JAL-Japan Airlines (Tokyo) announced today its new “JAL Sky Suite 777” service will be introduced between Tokyo (Narita) and Frankfurt in April 2014.
JAL Sky Suite 77 service boasts increased comfort and functionality in all four classes. According to JAL, the revamped aircraft has yielded favorable feedback from customers since it was launched on Tokyo (Narita) and London route in January 2013. It won a Good Design Awardย in 2013 and Skytraxโs Best Business Class Airline Seat of the year for 2013.
JAL Sky Suite 77 has been introduced between Tokyo (Narita) and London, between Tokyo (Narita) and New York, and between Tokyo (Narita) and Paris as well as between Tokyo (Narita) and Los Angeles.
Between Tokyo (Narita) and Frankfurt (JL407/JL408):
Class
Name of seat
Number of Seats
First Class
JAL SUITE
8 seats
Business Class
JAL SKY SUITE
49 seats
Premium Economy
JAL SKY PREMIUM
40 seats
Economy Class
JAL SKY WIDER
135 seats/147seats
Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. JAL’sย Boeing 777-346 ER JA731J (msn 32431) wears a special “JAL Sky Suite 777” logo on the rear fuselage at its approaches London’s Heathrow Airport.
WestJet (Calgary), WestJet Vacations and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts (Canada) today pulled back the curtain on their most exciting adventure yet — a custom-painted Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 series aircraft featuring Mickey Mouse in his most famous role, Sorcerer Mickey.
WestJet, WestJet Vacations and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts (Canada) first forged a relationship in 2004 based on a shared vision of creating memorable experiences for their guests. Known in the social media world as the #MagicPlane, the aircraft will perform its inaugural flight on December 3, 2013, from Calgary to Orlando, Florida, home of Walt Disney World Resort. Following the flight, the Magic Plane will fly throughout WestJet’s domestic, trans-border and international network.
“We are very proud of our work with Disney and everything we’ve done together over the years to enrich the lives of our guests,” said Gregg Saretsky , WestJet President and CEO. “With the Magic Plane, we are soaring to new heights, offering guests of all ages the chance to share the skies with one of the world’s most beloved and iconic figures. We also look forward to having fun with our guests on the ground as they see the Magic Plane flying over their communities and at airports across our expanding network.”
“Bringing this vision to life has been a true collaboration between our companies and it’s so exciting to see the final result — the aircraft is absolutely beautiful,” said Marlie Morrison , Managing Director, Marketing & Sales, The Walt Disney Company (Canada) Ltd. “WestJetters are the first point of contact for many of our Walt Disney World guests embarking on their memorable family vacation. ย We have a great appreciation for WestJet, which shares a similar culture in bringing guests an exceptional experience from beginning to end.”
Fun facts about the Magic Plane:
The two sides of the aircraft are mirror images of each other in all aspects but one. We’ll leave it to our guests to decide what that is!
There are a total of 36 different paint colours on the aircraft.
It took a team of 26 people 24 days working around the clock to paint the Magic Plane.
The painting crew consumed more than 150 doughnuts over the 24 days.
The painting crew consisted of people from four countries, five states, two provinces and 12 cities.
The cookies that will be served on board are a special treat in the shape of Disney characters.
Over the next five years, the Magic Plane will fly more than 400,000 guests a total of nearly eight million kilometres.
On board the Magic Plane’s inaugural flight on December 3 will be 16 members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada from various cities across the country. Along with club chaperones and WestJet volunteers, the group will travel to Orlando for three days of fun at Walt Disney World Resort, “pay-it-forward” charity activities, teambuilding and leadership training.
WestJet serves Orlando, home of Walt Disney World Resort, with a total of 39 flights per week during peak winter months from Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Hamilton, London, Toronto Pearson, Ottawa, Montreal Trudeau, Halifax, Moncton and St. John’s , Newfoundland.
WestJet Vacations offers a variety of vacation packages to the Walt Disney World Resort. Play, stay, dine and save when you book a five- to 15-night vacation package at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels that includesย Magic Your Wayย tickets and a Disney dining plan. Offer is valid for bookings made by February 22, 2014 , for travel between January 5 and April 12, 2014 .
