AirlinesHawaiian to debut lie-flat seats with privacy screenHawaiian Airlines is targeting leisure travelers with a unique lie-flat seat set to debut in 2018. "In our seats, there is a translucent privacy screen that raises and lowers," said Avi Mannis, senior vice president of marketing for Hawaiian. "If you lower it, you can feel like you're sitting next to someone at dinner that you'd like to be sitting with."
LinkJetBlue updates apps for travelersJetBlue Airways is finding success in marketing to Hispanic travelers through its Spanish mobile site. The carrier also recently updated several applications and launched a new app for the iPad. "Our enhanced suite of mobile apps brings customers useful features they need, which also frees up our crew members to focus on adding the personal touch that makes the JetBlue experience so special," said Maryssa Miller, director of digital commerce for JetBlue.
LinkRoyal Jordanian heads for full-year profitRoyal Jordanian anticipates achieving a profit in its full-year results, compared to a loss of close to JD40 million ($55 million) in 2014, according to its new president and CEO. The Jordanian flag-carrier turned in healthy figures for the first nine months of the year and the comments of Suleiman Obeidat indicate that the improvement is likely to be maintained in the traditionally quieter 4Q period.
LinkSouthwest Sued For 2013 New York LandingA passenger who said he was seriously injured during the landing of a Southwest Airlines flight at New York's LaGuardia airport in 2013 has filed a lawsuit against the carrier. The suit filed by Kenneth Kochman in state supreme court in Queens County comes after another Southwest jet slid off a runway in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday, injuring at least nine people.
LinkRussian government agrees to bail out UTair Airline The Russian government is stepping in to support UTair Airline with Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev signing a resolution guaranteeing RUB9.5 billion ($138.6 million) to help secure loans. UTair faced financial difficulties in 2014 due to economic changes and a decrease in passenger demand. It reported a 2014 net loss of RUB61.66 billion ($1.09 billion). In February 2015, it was announced the carrier could apply for state guarantees. UTair has since launched a cost-cutting program, reduced its fleet and capacity, and sold some of its subsidiaries.
LinkVirgin Atlantic raises cash against Heathrow airport slotsUK-based long-haul specialist Virgin Atlantic has raised £220 million ($328 million) in funding by mortgaging some of its take-off and landing slots at London Heathrow. Slots at the heavily runway-constrained airport change hands for considerable sums, but this is the first time in Europe that they have been used in this way to raise funds. The money will be used to bankroll Virgin Atlantic’s long-term investment program, including new aircraft purchases.
Link