Air Saint-Pierre’s Unique Transatlantic Domestic Route Returns

Monday, May 22, 2023 at 03:21 AM ET

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ASL Airlines France Boeing 737-700 (Photo: Gilbert Hechema (Wikimedia Commons), licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0)

A small French territory of 6,000 people located off the Canadian east coast hosts a rare and unique transatlantic domestic route. Air Saint-Pierre’s seasonal service connecting the French overseas collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon with mainland France returns this summer for its fourth season.

The route is offered by Air Saint-Pierre, Saint Pierre and Miquelon’s local airline. While its operations primarily connect the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon to nearby Canadian destinations using a small fleet of turboprop aircraft, the airline also operates a seasonal summer route between Saint-Pierre Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. The once-weekly service returns this year on June 19, 2023.

Saint Pierre and Miquelon: A French Overseas Collectivity

Located approximately 12 miles off the coast of the eastern Canadian province of Newfound and Labrador, Saint Pierre and Miquelon consists of an archipelago of eight small islands. It has approximately 93 square miles of land and a population of around 6,000 residents. Despite being surrounded by Canada, it is distinctly French: street signs are written in French and have European designs, cars have European-style license plates and the local currency is the Euro.

As the last remaining part of New France – the once-vast area of North America under French colonial rule – Saint Pierre and Miquelon is now an overseas collectivity of France. While overseas departments and regions like Guadeloupe and Réunion have the same status as mainland regions of France, overseas collectivities like Saint Pierre and Miquelon and French Polynesia have semi-autonomous status.

Air Saint-Pierre: Saint Pierre and Miquelon’s Little Airline

Since Saint Pierre and Miquelon is a series of islands, access to the archipelago is only possible by sea or air. A ferry connects Saint-Pierre and Fortune Bay in Newfoundland and Labrador, while Air Saint-Pierre provides air service to the territory’s two airports.

Saint-Pierre is the capital of the territory and home to approximately 90 percent of the population. As such, most of Air Saint-Pierre’s flights are based out of Saint-Pierre Airport, with Miquelon Airport only having a short flight connecting it to Saint-Pierre. Air Saint-Pierre is the lone airline that serves Saint-Pierre Airport, which has a small terminal and a single 5,908-foot runway.

Since its founding in 1964, Air Saint-Pierre has operated a variety of aircraft on its inter-island flights and its flights to Canada, including the Beechcraft Model 18, the Douglas DC-3 and the Hawker Siddeley HS 748. Today, it operates a fleet of three turboprop aircraft, consisting of one 46-seat ATR 42-600 and two Reims-Cessna F406s with eight seats each. In addition to its route connecting the two islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, it also connects Saint-Pierre with Canadian airports like Halifax Stanfield International Airport, Montréal–Trudeau International Airport and St. John’s International Airport.

Air Saint-Pierre ATR 42-500 at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in 2015 (Photo: Gilbert Hechema (Wikimedia Commons), licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License Version 1.2)

Air Saint-Pierre’s Domestic Transatlantic Route

Air Saint-Pierre launched a transatlantic service between Saint-Pierre Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in the summer of 2018. Despite the airline’s founding in 1964 and the construction of Saint-Pierre’s current airport in 1999, there had been no direct service between Saint Pierre and Miquelon and mainland France until the establishment of this route. The service operated in 2018 and 2019 but was paused in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The route returned in the summer of 2022.

Given the fact that Air Saint-Pierre’s turboprops are unable to make the transatlantic crossing, the airline wet leases a Boeing 737-700 from ASL Airlines France for the route. The aircraft has an all-economy configuration with 148 seats.

The route is scheduled to operate from June 19 to September 5, 2023. Eastbound flights leave St-Pierre every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. and arrive in Paris at 8:05 p.m., making it a rare daytime transatlantic flight. Westbound flights are scheduled to leave Paris on Mondays at 4:30 p.m. and arrive in St-Pierre at 6:30 p.m. The route offers some of the shortest transatlantic flights available, with an eastbound flight time of five hours and 35 minutes and a westbound flight time of six hours.

Air Saint-Pierre is also unique in the fact that it offers fixed pricing on its routes. The carrier’s website lists fares for all its routes. Adult fares on its Paris route start from 589 Euros ($637) for the westbound flight and 623 Euros on the eastbound flight.

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.

EasyJet Opens First New Base in the U.K. Since Pandemic

Vincenzo Claudio Piscopo

Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 11:11 PM ET

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AirlineGeeks.com Staff

An EasyJet A319 in Munich. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr)

English low-cost carrier, EasyJet, announced the opening of a new base in the U.K., marking a significant step forward in the airline’s post-pandemic recovery. The new base, which will open its doors in March 2024, will be the first to open in the U.K. since the COVID-19 emergency and will provide a significant boost to the country’s economy. The creation of around 100 direct jobs and 1,200 indirect jobs is expected to have a positive impact on the U.K. labor market.

Birmingham will be home to the new easyJet base. The low-cost carrier will base three 186-seat A320s aircraft at Birmingham Airport, strengthening easyJet’s network in the U.K. and expanding travel options to new routes in Europe. This will be its ninth base in the U.K.

EasyJet already operates domestic and international services from Birmingham to destinations including Amsterdam, Geneva, Milan, Naples, Lisbon, Faro and Palma de Mallorca. From this summer, the airline will operate its biggest-ever schedule in the country, increasing capacity by around eight percent on the pre-pandemic period, adding one million seats and opening 57 new routes, 23 of which will depart from the U.K.

U.K. still the No. 1 market for Easyjet

Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, said the opening of the new base was evidence of the strong demand for travel, which continues to grow. The U.K. is easyJet’s largest market, with 55 percent of all passengers flying to and from U.K. airports. The British low-cost carrier began operations at London Luton almost 30 years ago and has since carried more than 800 million customers to and from the U.K.

Commenting on the expansion plans, easyJet CEO Johan Lundgren said: “Having served Birmingham for many years, the decision to open a base and grow at the airport is a testament to the strong demand we are seeing, coupled with the importance of the U.K. market in supporting our profitable growth.”

The new base in Birmingham will not only have a positive impact on the local economy through direct and indirect job creation but will also support the U.K.’s domestic connectivity. Every aircraft based in the U.K. directly supports 400 jobs and adds £27 million ($33.6 million) of value to the country’s economy, taking into account direct, indirect and induced effects. Nick Barton, Managing Director of Birmingham Airport (BHX), said: “This major investment by easyJet is a huge vote of confidence in the West Midlands.”

This new base is a significant milestone in the U.K.’s post-pandemic aviation recovery. With a current fleet of over 300 aircraft flying nearly 1,000 routes to over 150 airports in 35 countries, EasyJet’s increased capacity and new routes confirm its position as one of the largest and most resilient airlines in the U.K. and Europe.

Vincenzo Claudio Piscopo

Vincenzo graduated in 2019 in Mechanical Engineering with an aeronautical curriculum, focusing his thesis on Human Factors in aircraft maintenance. In 2022 he pursued his master's degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Palermo, Italy. He combines his journalistic activities with his work as a Reliability Engineer at Zetalab.

WestJet Pilots, Company Reach Agreement After Canceling Dozens of Flights

John Flett

Friday, May 19, 2023 at 10:00 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A WestJet Boeing 787 enters the runway at Paine Field in Washington. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

Canada’s WestJet and Swoop airlines cancelled over 200 flights in response to an industrial dispute with 1800 pilots. CBC News reports that 92 flights due to operate on Thursday were cancelled in addition to strategic cancellations already made by the airline ahead of the long holiday weekend.

