In the COVID era many companies are more than happy to provide some sort of safety rating, hoping to boost the travel industry’s recovery. Alas, despite their ostensibly noble goals, the end results appear to generally be garbage not worth trusting at all.
Airplanes and Airports
Buh-bye to the British Airways Baby ‘Bus
The British Airways “Baby ‘Bus” A318 is no more. Previously operating between London City and JFK, the carrier officially scrapped G-EUNA this week, bringing an end to that era of business travel.
JetBlue to eliminate change fees, adjust carry-on rules
JetBlue is eliminating change fees from most fares and also removing the option for its Blue Basic passengers to bring a carry-on bag into the cabin as part of its latest fare families update.
Air Canada, Transat merger approved, with notable conditions attached
Air Canada and Air Transat received approval from the Canadian government this week to close on their merger, though not without some additional conditions covering slots, loyalty, lounges, and Quebec employment guarantees.
Scrapping the North Atlantic tracks thanks to Aireon space-based ADS-B
Controllers are working to scrap the Organized Track Structure routes across the North Atlantic Ocean, ending a decades-long practice of aircraft management in favor of more efficient routings.
RwandAir plans JFK service launch (again)
Previously tipped for a 2019 launch, RwandAir is once again planning flights to the USA. The carrier filed its application with the US Department of Transportation this week to operate service to New York on its own A330s. It anticipates beginning the operations in December 2021.
JetBlue plans major route growth with American alliance
With its Northeast Alliance (NEA) approved, JetBlue and American Airlines are pushing quickly towards implementation of coordinated operations in the New York City and Boston markets. In earnings calls last week both companies spoke to the potential opportunities the relationship brings.
Boeing delays 777X deliveries to 2023
The Boeing 777X promises to be a game-changing long-haul aircraft when it enters commercial service. Alas, airlines and passengers must wait three more years before that comes to pass.
Norwegian abandons long-haul operations, refocuses on 737 routes in Europe
Chalk up another major long-haul LCC failure. Norwegian will abandon its fleet of 37 787 Dreamliners, refocusing on the short-haul European market served with single-aisle aircraft.
DOT announces airline service mandates for extended PPP funding
Expect to see a few new and unexpected routes operating over the next 10 weeks. As with the Summer 2020 version of the Payroll Support Program US airlines face certain service obligations to receive funding under the renewed version this winter. And the US Department of Transportation expects far fewer exceptions this time around.