultra Low Cost Carrier, Frontier will begin charging for onboard beverages this summer. Effective July 1, 2013, customers who purchase Economy or Basic fares will be charged $1.99 for coffee, tea, soda and juice. All on-board purchases continue to require a credit or debit card.

Beverages will continue to be free for Ascent and Summit level EarlyReturns® members, as well as for all customers who purchase Classic and Classic Plus fares, when they show their boarding pass orEarlyReturns® membership card.

All customers will now receive a full can of soda or juice and customers choosing coffee will be offered free refills. In addition, Frontier will be making improvements to its beverage selection, including introducing a premium tea brand and Boyer’s Premium 100% Arabica coffee, a Colorado brand.

“Frontier continues to make it easier for customers flying with Frontier to pay only for the services they use, which allows us to continue lowering fares,” said Daniel Shurz, Frontier’s senior vice president, commercial.

Frontier is proud to have an extensive onboard catering selection that includes a variety of buy on board food options, alcoholic beverages, and premium beverages. As Colorado’s hometown airline, Frontier features Colorado brands in its onboard menu, including Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory fudge, Izze sparkling beverages, and several Colorado-brewed beers.

EarlyReturns Frequent Flyer Mileage Earn Changes

FlyFrontier.com customers always earn a minimum of 100% of frequent flyer miles flown. Economy, Classic and Classic Plus ticket-holders will continue to receive 100%, 125% and 150% of miles flown, respectively, regardless of where booked. However, beginning July 1, 2013, Frontier will be changing its EarlyReturns® mileage accrual rate on Basic fares from 50% to 25% of miles flown.

Frontier Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings, Inc.

*Frontier will charge a fee for carry-on luggage (larger than a personal item) for those who book Basic tickets after the announced date. Basic tickets are Frontier’s lowest fare sold for travel through outside booking channels, including other travel websites. Basic fares are not sold through FlyFrontier.com, where Frontier sells its lowest fares as Economy tickets that include a carry-on bag, an advanced seat assignment, lower change fees, and more EarlyReturns® miles than Basic fares. Classic tickets include additional amenities including two free bags and no change fees prior to the day of travel. Classic Plus fares offer our maximum flexibility, including being fully refundable.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Formerly operated by USA 3000 Airlines, Airbus A320-214 N218FR (msn 1615, ex N261AV) (Atlantic Puffin) arrives at Washington (Reagan National).

Frontier Airlines:

VietJetAir to add its second international route to Bangkok from Hanoi on June 1

VietJetAir (VietJetAir.com) (Ho Chi Minh City) has announced its second international route connecting the Vietnam capital of Hanoi to Bangkok starting on June 1, 2013.

VietJetAir currently operates a daily round trip between Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok with the Hanoi-Bangkok connection to be operated at the same frequency. The new route will depart from Hanoi at 10:50 am and land in Bangkok at 12:40 pm. The return flight will depart from Suvarnabhumi airport at 1:35 pm and arrive at Noi Bai International Airport at 3.25 pm.

Top Copyright Photo: Duncan Kirk. Airbus A320-214 VN-A688 (msn 2712) in the HD Bank special scheme arrives at the Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) base.