Frontier Expands Network in 2025

These new routes will connect passengers from 21 airports across the United States and the Caribbean, the carrier said in a Tuesday news release.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 12:02 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Frontier Airbus A321neo (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Frontier is expanding its network with 16 new routes launching in February and March 2025. These new routes will connect passengers from 21 airports across the United States and the Caribbean, the carrier said in a Tuesday news release.

The expansion includes a return to Tucson, Arizona, Reno, Nevada, and Antigua and Barbuda for Frontier.

New Routes

Flights between San Juan, Puerto Rico, from V.C. Bird International Airport starting Feb. 15, 2025, with a frequency of once per week. Frontier recently opened a crew base in San Juan.

From Atlanta, the airline will begin serving Indianapolis starting March 7, 2025, with a frequency of three times per week.

Service from Austin, Texas, to Orlando, Florida, Chicago O’Hare, Cincinnati, and Phoenix starts March 6 and 7, with frequencies ranging from two to three times weekly.

From Tampa, Florida, the carrier is adding service to Houston-Bush, Indianapolis, and Milwaukee, starting March 6 and 7. Each route will be served three times per week.

On March 7, Frontier will resume flights to Reno with three times weekly service to Denver and Las Vegas. Tucson will receive Frontier flights to Denver starting March 3, operating three times per week.

In addition, flights from Miami to Bradley International Airport start Feb. 13, 2025, with a twice-per-week frequency. The airline will also connect Nashville, Tennessee, Los Angeles, and Oklahoma City with Orlando beginning March 6 and 7, with two to three flights per week.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

Allegiant Adds Three New Cities, 44 Routes

This move marks one of the largest expansions in the ultra-low-cost carrier’s history, even as it continues to face ongoing Boeing delivery delays.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 10:36 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Allegiant 737 MAX at Boeing Field. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Allegiant is significantly expanding its network, adding 44 new nonstop routes. This move marks one of the largest expansions in the ultra-low-cost carrier’s history, even as it continues to face ongoing Boeing delivery delays.

The new routes will connect passengers in 51 cities across the United States, with a focus on underserved communities and vacation destinations. In addition, Allegiant will be adding service to three new airports: Gulf Shores International Airport in Alabama, Colorado Springs Airport in Colorado, and Columbia Metropolitan Airport in South Carolina.

New Routes Starting in February 2025:

Pittsburgh to Phoenix: Feb. 7
Phoenix/Mesa to Colorado Springs: Feb. 12
Santa Ana/Orange County, California, to Colorado Springs: Feb. 13
St. Pete/Tampa, Florida, to Colorado Springs: Feb. 14
Punta Gorda/Fort Myers, Florida, to Chattanooga, Tennessee: Feb. 13
Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina, to Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida: Feb. 13
Moline, Illinois, to Sarasota-Bradenton: Feb. 13
Albany, New York, to Sarasota-Bradenton: Feb. 14
Elmira/Corning, New York, to Sarasota-Bradenton: Feb. 14
Omaha, Nebraska, to Sarasota-Bradenton: Feb. 14
Roanoke, Virginia, to Sarasota-Bradenton: Feb. 14
Knoxville, Tennessee, to Sarasota-Bradenton: Feb. 14

New Route Starting in April 2025:

Lexington, Kentucky, to Sarasota-Bradenton: April 3

New Routes Starting in May 2025:

Orlando Sanford, Florida, to Columbia: May 15
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Columbia: May 22
Huntington, West Virginia, to Fort Lauderdale: May 15
Plattsburgh, New York, to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: May 15
Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Myrtle Beach: May 22
Niagara Falls/Buffalo, New York, to Myrtle Beach: May 22
Knoxville to Gulf Shores: May 21
Cincinnati to Gulf Shores: May 22
Houston to Gulf Shores: May 22
Bentonville/Fayetteville, Arkansas, to Gulf Shores: May 22
Belleville, Illinois, to Gulf Shores: May 23
Kansas City, Missouri, to Gulf Shores: May 24
Myrtle Beach to Grand Rapids: May 22
Jacksonville, Florida, to Grand Rapids: May 23
Shreveport, Louisiana, to Nashville, Tennessee: May 22
Savannah, Georgia, to Boston: May 22
Des Moines, Iowa, to Boston: May 23
Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Denver: May 22
Stockton, California, to Denver: May 22
Jacksonville to Des Moines: May 22
Fresno, California, to Portland, Oregon: May 22
Cincinnati to Portland: May 23
Flint, Michigan, to Portland: May 23
Indianapolis to Portland: May 23
Savannah to Washington Dulles: May 22
Knoxville to Dulles: May 23
Destin/Fort Walton Beach, Florida, to Dulles: May 24
Jacksonville to Akron-Canton, Ohio: May 23
Destin/Fort Walton Beach to Akron-Canton: May 24
Flint to Newark, New Jersey: May 23
Los Angeles to Spokane, Washington: May 23

New Route Starting in June 2025:

Asheville, North Carolina, to Dulles: June 20

The airline says these routes will operate on different days and frequencies. They are now available for reservations.

Ryan Ewing

Emirates to Offer NBA-Themed Flights

Passengers are in for a treat when they travel on Emirates over the next few weeks with special menus, NBA game streaming, and NBA-themed cabin interiors.

Hemal Gosai

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 09:38 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Emirates A380 in the NBA livery (Photo: Emirates)

For some time, Emirates has been developing its partnership with the NBA. This has ranged from sponsorships to games played in the UAE. Currently, the airline is sponsoring the Emirates NBA Cup, a multistage NBA tournament that culminates into single elimination knockout rounds until just one team is left.

The tournament started on November 12, 2024 and will continue for a little over a month with the last game on December 17 in Las Vegas.

To mark the occasion, the NBA Cup trophy made its way from Dubai to New York on an Airbus A380 sporting the new NBA-themed livery, which features a bright blue fuselage, red engine cowlings, and various basketball-themed designs.

Emirates’ newest Airbus A380 special livery (Photo: Emirates)

In-Flight Experience

Fun for passengers extends far beyond just the livery. On this particular flight, passengers were able to sample a basketball-themed menu and receive commemorative memorabilia ranging from aircraft models to NBA luggage tags, photo frames, and more.

Many of these special service and product changes will continue for the entire duration of the tournament. Passengers travelling to and from 13 points across the United States and Canada will be able to enjoy flights with NBA-inspired food selections across all cabins and in the passenger lounge on the A380. For a limited time, Emirates passengers in premium cabins will also be able to enjoy NBA-themed food and beverage options at the airline’s lounges in Dubai, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Boston.

There will also be additional NBA branding across the aircraft, such as NBA-branded headrests and coasters.

Passengers will also be able to watch many Emirates NBA Cup games live on the carrier’s in-flight entertainment screens.

Long-Term Focus on the United States

Emirates has long been all in on the United States market. This growing partnership with the NBA is just a small part of a long-term strategy of growth.

The airline has invested heavily in aircraft flying to the United States with the refurbishment of many jets and the addition of premium economy. It’s also inked significant partnerships with United Airlines.

Hemal Gosai

Hemal took his first flight at four years old and has been an avgeek since then. When he isn't working as an analyst he's frequently found outside watching planes fly overhead or flying in them. His favorite plane is the 747-8i which Lufthansa thankfully flies to EWR allowing for some great spotting. He firmly believes that the best way to fly between JFK and BOS is via DFW and is always willing to go for that extra elite qualifying mile. Hemal's opinions are his own and do not reflect those of his employer.

CommuteAir Pilots Secure Double-Digit Pay Raises

Nearly 450 pilots ratified a two-year contract extension with CommuteAir improving pay, benefits, and work rules on Monday.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Monday, November 18, 2024 at 04:33 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A CommuteAir Embraer E145 aircraft. (Photo: CommuteAir)

Nearly 450 pilots represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) ratified a two-year contract extension with CommuteAir improving pay, benefits, and work rules on Monday.

In an emailed news release, ALPA said that the agreement is “a major step forward in the United Express carrier’s efforts to attract and retain qualified pilots in a competitive market.”

CommuteAir, headquartered in North Olmsted, Ohio, operates in U.S. cities using Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft. The carrier operates out of Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.

ALPA stated that of the 85% of eligible pilots who cast ballots, 87% voted in favor of the agreement with CommuteAir. The contract extension is effective this month running through Dec. 31, 2028. Some benefits included in the agreement are:

An average pay increase of 37.7% and up to 44% for captains, and a 20.5% increase for first officers.
Annual compounding pay increases of up to 2%.
A mandatory minimum new-hire bonus of $20,000.

Eliminating Bonus Repayment

Additionally, pilots will no longer be required to repay their retention bonuses, and their existing obligations to do so will be fully eliminated by July 31, 2025. ALPA told AirlineGeeks in an email that retention bonuses for flight officers are $25,000 per year, and captains are $50,000 per year.

“We are incredibly pleased that we have collaboratively ratified this new contract,” said CommuteAir’s President and CEO, Rick Hoefling, in a statement. “This agreement reflects the strong partnership we’ve built with our pilots, and it ensures that we continue to prioritize the safety, well-being, and professional growth of our entire team. This new contract not only strengthens our foundation today, but also positions us for success in the future.”

The release stated that over the next four years, CommuteAir pilots will earn an additional $55 million in hourly rates, translating to an average pay increase of 41.2% overall.

“This agreement recognizes the value and professionalism of our pilots and indicates a path forward for growth and stability in regional airline contracts,” said Captain Liam Corcoran, CommuteAir’s master executive council chair, in the release. “It provides immediate and long-term stability for our pilot group and strengthens our 50-seat operation. It shows CommuteAir is taking proactive steps to attract and retain the highly skilled pilots necessary for continued operational success.”

“This agreement positions CommuteAir pilots among the highest paid in the regional airline industry and demonstrates the company’s commitment to its pilots and its passengers,” the release continued.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

AirlineGeeks.com was founded in February 2013 as a one-person blog in Washington D.C. Since then, we’ve grown to have 25+ active team members scattered across the globe. We are all here for the same reason: we love deep-diving into the fascinating realm of the airline industry.

‘Miracle on the Hudson’ First Officer Retires

Skiles is best known as the first officer on US Airways flight 1549, which landed in New York's Hudson River in January 2009.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, November 18, 2024 at 01:21 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Jeff Skiles, pictured second to left, and the US Airways 1549 crew. (Photo: American Airlines)

Jeff Skiles has retired from American Airlines after a decades-long flying career. Skiles is best known as the first officer on US Airways flight 1549, which landed in the Hudson River in 2009.

While Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger retired from US Airways in 2010, Skiles continued flying at US Airways and later American Airlines when the two airlines merged in 2013. Most recently, Skiles was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner captain for American.

Skiles’ final flight was Sunday, coinciding with his 65th birthday the following day. According to various sources, his last flight was American 87 from London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare.

2009 Water Landing

The so-called “Miracle on the Hudson” occurred on Jan. 15, 2009. The US Airways Airbus A320 lost both engines shortly after departure from New York’s LaGuardia Airport following a bird strike.

Sully and Skiles ditched the aircraft on the Hudson River; all 155 souls on board survived.

At the time of the water landing, Skiles had been with US Airways for 23 years. Before that, he had worked for a cargo carrier.

He was portrayed in the 2016 film “Sully” by actor Aaron Eckhart and has received numerous awards, including the 2015 EAA Freedom of Flight Award.

Ryan Ewing

Air Arabia Hits Targets Despite Regional Challenges

Air Arabia achieved 8% YoY growth in profit while still deploying more capacity in the market, an impressive result given the regional airspace challenges.

Filip Kopeć

Monday, November 18, 2024 at 11:33 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Air Arabia Airbus A321neo (Photo: Air Arabia)

Air Arabia announced record financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2024. Despite global challenges, the low-cost airline achieved substantial profitability and expansion across its operations.

Q3 2024: Record Profit and Increased Demand

For the third quarter ending Sept. 30, 2024, Air Arabia reported a net profit of AED 564 million, an 8% increase compared to AED 522 million in Q3 2023. Revenue for the quarter rose by 10% to AED 1.78 billion, up from AED 1.62 billion during the same period last year.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani, Chairman of Air Arabia, attributed the airline’s success to its customer-centric approach and robust operations.

“This record profit reflects the value we offer to customers and the strength of our operational model. Despite geopolitical challenges, inflationary pressures, and fuel price volatility, we’ve successfully expanded our network, increased capacity, and maintained a strong operating margin,” he said.

Air Arabia’s reported key performance indicators (Photo: Filip Kopec)

Sustained Performance

In the first nine months of 2024, Air Arabia reported a net profit of AED 1.25 billion, a slight decrease from AED 1.32 billion during the same period in 2023. However, revenue surged by 12% to AED 4.98 billion, compared to AED 4.45 billion in the previous year.

Passenger numbers increased to over 14 million during the nine months, a 13% year-on-year growth, with an average seat load factor of 82%, up from 80% in 2023.

Fleet and Network Expansion

The carrier continued to expand its fleet, adding six new Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft in 2024, bringing the total fleet size to 77. The airline also launched 22 new routes across its operating hubs in the UAE, Morocco, Egypt, and Pakistan.

Air Arabia’s global network (Photo: Air Arabia)

Resilience Amid Challenges

The local airline industry has faced various geopolitical and economic challenges, including airspace restrictions, inflationary pressures, and fuel price volatility. Air Arabia said it successfully navigated these headwinds by adjusting routes, managing costs, and maintaining high operational standards.

Sheikh Al Thani emphasized the airline’s commitment to growth:

“Our success is built on our ability to adapt to evolving challenges and our commitment to providing exceptional value to customers. We are proud of our achievements and remain focused on driving further growth.”

Filip Kopeć

A passionate aviation enthusiast that started off his career as an aerospace engineer, but found his true calling on the commercial side of the airline business. Now as a finance guy among avgeeks and an avgeek among finance guys, he has experience working in the Revenue Divisions of three airlines. In his spare time he enjoys traveling, but admittedly sometimes is more about the journey than the destination.

Saudia’s Record-Breaking Growth in 2024

Driven by a country opening to the world and vast pilgrimage traffic, Saudia is poised to become one of the Gulf's mega carriers.

Filip Kopeć

Monday, November 18, 2024 at 10:53 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Saudia 777-300ER at Washington Dulles. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ben Suskind)

Saudia — the national carrier of Saudi Arabia — recently announced impressive growth in its operational performance during the first half of 2024. According to its latest performance report, the airline carried 16.3 million passengers across domestic and international routes, a 19% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

Highlights

Saudia transported over 9.1 million international passengers, reflecting 24% year-on-year growth. The airline operated 42,000 international flights, an increase of 13%, logging 199,000 flight hours — a 12% rise from the previous year.

On its domestic routes, Saudia served over 7.2 million passengers, representing 14% growth, with more than 52,300 flights operated — a 10% increase. The airline also recorded a 9% rise in domestic flight hours, reaching 88,000.

Achievements and Expansion

The airline credits its success to a well-executed strategy for both the summer travel period and the Hajj season. H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, expressed gratitude to Saudia’s employees, emphasizing their role in achieving operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

“With unwavering dedication, operational excellence, and exemplary on-time performance, we have enhanced guest satisfaction and supported the Kingdom’s connectivity to the world,” Al-Omar said.

Saudia currently operates a fleet of 144 aircraft, connecting Saudi Arabia to over 100 destinations across four continents. This extensive network supports key sectors such as tourism, business, sports, entertainment, and religious travel for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.

Saudia’s retro livery Boeing 787 Dreamliner with the new branding unveiled in 2023 (Photo: Saudia)

Future Outlook

As part of its commitment to scaling operations, Saudia signed two major agreements with Boeing and Airbus to acquire over 100 new aircraft.

The expansion seems to be intended side-by-side with another Saudi Arabian national carrier in the making: Riyadh Air. Currently, Saudia is serving a significant number of destinations from Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, including New York, Casablanca, and several points in Southeast Asia. Concentrating all operations in Jeddah, the carrier’s current main hub, will mean even more aggressive growth.

Saudia’s network in November 2024 (Photo: flightconnections.com)

Saudia’s robust growth aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives to position the Kingdom as a global hub for travel and tourism. By connecting millions of passengers and providing world-class service, Saudia plays a pivotal role in transforming Saudi Arabia into a premier international travel destination.

Filip Kopeć

United Adds Pacific Route After 19-Year Hiatus

The route is a service resumption; Continental Micronesia last served the market in 2005, according to Aeroroutes. Continental and United merged in 2010.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, November 18, 2024 at 10:29 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A United 737-800 in San Francisco. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ben Suskind)

United plans to add another Asia-Pacific route, this time from its base in Guam. The Chicago-based airline has added a handful of intra-Asia routes in recent months.

The carrier will add flights between Guam and Taipei, Taiwan, starting in April 2025. The route is a service resumption; Continental Micronesia last served the market with regular flights in 2005, according to Aeroroutes. Continental and United merged in 2010.

The nearly 2,000-mile Guam-Taipei route will operate twice per week on a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Focus Taiwan reports that service will begin on April 2.

United’s Guam to Taipei route (Photo: GCMap)

China Airlines also plans to resume service between Taipei and Guam starting on Nov. 27, 2024. In addition to the planned Guam route, United serves Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport from its San Francisco hub.

With an aircraft and pilot base in Guam, United has more recently doubled down on its Asia-Pacific network. In October, the airline announced new routes from Tokyo Narita to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, along with Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Ryan Ewing

Spirit Files for Bankruptcy Protection

Spirit is filing for bankruptcy after years of quarterly losses and mounting debt, the budget carrier announced on Monday.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, November 18, 2024 at 08:49 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Spirit Airbus A321neo aircraft. (Photo: Shutterstock | Kevin Hackert)

Spirit is filing for bankruptcy after years of quarterly losses and mounting debt. The ultra-low-cost airline announced plans early Monday morning to begin the Chapter 11 process.

In a letter to customers, the carrier said it plans to continue operating normally. “The most important thing to know is that you can continue to book and fly now and in the future,” it said.

The airline expects to complete the “streamlined” Chapter 11 process in the first quarter of 2025, adding that it plans to “emerge even better positioned to deliver the best value in the sky.”

As part of the bankruptcy process, Spirit will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange.

“The chapter 11 process itself will not impact Team Member wages or benefits, which are continuing to be paid and honored for those employed by Spirit,” the carrier said in a news release. “Vendors, aircraft lessors and holders of secured aircraft indebtedness will continue to be paid in the ordinary course and will not be impaired.”

Mounting Issues

The financially crippled airline has reported continued quarterly losses since the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, a federal judge struck down a proposed merger with JetBlue.

As a result, Spirit has aggressively cut costs, including the removal of over 20 Airbus A320-series aircraft from its fleet. The airline has also furloughed 186 pilots this year with plans to cut 330 more in early 2025.

Both Spirit and Frontier engaged in last-ditch talks over a merger in October, according to reports, but those discussions fell through.

The last major U.S. passenger carrier to file for Chapter 11 protection was American Airlines in 2011. The airline emerged from the bankruptcy process as the American Airlines Group before later merging with US Airways in 2013.

Ryan Ewing

Loose Hamsters Ground A321neo

Several animals were being shipped to a local pet store onboard the Wednesday flight when 132 hamsters escaped from their cages.

Ryan Ewing

Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 09:19 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A TAP Air Portugal A321neo (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

A TAP Air Portugal Airbus A321neo was grounded for four days after a shipment of hamsters escaped from their cages, The Aviation Herald reported. 132 hamsters became loose with 116 located as of Sunday morning.

On Wednesday, the aircraft — registered as CS-TJR — operated flight 1865 from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada. Several animals were being shipped to a local pet store onboard the flight.

#Update footage showing one of the Hamsters on the cargo hold pic.twitter.com/EIzvz5d0pJ

— Air Safety #OTD by Francisco Cunha (@OnDisasters) November 17, 2024

While the flight landed without any issues, the return leg back to Lisbon was cancelled due to the escaped hamsters. The aircraft was later inspected for any damage and operated a ferry flight to Lisbon on Sunday.

The A321neo remains out of revenue service at the time of writing.

Ryan Ewing