United Airlines has released its first Airbus A319 with its new signature interior.
The upgrade features:
Bigger overhead bins with room for everyone’s carry-on
Bluetooth connectivity
Screens and power at every seat
Updated United First seats
Top Copyright Photo: United Airlines Airbus A319-132 N878UA (msn 2371) YYC (Chris Sands). Image: 959520.
United Airlines aircraft photo gallery (Airbus):
In April, American Airlines partnered with the USO and other organizations to take 19 military service members and their families on a trip to Walt Disney World as part of the Salute to the Troops event. These families — all impacted by cancer — had the chance to escape their worries back home and make unforgettable memories together.
American chartered an Airbus A319 aircraft from Washington, D.C. (DCA) to Orlando, Florida (MCO), and planned a special inflight experience and hero’s welcome for the participants. The airline participates in events like Salute to the Troops year-round that have benefited hundreds of wounded and ill military service members and their families.
This year, the event took on special meaning for one of our team members when an American Airlines pilot who is also an Army Reserve Officer had the opportunity to attend with his family. First Officer Michael Huber’s wife is battling cancer and the trip provided much-needed fun and relaxation for the Huber family.
In honor of Military Appreciation Month in May, we salute the country’s military service members — past and present — including the 8,500 American Airlines team members who are veterans or currently serving in the National Guard or Reserves. The airline has a long history of honoring our nation’s heroes, and that work continues through programs and partnerships led by our Military and Veterans Initiatives program.
Video:
Top Copyright Photo: American Airlines Airbus A319-112 N723UW (msn 1109) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 105925.
American Airlines aircraft photo gallery (Airbus):
Niceair issued this statement:
Niceair’s board and management regret having to cancel all flights from April 6, 2023.
This is done in light of the fact that the company’s foreign air operator, HiFly, has lost one of the company’s aircraft due to HiFly’s non-payment with the owner of the aircraft.
This makes it impossible for Niceair to meet its obligations to air passengers.
Niceair was operating from Akureyri, Iceland to Alicante, Copenhagen and Tenerife. Dusseldorf was due to start on May 6, 2023.
Top Copyright Photo: Niceair – North Iceland (Hi Fly Malta) Airbus A319-112 9H-XFW (msn 3689) PMI (Javier Rodriguez). Image: 958194.
Atlantic Airways was considering adding a new route from Vagar in the Faroe Islands to Newark.
That plan appears to have changed.
Atlantic Airways CEO Jóhanna á Bergi has told the state KvF news source that the airline will soon offer scheduled weekly flights between Vagar Airport and New York-Stewart International Airport (SWF) near New York City starting on August 22, 2023.
Flights will depart from Stewart on Wednesday through early October.
Atlantic Airways route map:
Top Copyright Photo: Atlantic Airways-Faroe Islands Airbus A319-115 OY-RCG (msn 5079) MUC (Arnd Wolf). Image: 940485.
Atlanticv Airways aircraft photo gallery:
Bhutan Airlines has joined Amadeus’ global distribution system (GDS) and launched its in-flight entertainment (IFE) system. The new wireless IFE system will be available on all flights, offering a selection of regional and international movies, documentaries, TV shows, music, podcast, magazines and games, and live flight tracking – passengers will be able to access the IFE system through their own personal devices.
The Amadeus GDS platform, which connects travel agents and online booking platforms to the airline’s inventory, will make it easier for travellers to book flights and access real-time information on flight schedules, availability, and pricing.
Bhutan Airlines (Tashi Air Private Limited), Bhutan’s first private airline came into existence after the Tashi Group of Companies, outbid other joint venture companies and won the license to operate the airline service for both domestic and international sectors.
Late Dasho Ugen Dorji founded Tashi Group of Companies in 1959 with the vision to bring out the Best Of Bhutan by following His Majesty’s guidelines for development and growth in the Kingdom.
On December 4, 2011, Bhutan Airlines welcomed its first aircraft, A Pilatus PC-12 with a capacity of 8 passengers for domestic operations. The airline launched its first international flight from Paro to Bangkok on October 10, 2013 followed by daily scheduled flights to Kolkata on December 16, 2013. An Airbus A320 aircraft operates both these sectors with a seating capacity of 150 passengers.
Today, Bhutan Airlines operates with two Airbus A319s with a seating capacity of 126 passengers which includes 12 Business Class seats and 114 Economy seats. We have daily flights from Bangkok to Paro via Kolkata, India and three flights a week to Delhi via Kathmandu.
Route Map:
Top Copyright Photo: Bhutan Airlines Airbus A319-112 A5-BAB (msn 1541) BKK (Michael B. Ing). Image: 925475.
Bhutan Airlines aircraftslide show:
Cyprus Airways, the flag-carrying airline of Cyprus, has today announced its winter flight schedule during which it will be operating to 13 destinations with 51 weekly flights.
The Airline will effectively be doubling its number of destinations and capacity offered this winter and to celebrate this milestone it announced the waiving of booking fees across all flights and destinations for a limited period.
The airline’s winter flight schedule includes a range of new winter destinations across Europe and the Middle East, with flights to and from major cities like Athens, Paris, Tel Aviv, and Rome. With over 400,000 seats on offer, the schedule is designed to meet the needs of business, VFR and leisure travellers by offering convenient flight times and affordable fares. The winter flight schedule starts on October 29th and the Airline will operate to these destinations with the following frequencies:
1. Athens: with double daily flights
2. Tel-Aviv: with daily flights
3. Rome: with two weekly flights
4. Paris: with three weekly flights
5. Yerevan: with three weekly flights
6. Beirut: with daily flights
7. Cairo: with two weekly flights
8. Prague: with two weekly flights
9. Milan: with two weekly flights
10. Zurich: with two weekly flights
11. Thessaloniki: with two weekly flights
12. Heraklion: with three weekly flights
13. Dubai: with two weekly flights
To make travel even more affordable and simple, Cyprus Airways is waiving booking fees across all flights and destinations. This means that customers can save on the cost of their flights, making it easier to plan and book their travels.
Top Copyright Photo: Cyprus Airways (2nd) Airbus A319-114 5B-DCX (msn 1091) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 943753.
Cyprus Airways (2nd) aircraft photo gallery:
Finnair is hopping into spring with its biggest schedule since 2020, as the airline continues to recover its network and prepares for a busy summer.
During March, the carrier is expected to operate over 8,500 flights, the highest number since February 2020, according to data from the aviation analytics firm Cirium.
The number of scheduled Finnair flights in March 2023 is up by nearly a third (29%) compared to the same period last year, as the Nordic carrier restores routes around the world.
To complement the bumper schedule, Finnair is set to launch four new routes this spring, as the airline gears up for summer, offering customers a greater choice of destinations.
Customers looking to return to Japan can make use of the airline’s outstanding Osaka service which will relaunch on March 26, 2023, while those flying to destinations around Europe can enjoy new services to Bodø, Ljubljana and Milan Linate.
The network expansion means Finnair will serve 19 long-haul destinations this year across North America, Asia and the Middle East.
From March 26, 2023, Finnair will also introduce their elevated long-haul experience on flights to Chicago, Delhi and Hong Kong, as the airline continues to refit its fleet of widebody aircraft with brand new cabins.
The €200 million investment includes a brand-new Business Class, exciting new Premium Economy cabin, and refreshed Economy Class as part of a major investment to enhance the customer experience.
Finnair’s global services have been specifically timed to allow for easy connections onto the airline’s European destinations – including top UK airports, London Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh and the Irish capital Dublin.
Finnair offers smooth and easy transfers between flights from as little as 35 minutes, thanks to all flights operating from the same terminal.
Top Copyright Photo: Finnair Airbus A319-112 OH-LVK (msn 2124) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 959423.
Finnair aircraft photo gallery:
BRA – Braathens Regional Airlines (Stockholm-Bromma) is expanding outside of its traditional Baltic service area.
The Swedish airline is celebrating its first Airbus A319 (SE-RGC). A second ex-Sundair A319 (SE-RGV) is also now operating (above).
The new additions will allow the airline to operate sun destination flights to the Mediterranean area this coming summer.
The airline can trace its roots back to Norwegian airline Braathens S.A.F.E, South American & Far East Airtransport, founded by the Norwegian shipowner Ludvig Gustaf Braathen, who also founded the company Braganza.
Current Route Map:
The company has also formed Braathens International Airways to operate the the long-range flights.
Top Copyright Photo: BRA-flygbra.se (Braathens Regional) Airbus A319-111 SE-RGV (msn 2283) (Sundair colors) BMA (Stefan Sjogren). Image: 960089.
BRA aircraft photo gallery:
Delta Air Lines is stepping up its presence in Texas this summer, giving customers out of Dallas Love Field one-stop access to over 125 U.S. destinations through its key hubs in Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles.
Beginning June 5, the new routes out of the airline’s now-permanent home at gate 11 include:
Delta’s expansion in DAL complements its existing service at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), where the airline provides multiple daily offerings to eight of its nine U.S. hubs.
As of July 2023, Delta will operate nearly 40 peak-day departures to eight destinations from DAL and DFW combined, giving customers access to three of the top five destinations to/from Dallas* and be the only carrier operating service to New York and Los Angeles from both Dallas airports.
Delta has secured long-term access at Dallas Love Field. Delta will operate from a Delta-dedicated gate.
All flights will operate on an Airbus A319 aircraft.
CREATING MORE CONNECTIONS FROM TEXAS
Delta continues to expand its Texas offerings, with more than 20% more seats available this summer (vs. last July), including added capacity from major cities including Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.
Austin has been the fastest growing airport since 2019**, due in part to the city’s strong economic growth and thriving tech industry. To better accommodate the surge in travelers, Delta is boosting domestic service this summer, operating nearly 40 peak-day departures to 10 major cities.
As of June 5, Delta will increase daily frequencies from AUS to the following cities:
And as of July 10, Delta will up frequencies to:
This domestic growth complements Delta’s international partner service to key global hubs in Mexico City, Amsterdam, and London Heathrow, providing Austin customers with easy, nonstop access to destinations around the world.
Customers can also look forward to returning routes from San Antonio and Harlingen, including:
Top Copyright Photo: Delta Air Lines Airbus A319-114 N362NB (msn 1982) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 105891.
Delta Air Lines aircraft photo gallery (Airbus):
Allegiant Travel Company (Allegiant Air) reported the following financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2022, as well as comparisons to prior years:
| Consolidated | Three Months Ended December 31, | Percent Change | |||||||
| (unaudited) (in millions, except per share amounts) | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | YoY | Yo3Y | ||||
| Total operating expense | 522.4 | 463.6 | 368.4 | 12.7 | 41.8 | ||||
| Operating income | 89.2 | 33.3 | 92.7 | 167.6 | (3.7) | ||||
| Income before income taxes | 65.9 | 15.1 | 78.6 | 334.7 | (16.3) | ||||
| Net income | 52.5 | 10.7 | 60.5 | 390.3 | (13.3) | ||||
| Diluted earnings per share | 2.87 | 0.59 | 3.72 | 386.4 | (22.8) |
| Twelve Months Ended December 31, | Percent Change | ||||||||
| (unaudited) (in millions, except per share amounts) | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | YoY | Yo3Y | ||||
| Total operating revenue | $ 2,301.8 | $ 1,707.9 | $ 1,841.0 | 34.8 % | 25.0 % | ||||
| Total operating expense | 2,210.2 | 1,444.8 | 1,477.0 | 53.0 | 49.6 | ||||
| Operating income | 91.6 | 263.1 | 364.0 | (65.2) | (74.8) | ||||
| Income before income taxes | 5.0 | 196.6 | 301.2 | (97.5) | (98.4) | ||||
| Net income | 2.5 | 151.9 | 232.1 | (98.4) | (98.9) | ||||
| Diluted earnings per share | 0.14 | 8.68 | 14.26 | (98.4) | (99.0) | ||||
| Sunseeker special charges | 34.0 | — | — | NM | NM | ||||
| Diluted earnings per share excluding Sunseeker special charges (2) (3) | $ 1.65 | $ 8.68 | $ 14.26 | (81.0) | (88.4) |
| (1) | Recognition bonus awarded despite not meeting internal profit-sharing targets |
| (2) | Denotes a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the Non-GAAP Presentation section within this document for further information and for calculation of per share figures |
| (3) | Adjusted to exclude estimated loss from property damage to Sunseeker Resort related to Hurricane Ian and two subsequent insurance events that occurred during the quarter, offset by insurance recoveries recorded to date. The amount of the losses will continue to be offset in future periods by amounts to be recovered under the company’s insurance policies. In 2023, we expect to receive insurance proceeds approximating the losses accrued to date |
“We finished the quarter with an earnings per share, excluding employee recognition bonus and Sunseeker special charges of $3.17,” stated John Redmond, CEO of Allegiant Travel Company. “Despite an uptick in weather cancellations late in the quarter, our total operating revenue was up 32.6 percent year over three-year, more than five points above the mid-point of our guidance. The demand environment continues to surpass expectations. Fourth quarter TRASM(1) was 14.03 cents, the highest quarterly TRASM(1) in company history, on scheduled service growth of 11.9 percent. This revenue strength coupled with better than expected cost performance and a more favorable fuel environment resulted in an adjusted(2) operating margin of nearly 16 percent for the quarter.
“Due to a challenging operating environment at the onset of 2022, we committed to focusing on operational integrity and ensuring safe, reliable travel for our customers. We took action to more appropriately schedule the airline to meet the challenges of this environment. By doing this, we increased our controllable completion by over two points during the last six months of 2022 as compared with the first half of the year. This equated to more than $70 million in irregular operations savings during the back-half of the year, when factoring in lost revenue, passenger compensation, and other costs related to the cancellations. As we head into 2023, we are continuing to take a more conservative approach to growth. We anticipate growing capacity roughly four percent, with much of that happening in the fourth quarter. This slow and concerted growth profile should drive irregular operations costs out of the business and prioritize operational reliability, helping to deliver an estimated $7 in earnings per share during 2023.
“2023 will be transformational for the company. We will begin taking delivery of our Boeing MAX 737 fleet during the fourth quarter, with deliveries picking up in earnest, early 2024. The operating efficiency and reliability of this aircraft will help bolster profits for many years to come. Additionally, significant progress has been made towards the completion of Sunseeker Resort at Charlotte Harbor. After delays caused by Hurricane Ian, we have fully resumed construction activities at the property with most of the remediation related to the hurricane behind us. We continue to expect the property will open late 2023.
“To further support these strategic initiatives, we recently announced several senior leadership changes within the organization. These changes will bring vast experience to the respective roles. I am confident these leaders will contribute to the successful execution of these initiatives. Allegiant has prided itself over the years with having a standout management team, and these changes further support that notion.
“Lastly, I would like to thank our team members throughout the network for their efforts this past year. 2022 was fraught with challenges. Despite these challenges, our team members consistently put forth their best efforts to ensure our customers made it safely to their destinations. We truly have the best in the business. I’m excited for what is on the horizon in 2023.”
| (1) | Total passenger revenue per available seat mile |
| (2) | Adjusted operating margin excludes the 2022 employee recognition bonus and Sunseeker special charges |
Fourth Quarter 2022 Results
Full-Year 2022 Results
| (1) | Recognition bonus awarded despite not meeting internal profit-sharing targets |
| (2) | Denotes a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the Non-GAAP Presentation section within this document for further information and for calculation of per share figures |
| (3) | Adjusted to exclude estimated loss from property damage to Sunseeker Resort related to Hurricane Ian and two subsequent insurance events that occurred during the quarter, offset by insurance recoveries recorded to date. The amount of the losses will continue to be offset in future periods by amounts to be recovered under the company’s insurance policies. In 2023, we expect to receive insurance proceeds approximating the losses accrued to date |
Balance Sheet, Cash and Liquidity
Airline Capital Expenditures
Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor
Aircraft Fleet Plan by End of Period
| Aircraft – (seats per AC) | YE22 | 1Q23 | 2Q23 | 3Q23 | YE23 |
| A319 (156 seats) | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 |
| A320 (177 seats) | 21 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
| A320 (180-186 seats) | 65 | 70 | 72 | 73 | 73 |
| Total | 121 | 124 | 126 | 127 | 127 |
The table above is provided based on the company’s current plans and is subject to change. The numbers exclude aircraft expected to be delivered during 2023 for revenue service beginning in 2024
Top Copyright Photo: Allegiant Air Airbus A319-111 N338NV (msn 2378) LAS (Jay Selman). Image: 404257.
Allegiant Air aircraft photo gallery:
Eurowings is cerlebrating its 30th anniversary.
The airline made this announcement:
The mid-1970s, two pilots, one dream. Independently of each other, Hans Rudolf Wöhrl founds Nürnberger Flugdienst (NFD) and Reinhard Santner founds Dortmund Reise- und Industrieflug (RFG). The portfolio of the two companies is similar and includes air taxi services, ambulance and cargo flights, seaside resort services – so-called on-demand air transport. Today’s Eurowings was formed on 1 February 1993 from the merger of the two regional airlines. The name “Eurowings” was suggested by an employee who won an ideas competition with 500 Deutsche Mark for the winning entry. The logo introduced in the course of the launch was designed by students of the Nuremberg Academy of Arts.
At that time, the airline started with just under 1,000 employees and ATR 72 propeller aircraft. Although 32 destinations in eleven countries were already served in the founding year, the focus was on domestic connections. For quite some time, Eurowings had to fly under the flight numbers of NFD and RFG, because the code that Eurowings needed had been assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to a subsidiary of Papua New Guinea-based Janlyn PTE. Through intensive negotiations, it was finally possible to get the EW code for Eurowings’ flights. The first flight, with the number EW733, went from Nuremberg to Paris in 1994. In the 1990s, Eurowings took over feeder flights for the Dutch airline KLM, among others, and was en route to Amsterdam with 13 aircraft at times – initially as a competitor of Lufthansa.
The year 2001 marks a milestone in the history of Eurowings. With the Lufthansa Group’s participation, the company’s strategy changes: the turboprop aircraft are replaced by CRJ jets, and Eurowings operates flights in the Lufthansa Regional network.
Just one year later, Eurowings launches a low-cost pioneer for Germany, Germanwings, which, in tandem with Eurowings, soon breaks the 10-million passenger mark. The great era of low-cost airlines begins (slogan: “Fly high, pay low”), to which Germanwings contributes the flexible fare model BASIC, SMART and BIZclass. The concept quickly becomes the industry standard and is still used at Eurowings today. In 2011, Eurowings moves to Düsseldorf, the largest air traffic location in North Rhine-Westphalia.
In 2014, the company gets the look and brand identity it is known for today, with the leading colors “Light Sky Blue” and “Burgundy”. The new strategy includes, among other things, a significant expansion of Germanwings and Eurowings in line with growing travel: the previous Eurowings fleet of smaller CRJ aircraft will be replaced by 23 aircraft from the Airbus A320 family.
Inseparably linked to the company’s history, however, is the accident of Germanwings flight 4U9525 on 24 March 2015, which claimed the lives of 150 people. An event that will remain in collective memory forever.
Eurowings subsequently begins to expand away from German airports, soon opening a base on Mallorca and founding the Eurowings Europe flight operation for pan-European routes outside Germany. And the dynamic development continues: after the end of Air Berlin in 2017 and the takeover of a large part of the fleet, hundreds of new jobs are created – many of which are filled by former AirBerlin colleagues.
Today, Eurowings explicitly sets itself apart from the ultra-low-cost carrier segment with its clear positioning as Europe’s value carrier for private and business travelers. The Lufthansa subsidiary combines inexpensive and flexible flying with innovative and customer-friendly services – a strategy with which it is expanding its leading position in the German market. In doing so, it focuses on the core needs of today’s air travelers: more flexibility, affordable comfort and sustainability.
“There are very few airlines in Germany that have succeeded for 30 years in a difficult market environment and have repeatedly mastered dynamic changes. It is all the more wonderful that we can celebrate our 30th birthday as Germany’s largest holiday airline,” said Eurowings CEO Jens Bischof. “We owe this success first and foremost to our more than 4,000 employees from 60 nations who have found their professional home with us. This diversity makes us strong. Because what has always distinguished Eurowings is the very special team spirit and the ability to react quickly to ever new market changes. We say thank you, Team Eurowings – here’s to the next 30 years!”
The Eurowings fleet includes more than 100 aircraft that fly to 140 destinations in more than 50 countries. In addition to its bases in Cologne/Bonn, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Stuttgart and Berlin, Eurowings also has major operations in Palma de Mallorca, Salzburg, Prague and Stockholm. This makes the Lufthansa subsidiary one of the largest leisure airlines in Europe. Every minute, a Eurowings aircraft takes off or lands somewhere in Europe.
Eurowings combines its passion for flying with corporate responsibility for the environment. It aims to cut its carbon emissions in half by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. An important step towards this was the introduction of the world’s most efficient medium-haul jet, the Airbus A320neo, into the fleet in 2022. Each new aircraft of this type emits 4,500 tonnes less CO2 per year compared to its predecessor. In addition to this, more than 50 projects with the aim of conserving resources and protecting the environment are underway at Eurowings.
Carbon compensation at the click of a mouse, punctual flights, friendly services, the most flexible rebooking options in the industry or a free middle seat starting at ten euros – these are just a few of the many examples of the modern value concept with which Eurowings presents itself as young, modern and innovative, even after 30 years.
Top Copyright Photo: Eurowings Airbus A319-112 D-AKNF (msn 646) CDG (Christian Volpati). Image: 949935.
Eurowings aircraft photo gallery:
Cyprus Airways (2nd) has announced it will open a new route to Dubai.
The new route will operate three days a week starting on March 27, 2023.
Schedule:
Top Copyright Photo: Cyprus Airways (2nd) Airbus A319-114 5B-DCW (msn 1129) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 949944.
Cyprus Airways (2nd) aircraft photo gallery:
