Allegiant Air Airbus A320-214 N289NV (msn 4574) AZA (Jarrod Wilkening). Image: 957851.
Allegiant Air has announced eight new nonstop routes to some of the nation’s premier vacation destinations.
The routes, launching during this year’s summer and fall travel seasons, will connect communities across the country to some of the most popular leisure hot spots, including Portland, Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, Austin, Phoenix, Asheville, Chicago and Los Angeles.
Allegiant Air crew member (Allegiant Air)
The new route to Denver International Airport (DEN):
Allentown, Penn. via Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) – beginning June 15, 2023with one-way fares as low as $59.*
The new seasonal route to Portland International Airport (PDX):
Appleton, WI. via Appleton International Airport (ATW) – beginning June 15, 2023 with one-way fares as low as $69.*
The new seasonal route to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS):
Omaha, Neb. via Omaha Airport (OMA) – beginning June 15, 2023 with one-way fares as low as $49.*
The new route to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX):
Asheville, North Carolina via Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) – beginning May 26, 2023with one-way fares as low as $69.*
The new seasonal route to Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)
Akron, Ohio via Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) – beginning June 1, 2023 with one-way fares as low as $39.*
The new route to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS):
Lexington, Ky. via Blue Grass Airport (LEX) – beginning June 15, 2023 with one-way fares as low as $69.*
The new route to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW):
Provo, Utah via Provo Airport (PVU) – beginning June 16, 2023 with one-way fares as low as $59.*
The new seasonal route to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX):
Sioux Falls, S.D. via Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD) – beginning June 14, 2023 with one-way fares as low as $59.*
The new nonstop routes will operate twice weekly.
Top Copyright Photo: Allegiant Air Airbus A320-214 N289NV (msn 4574) AZA (Jarrod Wilkening). Image: 957851.
Air Canada Airbus A220-300 (CS300 BD-500-1A11) C-GJYA (msn 55088) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 105896.
Record fourth quarter passenger revenues of $4.062 billion, doubled than fourth quarter 2021 and about two per cent higher than fourth quarter 2019
Record fourth quarter operating revenues of $4.680 billion, 71 per cent higher than fourth quarter 2021 and about six per cent higher than fourth quarter 2019
Operating losses of $28 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and of $187 million for the full year 2022
Adjusted EBITDA* of $389 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and of $1.457 billion for the full year 2022
Adjusted EBITDA margin* of 8.3 per cent for the fourth quarter of 2022 and of 8.8 per cent for the full year 2022
Total liquidity of over $9.8 billion at December 31, 2022
Air Canada reported its fourth quarter and full year 2022 financial results.
“We are pleased with our fourth quarter and full year 2022 financial results. We reported record fourth quarter passenger and operating revenues, surpassing our results from a year ago and those of the fourth quarter of 2019. This was due to solid demand and yield environments across our network. This progress was also a result of the dedication and hard work of our employees who safely transported more than two million customers during a holiday period challenged by severe winter weather across North America, and to our entire team who successfully executed on our strategy. I warmly thank them,” said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada.
(*Adjusted CASM, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted net income (loss), adjusted pre-tax income (loss), free cash flow, leverage ratio, net debt, and return on invested capital referred to in this news release, are non-GAAP financial measures, capital management measures, non-GAAP ratios or supplementary financial measures. Such measures are not recognized measures for financial statement presentation under GAAP, do not have standardized meanings, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities and should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this news release for descriptions of these measures, and for a reconciliation of Air Canada non-GAAP measures used in this news release to the most comparable GAAP financial measure.)
“Our performance is attributable to the deep resilience we have built into our company for long-term stability. We reported positive cash flows from operations in the fourth quarter of $647 million and positive free cash flow of $320 million. We exercised diligent cost control. Our adjusted EBITDA of $389 million was $367 million better than a year ago. For the full year, we reported adjusted EBITDA of $1.457 billion and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 8.8 per cent, meeting our full-year 2022 guidance. We ended the year with total liquidity of more than $9.8 billion.
“These results also validate our strategy of diversifying our revenue sources. In our core passenger business, revenue was about two per cent higher than in the fourth quarter of 2019. Revenue from our premium cabins was about 13 per cent higher, supported in part by Aeroplan. The loyalty program’s active membership is at an all-time high and continues to grow, and Air Canada Cargo revenue was up 55 per cent compared to the same quarter pre-pandemic. Similarly, Air Canada Vacations ground package revenues contributed to the growth in other revenues of $62 million, or 23 per cent higher than the fourth quarter of 2019,” said Mr. Rousseau.
