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American Adds Two New Routes

American is bolstering its Florida and Canada networks with new seasonal routes from Boston and its hub in Charlotte, according to a recent schedule update.

Ryan Ewing
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

PSA aircraft in Charlotte. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

American is bolstering its Florida and Canada networks with new routes from Boston and its hub in Charlotte. According to the latest Cirium Diio schedule update, the carrier plans to add seasonal routes from Boston to Panama City, Fla. (ECP) along with Charlotte to Quebec City (YQB).

Starting on June 8, 2024, the Fort Worth-based airline will launch Saturday-only service from Boston to Panama City. The new route is slated to be operated by Republic Airways’ Embraer E175.

Boston-Panama City flights are scheduled to depart Boston at 9:00 a.m. local time, arriving in Panama City at 11:28 a.m. The return flight departs at 12:00 p.m., landing in Boston at 4:07 p.m.

From Boston, American currently serves two destinations in Florida, including regular flights to its Miami hub and a seasonal route to Key West. Boston-Panama City is scheduled to operate through Aug. 31, 2024.

New Flights to Canada

The airline is also growing its presence in Quebec City, Canada. Joining seasonal flights from its Chicago O’Hare and Philadelphia hubs, American plans to add a new route from Charlotte.

Charlotte-Quebec City is also scheduled as a Saturday-only flight, beginning on Aug. 10, 2024. The route is scheduled on a PSA Airlines’ CRJ-900 aircraft.

Flights are scheduled to depart Charlotte at 9:10 a.m. local time, arriving in Quebec City at 11:45 a.m. Return flights are scheduled for a 12:25 p.m. departure before arriving in Charlotte at 2:55 p.m. local time.

As of now, Charlotte-Quebec City flights are scheduled through Nov. 2, 2024. In December, the airline added a new seasonal route from Charlotte to Calgary (YYC) in Summer 2024.

Ryan Ewing

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.

Livery of the Week: Condor’s Stripes

German leisure airline Condor launched a new livery design in April 2022, featuring a distinct striped motif across five color variations.

Ryan Ewing
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Condor Airlines Airbus A330-900 arriving at the gate at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
A Condor Airlines Airbus A330-900 arriving at the gate at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fangzhong Guo)

Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is excited to launch our ‘Livery of the Week’ series. Every Friday, a team member will share an airline livery, which can be from the past, present, or even a special scheme. Some airline liveries are works of art. The complexity associated with painting around critical flight components and the added weight requires outside-the-box thinking from designers. The average airliner can cost upwards of $200,000 to repaint, creating a separate aircraft repainting industry as a result. 

Have an idea for a livery that we should highlight? Drop us a line. 

German leisure airline Condor launched a new livery design in April 2022, featuring a distinct striped motif across five color variations: Sunshine yellow, Passion red, Sea blue, Island green, and Beach beige. This marks a significant departure from the airline’s traditional blue and yellow livery, which adorned its fleet for over 40 years.

The inspiration for the new design draws from summer holidays and beach life, reflected in the vertical stripes reminiscent of beach umbrellas and deck chairs. The tailfin showcases a larger rendition of the stripes and the Condor logo.

A Condor A330neo in Seattle (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

“Condor has undergone a transformation over the past two and a half years: From a subsidiary of a vertically integrated travel group to an independent airline that looks back proudly on its history and tradition, while at the same time embarking on the path to the future. We want to express this unmistakably through our corporate identity: Condor is vacation and Condor is unmistakable – like our new design, with which we are now launching into the future,” said Ralf Teckentrup, CEO of Condor, during the livery’s announcement in a press release.

“Our new trademark are stripes, our figurative mark stands for our origin and the colors for diversity. This triad is new, what remains is our passion. It has always made Condor unique and is therefore also reflected in our claim: Passion is our compass,” he added.

A Gradual Repainting Process

The airline’s new livery and branding were designed by Remo Masala, owner of the creative agency vision alphabet in Berlin. In a press release, Masala said that the new design seeks to give Condor “special visual independence.”

According to Condor, the new livery aims to convey a modern and dynamic brand identity while retaining its appeal to leisure travelers. The diverse color palette symbolizes the various travel experiences offered by the airline, transcending the limitations of a single color.

Condor’s new livery on an Airbus A321 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr)

The rollout of the new livery is gradual, with an estimated 80% of the fleet expected to receive the stripes by 2024. Public reception toward the design has been mixed, with some appreciating its freshness and others expressing fondness for the classic look.

