Air France making flying fun for kids

WELCOME ON BOARD, LITTLE ONES!

Air France is introducing a new upgraded offering for its younger passengers which will make travelling with kids a whole lot less stressful for parents and perhaps more peaceful for the rest of us!

The airline wants to make flying a fun experience for the younger flyer, so it is dedicating more time and effort to its younger passengers and their parents, from the time they make their booking to the time they return home, making things easier for them with its "Air France" and "Air France Kids" apps.

With 1,400,000 little ones travelling on its flights every year, including 300,000 travelling alone, but very well accompanied, Air France is constantly innovating with just one aim: to make flying off on holiday fun!

Norwegian introduces new slimline seats to transatlantic flights on 737 MAX

Europe’s third-largest low-cost airline, Norwegian has taken delivery of the first or more than 100 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft it has on order from the American manufacturer.

The new arrival for the highly regarded airline features an upgraded cabin that features new slimline seats that have been designed for more comfort on longer routes and will give taller, thin passengers more personal space.

The European carrier is due to receive 12 of the Boeing's this year and each will be fitted with the new slimline seats which will be used on transatlantic routes to New York and Providence near Boston, from the UK and Ireland. The airline plans to replace its older 737-800's with the new 737 MAX aircraft as part of its fleet modernisation plans.  

Iberia gets its first A350 XWB

IAG's Spanish airline Iberia has taken delivery of the one of 16 A350 XWB aircraft, the first of the IAG group to do so.

Iberia became the 18th airline to have the world’s newest and most efficient twin-engine widebody from Airbus when it took delivery on Tuesday.  The aircraft is configured in a premium three-class layout, with 348 seats, including 31 full lie-flat bed Business, 24 in Premium Economy and 293 Economy.

“We are delighted to receive our first A350, an aircraft that represents perfectly the efficiency and modernity of the new Iberia, as well as the power and energy that brought us here,” said Luis Gallego, President of Iberia. “If during these last years we transformed ourselves to survive, now we are transforming ourselves for excellence, a cycle change that this new aircraft represents so well.”

“We are tremendously proud of Airbus’ long-standing relationship with Iberia and to be delivering its first A350-900,” said Tom Enders, Airbus CEO. “Iberia was a founding member airline of IAG, a group that with this delivery successfully operates every member of our commercial aircraft family, from the A318 to the largest A380 and now the most modern A350. Congratulations to the teams of Iberia and IAG.”

S7 gets first A321-200neo

S7 Airlines received its first new Airbus A321-200neo aircraft from aircraft leasing specialists Air Lease Corporation.  This aircraft is the first of four Pratt & Whitney PW1133G-powered A321neos to be delivered in 2018 to S7 from ALC’s order book with Airbus.  

“The four new ALC A321neo aircraft bring a new level of operating efficiency and competitiveness to S7’s fleet,” said Alex Khatibi, Executive Vice President of Air Lease Corporation.  “S7 is a highly regarded customer for ALC and this lease placement underlines our commitment to S7’s modernization and continued successful growth as a leading airline.”

“We are glad to receive the first Airbus A321neo from our partners Air Lease Corporation. S7 Airlines continues to renew its air fleet with the latest developments of the world’s major producers. New Airbus A321neo aircraft will enable us to increase capacity of long-distance flights within Russia as well as offer our passengers' new international routes. We are pleased that S7 Airlines’ passengers will be the first ones to enjoy the comfort of travelling on board of these modern aircraft,” Vladimir Obyedkov, CEO of S7 Airlines, said.

More expansion for Spirit at Houston

Spirit Airlines continues its international expansion, this time from Houston as the airline announces it will start service from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to San Salvador, El Salvador* with year-round service running three times weekly to Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAL). The new services will be staring on 6th September 2018 and then on the next day, on September 7, Spirit will begin nonstop flights between Houston and Guatemala City, Guatemala* with year-round service eventually running four times weekly to La Aurora International Airport (GUA).  The additions offer affordable fares for international travel to see friends, family, or just for fun!

Spirit passengers face angry outburst from fellow passenger.

Passengers on a Spirit Airlines flight had to contend first with a diversion for a fellow passenger with a medical problem and then an irate and offensive outburst from another passenger for no apparent reason.

A Minneapolis headed flight made an emergency landing in Rochester, Minnesota because of a medical emergency, then a female passenger erupted in a fit of rage and launched a profanity-riddled tirade at other passengers and flight crew. 

