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Southwest announces its new operational Tactical Action Plan, expects a loss in the first quarter but a profitable 2023

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 N1781B (N8814K) (msn 42664) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 960261.

Southwest Airlines today will share an overview of the prioritized actions being implemented to strengthen the airline’s operational resiliency. The actions will be previewed by Bob Jordan, Southwest’s President and Chief Executive Officer, at the J.P. Morgan Industrials Conference in New York and are designed for Customers and Employees to continue benefiting from the airline’s 52-year history of providing Safe, reliable, and Customer-friendly Southwest Hospitality.

As a result of the initial assessments conducted by Southwest, and the globally-recognized aviation consultancy Oliver Wyman, the airline has developed a three-part Tactical Action Plan to boost operational resiliency in key areas across the Company. The airline’s existing five-year Operational Modernization Plan, which began in 2022, is also underway and focuses on operational investments and organizational alignment to support Customers and Employees.

“We understand the root causes that led to the holiday disruption, and we’re validating our internal review with the third-party assessment. Now, we expect to mitigate the risk of an event of this magnitude ever happening again,” said Bob Jordan, Southwest’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Work is well underway implementing action items to prepare for next winter—with some items already completed. I want to thank our Employees and Customers for their patience and grace, and we’re resolved to emerge an even stronger airline.”

In addition to Winter Storm Elliot, which was more severe than expected, a driver of the disruption was determined to be the volume of cascading and close-in flight cancelations during the storm which overwhelmed Station operations and the airline’s Crew Network and hindered established processes and internal tools. While the airline had existing technology and staffing in place to handle many types of irregular operations, the pace and breadth of disruptions during this extreme event strained the ability to create timely operational solutions. The airline will provide additional communication in the coming weeks, including a microsite summarizing key findings and mitigation actions.

Highlights of the Tactical Action Plan

Accelerate Operational Investments: The airline began a five-year Operational Modernization Plan prior to December 2022 with many initiatives already underway to support operational resiliency. Now, ongoing implementation of tools and technology that allow for a greater pace of recovery during extreme events will be prioritized, and the airline is, currently, budgeted to spend more than $1.3 billion on investments, upgrades, and maintenance of information technology systems in 2023. For example, Crew Optimization software has been recently upgraded to address a functional gap that was revealed in December. Crew Scheduling and Customer phone systems also will be upgraded for better surge protection and efficiency during periods of high call volumes.

Winter Operations: Challenges with infrastructure, winter equipment, and winter weather preparedness have been, or will be, addressed through various actions, including purchasing additional deicing trucks; securing additional deicing pads and deicing fluid capacity at key network locations; and purchasing more engine covers and engine heaters for cold weather operations. Southwest was the first U.S. airline to hire back to pre-pandemic total staffing by June 2022, and, going forward, the airline will further augment winter staffing levels—for example, when Ground Operations Employees are limited to the amount of time they can work outside in extreme temperatures. Additionally, the airline plans to implement a new weather application to provide Crews with more real-time and dynamic weather indications to enhance deicing holdover times—which determines the time required before aircraft must be deiced again prior to departure.

Cross-Team Collaboration: Actions have already been taken to align various Network Planning and Network Operations Control Teams under one Senior Leader for better execution of operational plans. Additionally, data on early-indicator dashboards has been enhanced to highlight key operational metrics, and the airline will better integrate aircraft and Crew recovery decision making and optimization.

“I’m very encouraged by the work underway to address the challenges we faced in December. Our operational performance this year has been among the best in the industry, and we’re committed to completing our action items while also running a Safe, reliable operation supported by our Legendary Customer Service that has made us famous throughout our 52-year history,” said Andrew Watterson, Southwest’s Chief Operating Officer. “I’m confident in our path forward and truly believe our best days are ahead.”

On the financial side, the company expects to report a loss for the first quarter but for the year it expects a robust profit.

Top Copyright Photo: Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 N1781B (N8814K) (msn 42664) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 960261.

Southwest Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Southwest Airlines aircraft photo gallery
AirlinersGallery.com

Quick News

British Airways is gradually adding new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners (G-ZBLD and G-ZBLE soon to arrive). The airline is assigning its flagship to the following routes: Boston, Baltimore (BWI), Denver, Dubai, Newark, Washington Dulles, Houston Bush, Kuwait City, Miami, New Orleans, Chicago O’Hare, Portland (PDX), Seattle/Tacoma and Toronto Pearson.

Dan Air (Romania) (formerly Just Us Air) is planning to launch the Bucharest – London Gatwick route in June 2023. Yes, an airline called Dan Air is coming back to London Gatwick.

flynas has announced 10 new destinations. Four new destinations will be flown from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, including the Maldives, Yerevan, Antalya and Tivat. Four routes from Dammam will be launched to Salalah, Oman, Istanbul and Trabzon in Turkey, and Tirana. In addition, two more routes will be operated from Jeddah to Salalah and Bodrum, Turkey.

Hong Kong Airlines will launch four times weekly nonstop flights from Hong Kong to Fukuoka, Japan starting on April 7, 2023.

Horizon Air‘s former Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N441QX (msn 4348) has been painted for ZeroAvia.

Oman Air is adding four new destinations in its Summer 2023 Schedule from Muscat to Chittagoung (March), Maldives (June), Lucknow (August) and Thiruvananthapuram (August).

Turkish Airlines is painting its Boeing 777-300ER TC-LKD (below) in full IndiGo Airlines livery as part of the upcoming lease agreement.

TC-LKD
Volume 1 of Great Airlines Series

airBaltic carried 86% more passengers in February 2023

airBaltic Airbus A220-300 (Bombardier CS300 – BD-500-1A11) YL-AAP (msn 55051) SZG (Gunter Mayer). Image: 957237.

During February 2023, the Latvian airline airBaltic has carried 232 800 passengers or by 86% more than during the same period last year. In the previous month airBaltic performed 2 560 flights, marking a 33% increase from February 2022.

Martin Gauss, President and CEO of airBaltic: “During the first two months of the year we have carried close to half a million passengers. This is almost twice as many as last year, indicating a strong growth for airBaltic. Also, we are looking forward to offering the largest number of new routes in a single season for the upcoming summer. This expansion of the route network is already being reflected in the demand for the airline’s services, and we are confident of continuing to see growing numbers of carried passengers and operated flights in the coming months.”

February, 2023February, 2022Change
Number of passengers232 800125 200+86%
Number of flights2 5601 920+33%

Top Copyright Photo: airBaltic Airbus A220-300 (Bombardier CS300 – BD-500-1A11) YL-AAP (msn 55051) SZG (Gunter Mayer). Image: 957237.

airBaltic aircraft photo gallery:

airBaltic aircraft photo gallery
AirlinersGallery.com

Air Greenland says goodbye to its Airbus A330-200 after 20 years, now in Marana, Arizona

Air Greenland Airbus A330-223 OY-GRN (msn 230) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 922693.

Air Greenland’s only Airbus A330-200 (OY-GRN), named “Norsaq”, flew a ferry flight from Copenhagen – on its final flight. Norsaq’s final destination is Pinal Airpark in Marana, Arizona, but first it will stop in Tucson for customs and immigration clearance.

Many have been eagerly awaiting to know what will happen to Norsaq after its last scheduled flight on February 16, 2023. Now we can reveal this.

– The keys to Norsaq will be passed on to its new owners called AAR SUPPLY CHAIN and Norsaq will thus end up as an “organ donor”, i.e. as a spare aircraft, says Air Greenland’s technical manager for the transatlantic aircraft, Henrik Keil and continues. 

– The handover will take place on Monday, March 13, 2023 in a hot desert in Arizona. This is in stark contrast and against Norsaq’s will, he says, pointing out that Norsaq has grown up and been brought up to be a cold-weather aircraft and has only very rarely caused problems due to cold weather.

– Even down to minus 40 degrees. There have sometimes been a few complaints and disagreements, but mostly due to a little too much downtime. Hardly at all during the busy periods.

Some of our colleagues in Copenhagen literally wrote a farewell to Norsaq yesterday, Wednesday 8 March 2023.

Some of our colleagues in Copenhagen literally wrote a farewell to Norsaq, on Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

Norsaq’s many years of faithful service thus ends after many charter trips with happy sun tourists, flights with soldiers to Kuwait and Calgary and with Greenlandic athletes who have participated in the Arctic Winter Games in various places in Canada. But the day-to-day job was of course to be the lifeline between Greenland and Denmark. Keeping an aeroplane in the air for over 20 years requires a dedicated effort.

– This would not have been possible without a large number of truly dedicated technicians from SAS who have faithfully looked after her night after night, caring for her better than their own car and maybe even a partner back home.  Never has there been any whining and complaining. Always Norsaq has received special attention and what in the car world is cleverly called TLC. Tender, Love and Caring, says Henrik.

The flight route that Norsaq will fly tomorrow Friday 10 March goes straight over Nuuk and as we want to ensure the route is as sustainable as possible, it was most obvious that Norsaq went low over Nuuk, which will also be Tuukkaq's new permanent destination when the new runway opens in 2024.

The flight route that Norsaq flew on Friday, March 10, straight over Nuuk and as we want to ensure the route is as sustainable as possible, it was most obvious that Norsaq went low over Nuuk, which will also be Tuukkaq’s new permanent destination when the new runway opens in 2024. 

Video:

https://youtu.be/-l51oO3MD8I

Also in its own ranks, Air Greenland has swept the runway clear so that things were ready and prepared for troubleshooting and planned maintenance of the aircraft.

– This with Peter Bjerre, Lars Christensen, Jens Laurberg, Michael Linder, Mia Mandal, Gert Bo Petersen and Bo Møller who over the years in turn have been a large part of Norsaq’s foster parents.

In Greenland, Johannes Holst, Rudy Mynster, Morten Lanther Larsen, Jan Mejlgaard Larsen and not least our current two technicians Kasper Zeeb Andersen and René Fencker Holm have been ready with headsets on all flight days, asking if everything was OK so that we could fly safely back to Denmark with the up to 140,000 passengers who are flown across the Atlantic every year, he says and puts the farewell to Norsaq in his own words.

– It will be a huge loss, and to my knowledge, there are not many other aircraft in the world that have received the same attention when Norsaq was away from its usual route. It was the red “salami” that all aircraft spotters wanted to have on their lenses, concludes Henrik Keil.

The pilots on the ferry flight will be Michael Madsen (chief pilot A330), who will fly Norsaq's last trip. He was also the pilot who flew Tuukkaq's very first flight. Thomas Kjærulff, senior first officer, will be first officer. He is also the pilot with the most flying hours on the right side of an A330.

The pilots on the ferry flight will be Michael Madsen (chief pilot A330), who will fly Norsaq’s last trip. He was also the pilot who flew Tuukkaq’s very first flight. Thomas Kjærulff, senior first officer, will be first officer. He is also the pilot with the most flying hours on the right side of an A330. 

Technical Manager, Henrik Keil and Michael Linder, Technical Coordinator are also on board for the ferry flight to Arizona together with two representatives from the buyers, AAR SUPPLY CHAIN. The picture is Henrik on the left and Michael on the right and was taken at the handover of Tuukkaq, which now awaits their full attention, care and nurturing.

Technical Manager, Henrik Keil and Michael Linder, Technical Coordinator are also on board for the ferry flight to Arizona together with two representatives from the buyers, AAR SUPPLY CHAIN. The picture is Henrik on the left and Michael on the right and was taken at the handover of Tuukkaq, which now awaits their full attention, care and nurturing.

Did you know this

Norsaq’s flying hours in Air Greenland have totalled 41,364 flying hours and 10,112 take-offs and landings. In other words, it has virtually flown 4800 times up and down the North Atlantic. This has required two undercarriages, two x 2 engine overhauls and 2 APU overhauls as well as a newer APU due to a bearing failure

Norsaq Deices

20 years with Norsaq

Now in Arizona

Top Copyright Photo: Air Greenland Airbus A330-223 OY-GRN (msn 230) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 922693.

Air Greenland aircraft photo gallery:

Air Greenland aircraft photo gallery

Riyadh Air is launched by Saudia Arabia

Riyadh Air (Riyadh) has been launched as the second flag carrier of Saudia Arabia after Saudia.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudia Arabia formally announced on Sunday, March 12, the establishment of the new national airline, Riyadh Air, with Tony Douglas as its CEO, formerly of Etihad Airways.

Riyadh Air

The new airline will grow quickly, planning to serve 100 world destinations by 2030.

Riyadh Air is wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

CEO Tony Douglas

Saudia Arabia is currently in negotiations with Airbus and Boeing.

The new carrier will compete against Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines in the region.

Volume 1

Flair Airlines has four aircraft seized due to a ‘commercial dispute’

(CNW Group/Flair Airlines Ltd.)

Flair Airlines says its passengers were impacted due to flight cancellations on March 11 after four of its leased Boeing 737 aircraft were seized in Toronto, Edmonton and Waterloo, Ontario according to CBC.

The aircraft were seized by a New York-based hedge fund, owners of the aircraft.

Flair Airlines issued this statement:

On March 11, 2023, we experienced some service disruptions at YEG, YYZ & YKF. We are very sorry to our passengers who were impacted. We know unforeseen interruptions to travel are stressful, and we are doing everything we can to get our customers to their destinations as soon as possible.

Customers affected by these events will receive an update that we have enlisted a dedicated team to support them rebook their flights with Flair, or another airline, at no additional cost.

Alternatively, customers can rebook their own travel and receive a reimbursement from Flair within 7 days. We sincerely apologize for this disruption, especially during a busy travel weekend, and we thank our customers for their patience.

Our team is dedicated to rebooking all affected customers. We guarantee we will work to get you to your destination as soon as we can.

Hot New Photos – Top 100

LATAM closes 2022 with $2.3 billion in liquidity and and the group achieves an operational recovery close to pre-pandemic levels

LATAM Airlines Group S.A. has announced its financial results corresponding to the fourth quarter of 2022, closing a year marked by the completion of its restructuring proceeding under Chapter 11, a solid financial result and an operational recovery close to the pre-pandemic.

In relation to the pre-pandemic period, the group managed to reduce its gross debt by 37.5%, going from US$10.4 billion before Chapter 11 to US$6.5 billion at the end of last year, in turn increasing its liquidity by 78%, reaching US$2.3 billion compared to the period prior to the reorganization proceeding started in May 2020.

During the fourth quarter of last year, the group’s total revenues reached US$2.744 billion, which represents 37.5% more than the same period of 2021. As well, EBITDAR reached US$466.8 million in the quarter and LATAM recorded a net income attributable to the owners of the parent company of US$2,538 million as a result of the restructuring process.

“The results of 2022 show a strengthened group and more competitive than before the pandemic. During the year, LATAM Group made significant progress in different areas. The network was expanded through the alliance with Delta and new routes were launched, the cargo business was strengthened and the service for customers was improved. Progress was also made in the renewal of the fleet and the group took a leadership position in sustainability, which allows us to be optimistic about the future. LATAM Group has a competitive cost structure that will allow us to respond to the connectivity challenges of the South American countries”, said Roberto Alvo, CEO of LATAM Airlines Group. 

Meanwhile, the CFO of LATAM Airlines Group, Ramiro Alfonsín added that “the group made significant financial progress. On one hand, gross debt was substantially reduced by 37.5% compared to the pre-pandemic period and liquidity increased, reaching US$2.3 billion at the end of last year. Also, LATAM Group showed a solid operational recovery in the fourth quarter in which consolidated operations were 83.2% of 2019 levels (measured in ASKs), which represents the highest level of quarterly since the beginning of the pandemic. Today LATAM Airlines Group has a more competitive cost structure, a solid balance sheet and a unique level of liquidity in the region to face the challenges of the business”.

Operational recovery and connectivity

During the fourth quarter, the consolidated operations of LATAM Group were 83.2% of 2019 levels (measured in ASKs). Last year, LATAM Group transported approximately 62 million passengers, which represents an increase of 22 million compared to 2021, ending the year with 144 destinations in 22 countries, in line with the number of destinations flown at the end of 2019.

By 2023, LATAM Group expects annual growth in its passenger and cargo operations of more than 20% compared to 2022. In 2023, LATAM Group will fly 38 routes that it did not operate in 2019, among which two are part of the JV with Delta.

In terms of connectivity, 2022 was a great year for the LATAM Group. After the implementation of the joint venture (JV) with Delta Air Lines, passengers will have the possibility of accessing more than 300 destinations between the US/Canada and South America (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay). In July 2023, LATAM Airlines Brazil will operate Los Angeles – Sao Paulo and LATAM Airlines Colombia will operate Orlando – Bogotá. Regarding the latter route, the Colombian subsidiary plans to transport 120,000 passengers a year, offering better connection alternatives from within Colombia and Ecuador to the east coast of the United States through the Delta hub in Orlando and the LATAM connection center in Bogotá.

Meanwhile, the group continued to show its growth in the region, with affiliates in Brazil, Chile and Peru, increasing its market share in their respective domestic segments. In the case of the Brazilian subsidiary, it went from a 34% market share in 2019 to 37% at the end of the year, while in the Peruvian subsidiary it went from 62% to 65% and in the Chilean subsidiary it went from 58% to 60%.

Currently, LATAM Airlines Brazil flies to 54 Brazilian destinations, the highest number in its history in the country. In 2022 alone, it began flying to 6 new destinations in Brazil: Presidente Prudente, Cascavel, Caxias do Sul, Juiz de Fora/Zona da Mata, Montes Claros and Sinop. As well, it flew again directly from São Paulo/Guarulhos to Boston and Rome, and opened the routes Rio de Janeiro/Galeão-Buenos Aires/Ezeiza, Rio de Janeiro/Galeão-Buenos Aires/Aeroparque, Rio de Janeiro/Galeão – Lima, Florianópolis-Santiago, Curitiba-Santiago, Porto Alegre-Lima and Fortaleza-Miami.

Allied Pilots Association asks its members for a strike vote against American Airlines

APA issued this statement:

APA Approves Strike Authorization Vote

This week, your Board of Directors reaffirmed a recent message from President CA Ed Sicher and Vice President CA Chris Torres: Our Patience is Finite; Our Resolve is Not. The Board of Directors unanimously voted to employ the full resources of the Allied Pilots Association to open a strike center and conduct a membership strike authorization vote.

While our Negotiating Committee reports good progress, we remain steadfast and focused that now is the time to reach an agreement with American Airlines. Management must understand that they need to demonstrate the same level of commitment to bargaining that other airline management teams have shown in recent months. APA must also ensure it utilizes all its legal processes for contract resolution and improvement.

To that end, APA will immediately establish a strike center, and will conduct a strike authorization vote in April. The strike authorization vote will be concluded on April 30.

We are cautiously optimistic of management’s commitments and presence at the table. APA remains committed to reach an agreement with American Airlines management in the near term, but every APA pilot understands actions speak louder than words and we must prepare for any eventuality.              

These next few weeks are critical. We know that all members of the Allied Pilots Association will be closely watching how negotiations progress. We are unified. We know you are too. Stay informed. Stay engaged.

airBaltic unveils its 40th Airbus A220-300 aircraft in Latvian flag livery

airBaltic in a special event together with the aircraft manufacturer Airbus unveiled its 40th A220-300 aircraft in a livery of the Latvian flag colours, honoring the great, long-standing collaboration ties between Latvia and Canada.

YL-ABN

airBaltic’s 40th A220-300 aircraft, registered as YL-ABN, is planned to join the airline’s fleet in early April 2023 with a special event also held in Riga, Latvia, to celebrate this milestone. This will be the second A220-300 in the airline’s fleet with a special Latvian flag livery.

YL-ABN

Thus far, airBaltic has carried nearly 11 000 000 passengers on the Airbus A220-300 aircraft. Airbus A220-300s of the airline have completed more than 126 000 flights and flown over 275 000 block hours.

Since May 2020, airBaltic operates all its flights with a single aircraft type – Airbus A220-300 – thus minimizing the complexity and benefiting from the additional efficiency provided by the aircraft.

WestJet Group provides update about Sunwing transaction, Canadian Government finds the acquisition is in the public interest

Sunwing Airlines Boeing 737-86J SSWL C-FWGH (msn 37752) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 959330.

The WestJet Group issued a statement following the Government of Canada’s issuance of an order finding that the proposed acquisition of Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines is in the public interest, taking into account certain measures.

“We are pleased that the regulatory review of the transaction is now complete,” said Angela Avery, WestJet Group Executive Vice-President and Chief People, Corporate & Sustainability Officer. “We thank the Minister of Transport and the Commissioner of Competition, and the staff of Transport Canada, the Competition Bureau, and the Canadian Transportation Agency, for their efforts to review the transaction.”

The issuance of the order is an important milestone in the process toward closing the transaction.

Top Copyright Photo: Sunwing Airlines Boeing 737-86J SSWL C-FWGH (msn 37752) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 959330.

Sunwing Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Sunwing Airlines aircraft photo gallery

Meanwhile at WestJet:

Aer Lingus Regional to commence new services to Liverpool and the Northwest of France to Brest, Brittany, from Dublin

Emerald Airlines, exclusive operator of Aer Lingus Regional services is soon to be commencing a year-round service from Dublin to Liverpool and a Summer service to Brest, Brittany (France).

With more flights and more choice for the travelling public, the airline is progressively bolstering its 2023 schedule, with over 2.5 million seats on sale, across 30 routes and 20 destinations in Ireland, UK, and Channel Islands.

NEW ROUTES

Dublin-Liverpool

Commencing 27th April, the Dublin-Liverpool service will operate 11 times per week with a double daily service Monday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday.

For the football fanatics or those looking for a weekend away, the new Dublin-Liverpool service will provide those planning a trip with more choice and convenient flight times to suit their schedule. 

Dublin-Brest, Brittany 

Commencing 20th May, the Dublin-Brest service will operate twice weekly throughout the  Summer 

The Summer Seasonal Service to Brest, Brittany, is perfect for those looking for a relaxing trip away to one of the most peaceful regions in the Northwest of France.

For great value fares, book your flights now at www.aerlingus.com  

Frequency of new routes

Dublin – Liverpool

FromToDep. TimeDays of OperationStart Date
LiverpoolDublin13:15Daily27 April 23
LiverpoolDublin15:55M–TF-Su 
DublinLiverpool11:15Daily27 April 23
DublinLiverpool14:30M–TF-Su 

Dublin-Brest, Brittany (France)

FromTo Days of OperationStart Date
DublinBrest, Brittany –T–Sa-20 May 23
Brest, BrittanyDublin –T–Sa-20 May 23

Routes operated by Emerald Airlines under Aer Lingus Regional in Summer 2023 —

From Belfast CityFrom DublinFrom Cork
BirminghamAberdeenBristol *NEW*
CardiffBirmingham 
EdinburghBristol 
East Midlands *NEW*Donegal 
ExeterEdinburgh 
GlasgowExeter 
Isle of Man *NEW*Glasgow 
Jersey *NEW*Isle of Man 
Leeds BradfordJersey 
ManchesterLeeds Bradford 
Newcastle *NEW*Liverpool *NEW* 
Newquay *NEW*Manchester 
SouthamptonNewcastle 
 Newquay 
 Southampton 

PLAY Airlines is coming to Glasgow

PLAY Airlines Airbus A321-251N WL TF-PLB (msn 7945) STN (Antony J. Best). Image: 959313.

PLAY Airlines has launched ticket sales for flights from Iceland and the U.S. to Glasgow International Airport in Scotland.

The airline’s inaugural flight to Glasgow from Keflavik will take off on Friday, May 26, 2023.

Glasgow

With flights scheduled four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, Glasgow will now be fully connected to PLAY’s North American routes.  

PLAY currently operates flights to Boston, Washington DC, Baltimore, and New York in the United States, as well as Toronto in Canada. Passengers can enjoy a comfortable journey on Airbus A320neo with 180 seats, and this summer, PLAY’s fleet will consist of 10 Airbus A320/321neo, with an average age of approximately 2.5 years. 

Top Copyright Photo: PLAY Airlines Airbus A321-251N WL TF-PLB (msn 7945) STN (Antony J. Best). Image: 959313.

PLAY Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Play Airlines aircraft photo gallery

Hi Fly welcomes one more Airbus A330-200 to its fleet

Hi Fly Airlines announces the addition of one more Airbus A330-200s to its fleet.

Registered 9H-HFG, the aircraft seats 268 passengers in a three class configuration – 18 high comfort business class seats with flat beds, 36 Premium Economy with extra space and 214 Economy.

Business Class offers a flat-bed that fully extends, designed to optimize comfort and living space for long flight durations. The ergonomic lie flat bed is positioned in a herringbone layout to provide a great sense of individual space and privacy while allowing easy access to the aisle. With relaxing colours and a welcoming atmosphere, the seating system offers each passenger a deluxe suite while maintaining a spacious cabin layout, with a 18-inch video monitor.

Economy Class (Premium with extra legroom and standard) is fitted with 8-abreast configuration seats, all with extra personal space and generous legroom for travelling comfort. Each seat is fitted with individual screen, USB charging ports, and access to shared PC power outlet.

Southwest extends its schedule through November 4, adds new routes from Kansas City, Long Beach and Denver

Retro salute: Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 N872CB (msn 67780) (Colleen Barrett) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960135.

Southwest Airlines is preparing for October travel by extending its flight schedule through November 4, 2023.

Kansas City Travelers Have More International Options
On the heels of Kansas City, Mo., opening its new state-of-the-art terminal last week, Southwest® is boosting its international offering with the addition of two nonstop routes.

Effective Oct. 7, 2023, Southwest will offer seasonal service on Saturdays between:
Kansas City, Mo. and Montego Bay, Jamaica*
Kansas City, Mo. and Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos*
*Subject to government approval 

Both new routes complement the carrier’s existing service between Kansas City and Cancun which seasonally adjusts to daily service beginning Oct. 5, 2023.

Long Beach Sees Southwest Growing to the Northwest
Southwest continues bringing more service to its Long Beach, Calif., Customers. Today, the airline added two new destinations for Southern California travelers linking them to the Pacific Northwest. 

Effective Oct. 7, 2023 Southwest will offer the nonstop service on Saturdays and Sundays between:
Long Beach, Calif. and Boise, Idaho
Long Beach, Calif. and Portland, Ore.

