AirlinesAlaska Airlines poised to maintain growthAlaska Airlines is poised to continue its industry-leading financial performance, writes columnist Adam Levine-Weinberg. The airline is growing its West Coast presence with the acquisition of Virgin America, improving its fuel efficiency by replacing its oldest planes with newer aircraft and rolling out new Premium Class seats to further entice its customers.
LinkAmerican Airlines reaches 5-year labor deal with flight simulator engineersAmerican Airlines has reached a new five-year contract with 140 flight simulator engineers. The agreement include significant pay increases and take effect Nov. 7. "Our highly specialized, well-trained flight sim engineers are an integral part of American's Flight Department," said Kimball Stone, vice president of flight for American Airlines.
LinkSkyMiles Members can redeem miles for a Delta Private Jets CardDelta Air Lines'SkyMiles Members now have a way to redeem their miles toward luxurious and convenient travel on Delta Private Jets. Starting today, beginning at 2.5 million miles for a $25,000 Jet Card, SkyMiles Members can redeem for Delta Private Jet service, opening up a new world of luxury to Members. The Jet Card enables customers to pre-fund a travel card, allowing for simplified booking, guaranteed jet availability and locked-in rates for private jet travel. Price points for the card ordinarily begin at $100,000.
LinkEasyJet plans to operate from HeathrowUK low-cost carrier (LCC) easyJet plans to operate from London Heathrow Airport, following the UK government’s decision to back a third runway. In a statement, easyJet said the decision opens up the airport to increased competition.
LinkEmirates to install Thales IFE on new Boeing 777X fleetDubai-based Emirates Airline will equip its upcoming fleet of 150 Boeing 777X aircraft with Thales’ AVANT inflight entertainment (IFE) system, the two companies announced Oct. 25. Deliveries of the 777X aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2020.
LinkFiji Airways & American Airlines Strengthen Codeshare AgreementFiji Airways, Fiji's National Carrier, and American Airlines are strengthening their codeshare agreement to include more cities in the United States, as well as a significant international connection, London's Heathrow Airport (LHR). The extended agreement allows for convenient connections when flying between Fiji, across the U.S. and the United Kingdom.
LinkJetBlue will launch LaGuardia-Boston route Oct. 31JetBlue Airways announced that it will begin service between New York’s LaGuardia Airport and Boston Logan International Airport on October 31. The carrier will offer six daily flights during the week between the two cities, as well as two flights on Saturday and three on Sunday.
LinkKorean Air returns to profit in 3QKorean Air achieved a net profit of KRW428 billion ($378 million) for the third quarter, reversing a loss of KRW510 billion in the year-ago period. Preliminary figures show an operating profit of KRW447.6 billion, which would surpass the third quarter of 2010 as Korean’s best-ever quarterly result. The third-quarter 2016 operating profit was 35% higher year-on-year, and the airline’s revenue increased 4.7% to over KRW3 trillion.
LinkDutch ministry weighs options for MH17 prosecutionVarious alternatives remain under consideration for pursuing a prosecution of those accused of bringing down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine two years ago. While a decision has not been made, Dutch security and justice minister Ard van der Steur has written to the lower house of the country’s parliament outlining two particular options.
LinkSpirit posts $81 million 3Q net gain; competitive pricing hits yieldsFlorida-based ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines reported $81.4 million net income for the 2016 third quarter, down 16.2% year-over-year (YOY) from a $97.1 million net profit in 3Q 2015. Excluding special items, which in 3Q 2016 were primarily related to lease termination costs, Spirit’s adjusted net income for the 2016 third quarter was $86.3 million.
LinkS7 Airlines reports domestic traffic up 30% in SeptemberRussia’s S7 Airlines has reported it carried 967,075 domestic passengers in September, up 30% year-over-year (YOY). Sibir and Globus Airlines, which fly under the S7 brand, carried 1.3 million passengers in September, up 27% YOY. In September, S7 Airlines reportedly carried 379,664 international passengers, up 21.2%. Since the beginning of the year, S7, which is based at Moscow Domodedovo and Novosibirsk Tolmachevo airports, has carried more than 10 million passengers.
LinkUnited Airlines to offer better earbuds in economy cabinsUnited Airlines is updating the earbuds distributed in its economy cabins as part of a larger effort to improve the flight experience. The earbuds have improved sound quality and will accompany the airlines' tablet rental program.
LinkUnited creates chief storyteller postUnited Airlines has hired Dana Brooks Reinglass as its first-ever chief storyteller, a position that was created as an extension of CEO Oscar Munoz's vision for the overall brand. Reinglass will oversee all social media channels and storytelling opportunities in an effort to further connect its employees and customers.
LinkYTO Cargo Airlines to expand fleet to 50 aircraft by 2020YTO Cargo Airlines plans to expand its fleet to 50 aircraft by 2020 as China’s domestic express delivery market continues to experience rapid growth. The carrier currently operates five freighters and has 15 Boeing 737-800Fs on order. In 2017, YTO Cargo Airlines plans to build a “global aviation intelligence city” [airport] in Jiaxing, which lies in the northeast part of Zhejiang province. The Hangzhou-based carrier will use Beijing, Chengdu and Guangzhou as operating bases to cover 90% of China’s GDP, according to YTO Cargo Airlines parent YTO Express chairman Yu Weijiao.
Link 
