BermudAir Adds Two New Routes

Bermuda's newcomer boutique airline, BermudAir, announced earlier this week the expansion of its network with the planned launch of two new destinations.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, January 26, 2024 at 09:11 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A BermudAir E175 aircraft (Photo: Dave from Airport Operations, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

Bermuda’s newcomer boutique airline, BermudAir, announced earlier this week the expansion of its network with the planned launch of two new destinations: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and Orlando International Airport (MCO).

Flights to Baltimore and Orlando Begin in March

Starting March 18, 2024, travelers from Baltimore and the Washington, D.C. area will have the opportunity to fly nonstop to Bermuda on BermudAir’s Embraer E175 aircraft. The dual-class cabin features 14 business-class seats and 52 economy-class seats.

Service to Orlando will commence on March 26 with the same aircraft type. The two new East Coast destinations complement the airline’s existing service to New York/Westchester, Boston, and Fort Lauderdale.

“The addition of Baltimore and Orlando to our network, subject to imminent final regulatory approval, is a clear indicator of BermudAir’s ongoing growth,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir, in a statement to The Royal Gazette.

According to current schedule information, the carrier’s flights to Baltimore will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Flights to Orlando are planned on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

Future Growth

The airline – which began operations in September 2023 – currently has two aircraft in its fleet. Speaking with The Royal Gazette, Scott says that the new routes do not mean the airline will add additional aircraft.

“This is an optimisation of our schedule, and we have some redundancy or excess capacity with the existing two aircraft,” he shared.

In terms of markets, Scott added, “I think there will be additional updates in terms of markets for us. We are definitely keen to expand our presence and put Bermuda more on the map.”

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.

GOL Airlines Files For Bankruptcy in the U.S.

GOL Airlines, a Brazilian carrier, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States, following in the footsteps of other Latin American airlines.

Arya Karnik

Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 10:00 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A GOL 737 MAX. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

GOL Airlines — a Brazilian low-cost carrier — recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a United States Bankruptcy Court, according to a press release issued by the airline.

The airline stated that it plans to continue “safe and reliable air transportation” with no scheduled interruptions. All flights will operate, and it will continue to honor all existing reservations.

The airline’s filing announced that its holding company, Abra Group, has committed to providing financing of USD 950 million, which the company will attempt to secure through court approval.

Celso Ferrer, GOL’s Chief Executive Officer, stated that “GOL has undertaken significant efforts to provide the best travel experience” for its customers while continuing to improve its “profitability and financial position.”

Abra Group is the holding company for Avianca Colombia, which went through Chapter 11 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other significant airlines still in service, including LATAM, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Aeroméxico among others, have all undergone this process.

The company stated that this process “is in the best interest of its stakeholders, including employees and customers,” while promising a reliable flight schedule and “best-in-class service.”

Ramifications of the Pandemic

GOL is not the only carrier feeling the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As mentioned, the airline is following the example of fellow Latin American airlines such as LATAM and Avianca with the Chapter 11 process.

The decision to file for bankruptcy is not a shock, as the airline has been facing issues with aircraft delivery throughout 2023. Ferrer stated in December 2023 that Boeing’s delay with their 737 MAX aircraft has been its “main challenge,” which will continue to affect the airline in the new year with the new restrictions facing Boeing’s production lines.

With these delays, Ferrer added that the airline is “not able to grow at the pace” that it planned to, keeping Gol’s capacity offering below pre-pandemic levels.

Analysts and rating agencies agree that the airline has “strong operating figures,” with the airline posting a historic net operating revenue record in Q3 of 2023. However, because of its capacity strain, the airline faces multiple issues balancing increasing expenses without increasing cash flow. The airline holds a 33% market share in Brazil, only second to LATAM Brasil, making it a vital part of the Brazilian air network.

The airline is confident that this move will secure a brighter future for the airline, helping to pay off existing debts while strengthening its financial base. With capacity issues looming, GOL will need delivery of its new aircraft sooner rather than later to keep competing with LATAM Brasil and providing low-cost services nationwide for Brazilians.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024 at 8:45 a.m. ET to correct a grammatical error.

Arya Karnik

Ever since he was a kid, Arya has been interested in aviation. With his entire family overseas, he has taken many family trips worldwide to places like the United Kingdom and India. He lives in Colorado but attends The University of Alabama, studying Computer Engineering with a minor in Computer Science. He hopes to obtain his PPL and eventually translate his engineering degree to working in operations at an airline.

First JAL A350-1000 Flight Takes Off for JFK

The first A350-1000 international service took off from Haneda with 206 passengers, marking a new era in JAL's long-haul fleet.

Anthony Bang An

Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 11:22 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

JAL's first A350-1000 aircraft (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Anthony An)

Japanese carrier JAL’s first A350-1000 revenue flight took off from Tokyo Haneda Airport on January 24 for New York JFK as JL6. The flight marks a new era in JAL’s international offering and the first time in over 20 years that JAL has upgraded its long-haul aircraft.

The A350-1000 for JAL was delivered in December last year during a ceremony in Toulouse. The aircraft has 239 seats with a rather premium heavy configuration, similar to the 777-300ERs that the aircraft is set to replace. According to the Japan News, the first flight had 209 passengers onboard. JL6 was also the first A350-1000 flight in the world with a first class cabin and dimmable windows, among other cabin innovations.

Executives and staff post in front of JAL’s first A350-1000 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Anthony An)

The new flagship for the Japanese carrier will fly between Haneda and JFK four times a week until the second A350-1000 is delivered, which will see a daily A350 service on the route. The second destination will be Dallas/Fort Worth, which will commence after more aircraft arrive.

The flight departed in the shadow of the recent accident involving a JAL A350-900 at Tokyo Haneda, which resulted in the hull loss of the aircraft and causalities in a Japanese Coast Guard aircraft. Preliminary investigation suggests that the accident was not caused by JAL pilots or the aircraft design but rather a miscommunication made by the Japanese Coast Guard pilots.

Upgraded Interior

AirlineGeeks had the chance to see the cabin before its delivery. The new airplane will feature 239 seats, with six in first, 54 in business, 24 in premium economy, and 155 in economy class. Regarding cabin floor space, the premium cabin will occupy door 1 to door 3, with only the very last section of the cabin for economy class.

The first class cabin is configured in a 1-1-1 arrangement, with sofa seats that can be turned into a double bed and 4K personal IFE screens. There are sliding doors for privacy, and all overhead compartments are removed to create space. The Business Class seats have a 1-2-1 configuration with private suites that come with doors and dividers. Each lie-flat seat has a personal IFE screen, plenty of storage, and a smart cushion.

First Class on JAL’s A350-1000 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Anthony An)

JAL has stated that many Japanese elements are consciously incorporated into the designs of the seats and cabins. Especially in business class, the Japanese rice paper wall, or Shoji, is incorporated in sliding doors and closets. The individual lights also carry an Eastern flair.

A350-1000, the Rising Star

Though not having been as successful as its smaller variant, the A350-900, the type is gaining momentum coming into 2024. Less than a month into 2024, Airbus has already announced two orders for its A350-1000s. Delta Air Lines is set to purchase 20 of the type, with another 20 options to be delivered starting from 2026. The type will give the airline much-needed capacity for significant international connections.

EVA Air also announced a significant order of 18 A350-1000s and a number of A321neos in 2024. The airline will replace some of its 777-300ERs with the Airbus jet in its international network.

In 2023, Airbus received orders from Air Algerie, Ethiopian, Philippine Airlines, Air France-KLM, Turkish Airlines, and Air India, with over 60 firm orders last year. It is proving to be a serious contender for airlines worldwide looking to expand or replace their older fleet.

Anthony Bang An

Anthony is an aviation enthusiast who grew up around the world from St. Louis to Singapore, and now lives in Amsterdam. He loves long-haul flying and finds peace in the sound of engine cruising. He aspires to share his passion for the sky though writing and providing another angle on the stories.

Alaska, United Expected to Fly 737 MAX 9 Again This Weekend

The FAA has announced it will allow Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft to resume flying once they receive a series of inspections and maintenance checks.

John McDermott

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 11:51 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Alaska 737 MAX 9 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced it will allow Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft to resume flying once they receive a series of inspections and maintenance checks. The announcement ends a weeks-long saga that began when a plug filling an unused emergency exit blew off an Alaska Airlines jet.

“We grounded the Boeing 737-9 MAX within hours of the incident over Portland and made clear this aircraft would not go back into service until it was safe,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in a statement from the FAA. “The exhaustive, enhanced review our team completed after several weeks of information gathering gives me and the FAA confidence to proceed to the inspection and maintenance phase.”

The grounding mainly affected Alaska and United. Alaska self-grounded its MAX 9 fleet just after the plug door incident, and both carriers found loose bolts in the door plug assembly.

“We are preparing to begin detailed final inspections of our 737-9 MAX aircraft after getting final approval from the Federal Aviation Administration,” Alaska Airlines said in a statement. “We expect to safely bring the first planes back into scheduled commercial service on Friday.”

“Each of our aircraft will only return to service once the rigorous inspections are completed and each aircraft is deemed airworthy according to the FAA requirements. We have 65 737-9 MAX in our fleet. The inspections are expected to take up to 12 hours for each plane,” Alaska continued.

An Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

“We will only return each MAX 9 aircraft to service once a thorough inspection process is complete. We are preparing aircraft to return to scheduled service beginning on Sunday,” said Toby Enqvist, United’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer in a memo to employees. Enqvist continued that inspections have also occurred on Boeing 737-900ER planes as recently recommended by the FAA.

The FAA will require 737 MAX 9 operators to complete an inspection of specific bolts, guide tracks, and fittings; perform detailed visual inspections of left and right mid-cabin exit door plugs and dozens of associated components; retorque fasteners; and correct any damage or abnormal conditions.

Halting Expansion of 737 MAX Production

The move coincides with the FAA’s decision to bar Boeing from expanding 737 MAX production as part of a larger quality control investigation into the manufacturer. The Seattle Times reports that the door plug that failed on Alaska 1282 was removed and replaced by Boeing engineers to complete a repair, while Reuters reports it is normal for Boeing to remove door plugs and replace them.

“This won’t be back to business as usual for Boeing. We will not agree to any request from Boeing for an expansion in production or approve additional production lines for the 737 MAX until we are satisfied that the quality control issues uncovered during this process are resolved,” Whitaker said.

Boeing has been under intense scrutiny for a number of years over quality control issues on its 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Workers who build the planes report many around them disregard standard safety practices, and in-house inspectors at both Boeing and Spirit Aerosystems say supervisors have disregarded quality concerns to prioritize deliveries.

“The quality assurance issues we have seen are unacceptable,” said Whitaker. “That is why we will have more boots on the ground closely scrutinizing and monitoring production and manufacturing activities.”

The FAA says that it is placing increased oversight on Boeing by taking steps such as capping the number of 737 MAX aircraft Boeing can produce, investigating Boeing’s compliance with manufacturing requirements, increasing floor presence at all Boeing facilities, and more.

Boeing and Spirit Aerospace have yet to make a public comment as these allegations are under review.

Editor’s Note: On Jan. 19, 2024, AirlineGeeks published a story regarding an alleged move by the FAA to return the aircraft to service. However, the original source of the story proved to have incorrect facts. As a result, the story was removed.

John McDermott

John McDermott is a commercial pilot pursuing a career in professional flight. His passion for aviation began in an Ann Arbor bookstore with a tale of enemy pilots during World War 2, and he hasn't looked back. Besides flying and writing for AirlineGeeks, John volunteers with Professional Pilots of Tomorrow and travels whenever he gets the chance.

Boeing to Shut Down Facility for a Day

On Thursday, Boeing’s 737 factory teams will conduct a “Quality Stand-Down” in Renton, Wash., which involves shutting down the entire facility for a day.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 11:32 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Boeing’s 737 factory in Renton. (Photo: Boeing)

On Thursday, Boeing’s 737 factory teams will conduct a “Quality Stand-Down” in Renton, Wash. According to Boeing, during the session the company’s production, delivery, and support teams will not build airplanes but instead “take part in a working session focused on quality.”

In an internal communication sent to employees of Boeing’s Commercial Airplanes division, division CEO Stan Deal said this was the first of many quality stand-down days for the factories involved in the 737 program.

“Production, delivery, and support efforts will pause for a day, so teammates can take part in working sessions focused on quality,” Deal said. “The sessions allow all teammates who touch the airplane to ‘pause, evaluate what we’re doing, how we’re doing it, and make recommendations for improvement.’

“During the stand-downs, teammates will participate in hands-on learning, reflection, and collaboration to identify where quality and compliance can be improved and create actionable plans that will be tracked to closure.”

Quality Stand-Downs will be held over the next several weeks at other Boeing factories and fabrication sites to include all airplane programs.

According to The Seattle Times, a whistleblower at the Renton plant allegedly has paperwork that claims the door plug was removed for repair from the fuselage of the Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 that lost the plug in flight, then reinstalled without the required four bolts that hold the door in place. If the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation confirms this, the blame for the event would fall on Boeing, rather than Spirit AeroSystems, the makers of the 737 fuselages.

The aircraft was delivered to Alaska Airlines in October 2023. It did not have enough time in the air for it to be subject to a so-called “heavy maintenance” cycle.

The door plug was found in the backyard of a Portland, Ore., area schoolteacher. It has been sent to the NTSB laboratory in Washington, D.C., for analysis. Investigators are trying to determine if the four bolts that are supposed to hold the door plug in place were installed correctly.

In the meantime, the entire fleet of Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft remains grounded and subject to extra inspections. The Max9 is primarily used by United Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Both carriers are having to cancel flights and adjust schedules to make up for the loss of aircraft while they continue to closely inspect their fleets.

According to Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci, a close inspection of the 737 Max 9—which makes up 20 percent of the company’s fleet—uncovered loose bolts in many of the airplanes.

“I am more than frustrated and disappointed,” Minicucci told NBC News. “I am angry. This happened to Alaska Airlines. It happened to our guests and happened to our people. And my demand on Boeing is, what are they going to do to improve their quality programs in-house?”

Boeing and Alaska are facing lawsuits from passengers who were on board Flight 1282 on January 5. As the aircraft with the gaping hole in its side descended into Portland, several thought they were going to die and sent farewell messages to their loved ones via text.

Among the concerns were that the airliner had three maintenance write-ups regarding the pressurization system, but the aircraft was permitted to remain in service as long as it did not fly over water.

What Is a Door Plug?

The door plug covers a space that can be turned into an emergency exit if the operator of the aircraft desires. The outline of the door plug can be seen from the exterior of the airplane. Inside, if the emergency exit option is not selected, the space looks like a bulkhead in the fuselage with windows.

The fuselages for the 737 are made by Spirit AeroSystems, which is also investigating its quality-control measures. In December, two former employees at the Wichita, Kansas, facility filed a class-action suit alleging that a lack of quality control was endangering the company.

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.

Frontier Slows Pilot Hiring Pipeline

Ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Frontier is slowing down hiring from its pilot pipeline programs, the airline confirmed to AirlineGeeks.

Ryan Ewing

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 05:32 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Frontier A320neo landing in Las Vegas. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Frontier is slowing down hiring from its pilot pipeline programs, according to a report by Aero Crew News. The report states that the pipeline programs exceeded demand expectations and are subsequently at capacity.

Citing a January 19 memo from Frontier’s Vice President of Flight Operations Brad Lambert, the Aero Crew News report goes on to add that lengthy wait times for a training slot prompted the decision. The airline has a variety of pipelines for new aviators, including rotor transition and cadet programs.

A Frontier spokesperson confirmed the updated report in a statement to AirlineGeeks, adding that the airline is “slowing [its] hiring pipeline due to a full pool of pilots and smaller class sizes.” No specific timeline was provided on how long the slowdown will last.

According to one Reddit post, Frontier will also suspend its $50,000 pilot new hire bonus indefinitely.

Last year, fellow ULCC Spirit announced that it would be pressing the brakes on pilot hiring indefinitely following a net loss of $157.6 million in the third quarter of 2023. According to data from Future and Active Pilot Advisors (FAPA), major U.S. airlines hired 6% fewer pilots year-over-year in 2023.

New Bases and Routes

Frontier’s pilot hiring pull-down comes on the heels of the airline’s effort to pivot its network design to an ‘out-and-back’ model. As part of this effort, the airline has opened several new crew bases in recent months, including Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and most recently San Juan, Puerto Rico.

With the new San Juan base, Frontier has a total of 13 crew bases with over 2,000 pilots in its ranks. On Tuesday, the airline announced over 40 new and resuming routes.

Ryan Ewing

ANA Adds New European Destinations

All Nippon Airways (ANA) has released its 2024 flight schedule, with the airline introducing and resuming service on several international routes.

Andrew Chen

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 03:44 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An ANA 787 nears touch down in Munich (Photo: Fabian Behr | AirlineGeeks)

All Nippon Airways (ANA) has released its 2024 flight schedule, with the airline introducing and resuming service on several international routes. Throughout the year, the Tokyo-based carrier will be adding flights to Vienna, Milan, Stockholm, and Istanbul.

Summer Schedule: Resumption of Vienna Route and Increased International Frequencies

Starting from Aug. 1, 2024, ANA will operate three weekly flights between Tokyo Haneda Airport and Vienna International Airport using its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The route is returning after a multi-year hiatus.

During the summer months, the carrier is also increasing the frequency of service on numerous international routes. Service between Haneda and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Munich will be increased to daily roundtrips.

Meanwhile, in Asia, ANA will be ending its three times weekly route between Narita International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport in favor of a daily Haneda service. The airline is also doubling its flights between Haneda and Shanghai Pudong International Airport to two flights daily.

New European Destinations in Winter 2024

ANA will be adding three additional European destinations in its winter 2024 schedule: Milan Malpensa Airport, Stockholm Arlanda Airport, and Istanbul Airport. All three routes will be operated from Haneda.

The Japanese carrier will be the only airline operating between Tokyo and Milan and Stockholm. Fellow Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines already flies between Istanbul and both Narita and Haneda. The three new routes will bring ANA’s total number of European destinations to nine.

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.

Venezuela’s Conviasa Inaugurates New Flight from Caracas to Algiers

Linéa Aérea Conviasa has successfully launched its inaugural flight from Caracas to Algiers, marking the opening of a nonstop air route.

Victor Shalton

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 10:36 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Conviasa's Airbus A340 fleet parked in Caracas in 2020. (Photo: Conviasa)

Linéa Aérea Conviasa has successfully launched its inaugural flight from Caracas to Algiers, marking the opening of a nonstop air route between Venezuela and Algeria. The official launch of the long-awaited route took place on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, as communicated in a press release on Conviasa’s official page.

The Caracas-Algiers route holds great significance for Conviasa, as it represents its entry into the African market following years of negotiations between Algerian and Venezuelan authorities, with plans to extend the route to Doha airport, connecting the two nations further.

With a monopoly on this route and operating Airbus A340-600 aircraft, Conviasa aims to provide passengers with unrivaled service, comfort, and convenience. The exact flight schedule for this route is yet to be announced, but expectations are high for regular operations at least twice a month.

Conviasa’s aircraft touched down at Algiers International Airport, carrying a significant ministerial delegation from Venezuela. The delegation included key figures from the Ministries of Transportation, Petroleum, Fisheries, Commerce, and a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to media outlet Aviacionline, during the International Center for Productive Investment, discussions included areas such as industrial, commercial, tourism, multimodal transport, petrochemical, gas, fishing, agriculture, and trade sectors, emphasizing the potential for enhanced economic and cultural ties.

New and Unique Routes

Conviasa’s foray into the Caracas-Algiers route follows a previous announcement in June 2022. Despite initial plans, the flights during that period faced sustainability challenges, raising questions about the viability of the route. This latest venture signifies a determined effort to establish a lasting presence in the region.

With no competition on the Caracas-Algiers route, Conviasa aims to strengthen bilateral relations and offer passengers the opportunity to explore the unique destination of Algeria. The expansion aligns with Conviasa’s commitment to spreading its wings and exploring unconventional routes.

Furthermore, Conviasa envisions serving unusual yet promising destinations such as Johannesburg (South Africa), Damascus (Syria), and Luanda (Angola), in addition to its existing long-haul route to Moscow, Russia. These endeavors demonstrate Conviasa’s proactive approach to seeking new markets amidst the economic challenges and sanctions faced by Venezuela.

2/2 De igual forma, nos reunimos con el Director General de Air Algérie, Sr. Yacine Benslimane, con quien abordamos la cooperación entre @LAConviasa y Air Algérie, con miras de ampliar la conexión con África, Europa y Asia; lo que garantizará al pueblo argelino, conocer las… pic.twitter.com/JVh9Jd3qm6

— Ramón Celestino Velásquez Araguayán (@rvaraguayan) January 22, 2024

Celestino Velasquez, the Venezuelan Minister of Transportation and President of Conviasa, held a productive meeting with his Algerian counterpart, Mohamed El Habid Zahana, as part of the high-level joint commission’s strategic agenda. The discussions centered around fostering cooperation in the aviation sector. Additionally, a meeting with the CEO of Air Algérie took place, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive cooperation agreement focused on training aviation professionals and technicians.

Victor Shalton

Victor Shalton's love for aviation can be traced to when he was 11-years-old. As a seasoned aviation writer, he takes pride in providing the best aviation coverage around the globe and is passionate about advancing his skills in the aviation space. In addition, he loves travelling, writing, arts and while his speaking engagements have taken him around the world, he is proud to call Nairobi home.

United Reports Strong Q4 Earnings, Questions MAX 10 Order

United Airlines reported its fourth quarter earnings on Tuesday, presenting earnings and revenues that exceeded expectations.

Andrew Chen

Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 06:16 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A United 737 MAX 9, the larger variant of the 737 MAX 8, on the flight line. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

United Airlines reported its fourth quarter earnings on Tuesday, presenting earnings and revenues that exceeded expectations. However, the airline is anticipating continued operational challenges, with the company highlighting the impacts of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 grounding and casting doubts on its 737 MAX 10 order.

Strong Fourth Quarter Results

United shares rose by nearly 6% in after-hours trading on Tuesday on the heels of its earnings announcement, with the gain in share price holding steady throughout Wednesday. Shares of other airlines that are scheduled to release earnings reports later this week – Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines – were also up following United’s announcement.

Although the Chicago-based carrier’s fourth quarter adjusted earnings were down by 18.7% to $2.00 per share and revenue growth slowed to 9.9%, these metrics still outpaced expectations. Similarly, full-year financial results were also better than anticipated.

The airline also celebrated numerous other successes from 2023, from opening its largest United Club lounge to its largest international schedule expansion. Operationally, United carried the largest number of passengers in a year in the airline’s history at 165 million and had its busiest travel period ever during the last two weeks of December.

First Quarter Loss Forecasted

In a separate filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, United revealed that it expects to post an adjusted loss between 35 cents and 85 cents per share in the first quarter of 2024. It attributed the loss to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s grounding of Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft earlier this month, following a door plug blowout and subsequent decompression on an Alaska Airlines flight on January 5.

United currently has 79 Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft in its fleet, representing around 8% of the airline’s capacity. The nationwide grounding has led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights throughout the month.

CEO Casts Doubt on 737 MAX 10 Order

In an interview with CNBC following the release of the earnings report, United Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby expressed disappointment at the Boeing 737 MAX situation and raised concerns about the future of the carrier’s Boeing 737 MAX 10 order.

The largest 737 MAX variant has yet to be signed off by regulators, and United seems to believe that its entry into service will continue to be delayed. Kirby has stated that the 737 MAX 9 grounding was “the straw that broke the camel’s back” for the airline and that United has started on working on “alternative plans” for its fleet that do not include the 737 MAX 10.

A Boeing 737 MAX 10 on a test flight.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

While the Boeing 737 MAX 10 variant does not have the door plug that caused the Alaska Airlines incident earlier this month, the grounding could further delay regulatory approval of the type. In a statement following Kirby’s remarks, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Chief Executive Officer Stan Deal apologized to its customers, stating, “We have let down our airline customers and are deeply sorry for the significant disruption to them, their employees and their passengers.”

Andrew Chen

Frontier Expands Connectivity From 38 Airports

Ultra-low-cost carrier Frontier announced the significant launch of flights from a variety of airports and cities in its route network.

Benjamin Pham

Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 04:49 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Frontier A320neo in Denver (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Frontier — a major ultra-low-cost carrier in the U.S. — announced the significant launch of new and resuming routes from a variety of airports and cities in its network, many of which feature flights from its crew and operating bases. The carrier is eager to prepare for the summer travel season, as these new routes will begin in April, May, or June.

“This is a massive expansion of our operation from coast to coast and internationally as part of our focus on growing in underserved and overpriced routes,” Josh Flyr, Vice President for the carrier’s network and operations design, said in a press release. “More destinations and greater frequency means a larger number of consumers will soon be able to enjoy Frontier’s convenient, affordable ‘Low Fares Done Right.”

Some of the new flights will launch from the airline’s current and future domestic bases such as Atlanta, Las Vegas, Baltimore, Dallas, Chicago, Phoenix, Tampa, Philadelphia, Orlando, and Miami among several other destinations in the network.

In addition, the airline will have routes beyond the continental U.S. such as Dallas/Ft. Worth to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico starting on May 16, which operates twice a week. New Flights to San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Maarten, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will start in June.

Last year, the airline added eight new routes from Puerto Rico for the summer and will add eight more this summer, specifically to San Juan. These new routes will allow the notable ultra-low-cost carrier to grow and make a major push towards strengthening its presence at major airports that are hubs for the legacy carriers.

Furthermore, Frontier will be able to better target itself towards the leisure traveler, especially from its expanding network of bases.

Airline’s New Bases

While the airline is actively involved in adding more routes and increasing connectivity in its route map, Frontier is also currently focusing on its pilots and flight attendants. While Frontier was not successful in merging with Spirit, one of its major competitors, due to an offer from JetBlue, the ultra-low-cost carrier is adding to its growing list of existing bases, such as Cleveland and Cincinnati while reopening a pilot base in Chicago for this year.

In a press release from Fall 2023, Barry Biffle, CEO of Frontier, said, “The opening of a crew base will bring new jobs and meaningful wage impact to the greater Cincinnati area creating positive benefit for the airport and local community.”

Additionally, Frontier recently announced its intention to open a base in San Juan, which will allow the airline to grow on the island and across the Caribbean.

“Our base will provide significant economic impact and new jobs for Puerto Ricans. A crew base also helps support smooth flight operations — benefiting customers flying to and from the island who will have access to a wide variety of destinations, including a number of underserved markets, as we continue to grow our Puerto Rico operations,” Biffle said, in regards to the new base on the island.

The new routes come on the heels of Frontier focusing on growing the size of its crew and investing in its staffing. The airline expects to have a significant economic impact in Puerto Rico and generate crucial demand for the rest of its network.

Benjamin Pham

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.