Currently, Condor has 40 aircraft in its fleet with up to nine on order. The leisure carrier primarily serves seasonal holiday destinations from its Frankfurt hub.

Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.

Ryan Ewing

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.

Delta Plans Darker Cabin Colors and Increased Premium Offerings

Delta Air Lines is introducing refreshed cabin colors, a new premium lounge concept and increased Delta One Suites on its flagship long-haul aircraft.

Andrew Chen
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Delta One seating on the airline's first A330neo (Photo: Delta)

Delta Air Lines has been busy developing new plans for its passenger experience offerings. The Atlanta-based carrier is working on refreshed cabin colors, a new premium lounge concept, and increased Delta One Suites on its flagship long-haul aircraft.

A Look at Delta’s Planned Cabin Colors

As reported by The Points Guy, internal documents have revealed that Delta is working on a new interior color palette for its aircraft. Delta cabins have long-featured brighter blue seats with red and gray accents, but the new planned colors have a darker and more modern feel.

Inside a Delta 757’s first class cabin (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Based on available renderings, it appears that the new seats will feature a combination of dark blue and dark grey hues with red accents.

Images of Delta’s new cabin color palette from an internal presentation (Photo: The Points Guy)

The existing white checkerboard forward bulkheads will be replaced by a dark design with white dots called “Dark Celestial Sky.” Meanwhile, the rear bulkheads will have a white design with dark dots called “White Celestial Sky.”

An internal presentation indicated that the airline’s premium domestic 757-200s could be the first to receive the new cabins. According to xJonNYC on X (formerly known as Twitter), Delta will send a Boeing 757-200 to a Jacksonville, Fla. maintenance facility for a complete interior retrofit in the coming weeks. The aircraft will then serve as a testbed for the new cabin elements.

Delta’s new cabins will feature darker colors

Delta’s Long-Awaited Premium Lounges to Open in 2024

Although both American and United have long had premium lounge offerings for its top customers, Delta has lagged behind in this area. This is about to change, as the first Delta premium lounges will open this year to join the ranks of American’s Flagship Lounges and United’s Polaris Lounges.

A rendering of the restaurant area at Delta’s new JFKk premium lounge (Photo: Delta Air Lines)

New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport will host the first premium lounge. With 38,000 square feet of space, the lounge will feature a full-service brewery, open kitchens, dedicated wellness areas, and locally inspired design elements.

A rendering of a terrace area in Delta’s upcoming premium lounge at JFK airport (Photo: Delta Air Lines)

Access guidelines have yet to be announced but will most likely include Delta One passengers and possibly those with high levels of status in the airline’s frequent flyer program. The JFK lounge is expected to open in June of 2024. Two other premium lounges will open in Los Angeles and Boston later in the year.

Delta is also planning on increasing existing Delta Sky Club lounge capacity in 2024. The airline is expanding its lounges at LaGuardia Airport and Miami International Airport and adding a second lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is also slated to receive its first Sky Club. As the airline has been experiencing crowding and lines at many of its lounges, the added capacity will be a welcome change for both Delta and its customers.

Increased and Improved Premium Seats

Last month, Delta also announced that it would start retrofitting its Boeing 737-800 aircraft with its newest domestic first class seats. These seats initially debuted on the airline’s Airbus A321neo in 2022 and feature additional storage space and more privacy. Delta is also upgrading the economy class seats with 10-inch Panasonic seatback screens.

New domestic first class seats on a Delta Boeing 737-800 (Photo: Delta Air Lines)

The airline is further expanding its premium product by adding eight lie-flat Delta One Suites to its Airbus A350-900 aircraft. With this reconfiguration, Delta is reducing the overall capacity on its flagship long-haul aircraft in order to bolster the number of premium seats. The new layout is expected to enter service this summer.

Andrew Chen

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.

Frontier Offers ‘All-You-Can-Fly’ Summer Pass for $399

Frontier Airlines is offering passengers the opportunity to ‘access unlimited flights’ from May through September by purchasing a summer pass.

John Flett
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An A321 in Frontier's "Spot the Jaguar" livery on approach into Las Vegas.
An A321 in Frontier's "Spot the Jaguar" livery on approach into Las Vegas. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Frontier Airlines is offering passengers the opportunity to ‘access unlimited flights’ from May through September by purchasing a summer pass. The ‘2024 GoWild! All-You-Can-Fly™ Summer Pass’ is currently on sale at $399 for a limited time giving access to flights across the airline’s domestic and international networks. The airline’s annual ‘All-You-Can-Fly’ pass extends from May 1, 2024 through April 10, 2025 for a current cost of $599. In addition, Frontier Airlines began offering a monthly pass last year and has offered a ‘Fall & Winter’ pass that extends from early September through the end of February.

