Why compete with yourself? For India’s Tata Group, owning both Air India and Vistara – the country’s two full service carriers – presented precisely that challenge. Now Air India and Vistara will merge, bringing a coherent competitive stance to the market, along with an additional cash infusion to boost operations.
Airplanes and Airports
Is a pilots union brewing at Boutique Air?
With big raises and other quality of life wins coming to regional airline pilot groups in recent months, pilots at Boutique Air want to get in on the action. Or something like that. A letter was recently circulated at the company, claiming to come from a group of pilots with demands for improved work conditions and pay.
Frontier closes a major gap in the GoWild! pass
Just one day after launching the product, however, the airline substantially improved the offering, while also extending the initial pricing discount.
GoWild! with unlimited* flight pass from Frontier
Frontier Airlines is getting into the subscription flight pass business. The carrier formally launched its GoWild! Pass, touting access to the carrier’s entire US route network for a full year. The pass is priced at $599 to start for a limited number of buyers. After that – and for renewals – it prices at $1999 per year.
JetBlue pick Paris for Transatlantic growth
Next up across the Atlantic for JetBlue: Paris. The carrier announced the French capital as its second transatlantic market, with service planned to launch in Summer 2023. Flights to Charles de Gaulle Airport will initially operate from JetBlue’s main hub at New York’s JFK airport, with flights from Boston following.
JetBlue snags second Heathrow slot
JetBlue appears to have secured a second permanent daily slot at London’s Heathrow Airport beginning in Summer 2023. This allows the carrier to operate double daily flights into one of the most difficult markets to secure access.
Could Allegiant deliver an interline win?
Allegiant typically operates any given route only on limited days of the week. For travelers looking to book a longer or shorter trip, the company loses out on that potential ticket sale. And, more importantly to the business model, it loses out on the associated hotel, rental car, and other ancillary bookings.
Alaska Airlines adds loyalty to flight pass subscription pitch
Alaska Airlines is adding a touch of loyalty to its flight subscription program. In addition to adding Salt Lake City as an eligible market, the carrier will now give some subscribers MVP or MVP Plus status for enrolling in the program.
Mexico considers foreign airlines for cabotage operations
Mexico’s President want to see more competition in the domestic air travel market. López Obrador proposes to allow foreign airlines to operate within the country – service known as cabotage – competing against the local incumbents. But will any show up??
Eastern Airlines plans Shanghai flights
Eastern Airlines wants to fly to China before the end of the year. The carrier applied to the US Department of Transportation for allocation route frequencies connecting New York’s JFK Airport with Shanghai.