The airline is also celebrating today’s start of daily nonstop service between Long Beach and Kansas City, and will soon inaugurate service between previously announced routes including:

Beginning DateTravel between
Long Beach and		Frequency 
July 11, 2023Colorado Springs, Colo.El Paso, Texas Daily Daily 
July 15, 2023Orlando, Fla.Saturdays 
Sept. 5, 2023Albuquerque, N.M. Daily 
Previously announced service

More Flights Landing in Denver
Southwest is bringing more flights to Denver. Already its busiest airport operation, the carrier will grow even more with seven additional flights in October, offering up to 310 departures a day beginning on Oct. 5, 2023. As Southwest looks ahead to the fall, it’s also preparing to begin nonstop service on Saturdays between Denver and San Jose, Costa Rica, which launches this weekend.

Top Copyright Photo: Retro salute: Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 N872CB (msn 67780) (Colleen Barrett) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960135.

Southwest aircraft photo gallery:

Alaska Airlines partners with Punky Aloha Studio on a new Hawaiʻi-themed airplane

In celebration of more than 15 years of service in the Hawaiian Islands, Alaska Airlines is partnering with Hawaiʻi-based illustrator, Shar Tuiʻasoa of Punky Aloha Studio to design our second special-edition painted aircraft in honor of the Aloha State. The artwork for the new aircraft will reflect Hawaiʻi’s Pledge To Our Keiki and will be revealed later this year.

Tuiʻasoa is an acclaimed illustrator and author known for her bold, colorful, and strikingly modern graphic style that showcases Polynesian heritage. Punky Aloha Studio is Tui’asoa’s illustration studio where she creates illustrations for murals, books, magazines, and product packaging. The Hawai’i-born artist has worked with Amazon, Disney, Target, AT&T, Sephora, The New York Times and many other recognized companies.

“I’m excited to partner with Alaska Airlines to design a powerful message in a unique way to a global audience,” said Tui’asoa. “I’m honored to draw inspiration from our keiki (children) who have pledged their commitment to mālama ‘āina (care for the land) and hope that the end result will motivate others to do the same.”

The desire to work with Tuiʻasoa has been on the minds of employees for a while now, with Alaska’s employee-led Pacific Islander Alliance (one of the company’s 12 Business Resource Groups) having passionately advocated for her work as a skilled artist proudly representing Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islander culture.

“With the recent retirement of our first Hawaiʻi-themed livery, we are thrilled to work with another local artist to honor our connection to the Islands,” said Daniel Chun, Alaska Airlines’ Hawaiʻi director of sales, community, and public relations. “We love Shar’s work, and we share many of the same values and commitment to Hawaiʻi. It’s our goal to not just paint an airplane, but to carry the message about being a mindful traveler and invite our guests to join us in caring for Hawai’i and the many places we live and fly.”

Last year, Alaska partnered with Hawaiʻi non-profit, Kanu Hawaiʻi and signed the Pledge To Our Keiki – an invitation for residents and visitors to give back during their time in the Islands. Students from schools across the state created the Pledge as a commitment to respect and care for the island places they call home so that future generations can continue to enjoy all that Hawai’i has to offer. This week, Alaska joined Kanu Hawai’i, Hawai’i Governor Josh Green, Superintendent of Education Keith Hayashi and other partners in a conference to support the launch of the Pledge To Our Keiki throughout Hawaiʻi’s public schools. 

In 2013, Alaska painted our first Hawaiʻi-themed airplane after hosting a statewide “Paint-the-Plane” contest for local students, in partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education and Hawaiʻi Association of Independent Schools. Dubbed the “Spirit of the Islands,” the unique paint theme depicted Hawaiʻi’s cultural diversity and was designed by a local artist and Honolulu high school junior Aaron Nee. Nee’s design was selected from among more than 2,700 submissions by students across the Hawaiian Islands. After nearly a decade of flying throughout Alaska’sroute network, the Spirit of the Islands was ready for a repaint and the livery was recently retired.

Photos coming soon on our photo library