Tag Archives: LAX

Volaris Costa Rica will launch operations to the USA on March 15, 2018

Volaris, the ultra-low-cost airline serving Mexico, the United States and Central America, announced its affiliate, Vuela Aviación, S.A., was awarded by the Department of Transportation (DOT) of the United States of America a Foreign Air Carrier Permit to provide:

1) Foreign scheduled transportation of persons, property, and mail from points behind Costa Rica via Costa Rica and intermediate points to a point or points in the United States and beyond; and

2) charter air transportation between any point or points in Costa Rica and any point or points in the United States, and between any point or points in the United States and any point or points in a third country or countries, provided that, such service constitutes part of a continuous operation, with or without a change of aircraft, that includes service to the homeland for the purpose of carrying local traffic between Costa Rica and the United States.

Volaris Costa Rica will initiate operations to and from the United States of America on March 15, 2018.

Volaris Costa Rica operated its first revenue flight from San Jose to Guatemala City on November 30, 2016 using an Airbus A320 wet-leased from Volaris (Mexico).

Volaris seeks to replicate its ultra-low-cost model in Central America by offering low base fares and point-to-point service in the region.

Volaris Costa Rica initiated sales of four routes from Central America to the following U.S. destinations: Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), and Washington D.C.(IAD) from San Jose.

Volaris Costa Rica is expected to launch operations with two Airbus A319s and two Airbus A320s.

Volaris (Mexico):

Air Canada inaugurates nonstop flights to Cartagena; newest destination in ongoing strategic international expansion

Air Canada’s inaugural flight, AC1872 from Toronto to Cartagena departed on the morning of December 18, 2017, marking the airline’s newest destination in its ongoing international expansion.

In 2017, Air Canada launched new international flights from

Toronto to: Mumbai (India), Berlin (Germany), Reykjavik (Iceland), St. Vincent (Caribbean), Belize City (Belize), Cartagena (Colombia)
Montreal to: Shanghai (China), Marseille (France), Reykjavik (Iceland), Tel-Aviv (Israel), Algiers (Algeria) and Lima (Peru)
Vancouver to: Melbourne (Australia), Taipei (Taiwan), Nagoya (Japan), Frankfurt (Germany), London Gatwick (UK)

In 2018, Air Canada will launch new international services from

Toronto to: Shannon (Ireland), Porto (Portugal), Zagreb (Croatia), Bucharest (Romania), Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Montreal to: Tokyo-Narita (Japan), Dublin (Ireland), Bucharest (Romania), Lisbon (Portugal), Tel Aviv (Israel)
Vancouver to: Paris (France), Zurich (Switzerland)

Delta’s Boeing 747-400 farewell tour makes a stop at the Everett birthplace

Delta Air Lines brought the pictured N674US back to its birthplace at Paine Field in Everett, WA from Detroit on Monday, December 18, 2017. The pictured Boeing 747-451 N674US operated a short flight to Seattle/Tacoma.

N674US nows carries this special “All Hail The Queen Farewell Tour” logo.

As previously reported, Delta announced the final flights for the iconic Boeing 747-400 this month:

Here are seven things to know about Delta’s big goodbye to the 747:

Delta is operating the Boeing 747-400 on daily scheduled service between its Detroit hub and its partner hub at Seoul-Incheon.
Here are the final regularly scheduled flights of the Delta 747:
- Final U.S. departure: Flight 159 at Detroit to Seoul-Incheon at 12:31 p.m.on December 15, 2017
- Final Asia Pacific arrival: Flight 159 at Seoul-Incheon from Detroit at 4:30 p.m. on December 16, 2017
- Final Asia Pacific departure: Flight 158 at Seoul-Incheon to Detroit at 11:15 a.m. on December 17, 2017
- Final U.S. arrival: Flight 158 at Detroit from Seoul-Incheon at 10:14 a.m.on December 17, 2017
Delta will take the 747 on an employee farewell tour from Detroit to Seattle/Tacoma on December 18, 2017 Seattle/Tacoma to Atlanta on December 19, 2017 and Atlanta to Minneapolis-St. Paul on December 20, 2017.
Customers can bid for a spot on these farewell flights via SkyMiles Experiences using their SkyMiles.
Employees and retirees can purchase a seat on these flights on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning at noon ET November 20, 2017 at a discounted rate, with all proceeds going to the Airloom Project, the organization behind the 747 Experience exhibit at the Delta Flight Museum.
The 747 will fly a handful of sports team and ad-hoc charter flights through December 31, 2017.
Delta will fly its final Boeing 747 to its retirement place in Arizona in early January. This ferry flight will not be open to passengers.

Delta will be celebrating the iconic and revolutionary 747 throughout December in all of its channels and encourages customers, enthusiasts and employees to share their own tributes and remembrances using the #DL747Farewell hashtag.

Top Photo: Boeing.

Above Copyright Photo: N674US with Northwest. Northwest Airlines-NWA Boeing 747-451 N674US (msn 30269) SFO (Mark Durbin). Image: 903152.

Northwest:

Delta:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Delta Air Lines Boeing 747-451 N674US (msn 30269) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 907046.

Sun Country Airlines is sold by the Davis family

Sun Country Airlines (Minneapolis/St. Paul) has made this announcement:

Funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management, LLC (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, on December 14, 2017 announced that they have signed a definitive agreement to acquire Sun Country Airlines, the largest privately-held fully independent airline in the United States, from brothers Marty and Mitch Davis. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions, is targeted to close during the first quarter of 2018. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Sun Country Airlines, based in Minnesota, flies passengers to leisure destinations across the U.S. and internationally and specializes in flying from cold weather locales to warm weather destinations. The Company, which currently flies approximately 2.5 million passengers per year, enjoys significant brand presence in the Minnesota region and greatly values its connection to the local community.

“We are tremendously excited about the acquisition of Sun Country,” said Antoine Munfakh, Partner at Apollo. “Sun Country presents compelling opportunities for innovation, efficiency and growth. Underpinned by a solid foundation of assets and people, including an outstanding team of executives and talented flight crews, we believe Sun Country has a very bright future. We look forward to supporting CEO Jude Bricker in delivering the next chapter of Sun Country’s growth through the combination of operational excellence and the relentless pursuit of delivering customer service and value.”

Jude Bricker, who will remain as CEO of Sun Country, said: “I’d like to thank Marty and Mitch for their strong support and stewardship of this very special airline. I look forward to working with Apollo to further enhance and grow Sun Country’s business.”

Sun Country Chairman Marty Davis said: “We are particularly pleased to sell Sun Country to Apollo because it has a proven track record for successfully helping companies grow and generate long-term value. With Jude at the helm, along with the dedicated employees who make Sun Country what it is today, we are confident the company is well-positioned for continued expansion and its evolution beyond its Minnesota base.”

Barclays served as financial adviser to Sun Country Airlines on this transaction.

About Apollo Global Management

Apollo is a leading global alternative investment manager with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, St. Louis, Bethesda, Toronto, London, Frankfurt, Madrid, Luxembourg, Mumbai, Delhi, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Apollo had assets under management (AUM) of approximately $242 billion as of September 30, 2017 in Private Equity, Credit and Real Assets invested across a core group of nine industries where Apollo has considerable knowledge and resources.

Copyright Photo (all others by Sun Country): The revsied 2016 livery: Sun Country Airlines Boeing 737-8Q8 WL N816SY (msn 30637) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 940047.

Route Map:

Norwegian expands long-haul network with flights from US to Madrid, Amsterdam and Milan, buys 28 slots at Gatwick

Norwegian on December 14, 2017 announced further expansion of its long-haul networks with four new routes between Europe and the United States to Europe: New York (JFK) and Los Angeles to Madrid; New York (JFK) to Amsterdam; and Los Angeles to Milan.

Norwegian now offers 61 nonstop transatlantic routes between the US and Europe.

To support the continuous growth at Los Angeles International Airport, Norwegian will open its fourth American crew base with 150 cabin crewmembers during the first quarter of 2018. The airline already has four crew bases for cabin crew and pilots in the U.S.

Service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Madrid-Barajas Airport will launch on July 18, 2018, and operate three times per week. Service to Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport will launch on May 7, 2018, and will operate four times per week.

Service from Los Angeles International Airport to Madrid will launch on July 16, 2018, and will operate four times per week. Service to Milan-Malpensa Airport will launch on June 18, 2018, and will also operate four times per week.

Economy launch fares to Amsterdam and Madrid from New York City start as low as $199 and $229 one-way, respectively, including taxes; fares from Los Angeles to both Madrid and Milan start from $229 one-way, including taxes.

Overall, Norwegian now offers 61 transatlantic flights from 13 U.S. airports to Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, as well six routes to the French Caribbean, totaling 67 routes out of the United States. Upcoming launches from the U.S. include: Oakland/San Francisco to Rome (February 6, 2018); New York/Newark to Paris (February 28); Chicago to London (March 25); Austin to London (Mach 27); Denver to Paris (April 9); Oakland/San Francisco to Paris (April 10), Boston to Paris (May 2); New York/JFK to Amsterdam (May 7); Los Angeles to Milan (June 18); Los Angeles to Madrid (July 16); and New York/JFK to Madrid (July 18).

In other news, Norwegian on December 13, 2017 confirmed it has acquired an additional 28 weekly slots at London Gatwick Airport from summer 2018. The take-off and landing slots, purchased from Small Planet Airlines, will allow Norwegian to plan for continued growth at Gatwick as the airline heads into its busiest ever year in the UK in 2018.

London Gatwick is at the heart of Norwegian’s fast-growing UK operation, where the airline already flies more than 4.6 million passengers each year to over 30 global destinations. Norwegian’s route network at Gatwick includes affordable long-haul flights to 9 US cities and Singapore, with further long-haul routes to Argentina, Chicago and Austin launching early next year.

Planning work is now underway to allocate the newly acquired 28 weekly slots which cover the busy summer 2018 period at London Gatwick.

Copyright Photo: Norwegian.com (Norwegian Air UK) Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner G-CJUL (msn 38779) (Roald Dahl, British Storyteller) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 940216.

Air China and Air Canada expand their strategic cooperation, strengthening Canada-China network in advance of full joint venture

Air Canada and Air China Limited have announced that the airlines will expand their mutual codeshare services and lounge agreement in time for the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism, recognizing the importance of tourism and trade between the two countries. As Air Canada and Air China work toward finalizing their planned joint venture, while satisfying both countries’ applicable regulatory conditions, the two Star Alliance carriers also launched their first joint frequent flyer promotion to offer the carriers’ respective Aeroplan and PhoenixMiles members up to 30 per cent bonus miles effective December 15, 2017 for eligible travel between April 1, 2018 and June 15, 2018 on all flights between Canada and China operated by Air China and Air Canada.

Logos: Air Canada and Air China (CNW Group/Air Canada)

As a result of the codeshare expansion, Air China will place its code on Air Canada’s new daily Montreal–Shanghai flight, as well as Air Canada’s flights from Vancouver to Victoria, Kelowna, Saskatoon, and Regina.

In addition, Air Canada will place its code on Air China’s flights between Beijing and Zhengzhou, Xiamen, Shenzhen and Nanjing as well as Air China’s flight between Montreal–Havana, Cuba. The expanded codeshare cooperation is planned to come into effect in April 2018, subject to regulatory and government approvals.

Both carriers have also implemented an expanded lounge agreement. In addition to Star Gold customers, all Air China First and Business class customers will now have access to Air Canada’s recently upgraded International Maple Leaf Lounges featuring enhanced food and beverage offerings at Montreal and Vancouver airports. Air Canada’s eligible customers will continue to enjoy access to Air China’s lounges in Beijing, Shanghai and other airports throughout China.

Currently, Air Canada offers its customers codeshare flights operated by Air China between Beijing and Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Wuhan, Xi’an and Shenyang, and between Montreal and Beijing, and between Vancouver and Beijing. Similarly, Air China offers its customers codeshare flights operated by Air Canada between Vancouver and Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Winnipeg, and between Montreal and Ottawa, Toronto and Winnipeg, as well as Vancouver and Toronto to and from Beijing and Shanghai.

Air Canada operates up to a total of 35 flights per week between Canada and China, from Toronto, Vancouver and Montrealserving Beijing and Shanghai. Air China operates up to 11 flights per week between China and Canada, from Beijing serving Vancouver and Montreal.

Top Copyright Photo: Air Canada Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner C-FRTW (msn 37179) LHR (SPA). Image: 940256.

Air Canada:

Air China:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Air China Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner B-7898 (msn 34310) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 940236.

SkyWest Airlines to bring United Express jet service to Shenandoah Valley and Greenbrier Valley on April 3, 2018

SkyWest Airlines has announced daily United Express jet service from Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD) to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Washington Dulles (IAD) starting on April 3, 2018.

The company has also announced daily United Express jet service from Greenbrier Valley Airport (LWB) to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Washington Dulles (IAD) beginning also on April 3, 2018.

Flight will be operated on Canadair (Bombardier) CRJ200 regional jets.

Copyright Photo: United Express-SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N973SW (msn 7949) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 922371.

Route Map: United Express routes operated by SkyWest Airlines:

Miami Air helps to promote the new Fox TV show “LA to Vegas”

The new TV show “LA to Vegas” premieres on January 2, 2018 on the Fox Network.

In support of the new TV show, Miami Air has painted its leased Boeing 737-8K5 N750MA (msn 35148) with fake “Jackpot Airlines” titles and logos (below) to promote the new series and to be a prop for the series.