Virgin says "something must be done about Heathrow" and it won't cut its capacity.

Just a day after the boss of London Heathrow Airport CEO John Holland-Kaye issued a public letter announcing a passenger cap to 100,000 each day until September 11th,  Virgin's Corneel Koster said the carrier wasn't going to comply with the request to cut capacity, "Something needs to be done, but we don’t feel we should give up this summer."

The Virgin Atlantic boss spoke to travel trade publication TTG at the launch of its new Airbus A330-900 aircraft said: "We need to understand their [Heathrow’s] proposals better because they haven’t shared many facts. We have some ideas ourselves about some things that could still help. Something needs to be done, but we don’t feel we should give up this summer."

Air101: Heathrow imposes capacity cap..... only 100,000 passengers a day.

A source at the airline's yield control department confirmed that no additional capacity caps or restrictions had been placed on any of Virgin's flights because of yesterday's letter from John Holland-Kaye and furthermore, it had actually increased capacity as sales were opened up for the new Tampa route that starts later in the year. 

Alaska Air Group reports March 2018 operational results

This week, Alaska Air Group Inc reported its March and year-to-date operational results on a consolidated basis for its mainline operations flown by subsidiaries Alaska Airlines Inc. (Alaska) and Virgin America Inc. (Virgin America), and for its regional flying operated by subsidiary Horizon Air Industries Inc. (Horizon) and third-party regional carriers SkyWest Airlines and Peninsula Airlines.

On Jan. 11, 2018, Alaska and Virgin America consolidated their operations onto a Single Operating Certificate (SOC). Results for Alaska and Virgin America have been combined into a single mainline operation.

Southwest Airlines Earns Top Customer Experience Ratings for Airlines, According to Temkin Group

Southwest Airlines delivers the best customer experience in the airline industry, according to the 2018 Temkin Experience Ratings, an annual customer experience benchmark of companies based on a survey of 10,000 U.S. consumers.  

Alaska Air Group reports January 2018 operational results

 Alaska Air Group reported its January operational results this week,  on a consolidated basis, for its mainline operations operated by subsidiaries Alaska Airlines Inc. (Alaska) and Virgin America Inc. (Virgin America), and for its regional flying operated by subsidiary Horizon Air Industries Inc. (Horizon) and third-party regional carriers SkyWest Airlines and Peninsula Airlines.
On Jan. 11, 2018, Alaska and Virgin America consolidated their operations onto a Single Operating Certificate (SOC). As a result, operational results for Alaska and Virgin America have been combined into a single mainline operation.

Alaska Airlines, Virgin America and its flight attendants reach tentative merger agreement

Alaska Airlines, Virgin America and the Association of Flight Attendants announced today they have reached a tentative merger agreement for the airline's 5,400 flight attendants.
The merger agreement includes competitive pay raises, increase in retirement contributions and quality of life benefits and preserves all productivity of Alaska Airlines existing contract.
"We're thrilled to have reached this major milestone towards integrating our flight attendant work groups," said Jeff Butler, Alaska Airlines' vice president of guest and inflight services. "We have one of the best flight attendant work groups in the industry. This agreement reflects our shared commitment to bring Virgin America and Alaska Airlines together as one and supports our long-term low cost, low fares business philosophy."
Alaska Airlines' flight attendants will conduct a ratification vote that is expected to be completed in April. The tentative merger agreement marks a major milestone in integrating Virgin America and Alaska Airlines flight attendants.

Alaska Airlines, Virgin America and Horizon Air employees receive $148 million in bonuses

 Employees of Alaska Air Group companies Alaska Airlines, Virgin America and Horizon Air are receiving $118 million in incentive bonuses today. For most employees, this equates to an average of more than 7 percent of their annual pay in 2017. In addition, 23,000 Air Group employees will receive a one-time $1,000 bonus on Jan. 29 from additional tax savings the company expects to receive this year.

The company's annual bonus, called Performance Based Pay (PBP), is determined by meeting or exceeding specific company-wide goals for safety, customer satisfaction, cost control, customer loyalty and profit. For the ninth year in a row, employees will enjoy a payout of about an additional month's pay.

"In light of so many important achievements in the last year, including meeting several integration milestones, I'd like to thank all 23,000 employees at Alaska, Virgin America, Horizon and McGee Air Services for their hard work and laser-like focus on safety," said Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines' president and COO. "It's an honor to work alongside such dedicated, committed employees who deliver outstanding service to our guests every day."

The PBP bonus is in addition to the approximately $7 million in monthly operational bonuses that employees earned over 2017 for achieving monthly on-time and customer satisfaction goals. The combined monthly, annual and one-time bonuses paid to employees total $148 million.

Alaska Airlines receives single operating certificate from FAA

Alaska Airlines received a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today for Alaska Airlines and Virgin America, marking another significant milestone in the integration of the two airlines.

