Upgraded seats, inflight entertainment and free, high-speed internet service officially took flight today for all-business class airline La Compagnie. The French airline’s first A321neo aircraft now operates scheduled flights between Paris and Newark.
Airplanes and Airports
Mitsubishi looks to Canada for its MRJ program
If you can’t join them, buy them. Mitsubishi appears poised to do just that as Bombardier seeks to offload its CRJ regional jet product line. At least it would solve the scope clause issues.
Investment & Innovation: KLM’s sustainability initiatives
From biofuel investment to supporting crazy new aircraft design concepts, KLM is leading the charge in a push towards more sustainable operations. And there’s plenty more yet to come.
Can Space Jet save the MRJ??
Can a rebranding and redesign of the Mitsubishi Regional Jet to “Space Jet” restore the type’s fortunes? The market could use a competitor to shake up Embraer’s monopoly, but uncertainty and further delays are not going to help the MRJ break into the market.
Rising rhetoric: An impending union battle for American Airlines
Who wins in a protracted labor battle? That answer is rarely clear, but passengers nearly always lose in the short term. Calls for the “bloodiest” battle ever in the industry by the American Airlines mechanics union are not going to help alleviate those concerns this summer.
Grand Kiwi Dream(liner)s
Air New Zealand will acquire eight new 787-10 Dreamliners as part of its fleet upgrade program. The new aircraft will arrive beginning in 2022, continuing through 2027. The long-expected order will see the new aircraft replace the carrier’s existing 777-200 fleet.
Bits and bobs from EBACE 2019
The annual Geneva gathering of the Business Aviation world known as EBACE is once again underway. The event is a showcase for aircraft manufactures and third party suppliers to highlight their new offerings and features for the private jet travel industry. This year’s show includes incremental updates in the inflight connectivity and entertainment segment, as well as fun new interiors and even progress towards sustainability.
Virgin Atlantic returns to Mumbai
Nearly five years ago Virgin Atlantic dropped its services to India’s financial center, Mumbai. Just five months from now the airline will bring it back. Starting 27 October 2019 Virgin Atlantic will fly from London to Mumbai on a daily basis.
American, DFW to build a $3bn Terminal F
American Airlines had big plans for its hub in Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Today the airline and the airport announced a deal that will see a new Terminal F constructed with up to 24 gates available for the carrier. The work is expected to start immediately with entry into service by 2025. The project is expected to cost between 3-3.5 billion dollars.
You can help fund the return of Midwest Express!
This is not quite a crowdfunding play for an upstart airline, but it is close. Midwest Express continues it comeback run and consumers can help thanks to a new online shop the company set up. It is unlikely the margins on logoed golf balls and pint glasses will help close the gap on the $6-8 million dollars the company is seeking to raise for its next funding round, but at least there’s a guarantee that shoppers will get something for the spend.