JetBlue’s Gatwick service will carry more passengers than originally planned in Q4, but dinner won’t be as good.
Seats & Cabin
Qantas returns to New York City, via Auckland
Qantas is poised to return to New York City from mid-2023. But rather than connecting in Los Angeles, as was scheduled prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, passengers will now connect in Auckland before the 16 hour trip to JFK.
United’s quirky Economy Plus sales options
United Airlines is expanding access to its Economy Plus extra leg room seating option. The carrier now offers passengers the option to purchase it directly in search results, appearing akin to a distinct class of service between economy class and business or first class on board. But it is not a different cabin of service. And that’s just one of the ways the implementation is a wee bit wonky.
Tailwind launches DC-ish semi-seaplane service from New York City
College Park Airport just outside Washington, DC will be added to the route map for Tailwind Air, allowing the carrier to offer flights from its base on the East River in New York City to the DC area beginning on 13 September 2022.
Iberia taps Recaro for new A350 business class suites (with doors!)
Iberia’s next generation of A350 aircraft will offer business class suites, including a sliding door for privacy. Recaro will provide the seats for the carrier.
JetBlue, Spirit agree to $3.8 billion deal
Four months after starting the conversations, and just a few hours after the Frontier Airlines bid was formally rejected, Spirit Airlines and JetBlue announced a definitive agreement to merge.
Back in Business: A transcon trip in the American Airlines A321T
Is $50/hour a fair price to pay for upgrading to a business class seat? American Airlines suggested that price to me last week, and after a long couple days of work north of Los Angeles I took the offer. With a transcon flight home ahead, I figured the extra space and comfort would be worthwhile. It was a pleasant and comfortable trip, though the A321T fleet is starting to show its age.
IndiGo selects Recaro seats for A320neo fleet
IndiGo’s newest A320neo and A321neo planes will shave a bit of weight on the seating side. The carrier selected Recaro’s BL3710 seats to fit its next 75 aircraft, with deliveries expected from January 2023.
Dash 8 adds IFE/C with Starlink option
In-flight WiFi connectivity is coming to the turboprop market. De Havilland Aircraft announced a series of enhancements to its Dash 8-400 offering, including integration of a Starlink in-flight internet kit on board.
Delta confirms 737 MAX 10 order
Delta Air Lines confirmed an order for 100 new Boeing 737 MAX 10 jets this morning, the first big order announced at the 2022 Farnborough International Airshow. Assuming the plane is really built.