Airbus and Zodiac Aerospace creating now lower-deck passenger facilities

Above us only sky, but below is where there is room to grow! At least that's what European planemaker Airbus and Zodiac Aerospace are indicating with an ingenious look at what could be below the main deck of the leading aircraft manufacturers Airbus A330 aircraft.

Together they have developed great possibilities for special passenger modules that could easily fit in the aircraft's existing cargo compartments. There are modules for a kids play area, or a lounge and a medical centre and even sleeping pods!

Sleeping berths would fit inside the 

aircraft’s existing cargo compartments

The modules, which would fit inside the aircraft’s cargo compartments, offer new opportunities for additional services to passengers, improving their experience while enabling airlines to differentiate and add value to their commercial operations. A massive bonus feature will be the ease of interchanging the new passenger modules with regular cargo containers, which can be completed during a typical turnaround if required. Moreover, there isn't a need for massive structural changes to the aircraft's cargo floor or cargo loading system as the passenger module will sit directly on it.

SAS signs firm order for 35 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft

SAS Group, has signed a firm order for 35 A320neo aircraft, it has been announced today from the European aerospace giant, Airbus. In addition, SAS will also lease 15 further A320neos from leasing companies. This is an important new strategic commitment from SAS which will become an all-Airbus operator with the fuel-efficient A320 family for its mainline European operations, as well as for its extensive domestic services in Scandinavia.

These new A320neos will join the airline’s existing Airbus fleet of 56 aircraft (eight A340s, eight A330s and 40 A320 Family aircraft). The engine selection will be announced by the airline at a later date.  SAS has been an Airbus customer since 1980.

Previous undisclosed customer of 737 Max 10's confirmed as Lion Air Group

Boeing  confirmed today that a previously unnamed customer of  the US manufacturer's 737 Max 10 aircraft is Lion Air.  
The airline is taking 50 of the new 737 MAX 10 aircraft that the Boeing claims is the most fuel-efficient and profitable single-aisle jet in the aviation industry. The deal has a true value of $4.98 billion and is one of Boeing's largest orders for the  737 Max airframes. 
"Lion Air is very excited to be a launch customer of the latest version of the 737. This aeroplane delivers a new level of fuel efficiency and operating economics and fits in perfectly with our fleet of modern aeroplanes," said Edward Sirait, President Director, the Lion Air Group. "We are proud to continue our tradition of innovation at Lion Air as we again lead the way with new aeroplane technology."

Southwest Airlines Begins More Than A Dozen New Routes This Week

Southwest Airlines this week will begin operating more than a dozen new nonstop routes across North America. San Jose, California saw six new nonstop routes take off on Sun 8th April adding more nonstop routes from the Bay Area to cities across the United States.

Growth for Hawaiian

Hawaiian Airlines has announced performance statistics for the month and quarter ended 31 March 2018 which saw impressive growth.

Hawaiian welcomed more than 1 million guests in March 2018, a record for the month of March and an increase of 8.0% over the same period last year.  Total traffic (revenue passenger miles) increased 8.6% on an increase of 6.7% in capacity (available seat miles).  Load factor increased 1.5 points to 86.5%.

Azul is selected as the best airline in Latin America by TripAdvisor

Chosen by millions of travellers, Azul is a winner in multiple categories in the 2018 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards. In addition to winning the best airline in Latin America, Azul was also selected as having the best Business class and the best Economy class in Latin America.  Finally, Azul was the only airline in Latin America to be in included among the top 10 best airlines in the world. This is the 2nd consecutive year Azul has been selected by TripAdvisor Travelers' choice as the best airline in Brazil and Latin America. This is the first time Azul has been selected as having the best Business class in Latin America.

Gogo's 2Ku Inflight Connectivity Solution Selected by Air Canada for its Bombardier C-Series Aircraft

Gogo, the leading global provider of broadband connectivity products and services for aviation, announced this week its joining with Air Canada to provide its 2Ku in-flight connectivity solution on the airlines new Bombardier CS300 aircraft.  The technology will be installed as a line-fit option at Bombardier.

