Flights
TAP named largest service provider in Portugal
According to analysis run by the Forum Empresarial magazine published this week, TAP is currently the largest Portuguese service provider. This classification is based on its turnover and the increase in revenue observed in 2007 that has contributed decisively to TAP attaining this distinguished position. In 2006 the national airline transporter ranked in third place.
Alternative Airlines teams up with Air Europa
With American-owned online travel agencies being unable to feature Cuba in their flight listings, due to US sanctions, UK-based Alternative Airlines can now fill this gap. The independent flight-booking website has teamed up with Spanish holiday airline, Air Europa, to offer some exceptionally low fares to this exciting destination.
Lufthansa remains on course
Lufthansa remains on course with an improved operating result - during the first six months of 2008, the Group increased its offer and sales. The Group improved its operating result to 705 million euros, which marked an increase of 219 million euros in comparison with the first six months of 2007. The newly consolidated SWISS contributed a share of 157 million euros.
Delta announces new Award Travel structure
Delta Air Lines in September will launch a new Award Travel structure to provide SkyMiles members greater flexibility and more options when redeeming miles, including the ability to again book the last seat on a flight using miles and three redemption tiers for Award Travel within the continental United States, Alaska and Canada to destinations worldwide.
Delta offers special fare on new service between Atlanta and Kuwait
Delta Air Lines has announced a limited time introductory, one-way fare of $589 on its new nonstop route between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Kuwait City, Kuwait. The offer applies to tickets purchased before August 15, 2008 for travel between November 7 and December 13, 2008*.
Continental Airlines unveils new lie-flat seat
Continental Airlines has announced details of a new 180-degree lie-flat seat for the BusinessFirst cabin on its Boeing 787, 777 and 757 aircraft. Customers will begin seeing lie-flats seats on Boeing 777 aircraft that primarily serve trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific routes in the fall of 2009, with installation on Continental's 757-200 fleet beginning in 2010 and on its Boeing 787 fleet as the aircraft are delivered to Continental.
Finnair helps you reduce your carbon footprint
Finnair continues to look for opportunities to reduce emissions and minimise its overall carbon footprint. Apart from the more obvious and major initiatives, such as route optimisation and fleet modernity, recent and surprisingly effective actions have included washing aircraft engines more frequently. The latest, small but important initiative, is to offer readers of the Finnair magazine, ‘blue wings’ an online ezine edition.
Air New Zealand revamps domestic baggage policy
Travellers on Air New Zealand’s domestic services will in future be allowed to take a first bag weighing up to 25kgs compared with today’s limit of 20kgs. That’s an additional five kilogrammes of luggage for free.
Ryanair flies into controversy in Italy
Ryanair has rejected the criticism of Altero Matteoli, Italy’s Transport Minister, concerning the advert on Ryanair’s Italian website which features Sig Umberto Bossi making a vulgar sign in Padua 10 days ago.
Coventry Airport to offer aircraft parking
Coventry Airport is now able to offer aircraft parking for long and short term periods to airlines wishing to ease the strain as fuel costs soar. Many airlines are reviewing their routes and then choosing to ground aircraft in order to save on high fuel costs rather than continue flying with a full fleet.
More flights to Leeds with Air Southwest
Air Southwest is increasing the number of flights from Plymouth City Airport to Leeds Bradford from the start of August. The Plymouth-based low fare airline already flies daily to the Yorkshire airport and is adding a second flight starting 3 August 2008. The new flight departs at 1635 (daily except Saturday), and is designed to complement the existing 0630 departure. The new schedule also includes a 1635 service from Plymouth to Manchester, offering improved timings particularly for the business traveller.
Ryanair reports 85% fall in profits
Ryanair has this week announced a Q1 profit of €21m down €118m (or 85%) as fuel costs almost doubled and yields fell due to the absence of Easter in this quarter and its presence in the prior year comparable. Despite the absence of Easter, traffic grew by 19% to 15m, as average fares (including bag charges) fell by 8% to €42, while total revenues grew 12% to €777m. Unit costs excluding fuel fell by 6%, including fuel they increased by 18%, due to higher oil prices and longer sector lengths.
Virgin Atlantic – The child friendly airline
To help passengers travelling with children this summer, Virgin Atlantic has come up with some top tips so that families have a stress-free and enjoyable start to their holiday.
Virgin Galactic rolls out mothership "Eve"
Virgin Founder, Sir Richard Branson and SpaceShipOne designer, Burt Rutan, today pulled back the hangar doors on the new WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft that will ferry SpaceShipTwo and thousands of private astronauts, science packages and payload on the first stage of the Virgin Galactic sub-orbital space experience.
Virgin Atlantic to showcase young film-making talent
Virgin Atlantic has joined forces with First Light Movies to showcase young up and coming film making talent onboard flights this summer. The airline is screening five short films, made by groups of young people aged between six and 18 years from across the UK, as part of its inflight entertainment.