A Lufthansa A380 approaching LAX. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
In response to rising operational costs and environmental regulatory requirements, Lufthansa recently announced that it will begin introducing an environmental cost surcharge. Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and the movement towards exercising net-zero carbon emissions for daily operations by 2050 is a prominent goal of several major airlines around the globe.
The European Union (EU) requires a two percent blend of SAF from 2025 and a 70 percent blend by 2050. For Lufthansa, the surcharge is meant to cover the costs of the mandated requirements of SAF for 27 EU countries, in addition to the U.K., Norway, and Switzerland.
The German flag carrier also faces other regulatory environmental costs from institutions like the EU and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), including adjustments to the EU’s Emissions Trading System (EUETS) and the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).
The Surcharge
The surcharge will be levied this summer for tickets with departures on and after Jan. 1, 2025. According to the airline, this fee, which will range from 1 Euro up to 72 Euros depending on the route and ticket type, will assist in propelling the airline’s efforts to achieve its use of SAF, fleet modernization, and align itself better with mandated EU regulations.
Now, with the continued increased interest in adopting more sustainable practices, carriers like Lufthansa are faced with the obstacle of rising costs and how to manage environmental regulations. As a result, the decision from the prominent Star Alliance carrier will likely inspire other carriers to follow suit.
Benjamin has had a love for aviation since a young age, growing up in Tampa with a strong interest in airplane models and playing with them. When he moved to the Washington, D.C. area, Benjamin took part in aviation photography for a couple of years at Gravelly Point and Dulles Airport, before dedicating planespotting to only when he traveled to the other airports. He is an avid, world traveler, having been able to reach 32 countries, yearning to explore and understand more cultures soon. Currently, Benjamin is an Air Transporation Management student at Arizona State University. He hopes to enter the airline industry to improve the passenger experience and loyalty programs while keeping up to how technology is being integrated into airports.
JSX Adds New Routes, Resumes Salt Lake City Flights
Despite potential regulatory headwinds, JSX is adding a batch of new routes this winter and resuming service to Salt Lake City.
A JSX E145 prepares for its next flight at Dallas Love Field. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Mateen Kontoravdis)
Self-described semi-private operator JSX is adding new flights to Florida and bringing back seasonal service to Salt Lake City.
Starting in late November and December, travelers can fly JSX to Naples and West Palm Beach, Fla. Service to Boca Raton will also resume at this time.
In addition, JSX will return to Salt Lake City with service relaunching in December. The carrier plans to serve Burbank, Las Vegas, Denver/Boulder, and Scottsdale from the Utah capital.
New Florida Routes
Nonstop flights to Naples (APF) from Westchester County, NY (HPN) and Morristown, NJ (MMU) are slated to begin on November 21. The routes will be served five times per week.
Nonstop flights to West Palm Beach (PBI) from Westchester County, NY (HPN) start November 15. Service from Morristown, NJ (MMU) will start on November 22. Both flights will operate once per day.
Seasonal service resumes to Boca Raton (BCT) from Westchester County, NY (HPN) and Morristown, NJ (MMU) on November 22.
Returning Seasonal Service to Salt Lake City:
Service to Salt Lake City (SLC) resumes on December 19 with nonstop flights from Burbank (BUR), Las Vegas (LAS), Denver/Boulder (BJC), and Scottsdale (SCF). The carrier says all flights will operate on a daily basis.
“We look forward to increasing access to seamless, comfortable & enjoyable air travel for Customers traveling with friends, family, pets, and grandparents this holiday season to these idyllic vacation destinations across Florida and Utah,” said JSX’s CCO David Drabinsky in a news release. “As we continue to expand our network, we take great pride in ensuring an unmatched level of service at an unbeatable & attainable price point.”
The Dallas-based company may soon face regulatory headwinds as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) updates rules for public charter operators.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
First Look: Delta Opens First Premium International Lounge
The massive new Delta One Lounge features spaces that pay tribute to the lounge’s host city, a fine dining restaurant, and a designated wellness space.
The first Delta One lounge, located at New York's JFK Airport (Photo: Delta Air Lines)
Delta Air Lines is opening its first premium international lounge later this week. The massive new Delta One Lounge features spaces that pay tribute to the lounge’s host city, a fine dining restaurant, and a designated wellness space.
A Nod To New York
The first Delta One Lounge is located at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Design features throughout the lounge are inspired by the Big Apple. The bar area features an Art Deco-inspired lighting fixture, while the ceiling and fluted glass are inspired by the gold leaf ceiling and chandeliers of Radio City Music Hall.
The bar area in the Delta One Lounge at JFK Airport in New York (Photo: Delta Air Lines)
Meanwhile, travelers looking for a snack can visit the market and bakery area, which features a white marble counter that pays tribute to the city’s delicatessen food counters. There is also a hidden gem for aviation enthusiasts: the penny-round ceiling above the food counter is a nod to the original JFK terminal.
The market and bakery dining area in the JFK Delta One Lounge (Photo: Delta Air Lines)
An Amenity-Packed Experience
Delta is catching up to its competitors in the premium lounge space, with the Delta One lounge being a response to American’s Flagship and United’s Polaris Lounges. However, Delta appears to have taken this challenge seriously, delivering a well-curated lounge experience.
When it comes to food and beverage, the JFK Delta One Lounge has a 140-seat fine dining restaurant serving three-course meals, a walk-up bakery and market area, and a fully stocked bar. There are also eight marble-lined shower suites and a valet clothes steaming and shoe-shining service. For travelers looking to work, the lounge has eight soundproof working booths, as well as a service that allows guests to borrow a second monitor.
One of eight shower suites at the JFK Delta One Lounge (Photo: Delta Air Lines)
Airfield views are available from a terrace area with seasonal plants and a retractable. Meanwhile, those seeking a bit of relaxation can attend the designated wellness area, which features nine reservable relaxation pods with full-body massage and nap chairs. The adjacent “Serenity Lounge” is a quiet space with special lighting that mimics the light colors affecting human circadian rhythms.
The Delta One Lounge at New York’s JFK Airport has a lounge with airfield views, seasonally updated plants and a retractable roof. (Photo: Delta Air Lines)
Delta’s Largest and Most Exclusive Lounge
The lounge is located in JFK Airport’s Terminal 4, near the main security checkpoint between Concourses A and B. The Delta One Lounge has over 39,000 square feet of space, making it the airline’s largest lounge.
Like American Flagship Lounges and United Polaris Lounges, access to the Delta One Lounge is limited to the airline’s top premium customers. To access the lounge, travelers must have a same-day departing or arriving Delta One ticket or be traveling on a same-day flight in a premium cabin on Air France, LATAM, KLM, Korean Air or Virgin Atlantic. Those who are members of Delta 360o – Delta’s invitation-only status tier in its SkyMiles loyalty program – also have access to the lounge if they are traveling in First Class to any destination.
Additional Delta One Lounges are slated to open later this year at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
The wellness area in the JFK Delta One Lounge (Photo: Delta Air Lines)
Andrew is a lifelong lover of aviation and travel. He has flown all over the world and is fascinated by the workings of the air travel industry. As a private pilot and glider pilot who has worked with airlines, airports and other industry stakeholders, he is always excited to share his passion for aviation with others. In addition to being a writer, he also hosts Flying Smarter, an educational travel podcast that explores the complex world of air travel to help listeners become better-informed and savvier travelers.
Low-cost Asian carrier Air Asia X is slated to introduce scheduled services to its first destination in Africa in the next few months. Though there has not been an official announcement from Air Asia as of yet, a representative from the airline attended the AviaDev conference – an event focusing on route development in Africa, held in Windhoek last week. Furthermore, Air Asia’s flights to Nairobi are already showing in airline analytics platforms including Cirium and OAG.
This will be Air Asia’s first foray into Africa, with scheduled services scheduled to be introduced between Malaysia and the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. The airline previously operated flights to the Indian Ocean region but dropped these some years back. Air Asia X offered long-haul services to the island of Mauritius in 2016 and 2017.
Launching Nairobi Services
According to data from airline analytics platform Cirium, AirAsia X will offer services between Kuala Lumpur and Nairobi from November 15. The long-haul route will be operated four times a week, using an Airbus A330-300 which seats up to 377 passengers.
Kuala Lumpur is ideally located to become a hub for Air Asia’s Nairobi service. The low-cost Asian carrier has an extensive route network throughout Asia and beyond, which passengers can use to travel to other destinations served from its Kuala Lumpur hub. Furthermore, Air Asia will offer an alternative to Kenya Airways, which offers flights from Nairobi to Bangkok.
The 3 900 nautical mile (7 223 km) route heralds AirAsia X’s first route to mainland Africa. Air Asia’s Nairobi services will become the carrier’s longest route. Currently, Air Asia’s longest route is its scheduled service to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Challenges in Establishing the Nairobi Route
While it would be great for Air Asia to offer African connectivity in its route network, it is not going to be all smooth sailing for the Asian low-cost carrier as it launches services into Kenya.
Air Asia is expected to face some challenges in making the route economically sustainable. Lack of brand awareness in Kenya – and Africa, as well as its traditional distribution methods are likely to be initial obstacles for Air Asia as it gets the route off the ground.
As reported by Simple Flying, African Aviation consultant Sean Mendis, said that Air Asia might experience some obstacles when establishing itself in the Kenya market.
“They will have challenges with the distribution on the African side of the route given AirAsia’s traditional dependence on direct sales and its relative lack of brand recognition in Africa. They will need to leverage the Kuala Lumpur hub to feed the flights from all over Southeast Asia to make this work,” he noted.
That said, other major low-cost carriers have managed to make inroads in Kenya. This includes India’s Indigo and Dubai’s FlyDubai, which currently offer long-haul scheduled services into Nairobi.
Lorne is a South Africa-based aviation journalist. He was captivated and fascinated by flying from the day he took his first airline flight. With a passion for aviation in his blood, he has flown to destinations in all corners of the globe. Lorne has traveled extensively and lived in various countries. Drawing on his travels and passion for aviation, Lorne enjoys writing about airlines, routes, networks, and new developments.
Embraer Pursuing LOT Narrowbody Order
The CEO of Embraer reiterated the company's commitment towards securing a large narrowbody aircraft order from LOT Polish Airlines in the near future.
A LOT Polish Airlines Embraer jet (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
In a recent interview for money.pl, the CEO of Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, Francisco Gomes Neto, reiterated the company’s commitment towards securing a large narrowbody aircraft order from LOT Polish Airlines in the near future.
Long-Standing Relationship
The Embraer E2 family is one of the two possible outcomes of the search for the future narrowbody fleet backbone of LOT Polish Airlines. The jet stands in a side-to-side competition with the Airbus A220 family. The CEO of LOT, Michal Fijol, is on record for saying that the final decision will most likely be made by the end of the year.
LOT is already an active Embraer customer. Different variants of the Brazillian regional jet comprise more than half of the carrier’s fleet, counting 43 airframes out of 77. The joint history of the two companies started in 1999 with an Embraer ERJ-145 delivery and was further deepened with LOT taking delivery of its first E-Jet in 2004.
Even during the purchasing proceedings, as recently as May, LOT announced that three Embraer E2s will join the fleet. This is a major point for the manufacturer as it will be an opportunity to put its best foot forward before the final decision is concluded. Those will be the first E2s to join the carrier’s fleet, with all other jets being the older variants.
The Embraer Strengths
Francisco Gomes Neto points out numerous Embraer E2 family characteristics and each counts as an advantage over the competitor. He mentions how a capacity increase from the first generation is an added value. Coincidentally he also points out that a smaller number of seats in comparison to the competitor is also an advantage as an airline doesn’t have to sell out cheap seats just to fill the plane.
For context, various variants of the E2 family are seating between 90 and 146 passengers in a single-class layout. The Airbus A220 seats between 135 and 160 passengers in a similar setup. That being said, the lower-capacity variant E175 E2 is a good replacement for LOT’s current Embraer fleet which has already taken over for the recently retired Bombardier Q400s, seating around 80 passengers.
An Embraer E190-E2 with the front section decorated as a tiger head, on display during the Singapore Airshow in 2018. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Further in the interview, the executive brings up the topic of seating configuration. The mentioned advantage of Embraer is the lack of middle seats on the airplane. The 2-2 configuration guarantees that the customer will be able to enjoy either a window seat or direct aisle access. This is also targeted to highlight the alleged superiority over the Airbus A220’s unique 2-3 configuration.
Setting aside any discussions about the delivery schedule, the transition period and maintenance costs will probably play a significant role in the deal. With LOT already operating a major fleet of Embraer jets and taking further steps with introducing the three E2s into the fleet, this gives the manufacturer a headstart. Phasing out the entire fleet just to introduce the new aircraft one by one, thus maintaining two completely separate fleets for years, would be a significant cost and also an operational challenge. The outcome of the purchasing proceedings will be interesting news, but it is hard to not wonder if it is just a formality.
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.