Major Integration Milestone: 

Alaska Airlines received single operating certificate today from the FAA

The receipt of a single operating certificate will not result in any immediate differences for guests when flying with Alaska or Virgin America. For now, guests will still use respective Alaska and Virgin America mobile apps, websites and airport terminals when travelling. But when Alaska and Virgin America move to a single reservations system in late April 2018, guests can expect a more streamlined travel experience, with the Alaska mobile app and website serving their travel needs.

Key achievement in the integration with Virgin America; no changes for customers

"This is a big moment for our company. We're now recognized as a one airline in the eyes of the FAA," said Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines' president and chief operating officer and CEO of Virgin America. "I want to congratulate and thank the teams at Alaska and Virgin America for their tireless work to get this done on time, including Gary Beck, the executive sponsor who led this project from the beginning. The CAVOK Group was also instrumental with this massive effort. And we greatly appreciate the assistance of the FAA, the Department of Transportation and other agencies as we accomplished this major milestone."

Alaska Airlines launches new service from San Francisco to Kona

Alaska Airlines began nonstop service between San Francisco International Airport and Kailua-Kona International Airport, yesterday. The 31st new route launched by the carrier from California this year. The new service is part of the largest network expansion in Alaska Airlines' 85-year history and solidifies Alaska Air Group as the leading airline of nonstop flights from the West Coast to Hawaii.

Newest route caps off a year of historical network expansion for the carrier

"Bay Area guests now have the option to fly from any of the region's major airports to the Island of Hawaii," said Annabel Chang, Alaska Airlines' vice president of the Bay Area. "Kona-bound guests travelling from San Francisco today will be treated to a Hawaiian-themed breakfast and prizes at the departure gate, and upon arrival, will be greeted with flower leis, hula entertainment and goodie bags with Island of Hawaii products. This surprise-and-delight is part of our dedicated approach to bring low fares and award-winning service across our Alaska Airlines and Virgin America network."

Virgin America's A320 family of aircraft will operate the new route, with three classes of service, power outlets throughout the cabin, custom leather seats with adjustable headrests and a selection of food and beverage inspired by local chefs.

"We are honoured and thankful to be a part of Virgin America's expanded service to the Hawaiian Islands," said Ross Birch, executive director of the Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau. "The Kona route provides yet another option for vacationers travelling to Hawaii, making it easier for Bay Area guests to experience all that makes our island special – from diverse landscapes, rich culture and history, outdoor adventures, and Hawaii's unique attractions, such as the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park."

Alaska Airlines and Virgin America begin new service from San Francisco to New Orleans

Alaska Airlines and Virgin America today launched non-stop service between San Francisco International Airport and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, connecting the Bay Area to the "Big Easy." The new route is part of the largest network expansion in Alaska Airlines' 85-year history and is one of 33 new California routes to launch this year.  

San Francisco guests travelling to New Orleans today will be serenaded by a live jazz band and treated to New Orleans-themed breakfast items, as well as festive Mardi Gras beads and masks on-board.

"New Orleans is an important business market for the Bay Area and a top destination for Mileage Plan reward travel," said Annabel Chang, Alaska Airlines' vice president of the Bay Area. "We're proud to bring our low fares and award-winning service to this exciting destination and grow our Bay Area footprint with 18 new markets. By year-end, we'll have grown Alaska Airlines and Virgin America's network to serve 42 destinations from the three major Bay Area airports."

Alaska Air Group August Results

Photo Alaska Air Group

Alaska Air Group Inc. released its August and year-to-date operational results on a consolidated basis yesterday for its mainline operations operated by subsidiaries Alaska Airlines, Inc. (Alaska) and Virgin America Inc. (Virgin America), and for its regional flying operated by subsidiary Horizon Air Industries Inc. (Horizon) and third-party regional carriers SkyWest Airlines and Peninsula Airlines.

Air Group's acquisition of Virgin America took place on Dec. 14, 2016. Operational results below include Virgin America results from pre-acquisition periods for comparison.

Read more for the full figures 

Airline Of The Year - Cathay Pacific

The airline of the year has been announced at the Skytrax awards, held at the Farnborough airshow this week.  The winner was Cathay Pacific!

The airline from Hong Kong beat off much competition to take the top slot in Skytrax annual awards. Pictured here is Ivan Chu with the 2014 award.  

'Of all the sellers, Cathay were the best performer across all types of travel,' Skytrax's CEO Edward Plaisted said to the media at the show,  'Some airliners were very good in economy, others in luxury, but [Cathay Pacific Airways was] top or near the top in all categories,' he said. 

Virgin America Comes To Chicago

 

Chicago travellers have another airline option as of Wednesday, when Virgin America launched its first operations out of O’Hare International Airport.

Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, along with Chicago officials and business leaders, visited the airport Wednesday to welcome two inaugural Virgin Airlines flights that arrived at O’Hare’s Terminal 3, according to a release from the city’s Department of Aviation.