Tag Archives: Boeing 737-900ER

United Airlines maintenance workers warn shareholders of problems at the airline

United Airlines‘ (Chicago) maintenance workers, represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, has issued this statement:

United Airlines aviation maintenance technicians and related support personnel rallied outside the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting in Chicago today to warn investors and customers of problems at the airline.

More than 9,000 Teamster aviation maintenance workers are seeking a fair collective bargaining agreement. The workers’ last contract became amendable in January 2013.

The maintenance workers, who are critical to the airline’s operations, are losing patience as the company drags its feet on reaching a fair collective bargaining agreement five years after the United-Continental merger announcement.

“United-Continental workers, shareholders and customers have been loyal through tough times. They have shouldered the burden of myriad problems—including integration and customer service issues—that have taken a toll on United’s earnings and reputation,” said David Bourne, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division. “The company appears willing to risk United’s turnaround by provoking a labor dispute with its aircraft maintenance technicians and related workers. And the timing couldn’t be worse.”

United Airlines came in last among traditional carriers in the JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey released in May.

“As employees and shareholders of this company, we have a long-term interest in the success of the airline and it’s time for management to do the right thing and offer us a well-deserved, industry-leading contract,” said John Laurin, a 29-year United Airlines maintenance technician.

United Airlines aircraft slide show:

United Airlines previews the new United.com website

United Airlines (Chicago) has unveiled the beta version of the company’s new homepage and flight booking features for united.com.

According to the carrier:

“The redesigned website encompasses everything from searching and sorting flight options to reserving and buying tickets. The site offers a sleek, modern and touch-friendly design, along with all-new personalized features and tools to help customers select the best flights and travel options to meet their needs.

Customers can browse and book on the preview site by visiting beta.united.com. The airline will officially launch the new united.com this summer after additional customer feedback and further refinements.”

The new flyer-friendly functionality includes:

1. Search, sort and filter your perfect flight: Customers can choose what’s most important to them when booking a flight. Whether it’s Wi-Fi availability, preferred connection cities, aircraft type, in-seat power or the inclusion of nearby cities, customers can sort, filter, include and exclude a variety of preferences to narrow or expand search results.

2. Quicker view of fare and date combinations: Search results automatically display pricing for a 15-day window (7 +/-) to show customers more options, and fares are displayed in “each way” increments to give customers added flexibility and clarity when building their travel itineraries.

3. Upgrade insight: Knowing if upgrades are available for purchase on a particular flight helps customers make more informed booking decisions. Customers can now view upgrade availability and redeem any MileagePlus upgrade prior to purchase on all eligible flights.

4. Widgets working for you: The new homepage features widgets customized to MileagePlus members’ travel histories including a quick-view of upcoming trips, saved searches and alerts, to name a few. (Bonus:Users can select travel and aviation-themed photography for their homepage backgrounds.)

5. Touch-friendly: No matter the device style or device brand, customers will have a seamless, touch-friendly user experience.

“We reimagined the flight booking experience from the ground up,” said Scott Wilson, United’s vice president of merchandising and eCommerce. “Much more than a facelift – we kept our customers’ needs and preferences for personalized travel at the center of the design to offer an entirely new and improved experience altogether.”

In redesigning the site, United also used feedback from customers to improve the features they valued most, making those tools cleaner and easier to use.

United.com by the Numbers:

2,000 visitors per minute
More than $1 million in revenue every hour
Offers flights on more than 100 airlines – the most of any U.S. carrier website
More than 1,400 destinations available

United’s new homepage features customized and personalized options.

Customers can sort, filter, include and exclude a variety of preferences to narrow or expand search results.

After fully launching the new homepage and booking path this summer, United will continue to phase-in additional updated pages and functionality to all of united.com. In the process, customers may be directed to existing pages that reflect the current design.

Bottom Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. (all others images by United Airlines). Boeing 737-924 ER N69826 (msn 42180) with APB Split Scimitar Winglets arrives at Baltimore/Washington (BWI).

