Tag Archives: A330-323X

American Airlines and US Airways are set to start the first phase of their codeshare agreement

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) and US Airways (Phoenix) (American Airlines Group) today are now offering customers improved access to the combined company’s global network through the first phase of a codeshare. Beginning today, customers can book flights on both airlines’ networks through the codeshare for travel starting on January 23.

Through the codeshare, each airline will sell tickets operated by the other carrier using its own code and flight number, and customers will be able to easily combine select flights operated by each airline on a single itinerary when booking travel on aa.com, usairways.com, or through other travel distribution channels. In addition, customers connecting on codeshare flights can seamlessly transfer bags when traveling on an itinerary that includes flights operated by both carriers. Launched in a phased approach, the codeshare seeks to provide a smooth travel experience while American and US Airways continue to operate as separate airlines during the merger integration.

The first phase of the codeshare will cover only select American and US Airways flights and includes placing:

The US Airways code on most American-operated flights between American’s hubs in Chicago,Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami and New York (JFK), and US Airways hubs in Charlotte,Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. (DCA).
The American code on most US Airways-operated flights between US Airways’ hubs in Charlotte,Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. (DCA), and American’s hubs in Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami and New York (JFK).
The American code on US Airways’ East Coast Shuttle service, which includes flights betweenBoston, New York (LGA) and Washington, D.C. (DCA).
The US Airways code on select American domestic flights from Chicago and Dallas/Fort Worth, providing US Airways customers immediate access to small- and medium-size destinations currently served by American but not US Airways.
The American and US Airways code on select international flights operated by the other carrier.

The two airlines are expected to extend the codeshare to include all flights within the combined network in the coming weeks. Customers should continue to check in for flights and conduct business with the airline operating their flight just as they did before the launch of this codeshare.

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 767-323 ER WL N378AN (msn 25447) with Blended Winglets approaches the runway at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

American Airlines (current):

American Airlines (historic):

US Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Keith Burton/AirlinersGallery.com. The “new American” will operate a mixed long-range fleet of both Airbus and Boeing aircraft. US Airways’ Airbus A330-323X N274AY (msn 342) completes its final approach into London (Heathrow).

Delta and Virgin Atlantic win DOT antitrust immunity for the trans-Atlantic joint venture

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) and Virgin Atlantic Airways (London) welcomed the decision by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to approve the carriers’ joint venture by granting antitrust immunity on routes between North America and the United Kingdom.

In their filing to the DOT, Delta and Virgin Atlantic noted that nearly 60 percent of the slots at London Heathrow Airport are controlled by British Airways and its joint venture partners. As a result, the carriers dominate air travel between the U.S. and the U.K, including the New York-London market, the most important business market in the world. By combining Virgin Atlantic’s Heathrow slots and U.K. brand strength with Delta’s powerful U.S. network, the joint venture will offer significant competition in the market and benefit consumers on both sides of the Atlantic.

New schedule between New York-JFK and London Heathrow

With the customer at the forefront of their partnership, the airlines unveiled a new schedule for the competitive New York to London travel market designed with business travelers in mind and offering a total of nine daily nonstop flights. Effective March 30, 2014, Delta and Virgin Atlantic will operate a harmonized schedule between New York-JFK and London Heathrow featuring seven daily nonstop services at convenient time slots. The new schedule will include departures every 30 minutes during the early evening peak and then hourly until 22:30 from New York-JFK to London Heathrow and a spread of seven daily flights from London Heathrow to New York-JFK, including two late afternoon and early evening departures. These services will be complemented by two daily nonstop flights between Newark Liberty International Airport and London Heathrow.

Delta and Virgin Atlantic will operate the following New York-JFK-London Heathrow schedule beginning March 30, 2014:

New York (JFK) – London (LHR)				London (LHR) – New York (JFK)
DepartAirport	Depart	Airport	Arrival	Depart Airport	Depart	Airport	Arrival
JFK	07:40	LHR	19:40	LHR	09:05	JFK	11:50
JFK	18:30	LHR	06:50*	LHR	10:15	JFK	13:15
JFK	19:00	LHR	07:20*	LHR	11:30	JFK	14:25
JFK	19:30	LHR	08:00*	LHR	14:00	JFK	16:40
JFK	20:30	LHR	08:45*	LHR	16:15	JFK	19:05
JFK	21:30	LHR	09:25*	LHR	17:35	JFK	20:30
JFK	22:30	LHR	10:40*	LHR	20:05	JFK	23:00

*arrives the following day

The two airlines will work together to coordinate other schedule and network opportunities. Combined, the airlines will operate a total of 32 peak daily nonstop flights between North America and the U.K. of which 24 flights will operate between London Heathrow and popular U.S. destinations such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta and Washington. Business customers will also benefit from a high-quality product: Delta and Virgin Atlantic’s business class uniquely includes forward-facing full flat-bed seats with direct aisle access on every flight. In addition, both airlines will offer a premium economy product on its trans-Atlantic services.

Customers are already seeing improved travel options from the partnership as they are benefiting from codesharing across 104 routes offering seamless connections to 63 destinations across North America and the UK. The partnership also means that members of frequent flyer SkyMiles and Flying Club loyalty programs have more opportunity to earn and use miles/points, while Premium customers have reciprocal access to Delta Sky Club and Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounges. In addition, business class passengers receive priority check-in, boarding, baggage handling and additional baggage allowance on all Delta and Virgin Atlantic operated flights worldwide, including those outside of the codeshare agreement.

Delta and Virgin Atlantic will unveil further product enhancements later in the year, appealing to the business customer and improving the travel experience of customers across the trans-Atlantic.

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Ex-Northwest Airlines Airbus A330-323X N813NW (msn 799) of Delta approaches the Tokyo (Narita) hub for landing.

Delta Air Lines:

Virgin Atlantic Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Olivier Gregoire/AirlinersGallery.com. Brand new Airbus A330-343X F-WWCG (msn 1341) became G-VWAG on delivery to Virgin Atlantic.

Delta orders 10 Airbus A330-300s and 30 A321s

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) today announced plans to purchase 40 Airbus aircraft for delivery between 2015 and 2017. The order, which comprises 10 international wide body A330-300 and 30 large domestic narrow body A321 jets, is the latest step in Delta’s prudent fleet renewal to enhance profitability while diligently managing capacity.

The 10 A330-300 aircraft will augment Delta’s existing fleet of 32 A330s. The first A330 delivery is scheduled for spring of 2015, with three additional airplanes scheduled for that year, four in 2016, and the final two in 2017.

Delta will be the first airline to operate the enhanced 242-metric ton A330-300, which offers additional payload capacity and range. Delta will use the aircraft’s versatility to optimize its Pacific and Atlantic networks.

These aircraft will be powered by General Electric CF6-80E1 engines. Delta currently operates similar GE CF6 engines on more than 60 widebody aircraft.

The A330 will feature 34 full flat-bed seats with direct aisle access in BusinessElite, 32 extra-legroom seats in Economy Comfort and 227 Economy seats. The international aircraft will feature in-flight Wi-Fi and industry leading in-flight entertainment with a library of more than 1,000 on-demand options, as well as standard 110v power, modern interiors with LED lighting, and extra-capacity overhead bins.

The 30 A321s will expand Delta’s existing fleet of 126 A320-family domestic aircraft. Delta’s first three A321s are scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2016, with 12 more due in that year. The remaining 15 jets are scheduled for 2017.

Delta’s A321 will be equipped with CFM56-5B engines produced by CFM International, a joint venture of General Electric Co. and Snecma of France. Delta operates more than 200 aircraft in its fleet today with CFM56 engines, including all Airbus narrowbody aircraft. The A321s will also feature wingtip sharklets, which will provide up to 4 percent improvement in fuel efficiency.

The Airbus A321 will have 20 First Class seats, 22 extra-legroom seats in Economy Comfort and 148 seats in the Economy cabin. Every A321 will feature in-flight Wi-Fi, industry leading in-flight entertainment with live satellite TV and on-demand options, and standard 110v power. The A321 will also offer Economy cabin seats that are among the widest in the industry.

Top Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-323X N801NW (msn 524) taxies at Amsterdam.

Bottom Image: Airbus.

Delta Air Lines:

Czech Airlines to put its first Airbus A330 in service tomorrow to Seoul

Czech Airlines-CSA (Prague) will place its newly-acquired Airbus A330-300 into revenue service tomorrow (June 1) from Prague to Seoul (Incheon). The airliner was delivered on may 14 and is leased from its new partner Korean Airlines (Seoul).

Czech Airlines:

Video (in Czech): OK-YBA’s arrival in Prague on May 14.

Malaysia Airlines joins the oneworld alliance on February 1

Malaysia Airlines (Kuala Lumpur) tonight at midnight (February 1) became a part of oneworld^® at midnight Kuala Lumpur time, adding one of Asia’s leading airlines to the global airline alliance that aims to be the first choice for frequent international travelers the world over.

The first flight in the new alliance is MH 386, which departed Kuala Lumpur at 1.40 am (0140) for Shanghai (Pudong). The national airline of Malaysia will be offering oneworld’s full range of services and benefits. Another key focus flight for the airline is the first departure by the first of its aircraft featuring the full oneworld livery – an Airbus A330-300 (see above) operating flight MH 129 to Melbourne from Kuala Lumpur at 10.15 am.

For Malaysia Airlines, joining oneworld completes the latest phase of its repositioning plan. Becoming part of the world’s premier global airline alliance will strengthen its competitiveness, enabling it to offer customers an unrivalled alliance global network served by partners including some of the best and biggest airlines in the world.

