Alaska Airlines, American Airlines Announce New West Coast International Alliance: Alaska’s West Coast Network to Connect With American’s Long-Haul Flying to Create More Choice for Travelers

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines Announce New West Coast International Alliance: Alaska’s West Coast Network to Connect With American’s Long-Haul Flying to Create More Choice for Travellers

Alaska Airlines and American Airlines announce an alliance to create more choice for West Coast customers. The expanded relationship between the airlines will offer customers several benefits, including:

Alaska Airlines intends to join the oneworld® alliance, the world's fastest growing and most highly rated global airline alliance, by summer 2021, which will connect Alaska guests to more than 1,200 destinations worldwide.
American will launch the first service from Seattle (SEA) to Bangalore, India (BLR) beginning October 2020. A new American route from SEA to the global business hub London Heathrow (LHR) will begin flying in March 2021.
The airlines will continue their domestic codeshare that offers customers hassle-free booking and travel between the two networks. The codeshare will expand to include international routes from Los Angeles (LAX) and SEA.

Alaska and American loyalty members will enjoy benefits across both airlines, including the ability to earn and use miles on both airlines’ full networks, elite status reciprocity and lounge access to nearly 50 American Admirals Club lounges worldwide and seven Alaska Lounges in the U.S.

The alliance will give West Coast travellers more choices when travelling internationally, offer seamless access across a broader network and provide strategic growth for both airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines Marks 16 Consecutive Years as Most Punctual U.S. Airline

Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiʻi's hometown carrier for more than 90 years, remained the nation's most punctual carrier in 2019, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, marking the 16th straight year its guests have enjoyed the best on-time performance in the U.S. industry.

Hawaiian's flights averaged an 87.7 percent on-time rate in 2019, exceeding the U.S. industry average by 6.1 percentage points.

"Our more than 7,400 employees know how important it is for our guests to be on time, whether they are starting a family vacation in Hawaiʻi, or travelling between our islands for business or to visit their ʻohana, and I couldn't be prouder of their accomplishment," said Peter Ingram, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines. "We recently observed our 90th anniversary and this 'Sweet 16' is definitely another achievement worth celebrating."

Fortune names Delta one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For

The US mega-carrier Delta has been named one of the 2020 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, according to global research and consulting firm Great Place to Work® and Fortune, for the fourth year in a row.  

Delta is again the only airline on the list, which is based on employee ratings of their workplace culture, including the pride they take in their jobs, the camaraderie they experience with co-workers, and level of trust they feel toward leaders.

United Airlines and Vistara Launch Codeshare Agreement

 United Airlines and Vistara announced the start of a new codeshare agreement allowing United customers to book travel on 68 Vistara-operated flights to 26 destinations throughout India for travel beginning February 28. The codeshare builds on the agreement between the airlines in which MileagePlus and Vistara's loyalty program members earn and redeem miles when flying on either of the airline's route network. 

The United and Vistara agreement offers customers a simplified experience when planning travel between dozens of destinations throughout India including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Goa, Hyderabad, Jodhpur, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Udaipur, Varanasi and more.

"We are excited to offer our shared customers the option of building a seamless itinerary when planning travel to cities beyond New Delhi and Mumbai," said John Gebo, United's senior vice president of Alliances. "United has connected customers to India for more than 15 years with daily flights between New York/Newark and Delhi and Mumbai and our new service between San Francisco and New Delhi. Our relationship with Vistara opens up even more options for customers to travel between our East and West Coast hubs and multiple destinations throughout India."

Jetstar Asia to become only low cost carrier to fly direct Singapore to Colombo

Jetstar Asia to become only low-cost-carrier to fly direct Singapore to Colombo

Jetstar Asia will become the only low-cost carrier to fly direct from Singapore to Colombo, Sri Lanka when it launches the new service on 1 July 2020.

With fares going on sale today, Colombo becomes Jetstar Asia’s 25th destination from Singapore and the first airline in the Qantas Group to fly to the popular hotspot.