"Air Canada was the first in Canada to deploy the service on their entire mainline fleet of aircraft. They have been at the forefront of technology adoption and we are excited to deploy 2Ku on additional aircraft," said Oakleigh Thorne, Gogo's president and CEO.  "We also are excited to work with Bombardier to have this technology installed at the factory."

Stand Up To Cancer, American Airlines & Marvel Studios' Avengers: Infinity War Join Together In The Battle Against Cancer

Today, Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), American Airlines and Marvel Studios' Avengers: Infinity War announced a powerful collaboration as they team up in the fight against cancer. The inspiring initiative and public service announcement (PSA) features beloved Marvel Studios' Avengers: Infinity War heroes, esteemed SU2C researchers and American Airlines team members who have personally fought cancer. To raise funds, awareness and further Stand Up To Cancer's mission to bring groundbreaking therapies and treatments to patients as quickly as possible, this first-of-its-kind collaboration comes to life in print, radio, digital and broadcast PSAs with a powerful call-to-action and additional campaign elements to come.

Bombardier and PSA Airlines Extend Heavy Maintenance Agreement for the Airline’s Fleet of CRJ Series Aircraft

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced that Bombardier Services Corporation and PSA Airlines, Inc. (PSA Airlines) of Vandalia, Ohio recently signed a three-year extension to the parties’ heavy maintenance agreement. Under this contract, heavy maintenance tasks for the airline’s fleet of Bombardier CRJ200, CRJ700 and CRJ900 aircraft will be performed at Bombardier’s West Virginia Air Center. Bombardier has conducted heavy maintenance for PSA Airlines since 2005.

Southwest Airlines Wins 2018 TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards For Airlines

 Southwest Airlines has been recognized by TripAdvisor as a winner of four awards in the 2018 TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice™ awards for airlines. The carrier ranks sixth in the Top Ten Airline--World category and was chosen for three other honours. TripAdvihonoursghlights the world's top carriers annually based on the quantity and quality of traveller reviews and ratings gathered over a 12-month period.

Southwest is also recognized as the Best Airline in North America; Best Economy Class in North America; and Best Airline in the United States.

WestJet reports March load factor of 85.6 per cent

                            Today WestJet announced March 2018 traffic results with a load factor of 85.6 percent, an increase of 1.5 percentage points year over year. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 7.0 percent year over year, while capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 5.2 percent over the same period. WestJet flew a record 2.2 million guests in March, a year-over-year increase of 6.7 percent or approximately 136,000 additional guests.

"We are pleased to see such strong year-over-year traffic growth as 6.1 million guests chose to fly with us in the first quarter," said WestJet President and CEO Ed Sims. "This new record for the quarter is all the more remarkable given the degree of disruption during the challenging winter season. My sincere thanks go out to the 13,000 WestJetters for their unwavering dedication over that time."

WestJet receives three TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards

WestJet today announced it has again been recognized as Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice winner – North America in the 2018 TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines. The airline was also named the Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America. WestJet remains the only airline in Canada to win TripAdvisor's Best Airline in Canada recognition.
WestJet once again named Best Airline in Canada
TripAdvisor highlights the world's top carriers based on the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for airlines worldwide gathered over a 12-month period. WestJet received almost 7,000 guest reviews with a 4.04 average.
"To be named Best Airline in Canada by TripAdvisor two years in row is an incredible honour," said Tim Croyle, WestJet Interim Executive Vice-President, Commercial. "These three Travellers' Choice awards are tremendously significant as they are based on authentic reviews from the travelling public. I thank our 13,000 WestJetters for their dedication to providing guest care that is unmatched in Canadian airlines."

The top airlines according to TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor®, the travel planning and booking site, today announced the winners of its Travelers' Choice® awards for airlines, identifying travelers' favorite carriers around the globe. For 2018, Singapore Airlines was named the number one airline in the world and Southwest Airlines ranked as the best U.S. carrier. Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of airline reviews and ratings submitted by travelers worldwide, over a 12-month period on TripAdvisor Flights.  

"We're thrilled to recognize the global TripAdvisor community's favourite airlines and shine a spotlight on the carriers around the world that provide the very best flying experiences," said Bryan Saltzburg, senior vice president and general manager for TripAdvisor Flights. 

