Tag Archives: Chicago

United Airlines to return to Santiago, Chile

United Airlines (Chicago) will start Houston (Bush Intercontinental)-Santiago, Chile daily service on December 7. The route will be flown with Boeing 767-300 ERs.

Additionally the company will also operate a weekly Houston (Bush)-Punta Cana route starting on December 20 with Boeing 737-800s and a weekly Chicago (O’Hare)-Belize City route also starting also on December 20 with Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

On Monday, June 16 United issued this statement:

United Airlines has announced the company will introduce service to Santiago, Chile, from its hub at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, beginning on December 7, 2014, subject to government approval.

Houston-Santiago, Chile

Flight UA 847 will depart Houston daily at 9:05 p.m. (2105) and arrive in Santiago at 9:40 a.m. (0940) the next day. Return flight UA 846 will depart Santiago daily at 10:45 p.m. (2245) and arrive in Houston at 5:40 a.m. (0540) the following day. (All times are local.)

The flights are timed to provide convenient connections from Houston to 111 airports across the United States and to more than 60 international destinations.

United will operate its Houston-Santiago service with Boeing 767-300 aircraft with a total of 214 seats – 30 flat-bed seats in United BusinessFirst and 184 seats in United Economy, including 49 extra-legroom United Economy Plus seats.

Additional New Service

United also is boosting its Central America and Caribbean connections, beginning December 20, 2014:

Houston-Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with year-round service on Saturdays and service on Sundays during periods of expected higher demand

Chicago-Belize City, Belize, subject to government approval, with Saturday service scheduled through early May 2015

This winter, United also plans to expand its Houston-Aruba service. The airline currently offers Saturday Houston-Aruba flights that are scheduled to continue through mid-August 2014. On December 20, the company will resume Saturday service that will continue through early May 2015 and begin service on Sundays for periods of expected higher demand.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 767-322 ER N676UA (msn 30028) approaches the runway at Washington’s Dulles International Airport.

United Airlines (current):

United launches Chicago O’Hare-Edinburgh flights

United Airlines (Chicago) yesterday (May 22) began Chicago’s first-ever flights to Edinburgh, Scotland, with summer-season service through October 5, 2014.

The flights will operate five times weekly between May 22 and June 11, daily between June 12 and September 1, and four times weekly between September 2 and October 5 (all dates eastbound).

Flight UA 118 departs Chicago O’Hare International Airport at 6 p.m. (1800), arriving at Edinburgh Airport at 7:45 a.m. (0745) the following day (all times local). On the return, flight UA 119 departs Edinburgh at 10:25 a.m. (1025), arriving in Chicago at 1 p.m. (1300) the same day. Flight times are seven hours, 45 minutes eastbound and eight hours, 35 minutes westbound.

United will operate the service with Boeing 757-200 aircraft with a total of 169 seats – 16 flat-bed seats in United BusinessFirst and 153 seats in United Economy, including 45 Economy Plus extra-legroom seats.

United has been serving Scotland since 1998. In addition to the Edinburgh-Chicago service, the airline operates year-round nonstop service from both Edinburgh and Glasgow to its Newark Liberty International Airport hub.

United Airlines is O’Hare International Airport’s largest airline. United and the United Express carriers operate more than 580 daily flights out of O’Hare. The airline offers more than 50 daily nonstop flights to nearly 40 international destinations in Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada.

O’Hare International Airport, the fifth-busiest airport in the world, is United’s hometown hub, with corporate headquarters in Chicago’s Willis Tower.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 757-222 N502UA (msn 24623) departs from Los Angeles International Airport.

United Airlines (current):

United Airlines and SkyWest Airlines introduce the Embraer 175

United Airlines (Chicago) has introduced the Embraer 175 aircraft to the United Express fleet, with service on the regional jet operating between Chicago (O’Hare) and the top business markets of Washington (Reagan National) and Boston (Logan).

United Express carrier SkyWest Airlines (St. George, Utah) began Boston service today (May 19). Service between Chicago (O’Hare) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport began on Saturday (May 17). The E175 flights complement existing United service in those markets.

The 76-seat E175 regional jet is the newest addition to the United Express fleet, enabling the airline to offer an improved regional jet experience. With 12 seats in United First, 16 seats in United Economy Plus and 48 seats in United Economy, the E175 offers more personal space for customers, with wider seats and aisles than other regional aircraft. Each United First seat features a power outlet. The aircraft’s large overhead bins can accommodate standard-sized carry-on bags, resulting in more convenience for customers.