“We are very encouraged with the positive outlook ahead. Our quarterly ticket sales were 102 per cent of the fourth quarter of 2019, on a lower level of capacity, and we expect a solid demand environment in 2023. In anticipation, we are building out our global network, continuing our narrow-body fleet renewal, and investing in technology and customer service. More than 36 million people chose to fly with Air Canada last year. We appreciate and thank them for their loyalty. We intend to do much more to provide them with an elevated level of customer service and continuous value from our airline in 2023 and beyond.”
Fourth Quarter 2022 Financial Results
Operating capacity, measured by Available Seat Miles (ASMs) increased about 59 per cent from the fourth quarter of 2021, representing about 85 per cent of the fourth quarter of 2019 ASMs, in line with projections in Air Canada’s third quarter 2022 earnings release, dated October 28, 2022.
Record fourth quarter passenger revenues of $4.062 billion nearly doubled from the fourth quarter of 2021, or about a two per cent increase from the fourth quarter of 2019.
Record fourth quarter operating revenues of $4.680 billion increased 71 per cent from the fourth quarter of 2021 and about six per cent from the fourth quarter of 2019.
Operating expenses of $4.708 billion increased $1.474 billion from the fourth quarter of 2021.
Cost per available seat mile (CASM) decreased to 21.1 cents from 23.0 cents in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Adjusted cost per available seat mile* (adjusted CASM) of 13.7 cents, compared to fourth quarter 2021 adjusted CASM of 16.7 cents. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, adjusted CASM increased about 15 per cent.
Operating loss of $28 million, significantly better than an operating loss of $503 million in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) of $389 million, an increase from adjusted EBITDA of $22 million in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Net income of $168 million (or $0.41 per diluted share), compared to a net loss of $493 million (or $1.38 per diluted share) in the fourth quarter of 2021. Fourth quarter 2022 net income included a foreign exchange gain of $316 million.
Adjusted net loss* of $217 million (or $0.61 per diluted share), compared to an adjusted net loss of $577 million (or $1.61 per diluted share) in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Net cash flows from operations of $647 million compared to net cash flows from operations of $508 million in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Full Year 2022 Financial Results
Operating capacity, measured by Available Seat Miles (ASMs) increased two-and-a-half times from 2021, representing about 73 per cent of 2019 ASMs, in line with projections in Air Canada’s third quarter 2022 earnings release, dated October 28, 2022.
Passenger revenues of $14.238 billion more than tripled from 2021, recovering to about 83 per cent of 2019 passenger revenues.
Operating revenues of $16.556 billion increased over two-and-a-half times from 2021, recovering to about 87 per cent of 2019 operating revenues.
Operating expenses of $16.743 billion increased $7.294 billion or 77 per cent from 2021.
Cost per available seat mile (CASM) decreased to 20.3 cents from 28.3 cents in 2021.
Adjusted CASM of 13.2 cents compared to 2021 adjusted CASM of 23.3 cents. Compared to 2019, adjusted CASM increased approximately 19 per cent, one percentage point above the high-end of the range projected in Air Canada’s third quarter 2022 earnings release, dated October 28, 2022. This increase was due to the impact of higher passenger traffic and yield (which increased sales and distribution costs), general inflationary pressures, including but not limited to higher catering and service costs, customer disruption costs greater than expected (largely due to weather-related disruptions in the fourth quarter of 2022), and higher employee benefits expense.
Operating loss of $187 million significantly better than an operating loss of $3.049 billion in 2021.
Adjusted EBITDA of $1.457 billion, compared to negative adjusted EBITDA of $1.464 billion in 2021.
Net loss of $1.700 billion (or $4.75 per diluted share), compared to a net loss of $3.602 billion (or $10.25 per diluted share) in 2021. 2022 net loss included a foreign exchange loss of $732 million.
Adjusted net loss of $988 million (or $2.76 per diluted share), compared to an adjusted net loss of $3.768 billion (or $10.74 per diluted share) in 2021.
Net cash flows from operations of $2.368 billion compared to net cash used in operations of $1.502 billion in 2021.
Outlook
For the first quarter of 2023, Air Canada plans to increase its ASM capacity by about 50 per cent from the same quarter in 2022 (or approximately 84 per cent of first quarter 2019 ASM capacity).**
Air Canada is providing the following guidance for the full year 2023 and updates to its 2024 long-term targets described below.
Metric
FY 2023 Guidance
FY 2024 Targets
ASM capacity
Increase of about 24 per cent from 2022 ASM levels (or about 90 per cent of 2019 ASM levels)**
About 100 per cent of 2019 ASM levels
Adjusted CASM
About 13 to 15 per cent above 2019 levels
About 8 to 10 per cent above 2019 levels
Adjusted EBITDA
About $2.5 – $3.0 billion
About $3.5 – $4.0 billion
Leverage ratio
N/A
Approaching 1.5 by year-end 2024
Annual Return on invested capital (ROIC)
N/A
About 15 per cent by year- end 2024
Cumulative free cash flow*
N/A
About $2.5 billion for the 2022-2024 period
Major Assumptions
Assumptions were made by Air Canada in preparing and making forward-looking statements. As part of its assumptions, Air Canada assumes moderate Canadian GDP growth for 2023. Air Canada also assumes that the Canadian dollar will trade, on average, at C$1.34 per U.S. dollar for the full year 2023 and that the price of jet fuel will average C$1.30 per litre for the full year 2023.
Air Canada provided 2024 targets via news release, dated March 30, 2022, in conjunction with its 2022 Investor Day held on the same day. The following includes updates and provides explanations for the restated targets:
For 2024, Air Canada expects a full year ASM capacity of about 100 per cent of 2019 ASM levels; up from 95 per cent of 2019 levels, as a result of securing additional interim lift.
Air Canada expects 2024 adjusted CASM to increase by about 8 to 10 per cent when compared to 2019, as compared to an increase of 2 to 4 per cent as provided at the 2022 Investor Day. The increase is due to the impact of higher passenger traffic (which increases sales and distribution costs), higher staffing levels to continuously improve operational performance and customer service levels, and general inflationary pressures.
Air Canada is withdrawing its annual adjusted EBITDA margin target of about 19 per cent for full year 2024 and is now providing an adjusted EBITDA target, which is a better indicator to assess its financial performance. For 2024, Air Canada expects its adjusted EBITDA to range between about $3.5 – $4.0 billion. This new target for adjusted EBITDA range is in line with the adjusted EBITDA reflected in the margin target communicated at the 2022 Investor Day.
Air Canada anticipates net debt to trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA (leverage ratio)* to approach 1.5 by year-end 2024, up from 1.0 as provided at the 2022 Investor Day. The increase in Air Canada’s targeted leverage ratio is attributable to expected higher cash used for capital expenditures, mainly due to additional freighter investments than previously forecast.
The target for annual return on invested capital (ROIC) of about 15 per cent by year-end 2024 remains unchanged from prior target.
Air Canada expects cumulative free cash flow generation of about $2.5 billion for the 2022-2024 period, as compared to about $3.5 billion provided at the 2022 Investor Day. The decrease in free cash flow is due to higher cash used for capital expenditures, as described above, partially offset by higher cash from operations.
(**Air Canada will continue to adjust capacity and take other measures as required, including to account for passenger demand, public health guidelines, travel restrictions globally, inflation and other cost pressures.)
Top Copyright Photo: Air Canada Airbus A220-300 (CS300 BD-500-1A11) C-GJYA (msn 55088) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 105896.
Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL N950NK (msn 10769) LAS (Jay Selman). Image: 404225.
Spirit Airlines has announced the launch of new, nonstop service from San José Mineta International Airport (SJC). The carrier is kicking off the new service with two daily flights to Las Vegas (LAS) and daily flights to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and San Diego (SAN) on June 7, 2023.
Spirit Airlines Routes at SJC
Destination:
Flights Available:
Launch Date:
Dallas (DFW)
Daily
June 7, 2023
Las Vegas (LAS)
Twice Daily
June 7, 2023
San Diego (SAN)
Daily
June 7, 2023
The new service marks the seventh airport Spirit serves in the Golden State, joining Burbank (BUR), Los Angeles (LAX), Oakland (OAK), Orange County (SNA), Sacramento (SMF) and San Diego (SAN). Spirit first launched California service in Los Angeles in 2000 and has grown to more than 55 daily departures to 23 out-of-state destinations. In the past three years, the carrier has grown the number of flights by 41 percent and seats by 46 percent statewide.
