Emirates, JetBlue Break Up
“It’s not you, it’s me,” Emirates said to JetBlue upon ending their codeshare relationship, effective October 30. “I’ve met someone new, it’s not something I expected to happen,” the carrier said. “Her name is United, she lives in Chicago but has houses in Houston, Washington, and New York – well she says it’s New York, but it’s really New Jersey. She doesn’t know I know.”
With Emirates and United expected to announce a codeshare partnership next week, Emirates and JetBlue will end their relationship next month. The Emirates codeshare has been especially profitable for JetBlue as it provided a loophole for U.S. government employees to book flights on Emirates – provided the flight was booked through JetBlue and had a B6 flight number.
Emirates passengers can still earn Skywards miles on B6 flights through October 29. The two began their partnership in 2012, and while the end can be traced to Emirates new agreement with United, the signs have been on the wall for weeks. Once JetBlue began its pursuit of Spirit, Emirates felt turned off that its partner would associate itself with “those people,” causing the Gulf carrier to seriously reconsider its relationship. JetBlue had no comment, except to say it enjoyed its time with Emirates and wishes it the best in the future.
Start Spreadin’ the News: Newark Isn’t in New York
A memo from Lufthansa Group says the IATA is changing several multi-airport city codes, with one notable standout – NYC’s city code will no longer include Newark.
The consequences are far-reaching for travelers from the NYC area and are laid out in the memo. Different fares will be filed for Newark than the New York/JFK or New York/LGA – those two will still be paired under the NYC city code – with Newark left on the outside looking in.
A change from LGA or JFK to Newark (or vice versa), will now be considered a change in origin & destination and will require itineraries to be repriced. If there are irregular operations, changing between the two will require a waiver or other proof of an involuntary change, just as if one was changing from a NYC airport to Philadelphia or anywhere else.
Other city codes being changed – effective October 3 – are: Izmir (IZM to ADB), Basel (EAP to BSL), Mpumalanga, Krueger National Park (NLP to MQP), and Monrovia (MLW to ROB).
United Spends Another $15 Million on Something That Might Exist
United Airlines announced another investment into the future today, spending $15 million with Eve Air Mobility along with a conditional purchase agreement for 200 four-seat electric aircraft plus options for 200 more.
The carrier is hopeful to begin delivery of the planes – which don’t exist yet – as soon as 2026. United has been a leader in the eVTOL space, with this being its second such transaction in as many months. In August, UA sent a $10 million deposit to Archer Aviation for 100 eVTOL taxis.
United is a believer that these air taxis can revolutionize the way travelers get to the airport for longer journeys. The Eve aircraft are expected to have a range of approximately 40 to 60 miles, which would allow greater access to hubs throughout the world while saving time, emissions, and fuel. United’s current plans for the air taxis include four seats – one up front in business class, two in the back for economy passengers and two sturdy handlebars on a wing designed for a basic economy passenger to hold on tight.
- Aer Lingus Regional operator Emerald Airlines announced increased winter capacity.
- Air New Zealand is standing up for Dave the goose.
- Ethiopian made money.
- flybe is adding 2x weekly flights from Birmingham to Geneva, beginning December 17.
- Lufthansa‘s biggest shareholder, Klaus-Michael Kühne wants to increase his ownership stake in the carrier.
- Marianas Southern Airways launched. Marianas Northern Airways had no comment.
- Ryanair is closing its base in Brussels for the winter.
- WestJet has new uniforms.
- Wizz Air hopes to begin flying the A321neo(XLR) by 2024. In the meantime, the world waits.
I was totally confused last night when my printer started playing music.
It turns out the paper was jamming.