Aer Lingus Braces For Pilots’ Strike, Cancels Flights
A work-to-rule industrial action by Aer Lingus pilots is poised to affect hundreds of flights throughout the week.
An Aer Lingus Airbus A320. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus is about to face some very tough days as more and more travelers take to the skies in Europe for the start of their summer holidays. The Irish Air Line Pilots Association (IALPA) has declared a five-day “work-to-rule” protest to protest over the lack of progress in the salary talks with the airline.
Pilots will refuse to work overtime between Wednesday, June 26 and Sunday, July 2, and alongside this a fully-fledged strike will take place on Saturday, Jun. 29 between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m. BST, affecting approximately 15,000 passengers.
The airline has pre-emptively canceled over 200 flights during the affected period, affecting travel plans of more than 35,000 passengers.
New talks planned to avert industrial action
The Union is asking for a 24% pay rise across the next three years, which they claim is due to recoup the purchasing power eroded by inflation since the last agreement signed in 2019. The airline is offering a 12.5% increase, which could become more substantial if “improvements in efficiency and flexibility” are discussed, Belfast Live reports.
Despite the distance between the two parties and the very tight deadline, IALPA and Aer Lingus are meeting on Tuesday at Ireland’s Labour Court in Dublin to understand if the industrial action can be averted, The Irish Sun reports.
In the meantime, Aer Lingus says it has arranged alternative plans for 80% of passengers affected, who have either found alternative flights or been issued a refund. Aer Lingus is an E.U. carrier and as such it is required to comply with E.U. Regulation 261/2004 which regulates passengers’ rights in case of cancelations or delays. However, industrial actions affecting flight operations are considered causes outside the airline’s control, and therefore no cash compensation is due to affected passengers, but the airline is still responsible for providing alternative options or a full refund.
Vanni fell in love with commercial aviation during his undergraduate studies in Statistics at the University of Bologna, when he prepared his thesis on the effects of deregulation on the U.S. and European aviation markets. Then he pursued his passion further by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Air Transport Management at Cranfield University in the U.K. followed by holding several management positions at various start-up carriers in Europe (Jet2, SkyEurope, Silverjet). After moving to Canada, he was Business Development Manager for IATA for nine years before turning to his other passion: sports writing.
Manchester Airport Hit By Major Power Outage
Manchester Airport, the gateway to Northern England, was hit by a major power outage. Passengers were left stranded in Terminals 1 and 2 on Sunday morning.
Check-in area at Manchester Airport's new Terminal Two extension (Photo: Manchester Airport)
Manchester Airport, the gateway to Northern England, was hit by a major power outage. Passengers were left stranded in Terminals 1 and 2 on Sunday morning.
The airport said the electric supply went off at about 1:30 in the morning with passengers facing severe delays as a result. Terminal 1 and 2 passengers were told not to go to the airport until further notice. However, Terminal 3 operated as normal.
According to the BBC, a number of flights have been cancelled and some arriving flights were diverted to other airports. Large queues were spotted and further disruption occurred throughout the day. Passengers were warned their baggage might not be on flights.
“Manchester Airport was affected by a major power cut in the area earlier this morning. This has caused widespread disruption and flights from Terminal 1 and 2 are being cancelled,” the airport said in a statement.
The power was later restored and the airport said it was “working to get those passengers already at the airport onto flights as soon as possible”.
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.
A JetBlue A320 in Boston. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
JetBlue has had a rough time. The airline initially had a great strategy planned out with American Airlines in the Northeast but that ended up being plagued by legal issues brought on by the government and was ultimately canned.
The New York-based carrier also tried merging with Spirit as a quick way to get assets and become bigger. That ended up falling through as well. This has left the airline in a tricky situation. It needs to find ways to innovate to survive. JetBlue has had a lot of misses and needs some wins to get back on the right path.
The airline had one big staffing win with the return of Marty St. George to the airline as President. Marty was previously a senior executive at the airline and had left to work for a South American carrier.
The next win was recently announced and will be something that many customers will appreciate. Beginning Sept. 6, 2024, passengers flying on the airline’s basic economy fare, Blue Basic, will be able to bring on a carry-on bag for free. This is a big benefit for what is the lowest cost fare that often has the fewest included benefits.
It’s clear that JetBlue is looking to win over those leisure customers who often travel on low-cost carriers where basic economy has no included perks. Marty St. George said in a statement that “carry-on bags are an important part of travel to customers, and when presented with a choice between JetBlue’s award winning service and another carrier’s basic offering, we want JetBlue to be the easy winner.”