Top Copyright Photo: Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL N950NK (msn 10769) LAS (Jay Selman). Image: 404225.
Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL N971NK (msn 11222) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960077.
Spirit Airlines has announced the launch of five new, nonstop routes from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU). The expansion adds convenient and affordable flights to Atlanta (ATL), Chicago(ORD), Dallas (DFW), Detroit (DTW) and Hartford (BDL), growing Spirit’s Puerto Rico service from 11 destinations to 16 by June 2023.
The carrier also announced it will increase flights between San Juan (SJU) and Orlando (MCO) to five flights daily and grow flights between San Juan and Baltimore (BWI), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Newark (EWR) to two flights daily.
Spirit Airlines Routes at San Juan (SJU)
Destination:
Flights Available:
Launch Date:
Atlanta (ATL) NEW
Daily
May 5
Boston (BOS)
Daily
Existing
Hartford (BDL) NEW
3x Weekly
June 7
Baltimore (BWI)
2x Daily
Frequency increases on May 5
Dallas (DFW) NEW
Daily
May 5
Detroit (DTW) NEW
Daily
May 5
Newark (EWR)
2x Daily
Frequency increases on June 7
Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
2x Daily
Frequency increases on April 5
Orlando (MCO)
5x Daily
Frequency increases on May 5
Miami (MIA)
Daily
Existing Service
Chicago (ORD) NEW
Daily
May 5
Philadelphia (PHL)
Daily
Existing Service
Tampa (TPA)
Daily
Existing Service
Spirit first landed on the island in 2001 with service to San Juan (SJU) and has grown its Puerto Rican route map to include Aguadilla (BQN) and Ponce (PSE). The airline will offer 21 peak-day departures in San Juan by June 2023, making it the second-largest carrier by destinations, seats and available seat miles (ASM). This adds to Spirit’s growth across the island, which represents more than 200 percent growth in the past four years.
Top Copyright Photo: Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL N971NK (msn 11222) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960077.
The Tata Group-owned Air India has announced its commitment to order 250 Airbus aircraft to boost its domestic and international operations.
The commitment includes 140 A320neo and 70 A321neo single-aisle aircraft as well as 34 A350-1000 and six A350-900 wide-body jets that will mark a new era for the country as the all-new, long-range aircraft celebrates its debut in the Indian market.
Image: Airbus
The order aims to both modernize and expand the airline’s fleet with the objective of creating a larger and premium full-service carrier that will cater to the growing travel demand in the region. Deliveries are set to commence with the first A350-900 arriving by late-2023.
New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) welcomed the arrival of CondorAirlines, (DE) inaugural flight #2016 from Frankfurt on February 13.
The flight was the first to be operated to the U.S. by the popular German leisure airline’s new Airbus A330neo aircraft, the first in what will become an exclusive, all-A330neo fleet operating on all of Condor’s long-haul flights by 2024.
Condor Airbus A330neo
The A330neo will replace the previous generation of Boeing 767-300 aircraft and will significantly reduce Condor’s operating costs.
Condor Airbus A330meo
Unrivalled Passenger Comfort Inflight
Condor’s A330neo will offer unrivalled inflight passenger comfort and will accommodate 310 passengers, featuring 30 seats in Business, 64 seats in Premium Economy and 216 seats in Economy class. The A330neo features an award-winning, whisper quiet Airspace cabin, providing passengers with a high level of comfort, ambience, and design. This includes offering more personal space, larger overhead bins, a new lighting system, and the ability to offer the latest in-flight entertainment systems and connectivity. The A330neo also features a state-of-the-art cabin air system, ensuring a clean and safe environment during the flight.
Best-in-Class, New Business and Premium Economy Class
The new Condor Business Class offers 30, lie-flat (180 degree) seats in a 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access for all guests. The seat conveniently converts to a 76-inch long by 19-inch-wide bed. Business Class guests have access to the latest movies, series, podcasts, and games, all accessible on a 17.3-inch screen in 4K mode, with touchscreen and remote control. The first row of Business Class will also feature four “Prime Seats”, with added space large enough to accommodate two guests who wish to dine together and an extra-large, 24-inch entertainment screen. The “Prime Seats” will feature added in-flight amenities including a premium travel kit, inflight pajamas, and a premium snack basket.
Condor Business Class
In Premium Economy Class, guests enjoy more personal space thanks to a generous extra seat pitch of 35 inches and a greater backrest angle of up to six inches. In addition, the multi-adjustable headrest and footrest at every seat ensure a significantly more comfortable flight experience. Both the Premium Economy Class and Economy Class seats have 13.3-inch in-seat 4K monitors with touchscreens, which can be used to enjoy the extensive in-flight-program. Condor’s A330neo features a 2-4-2 seating configuration in both classes.
A brand-new feature awaits guests in all three classes: Condor’s new A330neo offers high-speed broadband internet and onboard connectivity. The latest in-flight-entertainment technology provides a wide of films, series, and podcasts. Each seat has an extra holder for a mobile device, so that streaming is also possible. In addition, personal Bluetooth headphones can be connected to the aircraft’s in-flight-entertainment system.
The cabin also features mood lighting in all three classes that can be individually adjusted to suit the time of day. This helps guests aboard to fall asleep easily and wake up more relaxed.
Modern Elegance with Stylish Accents
Visually, the new cabin product impresses with a stylish color concept featuring the “Condor Marina” and “Condor Earth” color schemes as well as subtle stripes as a recurring design element. This includes a striped badge on every seat as well as uniformly striped headrest covers in Business and Premium Economy Class. This complements Condor’s new branding which is proudly displayed on the exterior of each A330neo. The design of the cabin was implemented by the design agency müller/romca industrial design based in Kiel. Remo Masala, owner of the visionalphabet agency in Berlin, who designed Condor’s new brand identity, guided the process with creative direction.
Top Copyright Photo: Condor Flugdienst Airbus A330-941 D-ANRH (msn 2024) (Condor Beach) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 960056.
Virgin Atlantic Airways announced today that it will be suspending services between London Heathrow and Lahore and Islamabad.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: “As we continue to ramp up our flying program in 2023, we’ve taken the opportunity to review our entire network and decided to make a few changes.”
“Following this review, it is with regret that we’ve taken the difficult decision to suspend our services between London Heathrow and Pakistan. Since commencing operations in December 2020, we have been proud to offer choice for customers travelling between London and Manchester in the UK, and Islamabad and Lahore in Pakistan. During that time, we have also provided important cargo capacity, as well as delivering vital medical supplies.”
Virgin Atlantic will continue to operate services between London and Lahore until May 1, 2023 and between London and Islamabad until July 9, 2023.
Background
Virgin Atlantic launched flights from London Heathrow to Islamabad and Lahore and Manchester to Islamabad in the height of the pandemic in December 2020
The routes were launched when many destinations, including the US, were closed for travel. Our Pakistan routes were targeted to capture the visiting friends and relatives (VFR) market which was one of the first sectors to recover.
As Virgin Atlantic ramps up its flying programme for 2023, the airline is reviewing its network and ensuring resources are utilised in the most optimal way to achieve operational resilience.
The final Pakistan flight dates are:
LHR-LHE VS364 departs 30th April 2023 at 21:55
LHE-LHR VS365 departs 1st May 2023 at 12:25
LHR-ISB VS378 departs 8th July 2023 at 21:55
ISB-LHR VS379 departs 9th July 2023 at 12:40
Our teams will communicate with any affected customers due to travel after these dates to share their options which include rebooking (if applicable) or a full refund. Customers who have booked with a third party travel agent should contact them to discuss their options.
Top Copyright Photo: Virgin Atlantic Airways Airbus A350-1041 G-VLUX (msn 274) LHR (Keith Burton). Image: 960046.
Vietnam Airlines and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the commercial collaboration between the two airlines.
The carriers will initially explore opportunities for codeshare arrangements to facilitate better connectivity between Vietnam and Singapore. This could potentially be expanded to include other destinations that SIA serves. The two airlines will also explore other areas of commercial cooperation that could offer more value and options to their customers.
Vietnam Airlines and Singapore Airlines have had a long-standing partnership for over 20 years. As international border restrictions eased in 2022, both airlines sought opportunities to expand their bilateral cooperation to provide quality service for their customers travelling between Vietnam and Singapore.
Top Copyright Photo: Vietnam Airlines Airbus A350-941 VN-A897 (msn 197) (SkyTeam) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 956426.
