Airlines
WestJet to Expand Encore Fleet
WestJet has signed a firm order for five Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft, on top of a firm order for one of the aircraft signed in March. These transactions are conversions of options previously booked by WestJet. The five firm orders are for delivery in 2016 and 2017. “In just 24 months we have successfully built a coast-to-coast airline that is connecting more and more Canadians to the WestJet network,” said Ferio Pugliese, president, WestJet Encore. “Building WestJet Encore into a national airline is an important component of our strategic plan.” New WestJet Encore...
IATA Puts ‘Cabin OK’ Initiative On Hold
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is pausing the roll-out of its “Cabin OK” initiative and beginning a comprehensive reassessment in light of concerns expressed, primarily in North America. This will include further engagement with program participants, IATA membership and key stakeholders. The Cabin OK initiative was launched on June 9 with the aim of providing passengers with greater assurance that their carry-on bags will travel with them in the aircraft cabin, even when the flight is full. The initiative provides consumers with a voluntary option to use a...
Etihad Urges EC To Embrace Reforms
Etihad Airways is urging the European Commission to embrace “bold, exciting and world-leading reforms” as part of the Strategic Aviation Package to overhaul Europe's air transport industry. In a detailed submission to the Commission, the airline advocates a policy which actively facilitates competition and consumer choice, addresses critical shortfalls in aviation infrastructure and eases restrictions on market access and investments by non-European airlines. The carrier stated: “We welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important process, given our significant operations...
WestJet Taking Off To Gatwick
WestJet has picked London, England as the first transatlantic destination from Canada for its wide-body Boeing 767-300 aircraft. Service from Canada to London will be through London Gatwick. According to WestJet's executive vice-president, commercial, Bob Cummings: “This news marks the next phase in the international portion of our strategic plan. WestJet is at the right scale to make this step in our evolution. Combined with our low-cost approach and renowned people-driven service, we have the network, brand and infrastructure to successfully enter and grow in the wide-body market....
Moving Day
United Airlines has announced that it is ceasing operations at Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on Oct. 25, 2015 and will bolster its operations out of Newark Liberty International Airport which will be its New York hub. The move follows United entering into two separate transactions in which Delta Air Lines plans to acquire United's JFK slots; while United plans to acquire slots from Delta in Newark. Each of those transactions is subject to regulatory approval. In announcing the move, United also unveiled plans to bring its “p.s.” Premium Service to Newark Liberty in...
WestJet Ups Frequency on Select Routes
WestJet has announced an increase in frequency on three existing international routes and a move from seasonal to year-round service between Calgary and Yellowknife. Service between Calgary and Loreto, Mexico increases from weekly to twice-weekly service. Flights between Toronto and Puerto Vallarta increase from weekly to three times weekly and service between Toronto and Puerto Plata doubles from twice-weekly service to four scheduled flights per...
Aeroflot Adds Long-Haul Capacity With New 777-300ER
Aeroflot has taken delivery of a new factory-direct Boeing 777-300ER – the 13th of 16 such aircraft ordered by Aeroflot. The latest addition to its fleet further expands Aeroflot's capacity on long-haul routes to such destinations as (but not limited to) Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, from its base at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport. The new 777-300ER is configured with Business Class, Economy Class and Comfort Class cabins. Passengers flying Comfort Class enjoy a premium-class service at highly competitive prices, with features...
WestJet Launches EMD Process for Pre-Reserved Seats
On June 15, WestJet will enable electronic miscellaneous document (EMD) functionality on its host reservation system. Following this, WestJet and GDS providers will implement the EMD pre-reserved seat process for GDS. The booking steps for purchasing pre-reserved seats on TA Web will remain the same, but the airline has identified a concern with the prices that will be displayed once EMDs are enabled. Since the TA web site can only display one seat fee, the extra legroom fee will be displayed during the booking flow for all seats. At the confirm and payment step, however, the...