Tag Archives: Boeing 737

KlasJet expands in the Middle East, will operate 68-seat Boeing 737 aircraft from Dubai

KlasJet, a well-known exclusive private and corporate jet charter company, and an ACMI leasing service provider, recently introduced the Boeing BBJ2 to the Middle East market and now is continuing its expansion in the region.

The company has announced plans to operate a luxurious Boeing 737 from a base in Dubai, catering to the growing demand for exclusive private and corporate air travel in the area.

The Boeing 737, exclusively designed by KlasJet, features 68 spacious and comfortable business-class seats, ensuring a luxurious and high-quality experience for all passengers onboard. The aircraft is meticulously crafted with attention to detail, offering subtle yet luxurious touches throughout the cabin to enhance the travel experience.

Aside from a unique aircraft interior layout, KlasJet also offers exceptional passenger care. “We believe in delivering an all-encompassing experience that surpasses our clients’ expectations. We pay attention to even the smallest details, both inside and outside the private jet, to create a personalised and exceptional travel experience. Our crew members are well-trained in various fields such as human psychology, fine dining, sommelier courses, protocol-related behaviour, professional presentation, and culture-specific nuances, including tailored cabin crew uniforms that adhere to specific cultural norms,” he explains.

In addition to catering to larger groups with the Boeing 737, KlasJet will also offer a luxurious option for smaller groups and high-ranking individuals with the Boeing BBJ2, which is currently under preparations to be operated from Dubai. This thoughtfully designed 23-seat aircraft will ensure the convenience and comfort of its passengers and will feature all the necessary amenities onboard, including a spacious lounge area, a bedroom, and a shower.

KlasJet is a family member of Avia Solutions Group – the largest global ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) provider with more than 165 aircraft fleet, operating in all continents in the world. The Group also provides various aviation services such as MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul), pilots and crew trainings, ground handling and other interconnected solutions.

KlasJet aircraft slide show:

KlasJet aircraft slide show

Sun Country Airlines to acquire five ex-Oman Air Boeing 737-900ERs

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.

Current route map:

WestJet Cargo, working with the GTA Group, will start operations on April 22

WestJet Cargo (WestJet Airlines) Boeing 737-804 (F) WL C-FTWJ (msn 32904) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 960375.

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.

WestJet aircraft photo gallery:

WestJet aircraft photo gallery

Jet2 to start a route linking London Stansted to Burgas

Jet2-Jet2.com Boeing 737-800 WL G-JZHR (msn 63148) (Friendly Low Fares) SZG (Gunter Mayer). Image: 960366.

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.

Jet2 aircraft photo gallery:

Jet2 aircraft photo gallery
Jet2 aircraft photo gallery

Qatar Airways will soon be a Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 operator

Qatar Airways will soon take delivery of its first Boeing 737-8 MAX 8.

Over the weekend, Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 A7-BSC (msn/ln 43329/8134) was painted in Portland and arrived and Paine Field in Everett, WA.

Virgin Australia relaunches flights to Vanuatu

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.

Virgin Australia aircraft photo gallery:

Virgin Australia Airlines aircraft photo gallery
AirlinersGallery.com aircraft photo library

Bonza opens a second base at Melbourne Tullamarine

Bonza Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 N5515X (VH-UJT) (msn 62533) BFI (Joe G. Walker). Image: 958109.

Bonza on March 30 launched operations from its second base at Melbourne Tullamarine (MEL) with the first flight to Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY).

Bonza will base two Boeing 737-8s at MEL to operate nine routes.

Then airline has made this announcement:

  • Bonza’s second base at Melbourne Tullamarine launches today with first flight to the Sunshine Coast
  • The base is home to multiple Bonza legends with more roles being recruited
  • Two aircraft will operate from Melbourne taking customers to 11 destinations on 12 routes
  • Melburnians can now take advantage of nine Bonza routes – seven of which are not being offered by any other airline
  • The launch comes as Bonza has sold over 100,000 seats via the Fly Bonza app

Travel-hungry Victorians have packed onto the first ever Bonza flight from the Victorian capital to the Sunshine Coast marking the launch of the airline’s Melbourne (Tullamarine) base just in time for Easter and school holidays.

“Our team of legends have been working hard to set up and launch our second base at Melbourne Tullamarine. The Victorian capital is our second home and based here are a number of cabin crew, pilots and first officers who get to come home after a day travelling to regional destinations on our route map,” said Tim Jordan, CEO of Bonza.

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From the Tullamarine base, Bonza will operate two aircraft from their fleet of brand new Boeing 737-MAX who are affectionately named Shazza, Bazza, Sheila and Malc.