Viva (Air Colombia) Airbus A320-251N WL HK-5361 (msn 10313) MIA (Antony J. Best). Image: 960043.
Viva Air of Colombia has voluntarily started a local debt restructuring process as it awaits the official government approval of its merger proposal with Avianca.
Viva Air issued this statement (translated from Spanish):
Viva, the low cost airline that promotes air travel in Colombia and the region, announces the start of its Process of Business Recovery (PRE) in accordance with the regulations that protect companies affected by the COVID-19 crisis, with a view to achieving their permanence in the market, pending the urgent definition by Aerocivil about its alliance with Avianca.
This determination occurs due to the crisis that it faces when adding to the effects of the COVID-19, the current macroeconomic factors that are public knowledge
Additionally, the company has not been able to access capital during the last nine months since it has not yet been possible to implement its integration with another airline, which is still pending authorization from the National Government.
Viva takes part in this voluntary recovery process that lasts 90 days, in order to restructure their debts through a negotiation with their major creditors to continue operating under sustainable conditions that guarantee the continuity of the company.
This decision is given after six months of waiting of the definition of the alliance with Avianca, which if approved would allow us to continue in the low-cost business through our linkage to another group of airlines with weight in the region, with which we want to ensure the preservation of jobs, and reinforce our commitment to generate higher levels of connectivity in the country at low cost on the basis of obtaining the required capital injection.
After studying all the alternatives available to the current situation, we enter this voluntary mediation process while we wait for the urgent decision by the authority of our alliance with Avianca. just as we have adapted in the past, we are convinced that we will be able to overcome this situation for the good of all passengers who have benefited from the Bajo model.
Viva Air President Felix Antelo
During this restructuring, at Viva we will continue to ensure the continuity of operations and the provision of our services.
Top Copyright Photo: Viva (Air Colombia) Airbus A320-251N WL HK-5361 (msn 10313) MIA (Antony J. Best). Image: 960043.
Scandinavian Airlines-SAS Airbus A321-253NX WL SE-DMO (msn 9541) IAD (Brian McDonough). Image: 956922.
On February 9, 2023 SAS launched its new route between Copenhagen Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
The new route enables SAS customers to travel easily to and from both the West and East side of New York as SAS continues to offer departures from Scandinavia to Newark.
The inaugural flight takes place with SAS’s latest addition to their fleet – the Airbus A321 Long Range which offers a more comfortable and sustainable way of traveling.
JFK service begins with five weekly flights from Copenhagen, ramping up with daily flights for the summer schedule. SAS operates into terminal 7 at JFK.
US destinations continue to generate demand for more and frequent departures. SAS will offer about 130 departures per week on a total of 12 routes this winter.
Schedules to and from JFK: Winter 2022 Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday CPH-JFK: 18:25 – 21:30 JFK-CPH: 23:00 – 12:55
The Airbus A321 Long Range is part of the latest generation of aircraft and is expected to reduce climate-impacting emissions by 15-18 percent compared to similar previous-generation aircraft. This latest addition to the fleet means travelers get access to more intercontinental routes with fewer stopovers, and shorter travel times to and from Scandinavia.
The aircraft has 22 Business, 12 Plus and 123 Go seats, meaning a total of 157 seats in a single aisle aircraft. The seats are especially chosen for the A321LR to optimize the comfort in all three travel classes. Seats in SAS Business are fully flat seat beds and there are different mood light scenarios in the cabins, as well as hi-speed WiFi. Every seat is equipped with IFE screens, PC power and/or hi-power USB. The reduced noise level inside the cabin will further enhance the travel experience on board. The A321LR is part of SAS’ ongoing fleet renewal and will reduce climate-impacting emissions compared to previous generations of similar aircraft.
Top Copyright Photo: Scandinavian Airlines-SAS Airbus A321-253NX WL SE-DMO (msn 9541) IAD (Brian McDonough). Image: 956922.
airBaltic has announced the addition to the list of direct flights from its base in Tampere (Finland) – to Nice (France) and Milan (Italy). Starting in May, the new destinations will be connected with two weekly flights.
Tampere
airBaltic alreadyflies nonstop flights from Tampere to Copenhagen (Denmark), Munich (Germany) and Amsterdam (Netherlands) as well as sunny leisure destinations of Malaga (Spain) and Rhodes (Greece), in addition to continuing flights to Riga (Latvia).
