El Al Israel Airlines will operate the Tel Aviv – Dublin route startin g March 26.
The route will operate three days a week.
Top Copyright Photo: El Al Israel Airlines Boeing 737-8Q8 WL 4X-EKP (msn 30639) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 943807.
El Al aircraft photo gallery:
SAS has entered into new sale and leaseback agreements with Aviation Capital Group (ACG).
Through the new agreements, SAS has secured long-term financing for ten new Airbus A320neo aircraft, scheduled to be delivered through the first quarter of FY2024.
“We continue to make progress with our transformation plan and these new sale and leaseback agreements are an important part of that – securing competitive financing for our renewed fleet of modern and fuel-efficient aircraft. We are pleased to renew our long-term strategic partnership with ACG, one of the world’s leading aircraft financing partners,” said Anko van der Werff, President and CEO, SAS.
Top Copyright Photo: Scandinavian Airlines-SAS Airbus A320-251N WL SE-RUE (msn 10407) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 959819.
SAS aircraft photo gallery:
JetBlue Airways today announced three new routes launching this summer – enabled in part by its Northeast Alliance (NEA) with American Airlines – which will further increase competition and choice for travelers across the Northeast. Seats are out for sale starting today with fares as low as $59(a).
New York City
Enabled by the NEA, JetBlue’s new service between New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) and Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) will deliver a customer-centric alternative for travelers across the busy Northeast Corridor that has historically been dominated by high-fare legacy carriers.
Daily Schedule between New York (JFK) and Washington DC (DCA)
Beginning June 15, 2023
| JFK – DCA Flight #1887 | DCA – JFK Flight #1888 | ||
| 7:00 a.m. – 8:40 a.m. | 6:30 a.m. – 7:55 a.m. | ||
| JFK – DCA Flight #2487 | DCA – JFK Flight #2488 | ||
| 1:15 p.m. – 3:01 p.m. | 2:10 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. | ||
| JFK – DCA Flight #2587 | DCA – JFK Flight #2588 | ||
| 7:15 p.m. – 8:55 p.m. | 5:00 p.m. – 6:48 p.m. |
Westchester County
JetBlue is also launching new summer seasonal service from Westchester County Airport (HPN), further bolstering JetBlue’s leadership position in the Greater New York area and offering customers more choices to popular summer travel destinations.
Daily Schedule between Westchester (HPN) and Martha’s Vineyard (MVY)
Summer Seasonal Beginning May 25, 2023
| HPN – MVY Flight #2666 | MVY – HPN Flight #2665 | ||
| 3:45 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. | 1:50 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
Daily Schedule between Westchester (HPN) and Charleston, S.C. (CHS)
Summer Seasonal Beginning May 25, 2023
| HPN – CHS Flight #2647 | CHS – HPN Flight #2648 | ||
| 11:59 a.m. – 2:14 p.m. | 3:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. |
Top Copyright Photo: JetBlue Airways Airbus A320-232 N806JB (msn 5302) (Barcode) JFK (Fred Freketic). Image: 960154.
JetBlue Airways aircraft photo gallery:
Viva Air (Colombia) and its subsidiary Viva Air Perú suspended their operations on February 27, 2023.
The group blamed the financial situation on the delay on the merger request with Avianca from Aerocivil.
The airline issued this statement:
Viva regretfully announces the suspension of its operation, due to delays in the timely definition of the alliance that would allow its integration with a stronger and
larger airline group. Unfortunately, for now we will not be able to honor travel plans for passengers with current flights with Viva and will inform them promptly of the steps to
follow this decision.
Top Copyright Photo: Viva (Air Colombia) Airbus A320-251N WL HK-5366 (msn 10482) MIA ((Bruce Drum). Image: 105915.
Viva Air (Colombia) aircraft photo gallery:
Lufthansa is expanding its premium First Class offering with the “Suite Plus,” a separate double cabin with ceiling-high walls and an entirely closable door, large table and two wide seats that can be combined into a comfortable double bed if required. With this flying private room, Lufthansa is setting a new standard in comfort and individuality within its most sophisticated travel class.
The First Class Suite’s features are unparalleled anywhere in the world: Guests can warm or cool their nearly one-meter-wide seats in the suite according to their personal needs and connect their own mobile device to the entertainment system. Ample storage space is provided by a suite wardrobe so that travelers can comfortably change and have all their personal belongings at hand.
Service at the highest level also awaits: The crew serves the gourmet menu at a time requested by the guests. The meal can be enjoyed in the private suites at the large First Class table, similar to a restaurant.
The First Class will be introduced in 2024, on the newly delivered Airbus A350s as part of “Lufthansa Allegris,” the airline’s new long-haul product. In the process, the company is improving the overall travel experience for customers in all travel classes: Economy, Premium Economy, Business and First Class. “Allegris” is part of the largest product and service overhaul in the Lufthansa Group’s history, with a total investment of 2.5 billion euros by 2025.
“Every guest has their own understanding of premium, which is why we focus on maximum individuality and exclusivity. The First Class Suite Plus conveys the feeling of privacy and individuality similar to a hotel room – only at an altitude of eleven kilometers,” explained Jens Ritter, CEO Lufthansa Airlines at the launch of the “First Class Suite Plus” on February 28 in Berlin. “The Allegris range promises individuality, exclusivity, and premium service along the entire travel chain.”
For the first time, guests in Lufthansa Business Class can also look forward to their own suite, which offers even more comfort and privacy due to chest-high walls and sliding doors. Here, travelers in the first rows can enjoy extended personal space, a monitor up to 27 inches in size and ample storage. Each suite also offers its own wardrobe and personal minibar. Inside, it is possible to connect the two suites so that business class guests traveling together can enjoy a large degree of privacy.
With “Allegris,” the freedom of choice for Business Class guests has never been greater. Travelers can choose between six additional seat options, depending on whether they want an extra-long bed measuring 2.20 meters, extra space and work area, a seat with a baby bassinet, or simply an exclusive seat directly by the window. A double seat, in which the center console can be retracted to transform it into a reclining surface for two, is alsoavailable.
High seat walls and generous shoulder space provide greater privacy in all options. The seats can be converted into a bed at least two meters long and also offer high-definition screens (4K), generously-sized dining tables, wireless charging, noise-canceling headphones and Bluetooth connectivity. All seats are also equipped with a heating and cooling system, giving business class travelers the flexibility to set their own temperature. For extra comfortable side sleeping, seats also feature a shoulder sink-in, allowing the shoulder to sink into the seat, increasing sleeping comfort for side sleepers. A tablet-sized control unit provides access to all seating, lighting, heating/cooling and entertainment functions. Naturally, each seat is directly accessible from the aisle.
The new Premium Economy Class has already been introduced at SWISS in spring 2022. The “Allegris” seat offers more legroom, a fold-out leg rest, and can be adjusted even further back than the current model. Because it will be integrated into a hard shell, however, adjusting it will have no effect on fellow passengers in the row behind. The table and monitor always remain in position. For more comfort, Premium Economy Class passengers will also receive a travel amenity kit made of sustainable materials.
With the new “Allegris” product generation, Lufthansa is also giving its guests significantly more choice in Economy Class. In the future, travelers will have the option of booking additional seats in the first rows that offer more legroom, or a free seat next to them.
With “Allegris”, more than 80 brand-new Lufthansa aircraft, such as Boeing 787-9s, Airbus A350s and Boeing 777-9s, will fly to destinations around the world. Aircraft already in service with Lufthansa, such as the Boeing 747-8, will also be retrofitted. The simultaneous improvement of the travel experience in all classes and the replacement of more than 27,000 seats are unique in Lufthansa’s history. In this way, the company is underscoring its clear premium and quality claim. By 2025, the Lufthansa Group will invest a total of 2.5 billion euros in product and service.
Simultaneously, the Lufthansa Group is in the midst of the largest fleet modernization in its corporate history. By 2030, more than 200 new short- and long-haul aircraft are to be delivered to the Group’s airlines. This will enable the Lufthansa Group to significantly reduce the average CO2 emissions of its fleet. The ultra-modern “Dreamliner” long-haul aircraft, for example, will consume an average of only about 2.5 liters of kerosene per passenger and 100 kilometers of flight distance— up to 30 percent less than the previous model.
The developers also focused on sustainability aspects in the product development of “Allegris”. Recyclable materials were used for all 27,000 seats, as well as for blankets, cushions and covers.
The Lufthansa Group has set itself ambitious climate protection goals and aims to achieve a neutral CO₂ balance by 2050. Already by 2030, the aviation group wants to halve its net CO₂ emissions, compared to 2019, through reduction and compensation measures. The reduction roadmap to 2030 was validated in 2022 by the independent Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).
JetBlue Airways has announced a partnership with climate tech company CHOOOSE as part of its ongoing focus on sustainability and advancing the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). By visiting https://jetblue.chooose.today, JetBlue customers will now be able to join JetBlue in championing SAF adoption through a dedicated climate platform powered by CHOOOSE. The platform enables customers to estimate the CO2emissions of their flights and then address these emissions by contributing to a fund dedicated to covering the cost premium of SAF as compared to conventional jet fuel.
JetBlue views SAF as the most promising avenue for addressing aviation emissions in a meaningful and rapid way – once cost-effective SAF is made available commercially at scale. Produced from a wide array of renewable sources such as agricultural wastes and used cooking oils—not fossil fuels— SAF is a type of renewable fuel that exists today and drops directly into existing aircraft and infrastructure with no impact to safety or performance. SAF can lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 80% compared to traditional petroleum-based fuels while reducing particle and sulfur pollution.
In 2022, roughly 0.3% of JetBlue’s fuel consumed was SAF. Supporting and growing SAF availability is critical to increasing this volume and reaching the aviation industry’s emissions reduction goals. By contributing toward the purchase of additional SAF through CHOOOSE, JetBlue customers and can now send a critical signal of consumer demand for more sustainable air travel options and help grow the emerging SAF market.
While proven effective, additional support for SAF is still needed to grow the market and encourage the economies of scale necessary to make SAF more widely available and cost competitive with traditional fuel sources. JetBlue continues to do its part, securing immediate as well as future supplies of SAF on its path to convert 10% of the airline’s total fuel to be SAF by 2030. JetBlue has been flying regularly using SAF from its California airports in San Francisco and Los Angeles, partnering with both currently available SAF suppliers in the U.S., Neste and World Energy. To further encourage a vibrant and competitive market, in 2022 alone, JetBlue signed agreements with three additional SAF producers for future supply: Aemetis, AIR COMPANY, and Fidelis New Energy.
Today’s announced partnership with CHOOOSE builds upon the airline’s previously announced JetBlue Sustainable Travel Partners program for JetBlue Corporate Travel customers. JSTP enables organizations to directly and meaningfully reduce their reported carbon footprint through the purchase of JetBlue issued SAF certificates and address their “Scope 3” indirect emissions that exist within the value chain, such as those produced through corporate travel. Since launching the program in 2022, a growing list of sustainability-focused organizations have taken advantage of JetBlue issued SAF certificates to help source over 1.6 million gallons of SAF combined.
Together with CHOOOSE, individual customers will now be able to join JetBlue and these leading sustainability-minded organizations in their call for greater availability of lower carbon solutions within the aviation industry. All customer contributions through https://jetblue.chooose.today/ are used to help cover the difference in cost between SAF and conventional jet fuel — allowing the airline to ‘upgrade’ more conventional jet fuel to SAF and sending a powerful signal that demand for SAF exists.
Air Canada on February 28 issued the following statement in response to reports about the Greater Toronto Airport Authority imposing limits on carrier operations at Toronto-Pearson airport.
Air Canada was first advised of the GTAA’s plans in August 2022, and so it designed its 2023 winter schedule with these limitations taken into account and anticipates no significant changes to its schedule for the March Break travel period. It subsequently received information about GTAA’s plans for summer 2023 and similarly designed this coming summer’s schedule to meet those parameters.
It is Air Canada’s policy to work with its industry partners to meet the requirements of airports and other third parties to drive operational improvements and support the smooth running of Canada’s air transport system. This includes, as in this case, adapting its schedule as required to ensure operational stability, and is a normal process.
EgyptAir is planning to restore the Cairo – New York JFK route on March 26, 2023.
Flight MS 985 operating from Cairo to New York, the take-off will be at 03:20am CLT to arrive at John F. Kennedy international airport at 09:00am EST.
While flight MS 986 scheduled from New York to Cairo will take-off at 12:00pm EST from John F. Kennedy international airport to arrive at Cairo international airport next day at 04:40am CLT.
Meanwhile AerCap has delivered the first Airbus A321neo to EgyptAir.
Top Copyright Photo: EgyptAir Boeing 777-36N ER SU-GDM (msn 38285) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 920353.
EgyptAir aircraft photo gallery:
AerCap Holdings N.V. previously announced it has signed lease agreements for four Boeing 777-300ERSF aircraft with Hong Kong based global air cargo charter company, Fly Meta. The aircraft are scheduled to deliver in 2024 through 2025.
The Boeing 777-300ERSF, also known as ‘The Big Twin’, is the first passenger-to-freighter aircraft conversion program of the Boeing 777-300ER and will be the largest twin-engine freighter when it enters service this year.
AerCap Cargo and Israel Aerospace Industries Group (IAI) launched the 777-300ERSF conversion program in 2019, known as ‘The Big Twin’. Today, AerCap Cargo has a firm order book of 20 Boeing 777-300ERSF aircraft and a further ten options. The first aircraft is expected to deliver in the first half of 2023 to US cargo airline, Kalitta Air.
Norse Atlantic Airways is further expanding at London Gatwick Airport (LGW). The airline is now the #1 airline from Gatwick to the USA.
Seven US destinations:
Top Copyright Photo: Norse Atlantic Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner LN-FNI (msn 63317) LGW (Antony J. Best). Image: 959319.
Norse Atlantic aircraft photo gallery:
Porter Aviation Holdings Inc. (PAHI) is entering a partnership with Montréal Saint-Hubert Airport (YHU) to develop a new terminal capable of serving over 4 million passengers annually. Construction will commence in mid-2023, with a scheduled completion by late 2024, providing a second airport for Porter Airlines (Porter) to serve the Montréal market.
Porter will continue expanding its existing operations at Montréal’s Trudeau Airport (YUL), while also introducing a Canada-wide network at the convenient YHU airport. More than 10 potential YHU routes have been initially identified, spanning from Vancouver in the west to St. John’s, N.L., in the east. The airline also intends to connect YHU with both of its Toronto hubs – Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). This will provide Porter with the most compelling and convenient flight offering between Canada’s two largest cities. Routes will be served with a combination of 78-seat De Havilland Dash 8-400 and 132-seat Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.
The YHU terminal development is modelled after the successful revitalization of Billy Bishop that Porter has been a part of for the last 17 years. After decades of declining passenger service, Porter’s commitment to YTZ was the catalyst for route developments and infrastructure investments that led to the airport serving nearly three million passengers annually, across more than 20 routes and producing $3 billion dollars of annual economic impact. The YHU terminal will provide faster passenger processing, resulting in travel time savings to go along with a comfortable departure lounge environment that Billy Bishop travellers are familiar with. PAHI originally designed and built the modern terminal at YTZ that is in use today.
ZIPAIR Tokyo has announced it will launch flights from Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The Japanese carrier has not announced the launch date.
The new route will be operated with Boeing 787-8 Dramliner aircraft.
SFO will be the third destination in California.
Top Copyright Photo: ZIPAIR Tokyo Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner JA824J (msn 34834) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 959695.
ZIPAIR aircraft photo gallery:
Air Canada announced it has launched digital identification, becoming the first airline in Canada with approval to offer customers the safety and convenience of a new option using facial recognition technology to confirm identification. In a pilot project currently underway, Air Canada’s digital identification is now available for customers departing from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) when boarding select flights to Winnipeg, and for eligible customers entering the Air Canada Café at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Air Canada plans to expand digital identification options to select Canadian airports and Maple Leaf Lounges as part of its pilot project phase.
Air Canada’s digital identification is strictly an optional, consent-based Air Canada program. It is not related to any government-sponsored program like NEXUS, Global Entry or US CBP Mobile Passport Control (MPC).
Frontier Airlines on February 25 launched seasonal nonstop service from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ).
With the new service, Frontier serves a total of 12 nonstop destinations from MDW.
Service from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW):
| SERVICE TO: | SERVICE START: | SERVICE FREQUENCY: | INTRO FARE: |
| Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) | Feb. 25, 2023 | 1x/week | $159* |
Frequency and times are subject to change.
Top Copyright Photo: Frontier Airlines (2nd) Airbus A321-251NX WL N604FR (msn 11086) (America’s Green Airline) BWI (Tony Storck). Image: 960049.
Frontier Airlines aircraft photo gallery:
interCaribbean Airways has announced all new nonstop services from St Kitts to Barbados. These flights will connect with services to Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Georgetown, Guyana.
Service from the Barbados Grantly Adams International Airport is scheduled to commence on Sunday, March 12, 2023. An Embraer EMB-120 aircraft with a seating capacity of 30 seats will service St. Kitts from Barbados three times weekly on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.
Route Map:
HK Express (Hong Kong Express) will soon take delivery of a new Airbus A321neo (B-KKA).
The new addition is painted in the new purple and while livery featuring a new “e” logo.
The new brand was formally announced previously on January 11, 2023 with this announcement:
Hong Kong’s low-cost carrier HK Express has announced the launch of its new corporate identity and brand positioning, “Gotta Go”, together with a series of refreshed brand assets across its website, mobile apps, key visuals, uniforms, and aircraft livery. Jeffrey Ngai, the popular actor and singer, participated in the launch event to witness this defining moment for HK Express.
Committing to returning operations to pre-pandemic levels by the end of the first quarter of 2023 with more than 400 flights per week, HK Express sees this as an optimal moment to rebrand as consumers in Asia seize the opportunity to travel again. With a forward-looking brand identity, the new brand positioning, “Gotta Go”, aims to encourage spontaneity and invoke a new, free-spirited travel attitude, appealing to our target customer who is bold, dynamic and lives in the moment.
“Three years have passed since the start of the pandemic. Just as travellers have gained new perspectives on travel, so has HK Express. Our refreshed brand concept reflects our zest for adventure and readiness to help like-minded travellers to explore the world on their own terms,” said HK Express CEO Mandy Ng. “I’m equally proud to see HK Express leading the way in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive workplace through the launch of our new uniforms. I can’t wait to see how these bold new uniforms empower our team to delight our customers on the ground and in the skies.”
Across all marketing channels, the airline’s revamped visual identity enhances communication through direct and simple designs. For instance, simple icons and graphics are used. Overall brand identity is expressed with a new logo, composed of a journey symbol and updated wordmark. The symbol, which looks like a small letter “e” in bespoke shades of purple, symbolises the start of a journey. It ends with a new Cyan, representing the freshness and novelty of the personalised journeys and experiences HK Express brings to each customer. Like the simple excitement of seeing a notification pop up, there’s always something new for customers to look forward to, even if they’re flying back to familiar places.
Together with its new logo, brand positioning and key visuals, HK Express is introducing a new set of cabin crew uniforms which embodies the brand’s dynamism, spontaneity and diversity. Designed by Hong Kong’s leading sustainable fashion designer, Mountain Yam, the new uniforms include an option with trousers for female cabin crew, together with a mix and match of different apparel for all cabin crew based on their personality. Dress shoes have also been replaced with sneakers – a symbolic shift from conventional rigidness to self-expression and creativity. Other design breakthroughs include upcycled materials from previous uniforms, while leftover fabrics will be used to create upcycled teddy bears, bringing new life to old uniforms.
Mountain’s collaboration with HK Express is the result of a shared vision for a more sustainable tomorrow: “I wanted to break the cliches and stereotypes of classic airline uniforms, and infuse innovation into the new uniform collection. Given the unique positioning and service offering of HK Express, this series of smart casual clothing with options for cabin crew to express their unique personality reflects Hong Kong’s renewed vibrancy and optimism.”
The revamped campaign also extends to new aircraft livery, featuring the iconic shades of purple and white, and embellished with the new Cyan. The “e” shaped journey symbol on winglets, vertical stabilizer and the bottom of the fuselage evokes the start of a pleasant journey with HK Express.
The new aircraft livery, which will be gradually rolled out across the airline’s fleet, will debut with the delivery of HK Express’ first Airbus A321neo aircraft in the first half of 2023.
Photo caption: HK Express CEO Mandy Ng and Jeffrey Ngai with the new HK Express logo
Photo caption: The Asia-inspired and minimalist uniforms reflect HK Express’ dynamism, confidence and casual energy
Photo caption: The new aircraft livery embodies HK Express’ new corporate identity
HK Express aircraft photo gallery:
American Airlines will launch daily nonstop seasonal flights from its Charlotte hub to Orange County strating on July 5, 2023.
Top Copyright Photo: American Airlines Airbus A321-253NX WL N436AN (msn 10564) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 105912.
American Airlines aircraft photo gallery:
Iraqi Airways took delivery of it first Boeing 737-8 MAX on February 24, 2023 when the pictured YI-ASL was handed over by Boeing at Boeing Field in Seattle.
Top Copyright Photo: Iraqi Airways Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 YI-ASL (msn 65405) BFI (Nick Dean). Image: 960144.
Iraqi Airways aircraft photo gallery:
Frontier Airlineson February 24 launched seasonal nonstop service from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ).
Frontier is the only carrier offering nonstop service from DEN to Jamaica. With the new service, Frontier serves a total of 67 nonstop destinations from DEN.
Service from Denver International Airport (DEN):
| SERVICE TO: | SERVICE START: | SERVICE FREQUENCY: | INTRO FARE: |
| Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) | Feb. 24, 2023 | 3x/week | $179* |
Frequency and times are subject to change.
Top Copyright Photo: Frontier Airlines (2nd) Airbus A321-211 WL N715FR (msn 7313) (Cactus, the Coyote) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 105911.
Frontier Airlines aircraft photo gallery:
JetBlue Airways has announced the start of its new service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Tallahassee International Airport (TLH) will begin on January 4, 2024.
Schedule between Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Tallahassee (TLH)
Daily service starting January 4, 2024
| FLL-TLH Flight #2396 | TLH-FLL Flight #2397 | ||
| 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | 9:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. |
Top Copyright Photo: JetBlue Airways Airbus A220-300 (CS300 BD-500-1A11) N3077J (msn 55124) (Hops) BNA (Jay Selman). Image: 404261.
JetBlue Airways aircraft photo gallery: