Tag Archives: A321

JetBlue to introduce Mint service at Boston, will also add Boston-Nashville

JetBlue Airways (New York), already the largest airline in Boston, has announced plans to enhance service at Logan International Airport.

As part of the expansion, JetBlue will introduce Mint service to San Francisco and Los Angeles. JetBlue will also add Nashville as its 60th nonstop destination from Boston and will increase service frequency on more than a dozen existing routes to U.S. and Caribbean destinations.

Mint service will take off between Boston and San Francisco beginning in March 2016 with up to three daily roundtrips. Mint service to Los Angeles is set to begin in fall 2016 with up to three daily roundtrips.

Additionally, JetBlue will offer Mint seasonal service to the Caribbean beginning in March 2016 with a weekly Saturday roundtrip between Boston and Barbados, one of the airline’s most luxurious leisure destinations.

All customers traveling on the additional flights will benefit from JetBlue’s new Airbus A321 aircraft (above).

JetBlue also announced its intent to serve Nashville International Airport (BNA) from Boston with two daily roundtrips.

JetBlue also plans to launch daily nonstop service from Nashville to its Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood focus city. Service will begin in spring 2016.

All flights to Nashville will be operated on JetBlue’s Airbus A320 aircraft.

In addition, JetBlue will soon offer even more flights from Boston to 12 cities in its route network.

In January 2016, JetBlue will offer an average of 118 daily departures in its winter schedule with even more frequencies in the peak travel season – up to 140 daily departures in summer 2016. This is up from 54 average daily departures in 2008 when the airline began to significantly grow its presence in Boston.

The increase comes from a series of added flights on existing routes. Many of the flight frequency additions will be to JetBlue’s Florida and Caribbean focus cities and to other popular destinations in these regions. Additional flights are being added to the following destinations in the U.S. JetBlue network:

Additional daily flights between Boston and:

Orlando, Ft, Lauderdale, Tampa, San Juan, Raleigh/Durham, New York (JFK) and Cleveland

Additional weekend flights between Boston and:

Barbados (d), Aruba, Cancun, Turks and Caicos, Punta Cana, St. Maarten and Liberia, Costa Rica.

JetBlue has helped connect more international carriers in Boston through agreements with 15 carriers. El Al to Tel Aviv and Hainan Airlines to Shanghai are two of the newest routes. Emirates also plans to introduce a second daily flight to Dubai this fall.

Over the last three years JetBlue has attracted five new international partners to Boston including El Al, Emirates, Hainan Airlines, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines.

JetBlue’s impressive list of airline partnerships grew from its very first agreement with Massachusetts-based Cape Air in 2007. Cape Air is one of the largest independent regional carriers in the U.S. and enhances the JetBlue network with easy connections from San Juan and Boston to destinations in Cape Cod and the Caribbean.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A321-231 N934JB (msn 6130) in the Prism livery departs from Los Angeles International Airport.

JetBlue Airways aircraft slide show:

Gulf Air increases the number of flights to Frankfurt, Larnaca and Paris

Gulf Air (Bahrain) will increase the number of flights to and from Frankfurt, Larnaca and Paris (CDG) during the upcoming peak summer travel period until September 2015, due to growing passenger numbers.

This follows the airline’s recent announcement of its enhanced Istanbul summer schedule which now offers seven weekly flights during the summer period.

Gulf Air will operate eight weekly flights from Bahrain to both Frankfurt and Paris (Charles de Gaulle Airport) and six weekly flights to Larnaca.

Gulf Air’s European summer schedule further supplements the airline’s existing four weekly Athens service and double daily London Heathrow service.

Gulf Air aircraft slide show:

DHL delivers the first A321 aircraft components for Airbus to Mobile, Alabama

DHL Global Forwarding, Americas, has issued this statement:

DHL Global Forwarding, the specialist for air and ocean freight at Deutsche Post DHL Group, shipped the first aircraft components to the newly built U.S. assembly plant in Mobile, Alabama from the Hamburg Finkenwerder Airbus plant in Germany. DHL Industrial Projects developed a multimodal transport concept for the European aircraft manufacturer. From the beginning of June 2015, large components of A320 family as well as 1,000 sea freight containers and additional air freight shipments, also including hazardous goods, crossed the Atlantic. Arriving into port on June 17, DHL transported the aircraft components within a total transit time of 29 days which was of critical importance since configuration and control of the final assembly processes at Airbus depended upon it.

“Our Industrial Projects team created a plan, developed a concept and helped Airbus transport their aircraft components efficiently, effectively, and with no issues.”

“In order to successfully transport highly sensitive cargo, especially across great distances, it is critical to have a solutions-driven team of experts in place,” said Brian Lindholm, global head of business development, DHL Global Forwarding Industrial Projects. “Our Industrial Projects team created a plan, developed a concept and helped Airbus transport their aircraft components efficiently, effectively, and with no issues.”

The five different aircraft components with a maximum weight of thirty tonnes per section were transported on board a chartered ship using special sea transport frames and secured on roll trailers with twist locks. After arriving at the Port of Mobile and clearing Customs, the aircraft components were then loaded onto heavy-duty trailers with special cranes which will be transported a few miles to the new Airbus U.S. assembly plant in Mobile on Sunday, June 21.

