AirlinesJetBlue, Norwegian form transatlantic interline partnership Norwegian and New York-based JetBlue Airways have signed a letter of intent to form an interline agreement, enabling passengers to fly between Europe and the Americas at low cost and with a single booking.
The two companies will connect more than 60 US and nearly 40 Caribbean and Latin American destinations to Norwegian’s network through New York JFK, Boston Logan and Fort Lauderdale airports—from which Norwegian currently offers more than 20 nonstop routes to Europe.
LinkAlitalia’s rescue plan still uncertain as latest deadline passes Alitalia’s future remains uncertain after a much-delayed Oct. 15 deadline passed without the Italian flag carrier’s rescue consortium, led by Italian railway company Ferrovie dello Stato, presenting an industrial plan for its relaunch.
Alitalia filed for bankruptcy in May 2017, hurt by tough competition from low-cost carriers and high-speed trains and rising costs and the Italian government, the airline’s special administrators and would-be investors have been trying to thrash out a plan for its future ever since, hampered in part by political upheaval and more recently by disagreements over future industrial strategy among the rescue partners.
LinkAir New Zealand to add new economy class option Air New Zealand has revealed it will be adding a new cabin class that will essentially fill a niche between standard economy and premium economy products.
The product, known as “economy stretch,” will be introduced on the carrier’s widebody fleet next year. It will be offered on up to 42 seats depending on aircraft type. Economy stretch will be based on the same economy seat, but will have greater pitch and improved amenities such as pillows and headsets used in premium classes.
LinkChina Eastern, Air France, KLM expand Virgin Atlantic cooperation Further expanding a cooperation agreement inked in January, China Eastern Airlines, Air France and KLM have signed an expanded four-way MOU with Virgin Atlantic in Shanghai. The MOU aims to further promote air links and add more routes between Europe and China.
Planned to enter full force in 2020, the agreement will offer passengers an increased number of flights and routes between Europe and China, facilitated by mutual codesharing as well as competitive joint commercial propositions.
LinkVistara picks Leap for A320neo orders Indian carrier Vistara has selected CFM International Leap-1As for its order of 13 Airbus A320neos.
The engine-maker values the deal, which includes 26 engines and a long-term overhaul support agreement, at about $2.4 billion.
LinkJuneyao enters crowded Shanghai Pudong-Tokyo Narita market Juneyao Airlines will begin daily flights between Shanghai Pudong and Tokyo Narita from 27 October, complementing its existing service to Tokyo Haneda.
The carrier will operate the flights with Airbus A321s, before replacing these with the larger Boeing 787-9s from 15 December.
LinkSouthwest cancels 737 Max flights into February Southwest Airlines is extending cancellation of flights on its fleet of Boeing 737 Max aircraft through 8 February, days after its pilots' union estimated the aircraft would take longer to return to service than the Texas-based airline's previous cancellation through 5 January.
The carrier states 17 October that it is monitoring efforts by Boeing and the US Federal Aviation Administration to modify software on Max aircraft and to develop training requirements.
LinkJAC flight attendant injured in ATR 42 'upset' Japanese investigators are probing an in-flight upset involving an ATR 42-600 during which a flight attendant was injured.
The Japan Air Commuter turboprop (JA01JC) had taken off from Kagoshima for Tanegashima on 12 October.
LinkTurkmenistan Airlines regains approval for EU operations European safety regulators have restored the third-country authorisation to Turkmenistan Airlines which had been withdrawn early this year.
The Central Asian flag carrier had been forced to resort to wet-lease operations to maintain European services following the withdrawal.
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