Emirates presents Seven Worlds, One Planet screens live on board

                     In another entertainment first, Emirates is showing the highly acclaimed Seven Worlds, One Planet documentary live at the same time as its BBC One broadcast in the UK. While Emirates already streams live news and sport onboard most of its aircraft, this is the first time any airline has streamed a show at the same time as its TV network timeslot.

The episodes of Seven Worlds, One Planet will be screened live on board 176 aircraft equipped with live TV for the next six Sundays at 10:15pm Dubai time (6.15pm UK time). Customers can also choose to watch episodes on-demand on all flights from December.

Patrick Brannelly, Emirates’ Divisional Vice President, Customer Experience (IFEC): “Emirates has been at the forefront of inflight technology, being the first airline to install TV screens in every seat in 1992. We have been streaming the world’s biggest sporting and news events onboard for years so we’re pleased to raise the bar yet again and for the first time stream a captivating documentary like Seven Worlds, One Planet at the same time as the BBC.”

Olbia runway closure update from Air Italy

Due to the closure of Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) from February 3rd 2020 to March 13th 2020 for renovation works, Air Italy will not be serving OLB to or from either Rome Fiumicino or Milan Linate during this time.

As the PSO scheme under which Alitalia operates for the Alghero Airport under Decree n. 61/2013 provides exclusivity and financial compensation and is different from the PSO scheme under which Air Italy operates under Decree n. 367/2018 for its Olbia Airport PSO routes, Air Italy is not able to transfer any flights to Alghero Airport during this time. The two different PSO schemes make any operation by Air Italy to Alghero Airport untenable.

Starting from today, the flights during the above indicated period will be closed for sale. The last two flights operated will be Olbia-Rome Fiumicino flight (IG1111) and Olbia-Milan Linate flight (IG1225). Post March 13th, 2020, tickets to and from OLB are on sale through until the end of the current PSO scheme on April 16th 2020.

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Sabre and TAP Air Portugal extend partnership with new private channel deal

Leading travel technology provider, Sabre Corporation confirmed this week that it had renewed its long-term distribution agreement with Portugal's leading airline, TAP Air Portugal.

Sabre's partnership with TAP Air Portugal will provide participating agencies with access to improved content, in line with the company's commitment to delivering next-generation retailing, distribution and fulfilment.  Sabre-powered travel agencies who sign up to the TAP Air Portugal private channel starting in January 1, 2020, will enjoy a wider range of content from the airline and can leverage reliable and up-to-date information to create rich, and relevant offers for their customers.

"Both Sabre and TAP Air Portugal are dedicated to providing travellers the best content available," said Alessandro Ciancimino, vice president airline sales, Europe, Sabre. "With this renewed agreement, Sabre-connected agents will enjoy optimal choice and control over the products they purchase with the airline and, through our new private channel agreement, will be able to create enhanced experiences for travellers."

Delta increases service between Atlanta, key regional airports throughout Georgia

​​Delta is deepening its investment in communities throughout its hometown state of Georgia with more flying from Albany, Brunswick, Columbus and Valdosta to the airline's Atlanta hub. Each market will see one additional daily frequency to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport beginning next spring, increasing seat capacity to and from these Georgia communities by 35 percent in 2020.

"With more than 200 destinations served from Hartsfield-Jackson, including recently added nonstop service to destinations including Havana, Seoul and Shanghai, these communities now have even more connections across the globe while supporting economic development here at home," said Joe Esposito, Senior Vice President — Network Planning.

Delta will add a fourth peak-day round-trip from Albany, Brunswick and Valdosta and a fifth peak-day round-trip from Columbus.

New Delta lounge to open at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport'

The newest Delta Sky Club with open its doors on November 6th at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport's new terminal.

Reflecting NOLA's unique culture, the new Club pays homage to the city and its celebrated art, jazz, and ​cuisine.  ​ Located at the entrance to the C Concourse in MSY's new terminal, the Club offers guests a comfortable, creative space to recharge during their travel journey featuring:

Design inspired by the culture of New Orleans, with modern finishes and bold pops of colour

Regionally-inspired artwork throughout the space, including pieces from local artists

Fresh, regionally-inspired cuisine including oysters, gumbo and muffuletta sandwiches rotating seasonally

A full-service bar featuring seasonal cocktails, beer from Abita, Gnarly Barley and Port Orleans brewing companies and wine selected by Delta's Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson

Comfortable seating, high-speed Wi-Fi and power outlets at nearly every seat

"This new Delta Sky Club creates an ideal space for guests to recharge," said Claude Roussel, Managing Director — Delta Sky Club. "The unmatched Club experience will wow our guests travelling through New Orleans."

Passenger load factor and unit revenue rises for Norwegian

The latest traffic figures for Norwegian shows an increased unit revenue for the seventh consecutive month and was up 6 % compared to the same month previous year. The load factor was up by more than two percent.

A total of 3,118,722 passengers chose to fly with Norwegian in October. The total traffic (RPK) was down three percent and the capacity growth (ASK) was down five percent, in line with the strategy. The load factor was 87.1, up 2.1 percentage points.

“We are pleased that our unit revenue continued to increase in October, that our load factor is higher and that our punctuality is up. We have adjusted our route portfolio and capacity for the coming winter season to ensure that we are well-positioned to meet the actual demand. The figures show that we continue to deliver on our strategy of moving from growth to profitability,” said Acting CEO and CFO of Norwegian, Geir Karlsen.

Delta debuts industry-leading international Main Cabin experience Delta turns up the hospitality with new service designed by flight attendants, endorsed by customers Delta is raising the bar on hospitality as its reinvented international Main Cabin service officially takes flight. Designed to delight, the new service launching today worldwide* features thoughtful touches like welcome cocktails, hot towel service, bistro-style dining and more. “How we make every customer feel across their travel journey is extremely important to us,” said Allison Ausband, Delta’s Senior Vice President — In-Flight Service. “That’s why our team designed this new service through the eyes of our customers – putting their ideas into action and giving them a delightful experience that exceeds their expectations. We want every customer, no matter where they sit on the flight, to know how much they’re appreciated.”

Air Guilin captain suspended for life for allowing female passenger to sit in his seat during a flight to Yangzhou

Air Guilin has suspended a pilot for life this week after he allowed a female passenger into the cockpit during a flight from Guilin to Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, on January 4th 2019.

The incident only came to light after a photo of the young lady sitting in the pilot's seat surfaced on Chinese social media site Weibo and went viral. The woman captioned the picture "Many thanks to the captain. It's so thrilling."

Air Guilin said the captain had violated normal operating procedures and air safety regulations, "Air Guilin always makes passenger safety a top priority and has zero tolerance for improper or unprofessional behaviours that pose threats to aviation safety,". The carrier also stated that it would introduce new safety procedures to prevent such an event happening in the future. 

According to local media, the lady was a flight attended student from Guilin Tourism University at the time of the incident and was not employed by Air Guilin or any other airline. Other unconfirmed reports indicate she may have been having a relationship with the captain.

Whilst the unnamed captain has been suspended for life, it is understood that at least three other staff members have been grounded indefinitely whilst the airline conducts a complete investigation. 

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25 days to register for UK drone pilots

UK owners of drones and model aircraft weighing more than 250g /8.8oz have until just the end of November to register their details with the UK's Civil Aviation Authority or face a hefty fine of up to £1,000.

Users can now also register as a drone operator and/or flyer here: register-drones.caa.co.uk 

This mandatory requirement to register covers owners of drones or model aircraft over 250g and in addition to registering, owners will also have to undergo an online education course and following test. The course and test takes around 20 - 25 minutes to complete.

According to recent research, a quarter of owners have lost a drone at some point, with many going missing because of malfunctions in flight, losing battery power, loss of signal or other such technical failures.

The CAA research also found that millennials are most likely to lose their drone: 36% of 18-34-year olds have lost a drone compared to 20% of those aged 35 and above. Millennials are more likely to insure their drone: 54% of 18-34-year-olds have some kind of insurance for their drones compared to only 26% of those aged 35+. 

The first Poseidon MRA Mk.1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft has been delivered to the Royal Air Force.

The UK's Royal Air Force has taken delivery of its first submarine-hunting Poseidon MRA Mk.1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA). 

The RAF will be getting nine of the jets, based on Boeing's 737 airliners, which are designed to greatly enhance the UK’s tracking of hostile maritime targets, protect the British continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent as well as playing an important role in forthcoming NATO missions and operations.

The deal for the nine aircraft is estimated to be around £3 billion and marks a massive investment for the future of the RAF. 

"These aircraft will transform the quality of intelligence available to our armed forces," said Ben Wallace  UK Defence Secretary. “The arrival of the world-class Poseidon aircraft marks a step-change in the UK’s maritime patrol capability.

“Using the world’s most advanced sensors and operating for long periods, these aircraft will transform the quality of intelligence available to our armed forces and protect our vital nuclear deterrent.”

Six million flight hours for GA-ASI’s Predator series aircraft

Photo Business Wire

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, announced on Monday that its Predator series of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) commonly known as drones, which includes the Predator, Predator B, Gray Eagle, Avenger and MQ-9B SkyGuardian lines, has surpassed six million flight hours. The aerospace firm said this milestone was achieved on October 31, 2019 with GA-ASI aircraft having completed 430,495 total missions with close to 90 percent of those missions flown in combat situations.

These RPA's are in use with the US Air Force, Army, Marine Corps as well as the US Department of Homeland Security and NASA. Non-US operators include the UK's Royal Air Force, Italian Air Force, French Air Force and the UAE Armed Forces,

Dream Aero.....................Boeing 737 Flight Simulator opens to the public in Washington D.C. Metro

Dream Aero Launches Full Flight Simulator at Westfield Montgomery Mall

Boeing 737NG Flight Simulator from Dream Aero 

Dream Aero, an entertainment services company has opened up a full flight simulation centre at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, MD. where shoppers and aviation enthusiasts can take the controls of a Boeing 737NG Flight Simulator. 

"We’re delighted to offer this exciting and highly realistic Boeing 737 airliner simulator to flight enthusiasts, families and groups in the U.S. capital,” said Dream Aero’s CEO Dimitry Kornyshkov-Murin. “Our professional flight instructors will take our customers to the skies as ‘co-pilots’, and they are going to experience all the sights, sounds and feelings of a real flight. It is as close as you can get to being an actual pilot without being in the air.”

Hong Kong Airlines to cut operations by 6% as concern grows

The financially troubled Hong Kong Airlines is cutting its operations by around 6% its been confirmed this week. The airline also recently axed its flights to Los Angeles, with the latest cuts coming after an intervention by Hong Kong's civil aviation authorities. The move is designed to protect the firm from further financial negative impacts from the city’s ongoing civil unrest for democracy. The airline is also cutting down the number of times it flies to the Candian city of Vancouver. 

In August, the carrier dropped San Francisco from its route network, saying changes in its business plans had forced the closure. It's not just destinations in North America that are being cut,  the airline is also reducing frequencies to other destinations including: Bangkok, Hangzhou, Osaka, Okinawa, Seoul, Sapporo, Tokyo,  Haikou and Nanjing.

TUI UK to fly to Orlando Melbourne Airport

TUI, one of the UK's leading tour operators and holiday airline has confirmed it will be operating flights to Orlando's Melbourne International Airport (MLB) from 2022.

The initial schedule is still under development but has the potential to be made up of nonstop flights between MLB and nine European cities. TUI’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners, the 300-seat aircraft type that will be used for all the new transatlantic flights.

“At TUI we’re committed to offering our customers an outstanding airline and holiday experience and we are delighted to be working with Orlando Melbourne Airport on their exciting expansion plans,” said Dawn Wilson, managing director at TUI Airways. “Our new Orlando gateway will be perfectly situated to offer TUI UK customers total flexibility in designing their holiday around any combination of theme parks, beaches or cruising.”

Canadian's take note - Sunwing is offering 10,000 vacations at 40% off

With winter just around the corner, Canadians will want to get a head start on planning their escape from the cold. Sunwing is helping sun-seekers secure massive savings on their ideal all inclusive getaway this winter with 10,000 vacation packages available at 40% off! This exclusive discount is only available at select properties, so travellers looking to Vacation Better at their top choice of destination and resort should act fast to secure their preferred tropical getaway.

Vacationers planning a getaway with the whole family can choose to stay at top-rated family resort, Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa in Punta Cana. Located on the world-famous shores of Bavaro Beach, this property offers activities for all ages including an on-site splash pad, a lazy river and a FlowRider® surf simulator. Plus, parents can take their family’s travel budget even further at this resort as up to 2 kids (2-12 years) Stay, Play and Eat FREE.