Icelandair Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 TF-ICE (msn 44353) SEA (Joe G. Walker). Image: 956836.
Icelandair has added summer seasonal flights to Detroit. The first flight from Keflavik (KEF) to Detroit (DTW) was operated on May 18.
The service will be operated four days a week until late October.
Detroit Metro Airport issued this statement and photos:
Icelandair on May 18 officially launched nonstop, seasonal service from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Reykjavík, Iceland. Flight 872 is scheduled to depart the Motor City for Keflavík International Airport (KEF) four times a week at 8:30pm with arrival in Iceland the following morning at 6:30am.
Return flight 873 will depart Iceland bound for Michigan at 4:55pm, arriving the same day at Detroit Metropolitan Airport at 7:20pm. Flights operate through October 30, 2023 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays utilizing a 160-seat Boeing 737 MAX.
The flight time from DTW to Iceland is approximately six hours, with connections available at Icelandair’s Keflavík hub to more than 25 destinations in Iceland, Greenland, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and Continental Europe. Icelandair passengers can also take a Stopover in Iceland for up to 7 nights at no additional airfare, en route to their final destination.
Top Copyright Photo: Icelandair Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 TF-ICE (msn 44353) SEA (Joe G. Walker). Image: 956836.
Avelo Airlines Boeing 737-752 WL N7834A (msn 33789) BUR (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960380.
Houston-based Avelo Airlines on May 17 from Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport (BRO) with nonstop service to Hollywood/Burbank and Orlando. Avelo is the only airline in South Texas offering nonstop service to both destinations.
Avelo serves Orlando’s most convenient airport, Orlando International Airport (MCO), and L.A.’s best airport, Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR).
These routes operate twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Avelo now serves 44 destinations spanning 24 states.
Top Copyright Photo: Avelo Airlines Boeing 737-752 WL N7834A (msn 33789) BUR (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960380.
Flair Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-FLKI (msn 64944) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960542.
Flair Airlines has announced it has added extra flights between Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton beginning the holiday weekend.
The airline hopes to help Canadians impacted by the WestJet pilots’ strike embark on their planned travels with minimal disruption.
The first of the additional flights depart May 19, 2023. The airline is creating contingency plans to service more destinations with flight frequencies should the WestJet pilots’ strike continue for an extended period.
Flair Airlines saw an increase in flight bookings since news of the WestJet pilots’ strike was first reported in the news media and began preparing contingency plans before the strike announcement. The airlines’ flights are increasingly full, with load factors in April 2023 reaching 90.3%. In addition, the airline reported on-time performance of 74.1%, among the highest in Canada.
One-way fares, including taxes and fees, for these special flights begin at $99. There are limited seats and availability for the fares. The flights include additional frequencies between Calgary and Vancouver, as well as an additional flight between Edmonton and Vancouver.
Top Copyright Photo: Flair Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-FLKI (msn 64944) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960542.
Jet2holidays (Jet2) Boeing 737-85P WL G-DRTA (msn 33972) (Package holidays you can trust) SZG (Gunter Mayer). Image: 960373.
Jet2 will operate 54 weekly flights to 20 destinations from Liverpool, including destinations in Spain, Greece and Turkey, with flights starting in March 2024.
The new routes includes seven routes exclusive to Jet2holidays: Bourgas (Bulgaria), Gran Canaria, Madeira, Menorca, Paphos (Cyprus), Rhodes and Zante.
Top Copyright Photo: Jet2holidays (Jet2) Boeing 737-85P WL G-DRTA (msn 33972) (Package holidays you can trust) SZG (Gunter Mayer). Image: 960373.
United Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 N37549 (msn 64475) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 960503.
United Airlines is joining other U.S. carriers coming under pressure to match or exceed the landmark contract that Delta Air Lines signed with its pilots.
United’s pilots are demanding a new contract that would exceed the Delta contract.
WestJet Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-FNWD (msn 60517) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 960499.
WestJet on May 11 celebrated the announcement of its nonstop transborder service between Winnipeg and Atlanta. The new route will commence on September 6, 2023, operating five times weekly, on a year-round basis. The new route which will unlock direct connectivity between Manitoba to the southeast United States and beyond while furthering the airline’s commitment to boosting economic growth by significantly strengthening the province’s air access.
Route
Start Date
Frequency
Departure
Arrival
Winnipeg – Atlanta
September 6, 2023
5x weekly
9:00 a.m.
13:09 a.m.
Atlanta – Winnipeg
September 6, 2023
5x weekly
14:00 p.m.
16:20 p.m.
Delta codeshare partnership
Guests travelling beyond Atlanta will have access to a broad network and benefits through WestJet’s strong relationship with Delta Air Lines. This includes codeshare flights to over 50 connecting destinations now accessible with only one stop from Winnipeg, the ability to earn and redeem WestJet Rewards on both airlines and top tier frequent flyer benefits through the entire journey.
WestJet guests have access to Delta’s broad network on a single purchased ticket with check-in for all flights at the first departure, baggage tagged to their final destination and lounge access for select guests.
WestJet’s service announcement between Winnipeg and Atlanta comes less than a year after the airline announced direct service between Manitoba’s capital and Los Angeles. Since beginning service between Winnipeg to Los Angeles in October 2022, WestJet has seen consistently strong demand for transborder travel.
Top Copyright Photo: WestJet Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-FNWD (msn 60517) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 960499.
Alaska Airlines’ Boeing 737-890 N559AS was previously painted in the famous and previously well known “Wild Alaska Seafood – Salmon-Thirty-Salmon 2” special livery.
That livery, as previously reported, was retired by the airline. After being repainted at Amarillo, N559AS was ferried to Anchorage. N559AS now wears this stunning “Salmon People” special livery.
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 N973AK (msn 43346) BUR (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960473.
Alaska Airlines issued this statement:
Alaska Airlines applauds Washington state Governor Jay Inslee, and bill sponsor, State Senator Andy Billig, for the signing of new legislation to help drive growth in the market for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in Washington state.
Investing in SAF has multilayered benefits, including the creation of family wage manufacturing jobs. Using SAF is also the most significant way we can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of aviation over the next several decades. This legislation will help ensure that SAF is more available at a cost and scale that enables its use and continues to position Washington State as a leader on climate action.
This is a step in the right direction, and we look forward to working with public and private partners to realize its full potential.
Top Copyright Photo: Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 N973AK (msn 43346) BUR (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960473.
Turkish Airlines has launched flights to Krakow, one of Poland’s historic cities, as its second destination in the country after Warsaw. The new city destination will offer GCC travellers more choice when travelling to Poland as well as give them an option of exploring Istanbul as well.
The flag carrier brand will operate Krakow flights with narrow-body aircraft three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, on a reciprocal basis.
As the airline flying to the more countries than any other in the world, Turkish Airlines increases the number of its destinations to 343 with Krakow, offering its guests unlimited connection possibilities while continuing to carry its quality and service to all corners of the world.
Flight Schedule:
Flight No
Day
Departure
Arrival
TK1271
Wednesday – Friday
İSTANBUL
07.20
08.30
KRAKOW
TK1272
Wednesday – Friday
KRAKOW
09.20
12.35
İSTANBUL
TK1273
Monday
KRAKOW
18.20
19.30
KRAKOW
TK1274
Monday
KRAKOW
20.20
23.35
İSTANBUL
Top Copyright Photo: Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-8F2 WL TC-JHM (msn 40980) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 958104.
Ryanair has confirmed that over 600,000 passengers have signed its “Protect Passengers: Keep EU Skies Open” petition calling on the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take immediate action to protect European citizen’s Freedom of Movement and overflights during French ATC strikes.
When Ryanair’s petition reaches 1 million signatures, the airline will submit it to the EU Commission and demand that President Ursula von der Leyen finally takes action to protect EU citizen’s Freedom of Movement when French ATC repeatedly strike.
Despite only launching just 5 weeks ago, Ryanair has already collected over 600,000 signatures from passengers who are sick and tired of having their travel plans cancelled at short notice due to French ATC strikes, and all because the EU Commission has failed to protect their right to the Freedom of Movement. EU citizens now understand that their travel plans are being disrupted unnecessarily by French ATC unions and are demanding action from the EU Commission.
In the first 4 months of 2023, there have been over 50 days of French ATC strikes (10 times more than all of 2022) which have forced Ryanair to cancel over 3,700 flights, cancelling over 666,000 passengers’ flights at short notice. France uses Minimum Service Legislation to protect French domestic flights, while EU overflights from Germany, Spain, Italy, the UK and Ireland are disproportionately cancelled. This is unfair and must change. Italy and Greece already protect overflights during ATC strikes and the EU Commission must now insist that France does likewise.
A Ryanair spokesperson said:
“We are overwhelmed by the support for our Protect Passengers: Keep EU Skies Openpetition withover 600,000 signatures already from passengers calling on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take immediate action to protect their Freedom of Movement and overflights by keeping EU skies open during repeated French ATC strikes. We are rapidly approaching the 1 million signatures we need to force the EU Commission to take action to protect overflights and EU citizens’ Freedom of Movement.
French ATC strikes are the No.1 risk to EU citizens’ travel plans this Summer and passengers are really starting to understand that the EU Commission is doing nothing to mitigate that risk and protect their Freedom of Movement. EU citizens are now signing our petition to demand action from the EU Commission to protect them and their family’s travel plans this Summer. The EU’s Single Market for air travel should not be repeatedly disrupted by tiny French ATC unions because the EU Commission fails to take action. It’s time to protect overflights during French ATC strikes as Italy and Greece already do. If French ATC unions insist to strike (as is their right) then cancel French flights and protect overflights.”
Top Copyright Photo: Ryanair Boeing 737-8AS WL EI-DWB (msn 36075) PMI (Ton Jochems). Image: 960450.
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-890 SSWL N559AS (msn 35178) “Salmon-Thirty-Salmon” (Wild Alaska Seafood) SNA (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960422.
Alaska Airlines is retiring its special “SalmonThirtySalmon II” livery on the pictured Boeing 737-890 N559AS. The special livery is in support of Wild Alaska Seafood.
N559AS was the second AS aircraft to wear this iconic livery. Boeing 737-490 N792AS was the first. N559AS replaced N792AS when it was retired.
Sporting an image of a wild 129 foot long Alaska king salmon, the aircraft’s livery also features fish scales on the winglets and a salmon-pink colored “Alaska” script across the fuselage. The 2012 design is among the world’s most intricately painted commercial airplanes and was produced in partnership with Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, which promotes wild, natural and sustainable Alaska seafood.
Top Copyright Photo: Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-890 SSWL N559AS (msn 35178) “Salmon-Thirty-Salmon” (Wild Alaska Seafood) SNA (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960422.
Southwest Airlines celebrated 25 years of its bridge-building Adopt-A-Pilot® Program by unveiling an aircraft (737-7H4 N400WN, msn 27891) adorned with a nose decal and fuselage artwork dedicated to nearly 14,000 Pilots and half-million students that participated in the award-winning Program.
In a quarter century, Adopt-A-Pilot has impacted the lives of more than 556,000 fifth-grade students in classrooms across the country.
The aircraft (N400WN), unveiled at a celebration at the Southwest Airlines® Maintenance Hangar in Dallas, brought together fifth-grade students enrolled at a local elementary school who have “adopted” a Pilot, along with current and past participants of the Adopt-A-Pilot Program.
Southwest Airlines Pilots attend Adopt-A-Pilot 25th Anniversary celebration in Dallas.
Adopt-A-Pilot, which began in 1997, brings Southwest® Pilots into classrooms to engage students in interactive, aviation-related lessons that help define future successes, and sparks interest in aviation careers. Each school year, students in more than 1,500 classrooms across the country “adopt” Southwest Pilots who mentor students in the fifth-grade. As part of the award-winning Adopt-A-Pilot Program, students research careers and develop life skills, while Pilots underscore the importance of staying in school. The Adopt-A-Pilot curriculum is a supplementary way to educate students through aviation-themed activities related to science, geography, math, writing, and other core subjects.
N400WN
Southwest is committed to bringing America’s future leaders unique learning opportunities by committing resources and time to inspire students and help them define, articulate, and plan for future success. Students who were in classrooms which adopted Southwest Pilots have gone on to pursue careers in aviation, including:
Southwest First Officer Joe, who joined the Southwest Family in 2022. His fifth-grade classroom adopted a Southwest Pilot and completed the Adopt-A-Pilot curriculum in 2009.
Southwest Destination 225° Program Cadet Jett. His longtime Adopt-A-Pilot mentor of more than ten years, Captain Nancy, inspired him to pursue aviation.
High school students, Josh and Philip. They are continuing their mentorship with Southwest Pilots Wendy and Nancy to pursue pathways into professional pilot careers.
Fifth-grade students attend Adopt-A-Pilot 25th Anniversary celebration in Dallas.
Continuing its commitment to bring resources to support education and student development, Southwest announced a $10,000 donation to Ethridge Elementary School in The Colony, Texas. The school intends to use the funds to procure necessary supplies and equipment for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Fifth-grade students at Ethridge Elementary School adopted a Southwest Pilot for the 2022-2023 school year and attended the unveiling event.
American Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 N313SB (msn 44469) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 105922.
American Airlines has announced it will temporarily cut some New York area flights this summer, joining other carriers.
American is reducing the frequency of flights between LaGuardia Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Kansas City and St. Louis and the Newark-Chicago O’Hare route accordin g to Reuters.
This follows the FAA’s decision to temporarily return 10% of slots at New York LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport as a result of air traffic controller shortages. The U.S. carriers agreed to the cuts provided they did not backfill the slots.
In other news, according to Reuters, the Allied Pilots Association (APA) is near to reaching a new contract agreement with the company.
Top Copyright Photo: American Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 N313SB (msn 44469) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 105922.
American Airlines aircraft photo gallery (Boeing):
Qatar Airways Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 A7-BSC (msn 43329) PAE (Brian Worthington). Image: 960386.
Qatar Airways has decided to take over the pending leases from Air Lease Corportation (ALC) and AerCap for seven new Boeing 737-8 MAX 8s that were previously destined for S7 Airlines.
Qatar Airways becomes a new operator of the type.
Qatar Airways is expanding its short-haul operations.
In addition, in July 2022 Qatar and Boeing finalized an order for 25 737-10 MAX 10 airplanes.
S7 Airlines was unable to take delivery of the new airliners due to sanctions against Russian carriers due to the illegal invasion by Russia of Ukraine.
The first aircraft has been painted in Portland, OR and is now pending delivery to Qatar Airways.
Top Copyright Photo: Qatar Airways Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 A7-BSC (msn 43329) PAE (Brian Worthington). Image: 960386.
Sun Country Airlines has announced it will acquire five Boeing 737-900ERs that will expand its passenger fleet in late 2024 and 2025.
Under terms of the deal, Sun Country will acquire current leases for the five aircraft which will remain on lease to Oman Air until the leases begin to expire in late 2024 and through 2025.
Sun Country will take delivery of one aircraft in late 2024 and the other four throughout 2025.
Purchasing the aircraft under their existing leases is advantageous to Sun Country for several reasons:
This transaction demonstrates Sun Country’s ability to opportunistically acquire aircraft in a tight market at favorable economic terms while providing fleet growth certainty through 2025.
Acquiring five aircraft of the same variant guarantees sufficient scale to be efficient in Sun Country’s existing fleet of 737-800s.
The 737-900ER has more seat capacity than 737-800s and can fly a longer range.
Sun Country will deploy capital to acquire the aircraft today while receiving lease revenue though 2025.
Finally, used aircraft induction lead times have been challenged by supply chain constraints and engineering support. This transaction allows Sun Country to minimize the transition time of modifying the aircraft and induction into revenue service.
The acquisition will be financed through a credit facility with MUFG Union Bank.
WestJet Cargo and the GTA Group announced a long-term partnership that will support the expansion and growth of domestic cargo opportunities for both businesses. Beginning in 2022, WestJet Cargo is partnering with the GTA Group to increase shipping capacity using four dedicated Boeing 737-800NG freighters operated by WestJet, to fulfill overnight express cargo service out of WestJet’s Toronto hub.
WestJet’s 737-800NG narrow body aircraft is perfectly suited to serve the overnight express freight community offering increased flexibility and frequency. Quick to fill and fly, with among the best fuel efficiency in the cargo category, these freighters will provide the partnership a competitive cost advantage. In addition to dedicated freighters, WestJet Cargo will further support the GTA Group’s service through WestJet’s existing cargo business in the bellies of its commercial fleet.
Founded in 2001 and based out of Toronto, Ontario, the GTA Group of companies offers a diverse array of aviation related services ranging from ground service equipment maintenance, rental and sales to ground and cargo handling, ecommerce and cargo sales.
WestJet Cargo on March 20, 2023 announced that it has received Transport Canada’s approval and official certification of its four 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF). Following certification, WestJet Cargo and the GTA Group will expeditiously implement three freighters into service, as dedicated aircraft that will fulfill the large-scale needs of businesses, freight forwarders, shippers and individual customers across North America. The fourth of WestJet Cargo’s dedicated freighters is expected to join the accompanying fleet later this year, following the completion of its conversion.
Top Copyright Photo: WestJet Cargo (WestJet Airlines) Boeing 737-804 (F) WL C-FTWJ (msn 32904) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 960375.
Jet2 on July 21, 2023 will start a new route linking London (Stansted) to Burgas, Bulgaria.
The new route will operate two days a week.
The Burgas Airport principally serves Burgas and other seaside resorts of the Bulgarian south coast which attract many tourists during the summer season.
Top Copyright Photo: Jet2-Jet2.com Boeing 737-800 WL G-JZHR (msn 63148) (Friendly Low Fares) SZG (Gunter Mayer). Image: 960366.
Virgin Australia Airlines Boeing 737-8FE WL VH-BZG (msn 37822) BNE (Ton Jochems). Image: 945036.
Virgin Australia Airlines on March 31 resumed services between Australia and Vanuatu, further expanding the airline’s connectivity to the Pacific Islands.
Virgin Australia’s highly anticipated return to the Pacific Island nation is the latest step in rebuilding its short-haul international network and comes after services to Samoa and a brand-new Gold Coast-Bali route took off this month. New short haul international services will see Virgin Australia grow its international capacity by 50 per cent from FY23 to FY24.
Direct services from Brisbane to Port Vila operate on the airline’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft up to five times a week in peak periods, and up to three times weekly in off peaks.
Top Copyright Photo: Virgin Australia Airlines Boeing 737-8FE WL VH-BZG (msn 37822) BNE (Ton Jochems). Image: 945036.
