ITA Airways aircraft at Rome Fiumicino Airport. (Photo: ITA Airways)
ITA Airways has partnered with digital travel leader Booking.com, according to a statement from the carrier on August 23, 2023. Customers of the Italian flag carrier can now book flights and accommodations directly on the airline’s website, with a choice of over 28 million accommodations worldwide.
Booking.com is a popular online travel agency and platform allowing users to book hotels, apartments, villas, hostels, and accommodations. Booking.com was founded in 1996. Originally named “Bookings.nl,” it was established in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2005, Booking.com was acquired by the Priceline Group (now known as Booking Holdings), which further fueled its growth and international reach.
The over one million members of the Volare loyalty program are set to benefit from a new partnership between ITA Airways and Booking.com. As part of the deal, customers will earn four Volare points for every euro they spend on bookings made through the program. The move aligns with ITA Airways’ customer-centric approach, a key focus since the airline launched in October 2021. The aim is to enhance the overall travel experience for customers, and this partnership is just one example of the airline’s commitment to achieving this goal.
ITA Airways is still expanding its fleet
On Aug. 26, ITA Airways received the fifth Airbus 220/300 designated EI-HHM at Rome Fiumicino, coming from London Stansted where it stopped after a 9-hour flight from Montreal Mirabel Airport. This state-of-the-art aircraft was baptized in honor of the legendary Alessandro Mazzola, a former Italian footballer recognized for his versatility as both a midfielder and striker. He famously led the Italian national team to a European Championship victory in 1968 and served as vice-world champion in 1970.
Compared to other airplanes in production, the Airbus A220 has an advantage in operating costs and fuel consumption of 15% and 20%, respectively. Different strengths are lower CO2 (-20%) and NOx (-50%) emissions compared to other models in the same category, also ensuring a 75% reduction in noise pollution. This aircraft is the first A220/300 built for ITA Airways in blue livery, not an aircraft previously assigned to another carrier.
ITA Airways’ fleet currently consists of 71 aircraft in service, with an average age of 8 and a half years. In 2025, after the investment of around €450 million by the Lufthansa Group, the goal is to reach a fleet of 94 aircraft with 5,500 employees.
The Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance could retain only 10% or one representative on the board of directors. Recently, the Italian airline appointed its new Board of Directors, restricted from five to three directors as per agreements between the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance and the German group Lufthansa. ITA Airways’ business plan envisages revenue growth of €2.5 billion in 2023 and €4.1 billion expected in 2027.
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.
An Air New Zealand Boeing 787 Dreamliner landing in Houston. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Both the Qantas Group and Air New Zealand announced significant profits this week for the first full year of post-Covid operations. Both Australia and New Zealand observe a financial year that runs from 01 July through 30 June. The Australian carrier posted an ‘underlying profit before tax’ of AU$2.47 billion ($1.59 billion) with the Kiwi airline achieving ‘statutory earnings before taxation’ of NZ$574 million ($339.49 million).
Qantas Group chief executive officer Alan Joyce said: “We safely flew almost 70 billion more seat kilometers and doubled the number of people we carried to 46 million compared to the year before. Travel demand is incredibly robust and we’ve taken delivery of more aircraft and opened up new routes to help meet it.” As reported by AirlineGeeks, the carrier earlier this week announced orders for 24 additional aircraft, 12 Airbus A350s and 12 Boeing 787s.
Greg Foran, the chief executive officer of Air New Zealand, hailed his airline’s result and confirmed future fleet strategy. “After several volatile years it’s great to be back in the black and standing on our own two feet especially given we have more than NZ$3.5 billion ($2.07 billion) in aircraft investment coming over the next five years,” said Foran.
“Today we also announced an order for two new ATR turboprop aircraft for regional routes, as well as two new Airbus A321neos for our international short-haul network. That’s in addition to the existing domestic Airbus A321neo orders, and the eight new Boeing 787 Dreamliners we have coming into the fleet as we retire our Boeing 777-300s over time. And we’re retrofitting our 14 787s with the new Business Premier Luxe™ and refreshed cabin product.”
The contribution of the airlines’ employees was cited in achieving the turnaround in financial performance for both carriers. Qantas Group’s Joyce stated: “Our people have done a superb job under very difficult circumstances. Today’s result means more than 21,000 non-executive staff will receive up to $6,000 worth of Qantas shares as a thank you for their part in our recovery, plus another $500 staff travel credit. This is in addition to a $5,000 cash payment to eligible employees as new enterprise agreements are finalized.”
Air New Zealand Chair Dame Therese Walsh said: “This result would not have been possible without our remarkable team of Air New Zealanders. Their grit, determination and commitment to deliver exceptional service for our customers are second to none.” Foran mentioned that 3000 staff had been added to the airline’s headcount over the year and that “we have rehired and trained in a tight labor market, lifted the starting wage for the airport teams to NZ$30 ($17.70) an hour.”
