Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) continues to dismantle the Memphis hub. According to The Commerical Appeal of Memphis, the airline will drop all service from MEM to Dallas/Fort Worth, New Orleans and Pittsburgh on January 5, 2015. The airline claims the MEM routes that are being dropped are “unprofitable” A fourth route, to Washington (Reagan National), will be dropped on April 7, 2015. 84 positions at the MEM station are being eliminated according to the report.
The routes are operated with Embraer 170/175s.
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N215JQ (msn 17000270) prepares to land in Washington (Reagan National).
Delta Air Lines aircraft slide show (current livery):ย
United Airlines (Chicago) today announced new trans-Atlantic summer-season service between Newark and Venice, Italy, along with new service between Chicago (O’Hare) and Dublin, both subject to government approval.
In addition, the airline will offer a second daily nonstop flight between Washington (Dulles) and Paris (CDG) for the summer season.
Newark to Venice
Flight UA 170 will depart United’s New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport daily at 6:45 p.m. (1845), arriving in Venice at 9:05 a.m. (0905) the following day (all times local). On the return, flight UA 169 will depart Venice Marco Polo Airport daily at 10:55 a.m. (1055), arriving at Newark at 2:25 p.m. (1425) the same day. Flight times will be eight hours 20 minutes eastbound and nine hours 30 minutes westbound.
The flights will operate with Boeing 767-400 ER aircraft with a total of 242 seats โ 39 flat-bed seats in United BusinessFirst and 203 in United Economy, including 70 Economy Plus seats with added legroom and increased personal space.
United has served Italy since 1992. The airline currently operates nonstop flights from New York/Newark to Milan and, on a seasonal basis, New York/Newark and Washington Dulles to Rome.
The new Venice flights will operate seasonally from June 4, 2015, through Sept. 23, 2015.
Chicago O’Hare to Dublin
Flight UA 152 will depart United’s Chicago hub at O’Hare International Airport daily at 6:05 p.m. (1805), arriving in Dublin at 7:35 a.m. (0735) the following day (all times local). On the return, flight UA 153 will depart Dublin Airport daily at 9:50 a.m. (0950), arriving in Chicago O’Hare at 12:15 p.m. (1215) the same day. Flight times will be seven hours 30 minutes eastbound and eight hours 25 minutes westbound.
The flights will operate using Boeing 757-200 aircraft with a total of 169 seats โ 16 flat-bed seats in United BusinessFirst and 153 in United Economy, including 45 Economy Plus seats.
Chicago O’Hare will be the third United hub with nonstop service to Dublin, after Newark and Washington Dulles.
The Chicago O’Hare-Dublin service will operate seasonally from June 4, 2015 through Aug. 17, 2015.
Washington Dulles to Paris CDG
Flight UA 140 will depart United’s hub at Washington Dulles International Airport daily at 10:10 p.m. (2210), arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris at 12:20 p.m. (1220) the following day (all times local). The return flight UA 141 will depart Paris CDG daily at 4:30 p.m. (1630), arriving at Washington Dulles at 7:30 p.m. (1930) the same day. Flight times will be eight hours 10 minutes eastbound and nine hours westbound.
United will operate the flights with Boeing 757-200 aircraft with a total of 169 seats โ 16 flat-bed seats in United BusinessFirst and 153 in United Economy, including 45 Economy Plus seats.
United’s current service between Washington and Paris departs Washington Dulles daily at 5:20 p.m., arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 6:55 a.m. the following day (all times local). The return flight, 914, departs Paris daily at 11:55 a.m., arriving at Washington Dulles at 3 p.m. the same day. The current flights operate with 214-seat Boeing 767-300 aircraft.
United has served France since 1987. The airline operates nonstop flights to Paris from its Chicago O’Hare, Newark and San Francisco hubs, in addition to the Washington Dulles service.
The second Washington-Paris frequency will operate seasonally from June 4, 2015 through August 17, 2015.
Copyright Photo: Andi Hiltl/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 767-424 ER N59053 (msn 29448) approaches the runway in Zurich.
United Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):ย
Virgin America Inc. (San Francisco) premiered today on Wall Street. The airline previously issued this statement on the Initial Public Offering (IPO):
Virgin America has announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 13,337,587 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $23.00 per share. Virgin America is offering 13,106,377 shares. VX Employee Holdings, LLC, a Virgin America employee stock ownership vehicle, is offering 231,210 issued and outstanding shares as a selling stockholder. In addition, certain selling stockholders have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,000,638 shares of common stock. The shares are expected to begin trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on November 14, 2014, under the symbol “VA.”
Barclays and Deutsche Bank Securities are acting as lead joint book-running managers for the offering. BofA Merrill Lynch, Cowen and Company, Goldman Sachs & Co., Imperial Capital, LOYAL3 Securities and Raymond James are acting as co-managers for the offering.