“We are extremely disheartened to find ourselves in a place where we have to activate our contingency plan and subsequent takedown of our network as a result of the strike notice served by Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and their inability to accept a reasonable offer,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, Chief Executive Officer of the WestJet Group, said in a statement. “We deeply regret the disruption this will have on the travel plans of our guests and the communities and businesses that rely on our critical air service,”

According to CBC News, the Canadian federal labour minister, the government’s head mediator, WestJet’s CEO and the pilots’ union leaders have continued to hold talks in Toronto. In a press release on Thursday Hoensbroech added: “We remain at a critical impasse with the union and have been left with no choice but to begin taking the painful steps of preparing for the reality of a work stoppage.”

ALPA say pay, job security and scheduling are at the core of the negotiations that led to the issuing of a strike notice on Monday. In response, the WestJet group issued a lockout notice to ALPA and indicated steps would be taken to manage the impact of any strike action. This included strategic cancellations around the network, communicating with affected passengers and implementing flexible policies allowing passengers to reschedule flights.

Union and Company Reach Agreement

Overnight on Thursday, WestJet and its pilots reached an Agreement-in-Principle (AIP), according to CBC News, therefore averting a strike action. The pilot group will now vote to set the agreement into motion.

A spokesperson for WestJet told CBC News that it is restarting operations “as quickly and efficiently as possible. However, the full resumption of operations will take time.”

The May holiday weekend comes as some university and high school students conclude examinations and begin summer vacation. WestJet had been scheduled to operate close to 4,000 flights in the coming week though reportedly ‘online bookings for flights on major routes such as Calgary-Vancouver and Toronto-Calgary are unavailable to book until Tuesday (23 May).’

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.

London’s Heathrow Airport Records Substantial Recovery Amid Controversial Landing Fees

Pete Ainsley

Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 10:00 AM ET

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Benjamin Pham

British Airways Airbus A321neo at London Heathrow. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

After one year of lifting the travel restrictions in the U.K., London’s Heathrow Airport has recorded 6.4 million passengers travel through the airport for April.

Earlier, the country’s busiest airport has welcomed 16.9 million passengers in the first quarter of 2023, becoming the Europe’s busiest airport and second in the world for international travel. The airport has seen a 93-95% levels of 2019 levels across the first four months of this year.

“It is only 12 months since all international travel restrictions in the U.K. were lifted, and we have made tremendous progress.” John Holland-Kaye, CEO of the airport said.

Holland-Kaye will leave Heathrow later this year after nine years at helm.

Logan Air, the regional airline has launched its service at Heathrow. Heathrow has stepped into London’s City Airport and London’s Stansted Airport’s shoes to operate the services to Dundee and Derry.

According to the airline, this was a game-changer for regional connectivity. The routes are operating under the government’s Public Service Obligation scheme.

Meanwhile, Heathrow will enhance its services to China by adding frequencies to Chinese cities of Beijing and Shanghai to twice daily before the summer.

Airport Landing Fees

Despite the airport has seen a remarkable recovery, the airport reported a loss of 139 million Pounds ($173.63 million) in the first quarter of 2023.

Heathrow is accused of keeping its prices too high. According to the local media, the airport expects to increase the landing fees to GBP 40 per passenger from GBP 31.57 in coming years, in response to a loss of 684 million pounds in the last financial year.

However, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has ruled the airport could only charge GBP 25.43 per passenger during 2024-26. CAA said the new fee is the right level for consumers while allowing the airport to make an investment for the future.

Heathrow was left disappointed and insisted the higher fees could provide a better service to passengers, but the airlines said that it pays through the nose for the services.

“The CAA decision contained multiple errors of fact and judgment, including pessimistic passenger forecasts that ignore the strength of recovering demand,” a Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said.

IATA said the rule is “generous” to Heathrow with suggesting the current system for deciding fees needs a review.

Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the competition watchdog has granted the permission to Heathrow, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines to appeal against CAA’s decision on the Heathrow landing fee.

Heathrow has been in dispute with the British carriers over the landing fees for years.