Looking ahead Qantas has forecast that international capacity will return to pre-Covid levels by the second half of the now current financial year. Air New Zealand expressed some caution for the future describing the 2023 financial year as being ‘particularly unique’. The airline explained it was ‘mindful of the uncertain economic environment’ citing a number of factors that may affect passenger demand and impact the airline’s future profitability. These factors included ‘increased international competition, volatile fuel prices, a weaker New Zealand dollar, ongoing wage inflation and increased airport charges.’
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.
Extra Holes Drilled in 737 Max Pressure Bulkheads: Boeing
Boeing inspectors reportedly found bulkheads with “hundreds” of misaligned and duplicated holes.
Boeing's 737 MAX 10 at Boeing Field. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)
Boeing has found another significant manufacturing flaw in its 737 Max aircraft and it’s likely to throw a curveball at deliveries of its most popular aircraft.
The company says fuselages from its largest contractor, Spirit AeroSystems, have random extra holes drilled in the rear pressurization bulkhead. The Air Current broke the story on Wednesday and said the issue may be widespread.
Boeing inspectors reportedly found bulkheads with “hundreds” of misaligned and duplicated holes in the structure, some of which were filled with fasteners. They passed Spirit’s quality control inspections.
Boeing confirmed the issue and said it has a plan to address it. “During factory inspections, we identified fastener holes that did not conform to our specifications in the aft pressure bulkhead on certain 737 airplanes,” Boeing told msn.com.
Boeing is trying to increase production rates of the 737 to address a hefty backlog and this will be a hiccup in those plans.
AirlineGeeks.com was founded in February 2013 as a one-person blog in Washington D.C. Since then, we’ve grown to have 25+ active team members scattered across the globe. We are all here for the same reason: we love deep-diving into the fascinating realm of the airline industry.
A GlobalX Airlines Airbus A321. Red Way Airlines flights were operated by GlobalX. (Photo: GlobalX Airlines)
After only two months of operations, startup carrier Red Way Airlines has announced that it will be shutting down at the end of the month. The Lincoln, Neb.-based airline’s last flights will take place on Aug. 31.
Insurmountable Challenges for a Small Startup
In a statement posted to its Facebook page, the airline describes its predicament as follows, “Over our short time operating, we have had the immense privilege of serving our customers and connecting people across the US. We are immensely grateful to have had this time, and we know that demand exists strongly in Lincoln for expanded air service.”
“However, we face insurmountable challenges as a small startup in our industry, and the compounding of costs and lack of resources have made it impossible for us to sustain operations. It is our hope that other carriers see the incredible potential, and with their economies of scale, are able to provide Lincoln with the service it is so worthy of.”
Red Way further stated that all passengers who have booked flights after Aug.31 will be automatically refunded and that its customer service team would be available until the end of the month.
Red Way’s Complicated Business Model
Red Way is what is known as a virtual airline, meaning that it does not operate any of its own aircraft and instead sells seats on flights operated by another company. This type of arrangement can be confusing for consumers, as there are multiple entities involved. Customers who have purchased tickets from Red Way have found that their flight was operated by an aircraft with GlobalX branding.
Red Way acted as a sales agent for Fly Next, LLC, a Delaware limited-liability company, which acts on behalf of GlobalX Air Tours, LLC. Fly Next purchases aircraft time – including crew, maintenance and insurance – from Global Crossing Airlines, which is the company that actually operates the flights. To further complicate matters, Global Crossing Airlines operates as GlobalX Airlines. All Red Way flights are therefore operated by GlobalX Airbus A320-200 and Airbus A321-200 aircraft. The airline was first announced in March 2023 and began flights on June 8.
A Loss for Lincoln
Like many small airports in the United States, Lincoln Airport has been struggling since the COVID-19 pandemic. When Red Way airlines announced fourteen weekly flights to seven destinations from Lincoln in March, it brought a wave of hope and optimism to the city. Lincoln Airport had lost Delta Connection service to Minneapolis around a year ago and the airport only had United Express service to Denver, Chicago and Houston.
To help accommodate the new flights, Lincoln Airport opened a new 35,000-square-foot terminal expansion in May. The $55 million expansion and renovation increased space for passenger gates and new restaurant and concession options. Approximately $3 million of federal stimulus funding from the American Rescue Plan Act were put into the project and to help Red Way launch operations, with the city council and the county board each contributing $1.5 million.
Red Way experienced challenges throughout its short time in the skies, announcing in late July that it would be dropping its routes between Lincoln and Minneapolis, Atlanta and Austin, TX due to lower-than-expected demand. While the airline’s shutdown may be unsurprising given its ambitious plans in a relatively small market, it nevertheless has brought disappointment to the city and airport.
