U.S. Airlines Push for Virus Tests for All International Travel
U.S. airlines support the Center for Disease Control’s recommendation that all international travelers to the United States be required to produce a negative virus test within 72 hours of departure to be permitted to travel.
Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade group, informed Vice President Pence in a letter on Monday that it is supportive of the CDC’s testing requirement in lieu of travel restrictions that are constantly changing.
Testing rules would apply to all international travelers while replacing current travel bans from certain countries including Brazil and the United Kingdom. The new requirement would also apply to travelers flying out of Florida, because people from Florida are generally crazy, so the more testing they endure — regardless of the type — can only help.
IATA has said for months that testing is the best pathway to reopening the skies to international travel absent the vaccine. Examples showing the strength of testing include the State of Hawai’i where flights to the islands doubled overnight when it announced its pre-travel testing program as a way to opt-out of quarantine. One thing to keep in mind, people like going to Hawai’i, so other countries… your mileage may vary.
Aussie Government to Qantas: Slow Your Roll
One day after Qantas felt confident enough to put international flying back on sale for a resumption date of July 1, the Australian government told the airline its decision might be premature.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack who is also the Transport Minister, said today that the government would decided when international travel would resume — not Qantas. The airline’s decision to open bookings beginning July 1 reflected its own expectation of the worldwide vaccine rollout after consulting with experts. Qantas also reminded the Deputy Prime Minister that July 1 is the dead of winter in Australia and… who wants to be stuck at home for that?
Despite the government pushback, the airline plans to move forward with its July 1 planned resumption, telling passengers that if flights have not resumed on that date, ticketed passengers would receive refunds, be given a credit, or inherit fractional ownership in a kangaroo farm in Tasmania.
Delta Tells GoGo it’s GoGoing to Use a New Wifi Partner
Delta Air Lines announced its plans to shift away from GoGo, agreeing to a partnership with high-speed provider Viasat. Along with Viasat, the airline now intends to launch a Delta-developed access portal to enhance the online experience in-flight. Delta expects the new portal to be “practically free.” (It will charge 1,000 Skymiles for access which have so little value, the airline is legally able to call it free.)
Viasat’s technology, according to Delta, adds significant capabilities to its on-board network, increasing entertainment options while giving passengers faster and more consistent connections. The technology also give passengers the ability to quiet crying babies on-board for a nominal fee and to control weather along the route and at your final destination for a substantial fee. (One of those things if you need to ask how much — you can’t afford it).
Delta will begin to install the new service on a limited number of narrowbody aircraft this summer, with an eventual plan to have more than 300 planes with the new service. Viasat is already involved with several U.S. carriers, as it is the provider of JetBlue’s FlyFi, as well as internet service on select American and United planes.
A key distinction between Viasat and GoGo is that Viasat controls the entire online experience, making it more possible for the airline to control costs and offer free internet to all passengers — eventually. Viasat also says that its proprietary technology is able to make Biscoff cookies just a bit sweeter and on-board beer just a bit colder when connected to its network.
Air NZ Adds Stop in Honolulu Due to California COVID Spike
Effective February 2, Air New Zealand’s twice-weekly service between Auckland and Los Angeles will stop in Honolulu for a crew change.
When the plane stops in Honolulu, passengers will not be permitted to deplane but will be permitted to stare longingly out the window. The stop allows for a quick crew change before the plane continues the last third of its journey to Los Angeles.
Air New Zealand is looking out for the health of its flight crew, as the virus is under control far more in Hawai’i than in Southern California. Flight attendants will work from Auckland to Honolulu, and have a three-day layover on Oahu. Then, they’ll fly a same-day turn, operating HNL-LAX and back to HNL, where they’ll receive another three-day layover, before working HNL-AKL to return home.
The airline is also operating cargo-only flights from Auckland to both Los Angeles and San Francisco — the cargo flights will also stop in Honolulu for a crew change. Air New Zealand’s pilots and flight attendants objected to the move, because that’s what they have to do. “Please, no,” they said, “don’t force us to spend six days in Hawai’i, that sounds horrible. We’d much prefer to spend it in a LAX airport hotel.”
Ethiopian Partners with African Electronic Trade Group
Ethiopian Airlines, the largest airline in Africa, announced a partnership with the African Electronic Trade Group to transfer historical artifacts within the African Continental Free Trade Area. The first batch of cargo is comprised of small, fragile trophies needing to be shipped to several African countries. The items are handmade by artisans in the Kingdom of Eswatini from recycled glass and then converted into tray tables for airplanes items of beauty.
Ethiopian is already in business with DHL, transporting cargo across the continent from its hub in Addis Ababa (ADD) on behalf of the worldwide shipping giant. The new partnership is designed to invoke the start of trading as part of AfCFTA to enhance business opportunities thought the continent, with the shipment of the trophies to be the start of a new era in trade and shipping between African nations.
The first shipment of trophies arrived to ADD on Friday and are on their way to their new homes. As part of the agreement, the priceless cargo will receive ET’s ShebaMiles for their flights, but the miles are not transferrable so only the original trophy may redeem them for future travel.
Airline Potpourri
- Aer Lingus is suspending its flights between Ireland and the United Kingdom until January 9.
- Bangkok Air is delaying the start of three new routes, temporarily suspending three routes, and reducing frequency of five others. It is also closing all lounges from January 8 to January 31.
- Caribbean Airlines is suspending its service to Havana indefinitely.
- NetJets‘ pilots union ratified a new collective bargaining agreement that will be in place through 2026.
- TUI had a €1.25 billion cash infusion from the German government approved by the EU commission.
- United Flight 3788 en route from Washington/Dulles to Syracuse on Monday diverted to Elmira, NY (ELM) after the pilots reported engine trouble. The passengers were relieved when the plane landed safely in Elmira because anywhere — literally anywhere — is better than Syracuse in January… even Elmira.
Andrew’s Moment of Levity
What do you call a paper airplane that can’t fly? Stationary.