British Airways said Heathrow is three times more expensive than its EU airports. Virgin Atlantic said the foreign shareholders stand to benefit from the high landing fee, not the country. As a result of the landing fee dispute, Virgin Atlantic has withdrawn the support of Heathrow third runway last year.

Pete Ainsley

New Pan Am-Era Private Terminal Coming to Miami Airport

Hemal Gosai

Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 07:13 AM ET

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Former Pan Am facility in Miami (Photo: Miami Dade County)

Pan Am was an airline that revolutionized the aviation industry. The airline started service in 1927 delivering mail and through most of the 20^th Century was a world-renowned airline with modern aircraft and luxurious service. The airline started dealing with financial difficulties beginning in the 1970s and was eventually bought out by Delta in 1991.

There are some relics surviving today that remind us of the glory days of Pan Am. One of those is its now repurposed building at Miami International Airport. It will now be the airport’s first private terminal offering a polished experience for passengers willing to pay to avoid the crowds and the peering eyes.

PS, the company formerly known as The Private Suite, will be running the operation. One can look at their private terminal at Los Angeles International Airport to understand how their operation works.

Passengers will enter the terminal and clear through on-site TSA security screenings before accessing a very private lounge experience featuring balconies and courtyards for passengers to take in the sights before being driven to their aircraft.

Arriving passengers will experience much of the same through a pick-up directly at the jet bridge upon arrival.

Preserving the Legacy

The most notable aspect of this announcement is that – while the Pan Am building is being repurposed – much of it will remain the same to preserve its historic integrity.

Architect Richard Heisenbottle will be leading the efforts to create what they call an adaptive, effective, modern, and beautiful space that is in accordance with the Miami-Dade County Historic Preservation Ordinance and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for the Restoration and Rehabilitation of Historic Structures. Details have not yet been released on what this will entail.

All of the work is expected to take time since many historic structures often face significant oversight to ensure that any modifications done are compliant with regulations set to ensure the preservation of the structure. It’s expected that all of the work will be completed by sometime in 2025.

PS appears to be heavily invested in this project along with others. Their private terminal at Los Angeles International was initially met with some skepticism but has turned out to be a big hit. This has put the company on a path of growth with new private terminals in the works in Atlanta and Dallas/Fort Worth, along with the newly announced terminal in Miami.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will see its own private terminal, run by PS, come into service later this Summer. Dallas/Forth Worth International Airport is expected to have its private terminal completed and ready for service by Spring 2025.

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.

Breeze Begins Its Longest Nonstop Flight

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 10:38 PM ET

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Breeze Airways Embraer 190 tail (Photo: Breeze Airways)

Breeze Airways, a Salt Lake City-based start-up airline, has announced the launch of its longest nonstop service from Providence’s T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). This new addition to Breeze’s expanding route network marks a significant milestone for the airline and provides travelers in the New England region with a convenient and affordable option for traveling to the West Coast.

Passengers can now enjoy the ease and comfort of flying nonstop between Providence and Los Angeles, saving valuable time and avoiding the hassle of connecting flights. The inaugural flight from PVD to LAX took place on Wednesday, and Breeze Airways celebrated the occasion with a special event at T.F. Green International Airport.

Breeze Airways has gained a reputation for its unique business model as a ‘Nice Low Cost Carrier’ (NLCC), offering a so-called balance of efficiency, affordability, and passenger-friendly policies.

The nonstop service from PVD to LAX will be operated by Breeze Airways’ modern and fuel-efficient Airbus A220 aircraft. The A220 is renowned for its superior performance, providing a comfortable and smooth flying experience for passengers. With this aircraft, Breeze is able to operate on shorter runways from smaller airports, enabling the airline to connect city pairs that have previously not enjoyed nonstop service.

Passengers on Breeze Airways’ Providence-Los Angeles route will also benefit from the airline’s commitment to enhancing the onboard experience. Breeze Ascent, the airline’s rebranded front seating section, offers an elevated travel experience with recliner-style seats, complimentary snacks and beverages (including alcohol), and additional legroom.

@BreezeAirways launches four new destinations from BDL!

Starting this week, enjoy nonstop service to Fort Myers, FL, New Orleans, LA, and Tampa, FL. Breeze is also adding one-stop/no plane change ‘BreezeThru’ flights to Los Angeles, CA.

Learn more > https://t.co/dnMT32juNS pic.twitter.com/QOCvZGVkP2

— Bradley Intl Airport (@Bradley_Airport) May 17, 2023

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.

Photos: Condor Airlines Launches A330neo Service from Frankfurt to Seattle

Fangzhong Guo

Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 08:52 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

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

The German leisure carrier Condor Airlines officially inaugurated the Airbus A330-900neo service on its Frankfurt to Seattle route on May 11, 2023. The flight was one of the first to be operated by the popular German leisure airline’s new aircraft.

Condor Airlines is the oldest leisure airline in Germany. The German carrier’s year-round service between Frankfurt and Seattle started in the Summer of 2011. In 2017, it added a second seasonal service between Munich and Seattle, which has yet to return after the pandemic.

While the very recognizable beach towel design will be a frequent visitor in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, its Airbus A330-200 will still cover some of the flights until the airline receives more airplanes. The leisure carrier introduced the new type last December and planned to deploy it on the Seattle to Frankfurt route in February. However, supply chain issues caused the airline to lease Air Belgium’s A330NEO for the Seattle flight after operating only four flights on its own metal.

The Product

The carrier is converting its long-haul fleet to the A330neo, which will be on all of Condor’s long-haul flights to North America by 2024. The A330NEO is replacing the airline’s aging Boeing 767 aircraft, significantly reducing Condor’s operating costs. The latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, new wings, and aerodynamic innovations will reduce Condor’s fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 20 percent.

The Trent 7000 engine enabled great efficiency on the A330NEO. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fangzhong Guo)

The new airplane also comes with significant improvements in passenger experience. The new Airspace cabin on this aircraft offers a quieter flight experience and a more spacious environment than its predecessor. The interior is also very stylish, with a color concept featuring the “Condor Marina” and “Condor Earth” color schemes using subtle stripes as a recurring design element. Condor’s configuration will accommodate 310 passengers, featuring 30 seats in Business, 64 in Premium Economy, and 216 in Economy Class.

Entrance on Condor’s A330NEO. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fangzhong Guo)

It also offers high-speed broadband internet, onboard connectivity, and tablet holders. Each seat’s inflight-entertainment system is also Bluetooth-enabled, so passengers can use their devices with the IFE.

Economy

The Economy section offers few amenities. The economy cabin is in a 2-4-2 layout, similar to that of a traditional full-service carrier. However, this section is mainly targeting cost-conscious customers. Therefore, the legroom in this section is relatively limited at 30 inches. Although, the airline designated the bulkhead row as XL seats due to their extra legroom, which costs a little over $100 depending on your flight.

Condor’s A330NEO features moonlighting and Bluetooth audio. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fangzhong Guo)

Premium Economy

The premium economy seats are the same base seats as the economy class. While the seat isn’t necessarily a massive upgrade compared to the standard economy, the soft product promises exceptional value for this upgrade. In addition to the extra legroom and more reclining on the backrest, this section also features an adjustable headrest and footrest for more comfort. The premium economy also offers a blanket, a small amenity kit, and premium menu items as part of its service.

Business Class

The leisure carrier’s new business class is a huge step up from its old product on the 767 or its Airbus A330-200s.

The new plane is equipped with Safran’s Skylounge Core lie-flat seat that debuted on Starlux Airline’s A330NEO last year. The seat is 76-inch by 19-inch in bed mode and features a large 17.3-inch screen in 4K mode. Each seat is also equipped with USB-A and USB Type C charging ports. The seats are staggered and have a wing at head level for enhanced privacy. For those looking for more privacy, even-numbered rows offer window seats further away from the aisle, and the center pair are also further away from each other. The pair of seats in the odd-numbered rows will offer closer seating for those traveling together. Although the privacy divider will block direct views of your companion, the wall divider can’t be lowered for a larger bed.

Standard business class on Condor’s A330NEO. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fangzhong Guo)

The business class cabin on Condor’s A330neo looks elegant and stylish. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fangzhong Guo)

The Frankfurt-based airline opted for an open shelf rather than a storage cubby, making the seat feels more spacious. It offers a doored storage compartment on the floor in the absence of the storage cubby. The entire business-class cabin provides a great ambiance and does not feel like a traditional leisure carrier. While the trim and finishes still look fresh on these brand-new seats, my only complaint was that the touch controls could be more responsive.

The touch button on the Skylounge Core seats are not the most responsive. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fangzhong Guo)

The business class cabin is in a 1-2 configuration with direct aisle access for all guests. However, the staggered configuration means your feet will be in a tight footwell unless you are upfront in the Business prime seat.

The Business Prime seat is similar to Virgin Atlantic’s Retreat Suite, which offers an oversized ottoman in the first row of the business class cabin. The larger ottoman can sit your travel companion for a face-to-face dining experience during the flight. Unlike its British counterpart, which only offers two of the superior seats on its A330neo, the German carrier has four Business Prime seats in the front row of its plane. The crown symbol in the seat map fittingly represents these throne seats.

Overall, Condor has revamped itself after departing the Thomas Cook Group. Its new product throughout the A330neo is a considerable evolution, and passengers should look forward to a great value and experience onboard.

Fangzhong Guo

Fangzhong grew up near an OEM airport in northeastern China, where he developed his enthusiasm for aviation. Taking upon his passion, he's now working as an aircraft interior design engineer. Besides working in the aerospace industry, Fangzhong enjoys trying out different types of airplanes and seeing how airplane interiors have evolved. So far, he's flown on over 80 types of aircraft. He also planespots in his spare time. His rarest catches included the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and AN-225.

Hawaiian Airlines Debuts New Boeing 787 Cabins

Andrew Chen

Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 02:50 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 787-9 economy class cabin (Photo: Hawaiian Airlines)

Hawaiian Airlines has revealed the cabin designs for its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The airline has 12 Boeing 787-9s on order, with the first delivery expected later this year.

The new Dreamliners will feature a total of 300 seats, with 34 lie-flat business class seats and 266 economy class seats. Hawaiian’s Boeing 787-9s are slated to enter service in early 2024 and deliveries will continue through 2027.

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 787-9 (Photo: Hawaiian Airlines)

Leihōkū: Garland of Stars

Hawaiian’s Boeing 787-9s will feature a new business class product called Leihōkū, meaning “garland of stars” in Hawaiian. The business class cabins will feature 34 lie-flat suites with doors in a 1-2-1 configuration. Center seats will have a retractable divider that allows guests travelling together to share a space. Each seat will also feature an 18-inch entertainment screen, as well as charging outlets and wireless charging.

Hawaiian Airlines’ Boeing 787-9 business class product is called Leihōkū, meaning “garland of stars” in Hawaiian (Photo: Hawaiian Airlines)

The seats selected by Hawaiian are Adient Aerospace’s Ascent seat, which can also be found on Qatar Airways’ Boeing 787-9s. Adient Aerospace is a joint venture between Boeing and automotive seat manufacturer Adient.

Hawaiian Airlines’ has selected the Adient Aerospace Ascent seat for its Boeing 787-9 business class cabin (Photo: Hawaiian Airlines)

Hawaiian’s 787 Main Cabin

The economy class cabin will have 266 Collins Aerospace Aspire seats. Each seat will feature ergonomically countered back and arm rests, a 12-inch seatback entertainment screen and USB-A and USB-C charging ports. There will also be 79 “Extra Comfort” seats with more legroom and AC power outlets.

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 787-9 economy class features Collins Aerospace Aspire seats (Photo: Hawaiian Airlines)

A Nod to Hawaiian Culture

The cabins on Hawaiian’s new Dreamliners feature various Hawaii-inspired design elements. The airline aims to celebrate Polynesian navigators and worked with design consultant Teague to honor those who sailed the Pacific by observing the sun, stars, winds, waves and wildlife.

Hawaiian’s Boeing 787-9 cabins will have a simulated sky that can depict various themes, including sunrises, sunsets and soft daylight. The cabins will also be able to display a star-lit ceiling that will allow passengers in Leihōkū seats to gaze upwards at a starry sky.

A starry ceiling in Hawaiian Airlines’ Boeing 787-9 cabin (Photo: Hawaiian Airlines)

Other design touches that pay tribute to Hawaiian culture include wall panels depicting native wood grains and lavatory floors inspired by black volcanic sand. The airline stated that laminates and fabrics will reflect the forms of native plants and that the Hawaiian language will be integrated into seat row numbers and cabin placards.

Hawaiian Airlines’ Boeing 787-9 cabins feature wall panels depicting native wood grains (Photo: Hawaiian Airlines)

“The combination of our evocative cabin design and unparalleled service will make our 787 the most relaxing and enjoyable choice for travel to and from Hawaiʻi,” said Avi Mannis, chief marketing and communications officer at Hawaiian Airlines in a press release. “We take pride in sharing our home with our guests, and the design and details of this product truly reflect what it means to be the flagship carrier of the Hawaiian Islands.”

Andrew Chen

India’s Star Air Begins Service in Rajasthan

Devaansh Dhoot

Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 03:08 PM ET

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AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Star Air's inaugural flight receives customary water cannon salute. (Photo: Harsh Tekriwal)

Star Air has commenced operations in Jaipur (JAI) from both Bengaluru (BLR) and Belagavi (IXG). The service to Jaipur is via Belagavi. The route is a thrice-weekly affair as advertised on the airline’s website and social media. The first flight was conducted using the Embraer 145. The first Star Air flight to Jaipur landed on Monday with a customary water canon salute, with the Jaipur International Airport management organizing a small event to celebrate the airline’s first flight to the city. With Star Air starting operations in the capital of Rajasthan, tourists from the western coast and southern part of the country have yet another option available to them.

The above operations come at a time when the regional airline is ramping up operations and routes in a steadfast manner. The airline services the Indian states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. With an operational fleet of seven Embraer Regional Jets, the airline’s ERJ-145s and the new ERJ-175s are increasing frequency and routes.

The airline commenced operations in January 2019 and is the sole active operator of the Embraer 175 and 145 in India. In India, the narrow-body aircraft market is dominated by Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The regional aircraft market is dominated by ATR and DeHavilland Canada. In such a market, Embraer has a presence in India because of Star Air. Embraer E-Jets were operated in India between 2005-2010 by now-defunct Paramount Airways.

The new route to Jaipur will increase the available capacity for the city and the state. Rajasthan has a lot of tourist traffic owing to tourist destinations like Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, etc., and several religious destinations. Star Air’s flights will help boost tourism, according to the airline. Several other Indian airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara, etc., do operate flights to Jaipur. However, Star Air is the only airline to operate flights in the Belagavi-Jaipur sector.

Filling the gap left by GoFirst

Another airline that used to operate flights to Jaipur from Bangalore was GoFirst. The airline was in the news due to its decision to file for voluntary insolvency proceedings under the Indian Bankruptcy Code. As the article is being written, the airline’s operations are still halted.

Star Air’s offering to Jaipur will also manage to take some advantage in the vacuum created by GoFirst’s insolvency proceedings.

With this development, the Indian aviation industry can be well described as a combination of success, failure, hiccups, trouble, and amalgamation.

With Star Air starting to spread its wings to newer destinations and launching flights across more city pairings, the regional airline is venturing into the mainstream routes in a calm, cool, and steadfast manner rather than just launching flights left right, and center.

Devaansh Dhoot

Alaska Airlines Expands Onboard Food Options

Andrew Chen

Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 02:35 PM ET

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Edited By:

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-800 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Greg Linton)

Alaska Airlines is adding more variety to its onboard food offerings, doubling the number of pre-order options for economy passengers and increasing the number of entrée choices for first class customers. The Seattle-based carrier recently announced that it was introducing new menu items and expanding its food selection.

New and Expanded First Class Entrée Options

Those traveling in Alaska Airlines’ First Class cabin receive meals on flights that are 670 miles or longer. The quantity of the food service increases with the flight distance:

On flights 670 miles and above, passengers get an entrée option. Lunch and dinner meals also include dessert.
On flights 1,000 miles and above, passengers receive a fruit bowl or appetizer salad, depending on the flight departure time, along with a choice of a hot entrée or a fruit and cheese platter. Lunch and dinner flights also include mixed nuts and a dessert.
On flights 2,140 miles and above – Hawaii and transcontinental flights – First Class passengers get an appetizer, bread and butter and a choice of a hot entrée or a fruit and cheese platter. Breakfast meals are served with Greek yogurt and lunch and dinner meals are served with ice cream. A snack basket is also served prior to arrival.

Alaska Airlines has one of the most generous meal policies for domestic first class passengers in the United States. Delta Air Lines and American Airlines only offer full meals to its domestic first class passengers on flights from 900 miles long and United Airlines provides meals to its first class travelers on flights that are 800 miles or longer. Alaska will also be offering customers a choice of up to five entrées on transcontinental and Hawaii flights and four options on most other flights. The “big three” – Delta, American and United – generally offer two or three entrée options to its domestic first class passengers.

In its latest catering announcement, Alaska also revealed new First Class entrée items

Breakfast includes options like a mushroom omelet, a chicken sausage breakfast bowl and lemon blueberry pancakes.
Lunch offerings include a wedge salad with applewood bacon, a Korean barbeque chicken sandwich and a caramelized onion Angus burger.
Dinner options include a flat iron steak, herb-roasted chicken and ginger beef stir-fry noodles.

Vegan options, such as a spicy tofu wrap and a white bean chili with grilled polenta, will also be available for pre-ordering. Select flights departing the San Francisco Bay Area will also have handcrafted tamales on board. The airline is also bringing back printed menus on its transcontinental and Hawaii flights.

More Main Cabin Pre-Order Items

In Main Cabin – Alaska’s economy class cabin – the carrier is doubling the number of food items available for pre-ordering. Breakfast options will include a turkey, bacon and tomato bagel sandwich, as well as a smoked salmon bagel sandwich. The lunch and dinner selection includes two salad choices designed in partnership with Seattle-based Evergreens Salad and two new wraps.

Alaska’s new Main Cabin food options include a Salmon Bagel Sandwich and Stand Banh Mi Salad (Photo: Alaska Airlines)

Alaska is also touting a new family-friendly menu item called the Jetsetter’s Jam sandwich. It is the airline’s take on the traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Since Alaska is a peanut-free airline, the sandwich is made with toasted cashew and oat butter instead of peanut butter. It is served on a sweet croissant bread alongside fresh fruit and a slice of Tillamook cheese. The new sandwich will be available in Main Cabin on flights over 775 miles.

Alaska Airlines’ Jetsetter’s Jam sandwich (Photo: Alaska Airlines)

“What our guests have to say is important, and they told us that more food and beverage variety would be great, so we set out to make that happen,” said Todd Traynor-Corey, Managing Director of Guest Products at Alaska Airlines in a press release. “We’ve worked hard to give our guests of all ages a wider selection of food, from classic comfort food to more healthful options all while representing the vibrant flavors of the West Coast.”

Andrew Chen