Twelve routes from the Melbourne base went on sale last month via the Fly Bonza app to 11 destinations including the low-cost carrier’s home base Sunshine Coast Airport and regional locations like Toowoomba Wellcamp, Tamworth and Bundaberg. Melburnians can now take advantage of nine Bonza routes – seven of which are not being offered by any other airline. Bonza will also launch a much anticipated Melbourne (Tullamarine) to Mildura service from its new base on 8 May, turning a six-seven-hour drive within the same state to little more than an hours flight.

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With Melbourne poised to overtake Sydney to become the largest city in Australia, and regional populations booming, Jordan says there has never been a better time for Bonza to enter the market as an airline for the many, not the few.

Routes from Bonza’s Melbourne (Tullamarine) base:

  • Bundaberg: Fares from $89 per person one way, 2 flights per week from 10 May 2023
  • Gladstone: Fares from $89 per person one way, 2 flights per week from 11 May 2023
  • Mackay: Fares from $89 per person one way, 2 flights per week from 23 May 2023
  • Mildura: Fares from $49 per person one way, 3 flights per week from 8 May 2023
  • Port Macquarie: Fares from $69 per person one way, 2 flights per week from 4 May 2023
  • Rockhampton: Fares from $89 per person one way, 3 flights per week from 11 April 2023
  • Sunshine Coast: Fares from $79 per person one way, 4 flights per week from 30 March 2023
  • Tamworth: Fares from $59 per person one way, 2 flights per week from 2 May 2023
  • Toowoomba Wellcamp: Fares from $79 per person one way, 4 flights per week from 17 April 2023

In addition to:

  • Toowoomba Wellcamp <> Townsville: Fares from $69 per person one way, 2 flights per week from 19 April 2023
  • Toowoomba Wellcamp <> Whitsunday Coast: Fares from $59 per person one way, 2 flights per week from 21 April 2023
  • Tamworth <> Sunshine Coast: Fares from $49 per person one way, 2 flights per week from 6 May 2023

In other news, Bonza has launched its twice weekly service from Newcastle to the Whitsunday Coast on March 30.

The new route is part of Bonza’s ongoing launch with this week seeing the introduction of flights between the Sunshine Coast and Cairns, Newcastle and Melbourne Tullamarine. Yesterday, Bonza launched Cairns to Mackay and on Friday it will introduce a Cairns to Rockhampton service. The ramp up comes as Bonza looks to enjoy its first ever peak holiday period with Easter and school holidays kicking off this week in Queensland.

Whitsunday Lookout_MandatoryCredit_TEQ.jpgPictured: Aerial view of people looking out over the blue waters, from Hill Inlet Lookout, Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

Top Copyright Photo: Bonza Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 N5515X (VH-UJT) (msn 62533) BFI (Joe G. Walker). Image: 958109.

Bonza aircraft photo gallery:

Bonza aircraft photo gallery

Avelo Airlines to add two new Florida routes from Wilmington, NC (ILM)

Avelo Airlines Boeing 737-8EH WL N808VL (msn 37597) PBI (Jay Selman). Image: 404289.

Avelo Airlines is planning to add two more routes from Wilmington, NC to Florida.

Flights from ILM to both West Palm Beach (PBI) and Tampa (TPA) will begin on June 22, 2023.

Top Copyright Photo: Avelo Airlines Boeing 737-8EH WL N808VL (msn 37597) PBI (Jay Selman). Image: 404289.

Avelo Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Avelo Airlines aircraft photo gallery

Batik Air Malaysia to fly to the Maldives

Batik Malaysia Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 9M-LRH (msn 43017) DPS (Pascal Simon). Image: 960342.

Batik Air Malaysia (formerly Malindo Air) will launch a new route linking Kuala Lumpur to the Maldives via Colombo, Sri Lanka on May 12, 2023.

The new route will be operated with Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 aircraft according to Aviators Maldives.

Route Map:

Batik Air Malyasia route map

Top Copyright Photo: Batik Malaysia Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 9M-LRH (msn 43017) DPS (Pascal Simon). Image: 960342.

Batok Air Malaysia aircraft photo gallery:

Batik Air Malaysia aircraft photo gallery
AirlinersGallery.com aircraft photo library

Lynx Air announces two new routes

Lynx Air (Canada) Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-GJSL (msn 43312) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 957311.

Lynx Air has announced the addition of two new routes from Hamilton to Vancouver and from Toronto to Kelowna.

Canada’s leading ultra-affordable airline will offer seasonal summer services between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Kelowna International Airport (YLW) starting April 13, 2023, and between Hamilton’s John C. Munroe International Airport (YHM) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) starting April 16, 2023. Both services will operate as “through flights” via Calgary International Airport (YYC), providing a seamless service with a single boarding pass and the ability to check bags through to the final destination.

mage: Lynx Air

Lynx Air has recently announced the addition of Montreal and Fredericton to its network of destinations. This brings the total number of destinations on Lynx’s network to 16. By Summer 2023 Lynx will offer over 240 flights per week across North America, which equates to over 45,000 seats.  

Top Copyright Photo: Lynx Air (Canada) Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-GJSL (msn 43312) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 957311.

Lynx Air aircraft photo gallery:

Icelandair announces its most extensive winter schedule in its history

Icelandair Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 TF-ICU (msn 44355) LHR (Keith Burton). Image: 960319.

Icelandair has announced its 2023-2024 winter schedule with a capacity increase of 20-25% between North America and more than 30 destinations in Europe, compared to last winter season. 

Due to popular demand, Rome, Barcelona, Raleigh Durham, Baltimore, and Vancouver will increase from seasonal to year-round service. 

In addition, six destinations will further increase flight frequency and for the first-time, day flights from New York and Boston have been added to the winter schedule, offering up to 11 weekly nonstop flights from Boston to Keflavik (Reykjavik), and 21 nonstop flights from New York to Keflavik (Reykjavik).

Shifting from seasonal to year-round service: 

Destination  Frequency 
Barcelona (BCN) Three flights per week 
Raleigh-Durham (RDU) Four flights per week 
Rome (FCO) Three flights per week 
Vancouver (YVR) Four flights per week 
Baltimore Daily flights 

Increased Frequency: 

Destination  Frequency winter 23/24 
Boston (BOS) 7-11 flights per week 
Chicago (ORD) 5-7 flights per week 
Minneapolis (MSP) 4-7 flights per week 
Munich (MUC) Daily flights 
New York (JFK) 17-21 flights per week 
Tenerife (TFS) 4-6 flights per week 

Top Copyright Photo: Icelandair Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 TF-ICU (msn 44355) LHR (Keith Burton). Image: 960319.

Icelandair aircraft photo gallery:

Icelandair aircraft photo gallery

Norwegian announces its routes for the winter season 2023-2024

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) Boeing 737-86Q WL LN-NOO (msn 30289) (Gustav Vigeland) PMI (Ton Jochems). Image: 960289.

Norwegian Air Shuttle has made this announcement:

144 routes to 65 destinations are on the schedule for the next winter season, and Norwegian continues to fly to Nordic citizens’ favourite cities and vacation spots in southern Europe.

Alicante

Norwegian continues with direct departures to exciting destinations in Europe from all the major Nordic airports, such as Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Helsinki. In addition to direct routes from Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger, Haugesund, Ålesund, Tromsø and Sandefjord in Norway and from Gothenburg in Sweden and Aalborg in Denmark.

Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 (Norwegian)

Some routes to the most popular ski destinations in the Alps will be announced later.

Norwegian operates a summer and winter programme that changes twice a year, respectively at the end of October and the end of March. In a few weeks, the summer programme will start with 300 routes to 114 destinations. Among many popular and familiar destinations, the summer programme also contains some new destinations including Bari, Skopje, Porto, Bologna, Bucuresti, Sofia, Milano/Bergamo, Alanya/Gazipasa, and Thessaloniki.

Top Copyright Photo: Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) Boeing 737-86Q WL LN-NOO (msn 30289) (Gustav Vigeland) PMI (Ton Jochems). Image: 960289.

Norwegian aircraft photo gallery:

Norwegian Air Shuttle aircraft photo gallery

United Airlines now forecasts a first quarter loss due to lower demand and rising pilot pay

United Airlines Boeing 737-724 SSWL N15712 (msn 28783) IAH (Jarrod Wilkening). Image: 960270.

United Airlines is now forecasting a first quarter loss due to declining demand and rising pilot costs.

According to Reuters, “United said a combination of lower-demand in January and February and higher capacity has weakened its pricing power.

Total revenue per available seat mile, a proxy for pricing power, is estimated to be up 22% to 23% in the first quarter from a year ago, slower than the 25% growth expected earlier.”

Top Copyright Photo: United Airlines Boeing 737-724 SSWL N15712 (msn 28783) IAH (Jarrod Wilkening). Image: 960270.

United Airlines aircraft photo gallery (Boeing):

United Airlines aircraft photo gallery (Boeing)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunwing Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Sunwing Airlines aircraft photo gallery

Meanwhile at WestJet:

Avelo Airlines to add addititional destinations

Avelo Airlines Boeing 737-86N WL N233GE (N804VL) (msn 38030) BWI (Tony Storck). Image: 959539.

Avelo Airlines is expected to announce four additional destinations in the near future:

Greenville/Spartanburg, SC – service starts on June 7 to both Orlando and New Haven.

GSP flights start on June 7 to MCO and HVN

Manchester, NH

Memphis, TN

Rochester, NY

Avelo Airlines’ flight attendants

The company later made this announcement:

Avelo Airlines announced three new nonstop routes, extending Avelo’s U.S. network to 37 destinations:

  • Alabama’s Mobile International Airport (BFM) to Orlando’s most convenient airport – Orlando International Airport (MCO). Avelo will begin service at BFM with a special inaugural flight on Wednesday, May 31, followed by twice weekly flights on Thursdays and Sundays. BFM is the Gulf Coast’s newest airport. BFM’s downtown Mobile location makes it the city’s most convenient airport. Avelo will be the only airline operating scheduled service at BFM when it takes flight in May and the only airline offering nonstop service to Orlando from the greater Mobile region.
  • South Carolina’s Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) to MCO. Avelo will begin service between GSP and MCO on June 7 with twice weekly flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays, then transitioning to Mondays and Fridays on June 23. GSP is Avelo’s third South Carolina destination, joining Charleston and Myrtle Beach. With the addition of BFM and GSP, Orlando will now serve 13 nonstop destinations. Introductory one-way fares start at $49*.
  • GSP to Southern Connecticut’s most convenient airport – Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN). This route will begin on June 22 with twice weekly flights on Thursdays and Sundays. GSP represents Avelo’s 15th destination from HVN. Avelo is the only airline offering nonstop service between Connecticut and GSP. Introductory one-way fares start at $49*.

Top Copyright Photo: Avelo Airlines Boeing 737-86N WL N233GE (N804VL) (msn 38030) BWI (Tony Storck). Image: 959539.

Avelo Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Avelo Airlines aircraft photo gallery

Flair Airlines releases its winter 2023 schedule with more flights to sunny destinations

Flair Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-FLER (msn 62874) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 959384.

Flair Airlines has announced the release of its winter 2023 schedule. The schedule features added depth across the network to give customers more choice, particularly to sunshine, at low fares.

This announcement includes several new routes, including Toronto to Puerto Vallarta (beginning October 29, 4x weekly), Kitchener-Waterloo to Puerto Vallarta (beginning December 16, 3x weekly), Calgary to Las Vegas (beginning October 30, 7x weekly), and Calgary to Phoenix (beginning October 30, 4x weekly). Flair will also be the only carrier to serve Ottawa to Las Vegas (beginning October 13, 2x weekly).

Existing service from Vancouver and Edmonton to Phoenix will move to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for the season, along with the new service from Calgary to Phoenix.

Top Copyright Photo: Flair Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-FLER (msn 62874) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 959384.

Flair Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Flair Airlines aircraft photo gallery

Luxair to add four Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 jets

Luxair and Boeing today announced that the Luxembourgian airline has chosen the fuel-efficient 737-8 MAX 8 to expand its single-aisle fleet with an agreement to acquire four jets.

Luxair will initially lease two 737-8s that are due for delivery for the summer, ensuring the airline provides its customers with increased capacity and connectivity to more destinations for the busy summer travel season. It has additionally placed a direct order for two 737-8s.

Image: Boeing

The 737-8, seating 162 to 210 passengers depending on configuration and with a range of 3,500 nautical miles, is the market’s most versatile single-aisle airplane, capable of operating profitably on short- and medium-haul routes.

Luxair operates a fleet of 19 airplanes, including eight Next-Generation 737s.

Air India Express to fly from Goa to Dubai

Air India Express Boeing 737-86N WL VT-GHA (msn 60694) (Camel) BFI (Joe G. Walker). 932098.

Air India Express has announced it will lau8nch a new route connecting Go with Dubai starting on March 26, 2023.

Goa, India

The new route will operate four days a week.

Top Copyright Photo: Air India Express Boeing 737-86N WL VT-GHA (msn 60694) (Camel) BFI (Joe G. Walker). 932098.

Air India Express aircraft photo gallery:

Air India Express aircraft photo gallery

Arajet applies to fly to the United States

AraJet Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 HI1027 (msn 60194) SJO (Jay Selman). Image: 404266.

Arajet Airlines is expanding again. The fast-growing airline has applied to the U.S. Department of Transport to fly to Miami, New York and San Juan from Santo Domingo.

Photo: Ministerio de Turismo RD

Once approved, the Dominican Republic carrier expects to fly the routes starting in the fall.

Top Copyright Photo: AraJet Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 HI1027 (msn 60194) SJO (Jay Selman). Image: 404266.

Arajet aircraft slide show: