JetBlue spent the past several years teasing the idea of transatlantic flying. The company believes its Mint business class service could clean up in a market that sees high fares and relatively limited competition. Alas, it remains a dream in many ways. The market was reminded this morning at an investor briefing that such a “distraction” is not welcome at this time.
premium cabin
Icelandair comes up short on revenue, loses its CEO
Icelandair faces a significant revenue shortfall in 2018 owing to growing competition and mistakes in growing its route network. The parent company of the airline also needs to find a new CEO. Björgólfur Jóhannsson took full responsibility for the missed numbers and tendered his resignation to the Icelandair Group Board of Directors.
Best of Farnborough 2018: Embraer’s big win
Bigger is not always better. In the case of orders at Farnborough 2018 smaller airlines and orders are more likely to upset the industry (in a mostly good way). Embraer is party to one such order, with huge potential, even if it is not for 200 aircraft.
Major expansion coming for Delta Premium Select
Passengers won’t pay for more space on planes. This is the commonly accepted mantra and driving logic behind the ongoing “densification” efforts to squeeze more seats onto planes. And, for the most part, that’s proven true. A growing subset of travelers are, however, willing to pay more. Delta Air Lines’ Premium Select will expand across the widebody fleet to capture even more of that revenue.
WestJet Plus goes legit with Recaro CL4710
Euro-biz is going away on some WestJet planes. The carrier is upgrading its WestJet Plus offering to feature the Recaro CL4710 in a proper 2-2 cabin layout. This further moves the company away from its LCC roots and into a role as a global premium operator.
Singapore Airlines brings back the nonstop to Newark
Singapore Airlines is reclaiming the role as operator of the world’s longest flight. The carrier confirmed today that it will serve Newark nonstop from its Changi Airport hub using the Airbus A350-900ULR starting in October 2018. That’s nearly 19 hours on board, a trip that requires certain accommodations to keep passengers sane.
WestJet unveils 787 interior, flat-bed business class offering
It is just an artist rendering but we finally have a first peek at how the new WestJet 787 interiors will be fitted. With three classes of service, including fully lie-flat business class, it is a solid competitor, though not necessarily the “bold” play the company claims.
What United’s domestic premium economy offering look like?
United Airlines’ President Scott Kirby slipped news about a potential new domestic premium economy offering into an investor briefing this morning. What will it look like? When will it roll out? What will it replace? Of course, no answers to these important questions, but here are some interesting ideas to consider as United moves forward on this effort.
Emirates drops some business class middles seats
Emirates is finally getting rid of its middle seats in business class. At least a few of them. On some planes. And also scrapping first class on that sub-fleet at the same time. So, is that really a win??
Hawaiian Airlines goes Flat up front
Hawaiian Airlines is upping the game in its premium cabin, adding flat beds to the business class cabin on its fleet of more than 20 Airbus A330 aircraft.