For air freight shipments, both LD3 containers and consolidated shipments were used. Special legally required procedures were used for securing and transporting hazardous goods.

After the aircraft components are delivered, the sea transport frames and the air freight containers will be prepared for their return to Finkenwerder.

This is the first time DHL transports major components for Airbus.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group.

Top Photo: DHL/Business Wire. The fuselage component for new Airbus A321-231 (msn 6512) for JetBlue Airways was delivered to Mobile, Alabama from Hamburg, Germany. Members of DHL Global Forwarding, Airbus, the International Longshoremen’s Association (Local 14010) and AMP Terminal employees pose in front of the fuselage of the first Airbus A320 aircraft to be assembled at the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, Alabama.

In the wake of United’s JFK announcement, JetBlue adds more Mint flights from JFK to Los Angeles and San Francisco

JetBlue Airways (New York) today announced that it will add additional flights of its acclaimed Mint experience from New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

Beginning October 25, JetBlue will offer up to six daily Mint flights between New York and San Francisco. JetBlue will also add additional service between New York and Los Angeles beginning October 25, with up to 10 daily flights by February when the airline takes delivery of its newest A321 Mint aircraft.

JetBlue launched Mint service in June 2014.

According to the carrier, “JetBlue’s top-notch inflight service is matched by the Mint aircraft itself, which includes private suites, the widest seat and longest fully-flat bed in the U.S. domestic market (a), tapas-style dining, custom amenity kits, a 15-inch flat screen with 100+ channels of DIRECTV® programming and more than 100 channels of SiriusXM® satellite radio, and free broadband connectivity with their acclaimed Fly-Fi service. Additional frequencies will be available for purchase starting June 21, 2015.”

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A321-231 N945JT (msn 6390) arrives at Los Angeles International Airport.

JetBlue Airways aircraft slide show:

Wizz Air signs contract for 110 Airbus A321neo aircraft

Wizz Air (Budapest) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the biggest single order for the Airbus A321neo aircraft. The deal signed at the 51st Le Bourget International Paris Air Show pushes NEO orders and commitments beyond 4,000. Significantly the order includes the latest A321neo Airbus Cabin Flex configuration with 239 seats in 18 inch comfort standard.
Currently Wizz Air operates 61 aircraft on one of Central and Eastern Europe’s most extensive networks with over 380 routes from 22 bases.

In other news, starting late September, Wizz Air will introduce two new routes from Chișinău to Bologna and London (Luton).

According to Airbus:

With one aircraft in three sizes (A319neo, A320neo and A321neo), the A320neo Family, seating from 100 to 240 passengers, seamlessly covers the entire single-aisle segment from low to high-density configurations on domestic to longer range routes. To date, the A320 Family has won more than 11,700 orders and over 6,500 aircraft delivered to more than 300 operators worldwide.

Image: Airbus.

Wizz Air aircraft slide show:

June 17 – 20, 2015 at Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta. For more information: CLICK HERE

VietJetAir orders six more Airbus A321s

VietJetAir (VietJetAir.com) (Ho Chi Minh City) has placed a firm order with Airbus for the purchase of six additional A321s. The order was signed today (June 17) at the Paris Air Show by VietJetAir President and CEO, Madam Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, and Airbus President and CEO, Fabrice Brégier.

VietJetAir took delivery of its first A321 in March of this year.

VietJetAir first took to the skies at the end of 2011 and now operates a fleet of 25 A320 Family aircraft on a network covering Vietnam and a growing number of destinations across Asia. Following today’s announcement, the carrier has ordered a total of 69 aircraft from Airbus, including this order, and also holds purchase rights for another 30 aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A321-211 D-AZAK (msn 5295) became VN-A651 when it was handed over on March 20, 2015.

VietJetAir aircraft slide show:

Koreans signs MOU for 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft + 20 options

Korean Air (Seoul) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus to acquire up to 50 A321neo aircraft, becoming a new customer for the single aisle A320 Family.

The agreement, covering 30 aircraft plus 20 options, was announced today at the Paris Air Show by Korean Air Group Chairman Cho Yang Ho and Airbus President and CEO Fabrice Brégier.

Korean Air will operate the A321neo with a two class full service layout on regional services, including on longer sectors to selected destinations in South East Asia. The aircraft will be fitted with premium amenities, including wider seats in both classes and the latest in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems.

Korean Air is Airbus’ longest-standing customer from outside Europe and placed its first order with the manufacturer in 1974. Since that time Airbus widebody aircraft have formed a major part of the Korean Air fleet. Today, the double deck A380 is the flagship of the airline’s long haul fleet, while mid-size A330 is operated by the airline on services across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as on selected routes to Europe.

Image: Airbus.

Korean Air slide show:

Korean Air’s East Asia Route Map:

Air Astana to replace its Boeing 757-200s with new Airbus A321neos from ALC

Air Lease Corporation (AL) announced today long term lease agreements for seven new Airbus A320neo Family aircraft with Air Astana (Almaty), the national airline of Kazakhstan.