The return service will operate four times a week with flights timed to allow more travellers from Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia to access this must-see destination by transiting through Changi Airport in Singapore.

Schedule:

FLIGHT #	FREQUENCY	FROM	TO	DEPART	ARRIVE
3K333	Mon, Sat	Singapore	Colombo	10:00	11:30
3K334	Mon, Sat	Colombo	Singapore	12:10	18:40
3K331	Wed, Fri	Singapore	Colombo	21:00	22:40
3K332	Wed, Fri	Colombo	Singapore	23:40	06:20 +1

^# Subject to regulatory approval

*Fares are one-way economy Starter fares with 7 kg carry-on baggage only. Availability is limited, and fares are not available on all flights or days. Conditions apply.

Inmarsat launches connectivity services in Saudi Arabia across land, sea and air

Inmarsat’s Aviation, Enterprise and Maritime businesses to meet growing demand for reliable, mobile satellite connectivity in Saudi Arabia with partner Sada Al Ammah.

Inmarsat, the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications, has announced that it will bring its world-leading maritime, aviation and enterprise connectivity solutions to customers based in Saudi Arabia through new partner agreements.

The company additionally announced that it has secured new spectrum licences to deliver both its narrow-band (L-band) and high-capacity broadband (Ka-band), Global Xpress (GX), services in Saudi Arabia, enabling Saudi-based businesses to deploy these services for the first time.

Hawaiian Airlines, HawaiianMiles Members Donate 35 Million Miles to Hawai‘i Nonprofits

Hawaiian Airlines, HawaiianMiles Members Donate 35 Million Miles to Hawai‘i Nonprofits

Hawaiian Airlines and HawaiianMiles members donated 35 million miles to 13 local nonprofits in 2019 via the carrier’s member giving program. Each organization received an average of 2.8 million miles to support services aligned with Hawaiian’s corporate pillars of culture, education, environment and health and human services in Hawai‘i. The 35 million gifted miles constitute the largest annual donation since the program’s inception in 2005.

SITAONAIR supports airlines operating across Turkey through vital VHF expansion

SITAONAIR, the aviation industry’s aircraft communications expert, has been instrumental in the expansion of Very High Frequency (VHF) coverage throughout Turkey, during the development of the country’s largest new airport hub in Istanbul, which opened in April 2019.

SITAONAIR’s expansion of the current VHF infrastructure enhances operations for airlines serving the regional domestic market and the country’s main airports.

Barcelona discount from Vueling

Barcelona is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Spain. Strolling down Paseo de Gracia you can discover emblematic Modernist buildings such as Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, at the same time as you go by some of the most exclusive shops in the city.

If you wish to see its most famous tourist sites, you cannot afford to miss the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, the beach at Barceloneta or the area around the Ramblas. And if you wish to discover the truly authentic lifestyle of Barcelona, just visit the popular areas of Gracia, Born, or Gothic Quarter.

Barcelona can keep you entertained for weeks. So, in order not to miss a single thing, we suggest that you carefully plan your stay and everything you wish to do.

Vueling is offing a special limited  20% opportunity discount for the next couple of days!

Start date: 19.02.2020         
End date: 21.02.2020               
COUPON:  BARCELONA20

ANA Heralds in the Digital Decade by Announcing Major Cargo Distribution Partnership with cargo.one

Stepping into digital distribution: ANA to offer seamless online cargo booking experience to freight forwarders on leading ebooking platform cargo.one

Leveraging network effects: cargo.one to continue its rapid growth by further expanding its global offering

All Nippon Airways, Japan’s largest airline, heralds in the new decade by joining leading online platform cargo.one to offer its cargo customers ebooking capabilities. Furthermore, the airline will profit from cargo.one’s extensive customer base in Europe and thus, expand its presence in key cargo markets.