United will offer E175 in several additional markets beginning in June, complementing existing United services:

Chicago O’Hare-Minneapolis /St. Paul, beginning June 5
Chicago O’Hare-Atlanta, beginning June 15
Houston Bush Intercontinental-Atlanta, beginning June 15
Houston Bush Intercontinental-New Orleans, beginning June 15
Chicago O’Hare-New York LaGuardia, beginning June 23
San Francisco-St. Louis, beginning September 20
San Francisco-Austin, beginning October 26
San Francisco-Dallas/Fort Worth, beginning October 26
San Francisco-Minneapolis/ St. Paul, beginning October 26

SkyWest Airlines will operate the services to and from Chicago O’Hare International Airport and to and from San Francisco International Airport. Mesa Airlines will operate the flights to and from Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

United expects to introduce 70 E175 aircraft into the United Express fleet by the end of 2015. As United inducts new aircraft into the fleet, the airline will remove smaller, less efficient regional aircraft from the fleet. The E175s consume less fuel per seat and have fewer CO2 emissions per seat than the aircraft they replace.

United Airlines (current):

United Express-SkyWest Airlines:

Air Serbia to fly to North America by the end of 2015

Air Serbia (Belgrade) is planning to launch long-haul routes to North America, including Chicago (O’Hare) and Toronto (Pearson) using Airbus A330s, starting in late 2015 according to EX-YU Aviation News quoting Serbian Prime Minister, Aleksandar Vučić at a press conference. The PM also expects Air Serbia will soon be operating in the black, unlike the losses piled up by the former Jat Airways. Jat Airways in the past operated McDonnell Douglas DC-10s to North America.

Copyright Photo: Andi Hiltl/AirlinersGallery.com. This would be the first long-haul aircraft for the revamped airline joining its current fleet of Airbus A319s and A320s, a new type which was just added. Airbus A320-232 YU-APH (msn 2645) prepares to land in Zurich.

Air Serbia Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Air Choice One is issued an EAS contract to operate between Ironwood, MI and Chicago (O’Hare)

Air Choice One (Multi-Aero, Inc. dba) (St. Louis) has been awarded a two-year Essential Air Service (EAS) contract to provide scheduled passenger airline service for Ironwood, Michigan. The regional carrier will operate Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircraft (above) to Chicago (O’Hare) effective on June 1, 2014. The contract expires on May 31, 2016. Air Choice One also operates Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain aircraft. The company started scheduled airline service in 2010 with service to Decatur, Illinois and Burlington, Iowa.

The company issued this statement:

The Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded a 2 year EAS contract to St. Louis based airline, Air Choice One. Air Choice One is pleased with the decision and is excited to be expanding their service area further North. Ironwood, MI has been without air service since February 2014. Air Choice One will begin service out of the Gogebic-Iron County Airport in early Summer 2014. The area’s new air carrier is also introducing a new hub to the citizens of Ironwood, Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Chicago O’Hare is the 5th largest international airport in the United States and the Company hopes the change will drive new tourism North toward Ironwood given the seamless connection.

The air carrier already has established EAS contracts in Burlington IA, Decatur IL, and Jonesboro AR, and operates a second hub at St. Louis International Airport. Ironwood’s commercial air service will be provided on the Cessna Grand Caravan, a top of the line turbine powered aircraft which offers plush leather seating and spacious leg room. Collectively, Air Choice One has grown their EAS cities 519%+ (from FY 09/10 – FY 12/13) and continues to seek opportunities to expand their air service throughout the Midwest.

Shane Storz, Air Choice One CEO, commented “We are extremely pleased to add Ironwood to our growing route system. We are hopeful that with our new hub service to Chicago, the community of Ironwood will once again come on out and support their local airport. We want to thank all of those throughout the community that have supported our effort to restore a first class connection to a great airport in Chicago. “

Air Choice One was founded in 1979 and is a family owned and operated organization.

The company describes itself this way:

Air Choice One was established and incubated as a “next generation” scheduled commuter airline by Multi-Aero, Inc., a St. Louis, MO-based aviation company. The vision for Air Choice One was to break from the classic commuter stereotype and offer the comfort and convenience of “First-Class” to all travelers. We deliver on that vision through our reliable aircraft, community-specific flight scheduling, and executive style cabins — all supported by our highly skilled team of flight operations and maintenance experts, who bring a combined resource of more than 60 years service to the industry.