United Airlines aircraft slide show:

Turkish Airlines takes delivery of its 125th Boeing airplane

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle and Charleston) and Turkish Airlines (Istanbul) yesterday (May 11) celebrated a milestone with the delivery of the airline’s 125th airplane purchased from Boeing – a Next-Generation 737-900 ER (TC-JYO, msn 42013) – and one of 12 airplanes the Turkish flag-carrier will take delivery of this year.

Boeing and Turkish Airlines’ relationship stretches back to 1968 when the airline first purchased one McDonnell Douglas DC-9. In 1974, it began operating the first of the Boeing 7 Series, taking delivery of two 727-200s. Since then, Turkish has grown to become one of the world’s leading carriers and currently operates a mix of Boeing 777-300 ERs and 737 Next-Generation airplanes.

Copyright Photo below: Steve Bailey/AirlinersGallery.com. Sister ship Boeing 737-9F2 ER TC-JYM (msn 42011) taxies at Boeing Field (King County) in Seattle.

Turkish Airlines aircraft slide show:

United Airlines introduces a purple “March of Dimes” Boeing 737-900 ER

United Airlines (Chicago) today (April 16) welcomed a new Boeing 737-900 ER aircraft to its fleet, and while it is not the first of the next generation Boeing planes the company will take delivery of this year, it is the first to feature a vibrant purple fuselage. The pictured commemorative Boeing 737-924 ER N66848 (msn 42188) is specially painted to honor United’s ten years of supporting the March of Dimes and their mission to provide families across the country with care and valuable information on pregnancy and having healthy babies.

Flight UA 2051 departed Seattle’s Sea-Tac airport this morning bound for Chicago O’Hare, filled with customers and United partners who supported the March of Dimes through United’s fundraising efforts. Each guest was personally welcomed aboard the special flight by 2015 March of Dimes National Ambassador Family, long-time United employee Elise Jackson, her son Elijah and husband Todd. United’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and the 2015 March for Babies National Chairman John Rainey also personally thanked guests for their meaningful contributions.

N66848 was handed over to the airline on March 30 and also features Aviation Partners Boeing Split Scimitar Winglets.

The airline continued:

Over the past nine years, United employees have contributed more than $5.5 million to the March of Dimes and have walked more than 36,000 miles in March for Babies events nationwide. Last year alone, United and its employees raised more than $700,000 for March of Dimes research, education and services. This year, United has committed to raise $1.2 million for the organization, with about half of that from employee efforts. And thanks to the generosity of the passengers on this flight, United has raised $780,000 for the March of Dimes with today’s delivery.

Photo: United Airlines.

United Airlines aircraft slide show:

Delta and AeroMexico file for antitrust immunity as the relationship expands

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) and Grupo Aeromexico (AeroMexico) (Mexico City) have filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation seeking antitrust immunity for a new joint venture on flights between the United States and Mexico.

The application marks a significant step in the creation of a $1.5 billion joint venture that will allow Delta and AeroMexico to compete more effectively on routes between the U.S. and Mexico. The joint venture will provide more options for travelers in both countries, while enabling joint investments by the two airlines, further improving the customer experience.

The request also will be submitted for approval to the Mexican antitrust authorities, the Comision Federal de Competencia Economica (Federal Economic Competition Commission). Upon receipt of the required governmental approvals, Delta and Aeromexico will seek to expand opportunities to co-locate and invest in airport facilities by improving gates, lounges and the overall connecting experience. Additionally the airlines will increase joint sales and marketing initiatives.

Through the proposed joint venture, the airlines will offer an expanded network within Mexico and connections to U.S. business centers in Los Angeles and New York. AeroMexico’s hubs – Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara and Hermosillo – will give Delta customers greater access to cities throughout Mexico. Delta will provide AeroMexico with a broad North American network via Delta’s key hubs, including Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, Salt Lake City and Seattle/Tacoma.

Delta and AeroMexico launched their first codeshare in 1994 and both became founding airlines of SkyTeam in 2000. In 2011, Delta entered into an enhanced commercial agreement with AeroMexico, and in 2012, Delta invested $65 million in shares of Grupo Aeromexico, the parent company of AeroMexico. Currently Delta and AeroMexico offer more than 4,000 weekly codeshare flights, representing more than 80 daily trans-border round-trip flights. A year ago, Delta and AeroMexico opened a joint MRO in Queretaro.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-932 ER N803DN (msn 31919) climbs away from Los Angeles International Airport.

