Spirit Airlines could soon secure more slots at Newark Airport. A ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit found that the FAA acted improperly in choosing to not reallocate slots vacated by Southwest Airlines its Newark station closed in late 2019. As a result of that decision Spirit was unable to increase its presence at the airport. With this ruling, however, the FAA likely will be forced to allocate the slots and Spirit (or other airlines) could pick them up.
Southwest Airlines
Global Eagle secures exclusive access to Eutelsat 139WA
Global Eagle added significantly more Ku-band satellite capacity over North America. The company signed a multi-year deal with Eutelsat for the entire capacity of EUTELSAT 139WA. Previously known as EUTELSAT 7A, the satellite provides extensive additional capacity to augment the company’s connectivity services for mobility customers.
Hawaii’s big summer: More flights, bigger planes
Travelers looking to visit Hawaii this summer will have plenty of flight options. Airlines expect high demand to the islands and everyone wants to cash in. More than 1100 weekly flights from the mainland are slated to operate in June 2021.
Small airports seek big bucks for new services
When it comes to launching new service at smaller airports revenue guarantees to airlines are a key factor. The US Department of Transportation offers Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) grants to help airports cover the costs of those guarantees. And with another round of applications released this week we can see which markets are compelling to airports and airlines.
Going long at LAX
More than a dozen longer domestic routes added at LAX in the past year are likely to bring about a different sort of recovery as the pandemic subsides.
Elite status – including Companion Pass – easier in 2021 for Southwest Rapid Rewards members
Gaining elite status in the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards program will be a little easier in 2021. The company announced a boost for all members and adjustments to some partner qualifying activities.
Turkish Airlines completes first Global Eagle IFC installation
Global Eagle is ending the year on a high note, at least in one market. Just over a year after announcing a deal to install Ku-band satellite connectivity services on a large portion of the Turkish Airlines single-aisle fleet the company confirmed on Monday that the first of those aircraft is now equipped with its Ku-band satellite connectivity solution.
Shifting the spread on loyalty earn and burn
We know that overall passenger numbers are, for very good reason, down massively. But airlines have relied on their loyalty programs to provide a significant, and perhaps more importantly steady, stream of revenue for the operations. So, as the airlines use those programs to collateralize billions of dollars in new financing, it is worth considering if that revenue flow is as reliable as airlines (and debt holders) hope it can be.
Southwest Companion Pass promotion pushes winter travel
Typically reserved for its most frequent flyers, Southwest Airlines is now using its Companion Pass program in an effort to drive bookings in the near term. The carrier launched a promotion this week where a single trip in the next 60 days can earn the pass for the first two months of 2021. This is, by far, the biggest promotion the company has run with the Companion Pass.
Southwest going app-free for IFE
Watching movies and TV on Southwest Airlines is getting a little easier. The carrier’s inflight entertainment portal, powered by Global Eagle’s Airtime platform, no longer requires a dedicated mobile application for consumers to stream content on board. The DRM-protected content can instead be consumed in the web browser of the devices.