“Partnering with leading online booking platform cargo.one will help to accelerate our ambition to digitally transform our business within the coming years and to focus even more on our customer needs,” said Toshiaki Toyama, Senior Vice President of ANA. “With cargo.one we enable freight forwarders to book our capacity offers in a fast and frictionless manner, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

Star Alliance Welcomes THAI Smile Airways as Connecting Partner

Star Alliance welcomed THAI Smile Airways as a Star Alliance Connecting Partner at an official ceremony held today in Bangkok.

The auspicious occasion was celebrated with a traditional Thai performance at THAI Airways International headquarters in the presence of member airline representatives.

THAI Smile became the second Connecting Partner of Star Alliance. The Connecting Partner Model was first introduced in May 2017 allowing airlines to connect to the Star Alliance network without becoming a member airline.This collaboration is the first of its kind in Thailand. 

THAI Smile offers more than 396 weekly flights to 32 destinations in nine countries and regions. As a Connecting Partner, the airline will extend the Star Alliance network by ten new destinations.

Air New Zealand announces capacity adjustments on Shanghai and Hong Kong routes

Air New Zealand advises that it will be reducing capacity on its Shanghai route throughout April, and Hong Kong route throughout April and May as a result of the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on customer demand.

Photo Air New Zealand

Shanghai services are currently suspended until 29 March as a consequence of international travel bans affecting crew logistics and customer bookings. The resumption of these services is dependent on a change in status of international travel restrictions. The health and safety of the airline’s crew and customers is paramount and re-entry into Shanghai, in particular, will also be subject to guidance from the New Zealand Ministry of Health and Air New Zealand Medical team.

From 30 March, Shanghai services will be adjusted from seven return services per week to a return service every second day through to 30 April. Hong Kong services, currently operated by Cathay Pacific, will resume on Air New Zealand aircraft from 29 March and will be adjusted from seven return services per week to four return services per week from 21 April - 31 May.

American Airlines to Offer Preordered Meals in Premium Cabins on More Flights than any US Airline

Carrier expands onboard dining option to premium cabins on American Eagle flights

American Airlines will expand preordered meal service to premium cabins on American Eagle flights, adding another 300 daily flights where customers can order meals in advance, starting March 11. This brings the total number of daily flights eligible for preorder in premium cabins to nearly 1,900 — more than any other U.S. airline.

American is also the only U.S. carrier to offer preordered meal service in premium cabins on both mainline and regional flights, available on flights of 900 miles or more.

“Ordering meals in advance is important to our customers, and we’re excited to bring this option to more flights,” said Raphael Girardoni, Managing Director of Food and Beverage Services at American. “The culinary experience is an important part of travel that we will continue to invest in.”

Mid-air collision kills four in Australia.

A Mid-air collision between two light aircraft has left four people dead in Mangalore, just north of Melbourne, Australia today. 

According to local media,  the two aircraft collided at about 4000ft above sea level, before crashing to the ground in a popular area for recreational flying.  All four people, whose bodies were found among the wreckage, are yet to be formally identified.

Victoria Police said in a statement. “Two occupants in each aircraft have died at the scenes, - One plane almost certainly crashed immediately and the other plane crashed about two kilometres north from here and both were extensively damaged prior to colliding with the ground,” 

Barcelona is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Spain

Barcelona is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Spain. Strolling down Paseo de Gracia you can discover emblematic Modernist buildings such as Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, at the same time as you go by some of the most exclusive shops in the city.

If you wish to see its most famous tourist sites, you cannot afford to miss the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, the beach at Barceloneta or the area around the Ramblas. And if you wish to discover the truly authentic lifestyle of Barcelona, just visit the popular areas of Gracia, Born, or Gothic quarter.

Barcelona can keep you entertained for weeks. So, in order not to miss a single thing, we suggest that you carefully plan your stay and everything you wish to do.


Vueling is offing a special limited  20% opportunity discount for the next couple of days!

Start date: 19.02.2020         
End date: 21.02.2020               
COUPON:  BARCELONA20