The seven aircraft include two new A320neos and five new A321neos and LRs, all from ALC’s order book with Airbus. One A320neo is scheduled to deliver in Spring 2016, while the remaining six aircraft will deliver in 2018 and 2019. The A321neo aircraft will replace the remaining Boeing 757-200s (top).

Top Copyright Photo: SPA/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 757-2G5 P4-FAS (msn 29489) arrives at London (Heathrow).

Air Astana aircraft slide show:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Air Astana has been adding Airbus A320s and new A321s so the final replacement by A321s is not a surprise. Airbus A321-231 P4-NAS (msn 1042) taxies at Amsterdam.

Air Lease Corporation orders one additional Airbus A350-900 and four A320 Family aircraft

Air Lease Corporation (ALC) (Los Angeles) today at the 51st International Paris Air Show announced a firm order for additional Airbus widebody and single-aisle aircraft (1 A350-900, 1 A321ceo and 3 A320ceo).

Including today’s announcement, ALC’s fast growing portfolio of Airbus aircraft stands at a total of 262, of which 66 are widebodies (15 A330ceo, 25 A330neo, 21 A350-900, 5 A350-1000) and 196 are single-aisles (30 A320ceo, 31 A320neo, 26 A321ceo, 109 A321neo).

Image: Airbus. The Airbus A321ceo with Sharklets.

Monarch Airlines reduces its six-month loss

Monarch Airlines (London-Luton) reported a loss of £69.9 million ($106.7 million) for the six months ending on April 30. This is an improvement of a loss of £110.6 million ($168.8 million) for the same half year period in 2014.

The airline issued this financial statement:

Monarch, the European leisure airline group, has reported a half year loss of £69.9 million, down from £110.6 million for the same period last year. Winter losses, for the November to April period, were down by a bigger than forecast £40 million.

Monarch has completed the final phase of the restructuring program begun last year and has created a revitalized, entirely scheduled network of destinations for discerning leisure customers. The Monarch turnaround is firmly on track.

Monarch has undertaken a range of measures to remove £200 million in annual costs from the business, including restructuring of its network and fleet, improved revenue management and modernised working practices. £30 million of the reduction in winter losses is due to the success of this self-help turn around program, with the remaining £10 million due to additional savings in fuel costs.

Overall, this has resulted in a strong first half performance. The group is now focused on building on the heritage of the Monarch brand and creating a truly customer centric organisation.

Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Swaffield said; “We remain positive that the changes we have made to the structure of the group, the network and our cost base have set us in good stead to achieve the turnaround. It is thanks to the hard work of all 2,800 colleagues employed directly by the company, both on the ground and in the air, that we are focused on service and safety whilst maintaining a low cost base. These elements will help Monarch to build a sustainably profitable business.”

Chief Financial Officer, Barry Nightingale said; “Our winter performance was better than forecasted with substantially reduced losses.

“We have seen stable booking trends throughout the last 6 months and have seen good summer sales in key months which will help us to deliver against a challenging plan.

“Improved revenue management has played a key part in the turnaround results but, additionally we have put a lot of work into segmenting our customer groups and have been able to take a customer centric approach to reshape our network around increased frequencies to our most popular destinations. We have also added new scheduled routes taken from our portfolio of destinations previously served as charter routes to provide a better service and increased flexibility to customers.”

Earlier this year, Monarch launched a group wide employee bonus scheme to reward the commitment and hard work of all employees. Key performance indicators are aligned to company performance and the punctuality of the airline.

Andrew Swaffield said; “It’s clear that people who work for Monarch genuinely care about the company and our customers. That is directly reflected in the great service and natural warmth which comes as standard.

“The bonus scheme is designed to ensure that we focus on the right things such as company performance and airline punctuality (OTP). This year we have already improved, and our average OTP figure for the first six months is 83.2%, compared to 80% for the same period last year.”

Having recently celebrated 47 years of flying under the Monarch name, work has now begun to transition the airline to its new fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft (below) which will start coming into service in April 2018.

The airline confirmed this order in autumn 2014 to replace its current Airbus fleet by 2020. Each of the thirty new Boeing 737 MAX8 aircraft will deliver further savings on future fuel costs and contribute to the airline’s sustainable low cost base.

Alongside the scheduled airline operations, Monarch’s in-house engineering division has enjoyed growth in third party business and has opened a new maintenance base in Copenhagen. Monarch Aircraft Engineering was recently shortlisted for Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul company of the Year at this years’ industry Awards. The priority for this valuable group asset is to improve its efficiency and make a bigger contribution in the years to come.

Monarch’s tour operating business has seen strong year-on-year growth in on-line bookings, offsetting some category weakness in high street sales. Key markets in the Canaries and mainland Spain have grown in line with the airline’s scheduled operations to key city destinations. Packages to Egypt are seeing some recovery after an unsteady past two years. Greece continues to perform well, despite economic uncertainty and aggressive competition.

Video: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth/AirlinersGallery.com. Monarch will replace its current Airbus fleet with new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft by 2020. Airbus A321-231 G-OZBE (msn 1707) arrives in Las Palmas.

Monarch Airlines aircraft slide show: