Eastern Airlines: Coming Soon

Eastern Airlines was one of America’s leading original legacy carrier’s that left in an untimely demise going into its 65th year in operation during Jan 1991. This was my original airline employer when I first began my aviation career. It was a sad time for many of us to see this historical airline disappear. It had made a brief retro comeback as a Charter Airline a few years back. This will now be the third time around the block for this once historic and iconic brand. We are hoping that ‘Third time’s a Charm‘ with their latest reincarnation. The airline will relaunch with its first international route as being JFK New York to Guayaquil Ecuador. This launch will take place sometime during the 4th quarter of this year with a mixed fleet of 55 Boeing 767s and 777s. The timeline is based upon the DOT approval process for their first approved route. We will all be waiting and watching with bated breath for the return of “The Wings of Man” and “The Great Silver Fleet.” It will be coming to an airport near you in the months ahead. Here are some initial details of what has been reported so far:

The new Eastern will initially fly from JFK to select destinations in Peru, Ecuador, and Guyana—all of which are currently unserved by other carriers. The Eastern Air Lines brand seems to be far from gone and forgotten. The iconic and historic airline name will—pending on DOT approval—take off on point-to-point missions to the Caribbean, South America, and even Asia. The new, new Eastern (now incorporated under Eastern Airlines, LLC), emerged from Dynamic International Airways in 2018, which held all the intellectual rights over the iconic airline name, inherited from sister charter company, Swift Air. Eastern has focused on charter services to a myriad of operators scattered throughout North America and Europe with its fleet of eight Boeing 767-200/300 aircraft. All the latest information on the third rebirth of Eastern Airlines—the carrier is expected to launch services with a fleet of Boeing 767-300 and 777-200 aircraft. In 2018, Eastern Airlines applied for nonstop flights to Guayaquil (GYE), Georgetown (GEO), Anchorage (ANC), and Jinan (TNA), in China, from its proposed hub at New York (JFK).

“The airline’s initial routes to South America are presumed to launch during the fourth quarter of the present year, whereas the service to China will open up once the first 777 aircraft arrives in 2020. The new website, which will go live at goeasternair.com, is reportedly designed around an all-new logo, which, according to Harfst, is inspired by “Eastern’s rich and iconic history” together with its “future being an ‘Explorer’ brand.”

The logo is modeled after topographical maps of the destinations the carrier intends to serve. “The primary US gateway to South America is in Miami, not New York,” Harteveldt notes. “Los Angeles and New York are the two largest gateways between the US and China, but Miami is number-one when it comes to Latin America. The triangular routes, such as a potential Miami – Lima – Cuzco, would be a perfect example where legacy carriers wouldn’t dare to compete. Ed Wegel, a popular leader among many of the airline’s current employees and those of the original Eastern, was responsible for bringing the Eastern name back to the skies. Wegel was the driving force behind the airline’s relaunch since the dark days of the 2008-09 recession when the planning began. (airwaysmag)

Eastern’s Long History

Eastern was a major US airline from 1926 to 1991. Then in 2015 the airline relaunched (or more accurately, rights to the name were purchased), as the airline started flying 737s to the Caribbean, including Cuba. Less than two years later their air operator certificate was taken away, and they went out of business. In April 2018, Dynamic International Airways acquired the Eastern name, and have now branded themselves as Eastern.

Eastern’s international expansion plans

Rather than focusing on charter flights.  Eastern is now planning scheduled international flights. A couple of weeks ago the airline filed with the US DOT to request permission to operate daily nonstop flights between New York and Guayaquil as of May 1, 2019. Eastern wants to launch 2x weekly flights from New York to Anchorage to Jinan, China. They want the right to sell the domestic flight as well, so that passengers could travel exclusively between New York and Anchorage.

DOT Filing: “Jinan is the capital of Shandong Province with a population of approximately 7 million – almost twice the population of Los Angeles. It currently has no non-stop service to the US. There are currently no non-stop flights from Anchorage, Alaska to New York City JFK. These flights will open up new markets to both foreign and domestic travelers. We understand there is substantial Chinese tourism interest in Alaska.” (onemileatatime)

Link:  airwaysmag

Link: onemileatatime

Link: adweek4

Link: wikipedia

Link: Eastern Commercial

Link: Eastern 60s 70s 80s

Link: Disney If You Had Wings

Aviation Travel Writer: The Flight Times Blog

https://aviationtravelwriter.com/

Eurowings: New Nonstop Services

Dusseldorf, Munich & Frankfurt to Las Vegas

Eurowings is expanding new nonstop service from three major German Cities to Las Vegas. This will create a new large gain in German tourism for the Las Vegas travel market next year. It will also provide some additional transatlantic nonstop travel options for locals living in Las Vegas to travel for vacation to Europe without having to connect through expensive and tedious LAX.

Eurowings’ New Las Vegas flight Details: 

As of April 6, 2020, Eurowings will launch 2x weekly flights between Munich and Las Vegas. These flights will operate with the following schedule on Mondays and Fridays:

Munich to Las Vegas departing 11:45AM arriving 2:40PM
Las Vegas to Munich departing 4:30PM arriving 12:55PM (+1 day)

This will complement Eurowings’ existing Dusseldorf to Las Vegas flight, as well as the Frankfurt to Las Vegas route that they’re launching as of October 2019.

Lufthansa’s long haul Munich expansion

Lufthansa will be launching three new routes as of the summer of 2020 — two will be westbound and one will be eastbound. All three routes will be operated by A350-900 aircraft. These feature a total of 293 seats, including 48 business class seats, 21 premium economy seats, and 224 economy seats.

Eurowings’ long haul Frankfurt & Munich expansion

This is a bit odd, since not too long ago I was under the impression that Lufthansa Group was planning on discontinuinglong haul flights with Eurowings. Apparently not, and quite to the contrary, the airline is poised for significant growth. All routes will be operated by A330 aircraft, featuring up to 270 seats.

Currently, the growing European airline offers flights to destinations all over the world, from the Caribbean to the Far East and the United States.

Eurowings manages a fleet of 120 aircraft, consisting of 46 Airbus A319-100, 47 A320-200, seven Airbus A330-200, two Airbus A340-300, and 19 Bombardier Dash 8 Q400, which are wet-leased by SunExpress Deutschland, Brussels Airlines, and LGW, respectively.

Eurowings, Lufthansa’s new low-cost carrier, will offer twice-weekly flights on Mondays and Fridays through the end of October aboard Airbus A330 jetliners equipped with high-definition monitors, said the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Germany is the seventh-largest source of international visitors to Las Vegas, LVCVA officials said, adding that the new flights are projected to generate $15.1 million in direct visitor spending.

Link:  onemileatatime

Link:  airwaysmag

Link:  eurowings.com

Link:  LasVegasReviewJournal

Aviation Travel Writer: The Flight Times Blog

https://aviationtravelwriter.com/

La Compagnie: New York to Paris

“La Compagnie, the all-business-class airline celebrating its 5^th anniversary this year, might be an alternative. In fact, if you book by June 13, the company is offering round-trip flights from New York/Newark to Paris for as low as $1,000. Yes, business class. The company currently flies two Boeing 757s and a new Airbus A321neo non-stop to two destinations, Paris and Nice, from New York/Newark (EWR). The flight to Paris Orly Airport takes about 7 hours non-stop; the flight to Nice about 7 ½ hours. Both the 757s and the A321 are outfitted as all-business-class aircraft. The 757s have 74 lie-flat seats, while the A321neo has 76.  About 60% of La Compagnie’s customers are business travelers, 40% are leisure, an area growing particularly on the new Nice route. Jean-Charles Perino, Co-Founder of La Compagnie, says, “It’s about 80% Americans; a lot of Americans who go to Nice or the Cote D’Azure own apartments there.” (forbes)

• The airline charges less than one-half of what mainline carriers usually charge for business class, and while the experience is a bit different, it’s found a strong niche market of leisure and business travelers.
• Now, on the fifth anniversary of its first flight, it’s approaching a major milestone: profitability.
• Business Insider sat down with co-founder and executive vice president Jean-Charles Perino to discuss how the airline has been successful so far in the notoriously difficult airline industry.(businessinsider)

“There were hot towels and generous pours of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne and a three-course seasonal menu conceived by chef Christophe Langrée that featured a caramelized onion soup so vivid in flavor, I found myself remembering it days later. And there were brie and Cambozola blue cheeses, and a kind flight attendant who went around closing the window shades while saying, “Unteel zee morning sunshine, madame.”(robbreport)

“This first of two advanced single-aisle sprinters, these jets also upgrade the trans-Atlantic experience with 76 fully lie-flat business class seats from tip to tail. Each passenger is treated to a 15-inch touchscreen for inflight entertainment, paired with noise-canceling headphones – and when it’s time to grab some shut-eye on the seven-hour flight, the flatbed is fitted with a mattress topper. The 2-2 configuration might not be everyone’s idea of modern business travel but with a generous 62″ pitch it’s arguably sufficient for this 8½ jaunt, especially on the red-eye leg departing New York-adjacent Newark Airport at 7.30pm to reach Paris’ Orly Airport at 8.20am the next morning. La Compagnie is also providing free unlimited broadband WiFi above the clouds. We want our passengers to experience the internet just like they do at home or in the office,” suggests Jean Charles Périno, EVP of Sales and Marketing for La Compagnie. Our mission is to make business-class more accessible to everyone at the most attractive fare. La Compagnie runs twice-daily flights between Gotham and the City of Lights and pampers its premium passengers with anti-allergenic pillows, large soft blankets, and a Caudalie travel care kit, along with restaurant-grade meals from renowned chefs. (australianbusinesstraveler)

We would like to congratulate La Compagnie on their 5th Anniversary in serving the New York to Paris market with their first year of profitability. Now we need to see this wonderful product expand to the West Coast of the United States next. This certainly sounds like the best value for a business class offering with transatlantic service from New York. Let’s hope that this is just the first of many more destinations that we will see from La Compagnie in the years to come.

Link:  forbes

Link: businessinsider

Link: australianbusinesstraveler

Aviation Travel Writer

https://aviationtravelwriter.com/

JetBlue Transatlantic Expansion 2021

JetBlue Orders 12 Airbus A321XLR Aircraft to Support Its Focus City Strategy with Transatlantic Flying. The airline has converted 13 Aircraft in Existing Order Book to the Xtra Long Range Version of Airbus’ Newest, Fuel-Efficient Aircraft to Expand Transatlantic Options. They will also be exercising an option to Take 10 Additional A200-300 Aircraft – Featuring Powerful Combination of Economics and Range – Increasing Total on Order to 70

The incredible extended range of the A321XLR allows us to evaluate even more overseas destinations as we think about JetBlue’s expansion into European markets plagued by high premium fares and subpar service,” said Robin Hayes, chief executive officer, JetBlue. The airline also announced it is exercising its option to add 10 additional A220-300 aircraft to its order with delivery beginning in 2025. The A321XLR is the latest evolution of the A321neo aircraft family and features an extended range of 4,700 nautical miles – some 600 nautical miles more than the A321LR aircraft. The increased flying distance is made possible with an additional rear center tank for more fuel volume. And with 30% lower fuel burn per seat than previous-generation aircraft, JetBlue can maximize the benefits of single-aisle aircraft economics.” (BusinessWire)

“As well as London, Paris is also of “great interest,” and Amsterdam is also on Hayes’ radar but he said he had been told it had “no slots available for the foreseeable future.”  If it can’t get into more congested airports, JetBlue may end up doing something similar to what Norwegian has done and serve smaller airports, although this may be more of a challenge, given it wants to pick up a big slice of the corporate market. JetBlue is in a much stronger financial position than Norwegian and those other airlines that have tried and failed to shake up the transatlantic market — including those short-lived all-business-class carriers. There’s gonna be a bunch of regional airports both in the UK and in Europe that this airplane will work in and we haven’t even started thinking about it yet, because we want to start with the larger airports where our customers in Boston and New York are telling us where we need to prioritize.” (Skift)

“The new routes won’t be JetBlue’s first foray into international markets. It currently services nearly two dozen countries from the US, with flights as far south as Ecuador and Peru. However, this will be its first venture into Europe, where it will compete with major airlines. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines all serve London from New York and Boston. As do a couple of British companies and the budget airline Norwegian, which offers dirt-cheap, no-frills flights from the east coast to London and other European cities.” (Thrillist)

International City Pairs that JetBlue is evaluating for use of these new transatlantic aircraft: JFK-LIM, JFK-CUZ, MCO-VCP, MCO-LIM, MCO-EZE, MCO-SCL, JFK-FCO, JFK-CDG, JFK-DUB, JFK-FCO, JFK-MAD, JFK-MXP, JFK-BCN, LAX-LIM, LAX-GIG.  It certainly seems that JetBlue and Moxy are going to give Delta, American, United, British Airways and Norwegian a run for their money in the long monopolized transatlantic market.

Link: BusinessWire

Link: Skift

Link: Thrillist

Link: Crew Life

Aviation Travel Writer: The Flight Times Blog

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Swoop Airlines: Edmonton to San Diego / Cabo Mexico

Beginning October 4, Canada-headquartered Swoop Airlines will fly between San Diego and Edmonton, Alta. And Abbotsford, B.C. According to a press release, Swoop has added three times weekly service (Thursday, Friday and Sunday) between San Diego International Airport and both Edmonton International Airport and Abbotsford International Airport.

The announcement comes a week after Swoop released its 2019 winter schedule, which offers nonstop flights in 39 markets, available for booking now through April 2020. Historic Gaslamp Quarter Building Sells for $6.3M “San Diego International Airport is thrilled to welcome Swoop to the best gateway in Southern California,” said Kimberly J. Becker, San Diego International Airport’s President CEO, via the press release. “The closest airport to downtown by far, Swoop passengers will be quickly on their way to the numerous San Diego attractions including beaches, nightlife, spas, parks, and museums. It will also encourage San Diegans to visit the amazing cities of Edmonton and Abbotsford that bookend the beautiful Canadian Rockies.” San Diego joins Los Cabos, Mexico, as the latest destinations to be added to Swoop’s 2019 winter schedule. Swoop will add three more aircrafts later this year for a total of 10 Boeing 737-NG 800s. (NBC News)

“Established in 2018, Swoop is Canada’s leading ultra-low-cost airline, independently operated as part of the WestJet Group of companies, offering point-to-point scheduled service to 18 destinations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean. Swoop offers completely unbundled products and services, creating a unique opportunity for travelers to control their costs and customize their experience by purchasing only the extras they desire.” (San.org)

Link: NBC News

Link: San.org

Aviation Travel Writer: The Flight Times Blog

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Bamboo Airways: Ho Chi Minh City to LAX / SFO in 2020

Bamboo Airways (QH, Hanoi) is in the process of adding its maiden widebody aircraft, an ex-Vietnam Airlines A330-200. Going forward, the carrier is also eyeing leasing an A380-800 for its touted flights to the United States.

Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows A330-200 msn 943 was ferried from storage at Lourdes/Tarbes to Manchester Int’l on June 21. It was subsequently repainted into Bamboo Airways’ livery and departed back to Lourdes on July 1. The 11-year-old aircraft is owned by FPG Amentum and currently registered as 2-RLAX ahead of its transfer to the Vietnamese register.

Bamboo Airways is planning to acquire up to thirty B787-9s from Boeing for its planned long-haul expansion. Deliveries are, however, only scheduled to start during the third quarter of 2020.

According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, the carrier currently operates an all-narrowbody fleet including one A319-100, two A320-200s, and three A321-200neo. It is also in the process of adding another two A320s and one A321neo and wet-leases a further three A320s.

Meanwhile, Bamboo Airways is also planning to add more second-hand widebody aircraft, including a leased A380-800. Chairman and CEO of parent company FLC Trinh Van Quyet told the Financial Times that the carrier would like to use the A380 on new direct services to the United States where it is looking at serving either San Francisco, CA or Los Angeles Int’l from either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

“We will start in the first quarter of 2020 if we get permission by the end of this year,” he said.Vietnam secured FAA Category 1 status earlier this year, paving the way for direct flights. Thus far, only Vietnam Airlines has applied for and been granted, exemption authority by the US Department of Transportation (DOT). It has, however, said that while it was considering direct services to the US, they would probably be loss-making and would require subsidies from the Vietnamese government. (Ch-Aviation)

“The airline had its inaugural flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi on January 16. “Launching the first route into the US internationally is a challenge for any existing carrier, but it is more difficult for the newer ones,” David Yu, adjunct professor of finance at New York University Shanghai who specializes in aviation, tells Business Traveller Asia-Pacific. Yu added: “Not only are there logistical challenges but adding a large aircraft with significant capacity like this instance requires carefully thought out planning. A success here will show that there are other routes for larger aircraft and also build steam for Bamboo in their fast growth plans.”Vietnam’s flag carrier Vietnam Airlines also has ambitions to fly to the US. bambooairways.com” (Business Traveler)

Link: Ch-Aviation

Link: Business Traveler

Aviation Travel Writer: The Flight Times Blog

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Moxy Airlines Launch 2021

Vistara Airlines: New Flight Service to India

Vistara wants to acquire new widebodies. In addition, India’s aviation ministry may choose to grant foreign carriers new frequencies– especially on those city pairs underserved by Indian carriers. Here are five potential new routes:

1. Mumbai to Manchester
2. Chennai to Paris
3. Mumbai to Toronto (year-round flights)
4. Mumbai to Sydney
5. Delhi to Johannesburg

India’s international routes are currently severely short on capacity with the lack of Jet Airways. While new routes could be granted to airlines, the question becomes when will capacity be restored as there is a significant delay when an airline establishes a new route. This delay comes from setting up infrastructure on both ends and, in some congested airports, attaining the necessary slots.

“KLM will increase capacity to India, including putting the 787-10 in service and add a new route between Bangalore and Amsterdam. Virgin Atlantic will commence new service from London to Mumbai. Moreover, Delta will launch service from New York to Mumbai. British Airways is also adding additional flights to India. Meanwhile, Qatar and American are considering additional flights to India.”  (Simple Flying)

“Vistara also plans to operate international flights soon; it received the government’s nod for this in March. Its loyal base of business class travelers may also prove helpful as it launches global operations.

Meanwhile, AirAsia India plans to double its fleet in the next 15 months. The Bengaluru-based airline also plans to launch international operations by October, once it receives the requisite approvals. While AirAsia shows how to leverage the low-cost carrier model, with Vistara they are eyeing the European market. In the near future, it’s very much possible for Vistara to compete with airlines like Emirates.” (Quartz India)

“Indian market is a big market and is a very fast growing market… clearly things are changing very fast in the Indian market in connection with what has happened with Jet Airways. I think certainly to that degree possible, it will help (that)… Air India will have higher capacity and better yields because there is less capacity in the market.”           (Money Control)

Link: Simple Flying

Link: Quartz India

Link: Money Control

Aviation Travel Writer: The Flight Times Blog

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JetBlue to London 2021

JetBlue Airways Corp is in discussions with Airbus SE about the European planemaker’s plans for a longer-range version of its A321neo family as it prepares to jump into the transatlantic market, Chief Executive Robin Hayes said on Monday.

The sixth-largest U.S. carrier has 85 A321neo aircraft on order, of which it has already decided to convert 13 into a longer-range version called the A321LR for its planned launch of daily flights from New York and Boston to London in 2021.

But if the low-cost carrier decides to fly to other European cities such as Brussels or Amsterdam, it will need a plane with more stamina. It is studying the A321XLR, which Airbus has been promoting ahead of a formal product announcement in June.

JetBlue is betting on its Mint Business Class product for narrowbody aircraft to succeed in the highly competitive premium transatlantic market. As of now, its U.S. customers have to fly to London on rival carriers where business class seats can cost as much as $12,000.

A handful of Europe-based budget carriers have tried to penetrate the transatlantic market in recent years, but only cash-strapped Norwegian Air is still standing. JetBlue is known for having a loyal customer base, but entering the hypercompetitive trans-Atlantic market is still likely to be a challenge. JetBlue is facing a mountain of competition with several legacy carriers who have flown the routes for years. Delta Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines in America. European based carriers British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Norwegian Airlines fly between London and two US cities.

JetBlue is known for offering perks to passengers, including free snacks, live television at every seat and free in-flight internet. It didn’t say if it would offer different services for these long flights but said it will redesign its first class cabins. Hayes said he expects to work on code-share agreements with partners that have a strong presence in Europe, where the airline wants to eventually build up its brand. A number of JetBlue’s 50 airline partners have already reached out, he said.

Link:  Cheap Flights to London CNN

Link: JetBlue London 2021  New York Times

Link: JetBlue A321XLR   Yahoo Finance

Aviation Travel Writer: The Flight Times Blog

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KLM Airlines: New Non-stop Amsterdam to Las Vegas

“KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will roll the dice on service between Las Vegas and Amsterdam, with flights on Thursdays and Sundays beginning June 6, 2019. A third weekly flight on this route will launch on Tuesdays starting July 2, 2019. (More details here). Summer highlights in Amsterdam include the Julidans modern dance festival in July and the Canal Parade and street parties during Amsterdam Gay Pride in early August.” Travel Leisure

“KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will soon be expanding its global network to include Las Vegas. Beginning in summer 2019, Las Vegas will be accessible up to three times a week with a direct KLM flight from Amsterdam. The flights will be operated using B787-9 (Dreamliner) equipment and will seat 294 passengers.

“Las Vegas will become KLM’s 18th North Atlantic destination to be served directly. Including Las Vegas as KLM’s latest destination will offer our customers even more flight connections to and from the west coast of America,” said Pieter Elbers, KLM president, and CEO, in a written statement.

KLM will operate flights between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Las Vegas on Fridays and Sundays from June 6, 2019. The Boeing 787-9 flights will offer 30 seats in World Business Class seats, 45 in Economy Comfort Class and 219 in Economy Class. A third weekly flight will be launched on Tuesdays beginning July 2, 2019. The new KLM flights will extend Air France-KLM’s transatlantic network and strengthen its joint venture portfolio with Delta Airlines.

The flight schedule will be as follows:

KL0635 will depart from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at 12:30 p.m. and arrive at 2:15 p.m. local time in Las Vegas at McCarran International.
KL0636 will depart Las Vegas at 4:05 p.m. local time and arrive the next day at 11:05 a.m. in Amsterdam at Schiphol.” Travel Agent Central

“KLM bets on Las Vegas

Summary

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will soon be expanding its global network to include Las Vegas (LAS), Nevada. As of summer 2019, the entertainment city of the United States will be accessible up to three times a week with a direct KLM flight from Amsterdam. The flights will be operated using B787-9 (Dreamliner) equipment, seating 294 passengers a flight.

Las Vegas will become KLM’s 18th North Atlantic destination to be served directly. Including Las Vegas as KLM’s latest destination will offer our customers even more flight connections to and from the west coast of America.
KLM President & CEO Pieter Elbers” KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

For more information, visit http://www.klm.com.

Link: KLM Bets on Las Vegas

Link: Travel Agent Central

Link: Las Vegas Travel Leisure

Aviation Travel Writer: The Flight Times Blog

https://aviationtravelwriter.com/

LEVEL Airlines: New Non-stop Paris to Las Vegas

LEVEL, owned by the International Airline Group, says in a statement it will offer two weekly flights from Las Vegas (McCarran) to Paris (Orly) Airport beginning Oct. 30. The service would fly on Wednesdays and Sundays, according to LEVEL. Planes leaving Las Vegas would depart at 7 p.m. and arrive at 2:45 p.m. Flights leave Paris at 2:15 p.m. and return to Las Vegas at 5 p.m. Lead-in fares start at $99 for one-way tickets, with premium economy seats available as well.

In September, Level will bring a third Airbus A330-200 aircraft onto its fleet, allowing the new direct route to Las Vegas, flying out of Paris Orly Airport. The aircraft are equipped with 293 economy and 21 premium economy seats.

“Customers will also be able to fly to other parts of Europe through connecting flights from Paris Orly airport, with our airline partner Vueling.”

Level is set to launch flights from Barcelona to New York JFK in July, and has recently set up a short-haul base at Amsterdam Schiphol, serving routes including London Luton, Barcelona and Lisbon.

flylevel.com

Aviation Travel Writer: The Flight Times Blog

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Emirates New Non-stop Ft Lauderdale to Dubai

The new route is planned to serve passengers traveling too and from Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and West Palm Beach

Dubai carrier Emirates has revealed plans to launch a new daily service between the emirate and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Southern Florida.

The new service, launching on December 15, will be Emirates’ 11th to the United States and serve Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and West Palm Beach.

It will be operated by a Boeing 777,200LR in a three-class configuration with eight first-class, 42 business class, and 216 economy seats.

Up to 15 tones of belly-hold cargo will also be available for shippers.

“Fort Lauderdale and Miami are two of America’s most exciting destinations for leisure and business travel,” said Emirates president Sir Tim Clark. “We launched our non-stop Dubai-Orlando service roughly a year ago and its strong performance encouraged us to select Fort Lauderdale as our 11th US destination.”

The release also carried quotes from US Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow who said the new service was a welcome development “amid seemingly endless airline consolidation and diminishing value”.

“We hope to see more of this type of service expansion, which provides a much-needed infusion of connectivity and healthy competition into our aviation market,” he said.

The daily flight, EK213, will set off from Dubai International at 3am and arrive in Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International at 10:25am. Return flight EK214 will depart at 8:20pm and arrive in Dubai at 8:20pm with a journey time of 14 hours and 20 minutes.

Emirates has carried more than 14 million passengers on US flights since launching services to New York in 2004 despite opposition from some US carriers in recent years.

Link: Gulf Business News Article

Aviation Travel Writer: The Flight Times Blog

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JetBlue: Boston to Europe in 2017

Airline Noah’s Ark is coming to an end:

 CUBA Scrambles to keep up with US Tourism Demand:

The number of visitors so far in 2016 jumped 13.5 percent on the year to 1.5 million tourists, Marrero said. Of those, 94,000 were Americans, a 93 percent jump on the year, and more than 115,000 were Cuban-Americans.

Cuba’s tourism infrastructure is creaking mainly in the capital, where visits were up 37 percent this year, according to the minister. Almost all Americans visit Havana as part of their itineraries as they are banned from the beach.

Marrero said three new hotels were under construction around the colonial part of the city, bids were in to renovate some existing establishments, and more were on the drawing board.

He said an airport expansion was planned in Havana but gave no more details.

“Until just a little while ago Cuba was a forbidden destination, and not only for Americans but for many others from various countries,”

Link:  Cuba American Tourism Story

Aviation Travel Writer: The Flight Times Blog

https://aviationtravelwriter.com/

Airlines Say NO to Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Onboard:

“The Federal Aviation Administration strongly advises passengers not to turn on or charge these devices on board aircraft and not to stow them in any checked baggage.”

Many airlines are following that guidance, which explains the announcements I heard on my United flights this weekend.

If lithium-ion batteries causing problems on planes sounds familiar, that may be because of some high profile incidents on Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner jets a few years back (the problems have since been fixed).

Link:   Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Article

Aviation Travel Writer: The Flight Times Blog

https://aviationtravelwriter.com/

Hainan Airline New Non-stop: Beijing, China to Las Vegas

This new service will begin on Dec 2nd. The new route will feature Boeing 787 Dreamliners with 36 business class lie-flat seats and 177 economy class seats. Hainan is the airline with the most nonstop 787 Dreamliner routes between China and North America.

Chinese tourists are one of the fastest-growing and largest-spending groups of international visitors to Las Vegas. With the reciprocal 10-year tourist visas and the introduction of hotels, programming, and amenities geared toward Chinese visitors,Las Vegas has established itself as a major draw for Chinese traveling to the United States.

This makes perfect sense considering the next mega luxury Casino coming to the Las Vegas Strip will be a sprawling new Chinese Themed property called, “Resort World” due to open catering to Chinese international visitors starting in 2019.

 Link:    Las Vegas Review Journal

Link:     Chinese Theme Casino Resort World

Aviation Travel Writer: The Flight Times Blog

https://aviationtravelwriter.com/

Norwegian Air – Barcelona $189

New nonstop service from Orlando to Barcelona and connecting service from Las Vegas, Los Angeles,  Oakland, Boston, Newark, Ft Lauderdale, and New York JFK.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner service.

http://www.cntraveler.com/story/flight-deal-us-to-barcelona-on-norwegian

Aviation Travel Writer: The Flight Times Blog

https://aviationtravelwriter.com/

False Flag Attack Revisited

The day our own US Government, CIA with the assistance of Saudi Arabia and Zionist Israel perpetrated the world’s biggest lie and crime of the century against the American people.

#InsideJob#

#FalseFlagTerrorAttack#

http://www.thegovernmentrag.com/911-the-day-laws-of-physics-and-nature-were-suspended.html#.V9eK6xSJFFL

Never Forget Sept 11th

Aviation Travel Writer: The Flight Times Blog

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