Lincoln Airport has announced that it has terminated its contractual agreement with Fly Next, with Lincoln Airport Authority board chair John Olsson stating that, “The Lincoln Airport Authority Board is disappointed by the ultimate outcome of Red Way’s service in Lincoln. Board members have met to discuss the result of the service, actions necessary to both address this situation and chart future efforts and oversight on what’s to come.”
The airport further stated that the shutdown is “extremely disheartening” for the airport after all the efforts made to bring new air service to Lincoln. Despite the disappointment, the airport’s statement ends on an optimistic note.
“These are the exact relationships that are vital for our community to embrace both now and in the future as we seek to show airlines and other businesses that Lincoln is worth investing in,”Olsson said.
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.
A Qantas Boeing 787 departing LAX. (AirlineGeeks | James Dinsdale)
The Qantas Group recently unveiled the future of the Qantas fleet with their most recent order from both of the manufacturing giants, Airbus and Boeing. The deal will have the Australian flag carrier taking delivery of 24 additional aircraft, 12 Airbus A350s and 12 Boeing 787s. The latest press release also included the plan for the carrier’s international widebody fleet.
The firm orders will allow flexibility for the carrier and will complement orders previously on the book. Both aircraft types will be brought in to replace the carrier’s 25 aging Airbus A330 aircraft, the oldest of which was delivered in 2003, according to airfleets.com.
The average age for the fleet will be 21 when replacement deliveries begin, with some of the younger aircraft to receive cabin refurbishment in 2025. In addition to the firm order, the carrier has also negotiated purchasing options with both manufacturers to provide the airline flexibility in finalizing a replacement for the A380 fleet from 2032 and beyond.
Boeing
Qantas will take delivery of additional 787s per this recent order announcement. The order has been divided into four 787-9 and eight 787-10 aircraft. Deliveries for the additional 787s will begin in 2027 and will complement the current Boeing fleet the carrier operates.
Airbus
The Sydney-based carrier also put in a firm order for 12 Airbus A350-1000s. These aircraft will be delivered to Qantas beginning in 2028, a year after the most recent 787s that were purchased are set to be delivered. The A350s that were announced in this order are not the same examples as those which will be used for Project Sunrise, connecting Sydney and Australia with direct flights to London and New York. The A350s, used for the project, will be ULR variants with deliveries beginning in 2026.
Alan Joyce, Qantas Group CEO, in regards to the impact the orders will have on the company in the future, said, “These are generational decisions for this company. The aircraft will arrive over a decade or more and they’ll be part of the fleet for 20 years. They’ll unlock new routes and better travel experiences for customers, and new jobs and promotions for our people.”
Airline’s Sustainability
Qantas is continuing the company’s pledge to net carbon zero by 2050 in the order agreement as well. The flag carrier secured access to 500 million liters, just over 132 million gallons, of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) per year beginning in 2028 as a part of the deal.
Across other portions of the airline’s fleet, the airline will begin receiving deliveries of their much anticipated Airbus A220s this year. In addition, 22 Embraer E190 jets will join the fleet by December of this year as well.
Zach’s love for aviation began when he was in elementary school with a flight sim and model planes. This passion for being in the air only intensified throughout high school when he earned his Private Pilot Certificate. He then attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, earning his certificates and ratings to later flight instruct and share his passion for aviation with others. He now resides in the North East living out his dream as an airline pilot.
Japan Airlines Set to Showcase New A350-1000 Business Class in October
JAL's first A350 prepares for its delivery flight from Toulouse to Tokyo Haneda
In the competitive skies where luxury, comfort, and innovation constantly evolve, Japan Airlines is gearing up to set a new standard. The airline discreetly shared plans to showcase its latest business class product for the Airbus A350-1000 this upcoming October.
An In-depth Look into the Upcoming Premium Experience
While Japan Airlines is no stranger to the Airbus series, with its operation of the Airbus A350-900, it has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of its first A350-1000. Amidst a broader announcement regarding their winter schedule, the airline subtly hinted at the much-anticipated revelation of its state-of-the-art business class offering for the new Airbus variant. This revelation is scheduled for October 2, according to One Mile at a Time.
There’s a palpable buzz in the industry with many insiders speculating that Japan Airlines will similarly hold a grand event this October. It’s intriguing to note how the announcement’s date was artfully nestled within a wider network release.
Recent trends and innovations in business class cabins provide us a glimpse into what we might expect from Japan Airlines’ new offering. These could include state-of-the-art Bluetooth synchronization with the in-flight entertainment system, 4K ultra-HD touchscreens for a vivid viewing experience, advanced wireless charging facilities, and possibly, the inclusion of private doors, heightening the privacy quotient, though this feature remains speculative for now.
