American launches airline’s first-ever rotating collection of premium onboard amenities and new meals in major in-flight service upgrade

                                                 American Airlines is heating up the inflight experience ahead of the summer travel season with a wave of premium onboard enhancements to make travel even more enjoyable. Customers will fly in style with a new, reimagined amenity kit series and bedding, and savor new dishes throughout their journey. In the future, customers can anticipate an increasingly elevated experience with the arrival of new Flagship Suite® seats.

“We thoughtfully curate each element of the onboard experience so every customer can look forward to the time they spend in flight,” said Kim Cisek, American’s Vice President of Customer Experience. “Part of the magic of travel is connecting our customers to the people and experiences that matter most to them. We’re taking that concept to the skies by introducing a new, dynamic onboard program that’s inspired by feedback from our customers and team members.”

American worked with a mix of boutique and well-known brands to create a program that will evolve throughout the years and feature rotating kit designs and high-quality skincare products in addition to the new bedding program.

A rotation of stylish new amenities and more

The new program will be on board more than 300 international and transcontinental flights beginning Memorial Day weekend in Flagship® First Class, Flagship® Business Class and Premium Economy cabins.

American’s primary amenity kit will be available yearlong for customers flying in premium cabins. The kit will include staple amenities customers have come to expect while in flight, such as a toothbrush, dental kit, eye mask and earplugs, in addition to new and evolving skincare products and offerings. American will cycle new brands and products within the kits for customers in all premium cabins, creating a unique customer experience several times over, based directly on customer feedback.

American collaborated with beauty retailer Thirteen Lune to curate the skincare offerings, which will feature high-quality beauty brands from Thirteen Lune’s tailored collection with wide-ranging representation of diverse founders and voices such as Joanna Vargas and Relevant.

Limited-edition kits

In addition to these rotating products within the kits, customers will enjoy limited-edition speciality kits created in collaboration with diverse designers and brands based primarily in the U.S. Through the designs of these speciality kits, American will recognize specific milestones and initiatives that reflect the values and backgrounds of the airline’s customers and team members. These limited-edition kits will debut in the months and years ahead.

In fact, the all-new amenity program will launch with a Thirteen Lune speciality kit to introduce customers to the new kit line and the opportunity to start collecting the limited-edition kits. Customers flying in premium cabins will receive the Thirteen Lune kit for the first few weeks of the kickoff to the new program. Customers can then look forward to receiving the primary amenity kit on board throughout the rest of the summer.

Each specialty kit will be available for a limited time on eligible flights in Flagship® First Class, Flagship® Business Class and Premium Economy. Travellers will be able to learn about each brand and partner featured in the speciality kit by scanning a QR code found within the kit.

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Elevated bedding inspired by customer feedback

Customers will travel in elevated comfort with new bedding, pillows and sleepwear that deliver on customer expectations for a restful experience on board. In American’s research with customers, travellers shared that 75% prefer dual-sided pillows, with different materials on each side of the pillow. Based on this feedback, customers travelling across Flagship® First Class or Flagship® Business Class will enjoy a dual-sided pillow with cool touch fabric on one side, and traditional fabric on the other.

Delivery of a new Airbus A320neo for SAS

Aviation Capital Group LLC, the premier global full-service aircraft asset manager, announced the delivery of one new Airbus A320neo aircraft on long-term lease to Scandinavian Airlines (“SAS”). Featuring CFM International LEAP-1A engines, this is the tenth aircraft scheduled to deliver to the airline as part of a multiple-aircraft sale-leaseback transaction between ACG and SAS.

ACG specializes in commercial aircraft leasing and aviation finance. In addition to aircraft leasing services, we provide aircraft asset management solutions tailored to meet our customers’ fleet management needs

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VINCI Airports buying major stake in Edinburgh Airport for £1.27 billion......

Global Infrastructure Partners confirmed this week that it was selling just over half of Edinburgh Airport to VINCI Airports for  £1.27 billion.

As part of the agreement, GIP and VINCI will jointly lead investment in, and development of, Edinburgh Airport and establish a long-term strategic partnership for the airport's future development, similar to the successful partnership established in 2019 at Gatwick Airport.

Edinburgh Airport's Chairman Sir John Elvidge and Chief Executive Officer Gordon Dewar will, along with other key leaders, remain in their roles. "We are excited to partner with VINCI, with whom we have a strong and productive strategic relationship, to continue to support Edinburgh Airport's future growth," said Bayo Ogunlesi, Global Infrastructure Partners' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We remain committed to providing high-quality service to passengers. We are very pleased VINCI shares our vision of Edinburgh Airport's future."

"This partnership underlines our commitment to Scotland and its capital city airport. We are excited to extend our partnership with VINCI to deliver on our shared aspirations for the future of Edinburgh Airport, including our promise to support the airport's 2030 sustainability commitments," said Michael McGhee, Global Infrastructure Partners' Deputy Chairman and Founding Partner. "We are pleased the senior leadership team will remain in place under the chairmanship of Sir John Elvidge. Their focus remains on the long-term growth, modernisation and sustainability of the airport and on continuing to improve passenger service."

"We are delighted to announce the expansion of our successful and strategic partnership with GIP to include Edinburgh Airport," said Nicolas Notebaert, Chief Executive Officer of VINCI Concessions and President of VINCI Airports. "Together with GIP, VINCI Airports will continue the strategy of growing connectivity and developing commercial activities, whilst also leveraging VINCI Airport's international expertise to accelerate decarbonization and continually improving customer experience. This acquisition of a third freehold airport in the UK, in addition to London Gatwick and Belfast International, demonstrates VINCI Airports' long term strategic ambition and continued commitment to the country."

25th Anniversary of the invention of the private jet card

Leading private aviation company Sentient Jet marks its 25th anniversary of the founding of the company and commemorates its invention of the jet card concept, which has revolutionized the private aviation industry and transformed the way individuals access private air travel.

Since the company was founded in 1999, it has been committed to leading innovation in the private aviation industry, introducing a first-of-its-kind jet card, driving change in key industry priorities, such as sustainability, and continually evolving its booking process digitally.

Prior to the invention of the jet card, which provides fliers with unprecedented flexibility to purchase flight time in hourly increments, private aviation options were limited to whole aircraft ownership, fractional ownership, and on-demand charter. Recognizing an abundance of excess capacity in the private aviation space, Sentient Jet seized the opportunity to offer a unique way to fly privately, which has since become a "must-have" product for travelers. By selecting and certifying the best aircraft and operators in the private aviation market, Sentient Jet created a uniform pricing standard and framework that laid the foundation for a brand new style of product. With the first ever jet card, Sentient Jet created an entirely new industry segment that offered then unheard-of flexibility and convenience for personal and business travel in private aircrafts at all-inclusive fixed rates with guaranteed availability, seamless booking, and industry-leading value.

In the past 25 years, Sentient Jet has:

Flown more than 1M passengers over 2,500 destinations all over the world

Flown over 228M miles

Grown revenue by 549%

Held nearly 6,700 active Card Owners

Offset a total of over 1,339,235 metric tons of CO2 emissions

“Sentient Jet’s journey began 25 years ago with the invention of the jet card - a concept that has redefined how people fly privately," said Andrew Collins, Co-CEO at Flexjet, Sentient Jet’s parent company. “With several industry firsts - from the jet card to digitizing on-demand booking with text-to-book - Sentient Jet has been instrumental in shaping modern air travel. As we look ahead to the next 25 years and beyond, we remain committed to advancing our industry and providing our Card Owners with nothing short of extraordinary experiences and exceptional service."

“Throughout my career, I have seen several developments and innovations in the private aviation industry, but Sentient Jet’s creation of the Jet Card ranks as one of the most important and revolutionary product developments,” said Kenn Ricci, Flexjet Chairman and Principal of Directional Aviation. “The Jet Card has created a market that previously did not exist and has exposed many new entrants and first time buyers to our industry. Virtually every private aircraft provider uses some form of the product today.”

Aviation net zero roadmaps comparative review

IATA - The International Air Transport Association along with the Air Transportation Systems Laboratory at University College London (UCL), the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) and the Mission Possible Partnership (MPP), released the Aviation Net Zero CO2 Transition Pathways Comparative Review. 

This is the first publication to compare 14 leading net zero CO2 transition roadmaps for aviation. The report aims to provide a “one-stop shop” for airlines, policymakers and all aviation stakeholders to better understand the key similarities and differences between the various roadmaps, and their visions for achieving net zero carbon emissions for aviation by 2050. Specifically, the report compares the selected roadmaps in terms of their scope, key input assumptions, modelled aviation energy demand, respective CO2 emissions, and the emissions reduction potential of each mitigation lever (new aircraft technologies, zero-carbon fuels, SAF, and operational improvements).

Key findings from this analysis include:

•    Possible pathways to net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 differ significantly depending on the key assumptions of the authors regarding how decarbonization technologies and solutions may evolve. Depending on these assumptions, the resulting role of particular levers in aviation’s decarbonization will be more or less important.  

•    All roadmaps assume that Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) will be responsible for the greatest amount of CO2 reductions by 2050. The role of SAF varies from 24%-70% (with a median value of 53%). This wide range reflects the uncertainties regarding potential supportive government action, the level of investments, cost of production, and profit potential, as well as access to feedstocks.  

Disinformation actors spreading 1.5bilion fake news posts each day....

• Facebook users create the highest level of daily disinformation posts (1 billion posts)
• X has the highest proportion of disinformation actors (8.7% of all active users) 
• LinkedIn has the most rampant disinformation actors (each creating 6.6 posts per day) 
• Instagram and YouTube produce the least amount of daily disinformation 
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ID Crypt Global has analysed data from Code of Practice on Disinformation report from TrustLab to understand the rate at which disinformation is being spread through the six main social media platforms - Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube - before conducting its own analysis estimating how many disinformation posts are being created each day, and which platforms are most responsible for the spread of fake news and media. 

The most recent available data* estimates that there are an estimated total of 10.5 billion social media users across the six main platforms.

Facebook boasts the most users with 3 billion people logging onto the platform each month. Facebook is followed by YouTube (2.5bn), Instagram (2bn), TikTok (1.5bn), LinkedIn (771m), and X (619m). 

1.5bn fake news posts created or shared every day on social media

Across all platforms, it is estimated that 5% of users are disinformation actors, which means all in all, there are 516 million users actively spreading fake news and media. 

It is estimated that each disinformation actor creates an average of 3.9 posts per day, meaning that across all platforms, 1.5 billion pieces of disinformation are created or shared every single day. 

Facebook and X host highest volume of disinformation content

ID Crypt’s research reveals that Facebook creates the most pieces of fake news. 

It is estimated that disinformation actors account for 7.8% of all of the platform’s users and that each of them creates an average of 4.3 daily posts. This means Facebook alone is responsible for over one billion fake news posts every single day. 

When it comes to the highest proportion of users being disinformation actors, X is the worst platform.  

8.7% of all X users are disinformation actors and each of them is creating 3.8 daily posts. This means the hugely influential platform is spreading 205 million fake news posts every single day. 

United Airlines reports first-quarter 2024 results

First-quarter diluted loss per share of $0.38; first-quarter adjusted diluted loss per share1 of $0.15 - ahead of expectations

Updates fleet plan - allowing for a more consistent delivery schedule of approximately 100 narrowbody aircraft yearly 2025 through 2027

Achieved second-best first quarter on-time departure performance in the company's history

United Airlines has reported its first-quarter 2024 financial results this week which showed the company had a pre-tax loss of $164 million, a $92 million improvement over the same quarter last year; adjusted pre-tax loss1 of $79 million, a $187 million improvement on an adjusted basis over the same quarter last year. These earnings reflect the approximately $200 million impact from the Boeing 737 MAX 9 grounding, without which the company would have reported a quarterly profit. In the quarter, the company generated $2.8 billion operating cash flow and free cash flow1 of $1.5 billion. The company continues to expect full-year 2024 adjusted diluted earnings per share3 of $9 to $11.

United delivered strong financial and operational performance in the quarter. The demand environment remained strong with a double-digit percentage increase in business demand quarter over quarter, as compared to pre-pandemic. Additionally, the company was able to take advantage of a number of opportunities to adjust domestic capacity which drove meaningful improvements in first quarter profitability. Atlantic and Domestic markets both saw large passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) increases year over year, with 11% and 6% growth respectively.

"I want to thank the United team for working so hard this quarter to deliver strong operational metrics for our customers and sharpen our focus on safety, while producing excellent financial results for our shareholders," said United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. "We've adjusted our fleet plan to better reflect the reality of what the manufacturers are able to deliver. And, we'll use those planes to capitalize on an opportunity that only United has: profitably grow our mid-continent hubs and expand our highly profitable international network from our best in the industry coastal hubs."

Fleet Update

United has made several adjustments to its long-term fleet strategy based on future needs of the airline and manufacturers production and delivery timelines that are expected to smooth out and moderate the company's aircraft delivery schedule in the coming years including:

Viva Las Vegas! 10 must-see stops on a West Coast road trip

This June, Manchester will become the only city in the UK outside London to have direct flight to the West Coast of the US as Virgin Atlantic’s new service from Manchester Airport to Las Vegas gets underway.

Many visitors will be headed to Vegas to enjoy its casinos, sports and family attractions, but for others, the city will make the perfect springboard for an epic adventure across the states of Nevada, Arizona and California.

Here, we round up some of the essential pitstops on any West Coast itinerary. You could tick off all of these highlights, and more, on a two-week trip.

Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico celebrate new route between Boston and Mexico City

The Delta-Aeromexico Joint Cooperation Agreement (JCA) is expanding its operations between the United States and Mexico, marking a significant milestone in the aviation industry. Delta and Aeromexico recently celebrated the launch of their new service between Boston (BOS) and Mexico City (MEX) during a ceremony at Logan International Airport. This highly anticipated route, operated by Aeromexico, marks the airline's return to the Massachusetts capital. 

To celebrate this milestone, authorities and special guests gathered for an event at Logan International Airport, including Todd Smith, Director of Aviation Operations for Massport; Felipe Cuellar, Deputy Consul of Mexico in Boston; John Angel, Managing Director of Airport Operations for Delta; and Jose Zapata, Vice President of Sales for North America & Latin America at Aeromexico. 

As part of the celebration, customers who flew on the first flight to Mexico received commemorative gifts as a thank-you for being part of this important event. 

As the Delta-Aeromexico JCA continues to expand its operations, it reinforces its commitment to providing a seamless travel experience and strengthening the connection between the United States and Mexico, our country’s second largest trading partner.  

With a focus on safety, comfort, convenience and customer satisfaction, this partnership is poised to shape the future of cross-border air travel, offering travelers more options and opportunities to explore the rich cultures and destinations of both nations. 

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Nine Airline companies comprise a $30 billion club courtesy of co-branded credit cards

CarTrawler-sponsored research explores the jumbo economics of loyalty programs at Air Canada, Alaska, American, Delta, IAG, JetBlue, Qantas, Southwest, and United.

Co-branded credit cards deliver wheelbarrows of money for some airlines. The latest IdeaWorksCompany report explores how this has transformed frequent flyer programs (FFPs) and contemplates the effect upon customer loyalty. Many airlines have shifted from sole reliance on behavioural loyalty, which relies upon a customer’s expectations for service and quality. Carriers now embrace transactional loyalty which emphasizes exchange relationships where something is given and something is received. The report advises caution about over-reliance on the co-branding bounty and suggests focusing more on the overall customer experience.

Airline Loyalty Becomes a Billion Dollar Club was issued today as a 16-page report. It describes how airline FFPs generate revenue in the billions and provides abundant analysis and research on the business of co-branded credit cards:

 Delta Air Lines, with 7.5 million SkyMiles credit cards, saw payments from American 

Express jump by 24% to $6.8 billion for 2023.

 IAG (British Airways and Iberia), navigated Europe’s prevalent merchant fee 

restrictions and achieved outstanding Avios partner revenue of £1 billion.

 Southwest generated more than 22% of its 2023 total revenue from its Rapid 

Rewards program and Chase-issued credit card.

 Qantas achieved a revenue result of $96 per Frequent Flyer Program member with 

help from nearly 40 credit card options available to consumers in Australia.

Aileen McCormack, Chief Commercial Officer at CarTrawler commented on the report, “In today's aviation landscape, airlines are vying for price-conscious customers by providing greater rewards for their loyalty. The rise of ‘transactional loyalty’ - where passengers seek more incentives in exchange for their regular custom - has seen huge growth of frequent flyer programmes and co-branded credit cards, which have generated an incredible $30 billion in revenue for a selection of early adopting airlines. 

We understand that customers are seeking additional ways to spend their miles to gain value. This is why CarTrawler works with the world’s leading airlines to enhance their loyalty programmes by offering bespoke car rental earn & redeem functionality down to tier membership status and even fare class."

British Airways Executive Club members can book flights for £1

In a move to give customers even more choice when spending their Avios, British Airways has announced the latest improvement to its Executive Club loyalty programme by making every one of its flights available from just £1 plus Avios.

When booking any flight or holiday, Avios part payment invites customers to reduce the monetary cost of their booking by selecting the amount of Avios they would like to contribute. Until now, the maximum discount varied depending on multiple factors, whereas the airline is now giving customers the option to reduce their booking to just £1 using Avios.

Using Avios part payment is different to booking a Reward Seat, of which there are a limited number on each flight at a fixed rate. Members booking any flight can use Avios part payment regardless of the seat type, allowing more flexibility, with varying amounts of Avios to contribute.

Colm Lacy, British Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We’ve listened to our Members’ feedback and we’re really excited to be introducing this latest update for them. We know that most of our customers choose the lowest cash amount when it comes to making Reward Flight bookings, so we anticipate this to be a popular option for those using Avios part payment too. Ultimately, our goal is to keeping adding more choice and flexibility for Members.”

Last year, British Airways Holidays introduced Avios part payment, with holiday package bookings starting from £1 + Avios.

