Let us assume, for a moment, that airlines are ridiculous but not outright stupid. That might be a stretch, but presumably they go in to any particular course of action with something resembling a plan. Which makes Norwegian’s use of the Hi Fly A380 this week incredibly baffling.
routes
American, JAL bring CES 2019 closer to Tokyo with non-stop flights
Adding extra flights to the schedule for the annual CES show in Las Vegas is a relatively common move. Demand is high and travelers are willing to pay higher than average prices to be at the massive technology conference so the airlines tend to enjoy nice profits on those flights. American Airlines and JAL are the latest to make a play for that traffic.
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.
LEVEL to launch short-haul operations at Vienna next month
Starting an airline is a long, complicated process. It takes months or even years to pull off. Or maybe you just whip something together in a few weeks and join the LCC fray in Europe. Welcome LEVEL short-haul to the party.
Norwegian comes to Canada, eh!
Norwegian Airlines is once again launching its winter service between North America and the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique. And this time around Canada is part of the plans. The airline will launch seasonal service from Montréal to the French Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in late October as it continues to seek seasonal profits in the islands.
Hawaiian, JAL go all-in on joint venture application
Can a joint venture truly deliver passenger benefits in the form of better connections and reduced fares? The proposal from JAL and Hawaiian Airlines might be the best chance we’ve seen yet to deliver on such promises.
More Asia for Minneapolis: Delta to add MSP-Seoul service in 2019
An airline joint venture actually delivering new routes and connectivity rather than cutting traffic?? Looks like Delta and Korean Air are set to make it happen with new service between Seoul and Minneapolis starting next year.
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.
Southwest teases further network growth, including Canada
Southwest Airlines’ plans to grow in to the Hawaiian islands are no secret, but they’re also not the only destinations further afield the company is considering. Among the possibilities: Canada!
Optimizing the east coast: United’s latest schedule shifts
United is moving around its east coast operations, shifting more connections to Dulles and away from Newark. Can the NYC-area hub hold up under the new schedule load? And will travelers really flock to the “better” connection opportunities on CRJ-200s??