Beyond the typical beauracracy, JetBlue and Spirit Airlines are using routine merger-related DOT filings to further justify their planned combination. The new routes teased make for a far more interesting read than prior mergers have offered.
Department of Transportation
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.
Northern Pacific visits Saipan in search of partners
With its first aircraft fully retrofit and ready to fly, Northern Pacific Airways is on the hunt for a destination market. The company is touring islands in the Pacific, hoping to find the right partners with which the service can take off.
DOT proposes major change to airline refund rules
The US Department of Transportation is proposing significant changes to how and when passengers are due refunds for canceled or changed travel plans. Under a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) issued this week the Department would require full refunds when an airline cancels or significantly changes a flight, regardless of reason.
Delta, United both win access to serve Cape Town this winter
Delta Air Lines and United Airlines spent the past five months bickering over a scarce resource: access to fly from the US to Cape Town South Africa. The US DOT managed to negotiate a solution where both come away winners.
US lifts Trump-era Cuba flight bans
US airlines can, once again, operate commercial flights to nine smaller airports in Cuba. Significant restrictions on charters are also gone. The moves reverse US diplomatic policy from 2019-2020.
Sacramento, Rapid City vie for Breeze Airways service
Both Sacramento and Rapid City want to see Breeze Airways planes in the year ahead. Federal grant money could help make that happen.
A renewed push for accessible toilets on single-aisle planes
More than 30 years after the US Department of Transportation required airlines to provide accessible lavatories on twin-aisle planes the agency might finally be ready to mandate similar on single-aisle aircraft. But even if the new rules take effect, the impact will not be felt for a long, long time.
United looks to launch Dulles-Cape Town service
United Airlines wants to add service between Washington-Dulles and Cape Town, South Africa. The carrier proposes to fly the route thrice weekly, complementing its 3x weekly service from Newark.
Delta plans Cape Town service, again
Delta Air Lines is, once again, angling to add Cape Town, South Africa to its route map. The carrier applied to the US Department of Transportation to fly the route 3x weekly from Atlanta on a year-round basis beginning 18 November 2022.