Copyright Photos: WestJet. The pictured Boeing 737-8CT C-GWSZ (msn 37092) “Magic Plane” was formerly painted in the special “Care-antee” color scheme.
United Airlines (Chicago) today announced it is the first and only airline to offer premium-cabin, flat-bed seats on every scheduledย trans-continental flight between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and San Francisco and between New York JFK and Los Angeles.
The airline has completed an extensive redesign of 15 Boeing 757-200s that fly theseย p.s. “Premium Service”ยย routes.
The revamped p.s. aircraft offer 28 180-degree flat-bedย United BusinessFirstย seats, offering up to 6’4″ of sleeping space and more room for storage; 42 extra-legroomย United Economy Plusseats; and 72ย United Economyย seats.
Designed to give customers an experience comparable to long-haul, international flights, United’s refurbished p.s. aircraft also offer:
Inflightย Wi-Fi
Personal, on-demand entertainment at every seatย – with 15.4″ย monitors in United BusinessFirst and 9″ย monitors in United Economyย – offering hundreds of movies and television shows, plus other entertainment options
Power outletsย and USB ports at every seat
Two additional inches of legroom in United Economy Plus compared to Economy Plus legroom on pre-renovation p.s. service
Multi-course meals in United BusinessFirst on most flights
Wine selections recommended by Doug Frost, United’s Master Sommelier and Master of Wine, including half bottles of premium wines for purchase in United Economy
“Our investment in these aircraft and in the p.s. service will add greatly to our flyer-friendly customer experience on these coast-to-coast flights,” said Jeff Foland, United’s executive vice president of marketing, technology and strategy. “This is just one more example of the many things we are doing to provide greater onboard comfort and convenience on every United flight.”
Customer Service Investments
United’s renovated p.s. aircraft are among the many investments the airline is making to enhance its customers’ experience in the air and on the ground. United also offers:
Premium-cabin, flat-bed seats on every scheduledย long-haul international flight from the continental United States
Satellite-fed Wi-Fi on more than 130 aircraft so far, with nearly all of United’s mainline fleet outfitted with Wi-Fi by the end of 2014
An all-new mobile application for the iOS 7 platform, offering customers innovative new features, better functionality and an improved touch-friendly design
Live televisionย on more than 200 aircraft, the world’s largest fleet of aircraft with live television
Significantly upgradedย United Clubย lounges in Chicago O’Hare Terminal 2, Seattle and San Diego, with improved amenities, modern interiors, more power outlets and complimentary snacks and Wi-Fi
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.comย (all others by United).ย Boeing 757-224 WL N19141 (msn 30354) departs from Los Angeles International Airport.
Cargolux Airlines International S.A. (Luxembourg) has announced the launch of a weekly service to Bamako, the capital of Mali, from December 5, 2013. The flights are operated with the airlineโs Boeing 747 freighters which offer main deck capacity for the transport of airfreight supplies that support the local industries in the areas of natural resources, telecommunications, healthcare and pharmaceutical products, perishables and general appliances.
In 2010, Bamako Airport inaugurated a new cargo terminal with a yearly capacity of 10,000 tons and extended the runway to 3,180 meters, enabling the operation of large aircraft, such as Cargoluxโs 747 freighters.
Flight CV 7124 is operated every Thursday on the routing Luxembourg โ Bamako โ Lagos โ Libreville โ Nairobi โ Manston โ Luxembourg. Departure in Luxembourg is scheduled for 16.30 GMT with arrival in Bamako at 21:40 GMT. With this service, Cargolux connects another African destination to its worldwide network and offers shippers fast and reliable airfreight solutions to a market with growing importance.
Cargoluxโs African network now covers 13 destinations that show promising export potential with strong shipments for the oil and gas industry. Cargolux also offers direct services between the United States and Africa.
Previously the cargo carrier started weekly service to Buenos Aires via Campinas (Viracopas) near Sao Paulo on November 13.
Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Boeing 747-4R7F LX-VCV (msn 34235) approaches Johannesburg for landing.