A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with, and declared effective by, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
Read the analysis by Bloomberg Businessweek: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 N849VA (msn 4991) with the special “Giants-Fly Together” markings arrives in Washington (Reagan National).
Video:ย On October 29, 2014, San Francisco Giants fans on Virgin America flight 717 from Dallas Love Field (DAL) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) cheered their hometown team to victory in game seven of the World Series from 35,000 feet thanks to the airlineโs live television at every seat.
Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) on March 11, 2015 will begin daily nonstop service to Dulles International Airport from its SeaTac hub.
With the launch of Alaska’s Dulles flight next spring, Alaska customers will have nonstop access to all three D.C.-area airports from Seattle/Tacoma, including Reagan National Airport and Baltimore-Washington International Airport โ more flights than any other carrier.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-890 N592AS (msn 35190) with Aviation Partners Boeing Split Scimitar Winglets arrives in Anchorage.
American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) has offered its pilots, represented by the Allied Pilots Association, a reported “industry leading contract” according to Terry Maxon of the Dallas News. The two negotiation groups are facing a deadline of Saturday to resolve their outstanding issues with a new tentative agreement. The two parties started talking on July 8. The new contract would not impact the pilots of American Eagle-branded operations.
However despite this optimism, the union’s president issued this statement:
Since I forwarded management’s initial joint collective bargaining agreement economic proposals to you yesterday, the feedback we have received on the proposals has been overwhelmingly negative. No disagreement here. Management’s initial proposals are seriously lacking on various fronts.
After reading the letter from American Airlines President Scott Kirby yesterday morning addressed to the APA board of directors, your APA leadership expected something a lot different from what we received. Mr. Kirby noted that issues regarding Scope bring with them “a lot of history and skepticism,” and he’s right. The contrast between Mr. Kirby’s letter and the proposals that followed will only add to that baggage. While there was no call for an increase from 76 seats to 81 seats on commuter aircraft, management instead simply shifted their aim with a Scope proposal to add five seats to the medium-sized (up to 70 seats) regional jets. Moving this limitation would be well outside the industry standard. When compared to the industry standard, what management has proposed would dramatically increase the number of 70-seat commuter aircraft and related capacity flown by regional affiliates.
In addition, management does not appear to be interested in providing our pilots with a compensation package comparable to industry leader Delta Air Lines. While initially proposed pay rates are fractionally higher than Delta’s current pilot pay rates, there’s little adjustment for the absence of profit-sharing, which this year will equal 15 percent of annual earnings for Delta pilots. This means that American Airlines pilots’ compensation would continue to trail industry leader Delta by a significant margin. Meanwhile, our airline is producing its best-ever financial results, with forecasts of industry-leading profits and margins going forward. What’s wrong with this picture?
Delta’s CEO recently addressed the importance of a “positive employee culture” and “rewarding employees with pay for performance through profit sharing,” adding that it “drives revenue growth and better financial returns.” American Airlines management evidently believes otherwise. With the exception of Spirit Airlines, American Airlines is the only other airline that does not provide profit-sharing to its pilots.
Management’s initial proposals would have American Airlines pilots remaining under bankruptcy-era work rules and likewise do not address length-of-service credit and numerous other important quality-of-life issues that we have raised in bargaining. Additionally, their initial proposals fail to recognize that Delta pilots are on the cusp of negotiating a new contract that will likely lead to pay rate increases that will surpass management’s proposed pay rates in quick fashion.
During a recent conference, Mr. Kirby stated that better labor relations “lead to better financial results and better customer service.” Management’s initial proposals are inconsistent with that virtuous cycle and with the positive employee culture that has made this merger so successful thus far.
Where do we go from here? The APA board of directors convened at 1 p.m. today (November 12) to discuss management’s proposals and determine our next steps. The APA Negotiating Committee, Scope Committee, Industry Analysis Committee and director of economic and financial analysis addressed the board this afternoon.
Our goal remains a negotiated agreement reached at the bargaining table. Management’s latest proposals have made attaining our goal more challenging.
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-823 N964AN (msn 30093) completes its final approach to the runway at Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA).
American Airlines (current livery) aircraft slide show:ย
Trans States Airlines (subsidiary of Trans States Holdings, Inc.) (St. Louis) has announced that it will operate 36 Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft provided by United Airlines (Chicago). Trans States expects to begin taking delivery of and starting scheduled service with these aircraft under the United Express brand and livery in February 2015, with deliveries slated to continue through the first quarter of 2016. The aircraft will be moved from ExpressJet Airlines to Trans States by United.
