SkyTeam officially welcomes ITA Airways as a member airline today. The Alitalia replacement joins the alliance two weeks after launching flights and a new loyalty program for customers.
Lufthansa Group
Lufthansa introduces Airspace interior on A321neo
Lufthansa joined the Airspace by Airbus single-aisle family this month, with its first A321neo entering service with the updated cabin design. The carrier is the first in Europe to offer the refreshed interior.
Condor orders A330neo for long-haul fleet refresh
German leisure airline Condor announced an order for 16 A330-900, planning a complete refresh of its long-haul fleet. The carrier will be the launch customer in Germany for the newer generation of the Airbus mid-sized long-haul aircraft. The first aircraft delivery is slated for Autumn 2022, with the full complement in service by mid-2024.
Lufthansa Group launches short-haul buy-on-board catering
The stale half-sandwich snack will disappear from Lufthansa Group flights in the new year. Passengers demanded better, and now they have the option to pay for it.
Luthansa, Austrian launch SKYdeals "shoppertainment" platform
The future of in-flight shopping is digital. And it will consume passengers’ attention throughout a flight. This is the hope of marketers everywhere and the underlying concept driving the launch of SKYdeals, the new in-flight “shoppertainment” platform now flying on Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines.
Lufthansa to park A380s, A340-600s
Facing a revised demand forecast roughly half of what it previously anticipated, Lufthansa will move its remaining A380s and A340-600s into long-term storage. The carrier expects that they will “only be reactivated in the event of an unexpectedly rapid market recovery.” The move affects eight A380 and ten A340-600 planes.
Deutsche Telekom expands free GX Aviation wifi offering on Lufthansa Group flights
Inmarsat, Deutsche Telekom, and the Lufthansa Group are extending their complimentary inflight wifi access plan. First launched in July 2019, the companies increased the number of covered customers in April 2020 and intend to keep the program alive at least through December 2021.
Cutting connections: Reviewing the connected aircraft retirements
Hundreds of aircraft rapidly retired from service. Hundreds more shifted into limbo, unclear of when they might fly again. The news no longer surprises, though some of the retirements bring about a sense of loss. For inflight connectivity vendors the impact is more than a sense of loss, however, as it maps to real revenue shortfalls with the aircraft removed from service.
Austria to implement minimum fares, short flight surcharges
Prices flying in and out of Austria are set to rise. And at least one airline is happy with the news, though expect lawsuits aplenty before the matter is fully settled.
American Airlines seeks buyouts of thousands of workers
Thousands of American Airlines employees face a difficult decision in the coming weeks. Federal payroll support funding is running out and some 17,000 employees must now decide if they’re willing to take a buy-out package from the company or risk being laid off.