Just six months ago United Airlines introduced a not-quite-Basic Economy fare option for transatlantic travels. Next week the company will complete the transition, formally rebranding the offering as Basic Economy. NOt surprisingly, the new version is even more restrictive than before.
United Airlines
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.
American Airlines brings premium transcon service to Boston
American Airlines’s premium transcon service will soon fly to Boston. The carrier is adding two daily trips between Los Angeles and Boston Logan on the A321T aircraft, making it the only airline to offer first class and business class on the route. The new service starts on 2 April 2019 with seats on sale beginning 3 December 2019.
Tiny lav market gets more crowded
Passengers and cabin crew hate them. Airline accountants love them. And this month the market for new, compact aft galley/lav combos became a bit more crowded. The Diehl Aviation SKYPAX offering will soon take to the sky. Delivery of the first shipset (for an unnamed Latin American carrier) took place recently for customer airline installation..
Qantas quits the startup world
Airlines want to invest in emerging technologies. They want access to the startups and to foster those relationships. This is the message delivered around the world as investment funds, incubators and accelerators sprout up. Many of these programs claim success and continue to grow. For Qantas, however, the message is different. Its dedicated venture group dissolved in recent weeks and the accelerator shuttered.
United Airlines wants more Shanghai, hindering American’s China plans
United Airlines joined Delta Air Lines in seeking additional service to Shanghai. The move puts American Airlines in a bind as that carrier hoped to squat on route authorities that are now in demand by the competition.
Another tiny lavatory preps for flight on American Airlines
Sick and tired of tiny airplane toilets? The news out of Aircraft Interiors Expo this week in Boston (collocated with APEX EXPO) probably won’t improve that feeling. Diehl Aerospace showed off its 31″ lavatory for the A320 family of aircraft, soon to be retrofit on American Airlines airplanes.
Counting connections and commitments
Connectivity installations slow slightly over the summer, allowing an opportunity to take a big picture look at the industry and where the various players sit in terms of connected aircraft and future commitments. Compared to a year ago some players have shifted positions, even as the total committed count increases. The latter is definitely good news for all involved while the former is better for some than others.
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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.
Viasat 8: The Ocho!
It is just one small line inserted into today's Viasat earnings notes, "... total next-generation IFC system installations to around 200 aircraft across eight commercial airlines." The 200 number is nice, but the eight is more significant.
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