Trans States Airlines has been providing United Airlines regional service under the United Express brand since 2003. The addition of these 36 aircraft will increase the fleet size of Trans States Airlines from 29 to 65 aircraft, more than doubling its current fleet size. Trans States Airlines currently has 25 aircraft in service with United, all of which are 50 seat Embraer ERJ 145s. The remaining four ERJ 145s in its fleet are operated as US Airways Express.
Trans States currently serves 25 cities and operates approximately 190 daily flights.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Trans States’ Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N845HK (msn 145842) in the old 2004 livery approaches the runway at United’s Dulles International Airport hub near Washington.
United Express-Trans States aircraft slide Show:ย
Map: Trans States currently operates in these cities as United Express and US Airways Express.
JetBlue Airways (New York) today unveiled its latest logo jet on this Airbus A320-232 registered as N775JB (msn 3800). The pictured “Vets in Blue” special livery was unveiled in time for Veterans Day tomorrow (November 11). The airline issued this statement, photos and video:
JetBlue Airways, New York’s Hometown Airline TM, is celebrating this Veterans Day in a rather unique way. Today the airline is honoring a group of current and former members of the United States Armed Forces spanning several generations, with a special charter flight from New York to Washington, DC and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Upon arrival at New York’s JFK Airport, this select group of veterans will receive a treat as the airline reveals its newest livery, “Vets in Blue.”
The inaugural flight on the “Vets in Blue” aircraft will include nearly 120 veterans who were nominated for a trip from JFK to Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, DC. Much to their surprise, JetBlue is saluting these service members by welcoming them aboard as the first travelers on “Vets in Blue.” The first “Vets in Blue” flight will also include JetBlue crewmembers who are veterans of military service.
Fittingly, the first two pilots in the cockpit and the four inflight crewmembers will consist of all veterans. “We are excited to publicly introduce our ‘Vets in Blue’ aircraft and pledge our ongoing support for all members of the U.S. military, whether presently serving or veterans of past service. To christen this newly decorated livery, JetBlue invited military guests spanning from Junior ROTC cadets of Aviation High School to veterans of World War II to be among the first guests on this special aircraft,” said Jeff Martin, first officer for this special charter flight. Martin is currently senior vice president of operations at JetBlue and a former U.S. Air Force pilot.
After arriving at DCA, JetBlue will host a luncheon in DCA’s historic Terminal A where Margaret E. McKeough, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, General Stanley McChrystal, JetBlue board member and JetBlue’s President, Robin Hayes, will provide inspirational remarks. Following the luncheon, veterans and other guests from the Cradle of Aviation Museum & Education Center, USO, the National WWII Museum, Purple Heart Homes, the American Legion, and the U.S. Army Soldier for Life Program will receive personalized tours of some of the veterans monuments of our nation’s capital, including the Disabled Veterans, WWII, Vietnam and Lincoln Memorials.
“‘Vets in Blue’ is JetBlue’s unique way to salute veterans both at our airline and in our local communities. It is our duty to honor the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. Our ‘Vets in Blue’ livery and program is a small symbol of our appreciation and support for our military service members,” said Dave Barger, chief executive officer, JetBlue Airways.
This freshly designed aircraft, painted blue and adorned with a yellow ribbon, a popular symbol of support for our nation’s troops, is just one way JetBlue honors those who have selflessly served and fought for our freedoms. In addition to the “Vets in Blue” livery, JetBlue’s “Vets in Blue” platform includes:
A commitment to veteran hiring – JetBlue is committed to veterans hiring and recently partnered with 100,000 Jobs Mission, an organization committed to helping transitioning service members and other veterans find employment. With more than 1,100 veterans currently employed by the airline including 193 hired this year, JetBlue also recently launched VetConnect, its first vet-to-vet peer mentoring program. This initiative helps newly hired veteran crewmembers transition from military service to life at JetBlue.
Home For the Holidays (b) – This Veterans Day, JetBlue would like to help veterans and active duty military make it home for the 2014 holiday season. Customers can nominate their veteran friends for a chance to receive a JetBlue flight by submitting their stories from November 10-20, 2014 at JetBlue.com/military. JetBlue will provide flights based on seat availability to selected veterans throughout December 2014. Customers are encouraged to share their veteran’s desired travel dates and home cities. JetBlue will select and notify the lucky recipients directly. Subject to contest rules and conditions.
A discount for veterans in partnership with Veterans Advantage: JetBlue, in partnership with Veterans Advantage, is also introducing a new discount program for U.S. active duty military, retired Veterans, National Guard and Reserve and their families (a). Members enrolled in Veterans Advantage will receive a 5 percent discount off of base fares on JetBlue flights with no blackout dates. JetBlue will also waive its standard $25 phone booking fee when Veterans Advantage members call 1-800-JETBLUE to book with their discount. Members enrolled in TrueBlue, JetBlue’s loyalty program, will also earn points from their trips for use on future travel. Active military members and their dependents will be able to pre-board flights and check up to five bags for free when traveling on duty or two bags for free on leisure trips (c). For more information visit JetBlue.com/military.
“Vets in Blue” is the latest addition to JetBlue’s exclusive legion of partnership aircraft celebrating organizations and causes, including “Blue Bravest,” which raises awareness for the FDNY Foundation, and “I Love New York,” highlighting New York State Tourism. On Veterans Day, customers are encouraged to keep an eye out for a first glimpse of “Vets in Blue” as it travels to destinations including Boston, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, New York, Orlando and Washington, DC.
The new “Vets in Blue” platform and livery is just one example of JetBlue’s ongoing support for men and women in uniform. JetBlue proudly supports veterans causes by providing financial support and engaging in partnerships with organizations including Wounded Warrior Project, Bob Woodruff Foundation, Long Beach Waterfront Warriors, Fisher House, Rangers Lead the Way Foundation, Yellow Ribbon Fund, Commit Foundation, Alethia and the National WWII Museum. JetBlue also recently donated space for the USO Center T5/JFK, the first center at a New York area airport in nearly a decade. The thousands of troops and their families who pass through JFK every year now have a new place to call home. The new fully stocked Center is located in JetBlue’s T5 and is open seven days a week, 365 days per year.
To assist avid plane-spotters, or veteran supporters, the currently scheduled flights* of tail number n775JB โVets in Blueโ is as follows:
*Flights are subject to change based on operational necessity.
Southwest Airlines (Dallas) reached a milestone in the final stage of its integration of wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways by launching Southwest-branded flights to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and Mexico City. All international flights between seven destinations outside the United States and the carrier’s nine U.S. gateway cities are now flown by Southwest.
Southwest has completed the integration of booking and frequent flyer functions into Southwest.com, referring all Customers who visit airtran.com to Southwest.com. All bookings for remaining flights on AirTran Airways flown through December 28, 2014, will now be made through Southwest.com and all of AirTran’s A+ Rewards Members have Rapid Rewards accounts in the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewardsยฎ frequent flyer program, which offers unlimited reward seats, no blackout dates, and points that don’t expire. (Flight or Partner earning activity required every 24 months. Benefits apply to points transactions. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply.)
The expansion of service at Dallas Love Field continued with the launch of additional eight nonstop destinations, following the launch of nonstop itineraries to seven cities that began last month. New flights began yesterday (November 2) between Dallas (Love Field) and Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood, Nashville, New York (LaGuardia), Phoenix, Orange County/Santa Ana, San Diego, and Tampa.
Additional nonstop service between the San Francisco Bay Area and North Texas begins after the first of next year when new flights between Dallas Love Field and both San Francisco (SFO) and Oakland (OAK) begin on January 6, 2015.
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. The sun will be setting next month for AirTran Airways when the last Boeing 717 flight is operated between Atlanta and Tampa on December 28. All of the AirTran 717s will be leased to Delta. Boeing 717-231 N985AT (msn 55090) banks on its final turn on the river approach to Washington’s Reagan National Airport (DCA).
AirTran Airways:ย
Southwest Airlines:ย
Video: A first for Southwest, a wedding at 32,000 feet:
JetBlue Airways (New York) today (November 1) launches three new seasonal routes from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). JetBlue now offers seasonal weekly services to Liberia, Costa Rica; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; and Saint Lucia.
Earlier this year, the carrier introduced service from Boston to Detroit, Michigan, and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, Georgia.
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 N828JB (msn 5723) with Sharklets departs from Washington (Reagan National).
Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) has announced plans to add twice-weekly service between Miami International Airport (MIA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) beginning in December according to Miami International Airport. The new service announcement comes less than one month after the domestic low-cost carrier revealed that it would be launching 38 weekly departures from MIA to four additional domestic destinations.
The new nonstop Miami-Washington D.C. service is scheduled to begin on December 21, the same day that Frontier will launch nonstop flights from MIA to Chicagoโs OโHare International Airport. Flights to Washington Dulles will operate on Thursdays and Sundays, using the carrierโs 168-seat Airbus A320 aircraft (above). On December 20, Frontier will launch nonstop service from Miami to Denver, Philadelphia and New Yorkโs LaGuardia Airport.
Previously in September, Frontier announced it was coming to Miamiย starting on December 20 with new routes operating to Chicago (OโHare), Denver, New York (LaGuardia) and Philadelphia. Washington Dulles is a new addition to the original announcement.
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 N227FR (msn 6184) with Grizwald, the Bear, arrives in Washington (Reagan National) in the new 2014 livery.
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