Tag: south (Page 16 of 16)

VietJet to Sign Major Boeing Deal During Trump-Kim Summit

February 22, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

HANOI (Reuters) – Fast-growing Vietnamese budget airline VietJet Aviation JSC is expected to sign a major jet deal with Boeing Co on the sidelines of next week’s Trump-Kim summit, according to sources familiar with the matter.

U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will hold their second summit in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi on Feb 27-28.

Holding a signing ceremony during Trump’s visit would help emphasise strengthening economic and military ties between the United States and Vietnam.

VietJet, while not government-owned, increasingly uses state visits to showcase major plane orders balanced between Boeing and Airbus SE. It signed a deal to buy 100 Boeing 737 MAX narrowbody jets when former U.S. President Barack Obama visited Hanoi in 2016.

The airline is likely to finalise next week a separate provisional deal agreed last year at the Farnborough Airshow to buy another 100 Boeing 737 MAX jets worth almost $13 billion at list prices, sources said on condition of anonymity due to an expected announcement by VietJet.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration declared last week that Vietnam complied with international aviation standards, in a move that would allow Vietnamese carriers to fly there for the first time and codeshare with U.S. airlines.

VietJet said last week it planned to purchase widebody jets capable of U.S. flights to open routes to cities with large Vietnamese communities in the United States, such as in California.

It might be too early for VietJet to place a widebody order, said one of the sources.

Another source briefed on the matter said the deal for 100 737 MAX jets was already on Boeing’s books, having been firmed up earlier and listed as an unidentified customer.

Boeing declined to comment. VietJet did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

VietJet finalised a deal in November with Airbus for 50 A321neo jets during a visit to Hanoi by French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe that had also been announced provisionally at the Farnborough Airshow.

VietJet operates 385 flights daily within Vietnam and to places such as Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, China, Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia.

However, industry analysts have questioned whether the airline will take delivery of all the aircraft on order as the aerospace industry reaches the peak of an extended growth phase.

(Reporting by James Pearson in Hanoi; Additional reporting by Tim Hepher in Paris; Writing by Jamie Freed; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)

La Compagnie Announces Flights Between New York And Nice

December 5, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

LA COMPAGNIE ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECT BUSINESS-CLASS FLIGHTS BETWEEN NEW YORK AND NICE

Boutique airline expands service with seasonal flights between New York and Nice beginning May 2019

December 4, 2018 (New York, NY) – Four years after launching as an exclusively business-class boutique airline with unbeatable fares between New York and Paris, La Compagnie has announced the launch of a new seasonal route between New York and Nice with the first direct flight scheduled for Sunday, May 5, 2019. Travelers to Nice can now book tickets and enjoy a limited-time Discovery Rate of $1,200 round-trip for the
first 1,000 passengers.

This announcement comes as the latest in a series of positive developments for the airline, who is awaiting the delivery of its first Airbus A321neo in April 2019. With the arrival of the new plane, La Compagnie will grow its fleet to three aircrafts, further allowing the airline to develop its offer with a new trans-Altantic flight and direct access to the South of France during prime season.

“We are excited to announce the launch of our Nice route as we continue to invest in developing the airline,” said Jean Charles Périno, EVP of Sales and Marketing for La Compagnie. “This new route provides a unique opportunity for the airline to offer travelers an additional choice between two popular cities with personalized service at the most attractive fare.”

The new route will operate five times weekly, Wednesday through Sunday, between the months of May and October. Flights out of Newark International Airport (EWR) will depart at 11:30PM, arriving to Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport (NCE) at 1:50PM the following afternoon. Flights departing Nice will be offered at 6:15PM with a same-day arrival in New York at 10:00PM. La Compagnie passengers can also enjoy service to Nice on Monday or Tuesday with connections from Paris Orly Airport (ORY) operated through a special partnership with easyJet.

As with all La Compagnie flights, passengers will be welcomed with lounge and priority access for a painless and exclusive pre-flight experience. Onboard the Boeing 757, guests will enjoy reclining lie flat beds, refreshing amenity kits with Caudalie skincare products, personal iPads, a seasonally-curated menu by Michelin-starred Chef Christophe Langrée, a selective list of French wines and champagne and artisanal croissants by famous French bakery, Maison Kayser.

To take advantage of La Compagnie’s Discovery Rate and experience the new Nice route, visit LaCompagnie.com, call La Compagnie’s call center at 1-800-218-6820, or contact your preferred travel advisor.

The “Discovery Rate” promotion is available for the first 1,000 bookings; travel dates are subject to availability. All taxes and carrier-imposed fees are included. La Compagnie authorizes two checked bags per passenger free of charge; baggage fees apply for any additional bags.

About La Compagnie

Launched in July 2014, La Compagnie is an exclusively business-class airline operating regularly scheduled transatlantic flights between New York (Newark International Airport) and Paris (Paris Orly Airport). Offering competitively low business-class fares, La Compagnie is outfitted with 74 lie-flat seats and provides thoughtful amenities including personal Tablets, Caudalie cosmetic kits and a unique dining experience offering fresh menu items by renowned New York and Paris based chefs. Arriving in April 2019, La Compagnie will operate two brand new A321neos equipped with 76 full flat seats and Unlimited High-Speed Wi-Fi. For reservations, visit LaCompagnie.com, call the airline’s call center at 1-800-218-8187 or contact your travel advisor.

Azul and Copa Airlines Announce Codeshare Agreement

November 8, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

Customers can conveniently connect to Azul’s unrivaled domestic network when flying
Copa into and out of Brazil; in addition to the codeshare agreement, Azul and Copa also
announce today the launch of their frequent flyer cooperation agreement.

São Paulo, November 8, 2018 – Azul Brazilian Airlines and Copa Airlines have announced today a broad cooperation agreement that will connect the two largest route networks in Latin and South America. As part of this agreement, customers can conveniently connect to Azul’s unrivaled domestic network when flying Copa into and out of Brazil. This agreement means that Copa customers can now potentially access all of Azul’s 101
domestic destinations in Brazil, including 52 destinations not served by any other airline. In the near future, Azul will also place its code on Copa flights into and out of its Panama city hub, allowing Azul’s domestic customers to take advantage of the broadest network in Latin America. The benefits and convenience of a codeshare ticket include those of thru check-in and thru-baggage.

In addition to the codeshare agreement, Azul and Copa also announce today the launch of their frequent flyer cooperation agreement. Starting in December, members’ of TudoAzul, Azul’s loyalty program, and ConnectMiles, Copa’s loyalty program can now easily earn frequent flyer points when flying either airline.

“Copa Airlines is always looking for partnerships to offer the best travel experience and enhance our route network for our customers. This new partnership with Azul reinforces the company’s presence in Brazil as well as expands our connectivity domestically in this important country”, said Dennis Cary, Commercial and Planning Senior Vice President, Copa Airlines.

“This codeshare agreement also allows us to offer more flight options to major cities in the Brazilian southeastern and northeastern regions to which we currently do not fly and which, through our Hub of the Americas, will be connected with Panama and the rest of the American continent bringing more opportunities and economic development to these cities”, added Cary.

Operational excellence is embedded deep within the DNA of both Copa and Azul. “In addition to the broad portfolio of destinations, this codeshare brings together two of the most on-time airline in the world. Copa is the most on-time airline in Latin America while Azul is the most punctual in Brazil. This ensures the best possible experience for our connecting customers”, highlights Shah.

Once the agreement is approved by the regulatory authorities, Customers of both airlines will be able to enjoy all these benefits.

Story from voeazul.com

JetBlue Fare Sale To Steamboat Springs, Colorado

October 24, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

Get a jump on ski season with JetBlue’s new jet-in, jet-out service to Steamboat springs, Colorado. Flights start on 12/15/2018, so book your flights today!

JetBlue to Steamboat Springs, Colorado

JetBlue announced the new service back on April 25th of this year with the following press release:

Steamboat’s industry-leading air program continues to expand with the addition of three new nonstop markets on JetBlue beginning winter 2018. Skiers and riders in Boston, Ft. Lauderdale and Long Beach, California, will be able to access Steamboat’s Champagne Powder^® snow during the 2018-19 winter via nonstop flights, which guests can begin booking today for December travel.

“Recognizing the popularity of Steamboat as a destination for guests in New England and south Florida, the resort is thrilled to partner with JetBlue to provide nonstop access for skiers and riders in these markets as well as Long Beach for West Coast vacationers,” said Rob Perlman, president and COO of Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. “With these additional flights, Steamboat boasts the most robust winter air program of any mountain resort community in North America.”

JetBlue’s nonstop service from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Long Beach Airport (LGB) will operate twice a week, and the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) flight will operate once a week from Dec. 15 through March 30 on an A320 aircraft, capable of accommodating 150 passengers. In addition to serving skiers and snowboarders in these three markets, JetBlue offers convenient connections from additional destinations across the country. The new JetBlue service contributes to the 10 nonstop markets Steamboat has added in the past seven years.

JetBlue nonstop service to the Steamboat/Hayden airport (HDN) is currently scheduled as follows:

“We are thrilled to provide direct service from three of our JetBlue focus cities to Steamboat Springs — a world-class ski destination and home of Champagne Powder^®,” said John Checketts, vice president of network planning. “With JetBlue, a wonderful winter getaway is closer than ever no matter which corner of the country travelers call home.”