At this point, the airline’s value proposition greatly increases on leisure routes where competition is the fiercest for price-sensitive travelers.
Increased Competitiveness and Network Optimization
The airline is going toe-to-toe with Frontier down in Puerto Rico, a large leisure market. The airline is increasing flights to San Juan from the continental United States and offering more flights that originate in San Juan for travelers going to other parts of the Caribbean, Mexico, and South America.
JetBlue is also going to make life easier for many Long Islanders with three new flights to Florida. In October, JetBlue will start flights from Long Island MacArthur Airport to Orlando, Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale.
These flights. along with the additional flying from San Juan, seem to suggest that the airline has Frontier dead in its sights and is looking to win passengers from it. Frontier already flies to all of these destinations from Long Island.
The airline is also looking to streamline operations and move aircraft around to more profitable routes. It is cutting back service from New York’s LaGuardia and focusing on its more substantial operations at JFK instead, all while cutting back transatlantic flying over the winter. The aircraft pulled off from transatlantic flying will be used to offer Mint class premium cabin offerings on new routes within the United States and Canada.
For a while, there was a lot of doubt as to what JetBlue will do. It had a long streak of bad luck and the future of the airline was uncertain. With all of these changes, it really does seem like the airline is taking itself seriously and doubling down on its core competencies.
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.
Allegiant Shuts Down Austin Crew Base
After nearly three years in operation, ultra-low-cost carrier Allegiant is closing down its Austin base early next year.
An Allegiant A320 on final approach to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Mateen Kontoravdis)
After nearly three years in operation, Allegiant is closing down its Austin base. As first reported by Aero Crew News and Enilria, the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) plans to shut down the base effective Jan. 7, 2025.
Allegiant opened its Austin base in November 2021 with initial plans to create roughly 89 ‘high-wage’ jobs, the carrier said in a press release. The airline had also planned to base three Airbus A320 jets at the airport.
According to Cirium Diio schedule data, the airline scaled back year-over-year capacity in Austin by 33% in the first quarter. In June 2024, Allegiant operates up to 20 peak-day flights in the market.
In Austin, Allegiant flies from the airport’s South Terminal, which is slated to be demolished to make way for a new midfield concourse. The airport says it expects the terminal to remain operational until early 2026.
“Austin is an important city to our network. However, due to airport constraints following the planned closure of the South Terminal, Allegiant will end base operations at AUS Jan 7, 2025. Because of the South Terminal’s closure, Allegiant will eventually relocate to the main terminal. Unfortunately, the gate space we have been offered will not allow us to sustain our base at AUS. However, we will continue to serve Austin with all flights operating as turns from other bases, providing our customers with the exceptional service they have come to expect from Allegiant,” the airline said in a statement.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
An American 737-800 at New York's LaGuardia Airport (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
American is adding a batch of routes from New York’s LaGuardia Airport starting in November 2024. The flights are scheduled to be operated by mainline aircraft.
Data from aviation analytics company Cirium shows the carrier adding service between LaGuardia and New Orleans, Orlando, and Palm Beach. New Orleans is a completely new route for post-merger American while Orlando and Palm Beach have been served in the past.
LaGuardia to New Orleans
Service to New Orleans is slated to begin on Nov. 5, 2024. Flights will operate daily on an Airbus A320.
American has yet to serve the New York-New Orleans market from either JFK or LaGuardia since 2008. The airline will compete directly with Delta, which serves the market from both airports. Southwest also serves New Orleans from LaGuardia.
In addition, JetBlue flies the route from both JFK and LaGuardia, however, service to the latter ends in late October as part of recently announced route cuts.
LaGuardia to Orlando
The airline will also add more flights in Orlando. Starting on Nov. 5, 2024, American plans to add twice-daily service from LaGuardia to Orlando on a Boeing 737-800.
This market is widely served by Delta, Southwest, Frontier, Spirit, and JetBlue. American will offer a 7 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. outbound departures on the route.
American last flew regular service between the two cities in November 2021.
LaGuardia to Palm Beach
Lastly, American plans to add service from LaGuardia to Palm Beach. Similar to the Orlando route, flights will be operated twice-daily on a Boeing 737-800 aircraft starting on November 5.
Delta, JetBlue, and Spirit also serve the market. American previously served LaGuardia-Palm Beach on a regular basis in March 2020.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