Air Choice One was launched as a scheduled airline providing service to hard-to-reach communities. Our offering is predicated on providing increased flexibility of air travel at reduced fares. We support community development by increasing business productivity, as well as, enhancing the travel experience for business and leisure travelers alike.

Air Choice One offers an extraordinary opportunity for smaller communities — the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of efficient, scheduled airline service into larger cities, like St. Louis and Chicago, packaged in a “First-Class” service and seating format. Our goal is to deliver the highest quality and reliability in scheduled commercial air service.

All images by Air Choice One.

Buzz Airways to replace Southwest Airlines at Branson, Missouri

Branson Airport (Branson, Missouri) has released this statement:

Branson Airport (BKG) is pleased to announce the arrival of Buzz Airways service to both Chicago (Midway) and Houston (Hobby) beginning June 12, 2014. Fares begin at $99.00 each way including taxes. Flights will operate in each market six days per week.

The new flights by Buzz will replace the service currently offered on Southwest Airlines (Dallas) that is slated to end June 8. The flight schedule has been designed to allow customers to book separate tickets on Southwest in order to connect to and from other popular gateways.

Corporate Flight Management, Inc. d/b/a Buzz Airways (CFM) is a diverse aviation services company that includes Part 135 and 91 charter and management services, three Fixed Base Operations, a FAR Part 145 certified repair facility, an aircraft sales division, and FAR 141 pilot and maintenance training.

Buzz Airways will reportedly operate Jetstream 41 aircraft on the two routes.

Lakeshore Express suspends operations

Lake Express Aviation (Pontiac, Michigan), which started scheduled passenger services between Pontiac and Chicago Midway on June 6, 2013 with four roundtrips, has suspended operations. Flights were operated by Pentastar Aviation Charter (Pontiac) using 30-seat SAAB 340B aircraft . The airline also operated between Chicago (Midway) and Pellston, Michigan which began in June 2011.

Yesterday, the CEO issued this statement (no April’s Fool joke):

Dear Lakeshore Customers:

As we look forward to serving you this 2014 summer season and beyond, we are going to take a short break. At this time, Lakeshore is cancelling all future flights. We are very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause; however, we are looking to establish a relationship with a new operating partner in order to restart service to our customers in the near future.

Full refunds will be granted for any existing reservations. Please feel free to contact us at any time by email (customerservice@lakeshoreexpress.com) regarding questions or concerns. We are building a stronger Lakeshore Express to serve you in the future!

Thank you,
Greg Stallkamp
CEO
Lakeshore Express

SAS expands flights to the U.S. as it celebrates 50 years of flying between Copenhagen and Chicago

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) is celebrating 50 years of flying to Chicago with increased service to the United States. The airline issued this statement:

SAS was the first airline to fly over the North Pole to the U.S. West Coast in 1954. Ten years later, SAS also began flying to the U.S. Midwest and is now celebrating 50 years of service between Copenhagen and Chicago. In 2014, SAS is continuing to increase its traffic, adding five weekly departures and a new route to the USA. In doing so, SAS is cementing its position as Scandinavia’s biggest and most capable airline for travel to the United States.

On April 2, 1964, SAS launched the route to Chicago (O’Hare) with the maiden flight from Copenhagen. Captain Jens Mueller flew passengers and crew in a Douglas DC-8-33 to Chicago via Montreal, sowing the seeds for a successful route, which has since been operated by aircraft including the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, Boeing 767 and Airbus A330and A340. More than 3 million people have flown this route with SAS, and today the airline flies directly from Copenhagen and Stockholm to Chicago.

SAS operates a nonstop route between Copenhagen and Chicago (O’Hare) with one flight a day every day of the week. This will now also apply to the route to San Francisco, which is getting an extra departure on Tuesday, making it a daily service as of June 10.

SAS currently flies from Stockholm to Chicago every day in the summer and five times a week in winter. SAS is adding another winter departure to Chicago (O’Hare) from Stockholm, which will also be getting an extra flight to New York (JFK). SAS is also adding two more departures a week on the Oslo-New York (JFK) route in winter. Oslo-New York (JFK) operates daily in the summer.

SAS has also just announced the opening of a new route between Stavanger and Houston (Bush Intercontinental) (please see our previous report).

Details of the expansion of U.S. services:

· Copenhagen-San Francisco: From June 10 to October 25, 7 departures per week (Tuesday has been added)
· Stockholm Chicago: Daily departures in the summer. On the winter timetable (from end of October) 6 departures per week (Thursday has been added)
· Stockholm-New York: Daily departures in the summer. On the winter timetable (from end of October) 6 departures per week (Friday has been added)
· Oslo-New York: Daily departures in the summer. On the winter timetable (from end of October) 6 departures per week (Tuesday and Wednesday have been added)
· Stavanger-Houston: From 20 August with 6 departures per week (except Saturday)

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus Airbus A340-313X OY-KBM (msn 450) in the Star Alliance motif departs the runway at Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport (ARN).

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS:

EVA Air plans to fly to Chicago and Houston

EVA Air (Taipei) wants to expand its route map with more flights to North America. The airline is planning to add new routes to both Chicago (O’Hare) and Houston (Bush Intercontinental) according to the Taipei Times.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

Earlier this year EVA Air put out this statement on its North American expansion:

Starting in June 2014, EVA Air will increase North American service from 45 flights per week to 55, boosting frequency to Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Toronto and Vancouver. By adding 22 percent more flights, EVA will also expand capacity, offer passengers greater convenience and provide more flights between North America and Taiwan than any other airline.

Since joining Star Alliance in June 2013, EVA has experienced growing demand for its services among business travelers. There has been a substantial increase in the numbers of business passengers flying the airline from North America to Southeast Asia via its hub in Taipei, Taiwan. Bookings for EVA’s Royal Laurel Class business cabin have also climbed. The luxurious service was launched on the New York – Taipei route in June 2012.

The average load on EVA’s North America flights surpassed 80 percent in 2013 and company officials expect bookings to keep climbing in 2014. It will accommodate this growth and the added frequency by taking delivery of three Boeing 777-300 ERs in the second quarter of 2014 and deploying the new aircraft on long-haul flights between North America and Taiwan. EVA will add the service in two phases. It will increase:

Phase 1

Vancouver from three to four flights per week on 2 June, 2014.
Los Angeles from 17 to 20 flights per week, New York from five to daily flights and Toronto from three to four flights per week on 4 June, 2014.

Phase 2

San Francisco from 12 to 14 flights per week and Los Angeles from 20 to 21 flights per week on 3 July, 2014.

North America is a major market for EVA. In addition to Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Toronto and Vancouver, it operates five flights a week to Seattle/Tacoma. The airline has seen stable market-share growth in all six cities it serves, lifted by not only Chinese and Asian passengers but also American business travelers.

※EVA Frequency Increase in North America

City	Current Frequency	Added from	New Frequency
Vancouver	3 per week	2 June	4 per week
Toronto	3 per week	4 June	4 per week
New York	5 per week	4 June	7 per week
Los Angeles	17 per week	4 June/3 July	20 per week/21 per week
San Francisco	12 per week	3 July	14 per week

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. EVA Air is proud to be in the Star Alliance and is benefitting from the membership. Boeing 777-35E ER B-16701 (msn 32639) now displays the Star Alliance colors and is seen arriving at the popular destination of Los Angeles.

EVA Air:

Emirates announces its new service to Chicago O’Hare starting on August 5

Emirates (Dubai) today announced that it is launching a daily service to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, Terminal 5 from August 5, 2014. The service will be operated by a Boeing 777-200 LR powered by GE90 engines.

Chicago will become the airline’s ninth gateway in the USA, following soon after the commencement of its services to Boston, Massachusetts on March 10, 2014.

Emirates is the largest operator of Boeing 777 aircraft in the world, with a fleet of 122 passenger and 10 freighter Boeing 777s currently in its fleet, and is a launch customer of Boeing’s new 777X having placed the largest single order in commercial aviation history for 150 of them valued at $76 billion in November 2013.

The new service will operate as flight EK 235 from Dubai International Airport at 09:45 hours (9:45 am) arriving into Chicago at 15:25 (3:25 pm). The return flight, EK 236 will depart O’Hare at 20:35 hours (8;35 pm), arriving into Dubai at 19:10 (7:10 pm) the next day.

Copyright Photo: Christian Volpati/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-21H LR (Longer Range) A6-EWF (msn 35586) returns to the Dubai hub and base.

Emirates: