Tag Archives: Newport News/Williamsburg

PEOPLExpress suspends operations, plans to return around October 16

PEOPLExpress Airlines (2nd) (Newport News/Williamsburg) today (September 26) announced that it is temporarily suspending service effective immediately and plans to re-launch on or about October 16.

The airline stated; “Recent aircraft and crew availability and maintenance issues, including an aircraft recently damaged by a vendor’s truck, an engine change and a lack of a planned spare aircraft, have made it challenging to operate a full schedule, preventing us from delivering the passenger experience we are striving for.”

The airline is currently processing refunds for passengers for flights booked through October 15, which will take five to seven business days. For reservations beyond October 15, passengers will receive a notification by e-mail as soon as our service resumption plans are in place.

According to the airline, PEOPLExpress successfully served 55,000 passengers on 817 flights since launching service on June 30, demonstrating the need for additional nonstop air service to underserved markets as a result of airline industry consolidation.

PEOPLExpress still intends to launch previously announced service to Orlando and Charleston, West Virginia starting on October 16.

Meanwhile JetBlue Airways has offered to help any stranded passengers. For those PEOPLExpress customers previously scheduled to fly within existing JetBlue markets (Boston – New Orleans, Tampa or West Palm Beach; Newark – Tampa or West Palm Beach) between September 26 and October 5, call JetBlue at 1-800-JETBLUE to explore alternate travel options.

PEOPLExpress lands in Atlanta

PEOPLExpress (2nd) (Newport News/Williamsburg) touched down today (August 1) with its new service connecting Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport in Virginia.

“Atlanta was an important destination for the original PEOPLExpress in the 1980s and we’re delighted to return with the same great low fares and convenient non-stop service,” said Jeff Erickson, a long-time airline executive leading the start-up. “People have been very receptive and supportive of our service. From the very beginning, PEOPLExpress was designed to provide a fun, creative and innovative approach to air travel to dispel the myth that low air fares have to mean low service or an impersonal experience. PEOPLExpress is restoring the concepts of respect, value and excitement to the air travel experience. It’s time to Fly Smart!™”

The Boeing 737-400 service operates daily, arriving from Newport News at 11:50 a.m. and departing Atlanta at 12:50 p.m.

Airport officials today welcomed PEOPLExpress with a water cannon salute and ribbon-cutting at the gate.

PEOPLExpress launched service June 30 to Newark, N.J., Boston and Pittsburgh and added West Palm Beach, Florida, to its route map on July 14 and has carried nearly 20,000 customers in its first month of service. On Aug. 28, PEOPLExpress begins service to both St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida, and New Orleans.

PEOPLExpress has developed a low-cost, a la carte service model that enables customers to create a customized travel product reflecting their individual wishes and budgets. Customers can choose to fly at an ultra-low price with friendly and attentive service but minimal frills or they can opt to purchase extras they want to make their trip more enjoyable, such as priority boarding, pre-assigned seating or an upgrade to a Living Large™ seat with more personal space.

Top Copyright Photo: PEOPLExpress (2nd).

Bottom Copyright Photo: Atlanta Airport. The first flight arrives at the gate at ATL.

The PEOPLExpress name returns to the skies

PEOPLExpress (Vision Airlines, dba PEOPLExpress) (Newport News/Williamsburg) yesterday (June 30) returned to the skies with low-fare service from Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport to three cities: Boston, Newark, and Pittsburgh.

The new name will expand to other destinations including West Palm Beach (July 15), Atlanta (August 1), and St. Petersburg/Clearwater and New Orleans (August 28).

Vision Airlines will fly Boeing 737-400 aircraft bearing the logo of the popular 1980s carrier of the same name but with a fresh, green livery.

Current Route Map:

Videos:

The new PEOPLExpress picks a low-fare, a la carte service model

PEOPLExpress (2nd) (Vision Airlines dba) (Newport News/Williamsburg) has selected the low fare, a la carte service model that has become popular with U.S. carriers such as Spirit Airlines, Allegiant Air and the newly-reorganized Frontier Airlines. The new airline issued this pricing announcement as it starts its ticket sales:

PEOPLExpress, the iconic brand that made air travel affordable and accessible, has announced the start of ticket sales for low-fare service from Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) to seven destinations.

“After months of preparation, we are excited to start selling tickets to create a fun, creative and innovative approach to air travel and dispel the myth that low air fares have to mean low service or an impersonal experience,” said Jeff Erickson of PEOPLExpress. “We are encouraged by the very positive reception we’ve received about our new service. It’s time to Fly Smart.™”

PEOPLExpress takes off June 30 with two daily round-trip flights between Newport News/Williamsburg (PHF) and Newark, and one daily round-trip flight to both Boston and Pittsburgh.

On July 15, West Palm Beach is added with one daily round-trip.

On August 1, PEOPLExpress will add one daily roundtrip to Atlanta (except Tuesdays), followed on August 28 by three weekly roundtrips to St. Petersburg/Clearwater and three weekly flights to New Orleans. PEOPLExpress will operate from two gates on Concourse A at Newport News.

Vision Airlines, dba PEOPLExpress, will fly Boeing 737-400 aircraft operated by Vision Airlines bearing the logo of the popular 1980s carrier of the same name but with a fresh, green livery. Each aircraft has 150 seats – 138 with coach seating and 12 Living Large™ seats featuring more personal space for a fee. Both seating options will feature the same level of in-flight service.

Introductory fares start as low as $76 each way.

PEOPLExpress has developed a low-cost, a la carte service model that enables customers to create a customized travel product reflecting their individual wishes and budgets. Customers can choose to fly at an super-low price with friendly and attentive service but minimal frills or they can opt to purchase extras they want to make their trip more enjoyable, such as priority boarding, pre-assigned seating or an upgrade to a Living Large seat.

Fees for checked bags are lower than that of major carriers, at $20 for the first bag and $25 for the second. Living Large seats are available at $59 per flight segment, exit row seats are $25 each way, advance seat assignments are $15 each way while carry-on bags in overhead bins are $25 for each bag per segment. Beverages are available for purchase to accompany complimentary snacks.

All fares are per customer and include the base fare plus any applicable government-imposed taxes and fees. Some fees may be per segment while others may apply to connecting flights. Fares are subject to change until the flight has been purchased.

Complete schedules, times, fares and fees are available at any time at http://www.flypex.com or by calling toll-free (844) 435-9739 (or 844-4FLYPEX), from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, Eastern time.

Bloomberg Businessweek takes a look at the new PE: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Ted Kitchens. Photos taken at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport. The first Vision Airlines Boeing 737-400 to be repainted is the pictured 737-405 N745VA (msn 24271).

Vision Airlines:

PEOPLExpress (1st):

Vision Airlines paints its first Boeing 737-400 for the latest PEOPLExpress

Vision Airlines (Las Vegas) has painted its first Boeing 737-400 for the new PEOPLExpress (2nd) (Newport News/Williamsburg). Boeing 737-405 N745VA (msn 24271) is pictured after receiving its new look. Under the agreement just announced, Vision will operate four 737-400s under the reincarnated PEOPLExpress brand from the Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) (see below). The agreement comes at a good time. Vision has been experimenting with a lot of scheduled routes over the past few years as we detailed in previous reports. Currently the scheduled route map for Vision has shrunk to these two routes to Biloxi/Gulfport in Mississippi:

Top Copyright Photo: PEOPLExpress (2nd)/Vision Airlines.

Vision Airlines:

Bottom Copyright Photo: PEOPLExpress (2nd). An aerial view of the terminal at the new base for PEOPLExpress (2nd), Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport.

PEOPLExpress to start operations on June 30, announces its other new routes

PEOPLExpress (2nd) (Vision Airlines dba) (Newport News/Williamsburg) today announced it will commence scheduled passenger operations on June 30 to Boston, Newark and Pittsburgh. Vision Airlines will be operating three Boeing 737-400s under the revived PEOPLExpress brand. The new airline also announced further routes that will be introduced this summer after the initial routes. The company issued this statement:

PEOPLExpress™, the iconic brand that made air travel affordable and accessible, returns to the skies June 30 with low-fare service from Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport to three cities: Boston, Newark, and Pittsburgh.

PEOPLExpress today announced its inaugural schedule at a kick-off event today with Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, local dignitaries, airport officials and new employees. The schedule includes four additional destinations: West Palm Beach, Florida (starting July 15), Atlanta (August 1), and St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida, and New Orleans (August 28).

Vision Airlines, dba PEOPLExpress, will fly Boeing 737-400 aircraft operated by Vision Airlines bearing the logo of the popular 1980s carrier of the same name but with a fresh, green livery.

“From the very beginning, PEOPLExpress was designed to provide a fun, creative and innovative approach to air travel to dispel the myth that low air fares have to mean low service or an impersonal experience,” said Jeff Erickson, a long-time airline executive, on behalf of the carrier. “PEOPLExpress is restoring the concepts of respect, value and excitement to the air travel experience.”

The PEOPLExpress management team identified opportunities in underserved markets from Newport News while developing a service model built on a great experience at a great price.

“Air travel had become an unpleasant, difficult and costly experience for many travelers – and in response to that need the new PEOPLExpress was born with a name that left an indelible mark on aviation history,” Erickson said.

Images and map: PEOPLExpress.

Route Map:

The new PEOPLExpress wants to start flying to Newark before July 1

People Express Airlines (stylized as PEOPLExpress Airlines) (2nd) (Newport News/Williamsburg, Virginia) wants to start operations before July 1. No schedules have yet been announced.

The new airline has been in funding phase. The first route is planned to be from Newport News/Williamburg, VA (PHF) to Newark (EWR) with six flights a week using Boeing 737 aircraft. Previously in June 2013 PEOPLExpress announced its intention to acquire Xtra Airways (Boise) but this prospective deal appears to be on hold.

Jeffrey Erickson is the current CEO after founder Michael Morisi resigned from the position. Mr. Morisi remains as an advisor.

Founded in 2012 as we have previously reported, the new version of PEOPLExpress the prospective airline describes itself this way:

After an over 25-year absence, the airline synonymous with low-cost fares and a focus on customer service is preparing to return to the skies. By applying the attributes of value, integrity and ingenuity that the original PEOPLExpress™ was known for, we will address the rising level of consumer frustration and disappointment with air travel today, and we are confident that the new PEOPLExpress™ will once again become the airline of choice.

While reviving an iconic brand in aviation is a part of our heritage, we’re not looking to the past to find our success. Led by our experienced team of professionals, our forward looking product development efforts have helped us to develop a service product which we are confident will be warmly embraced by today’s air travelers and will ensure a total customer experience unlike any other. An experience where personal attention and technology each play a role and an experience that has been designed from the outset to surprise customers and surpass their expectations. We will be making travel exciting and fun again!

PEOPLExpress is about People – the people who work for us, and the people who fly with us. We are building the Smart Alternative.
Mission

Our mission is to provide affordable, nonstop jet air service between cities that are underserved by major carriers in the United States.
Description

PEOPLExpress will offer the best value and most enjoyable customer experience in air travel.

Note: People Express Airlines, Inc. has applications pending with the U.S. Department of Transportation and is not yet a certificated airline.

Read the full story from the Daily Press: CLICK HERE

PEOPLExpress Airlines (1st):