Continental Airlines has recently launched direct flights between New York JFK and Shanghai, China. It is the first American carrier to operate this route from New York.
The route is proving to be popular and is serviced by a Boeing 777 aircraft, which is capable of flying the route non-stop.
The flight to Shanghai takes Continental’s flight tally to China from New York to 3, with the other flights operating to Hong Kong and Beijing.
Continental Airlines are currently in the process of switching from the SkyTeam alliance to the Star Alliance network. Joining the Star Alliance network will increase the airlines capability to offer a wider range of flights at more competitive prices to routes across the globe by co-ordinating with other airlines whilst acting as a single carrier.
Icelandair is the latest operator to offer flights from the UK to the USA. It will soon commence flights four times per week between London Heathrow and Seattle. The flight will operate via its Icelandic hub and capital city Reykjavik and provides customers with a cost-effective way of connecting Europe and North America.
The airline will need to offer low cost deals on this particular route as it will be in direct competition with British Airways, which flies directly from Heathrow to Seattle. The duration of the Icelandair flight will be 12.5 hours, whilst the flight with BA takes just 9, so cheaper flight tickets will be the key to success.
As the airline continues to develop and change it has recently entered into a code share agreement with Alaska Airlines for onward flights throughout Canada, the western parts of USA and Alaska.
For the autumn season Iceland Air has revealed plans to reinstate its Reykjavik to Glasgow flight, which will operate twice weekly.
Despite the economic crisis in Iceland, which is forecasting the country’s economy will shrink by around 10% this year, Icelandair sees a positive future ahead and generates just 20% of its revenues in its home nation.
Its news that will delight all airline passengers – the UK Civil Aviation Authority have revealed a considerable improvement in UK flight punctuality in 2008 compared to 2007. This covers both charter and scheduled flights.
On time performance (which is early, on time or up to 15 minutes late at take off) now stands at 77%, which is an increase of 8% from 2007.
London Heathrow recorded a 13% improvement; Gatwick saw an improvement of 9% and London Luton 5%. All UK regional airports reported improvements and the best performing was Edinburgh Airport. This airport saw 83% of its scheduled flights departing on time.
Cheap flights are currently at the forefront of every passengers mind, as the credit crunch continues to bite both holiday makers and business travellers alike. However, there are still people who look for a more premium experience when travelling abroad. In a reponse to meet this need British Airways has recently opened its newest lounge at Heathrow. Based in terminal 3 and called “Galleries” the lounge is available to not only BA passengers, but also oneworld alliance passengers travelling with a BA codeshare partner.
This modern and stylish lounge is available to the airlines First, Club World and Club World Europe passengers and offers a bar sering a wide range of quality, premium alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks. Snacks are available and there is also a coffee house. The loung is split into zones for the increased comfort of passengers, so there is a news zone, quiet work zone and a (not so quiet) kids zone.
The lounge is available for passengers travelling on British Airways and oneworld alliance flights to and from Barcelona, Lisbon, Madrid, Helsinki, Malaga and Vienna.
Emirates, the largest passenger carrier outside of Europe and The USA has revelealed that despite the current economic downturn it still expects to see increased profit during 2009.
Crucially for aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing it has announce that it will not delay any orders for new aircraft until at least 2011, allowong for delivery of at least 17 new aircraft during the current fiscal year. These aircraft are mostly Airbus A380 and Boeing 777s.
There are many carriers now operating in the Middle East region, meaning increased competition for Emirates and ulitmately cheaper flight tickets for passengers. Competition is growing from carriers such as Quatar Airways and Ethiad Airways (Abu Dhabi).
There has recenlty been the suggestion that Emirates plans to merge with the smaller, Ehiad Airlines, particularily as the recession takes hold in the Middle East. However, Emirates have stongly denied this claim. Emirates plans appear to be based on internal growth, rather than fro the acquisition of smaller rivals.