Delta Air Lines aircraft slide show:

AeroMexico aircraft slide show:

Boeing delivers the 50th airplane to El Al Israel Airlines

El Al Israel Airlines (Tel Aviv) and Boeing (Chicago, Seattle and Charleston) today (March 12) celebrated a major milestone with the delivery of the airline’s 50th airplane purchased from Boeing – a Next-Generation 737-900 ER.

Boeing 737-958 ER 4X-EHD (msn 41555) was officially handed over yesterday (March 11).

The delivery is the fifth 737-900 ER for the airline following an order placed for eight between 2011 and 2013. Since taking delivery in 1961 of its first new Boeing airplane, a 707-420, EL AL’s fleet has expanded to include an all-Boeing fleet consisting of 21 737s, seven 747s, six 767s and six 777s.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. The first, Boeing 737-958 ER 4X-EHA (msn 41552), is seen at Amsterdam.

El Al aircraft slide show:

Alaska Airlines launches the Seattle/Tacoma – Washington Dulles route

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma), today (March 11) launched nonstop daily service between Seattle/Tacoma and Dulles International Airport near Washington. With the addition of Dulles, Alaska customers now have nonstop access to three Washington D.C.-area airports from Seattle/Tacoma, as Alaska also serves Reagan National Airport and Baltimore-Washington International Airport.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-990 ER N453AS (msn 36354) with Aviation Partners Boeing Split Scimitar Winglets at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport hub, also carries the newly updated (after the Super Bowl loss) “Go Russell! – Champions Never Rest” sub-titles (click the photo for the full size view).

Alaska Airlines aircraft slide show:

Alaska Airlines orders six additional Boeing 737-900 ERs

Alaska Airlines‘ (Seattle/Tacoma) fleet of fuel-efficient Boeing airplanes is growing again. Seattle’s hometown airline is purchasing six more Boeing 737-900 Extended Range aircraft, valued at $594 million, Boeing’s current list price. The new planes, four scheduled for delivery in 2016 and two in 2017, bring Alaska’s total of locally manufactured jets on order to 79.

Over the next few years, Alaska’s remaining 737-400s will be replaced with 737-900 ERs, which transport 25 percent more passengers on the same amount of fuel.

Above Photo: Alaska Airlines.

Starting later this year, all of Alaska’s new 737-900 ERs will feature Boeing’s innovative Space Bins (above). The larger overhead bins have a similar look and feel to Alaska’s current pivot bins, yet will hold 48 percent more bags than the current bins. When open, the bin’s bottom edge hangs about 2 inches lower, which means customers don’t have to lift their bags as high to load them. The deeper bins allow more bags to be stowed, and let customers load bags with less struggle.

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-990 ER N464AS (msn 40714) with Aviation Partners Boeing Split Scimitar Winglets arrives in Los Angeles.

Alaska Airlines aircraft slide show:

Video: Alaska Airlines’ beautiful new video. Alaska Airlines “Spirit of Disneyland II” and “Adventure of Disneyland Resort” photographed over Washington State and Arizona from a Clay Lacy Aviation Astrovision-equipped Learjet.

Okay Airways takes delivery of its first Boeing 737-900 ER

Okay Airways (OKAir) (Tianjin) and Boeing (Chicago, Seattle and Charleston) yesterday (January 30) celebrated the delivery of the carrier’s first Next-Generation 737-900 ER (Extended Range). The delivery marks the first 737-900 ER to be delivered to a Chinese customer and is the first of eight 737-900 ERs that Okay Airways has on order.

The addition of the 737-900 ER airplanes will join the existing fleet of 737-800 airplanes.

Okay Airways’ new 737-900 ER is configured with 200 seats in a one-class layout. It will feature Boeing’s Sky Interior.

Okay Airways, the first privately owned airline in China, is headquartered in Beijing with its main hub at Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN). Its jetliner fleet includes 13 Boeing 737-800s and one Boeing 737-300 Freighter, which serves more than 100 domestic and international routes.

Photo: Boeing. Boeing 737-9KF ER B-1739 (msn 41114) departs from Boeing Field.

