The Times They Could Possibly Probably Not But May Be a-Changin’: Southwest Considering A220
1 Like it or hate it, Southwest Airlines has valued consistency since it began operating in 1971 – holding firm to its open seating policy for almost 50 years and continuously operating just one aircraft type: the Boeing 737.
But all things must come to an end – at some point – and Southwest is using the pandemic to reevaluate its fleet and what its needs are. CEO Gary Kelly believes the airline needs a smaller airplane, one that seats approximately 140-150 passengers, and with a portion of its 737-700 fleet coming due for retirement soon, it is considering all options.
The airline is currently looking at both the Boeing 737 MAX 7 and the Airbus 220 as an option for the future. Deliveries on the new aircraft type wouldn’t begin until at least 2025, but Southwest feels that now is the perfect time to begin exploring an order for the future with Boeing and Airbus seeing a dip in sales due to the pandemic.
The airline is hopeful that the manufacturers see that it’s making its request very early, similar to its own EarlyBird, and that it is allowed to be at the beginning of the queue for the aircraft. A Southwest spokesman said Boeing and Airbus should consider splitting the suitors of the aircraft into three groups (they suggested A, B and C) and then number them within those groups based on when they check-in on interest for the planes. Neither Airbus or Boeing had any comment.
Canada to Implement Test-on-Arrival Program
2 Canada will begin a trial program of testing-on-arrival in lieu of the mandatory 14-day quarantine when entering the country on November 2. We assume it’s merely a coincidence that the date Canada plans to have the plan begin is the day before Election Day in the United States.
The trial program will be conducted in partnership with the government of Alberta and will be for arrivals into Calgary International Airport (YYC) and the Coutts Land Border Crossing in southern Alberta.
Visitors into Canada will be required to take a Covid test upon entering Canada and will be required to quarantine while awaiting the results of the test. Those who test negative will be allowed to immediately end their quarantine provided they are willing to:
- Wear a mask
- Not interact with any high-risk individuals
- Take a second test on day six of their time in Canada
- Agree to tip well at any Tim Horton’s visit during their time in Canada
Both WestJet and Air Canada managed to take time away from their twitter sparring over refunds to applaud the decision that they hope will kickstart travel to and from the country.
Qantas Looks to Korea, Taiwan to Restart International Travel
3 Qantas Chairman Richard Goyder said at the company’s annual general meeting today that the airline is considering new destinations that weren’t a part of its pre-pandemic network to restart international travel in 2021.
Qantas still does not plan to return flying to the United States or United Kingdom until late 2021 at the earliest. In order to jumpstart some international travel, it is looking at both South Korea and Taiwan as potential destinations, despite not serving either location prior to the pandemic.
Previously, the only direct flights from Australia to Taiwan were operated by China Airlines and EVA Air, both Taiwanese airlines. Korean airlines Korean Air and Asiana have handled almost all flying between Korea and Australia, with Qantas subsidiary Jetstar operating between Gold Coast and Seoul/Incheon in 2019.
This is exciting news for Korean and Taiwanese residents excited to put another shrimp on the barbie and Australians wanting to get jiggy Gangnam style.
India & Germany Restore Air Service
4 India and Germany had been at a stalemate over air service between the two countries, with Lufthansa and Air India having halted their flights. Thankfully for paneer-loving Germans and pretzel-loving Indians, both governments have come to an agreement allowing both airlines to resume service on October 26.
The standoff was caused due to a disparity of flights being operated by carriers from the two nations, with India frustrated that Lufthansa was operating 20 weekly flights between the two countries and Indian airlines were being restricted by the German government to just three or four weekly flights. India’s government suggested Lufthansa drop to just seven weekly flights to reduce the disparity, which Lufthansa quickly rejected, causing the Indian government to shut down the air travel corridor between both nations.
Since the shutdown, negotiations have resulted in a compromise with Lufthansa now operating 10 weekly flights and Air India increasing to seven, with the schedule loaded through March. We’re investigating reports of naan-wrapped-bratwurts being added to the on board menus for both carriers.
Delta Throws Shade at its Competitors Over Middle Seat Policies
5 It’s always entertaining when brands throw down with each other online, and Delta has taken to Twitter to call out its competitors and rivals for not blocking middle seats anymore. With Southwest’s announcement yesterday that it would no longer block the middle seat beginning December 1, Delta was left standing alone among the top-four carriers in the country maintaining its middle seat blocking.
American, United, JetBlue, Frontier, Allegiant, Spirit, and Sun Country have stopped – or announced a date to stop – blocking middle seats aboard their aircraft. The only two U.S. airlines left standing are Delta and its main competitor in Seattle, Alaska Airlines.
Airline Potpourri
- Eastern Airlines has asked the DOT for permission to fly from Miami to both Buenos Aires and Santa Cruz, Bolivia, this winter.
- FlySafair took delivery of a new B737-800, with a second due to arrive next week.
- IAG & British Airways Cargo have restarted cargo service from London/Heathrow to Tokyo/Narita.
- Pegasus Airlines secured a 12-year loan from the Turkish government.
- PIA is looking for a $124 million sukuk — an Islamic bond — to improve its financial standing, and presumably to help pay its pilots. Actual licensed pilots cost significantly more than fake ones, causing a strain on the airline’s finances.
- Qatar took delivery of three A350-1000, giving it 52 A350’s — the most in the world.
- Rossiya has been sued for $1.1 million from a bankrupt lessor.
Andrew’s Moment of Levity
Siri has been calling me Shirley all day. It turns out I left my phone in Airplane! mode.