Members using Avios part payment towards their booking will still collect Avios and Tier Points on their flight as well as any bonus Avios and Tier Points if applicable. Part payment can also be used for flights operated by American Airlines between the UK and North America, and British Airways codeshares with selected partners.

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Virgin Galactic Reports Inducement Award

Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. announced that the Compensation Committee of Virgin Galactic’s Board of Directors approved the grant of time-based inducement restricted stock unit awards of 23,946 shares of Virgin Galactic common stock to one new non-executive employee, effective April 15, 2024.

The award was granted under Virgin Galactic’s 2023 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan, which provides for the granting of equity awards to new employees of Virgin Galactic. The restricted stock unit award will vest over a four-year period: 25% of the underlying shares will vest on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remaining 75% of the shares will vest over the remaining 12 quarters, subject to continued service. The award was granted as an inducement material to the new employee entering into employment with Virgin Galactic, in accordance with NYSE Listing Rule 303A.08.

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Security incident halts flights at Birmingham Airport

Flights at Birmingham Airport were halted today after a suspect package was found on an Emerald Airlines flight that had just taken off and was heading to Belfast.

A number of flights were either delayed or had to be diverted as the Emerald Airlines ATR aircraft operating the flight on behalf of Aer Lingus, returned to Birmingham and its passengers and crew off-loaded and investigations took place.

West Midlands Police confirmed they were called to the airport at around 16:00 following the discovery of the suspicious package.  In a statement, they said, "All passengers and crew were evacuated and specialist officers including the dog unit searched the plane."  

A spokesperson for the airport confirmed some flights were diverted during the two hours the airport was closed. Train services were also affected at the nearby Birmingham International Railway station.  Network Rail confirmed that at 18:20 all rail lines had reopened but disruption was likely to continue for some time. 

The undeclared item was later advised to be not a security risk. 

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New Aerozone and Academy launched at EMA

East Midlands Airport’s Aerozone and Academy are to officially open in new premises this week, heralding a new era of insight into the aviation industry for local students, adult learners and jobs seekers.

The Aerozone, the airport’s on-site education centre, provides an interactive and inspirational learning environment for children and young people aged 4 to 18 and is free of charge for school and college visits. The Academy offers free adult training including an ‘Introduction to the Aviation Industry’ course, and tailor-made pre-employment and upskilling training for around 200 unemployed or low-income adult learners a year and existing employees.

Previously the Aerozone and Academy were based in a building close to the airport’s main administrative offices but have now been relocated to new premises nearby which will officially open their doors on Friday 19 April.

The occasion will be marked with a special Aerozone visit by a group of 11-13-year-olds from Farnborough Academy in Clifton, along with a cohort of adult learners coming to the end of a two-week Exploring the Aviation Industry course. The aim of the school visit is for the students to learn about the variety of roles at the airport and to experience, through hands-on activities, what it’s like to work at an airport. The Academy course, now provided in partnership with Nottingham College, gives attendees a direct route for career or study progression within the aviation industry.

The students will be greeted by EMA’s Managing Director Steve Griffiths, along with Lilian Greenwood, MP for Clifton’s constituency, Nottingham South.

Steve Griffiths said: “We’re really pleased to open new premises for our Aerozone and Academy. It underlines our ongoing commitment to inspire generations of young people through a range of tailored interactive experiences and activities, along with free training courses to equip people with the skills needed to take up various careers available at EMA.”

 

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Sigurður Örn named as Chief of Business Development of PLAY

Sigurður Örn has joined PLAY airlines as Chief of Business Development. This is a new position within the company where Sigurður will oversee the expansion of PLAY's business ventures across all departments.

 

Sigurður Örn holds an MBA degree from the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh and has an extensive background in aviation. Sigurður previously served as CEO and chairman of Bluebird Nordic and was board member of Avion Express. He also played a key role in negotiating major acquisitions for Avia Solutions Group (AGS), including Avion Express, SmartLynx, and Bluebird Nordic.  

 

Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Sigurður Örn remarked, "It is very exciting to be joining PLAY at this pivotal moment. The company's remarkable growth, evidenced by its doubling of revenue last year while maintaining a competitive cost structure, positions PLAY for even greater success in the future. I am eager to contribute to this journey." 

 

PLAY's CEO, Einar Örn Ólafsson, also expressed excitement about Sigurður Örn's addition to the team, citing his wealth of experience and knowledge of the aviation industry as valuable assets.  

“We are excited to have Sigurður Örn joining our team. He brings valuable experience and knowledge of the aviation industry, which will be useful to the company. We have ambitious plans, and Sigurður Örn's expertise will undoubtedly bolster our efforts," says Einar Örn Ólafsson.

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