OKAir aircraft slide show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-2/Airlines-Asia2-FP/OKAir-Okay-Airways-Company

United Airlines has a break-out year, reports net income of $1.97 billion for 2014

United Airlines (Chicago) today reported full-year 2014 net income of $1.97 billion, an increase of 89 percent year-over-year, or $5.06 per diluted share, excluding $834 million of special items. Including special items, UAL reported full-year net income of $1.13 billion, or $2.93 per diluted share. UAL reported fourth-quarter 2014 net income of $461 million, an increase of 86 percent year-over-year, or $1.20 per diluted share, excluding $433 million of special items. Including special items, UAL reported fourth-quarter 2014 net income of $28 million, or $0.07 per diluted share.

UAL earned a 12.9 percent return on invested capital in 2014.

United’s consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) increased 1.6 percent for full-year 2014 compared to full-year 2013.

Full-year 2014 consolidated unit costs (CASM), excluding special charges, third-party business expenses, fuel and profit sharing, increased 1.3 percent year-over-year on a consolidated capacity increase of 0.3 percent. Full-year 2014 CASM, including those items, decreased 1.6 percent year-over-year.

In 2014, United returned approximately $320 million to shareholders as part of its previously announced $1 billion share buyback program. In addition, throughout the year, United spent $310 million to retire convertible debt that was convertible into approximately 5.8 million shares of UAL common stock.

Employees earned $235 million in profit sharing for full-year 2014, which will be distributed on Feb. 13.

UAL ended the year with $5.7 billion in unrestricted liquidity.

Fourth-Quarter Revenue and Capacity

For the fourth quarter of 2014, total revenue was $9.3 billion, a decrease of 0.2 percent year-over-year. Fourth-quarter consolidated passenger revenue increased 1.3 percent to $8.1 billion, compared to the same period in 2013. Ancillary revenue per passenger in the fourth quarter increased 9.7 percent year-over-year to more than $22 per passenger. Fourth-quarter cargo revenue grew 18.2 percent to $260 million driven by higher volumes year-over-year, as cargo traffic recovered from the prior year’s lower bookings. Other revenue in the fourth quarter decreased 14.3 percent year-over-year to $970 million mostly due to the company choosing to discontinue an agreement to sell fuel to a third party. The corresponding expense decline appears in third-party business expense.

Consolidated revenue passenger miles increased 0.1 percent and consolidated available seat miles increased 0.9 percent year-over-year for the fourth quarter, resulting in a fourth-quarter consolidated load factor of 81.7 percent.

Fourth-quarter 2014 consolidated PRASM increased 0.4 percent and consolidated yield increased 1.3 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2013.

Fourth-Quarter Costs

Fourth-quarter consolidated CASM, excluding special charges, third-party business expense, fuel and profit sharing, increased 1.2 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2013. Fourth-quarter consolidated CASM including those items decreased 5.3 percent.

Fourth-quarter total operating expenses, excluding special charges, decreased $420 million, or 4.7 percent, year-over-year. Including special charges, total operating expenses decreased $406 million, or 4.5 percent, in the fourth quarter versus the same period in 2013.

Fourth-Quarter Liquidity and Cash Flow

UAL ended the fourth quarter with $5.7 billion in unrestricted liquidity, including $1.35 billion of undrawn commitments under its revolving credit facility. During the fourth quarter, the company had gross capital expenditures of $1 billion, excluding fully reimbursable projects. The company made debt and capital lease principal payments of $534 million in the fourth quarter, including prepayment of $248 million of convertible debt that was convertible into approximately 4.3 million shares of United common stock.

As part of United’s $1 billion share buyback program, the company spent approximately $100 million in share repurchases in the fourth quarter. For the year, United returned a total of approximately $320 million to shareholders through share repurchases and open market transactions. In addition, for the year the company spent $310 million to retire convertible debt that was convertible into approximately 5.8 million shares.

For the 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2014, the company’s return on invested capital was 12.9 percent.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-924 ER N68836 (msn 60088) with Aviation Partners Boeing Split Scimitar Winglets departs from Los Angeles International Airport.

United Airlines aircraft slide show (historic liveries):