Destination served
Flight frequency
Start date
Price *,GREEN
Price*,Business Light
Tampere – Nice
2 flights weekly
May 2, 2023
99 EUR
349 EUR
Tampere – Milan
2 flights weekly
May 4, 2023
79 EUR
299 EUR
*Lowest fare (one way), including taxes, fees and service charges, on www.airBaltic.com subject to availability.
Flights between Tampere and Nice are scheduled to take 3 hours and 35 minutes, and between Tampere and Milan – 3 hours, 45 minutes.
Both of them will be operated by the Airbus A220-300aircraft.
airBaltic provides flights to more than 70 destinations from Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius and Tampere.
Top Copyright Photo: airBaltic Airbus A220-300 (Bombardier CS300 – BD-500-1A11) YL-ABF (msn 55133) MUC (Gunter Mayer). Image: 959806.
ITA Airways Airbus A320-216 EI-DTG (msn 3921) (Friuli Venezia Giulia) LHR (Wingnut). Image: 960029.
ITA Airways has introduced a special livery promoting Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Friuli Venezia Giulia is one of the 20 regions of Italy and one of five autonomous regions with special statute. The capital is Trieste on the Gulf of Trieste, a bay on the Adriatic Sea.
Ski area in the region
According to the region’s website, “A border region sandwiched between the Friulian Dolomites and the Upper Adriatic, blessed with an immense cultural heritage resulting from the influence of different cultures and peoples, cosmopolitan and modern, Friuli Venezia Giulia will also seduce you with its temptations of relaxation, sport and fun.”
Top Copyright Photo: ITA Airways Airbus A320-216 EI-DTG (msn 3921) (Friuli Venezia Giulia) LHR (Wingnut). Image: 960029.
TAP’s popular Portugal Stopover program has been improved with more benefits to provide customers even more opportunities to explore Portugal before heading to their final destination. With the expanded program customers can now choose to stopover on their return home.
TAP customers can add Portugal to their trip with a free stopover of up to 10 days, with exclusive offers and discounts with over 290 participating partners that will help make their visit unforgettable. Offers and specials include hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, museums and countless activities, that have been organized in partnership with Visit Portugal. From discounts on surfing in areas such as Peniche to wine cellar tours in Lisbon to offers to play at exclusive golf courses, TAP’s Stopover program truly offers something for everyone.
An additional benefit allows customers to visit a second destination in Portugal at a 25% discount on air fare, allowing visitors to dig even deeper into the country’s culture with visits to regions such as Porto and the North, the Algarve or Madeira and the Azores.
The Portugal Stopover program is available for all markets in which TAP operates, though was designed with TAP’s key long-haul markets of North America and Brazil in mind. With direct flights from Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Washington in the US and Toronto and Montreal from Canada, TAP customers can fly to more than 65 destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with a Lisbon or Porto, or additional Portugal destination experience along the way. You can find out about the new Portugal Stopover campaign here.
The Portugal Stopover program, launched in July 2016, allows customers whose final destination is not Lisbon or Porto, but who make a stopover in one of these cities, to enjoy, on the outward or return leg, a stopover in Portugal – which can now be up to ten nights – at no additional cost in the fare.
Video:
Top Copyright Photo: TAP Portugal – Air Portugal Airbus A330-343 CS-TOX (msn 1015) LIS (Ton Jochems). Image: 960028.
Himalya Airlines will add the Kathmandu – Beijing route on February 11. The airline made this announcement:
The Kathmandu – Beijing flight was previously suspended in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic which has now recommenced after the withdrawal of travel restrictions by China on January 8, 2023.
Himalaya Airlines is planning to reconnect with Beijing Daxing International Airport with its weekly service starting from February 11, 2023 and scheduled to fly every Saturday.
Top Copyright Photo: Himalaya Airlines (Nepal) Airbus A320-214 WL 9N-ALM (msn 6626) DXB (Andi Hiltl). Image: 956019.
HL7621 arriving at TPE to a water cannon salute (Manuel Negrerie)
Korean Air has re-introduced for just few weeks its double-decker Airbus A380 on the Seoul (ICN) – Taipei (TPE) route, coming back on the post-COVID operation after more than three years.
HL7621 is welcomed back at Taoyuan Airport in Taipei with the traditional water canon salute!
Report and copyright photo by Manuel Negrerie, reporting from Taiwan.