Part of the woman's rant was camptured on video by a fellow passenger, Chianti Washington who posted the footage on social media, which has since been viewed by more than 1.2 million people. 

"She was yelling at the two gentlemen that were trying to block her -- it was very scary," Ms Washington told local media "She would just not stop, and as police escorted her off the aircraft continued to remain belligerent."

"All I could think about was the children on the aircraft -- I said a prayer.  - You just didn't know what she was going to do. We were very much scared and shaken by her behavior."

A spokesperson for Spirit Airlines said "Yesterday morning a flight from Houston to Minneapolis had to land in Rochester, Minnesota due to a Guest experiencing a medical emergency. On the ground in Rochester, another passenger became erratic and irate and was removed from the aircraft with the assistance of law enforcement. We apologize to our Guests who had to witness this and for the inconvenience of the delay. Safety if our top priority at Spirit Airlines."

No Waves until September

The little Channel Island airline Waves has put a halt to all flying until September due to previous licensing problems.

The air taxi service launched in November and billed itself as the 'uber of the skies', however, it didn't get the start it hoped for. The little air taxi firm was prevented from selling single seats following complaints from Blue Islands. 

Waves CEO, Nick Magliocchetti said, "The application process was lengthy and the delays damaged momentum at a time when Waves was gaining significant ground, which ultimately had a detrimental effect on the business, our staff and our customers."

The company will now use the next two months to refocus its business mdel and "strengthening its position in the market" according to Nick Magliocchetti, the airline will also spend part of the next two months looking at how the airline can expand its fleet and flying routes.  

The airline is due to restart flying on 1st September and all passengers set to fly with the airline before this date will be offered a full refund.

El Al facing a boycott for discrimination against women

The Israeli airline El Al is facing fresh boycott calls this week over making woman passengers move in favour of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men, despite court orders against the policy.

The latest calls for action against El Al comes after reports started circulating from a passenger on a New York JFK - Tel Aviv El Al flight on Friday. where four ultra-Orthodox men refused to take their assigned seats because they happened to be next to women.

Khen Rotem, used social media to document the incident that saw the men create such a fuss and disturbance, the aircraft missed its slot time and was delayed by more than an hour. 

According to Khem, one of the men was so religious, he boarded the flight with his eyes closed to avoid even looking at women. The men refused to speak with female flight attendants, only conversing with the male staff members.   The flight attendants were busy “putting personal practice of faith ahead of individual rights and civil order,” Rotem wrote on social media, causing the flight to be delayed. 

The crew then moved female passengers away so the men could take their seats and the flight continue to its destination. The events come almost exactly a year after the airline was told by a court in Israel that airline employees cannot ask female passengers to move seats to accommodate men. 

As a result of the news, a major technology company has announced its boycott of  El Al, Barak Eilam, CEO of NICE Systems, confirmed his company would not fly with the Israeli flag-carrier until it changed its “practice and actions discriminating (of), women. - At NICE we don't do business with companies that discriminate against race, gender or religion,"

QantasLink shows off cabin upgrades

QantasLink’s first upgraded turboprop aircraft will today take to the skies with a refreshed cabin and greater comfort for the airline’s regional customers.

The upgraded Q300 turboprop was unveiled this morning at QantasLink’s hangar facility at Tamworth Airport, the airline’s hub for regional aircraft maintenance. The program to upgrade the fleet of 45 Bombardier Q200, Q300 and Q400 aircraft is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.

Passengers onboard flight QF2003 from Tamworth to Sydney will be the first QantasLink customers to fly on the upgraded turboprop.

The fleet upgrade is part of a multi-million dollar commitment to providing regional passengers with a better overall travel experience.

Toronto Pearson prepares to welcome 10.4M passengers this summer

Canada's largest airport is preparing to welcome over ten million passengers between Canada Day and Labour Day, an increase of more than 30% compared to the same period five years ago. The summer rush is predicted to bring with it an average of 155,000 passengers per day, climbing even further skyward on high-volume days. Toronto Pearson and its partners—air carriers, Canadian customs, CATSA and more—have taken steps to prepare for this massive influx of passengers and offer tips to help make travel easier.

United's Newest Business Class Lounge Opens in Houston

Beginning this Friday, customers travelling in United Polaris® business class, the airline's international premium cabin travel experience, will be able to relax before their travels and enjoy locally-inspired food and beverage offerings with the opening of the new United Polaris lounge at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.

United Polaris Lounge at George Bush Intercontinental Airport is United's Third Polaris Lounge to Open Since April

Qantas release short-list for a future pilot academy location

The Qantas Group released a shortlist over the weekend of the nine regional cities in the running to be home to the new Qantas Group Pilot Academy.

The Academy, due to open its doors in 2019, is part of the Qantas Group’s plans to build a long-term talent pipeline for its airlines and meet the increasing need for skilled aviators in one of the world’s fastest-growing industries. Estimates suggest the global airline industry needs more than 640,000 more pilots over the next 20 years – 40 per cent of them in the Asia Pacific region.

UK MP's vote for 3rd runway at London Heathrow

In the UK, politicians debated whether to approve plans for a third runway at London's Heathrow Airport as part of the government's National Policy Statement.

There were heated exchanges in the House of Commons during the debate and the issue has divided MPs from different parties, former education secretary Justine Greening joining the only Green MP, Caroline Lucas in the no lobbies. Some Labour MPs defied the party's previous stance as being against the expansion of Heathrow to vote along with the government to approve it.

The result of the vote was 415 in favour, 119 against - a majority of 296, a clear win for those that seek a third runway at Heathrow, which already runs at 99% capacity. 

The Scotish National Party had previously been long-term supporters of the bill and Heathrow expansion, however, changed their collective minds at the last minute and were instructed to abstain.  One political correspondent dubbed them the "'say nothing party', guaranteed to say one thing in public and then do something completely different in parliament."  

Opposition MPs shouted "Where's Boris?" during the debate, as Boris Johnson - who has been very vocal about his opposition to the third runway Heathrow, was absent from the vote, as he had gone to Afghanistan.  

At one time, noisy anti-Heathrow protesters staged a central lobby protest, many laying down, hoping to delay the vote. The Vote No Heathrow campaigners got down on the floor, with the direct intentions to halt democracy, but were ejected from Parliament by police.

Norwegian announces new route to Tampa and further increases for Winter 2018

 Norwegian to operate new twice-weekly service from London to Tampa from 31stOctober 2018

The popular low-cost airline, Norwegian has announced that from 31^st October 2018 the airline will launch a new twice-weekly service from London Gatwick to Tampa – 

The airline will also give customers greater choice to Florida and other parts of the world this winter as it launches its winter schedule of long-haul flights from London Gatwick. The airline has made the following schedule updates:

• Daily service to Fort Lauderdale (Miami)– The popular service increases this winter to a daily service, up from three flights a week, giving more choice to travellers seeking a relaxing beach holiday. Fares are available from £175 in economy and £515 in Premium one way.

• Four weekly flights to Orlando- Visiting the world-famous family adventure parks is now even easier as the Orlando route increases from three to a four-weekly service. Fares are available from £175 in economy and £515 in Premium one way.

• Daily service to Buenos Aires- In response to strong demand for the London Gatwick to Buenos Aires route, services will increase from four flights a week to a daily service providing customers with greater flexibility and convenience. Lowest fares are now available from £315 in economy and £640 in Premium one way.

• Three weekly flights to Las Vegas-For high rollers, Las Vegas returns this winter with an additional service with a third weekly flight. Fares start from £195 in economy and £515 in Premium one way.

• Daily service to Boston –Services to Boston will increase from five flights a week to a daily service. Fares start from £155 in economy and £415 in Premium one way.

Bamboo Airways Announce Commitment for 20 787 Dreamliners

Bamboo Airways confirmed today a commitment for 20 787-9 Dreamliners in a deal worth $4.9 billion.  If Boeing is able to deliver on schedule then Bamboo Airways can expect the first aircraft to arrive in April 2010 with the rest following until 2021

"We are excited to introduce these new 787 Dreamliners into our fleet as we prepare to launch long-haul operations to international markets," said Mr Trinh Van Quyet, Chairman of FLC Group, 100% owner of Bamboo Airways. "Our long-term vision is to connect Vietnam to key markets within Asia, Europe and North America and the capabilities of these new state-of-the-art Dreamliners will help us achieve our goals."

Bamboo Airways is a startup airline that plans to begin commercial operations in 2019 out of the capital city of Hanoi. The carrier plans to offer flights within Vietnam before expanding into other Northeast Asian markets such as China, Korea and Japan. "We are delighted to welcome Bamboo Airways to the Boeing family and we look forward to Bamboo joining the growing group of global airlines that fly the 787 Dreamliner," said Mr Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president of Asia Pacific and India Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are confident that the 787 will help launch Bamboo's long-haul operations and serve as the foundation of their success for many years to come."