NewsAirlines
Alaska Airlines relies on fuel-efficient Boeing planes
Alaska Airlines is relying on fuel-efficient aircraft from Boeing. Alaska has ordered 737-900ERs and the 737 Max to replace its fleet of 737s. Brad Tilden, CEO of Alaska Air Group, said Alaska can compete due to "much more fuel-efficient aircraft that are coming on-line."
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American CEO: Merger integration "on the right track"
Doug Parker, the CEO of American Airlines, said the merger with US Airways still requires some key integration tasks, such as combining two reservations systems. "But what we have accomplished so far gives us confidence that we are on the right track together," Parker wrote in a letter to employees.
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American, Southwest both pleased with end of Wright amendment
As American Airlines Group and Southwest Airlines reported Q3 2014 results Thursday, executives at both carriers said things are going well following the Oct. 13 end of the Wright amendment. That 1980-era law banned nonstop flights beyond Texas and a handful of other states, which had grown to nine states including Texas. A 2006 federal law ended the ban on U.S. flights as of Oct. 13.
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Delta to launch service from LAX to London, Vancouver
Delta Air Lines completed another step toward becoming the carrier of choice for Los Angeles' entertainment and production communities with the recent introduction of service to additional industry destinations. In partnership with Virgin Atlantic Airways, Delta will launch direct service to London-Heathrow on Oct. 26; in December, Delta will add service to Vancouver, Canada, operated by Delta Connection carrier Compass Airlines.
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IAG Returns Fares To eDreams' French, Spanish Sites
British Airways and Iberia are posting their fares again on the French and Spanish websites of online travel agency eDreams ODIGEO , after resolving a dispute over what is included in the prices displayed. Shares in eDreams were suspended on Friday after dropping 59 percent following an announcement by the two airlines that they would no longer allow it to promote their fares on three of its sites because it was not clear what the final price covered. "After the measures adopted by ODIGEO to adjust their Spanish and French pages so that the final ticket price, including all obligatory charges for the client, are shown from the beginning of the reservation, all the Iberia and British Airways flights are once again available for sale on these sites," the airlines said in a joint statement.
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JetBlue to launch JFK-SFO MINT service
JetBlue's new Mint service features 15-inch TV screens, spacious seats that fully recline, Wi-Fi and a privacy door on some seats. The airline will offer the service on its San Francisco-New York route.
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Greybull Capital Buys UK's Monarch
British travel booker and airline company Monarch has been acquired by investment firm Greybull Capital which will invest GBP£125 million (USD$201 million) into the company as it turns itself into a budget airline. Greybull took a 90 percent stake in Monarch, with the rest passing to its pension scheme. The agreement will help Monarch take on budget airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet. The deal brings to an end the ownership of Monarch by the Mantegazza family. It founded the firm in the 1960s and has invested GBP£115 million in it over the last five years. The family will make an unspecified contribution to the new funding.
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Southwest CEO: International flights are meeting expectations
Southwest Airlines chairman and CEO Gary Kelly told analysts and media Thursday that its new international service has been “in line with our expectations,” but not great. “I will admit to you all they are a drag on our results. Right now, we’ve got some work to do,” Kelly said.
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United Airlines increasing capacity
United Airlines expects to increase capacity 1.5% to 2.5% in 2015, with domestic capacity increasing 0.5% to 1.5%. The company also announced that it has converted orders for Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners to 787-10 models, deferring planned 2017 and 2018 deliveries to 2022 and beyond.
LinkAirports
Aena Delays Filing Of USD$10 Bln Share Listing
State-owned Spanish airport operator Aena has postponed the prospectus for its planned USD$10 billion stock market listing until next week, after the Madrid bourse regulator said it needed more information. "The operation is moving forward. There is no problem with investor demand," an Aena official told Reuters news agency, adding that the prospectus would be filed next Friday. The group is sticking to its planned stock market debut on November 12, but would have a shorter offer period and roadshow than first envisaged as a result of the one-week delay, he said.
LinkMilitary
India halts Su-30 flights after latest crash
The Indian air force has temporarily suspended flying on its entire fleet of an estimated 200 Sukhoi Su-30MKIs, following an uncommanded ejection involving the type on 21 October. “Flying of the Su-30 fleet has been temporarily suspended. The Court of Inquiry is in progress and certain specific checks are being conducted on the aircraft,” says India's defense ministry. Both crew members from the air force's 30 Sqn escaped injury when their aircraft – tail no SB 050 – came down 10.8nm (20km) short of the runway at Lohegaon air base in Pune, with its airframe largely intact. “Both ejection seats had fired whilst the aircraft was coming in to land,” the defense ministry confirms.
LinkRegulatory
EU and US officials to hold 'urgent' meeting on Norwegian
European Commission and US officials will meet in Washington, DC next month to discuss Norwegian Air International's (NAI) controversial application for a foreign air carrier permit from US authorities, sources say. The unprecedented "extraordinary" meeting of the EU-US joint committee that oversees the EU-US open skies agreement will take place on 25 November, say sources close to the situation. EU officials had requested for an "urgent meeting" after the US Department of Transportation (DOT) in September rejected NAI's application for exemption authority to operate to the USA, saying it was not in the public interest to approve the request. DOT said in September it was still reviewing NAI's application for a foreign air carrier permit.
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Aviation Quote
This entire industry is in a death spiral, including this company, and I can't get us out of it. Deregulation is an abysmal failure and we have no more furniture left to burn.
— Bruce Lakefield, CEO US Airways, while between bankruptcies and before being taken over by America West, October 2004.
On This Date
---In 1909... Mrs. Ralph van Denman flies for four minutes with Wilbur Wright at College Park, Maryland, becoming the U.S.'s 1st female passenger.
---In 1962… U2 was shot down by a SAM over Cuba. The pilot, Rudolph Anderson was killed. The OXCART program goes into high gear. (Q)
---In 1979…First flight of the Panavia Tornado ADV.
---In 1988…First flight of the ATR-72.
Daily Video
Editor’s Choice
Humor
The Brothel
The madam opened the brothel door and saw a rather dignified, well-dressed, good-looking man in his late forties or early fifties.
“May I help you sir?” she asked.
“I want to see Valerie,” the man replied. “Sir, Valerie is one of our most expensive ladies. Perhaps you would prefer someone else,” said the madam.
“No, I must see Valerie,” he replied
Just then, Valerie appeared and announced to the man she charged $5000 a visit. Without hesitation, the man pulled out five thousand dollars and gave it to Valerie, and they went upstairs. After an hour, the man calmly left.
The next night, the man appeared again, once more demanding to see Valerie. Valerie explained that no one had ever come back two nights in a row as she was too expensive. But there were no discounts. The price was still $5000.
Again, the man pulled out the money, gave it to Valerie, and they went upstairs. After an hour, he left.
The following night the man was there yet again. Everyone was astounded that he had come for a third consecutive night, but he paid Valerie and they went upstairs.
After their session, Valerie questioned the man, 'No one has ever been with me three nights in a row.
“Where are you from?” she asked
The man replied, ' Ontario '.
“Really?”, she said. “I have family in Ontario.”
“I know,” the man said. “Your sister died, and I am her attorney. She asked me to give you your $15,000 inheritance.”
The moral of the story is that three things in life are certain.
1. Death
2. Taxes
3. Being screwed by a lawyer
Trivia
General Trivia
1. A pilot is practicing an on-pylon. He notices during the turn that the pylon is slipping ahead of the wingtip. He should
a. climb and reduce airspeed.
b. climb and increase airspeed.
c. descend and reduce airspeed.
d. descend and increase airspeed.
2. A pilot is practicing an around-pylon in a counterclockwise direction while under the influence of an easterly wind. On which of the following headings will rate of turn be greatest?
a. 090 degrees
b. 180 degrees
c. 270 degrees
d. 360 degrees
3. There are three types of airmets. A phonetic letter names each type. _____ refers to IFR conditions and/or extensive mountain obscurations; _____ is issued for turbulence, high winds, and low-level wind shear; and _____ advises of icing and freezing levels.
a. Airmet Sierra, airmet Tango, airmet Zulu
b. Airmet Tango, airmet Sierra, airmet Uniform
c. Airmet Uniform, airmet Zulu, airmet Sierra
d. Airmet Zulu, airmet Tango, airmet Sierra
4. A U.S. military fighter pilot broadcasts the word Winchester. What is the significance of this transmission?
5. What was the first type of jet aircraft to fly nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean?
6. In the jargon of flight attendants, what is a thumper?