James Fenner, Frontier Airlines’ vice president, of pricing and revenue management, said in a press release: “Thousands of GoWild! pass holders are enjoying spontaneous, affordable travel to destinations across the began continental U.S., Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and Latin America. The GoWild! Summer Pass is a great fit – and a great gift – for anyone with flexibility in their travel plans, including students and new graduates, teachers, families, retirees, and remote workers.”

Passholders can confirm domestic travel the day before departure and international travel 10 days before departure paying $0.01 in airfare plus applicable taxes, fees, and charges at the time of booking. There is also a provision for booking flights outside of the standard booking windows that may incur an ‘early booking charge.’ Passholders need also be aware that available seats are ‘capacity controlled, limited in quantity and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.’

Add-On Services

In a further enhancement to the ‘All-You-Can-Fly’ passes, the purchase of ancillary services such as seat allocations and baggage additions will accrue miles, as will the initial purchase of the pass, based on dollars spent. Though passes can only be purchased by those over 18, they can be held by under 18-year-olds, with certain conditions dependent on age.

A further condition is that only those residents in the United States can be pass holders. Those who may consider purchasing the summer pass, or any of the ‘All-You-Can-Fly’ passes, should also be aware that some dates of travel particularly around holiday periods may be blacked out.

The ultra-low-cost carrier’s schedule is also expanding, giving pass holders who may fly out of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) 10 new destinations to choose from. The additional destinations with services commencing in May include Portland, Maine (PWM), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), St. Louis (STL), and Kansas City (MCI).

“From the Midwest to the East Coast and from Maine to Florida, these new routes span much of the country and represent our continued commitment to growth from PHL,” said Barry Biffle, the airline’s chief executive officer. “In fact, PHL will see the second largest increase in daily departures on Frontier this summer among our major operational bases.”

John Flett

John has always had a passion for aviation and through a career with Air New Zealand has gained a strong understanding of aviation operations and the strategic nature of the industry. During his career with the airline, John held multiple leadership roles and was involved in projects such as the introduction of both the 777-200 and -300 type aircraft and the development of the IFE for the 777-300. He was also part of a small team who created and published the internal communications magazines for Air New Zealand’s pilots, cabin crew and ground staff balancing a mix of corporate and social content. John is educated to postgraduate level achieving a masters degree with Distinction in Airline and Airport Management. John has held the positions of course director of an undergraduate commercial pilot training programme at a leading London university. In addition he is contracted as an external instructor for IATA (International Air Transport Association) and has been a member of the Heathrow Community Fund’s ‘Communities for Tomorrow’ panel.

Finnair Starts Weighing Passengers For Accurate Balance Calculations

Finnish airline Finnair has launched a unique initiative to ensure safe and efficient takeoffs by voluntarily weighing passengers and their carry-on luggage.

Tolga Karadeniz
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Finnair Airbus A320 on a runway
A Finnair A320 in Austria (AirlineGeeks - William Derrickson)

Finnish airline Finnair has launched a unique initiative to ensure safe and efficient takeoffs by voluntarily weighing passengers and their carry-on luggage. Currently underway at Helsinki Airport, this program aims to gather accurate data on passenger weights for improved aircraft balance calculations.

Every aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) crucial for maintaining balance and performance in flight. This weight incorporates the aircraft itself, fuel, checked baggage, cargo, catering, water tanks, and, of course, passengers. Airlines typically estimate passenger weight based on civil authority aviation averages, but individual variations necessitate more precise data.

Since 2018, Finnair has been utilizing average weights for both passengers and their carry-on luggage, determined through its own specific measurements. However, regulations mandated by authorities require an update to these figures every five years.

The Program Offers Safety, Privacy And Sustainability

Finnair’s voluntary weigh-in program offers passengers the opportunity to contribute to improved flight safety. Participants step onto a scale with their carry-on luggage, with only the customer service agent present witnessing the total weight. Finnair underscores the voluntary nature of the program, respecting passengers’ privacy and comfort. The airline emphasizes complete anonymity, assuring participants that their personal data remains unlinked to the collected information. Individuals are free to decline participation without facing any repercussions.

Finnair’s head of ground processes, Satu Munnukka, highlighted the importance of accurate data: “In the previous measurements five years ago, a good number of volunteers wanted to participate in the weighing, and we hope to have a good sample of volunteers, both business and leisure travelers, also this time, so that we can get the most accurate information possible for important balance calculations.”

Beyond the undeniable safety benefits, Finnair’s weigh-in program sheds light on another crucial aspect: environmental friendliness. With more accurate weight estimations, airlines can optimize fuel consumption, leading to reduced emissions and a significant environmental impact. As the program progresses, its potential to contribute to sustainable aviation practices could become another compelling reason for wider adoption and continued passenger participation.

Looking Ahead: A Global Impact?

While currently limited to Helsinki Airport, Finnair’s program holds the potential for wider influence. The collected data could inform and improve weight estimation practices across the entire aviation industry, ultimately leading to safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly flights for everyone.

The success of this initiative hinges on passenger participation. As the program gathers momentum, its impact on safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability will be closely monitored. Could this be the first step towards a future where passenger weigh-ins become standard practice, ensuring smoother journeys for all while caring for the planet? Only time, and passenger involvement, will tell.

Tolga Karadeniz

Tolga is a dedicated aviation enthusiast with years of experience in the industry. From an early age, his fascination with aviation went beyond a mere passion for travel, evolving into a deliberate exploration of the complex mechanics and engineering behind aircraft. As a writer, he aims to share insights , providing readers with a view into the complex inner workings of the aviation industry.

U.S. Senate Committee Moves to Reject Pilot Retirement Age Hike

The Senate Commerce Committee voted 14-13 to reject a proposal raising the airline pilot retirement age to 67 on Thursday.

Ryan Ewing
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Southwest 737 aircraft
A Southwest 737 in Las Vegas. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

The Senate Commerce Committee voted 14-13 on Thursday to reject a proposal raising the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots from 65 to 67. This move follows heated arguments over the issue with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) voicing its opposition.

“Increasing the pilot retirement age will disrupt airline operations, raise ticket prices, upend collective bargaining agreements, create a cascading and costly training backlog, and put the United States out of compliance with international standards,” said ALPA President Captain Jason Ambrosi in a statement.

“This is a weird union issue,” commented Senator Ted Cruz during the hearing, citing a push from some union members supporting the age hike.

Supporters of the change argued it would address the pilot shortage and allow experienced pilots to continue flying, citing rising life expectancy and advancements in healthcare.

“We strongly encourage preceding that type of change with appropriate research so that the FAA can measure any risk associated with that policy and define appropriate mitigations,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker wrote in a letter to Congress earlier this week.

Last year, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 351-69 on an FAA reauthorization bill that included an age hike to 67 for airline pilots. Thursday’s move by the Senate is part of a broader reauthorization bill, which includes an increase in safety inspectors and air traffic controller staffing.

Ryan Ewing

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.

Emirates Inks New Partnership With the NBA

Emirates Airline announced a new partnership with the National Basketball Association that will allow for greater collaboration and branding between the two groups.

Hemal Gosai
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Emirates aircraft in Dubai
Emirates aircraft in Dubai. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Hisham Qadri)

For quite some time now passengers on Emirates flights were able to watch National Basketball Association (NBA) games live on the airline’s seat back entertainment systems. However, any agreements the NBA and Emirates had did not extend beyond streaming until now.

On Thursday, Emirates and the NBA are announcing the start of a comprehensive partnership that will further the Emirates brand across the NBA and vice versa. This marketing partnership now names Emirates as the official global airline partner of the NBA with the airline being the inaugural partner at the NBA Cup, previously known as the NBA In-Season Tournament.

The airline will have its branding present at a variety of games across the season and Emirates staff will be present at certain games to engage sports fans similar to the airline’s sponsorships at the U.S. Open tennis tournament where flight attendants often come out between games with giveaways for the crowd. Fans will also be able to watch expanded NBA content on the Emirates inflight entertainment system. This will include documentaries, player profiles, interviews, and more.

Furthermore, as the NBA’s global footprint expands, Emirates will be the global airline partner for various pre-season and regular-season NBA Global games. The Global games had come to a halt due to the pandemic but have recently returned. Most recently the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks faced off in Mexico City this past November along with the Brooklyn Nets and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Paris this past January. Preseason games were held in Abu Dhabi at the Etihad Arena.

Interest from Sovereign Wealth Funds

This sponsorship comes as the NBA’s popularity in the UAE and the region overall grows. The preseason games in Abu Dhabi have been successful and many sovereign wealth funds in the region have expressed interest in investing in various NBA teams.

Last year NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum announced that it would be allowing foreign entities to purchase minority stakes in NBA franchises. In June 2023, the Qatar Investment Authority purchased a five percent stake in the parent company of the Washington Wizards. The UAE and Saudia Arabia have also expressed interest in various franchises within the association.

Over the past few years, global sports have gained the interest of the massive sovereign wealth funds. Several Middle Eastern countries have made significant investments in soccer to the point that some teams are entirely owned by Middle Eastern entities.

The UFC has posted events in the UAE and tennis titans like Novak Djokovic have played in Saudia Arabia. The golf space got much more interesting with the launch of LIV Golf by Saudi Arabia, initially a direct competitor to the PGA League in the U.S. The Saudis are also now the lone bidder left for the next FIFA World Cup, which was most recently held in Qatar.

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.

Boeing Responds to Missing Bolts

“Whatever final conclusions are reached, Boeing is accountable for what happened," said Boeing president and CEO Dave Calhoun.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 sits in Seattle prior to delivery. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

“Whatever final conclusions are reached, Boeing is accountable for what happened,” said Boeing president and CEO Dave Calhoun in response to the National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report on the investigation into the blowout of the mid-exit door plug on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 in January.

The 19-page report, released Tuesday by the NTSB, noted the four bolts that are supposed to hold the door plug in place were removed for maintenance at the factory before delivery of the jet but never reinstalled. The aircraft had flown 510 hours without having the door plug properly secured.

The Details

On January 5 shortly after takeoff from Portland International Airport (KPDX) in Oregon, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 lost the mid-exit door (MED) plug as the aircraft climbed through 16,000 feet. The loss of the door plug resulted in violent decompression, but no serious injuries to the 177 persons on board. The flight crew declared an emergency and returned to Portland with a refrigerator-sized hole in the side of the aircraft.

“An event like this must not happen on an airplane that leaves our factory,” Calhoun said. “We simply must do better for our customers and their passengers. We are implementing a comprehensive plan to strengthen quality and the confidence of our stakeholders. It will take significant, demonstrated action and transparency at every turn—and that is where we are squarely focused.”

In a statement to the media, Boeing outlined immediate action items it is undertaking to strengthen quality.

“First and foremost, the company has implemented a control plan to ensure all 737-9 mid-exit door plugs are installed according to specifications by instituting new inspections of the door plug assembly and similar structures at our supplier’s factory and on Boeing’s production line, and adding signage and protocol to fully document when the door plug is opened or removed in our factory, ensuring it is reinstalled and inspected prior to delivery,” the statement said.

“Boeing is also taking steps to improve overall quality and stability across the 737 production system. These steps include layering additional inspections into the Boeing supply chain, more communication and collaboration with suppliers on production enhancements, performing more work on the aircraft at their assigned positions, setting aside multiple days for 737 teams to focus on implement quality improvements, adding independent assessment to bolster the quality management system at Boeing Commercial Airplanes by a highly experienced safety expert.

“In addition to these Boeing actions, we are opening our factory to 737 customers to conduct their own additional reviews and will fully and transparently support the FAA’s investigation, audit, and oversight actions.”

Said Calhoun: “This added scrutiny—from ourselves, from our regulator, and from our customers—will make us better. It’s that simple.”

The NTSB is continuing its investigation.

Editor’s Note: This story first appeared on FlyingMag.com.

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.

JetBlue Appoints New President

JetBlue announced on Wednesday the appointment of Marty St. George as the airline's new president, starting on Feb. 26, 2024.

Ryan Ewing
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

JetBlue A220
A JetBlue Airways Airbus A220 prepares for landing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

JetBlue announced on Wednesday the appointment of Marty St. George as the airline’s new president, starting on Feb. 26, 2024. St. George, a seasoned airline executive with over 30 years of experience, will report to Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue’s current president and incoming chief executive officer. The New York-based company’s current CEO Robin Hayes is slated to step down on February 12.

St. George Returns to JetBlue After Stint at LATAM

St. George rejoins JetBlue after serving as chief commercial officer for LATAM Airlines Group, the largest airline holding company in Latin America. Prior to LATAM, he led his own airline strategy consulting practice and held interim leadership roles at Norwegian Air Shuttle. St. George is a familiar face at JetBlue from his previous 13-year tenure with the company from 2006 to 2019.

As president, St. George will oversee a wide range of JetBlue’s operations, including marketing, loyalty programs, network planning, airline partnerships, sales, revenue management, customer support, enterprise and operational planning, and corporate communications. He will also manage JetBlue Travel Products (JTP) while its day-to-day operations remain under the leadership of president Andres Barry.

During his first stint at JetBlue, St. George held various leadership positions, including vice president of planning, senior vice president of marketing and commercial, and executive vice president and chief commercial officer. He was instrumental in developing the airline’s “focus city” strategy, establishing key partnerships, and crafting its distinctive brand and innovative product offerings, according to the company.

Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue’s incoming CEO, expressed her enthusiasm about St. George’s return in a press release: “With more than 30 years of experience in aviation and a passion for our industry like few others, Marty’s the right leader to bring onboard as we embark on our focused plan to get back to profitability,” Geraghty said. “I look forward to working with Marty to ensure that our crewmembers are set up for success in serving our customers and can deliver the reliability we know is critical to generating financial returns and powering long-term, sustainable growth.”

“I’m energized to be returning to JetBlue at this pivotal time in its history. JetBlue has incredibly passionate people and one of the best brands in the industry. I’m eager to get to work to help drive the business forward for the benefit of our crewmembers, customers, and owners alike,” added St. George

St. George holds a degree in civil engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He joins JetBlue at a crucial time for the carrier as it navigates an antitrust battle for its proposed acquisition of Spirit. The airline lost $104 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Ryan Ewing

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.

Avelo Expands From New Haven Base

Ultra-low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines has unveiled four new routes from its base at Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport in Connecticut.

Andrew Chen
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

The Avelo aircraft is seen during the Avelo Air aircraft shoot at Hollywood Burbank Airport on April 07, 2021 in Burbank, California. (Photo: Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Avelo Air)

Ultra-low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines has unveiled four new routes from its base at Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport in Connecticut. Flights to the four southeastern United States destinations are scheduled to commence in May.

Details: Avelo’s New Routes from New Haven

Avelo will be starting flights to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport on May 2, 2024, with a weekly frequency of four flights on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The airline will face competition at the world’s busiest airport from Delta Air Lines, which operates up to five daily flights between Atlanta and Bradley International Airport – located approximately 50 miles away from New Haven in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.

Charlotte, N.C.’s secondary airport – Concord-Padgett Regional Airport – will also be receiving new service from Avelo as of May 2, 2024. The carrier will start twice-weekly service between New Haven and Concord-Padgett, operating on Thursdays and Sundays. Avelo will be the airport’s second commercial air carrier, joining Allegiant Air.

Avelo’s third new route will be to McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Tenn. This route will be operated twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays starting on May 9, 2024. As is the case for all four airports in Avelo’s latest announcement, Knoxville will be a new destination for the airline.

Farther south in Florida, Destin / Fort Walton Beach Airport will be seeing two flights weekly from Avelo. Service will commence on May 17, 2024 and be operated twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays. The airport will be Avelo’s eighth destination in Florida.

“We are excited to offer Southern Connecticut residents even more travel options with the addition of Atlanta, Charlotte, Knoxville and Destin,” Avelo Chairman and Chief Executive Andrew Levy said as part of the announcement. “With 21 nonstop destinations, including eight Florida cities, flying from Tweed is easier and more affordable than ever. Additionally, when you consider our industry-leading reliability and caring Soul of Service, it is clear why almost 2 million people have flown Avelo at Tweed since 2021.”

Avelo’s Continued New Haven Investment

Since opening its New Haven base in 2021 with four routes, Avelo has continuously grown its presence at the southern Connecticut airport. As an ultra-low-cost carrier, the airline focuses on price-sensitive passengers traveling for leisure or to visit friends and family, as shown by its existing routes from New Haven to destinations like Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Myrtle Beach. The carrier is currently the only airline at Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport and offers the most nonstop destinations from the state of Connecticut.

“Launching these routes to Knoxville, Destin, Atlanta, and Charlotte is not just an operational milestone—it’s a celebration of progress and accessibility in air travel from Tweed-New Haven Airport,” Tweed New Haven Airport Executive Director Tom Rafter stated in a press release. “We are dedicated to offering services that are not only convenient and budget-friendly, but also underscore our pledge to superior customer experience, and this great news from Avelo is part of that continued work here at Tweed.”

Andrew Chen

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.
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