American’s Project Oasis Moves Closer to Completion
American Airlines completed the retrofit of its B737-800 fleet, adding 12 seats to each plane. The new seats give each B737-800 a total of 172 seats, the same number the airline has on its B737 MAX fleet meaning all American 737 aircraft now have the same seat map.
Next for completion will be AA’s A321 which will see more seats added to bring its total to 190. The A321 fleet is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The retrofit began in 2019 and was accelerated during the pandemic when many of American’s planes were grounded. Originally, AA expected to complete the A321 retrofit by the end of 2022. AA officials are now discussing what to do – they’re not used to anything being completed on-time, much less early.
To increase the number of seats, AA is not increasing the size of its planes – that wouldn’t make any sense. Instead, it’s reducing pitch, reducing padding, and removing IFE screens. AA also “boasts” the smallest economy restrooms on any mainline jets – measuring just 24 inches from wall to wall. American considered seating some Basic Economy passengers in the lavs, but decided against it because the 24 inches seemed like too much personal space.
LATAM Brazil Absolutely, Definitely, Not Being Sold to Azul (Probably)
LATAM CEO Robert Alvo said that LATAM’s Brazilian subsidiary is not for sale – especially to its Brazilian LCC competitor, Azul.
LATAM is currently visiting the Chapter 11 bankruptcy spa in the United States and expects to emerge stronger, with no need to sell off parts to salvage cash. Azul may not wait for LATAM to sell, however, as the airline is reportedly evaluating LATAM’s bankruptcy exit plan, with an intention to make an acquisition overture to LATAM’s creditors, cutting out the middle man.
Azul previously proposed that LATAM mostly abandon its domestic network market in Brazil, leaving it to Azul and focusing on regional flights in South America through its Brazilian hubs. That was not met with eagerness by LATAM.
Delta and AirBaltic Propose Codeshare Agreement
Delta Air Lines and airBaltic requested permission from the DOT to launch a codeshare partnership in Europe. Under the proposed agreement, Delta would place its DL code on Air Baltic flights from its three hubs – Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius – to 16 European destinations.
It is noted in the filing that Latvia is not yet considered a Category 1 country by the FAA. Delta implies that a Category 1 rating is coming soon and says it won’t include any flights from Riga as part of the codeshare until Latvia receives the Category 1 rating.
The two airlines also requested a blanket waiver to extend the codeshare to any other markets where the country has an open-skies agreement with the United States in the future. There was no mention if DL-coded flights on Air Baltic would be eligible for earning SkyMiles. The two airlines were reportedly in negotiations on that matter, with Delta requiring a massive devaluation of Air Baltic’s frequent flier program ensuring no decent award itineraries are actually obtainable before Delta would even consider such an agreement.
United Offers Free Vacation for Flight Attendants Who Get Vaccinated
United Airlines is offering up to three extra days of paid vacation for flight attendants who receive the first shot of the COVID vaccine by June 9. Flight attendants who receive their first jab between June 10 and July 1 will receive two days of additional leave. Those waiting until after July 1 will not receive any bonus vacation and will be forced to move their crew base to Newark.
United CEO Scott Kirby considered making vaccination a requirement, but backed down saying that he would only go that route if other companies did so. That thinking has worked for him when it comes to customer policies for so long, might as well use it for internal policies too. United is offering pilots up to 13 hours of additional pay for vaccination; the airline says the programs are different because pilots are required to avoid work for at least 48 hours after each vaccine dose.
The airline considered making vaccination a requirement for being able to work on its new supersonic routes to London and Tokyo, expected to launch in 2029, but realized that the chances of its supersonic plans actually coming to fruition by then are even less than the chance of getting an anti-vaxxer to receive the vaccine.
Portuguese Government Throws Shade at Ryanair
Portugal’s Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Pedro Nuno Santos accused Ryanair of meddling in the country’s internal affairs for its own gain, as the ULCC recently won a challenge in court to stop Portuguese state aid to the airline.
Ryanair has been suing European governments for the last several months over aid paid out to airlines and has been winning more cases than it’s losing. Ryanair’s winning argument has been that the EU is one economic zone, and it’s illegal for member states to favor one airline over another. Portugal recently gave TAP $1.4 billion in aid, which Ryanair successfully squashed in EU General Court.
Portugal says its investment is a strategic investment in the airline and the Portuguese economy. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary essentially told Portugal and Santos to pound sand. Santos should “stop wasting taxpayers money on TAP and invest in infrastructure,” O’Leary said.
- Air Mauritius will receive $221 million in state aid, and thanks to its distant location, Ryanair probably won’t sue.
- Air Montenegro intends to start flying on June 10.
- Alliance Air refinanced much of its debt in order to raise $136 million to purchase additional E190 aircraft.
- easyJet has added an extra 1,000 seats from Portugal to the UK to help get travelers home after the UK moved Portugal from its green list to the amber list yesterday.
- Garuda Indonesia plans to cancel its A330neo orders, return leased A330s, and cut its B777 fleet in half as it prepares for a potential bankruptcy filing.
- Lufthansa ordered an additional B777-200 freighter aircraft for delivery this fall. It would be the carrier’s 15th.
- Ryanair is looking to hire about 1,000 new cabin crew members this summer. Applicants should be interested in travel, generally unpleasant in demeanor, have no interest in being around people, and be willing to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Tasman Cargo Airlines began operating regular service to Singapore for the first time this week.
- SWISS named Stefan Vasic its new Head of Marketing. His first assignment will be to figure out why the airline’s name must always be stylized in ALL CAPS.
- United is banning alcohol on all flights less than 800 miles except for those between hubs. Because anyone flying to Newark needs a drink.
- Vietnam Airlines has put 11 of its A321ceo aircraft on sale. Interested buyers should call the airline or visit its Etsy page for more information.
What did the plumber say to the singer?
You’ve got great pipes.