Asian Carriers Flying High 

Among the global top 10, Asian carriers dominated with four airlines on the list (Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, EVA Air and Korean Air); followed by the Middle East with two airlines (Emirates and Qatar Airways).

Top 10 Airlines in the World:

Recognizing airlines around the world that deliver consistently exceptional experiences to the global traveller.

Read on for the top ten.........

Aeromexico March Figures Released

Aeromexico reported its March 2018 operational results during the week - 

Highlights included - Aeromexico transported 1 million 799 thousand passengers in March; a 7.1% year-on-year increase. International passenger numbers increased by 18.3%, while domestic passenger numbers increased by 1.5%.

Demand, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPKs), increased by 15.3%, year-on-year. Aeromexico's capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometers (ASKs), increased by 14.0% year-on-year.

Aeromexico's March load factor was 80.2%, an increase of 0.9 p.p. compared to March 2017.

 

Southwest Airlines Reports March Traffic

 Southwest Airlines Co. reported its March and first quarter 2018 preliminary traffic statistics yesterday and the company showed a modest increase in the number of passengers carried. 

In total, the carrier flew 11.7 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in March 2018, an increase of 3.7 percent from the 11.3 billion RPMs flown in March 2017. Available seat miles (ASMs) increased 2.4 percent to 13.8 billion in March 2018, compared with March 2017 ASMs of 13.4 billion. The March 2018 load factor of 85.1 percent was a March record, compared with 84.1 percent in March 2017.

American Airlines Orders 47 More 787 Dreamliners

American Airlines today announced it would more than double its 787 Dreamliner fleet with a new order for 47 of the jet from Boeing after negotiating a massive discount that amounts to almost a third off list prices.

The new order will make American Airlines the largest 787 customers in the Western Hemisphere, as the carrier had initially ordered 42 787 Dreamliners. The new order is made up of 22 787-8s and 25 787-9s – with the aim to both modernise and expand its fleet. 

Ryanair to face a legal challenge in Ukraine

Ukraine’s largest airline is about to launch new legal action over the entry of Irish low-cost high-fee carrier Ryanair into the market should complaints over airport slots are not listened to, news agency Reuters is reporting today.

Ukrainian government officials had made overtures to Ryanair over the last few years to entice the carrier to shake up the aviation industry as well as allowing the Ukrainian government to show a more pro-business, pro-western stance. However, Ukraine International Airlines, part-owned by Ihor Kolomoisky, a very wealthy Ukrainian business mogul says the authorities in Kiev have given exceptional support to the Irish airline yet have been less than positive towards local airlines. 
Only last year Ryanair said “not yet a sufficiently mature or reliable business location” of Ukraine after walking away from talks with the authorities following Ukraine International Airlines starting legal action. Yet, only towards the end of last month, Ryanair proclaimed its arrival on the Ukrainian airline scene, not only with flights to Ukraine but with 10 new Kiev routes to Barcelona, Bratislava, Gdansk, Krakow, London Stansted, Poznan, Stockholm, Vilnius, Warsaw and Wroclaw and 5 new Lviv routes to Dusseldorf, Krakow, London Stansted, Memmingen and Warsaw.

Norwegian reports solid passenger growth in March

It's good news for the European's favourite low-cost airline, Norwegian as a total of 2,816,164 passengers chose to fly with the exciting friendly carrier in March of this year, which is 362,613 more passengers than the same period last year. 

The total traffic growth (RPK) increased by 48 percent, while the capacity growth (ASK) increased by 44 percent. The load factor was 86.7 percent, up 2.6 percentage points. 

The period is influenced by the “Easter effect” as Easter was in March this year, consequently increasing traffic. We will, therefore, see the opposite effect for the April figures.

“Even though Easter strongly impacts this month’s figures, we have a solid passenger growth. The international growth continues, and at the same time, more people are flying with us in Scandinavia. Our low fares and extensive route offering attract more business and leisure passengers,” said CEO of Norwegian, Bjørn Kjos.

Norwegian operated 98.4 percent of the scheduled flights in March, of which 72.3 percent departed on time.

Allegiant reported preliminary passenger traffic results for March 2018.