Air New Zealand (Auckland) has done it again. The champion of promotion today launched it latest Hobbit-theme aircraft, this time with Smaug, the dragon, emblazoned on Boeing 777-319 ER ZK-OKO (msn 38407) (above) now flying to Los Angeles for the movie premier.
The airline issued this statement:
The Official Airline of Middle-earth today announced the key elements of its global marketing campaign two weeks ahead of the premiere of the second film in The Hobbit Trilogy, which is a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures.
A key feature of the airlineโs campaign, titled Middle-earth is closer than you think, is a competition to give three Hobbit movie fans from around the world the money-canโt-buy opportunity to attend the world premiere movie screening with a friend. A fourth lucky entrant will win a once-in-a-life-time Middle-earth experience for two in New Zealand.
The video Just Another Day in Middle-earth stars Airย Newย Zealand flight attendants, pilots, aircraft engineers, an aircraft marshall, baggage handlers and airport staff as themselves, with a cheeky film-inspired twist, and more than 120 extras. It aims to inspire travellers from around the world to take their own unexpected journey โ with the key message โMiddle-earth is closer than you thinkโ.
The video also features Kiwi Dean OโGorman, who plays dwarf Fili, and the voice of Sylvester McCoy, The Hobbit Trilogyโs Radagast the Brown.
Dean OโGorman says the video captures both the magic of The Hobbit films and the unique personality of Airย Newย Zealand.
โThe cast and crew have been travelling to New Zealand so much over the past few years the airlineโs become like a second home to some of them and they just love the uniquely Kiwi service. It was great to be involved in this video and see so many Airย Newย Zealand staff having a bit of fun with all the Hobbit film references.โ
Viewers of the video from around the world can enter for their chance to win one of four trips of a lifetime for two to their choice of either Middle-earth (New Zealand) or to the premiere of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug in Los Angeles, including airfares, accommodation and rental car.
Another feature of the Airย Newย Zealand marketing campaign will be the unveiling of a Boeing 777-300 aircraft in special Hobbit film-inspired livery on December 2 in Auckland (see above). The flying billboard will leave that night for Los Angeles where it will touch down in time for the The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug premiere.
Head of Global Brand Development Jodi Williams says there is a common perception that New Zealand is tucked away at the bottom of the earth and the perceived distance barrier stops some travellers considering the country as a destination.
โFor travellers from the majority of Airย Newย Zealandโs long haul destinations, including Shanghai, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Hong Kong and Tokyo, Middle-earth is just a sleep away.โ
Tourism New Zealand figures from last yearโs marketing activity around The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey show 82 percent of international survey respondents stated the campaign increased their interest in New Zealand. 8.5 percent of international visitors to New Zealand during January-March this year said The Hobbit Trilogy was a factor in stimulating their interest in New Zealand and one percent said it was the most important factor.
Fromย Academy Awardยฎ-winning filmmakerย Peter Jackson, director of โThe Lord of the Ringsโ Trilogy, comes โThe Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.โย Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, with Martin Freeman in the central role of Bilbo Baggins, and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield.ย The international ensemble cast is led by Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, Ken Stott, James Nesbitt, and Orlando Bloom as Legolas.ย The film also stars Mikael Persbrandt, Sylvester McCoy, Aidan Turner, Dean OโGorman, Graham McTavish, Adam Brown, Peter Hambleton, John Callen, Mark Hadlow, Jed Brophy, William Kircher, Stephen Hunter, Ryan Gage, John Bell, Manu Bennett and Lawrence Makoare.
The screenplay for โThe Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaugโ is by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson & Guillermo del Toro, based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. Jackson also produced the film, together with Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner and Fran Walsh. The executive producers are Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins and Carolyn Blackwood, with Philippa Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producers.
New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Present a Wingnut Films Production, โThe Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.โย The film is a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), with New Line managing production.ย Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television distribution being handled by MGM.ย www.thehobbit.com
Copyright Photos: Air New Zealand.
