Delta passengers get to learn a new boarding process starting in January. The carrier announced a revised, “Branded Boarding” process today, aiming to “create a consistent, clear experience from booking to on board” as well as minimize crowding at the gate.
Airplanes and Airports
Air Italy faces opposition to new US routes
Is it a legitimate expansion of flights for an Italian airline or simply a ruse, a loophole for evading a nonbinding pledge to curtail growth? Air Italy faces new challenges as the Italian* carrier aims to expand US services.
Portsmouth seeks new Frontiers, route growth with terminal expansion
New airline, now destination, new opportunities for further growth. This was the message delivered at Portsmouth International Airport in Southern New Hampshire this week as Frontier Airlines launched flights to Orlando International Airport.
Africa opens up for Oneworld with Royal Air Maroc
Royal Air Maroc is the newest Oneworld alliance member. The news will become official today in New York City following a meeting of the group’s Board of Governors. The carrier will be the 14th in the alliance and massively change the group’s footprint in Africa.
La Compagnie expands to Nice with a smart fleet play
Looking for a nice flight to Nice? La Compagnie is launching seasonal non-stop service between Newark and the South of France this summer. The new route will operate for the all business-class carrier five times weekly from 5 May 2019 through to the end of October. Promotional fares start at $1200 return with regular fares […]
United revamps Basic Economy in Transatlantic market
Just six months ago United Airlines introduced a not-quite-Basic Economy fare option for transatlantic travels. Next week the company will complete the transition, formally rebranding the offering as Basic Economy. NOt surprisingly, the new version is even more restrictive than before.
United Airlines begins its Premium Plus era
Passengers on United Airlines will be able to purchase tickets for the carrier’s new Premium Plus cabin starting on Monday. Flights across 21 routes and 13 destinations will be the first to offer the additional class of service. Premium Plus flights begin on 30 March 2019, with some routes extending into May 2019 for the new service. Initial premium economy operations will center at the carrier’s hubs in Newark, Washington-Dulles and San Francisco.
Au revoir, Joon; we hardly knew you
Chalk up another kill shot for millennials. It seems that the demographic managed to kill off the airline marketed directly for it. Joon is to be no more if new Air France CEO Ben Smith gets his way.
American Airlines brings premium transcon service to Boston
American Airlines’s premium transcon service will soon fly to Boston. The carrier is adding two daily trips between Los Angeles and Boston Logan on the A321T aircraft, making it the only airline to offer first class and business class on the route. The new service starts on 2 April 2019 with seats on sale beginning 3 December 2019.
WOW loses Icelandair as suitor and savior, future uncertain
Thus begins the death spiral of WOW Air.
Icelandair will no longer purchase its struggling neighbor after indicating it “unlikely that all of the conditions in the share purchase agreement would be fulfilled by the shareholders’ meeting on November 30th.” With WOW unable to sort out the conversion of its recently issued bonds and warrants into a form that Icelandair can purchase (for pennies on the dollar) the deal is off. This leaves very little chance of a positive outcome for WOW Air.