On the acquisition front, Japan Airlines has locked in an order for 13 Airbus A350-1000s. The airline is set to welcome the first duo of this series within the year. By the culmination of 2025, they anticipate having seven of these majestic birds soaring the skies, wrapping up the order by 2028. These new additions will seamlessly integrate with their existing fleet of 18 A350-900s, of which 16 are already soaring and two await their inaugural flights.
JAL’s first A350 in Toulouse
Exploring the Current and Potential A350 Routes
As of now, Japan Airlines has efficiently operationalized 16 out of the 18 A350-900s it procured. These jets, a marvel in aviation engineering, predominantly ply on four domestic circuits. For the current month alone, the airline has chalked out an impressive 2,262 flights for this model. Certain routes even witness the A350s undertaking as many as thirteen daily round trips.
Drawing a parallel with U.S. aviation practices, larger aircraft like the widebodies are typically reserved for long-haul, transcontinental voyages. Occasionally, they make appearances on shorter hub-to-hub routes. For context, United Airlines deploys its Boeing 777s for connecting Denver International to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, a relatively short hop. In contrast, Japan Airlines’ A350s have become a familiar sight on routes spanning just over 500 miles.
Delving deeper into specifics, in the month of August, the airline’s most frequented A350 route connected Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport and Sapporo. This route recorded a whopping 403 flights in each direction, culminating in thirteen daily operations, and covering a distance of 510 miles. The Haneda-Fukuoka route isn’t far behind in terms of traffic, logging 402 flights each way and stretching over 548 miles. Moreover, the A350s also span the greater expanse to Okinawa, a journey of 965 miles, with an average of eight to nine daily flights.
Further expanding its network, from Okinawa, Japan Airlines dispatches the A350s on a bi-daily journey to Osaka International (Itami) Airport, covering 752 miles. On leisurely Sundays, the A350s bridge the shorter 250-mile gap between Haneda and Osaka.
Parth Jain is a dedicated aviation enthusiast with a rich background in general and commercial aviation. Over the years, Parth has consistently demonstrated a deep fascination with the aviation industry, his interests spanning from the workings of small general aviation aircraft to the complexities of large commercial jets. Parth's interest in aviation sparked at a young age when he first set foot in an airplane. Since then, he has dedicated much of his time to gaining first hand experience, achieving his private pilot license and currently working towards his instrument rating. Parth's education and experience are a testament to his dedication and commitment to this field. As a private pilot, he has navigated complex airspace, developed an understanding of the intricate details of aircraft operations, and consistently demonstrated safe and proficient flying skills.
Qatar Airways Increases Flight Frequencies To New York
A Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER at Washington Dulles International Airport. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ben Suskind)
Qatar Airways has been flying high since expanding its network around the world, especially since the FIFA World Cup last December, announcing expansions of services in the U.S., and deepen its cooperations with the American carriers.
Qatar Airways has now announced that it will increase its services on Oct.30 by increasing flight frequencies to New York to three times a day. The carrier is currently operating two times a day to New York and a number of other American cities, such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, and Dallas-Fort Worth.
JetBlue passengers are believed to benefit from the new flight services with a seamless connection. Members of both airlines can earn miles from each other’s expansive codeshare flights. The codeshare agreement between Qatar and JetBlue launched in 2011.
In the meantime, American Airlines will launch flight operations from Philadelphia to Doha on Oct. 28. The Qatari carrier’s strategic partnership with American Airlines also continues to expand. Passengers on Qatar and American Airlines can travel to Doha and onward to over 160 destinations worldwide.
A Qatar Airways Airbus A380. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Also, Qatar Airways and Alaska Airlines will provide a significant codeshare expansion to improve West Coast connectivity in coming weeks.
“We continue to offer seamless connectivity to our passengers from the U.S. market and beyond with the support of our strategic partners. Our unwavering commitment to our longstanding U.S, partners, American Airlines, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines is built on our mission to connect the world through our hub to 160 destinations and more,” Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive of Qatar Airways, said.
Attempt To Increase Flight Frequencies to Australia
However, the airline has been facing a setback in Australia. By popular demand, Qatar had a plan to expand service to Australia by adding additional 21 weekly flights, with one more daily flight to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Qatar has fallen short of ramping up flights to Australia after being opposed by Qantas. Qatar believed that additional competition in Australia could lower skyrocketing air fares.
Qantas said that the Middle Eastern carrier already has an option to increase its capacity by changing to a larger aircraft.
“This would immediately increase the number of seats by 27%,” A Qantas spokesperson said.
The Australian government’s decision left Virgin Australia frustrated. Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia, the main rival of Qantas, signed a codeshare agreement last year.
“We are deeply disappointed that our partner Qatar Airways is unable to expand its services to Australia,” Jayne Hrdlicka, Chief Executive of Virgin Australia, said.
But the Qatari airline hasn’t stopped resuming its services. The carrier will resume the flight services between Doha and Auckland, New Zealand and Cardiff, U.K. in September and by the end of the year respectively. Cardiff Airport, the struggling airport in Wales, is desperate to expand its international route map after the pandemic. Qatar suspended the route since the pandemic has begun.
An Ethiopian Boeing 777 rotates out of Washington Dulles.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest state airline, and Boeing, a global aviation giant, have embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration in the aviation industry. This strategic partnership will establish a joint venture to manufacture aircraft parts, showcasing the convergence of expertise between the renowned aircraft manufacturer and the prominent carrier.
The ambitious venture, which kicks off with an initial investment of $15 million, was recently unveiled by the state investment authority. Ethiopian Airlines will spearhead the production of aerospace components, encompassing critical elements like aircraft thermal-acoustic insulation mats and electrical wiring harnesses. These components are integral to ensuring the safety, efficiency, and reliability of aircraft operations.
Beyond its aviation implications, this partnership holds great potential for the local economy. The Ethiopian Investment Commission has projected the creation of over 300 job opportunities, contributing significantly to employment growth and skills development in the region.
Ethiopian Airlines has already signed the agreement, joined by the participation of the local state-owned Industrial Parks Development Corporation. This collaborative effort underscores a concerted endeavor to fortify aerospace manufacturing capabilities within Ethiopia.
While the exact commencement date for production remains undisclosed by the commission, Boeing is yet to issue an official statement regarding this exciting venture.
This joint effort arrives at a critical juncture for the aviation industry, grappling with challenges such as supply chain disruptions. In light of these issues, other African carriers like Kenya Airways have highlighted the shortage of aircraft parts resulting from geopolitical conflicts that have impacted the availability of essential materials, including Russian titanium.
Notably, Ethiopian Airlines, boasting an impressive fleet of 140 planes, reported a remarkable 20% increase in profits to $6.1 billion in its previous fiscal year. This growth underscores the airline’s substantial presence in the aviation market and its commitment to achieving new heights.
Ethiopian Continues Restoring Services
Simultaneously, as a prominent member of the Star Alliance, Ethiopian Airlines continues to advance global connectivity and elevate passenger experiences. The airline’s plan to resume its Madrid service on December 9, 2023 serves as a testament to its resilience. After a temporary suspension of Madrid flights in March 2020, Ethiopian Airlines is poised to make a triumphant return to the Spanish market. Operating a route that connects Addis Ababa, Rome Fiumicino, and Madrid, the airline will employ Airbus A350-900XWB aircraft to ensure a blend of comfort and cutting-edge technology. Travelers can anticipate a frequency of four weekly flights, enhancing travel options and flexibility.
Furthermore, Ethiopian Airlines is set to reinforce its Accra service, marking its second expansion in 2023 for the Accra – Addis Ababa route. By elevating weekly flights from eleven to an impressive fourteen, the airline empowers passengers with enhanced connectivity. This enhancement, effective during the upcoming IATA Winter Season, affords travelers a broader selection of flight times, encompassing afternoon, early morning, and evening departures.
As Ethiopian Airlines charts its course, it will deploy a diverse fleet to uphold its commitment to exceptional service. This includes the operation of 14 services through a combination of Airbus A350 and the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, showcasing the airline’s dedication to ensuring top-tier travel experiences for its passengers.
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.
A Delta Air Lines A319 holds short as an American Airlines A321 departs Los Angeles. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | James Dinsdale)
Over the summer, two major developments in disability accessibility were announced by American carriers. In early June, Delta Air Lines announced that one of its subsidiaries is developing a seat that would allow passengers to stay in their power wheelchairs during a flight. At the end of July, United Airlines announced it would become the first U.S. airline to add braille to aircraft interiors, including to mark rows, seat numbers, and the inside and outside of lavatories.
Neither of these changes will be immediate. It will take at least 18 months for Delta’s seat to enter service assuming it passes testing on time, while United won’t be able to retrofit all of its aircraft until 2026. Still, these moves represent a major step forward for disabled passengers in the United States.
The United States Department of Transportation reported that 27 million passengers with disabilities traveled in 2019. The U.S. Government Accountability Office has reported that large airport spread, TSA screening passengers, and improper handling of accommodation by airlines pose significant challenges to travelers with disabilities. Notably for this article, US airlines together mishandled, lost, damaged, delayed, or lost 11,389 wheelchairs and scooters in 2022, or about 1.54 per 100 that were loaded onto aircraft, per the Washington Post, the highest number since the Department of Transportation first reported the data in 2018.
Federal Accessibility Legislation
Delta’s and American’s moves come amid a greater push for aviation accessibility in the United States government. In spring 2023, Senators Tammy Duckworth and John Thune announced the Mobility Aids on Board Improve Lives and Empower All Act, otherwise known as the MOBILE Act, which would require the Department of Transportation to publicly report the type of damage that occurs to wheelchairs and mobility aids. It would also require airlines to provide sufficient information to passengers to make sure mobility aids can fit on an aircraft before boarding.
Disability advocates have called for more airline accountability and accessibility to be included in the next FAA reauthorization act, which is currently being developed.
“For passengers who use wheelchairs, traveling can oftentimes be difficult and frustrating,” Thune said. “I’m proud to join Senator Duckworth in introducing this common-sense legislation that would improve safety and accessibility for individuals who use mobility aids to help ensure their travel experience is as smooth and hassle-free as possible.”
United Airlines, with its “fortress hub” in Houston, makes it difficult to consider other loyalty options (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Hisham Qadri)
Duckworth pointed out that it is often a medical risk for people to be moved into and out of wheelchairs. Being able to board a flight in your own wheelchair not only makes sure the chair isn’t lost or damaged, but it also reduces at least two points of risk when passengers are moved from their wheelchair into a plane seat, if not also transferred from their own chair to a chair owned by an airline or airport.
“This isn’t just a customer service issue; this is actually a safety issue,” Duckworth said. “If people don’t have access to their devices or a safe way to board the plane, then they’re subjecting themselves to injury.”
Practical Uses of Airlines’ Developments
It is expected that Delta will make its convertible seat accessible to other airlines for use. Since the chair can be used on the same seat tracks airlines already used on their aircraft, transferring the new seats in will be a relatively cheap job.
It has yet to be seen whether airlines will take up Delta’s offer. But it is common for airlines to pick up the practices other airlines have already adopted once the new practices are proven safe and cost-effective, especially when under pressure from customers and advocacy groups.
A 2021 report found that removing two rows of seats would allow for the installation of in-cabin wheelchair securement systems with no issue, though more studies on safety and feasibility. With these seats taking up extra room on the aircraft, airlines wouldn’t be able to fly as many passengers on one aircraft; charging extra for a wheelchair seat may not stand in a court challenge on discrimination grounds, so the installation of these chairs may end up being a price all passengers end up paying for.
A Delta A321 landing (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Craig Fischer)
Though widebody aircraft are required to have accessible restrooms, narrowbody planes are not at the time of writing. Delta’s seat does have a method to transfer passengers into more compact seats when they need to use the restroom, so the rollout for single-aisle planes will be interesting to see.
United’s move, though, will not be a difficult one to match, as other airlines will not need to purchase entirely new seats for each plane. At least from an optics standpoint, it is much easier to place braille markings on overhead bins and armrests.
“No other form of transportation — trains, buses, boats — forces you to give up your mobility device when you board. The same ought to be true of airlines,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said last summer. “We know this won’t happen overnight, but it is a goal that we have to work to fulfill.”
Recent History of Accessibility in Aviation
Airlines are not always known for being the most disability-friendly. After a number of high-profile incidents, such as when a passenger tried to bring a peacock onto a flight, airlines unilaterally limited the types of emotional support animals passengers can bring onboard flights. Though United allows both dogs and cats onboard flights, other airlines only allow dogs onboard. The call received some backlash but was implemented after a 2020 Department of Transportation ruling decided that emotional support animals would no longer be considered service animals and thus released airlines from needing to accept every animal onboard.
A United A320 in a retro livery landing in Las Vegas. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
And while American carriers are often at the front of the pack in terms of aviation developments around the world, other airlines around the world have notable accessibility features that rival or even surpass what US airlines do. Aer Lingus, for example, has resources available for autistic travelers to help them navigate the potential sensory overload of air travel.
Still, many airlines, both in the US and around the world, simply direct passengers to rely on airport staff and cabin crew, who are often burdened with many tasks as airlines and airports struggle to fully staff their operations, for assistance.
It is good, then, to know that Delta and United are adding one more layer of accessibility to their operations to make it that much easier for passengers to find and use their seats and for cabin crews to support them throughout their trip. It is not unwise to hope and expect that other airlines will follow their leads or continue to innovate for the betterment of the traveling public.
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.
Essential Air Service: Where Are the Biggest Markets
Here's here you can find unique Essential Air Service routes
A United Express CRJ-200 arriving into Chicago O'Hare. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
Essential Air Service (EAS) is truly a hot issue with EAS routes changing more in the past year than they have in the past five, with airlines requesting to terminate service left and right. The top EAS carriers have also shifted, with Contour and Southern Airways Express slowly growing in the contracts that they hold.
