Cost-cutting at Norwegian kicked in to high gear this month. The carrier is trimming expenses in several areas as it seeks to shore up its books. The cuts affect passengers and crew alike, demonstrating just how critical and broad the efforts are. The carrier hopes that the moves will improve profitability and reduce the cost […]
premium economy
Delta tweaks boarding groups for premium passengers
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.
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.
Delta adds A330s, shakes up cabin amenities
The add-on order for ten more Delta A330-900neo aircraft is not nearly as significant as a couple of the cabin amenity changes it includes.
Etihad Economy Space delivers extra leg room
Etihad Airways wants to give passengers a bit more comfort on board. The new Etihad Economy Space offering delivers extra leg room for economy class passengers at a relatively low price. All ten of the A380s will carry the new product by December 2018.
JetBlue pushes TATL further away, teases “Junior Mint” cabin
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.
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.
United bringing “Preferred” seating to economy class in Q4 2018
United Airlines passengers will soon have the option to pay more for assigned seats on board. These are not the Premium Plus premium economy nor the Economy Plus extra legroom seats. The “Preferred” seating section will sit behind those and be an option for selection starting in Q4 2018. This news was obliquely referenced in today’s announcement of the new United Corporate Preferred program at GBTA in San Diego.
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.
The ULH challenge: United cuts LA-Singapore
Developing a new route to profitability often takes months, if not years. United airlines is pulling the plug on its nonstop service between Los Angeles and Singapore after just one year, a quick decision that reflects the challenges of ultra long-haul flights as new, longer services are poised to launch.