Air New Zealand (see the other special theme aircraft):ย
Thomas Cook Group (London) has unveiled its new “Sunny Heart” livery. Airbus A321-211 G-TCDC (msn 5872) was delivered to Thomas Cook Airlines (UK) (Manchester) on November 22 and will go into revenue service in mid December.ย the second of the 23 new Airbus A321 aircraft to be delivered to the Thomas Cook Group Airlines by 2016, previously announced in early 2013. This follows the first A321 delivered to sister airline Condor Flugdienst (Frankfurt) in May 2013.
Six aircraft will be deployed in the UK and will be in operation by the summer season of 2014.
The group explains the new look, a departure from its traditional blue and white colors:
“Our new โSunny Heartโ livery expresses the philosophy of our airline; our team putting their heart into every flight and making sure our customersโ holiday starts as soon as they board their flight to their holiday destination. The Sunny Heart is the perfect symbol for our passion to create memorable holidays for our guests.”
G-TCDCย is also the first Airbus aircraft in the Thomas Cook Group to be fitted with wing-tip Sharklets which help the aircraft fly using less fuel, contributing – with the new fuselage shape – to an overall fuel efficiency of up to 6 per cent compared to the existing aircraft in the fleet.
Meanwhile Condor Flugdienst has already painted its first aircraft in the new brand, Boeing 757-330 D-ABOJ (above).
Copyright Photo: Bernhard Ross/AirlinersGallery.com. Condor’s Boeing 757-330 D-ABOJ (msn 29010) sits at the Frankfurt base today between flights in the new look.
Thomas Cook Airlines (UK):ย
Condor Flugdienst:ย
Video: Painting of the first A321 for Condor (in the old colors):
Aerovias DAP (Las Aerolineas de la Patagonia) (Punta Arenas, Chile) has become a new Boeing 737 operator. Former SKY Airline (Santiago) Boeing 737-2Q3 CC-ABD (msn 22736) isย the first Boeing 737-200 to be operated by Aerovรญas DAP. CC-ABD is being operated on behalf of the mining industry as DAP Mineral Airways. Aerovias DAP is expected to add two additional Boeing 737-200s from SKY Airline. This leaves the Aerovias DAP BAe 146s/Avro RJs to operate mainly in southern Chile (Patagonia) and Antarctica.
Video: BAe 146 landing on King George Island in Antarctica:
Thai Lion Air (Bangkok-Don Mueang) has secured its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) and is planning to launch scheduled low-fare passenger operations on December 4 with two new 215-seat Boeing 737-900 ERs. The first routes will be from Don Mueang to Chiang Mai, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur according to the Bangkok Post. The low-cost carrier will add Singapore, Guangzhou, Hong, Shenzhen, Delhi and Mumbai next year.
Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured Boeing 737-9GP ER N5515R (msn 38738) became HS-LTI when it was handed over on October 18, 2013 in Seattle.
Cathay Pacific Airways (Hong Kong) has been progressively replacing its Boeing 747-400s from passenger service especially on long-haul routes.. The company is currently planning to replace the last two long-range Boeing 747-400 passenger routes to Johannesburg and San Francisco with newer Boeing 777-300 ERs on October 25, 2014 per Airline Route.
Update: This retirement date has now been moved up to August 31, 2014 per Airline Route.
This will end long-haul passenger service of the type with CPA. It is unclear at this time if the airline will continue short-haul Asian service of the aircraft after this date.
In addition, the company will end Boeing 747-400 passenger service to London (Heathrow) on December 31, 2013.
Cathay Pacific continues to operate an extensive Boeing 747 freighter operation.
Copyright Photo: Keith Burton/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 747-467 B-HOP (msn 23815) approaches London (Heathrow) when it once served that route.
WestJet (Calgary) has announced that its pilots have voted against a tentative agreement by a margin of 58.7 percent. Turnout was very strong, with 96 per cent of pilots voting.
The current agreement remains in effect until a new agreement is reached. Pilots at WestJet are represented by the WestJet Pilots Association (WJPA), a non-union employee association.
“We are disappointed with the results of the vote,” said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO. “Our leadership team and the WJPA will regroup in the coming weeks, focusing on understanding the specific concerns of the pilot group and, just as we’ve always done, work collaboratively to bring forward a new agreement.”
Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-7CT C-FWAQ (msn 32748) touches down in Las Vegas.
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