The ultra-low-cost airline Las Vegas-based Allegiant today reported preliminary passenger traffic results for March 2018, showing a massive 18 percent increase on last years performance. Whilst the first quarter of 2018 shows the airline is just over 15 percent up on the 2017 results. 

Read on for the all important numbers.....

JetBlue Selects Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan Engines to Power 45 Additional Airbus A320neo Family Aircraft

Pratt & Whitney, today announces that JetBlue Airways has selected the Geared Turbofan™ (GTF) engine to power an additional 45 Airbus A320neo family aircraft. With the airline's previous order of 40 GTF-powered A320neo family aircraft, JetBlue has now committed to 85 GTF-powered aircraft, including both A320neo and A321neo models. Pratt & Whitney will also provide JetBlue with engine maintenance through a 15-year EngineWise™ service agreement.

Delta celebrates 65 years of connecting Puerto Rico to the world

Delta Air Lines is celebrating its 65th anniversary in San Juan, Puerto Rico, its station with the longest uninterrupted service in Latin America and the Caribbean. The airline has increased flights to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport from New York-JFK and Atlanta.


Delta offers three daily flights from ATL to SJU and three daily flights from JFK to SJU. Due to growing demand, Delta is reinstating the fourth ATL-SJU daily flight, effective June 8. The airline operates ATL-SJU with a Boeing 757-200 aircraft with 180 seats, and JFK-SJU with a Boeing 737-800 with 160 seats.

March figures for GOL released

 GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes announced today its preliminary air traffic figures for the month of March 2018. 

The carriers load factor for March this year was 78.5% up slightly from last year.  Domestic load factor was slightly up despite a reduction on the number of seats the airline offered. International operations scored 78.4% loads this year, a decrease of 2.1% from the same month last year. 

GOL's international supply and demand rose by 15.9% and 12.9%, respectively. GOL is Brazil's largest airline group carrying 33 million passengers annually on more than 700 daily flights to 66 destinations, 55 in Brazil and 11 in South America and the Caribbean. The airline currently has a fleet of around 120 Boeing 737 aircraft and has an order in for 120 737 Max.

Delta's record March.... Full details

Earlier this week the US airline Delta released its March 2018 operating performance which showed the carrier flew 16.6 million passengers over its global network, a record for the month of March. 

Monthly highlights included:
Receiving final approvals to launch a joint venture with Korean Air 
Announcing new developments in customer experience innovation with biometric check-in at Delta Sky Clubs and a new Delta Sky Club at Phoenix Sky Harbor coming in late 2018.
Establishing new connections for customers via Salt Lake City to Cleveland, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas; Chattanooga, Tenn., to New York-LGA; and Boston to Las Vegas, achieving a milestone of 50 nonstop destinations at Boston Logan by this fall.

Read on for the full details -

Norway's Widerøe Receives World's First Embraer E190-E2 Jet

Embraer and Widerøe, Scandinavia's largest regional airline, celebrated the delivery of the manufacturer's first production E190-E2 today at a ceremony at Embraer's facility in São José dos Campos. The Norwegian airline will start flying the new aircraft on domestic routes later this month.

 Looking great in the Wideroe livery.

The E190-E2 is the first of three new-generation aircraft seating from 80 to 146-seat E-Jets to be introduced through 2021. Widerøe's E190-E2 is configured with 114 seats in a single-class layout. Widerøe has contracted for up to 15 E-Jets E2s - three firm E190-E2 orders and purchase rights for an additional 12 E2s. The total value of the order is approximately USD 873 million if all rights are exercised.

"The E190-E2 is an impressive aircraft. It is the ideal airplane for Widerøe as we introduce jets for the first time in the company's 84-year history," said Stein Nilsen, Chief Executive Officer of Widerøe. "I am convinced our passengers are going to love the cabin, our operations people are going to embrace the new technology, while our financial collaborators will appreciate the economics the aircraft permits. I believe everyone is going to celebrate with, as the launch customer, the fact that we are the first airline to fly the world's most environmentally-friendly airplane. With the lowest noise and emissions among aircraft in its category."

Boeing, Jet Airways Announce New Order for 75 737 MAX Airplanes

Boeing and Jet Airways today announced a new order for 75 737 MAX aeroplanes as India's premier international airline looks to the new and improved 737 jet to power its future growth.

"Our new order for the additional 75 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will allow us to deliver a differentiated and world class customer experience to our guests," said "Vinay Dube, Chief Executive Officer, Jet Airway. "This additional order reemphasizes our trust and confidence in Boeing and also reaffirms our commitment to operate extremely modern, reliable and fuel-efficient aircraft as part of our fleet. Jet Airways' partnership with Boeing goes back 25 years ever since the airline was conceived and took to the skies. This order underscores Jet Airways' commitment to the growth and sustainability of the Indian aviation market"

Jet Airways will be first Indian airline

 to take delivery of the new and improved 737 jet

Jet Airways announced its first order for 75 MAX aeroplanes in 2015 as part of a strategy to refresh its fleet with the most modern and environmentally progressive aeroplanes. The newest order adds 75 more MAXs to support the airline's future expansion. Jet Airways is set to take direct delivery of its first MAX aeroplane later this year.

Alaska Airlines adds new nonstop service between New York's JFK Airport and San Jose, California, and third daily Seattle flight

Alaska Airlines today announces new daily, nonstop service between San Jose, California and New York's John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) beginning July 6. Additionally, Alaska is expanding service between Seattle and JFK with an early-morning, nonstop flight, giving flyers convenient connections to 10 international destinations on its Global Partner airlines. Together, Alaska and Virgin America operate 15 flights a day to JFK from six West Coast gateways including Seattle, Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and soon San Jose.

"We continue to add exciting new destinations from our key West Coast hubs and focus cities, providing our valued guests more nonstop options to meet their business and leisure needs," said John Kirby, Alaska's vice president of capacity planning. "Alaska offers the most coast-to-coast markets of any airline, and continues to expand our route network with over 40 new markets added since the acquisition of Virgin America."

Air Lease to take more 737 Max 8's

Boeing and Air Lease Corporation announced they have finalized an order for eight more 737 MAX 8 aeroplanes, valued at $936.8 million at list prices, however, it is understood that a 29.6% discount was applied to the final price of each aircraft. 

Air Lease Corporation, is one of the world's leading aircraft leasing companies and this latest order from Boeing means the total number of 737 Max's ordered to 138. "These aircraft perfectly fit ALC's and our airline lessees' growing need for additional 737 MAX 8 aircraft.  Our success in MAX placements to date speaks to the strong market demand for these aircraft," said John Poerschke, Executive Vice President of Air Lease Corporation.

Allegiant Announces 5 New Nonstop Routes With Fares As Low As $49

Allegiant announced five new nonstop routes this week, just in time for summer vacations they tell us.  To celebrate this announcement, the company, known for exceptional travel deals, is offering one-way fares on the new routes for as low as $49.

"We're excited to announce these five new routes to some of the country's most exciting destinations," said Lukas Johnson, Allegiant senior vice president of commercial. "These new routes will allow passengers to have even more options with convenient, nonstop, affordable flights for a great summer getaway."

Southwest Airlines Earns Top Customer Experience Ratings for Airlines, According to Temkin Group

Southwest Airlines delivers the best customer experience in the airline industry, according to the 2018 Temkin Experience Ratings, an annual customer experience benchmark of companies based on a survey of 10,000 U.S. consumers.  

FLC Group selects A321neo for Bamboo Airways

Slipping slightly under the radar last week was news that Vietnam’s FLC Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with European Aviation Giants, Airbus for up to 24 A321neo aircraft for future operation by start-up carrier Bamboo Airways.

The agreements were signed in Paris on 26th March, Trinh Van Quyet, Chairman of FLC Group and Eric Schulz, Chief Commercial Officer, Airbus during the official visit to France of Nguyễn Phú Trọng, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Bamboo Airways is set to begin operations in 2019 with aircraft on lease from third party lessors before taking delivery of the aircraft covered by today’s MOU with Airbus. The carrier will focus on linking international markets to Vietnamese leisure destinations, as well as on selected domestic routes.

