With Aircraft Interiors Expo cancelled for 2020 and uncertainty about how and when the industry will come together in person again a new plan is emerging. Spearheaded by Inmarsat Aviation and backed by APEX and other industry leaders, the day-long livestreamed webinar series ‘FlightPlan: Charting a Course into the Future’ will examine the current state of the aviation market and the latest predictions for recovery.
DOT grants exemptions to Delta, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines under CARES Act obligations
Flights to Hawaii will remain limited for the foreseeable future. The DOT will allow reductions between the mainland and the islands as it pays out billions to help keep airlines flying.
Stuck in the past, DOT botches its CARES Act implementation
Empty planes will be flying by the hundreds, spewing excess emissions and placing more airline employees at risk. But at least the DOT did not have to adjust its view of the industry to account for the new reality.
COVID crushing inflight connectivity: Part 1
This was supposed to be a year of recovery and free cash flow and all sorts of other good news for an industry that spent the better part of the last decade hemmorhaging cash in search of market share. Turns out the global health pandemic cares not for borders nor those plans. Welcome to part one of a deep dive into the inflight connectivity world and the suppliers affected by this recent turn.
A new take on amenity kits in the COVID-19 era
As passengers return (eventually) to the skies there is good reason to believe they will have different priorities with respect to services and amenities offered on board. One industry supplier is hoping to address those needs with a new version of an amenity kit to be handed out to travelers.
American Airlines extends status, eases qualification
American Airlines AAdvantage members with elite status will hold on to those benefits for an additional year. The carrier announced that change today, along with easing the qualification standards for 2020 and a few other customer-friendly moves.
FAA sets new minimum requirements for 737 MAX autopilot
Fewer exceptions will be permitted for missing indicators or controls when the 737 MAX returns to the skies thanks to new guidance from the FAA.
Air Canada replaces seats with cargo in 777-300ER cabin
Air Canada is boosting its cargo capabilities with some creativity in the passenger cabin of its 777-300ER aircraft. Three of the planes, the largest in the carrier’s fleet, no longer have seats on board. Instead the large space will be used to increase cargo carrying capacity on board.
Caribbean Airlines plans new "milk run" routes to connect the islands
The island nations of the Caribbean depend heavily on air connectivity for tourism and commerce. But they’re also small markets and the interisland route networks are far from robust. Caribbean Airlines is planning a regional expansion for later this summer, bridging several islands with new flight opportunities.
Deeper cuts, reprotect options coming for JetBlue
JetBlue will further consolidate operations in April, The move will see service suspended at eight stations and even larger cuts to capacity than previously planned. There is some good news, however, with domestic re-protect options coming online.