by Devesh Agarwal The United States’ aviation regulator the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has today allowed airlines to relax rules regarding the use of portable electronic devices (PEDs) on-board flights below 10,000 feet. In a release the FAA said Passengers will eventually be able to read e-books, play games, and watch videos on their devices during all phases of flight, …

By BA Staff Courtesy of Wikipedia Passenger traffic at Dubai International, the world’s second busiest airport for international passengers, rose 13.1 per cent in September, according to the latest traffic statistics issued yesterday by operator Dubai Airports. Passenger traffic in September totaled 5,407,326, an increase of 13.1 per cent compared to 4,780,394 during the corresponding month in 2012. Year to …

By BA Staff Courtesy of Wikipedia Alaska Airlines is changing its minimum check-in time for customers traveling on most domestic flights from 30 to 40 minutes prior to departure, regardless if a bag is checked or not. The minimum check-in time for international flights remains at 60 minutes. The policy change is being made so that travelers on Alaska Airlines …

By BA Staff Just days after taking delivery of its very first A321 aircraft, JetBlue Airways has placed a new order for 15 A321ceo (current engine option) and 20 A321neo (new engine option) aircraft. In addition, the airline has opted to up size 8 A320ceo and 10 A320neo aircraft currently on backlog to 8 A321ceo and 10 A321neo, respectively. This …

by Devesh Agarwal Delta Air Lines will debut three updated Boeing 757 aircraft on the transcontinental route between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport beginning July 1, 2014. These will be the first 757 aircraft in service to feature Delta’s previously announced upgrades which will include full flat-bed seats in BusinessElite on transcon flights …

By BA Staff Courtesy of Bts.gov The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported that U.S. airlines carried 69.2 million systemwide (domestic + international) scheduled service passengers in July 2013, the same as in July 2012. The systemwide total was the result of a 0.7 percent decrease in the number of domestic passengers (59.3 million) and a …

By BA Staff Qatar Airways has launched daily non-stop daily flights to Clark Manila International Airport in the Philippines. The Clark airport route is operated with an Airbus A330 in a two-class configuration of up to 248 seats in Economy and up to 36 in Business Class. Clark International Airport is located about 96km from Manila City Centre and a …

By BA Staff Scimitar split winglets. Photo courtesy Alaska Airlines. Alaska Airline’s Boeing 737s will soon fly the more efficient performance-enhancing split Scimitar winglets, which will reduce fuel consumption by 58,000 gallons a year per aircraft saving the airline $20 million and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 57,000 tons annually, equivalent to about 11,900 passenger vehicles. The new winglet from …

by Devesh Agarwal Flag carrier Qatar Airways becomes part of oneworld® alliance at midnight Doha time tonight, becoming the first carrier from the burgeoning Gulf region to join join any airline alliance. Qatar also joins fellow middle-east carrier Royal Jordanian which is a member of oneworld. QR633 which departs from Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka for Doha at 03.15 local (00.15 Doha …

By BA Staff The Boeing Company and Lockheed Martin Corporation are teaming together to compete for the United States Air Force’s Long-Range Strike Bomber program, with Boeing acting as the prime contractor and Lockheed Martin as the primary team-mate. To this critical mission, the team brings together nearly two centuries of combined experience designing, developing and testing aircraft for defense …

By BA Staff The U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) fined United Airlines $1.1 million for lengthy tarmac delays that took place at Chicago-O’Hare International Airport on July 13, 2012.  The airline was ordered to cease and desist from future violations of the tarmac-delay rule. This is the largest fine assessed for a tarmac-delay violation since the rule limiting long …

By BA Staff The exclusive event, billed as a ‘Gig on a Wing’ showcased the very best of British Airways, to an audience that included Keith Williams, British Airways’ Chief Executive and special guests from Hong Kong’s aviation, travel, business, entertainment and hospitality industry. Keith Williams, British Airways’ chief executive, said: “Today marks another milestone in our long and proud …

By BA Staff Courtesy of Caan.asia Amadeus, a leading technology partner for the global travel industry, has released research into the big four travel effects that will shape the future of travel in Korea. The research shows that growth potential in Korea may be stronger than any other market in Asia Pacific. The study was unveiled at the conference titled, …

By BA Staff Alaska Airlines is offering members of its Mileage Plan™ frequent flyer programme, double miles on nonstop flights between Seattle and five Californian cities and Las Vegas, till May 31, 2014. Alaska customers can earn double miles on all flights between Seattle and Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Santa Rosa and Las Vegas. The double miles …

By BA Staff Boeing has delivered flag carrier Kenya Airways’ first 777-300ER (Extended Range). The aircraft is leased to the carrier by GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). Kenya Airways’ Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Titus Naikuni said: “The delivery of this Boeing 777-300ER aircraft marks a key milestone for us at Kenya Airways. Its long-haul capability is …

By BA Staff Airbus has won an award in recognition for its contribution to European economy and integration. The prestigious “Golden Victoria for the European Idea of the Year”, awarded by the German Association of Magazine Publishers (VDZ), was handed over by European Union Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger to Airbus Chief Operating Officer Günter Butschek at the “Publishers’ Night” in …

by Devesh Agarwal Singapore Airlines débuted its latest cabin products on its Boeing 777-300ER flying between Mumbai and Singapore for a limited time. This is the latest cabin product of the premium airline which will be standard on its Airbus A350-900 aircraft, but which is also fitted on eight of its new Boeing 777-300ERs, the latest of which was recently …

By BA Staff Boeing remains on track to deliver five C-17 Globemaster III airlifters committed to the Indian Air Force this year, as the fourth aircraft has departed the United States for India. Boeing will deliver five more C-17s to India in 2014 to complete the ten aircraft contract. Most recently, the IAF used its C-17s to support Cyclone Phailin …

By BA Staff Alaska Air Group, Inc., reported third quarter 2013 GAAP net income of $289 million, or $4.08 per diluted share, compared to $163 million, or $2.27 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2012. Excluding the impact of mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments of $20 million ($12 million after tax, or $0.17 per diluted share), and a one-time …