Frontier Has Recovered from COVID-19
Shortly after embedding an inane COVID Recovery Fee into its fares, Frontier Airlines has quickly recovered from the disease, rescinding the fee from its normally-unbundled fares. The airline should be commended for overcoming the global pandemic in such a short amount of time, becoming a beacon for others around the world.
Frontier began charging $1.59 per person per one-way flight last month, and the fee was unearthed this week which led to extensive criticism of the airline beyond the normal criticisms for things like delayed flights, long check-in lines, and tight pitch onboard its aircraft.
Zach Kramer, a spokesman for the airline said the charge was never considered a fee, which is totally fair since Frontier on its website called it a “charge.” Totally different. He said the $1.59 was in the total fare, and supposed to go to COVID recovery including repayment of Frontier’s CARES loan to the federal government. You say potato, Frontier says $1.59 COVID fee charge.
Now the airline will presumably just raise one way fares by $1.59 each way and get the same exact end result without the PR black eye.
United Shows Basic Economy Fares Some Love
United Airlines is removing a major restriction on its basic economy fares, making it possible for customers to make changes to a basic economy itinerary if they are willing to pay the price. United is now offering a “switch to economy” upgrade that will be non-refundable.
When paying for the upgrade, the new ticket is considered a main cabin offering and comes with the “benefits” of main cabin seating which includes:
- Fee-free changes after paying any applicable fare difference
- Full-size carry-on permitted
- Free seat assignment prior to check-in
- Ability to pay (again) for an Economy Plus or First Class seat
- If an elite member, the right to use elite benefits
- Earn elite qualifying credit
- Avoid being pelted with batteries and ice upon boarding with other basic economy passengers
The price to upgrade will be opaque, similar to the price to purchase Economy Plus seating and when United plans to ever finish its Polaris installs, meaning customers will need to check the rate each time knowing it could change depending on demand and other factors.
United Expected to Announce Large Jet Order Next Week
United Airlines is expected to make an announcement for a new jet order next week – potentially the largest order ever. The airline reportedly plans to make the announcement Tuesday when it has an investor presentation scheduled since it was able to get a discounted rental rate on a venue in New Jersey.
American placed a 460-jet order in 2011 – 200 B737s and 260 A321s. That’s currently the largest order by volume with the Emirates 2013 order for 150 B777X aircraft considered the most valuable at a cool $76 billion at list prices.
United is expected to order a mix of Boeing B737 MAX and Airbus A321neo aircraft, possibly with a B787 sprinkled in here and there. It’s unclear how this would be the largest order ever, but we’ll all find out soon enough. The airline is finishing negotiations with both manufacturers on price and delivery deadlines while also trying to get the rust-proof undercoating thrown in.
Aer Lingus Short on Cash
Aer Lingus needs several hundred million euros according to Lynne Embleton, the airline’s new CEO. Embleton took over the airline in April and did so under the impression that it had been nothing but positive for the airline industry in the previous year. She expected gold at the end of the Aer Lingus rainbow and was astonished to find a spoiled glass of milk and a half-eaten, stale box of Lucky Charms as the airline’s largest asset when she took over.
The company recently announced layoffs and closed its crew base in Shannon – one of four at the time – much to the chagrin of the Irish legislature. Aer Lingus has lost $1.1 billion since travel restrictions began last spring which has depleted its cash reserves. It’s currently deep in discussions with the appropriately named Emerald Air to take over as its regional carrier after the demise of Stobart Air earlier this month. The two have signed an MOU for a 10-year contract, but the deal has yet to be formalized.
Embleton joined everyone else in Europe in being critical of both the UK and EU’s travel restrictions. Ireland is currently slated to adopt the EU’s reduced restrictions for vaccinated travelers on July 19. While that will help the airline, it’s expected to be too little, too late to save the 2021 summer travel season. That leaves EI with no choice but to raise several hundred million euros through government funding, a capital funding round, or stealing gold from leprechauns across Ireland.
Cathay Pacific Threatens to Fire Unvaccinated Pilots & FAs
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific is requiring all flight crews to be vaccinated by August 31 or the airline will consider firing them from their jobs. The airline says it will consider accommodations for those who cannot take the vaccine in the near-term, but eventually everyone will need to be vaccinated.
Ninety percent of its pilots and over 65% of its flight attendants are vaccinated or have appointments to be vaccinated. The number of staff that are vaccinated has increased around 15% this month since the airline began offering incentives to employees to receive the jab.
Cathay also is offering pre-vaccination consultations at no charge to its staff to relax fears and answer questions anyone might have about the vaccine. It will offer anyone who still doesn’t want the vaccine a further incentive of unlimited positive space seating on any Singapore flight located on the wing.
- Air India is selling six A320-200s to the Indian Air Force. There’s no word if the air force is also interested in the catering carts or safety cards.
- Air New Zealand is beginning to operate a new cargo route between Los Angeles and Melbourne. The flight will operate once per week through October 31.
- Amazon is set to add ATR turboprops to its freighter fleet.
- Belavia is retiring its B737-500 aircraft by the end of the year now that it can’t fly anywhere except for Russia.
- Finnair has extended elite status and the validity of award points in its loyalty program by six months.
- Jet Airways received approval for the revival of the airline. It expects to relaunch with 30 aircraft in about six months.
- Jetstar is beginning Brisbane-Perth service, operating the route beginning this November with 5x-weekly flights.
- Lufthansa is selling access to its first class lounges for €200 to anyone flying on a same-day Lufthansa Group ticket.
- Singapore Airlines new flagship first class lounge and other new business class lounges will open this December.
- WestJet is expanding its cleverly named cargo operation: WestJet Cargo. It plans to add a dedicated B737-800 freighter aircraft to its fleet that can handle a cargo load of 6,540 cubic feet. That sounds like a lot, but we have no idea how much a cubic foot is, much less 6,000 of them.
I got fired from my new job at the candle factory after I found out I’d have exclusively work on wick ends.