JetBlue was one of the last carriers to keep seats blocked on board. Headed into the new year, however, that era will come to a close. As of 8 January 2021 all seats on board will be available for sale.
Airplanes and Airports
Anchorage, Fairbanks open up to international transit traffic
Your next flight between the US and Asia might just stop over in Alaska. And a foreign airline could operate the entire route. The state won approval on Tuesday for its two major international airports, Anchorage and Fairbanks, to handle transit passenger traffic foreign carriers, similarly to how cargo has moved through the state for 25 years.
United makes it official: JFK is back on the route map
Come February 2021 United Airlines will once again be able to say it serves all three major New York City Airports. The carrier will launch transcon service from JFK to its hubs at San Francisco and Los Angeles on the first of the month.
Canada plans aviation bailout, so long as passengers get refunds
Canada is on the cusp of pushing serious funds into its aviation industry, a move necessary to keep the planes moving as COVID-19 continues to suppress demand in the country. But Minister of Transport Marc Garneau added a caveat to the plan, one that could make passengers even happier than the airlines: Refunds must be issued for canceled flights.
A slimmed down Rouge returns to service
A slimmed down fleet and route network are in play for Air Canada’s Rouge arm as it returns to operations this week.
Hi Fly to retire the A380
After three years of operations European charter specialist Hi Fly intends to retire its A380 from service. The carrier chose to not renew the lease on 9H-MIP bringing a close to that era.
Bamboo Airways pushes towards US service
Bamboo Airways moved two steps closer to launching US service from Vietnam this week, though the timing for an inaugural flight remains reasonably far away.
Interjet lacks fuel, cancels flights for two days
Mexico’s Interjet cancelled all of its flights on Sunday and Monday, citing COVID19’s effect on cash flow and maintenance requirements. The carrier hopes to resume service on Tuesday, November 3.
Stagnation displaces Astronics’ recovery resurgence hope
The summer looked good for Astronics. The company saw green shoots of a recovery and was ready to resume its production of components for aircraft manufacturers and interiors suppliers. But as the summer came to a close so did that hope of a quick return to 2019 levels of production. And with the 737 MAX still grounded the company finds itself in what CEO Peter Gundermann describes as a “pretty tough” place.
Willkommen am #BER: Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport finally opens
It is eight years late. It is billions of euros over budget; more than triple the original estimates. It is probably not necessary given the pandemic-induced downturn in the industry. But Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport finally opened on Saturday afternoon.