But, with the carriers constantly changing, it is sometimes hard to keep track of what airlines fly to where, and which hubs are the biggest and smallest in terms of the number of EAS communities that they serve.
The Biggest EAS Hubs
There are many hubs that have only one or two EAS routes out of them, and will never be large in the EAS hub game as they don’t really serve as a hub for much anything else and are simply “medium or large” class airports that small airlines use to base operations. These include examples like Cape Air and its Billings Montana hub or Advanced Air and its Albuquerque hub just to name a few in the countless that contain just a few EAS routes.
But, there are countless other hubs that have dropped significantly in ranking over the years, like St. Louis and Salt Lake City which both used to have a much larger presence in the government-subsidized EAS program, but with airlines like Great Lakes Airlines collapsing and Cape Air downsizing, are both down to three EAS routes each.
While there are hubs that grow and shrink, some manage to stay relatively the same over the years. This includes airports like Detroit, which has managed to keep the same five EAS communities connected to it for a long time, with SkyWest under the Delta Connection brand.
Third Largest: Minneapolis/St. Paul
Minneapolis has dropped in and out of the top three ranking of EAS hubs but has always managed to stay relatively close with the number of EAS communities it possesses, although the airlines serving the cities has changed a little bit. This hub flies to 12 unique EAS communities with three different airlines, the largest being SkyWest under the Delta Connection brand with nine routes, followed by Denver Air Connection with two, and finally Sun Country with a single EAS route from MSP.
Delta Connection currently serves all of their EAS cities from MSP with 50-seat CRJ-200s. But, SkyWest has posted documents stating it will switch to the CRJ-700 or CRJ-900 in October of 2023 due to a directive from Delta on the need to serve every Delta-branded city with dual-class aircraft regardless of whether it’s an EAS community or not.
EAS communities it serves from Minneapolis/St. Paul includes Aberdeen, S.D.; Rhinelander, Wis.; Bemidji, Brainerd, International Falls, and Hibbing in Minnesota; and Iron Mountain, Escanaba, and Sault Ste. Marie in Michigan.
One of Delta’s CRJ-200s at Minneapolis St. Paul (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
Denver Air Connection is the second-largest EAS carrier in Minneapolis with two routes; Thief River Falls, Minn., and Ironwood, Mich. All of its EAS flights from this ‘hub’ are scheduled to operate on their unique 30-seat Dornier328Jet, although the airline does occasionally swap in the 50-seat Embraer E145.
Taxiing out of Eau Claire back to Minneapolis (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
Second Largest: Chicago O’Hare
Chicago has continually grown in the number of EAS markets, as airlines switch away from smaller medium-sized ‘hub’ airports in the midwest like St. Louis. This hub serves 18 unique EAS communities with six different carriers; with the largest being SkyWest under the United Express brand having eight routes, Southern Airways Express and Contour Air both have three each, Denver Air Connection has two, and Cape Air and American Airlines both operate just a single EAS route from Chicago.
SkyWest under the United Express brand operates all of its EAS communities with 50-seat CRJ-200s from the Chicago hub. The EAS communities it serves from O’Hare include; Houghton, Mich.; Johnstown, Penn.; Decatur, Ill.; Joplin Miss.; Salina, Kan.; and Sioux City, Mason City, and Fort Dodge all of which are in Iowa. SkyWest is still trying to downsize the number of CRJ-200s that it operates due to the ongoing pilot shortage, and this number has dramatically shrunk for them, especially in the past two years, and will continue to drop.
Contour is the newest EAS carrier in O’Hare and the fastest-growing EAS airline in the country, adding 14 new EAS cities in the past year and a half, with three of them being in Chicago and all of them starting less than a month ago and all on the same day, on Aug. 1, 2023.
All of these flights are scheduled to operate on the airline’s 30-seat Embraer E135 or E145s, although the carrier has recently been swapping in VIP 16-seat CRJ-200s recently, which are already use on Contour Air’s charter division, making those flights still operated by Contour, just a lot fancier than the E135/E145. It operates EAS flights from Chicago to Owensboro, Kentucky; Marion, Ill.; and Kirksville, Miss.
Denver Air Connection operates two EAS communities from Chicago, both of which are flown on the airline’s 50-seat Embraer E145s. From Chicago, the airline flies to Ironwood, Mich. and Watertown, S.D.
American Airlines has stayed pretty consistent and has had the same four EAS communities for many years, one of which operates from its already sizeable Chicago O’Hare hub and goes to Waterloo, Iowa. The only thing that has changed with the route over the years is that it has moved from operating on an Embraer E145s to a CRJ-200, both have 50-seats, but the operator of the flight keeps changing, starting out as Envoy, then Piedmont, and currently Air Wisconsin.
The operator of the flights could keep changing as American Airlines itself hold the contract, they can choose any of its regional operators to make the flight.
An American CRJ-200 in Charlotte (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Cape Air has drastically shrunk over the past couple of years, with mass termination requests due to pilot shortages has resulted in Southern Airways Express and Contour Air taking most of the EAS cities in the Midwest. The airline now remain with a single EAS route to Manistee, Mich, which it operates using their 8/9-seat Tecnam P2012 although their Cessna 402 does occasionally swap in when it is needed.
Largest EAS Hub: Denver
Denver is by far the largest Essential Air Service hub and has always been a big player in the EAS game, although the predominant EAS carrier has shifted over the years from Great Lakes Airlines to Boutique Air, to SkyWest, with it now slowly shifting away from SkyWest as it tries to terminate more EAS communities.
Denver holds 26 unique EAS routes over three airlines with the United Express brand being the largest holding 16 contracts, with SkyWest holding 14 of them and United Airlines themselves holding two of them. Denver Air Connection holds eight contracts from Denver and Southern Airways Express holds two.
The new home of Denver’s EAS airlines (Photo: Denver International Airport)
The United Express brand; United themselves holds the contracts in the communities of Dickinson, N.D., and Cody, Wyo. so it can choose whichever regional partner to operate these flights, and currently it is Commutair with the Embraer E145s. But as for the other 16, they are all held directly by SkyWest and operate on 50-seat CRJ-200s, although they are trying to switch flights to 30-seat CRJ which has yet to be given an official name, under the ‘SkyWest Charters’ brand, which is currently being fought over between the DOT, FAA, and SkyWest.
But until then the CRJ-200 will operate the routes to the following communities; Vernal, Utah; Prescott, Ariz.; Laramie, Wyo.; Sioux City, Iowa; Joplin, Miss.; Devils Lake and Jamestown, N.D.; Dodge City, Liberal, and Hays in Kansas; North Platte and Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Moab, Utah, and West Yellowstone, Mont. are summer seasonal EAS cities for the United Express brand under SkyWest.
A United Express CRJ-200 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
The second largest EAS carrier in Denver is very appropriately named, Denver Air Connection, with eight EAS routes out of Denver. It serves Pierre and Watertown, S.D. using the 50-seat Embraer E145; Alliance and McCook, Nebraska as well as Cortez, Colo. with their 9-seat Fairchild Swearingin Metroliner. Clovis, N.M., and Alamosa, Colo. see a mix of 30-seat Dornier 328Jet and 50-seat Embraer E145, and it all depends on what day of the week and circumstances, as to what aircraft will be operating flights in these two communities.
DAC has been slowly growing over the past couple of years with most of its routes coming from Boutique Air, which has since stopped servicing Denver, and SkyWest which has slowly been dropping communities as part of their pilot shortage.
A lineup of Denver Air Connection planes in Denver (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
Southern Airways Express, the smallest EAS carrier in Denver serves two communities; Chadron, Nebraska, and Pueblo, Colorado. Technically under contract, both Chadron and Pueblo are supposed to receive the 8-seat King Air 200, but due to some aircraft shortages the airline uses a mix of King Air 200a and Pilatus PC12a to serve both cities, and the aircraft frequently switches between the types depending on the day and what is available.
Conclusion
Some of these cities are mentioned multiple times even just in the top three EAS hubs, which is due to the fact that some of the communities do connect with multiple hubs creating a unique experience for some passengers that decide to connect in these small communities when traveling between hubs. While connecting in an EAS community definitely adds more time and is not the most convenient, it can add a splash or excitement to your day when you land in a city you’ve never heard of before.
While the EAS contracts do last for years, usually in two or four-year blocks, there are a lot of EAS communities around the country so there are always at least two or three that are in the midst of the EAS process, so it is hard to pinpoint a time of the year when everything is stable and a community isn’t in the process of a hub or airline change. Not only do the airlines change the EAS program a lot, but the routes are even more flexible, especially in Alternate Essential Air Service (AEAS) communities, which don’t even need DOT approval to switch routes or frequencies.
As it stands, this article goes over the ranking and routes from the top three EAS hubs in the United States. The map below depicts all of the EAS routes in the lower 48, which is accurate as of the time this article was posted.
Routes from every EAS Airport in the lower 48 states, as of August 21, 2023 (Photo: Joey Gerardi | AirlineGeeks)
Joey has always been interested in planes for as long as he can remember. He grew up in Central New York during the early 2000s when US Airways Express turboprops ruled the skies. Being from a non-aviation family made it harder for him to be around planes and would only spend about three hours a month at the airport. He was so excited when he could drive by himself, the first thing he did with his driver's license was get ice cream and go plane spotting for the entire day. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 2022 with a B.S. in Aviation Management & Operations and a Minor in Business, and currently works for a major airline in his hometown.
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