Spirit to cut routes from Akron-Canton

The ultra-low-cost Spirit Airlines made a big deal about connecting Akron-Canton Airport with Myrtle Beach, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale little over a year ago.   At the time, Spirit's boss, CEO Bob Fornaro said he saw Cleveland's Akron-Canton (CAK ) airport and Cleveland Hopkins as complementary destinations and not competitor airports. "We're comfortable being in both," he said at the time. "The area is certainly big enough."   However, then end of the road has come for all but one Spirit service. The services to Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers and Tampa will end this month and the seasonal Myrtle Beach service will not return this year. 

The airport will only be operating its service to Orlando from next month, its spokesperson Stephen Schuler said "We remain focused on connecting Akron-Canton to Orlando with our year-round service." yet refused to say why the airline is dropping all the other routes.  

Many airlines around the world would be happy to achieve a load factor of over 77 percent on a flight, particularly if it offered a similar routing from an airport just 50 miles up the road. Yet, it seems to Spirit 77.3 percent of bums on seats isn't enough to keep them flying.  Admittedly, the load factor for Spirit at the much bigger Cleveland Hopkins is higher at 82.9 percent, still below the carriers countrywide average of 83.3 percent. (Based on 2017 figures). 

No more Colorado Springs - Las Vegas for Allegiant

Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air says it will stop its service in Colorado Springs towards the end of the month because of a lack of demand.

The low-fare carrier spokesperson said the decision was based entirely on the lack of demand on the route and will fly its last scheduled flight between the city pair on 29th April.

The airline has been operating on the route for the last 16 years with current rotations on a Friday and Sunday. However, in recent times they have faced strong competition from Frontier who operate a daily schedule with highly competitive fares and reliable service.

Aegean commits to 30 A320neo Family aircraft

Aegean ‎Airlines, the biggest airline in Greece, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Airbus to purchase 30 A320neo Family aircraft, comprising 20 A320neos and 10 A321neos. The airline will also acquire a significant number of new A320neo family aircraft from leasing companies. 

Aegean currently operates a fleet of 46 Airbus aircraft (37 A320s, 8 A321s and 1 A319).

Eftichios Vassilakis, Vice-Chairman of Aegean Airlines stated: “Aegean’s decision to select the latest generation Airbus A320neo Family follows an intense and exhaustive evaluation to determine the best aircraft for Aegean's growth and long-term success. These aircraft will be key for us to pursue our mission of providing services of high standards for our passengers on short and medium haul services.”

New fleet will ensure airline's growth and market-leading position ‎far into the future 

“We are delighted that Aegean, an all Airbus customer, has chosen the bestselling single-aisle Family, becoming a new operator of the type. The commonality these aircraft offer along with lowest operating costs, longest range and a more spacious cabin make the A320neo Family the best choice for growing airlines such as Aegean,” said Eric Schulz, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer.

Celebrating 10 years of operations at London Heathrow

Delta is celebrating 10 years of operations at London Heathrow - the U.K.’s busiest airport. The airline has grown from three flights a day in 2008 – one to Atlanta and two to New York-JFK – to nine daily flights to seven cities. Meanwhile, it has transformed the products and services on offer to become a key player in the competitive London-U.S. travel market.

The 10-year anniversary comes in the same week as the launch of Delta’s A330-200 from Heathrow. The aircraft now operates on flights to New York-JFK and Atlanta, plus select services to Detroit, offering an enhanced onboard experience for customers in every cabin.

“Access to Heathrow enabled Delta to compete more effectively in the U.K.-U.S. travel sphere, the busiest in the world,” said Paul Buckley, general manager of Airport Customer Service – Europe, Middle East, Africa and India. “Today we offer a broad network and innovative products such as free in-flight messaging and RFID bag tracking that no other U.S. airline can match on the trans-Atlantic.”

Norwegian Named Value Airline of the Year by Air Transport World

Norwegian has been named ‘Value Airline of the Year’ by Air Transport World, the leading monthly magazine for the airline industry, at the ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards.

“I sincerely congratulate CEO Bjørn Kjos and the entire team at Norwegian for this well-deserved Award. The global panel of judges were highly impressed with Norwegian’s achievements and entrepreneurial spirit. Norwegian has truly shaken up the all-important transatlantic market, introducing quality service at low prices, and demonstrating that long-haul can be done at low cost,” said ATW Editor-in-Chief Karen Walker.

Skirts-only rule for female staff at Cathay Pacific

The Hong Kong based airline, Cathay Pacific has agreed that female cabin crew can wear trousers after the carriers skirt only ruling ends.

Some members of the airline's cabin crew had complained that wearing short skirts had made them feel uncomfortable - especially when putting bags in overhead lockers or taking public transport travelling to and from work.  However,  many crews are still not happy at the news the airlines is ending its restriction on trousers, as the change will not happen until the airline next refreshes uniforms.

"We welcome and appreciate the company's decision on giving us an option in choosing uniforms," Pauline Mak, vice chair of the Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Flight Attendants Association said after the news was announced. Ms Mak said the policy change "not only provides us one more option but also provides us with protection".

Cathay Pacific has operated a skirts-only rule for female cabin crew since the airline first started, back in 1946. Many Flight attendants had requested a redesign of their workwear in 2014 - saying the skirts were too revealing and may provoke sexual harassment. 

The airline said uniforms would be re-evaluated for crew working for both its Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon carriers."Just as we recognise it is important to provide our customers with more choice, the same is also true for our colleagues," an airline spokesperson said, however, refused to give any indication of when a new uniform might take to the skies. 

Brussels - Hong Kong Non-Stop - Cathay's New A350

Cathay Pacific operated its first ever flight from Brussels Airport to Hong Kong on Monday thanks to one of the carriers new Airbus A350 aircraft.  The only non-stop service connecting the Belgian capital with the airline’s dynamic home city, Flight CX338 departed Brussels on time at 13.10 with a full complement of passengers.

Prior to the departure of Flight CX338, a gate ceremony was organised in celebration of the landmark occasion.

Passengers were treated to a traditional Chinese lion dance performance and a dim sum cooking demonstration. This was followed by ribbon and cake-cutting led by Cathay Pacific General Manager Europe Mr James Ginns and Brussels Airport Company CEO Mr Arnaud Feist. Also joining the festivities were Kris Peeters, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister for Economy as well as Shirley Lam, Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union.

United and Mesa Airlines Receive Tentative Approval to Increase to Daily Service Between Houston and Havana

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today tentatively awarded United Airlines and Mesa Airlines authority to begin offering daily nonstop service between Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Havana's José Martí International Airport. Subject to final government approval, United will expand from Saturday-only service to daily service.

"On behalf of United Airlines, we applaud the U.S. Department of Transportation's decision to increase United service between Houston and Havana from Saturday-only to daily," said Steve Morrissey, United's vice president of regulatory and policy. "We also want to congratulate Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, as well as Texas Congressmen Kevin Brady, Gene Green, Pete Olson, Ted Poe, the Houston Airport System, the Greater Houston Partnership and the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for supporting our collective goal to improve air service between Houston and Havana and offering customers throughout the central and western United States more opportunities to make convenient connections in Houston."

Coach Fire At London Stansted Airport

Dramatic scenes unfolded at the terminal of London Stansted Airport this afternoon as a car park shuttle coach burst into flames.

The fire on the bendy bus sent thick plumes of smoke up to the air and all along the front canopy of the terminal building causing worry and panic among some passengers at the Essex airport. 

The broke out at around 16.30 and there are no reports of any injuries or the cause of the fire which has now been extinguished according to the airport's fire service. 

Some travellers were evacuated from the building as a precaution as thick smoke billowed along the front of the air building and the airport is investigating the incident. 

Delta and Virgin Atlantic offer more choice between U.S. and U.K. this summer

Together, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launch their joint summer 2018 schedule this weekend – offering more nonstop flights than ever before from the U.S. to four airports in the U.K..

The leading trans-Atlantic partnership will offer more than 5 million seats between the U.S. and U.K. this summer, making it even easier to spend the holidays in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Belfast.

Southwest Airlines Provides Travel For Hundreds Of Patients Through Medical Transportation Grant Program

             Southwest Airlines announced this week the 79 nonprofit hospitals and medical organizations across the nation that will benefit from the Southwest Airlines® Medical Transportation Grant Program (MTGP). Throughout 2018, these hospitals and medical organizations all will receive roundtrip tickets for distribution among patients and/or caregivers as a way to help alleviate travel expenses related to medical issues.