Malaysia Airlines, which serves more than 60 destinations in almost 30 countries, will substantially expand the alliance’s network in one of the world’s fastest growing economic powerhouses, South East Asia.

Its addition to oneworld makes Malaysia – which has one of the world’s 30 biggest national economies and with a population of almost 30 million – a home market for the alliance. Its capital Kuala Lumpur, the world’s 10^thmost visited city by international visitors according to the latest annual Mastercard survey, is now a oneworld hub.

Malaysia Airlines connects new 16 destinations and one country – Brunei – to the oneworld map. More significantly, it will strengthen the alliance’s connectivity between many key business cities in Asia and other parts of the world.

Its addition expands oneworld’s global coverage to 842 destinations in 156 countries, served by some 9,000 departures a day operated by a combined fleet of some 2,500 aircraft, carrying nearly 340 million passengers a year, with annual revenues of US$ 110 billion. Add oneworld’s other members elect – Qatar Airways and Sri Lankan Airlines – and the alliance network will reach 860 destinations in 159 countries.

Currently three of oneworld’s active member airlines serve three points in Malaysia, with Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and Royal Jordanian flying to Kuala Lumpur, Cathay Pacific operating to Penang and its Dragonair regional affiliate to Kota Kinabalu.

Copyright Photo: T. K. Ali. It is a new dawn for Malaysia Airlines. The pictured Airbus A330-323X 9M-MTE (msn 1243) at Kuala Lumpur is the first aircraft in the company to wear the Oneworld livery.

Malaysia Airlines:

Video:

Delta Air Lines is now using Facebook to book seats

Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-323X N801NW (msn 524) AMS (Karl Cornil), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) yesterday launched the industry’s first social media ‘Ticket Window’ enabling bookings directly from its Facebook page and other social media sites. The Delta Ticket Window, along with a newly designed home page at delta.com introduced earlier this week, offers the first visual cues of the airline’s planned transformation in customer-facing technology.

Delta’s Ticket Window allows any of Facebook’s 500 million users to complete a full travel booking using a dedicated “tab” at facebook.com/delta without navigating to delta.com. Delta plans to expand its Ticket Window to other sites, including online banner ads to allow full booking capabilities within the airline’s advertisements.

The redesign of Delta’s home page is the first step toward a larger redesign which will continue to improve the online experience on delta.com and its affiliated technology, including airport kiosks, to offer more functionality to customers. The immediate home page changes include easier access to flight booking, status updates, online check-in and SkyMiles account information.

US Airways starts daily Charlotte-Rome flights

US Airways Airbus A330-323X N274AY (msn 342) LHR (Keith Burton), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

US Airways (Phoenix) yesterday (May 13) began daily, year-round nonstop service to Rome from the Charlotte hub.

The new flight will complement US Airways’ daily nonstop service to Rome from Philadelphia, the airline’s international gateway. It will be operated with Airbus A330-300 aircraft with seating for 30 in Envoy, US Airways’ trans-Atlantic business class, and 263 in the main cabin.

Nigerian man tried to blow up Northwest flight 253

Northwest Airlines-NWA’s (subsidiary of Delta Air Lines) (Minneapolis/St. Paul) flight NW 253 was far from usually slow Christmas flight yesterday (December 25) as the crew of Airbus A330-323X N820NW (msn 859) attempted to land at the Detroit hub.

According to the AP, “A Nigerian man who said he was an agent for al-Qaida tried to blow up a Northwest Airlines plane Friday as it was preparing to land in Detroit, but travelers who smelled smoke and heard what sounded like firecrackers rushed to subdue him, the passengers and federal officials said.

Flight 253 with 278 passengers and 11 crew members aboard was about 20 minutes from the airport when passengers heard popping noises, witnesses said. At least one person climbed over others and jumped on the man. Shortly afterward, the suspect was taken to the front of the plane with his pants cut off and his legs burned, a passenger said. Law enforcement officials said the burns indicated the explosive was strapped to his legs.

One U.S. intelligence official said the explosive device was a mix of powder and liquid. It failed when the passenger tried to detonate it.”

Here is the full news report:

news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091226/ap_on_re_us/us_airliner_disturbance

Here is the statement from Delta:

finance.yahoo.com/news/Delta-Air-Lines-Issues-prnews-4002625269.html?x=0&.v=1

US Airways to start Charlotte-Rome nonstop flights on May 13, 2010

US Airways Airbus A330-323X N275AY (msn 370) CLT, originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

US Airways (Phoenix) will start a new spoke route from the Charlotte hub to Rome with Airbus A330-300s on May 13, 2010.

Korean Air orders six Airbus A330-200s

Please click on photo for full view and caption.

Korean Air (Seoul) has placed an order for six Airbus A330-200s according to the carrier. Airbus has not confirmed the order. Previously KAL increased its Airbus A380 order by two to 10.