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Frontier Airlines adds US domestic routes

By Budget Airline News

US carrier Frontier Airlines is launching a new seasonal link between Kansas City and Orlando International and year-round flights from Grand Rapids and Madison to Washington Reagan National as it further expands its domestic offering. The new three times weekly Grand Rapids – Washington Reagan link commenced on January 4, 2012 while the Madison – Washington Reagan service, also three times weekly, followed from January 5, 2012 and both will be operated using a 138-seat Airbus A319.

“Our new non-stop service to convenient Washington Reagan provides Grand Rapids and Madison travellers lower fares on a more comfortable large jet for their travels to our nation’s capital,” said Daniel Shurz, Vice President of Strategy and Planning, Frontier Airlines.

The two routes are currently served by Delta Air Lines’ regional partners Comair and Pinaccle Airlines under the Delta Connection brand. A seasonal weekday Embraer ERJ-145 service is offered from Grand Rapids while a weekday Bombardier CRJ700 link is provided from Madison. An estimated 29,000 O&D passengers travelled between Grand Rapids and Washington Reagan last year, with 47,000 flying between Madison and National Airport.

Frontier’s new seasonal service between Kansas City and Orlando also began on January. 5, 2012, and will operate through to April 15, 2012. This will initially be operated on a four times weekly basis but will increase to six flights per week from February 23, 2012. The airline will use a mix of 99-seat Embraer 190s and 138-seat A319s on the route.

The addition of this seasonal flight brings Frontier’s network from Kansas City to 20 destinations.

Allegiant adds Salisbury – Orlando flights

By Budget Airline News

Allegiant Air has announced a new, nonstop jet service between Salisbury, Md., and Orlando, Fla., via Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), will begin February 16, 2012. The company, known for its exceptional travel deals, will introduce the new service to Maryland’s Eastern Shore with fares as low as $59.99* one way.

“We’re pleased to bring an affordable and convenient travel option to Salisbury,” Andrew C. Levy, Allegiant Travel Company President, said. “We are confident that the residents of Maryland’s Eastern Shore will appreciate flying nonstop to Orlando and take advantage of the great deals we offer on hotels, car rentals and theme park tickets.”

Allegiant will introduce the new service with twice weekly flights between Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport (SBY) and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). For flight days and times please visit www.allegiant.com.

Southwest Airlines first to fly new Boeing 737 Max aircraft

By Budget Airline News

Southwest Airlines is once again leading the industry by teaming up with its longtime partner to become the launch Customer of Boeing’s new 737 MAX aircraft. Southwest is the first Customer to place firm orders for the new, more fuel-efficient 737 MAX, and the Company also will become the first airline to accept delivery of the new aircraft in 2017. As the launch Customer of the 737 MAX, Southwest extends its legacy with Boeing as the 737 launch Customer for the -300, -500, and -700. The 737 MAX is the new-engine variant of the world’s best-selling airplane, building on the strengths of today’s Next-Generation 737 (737NG) technology, and is powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines.

In its ongoing effort to improve fuel efficiency while extending its record of unparalleled Customer Service and profitability in the airline industry, Southwest has placed a firm order for 150 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes, with the first delivery scheduled in 2017. The Company also expanded its current order book with Boeing for 58 additional 737NG aircraft. These new orders join an existing firm order book of 142, bringing Southwest’s total firm orders with the Boeing Company to 350 for 2012 through 2022, which are intended to predominately serve as replacement aircraft as the airline continues the modernization of its fleet.

“Today’s environment demands that we become more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly, and as the launch Customer of the Boeing 737 MAX, we have accomplished both,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and CEO. “We are teaming up with our friends from Boeing to lead the industry in a way that makes both our Shareholders and our Customers proud to associate with Southwest Airlines. Today’s announcement will allow us to maintain our position as a low-cost provider in the years ahead.”

“We are enthusiastic about our fleet modernization plans, and especially about becoming the launch Customer for the Boeing 737 MAX,” said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “The much improved fuel efficiency of the 737 MAX will enable us to improve our fuel costs, as well as our environmental performance, with great comfort and reliability to offer to our Customers.”

Van de Ven continued, “Overall, we expect the superior economics of our fleet modernization plan to meet our 15 percent pretax return requirement and provide substantial flexibility to manage our growth in a variety of economic conditions over the next decade. Additionally, these new aircraft will enhance the Customer Service offering with the new Sky Interior.”

The 737 MAX with LEAP-1B engines will reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions by an additional 10-11 percent over today’s most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplane. It will have the lowest operating costs in the single-aisle segment with a seven percent advantage over its competition.

The 58 new 737NG firm orders include the exercise of 25 previously existing options. The Company has substituted -800s for all -700 737NG deliveries scheduled for 2012 and 2013 in addition to a portion of its 2014 deliveries. For the 737 MAX order, the Company has flexibility to accept MAX 7 or MAX 8 deliveries. The revised order book also includes 78 737NG options and 150 737 MAX options, bringing total option positions from 2014 through 2027 to 242. Additional information regarding the Company’s 737 future delivery schedule is included as an accompanying table.

Frontier Airlines seasonal flights to Florida start on December 15

By Budget Airline News

Just in time for winter, Frontier Airlines is launching new nonstop seasonal service to Florida from two Midwestern cities and reinstating seasonal Florida service from three others beginning Dec. 15, 2011, and continuing into April 2012.

The new nonstop seasonal service will be offered in three markets:

Des Moines, Iowa (DSM) to/from Orlando, Fla. (MCO)
Des Moines, Iowa (DSM) to/from Tampa, Fla. (TPA)
Madison, Wis. (MSN) to/from Orlando, Fla. (MCO)

Additionally, Frontier will reinstate nonstop seasonal service in four markets.

Kansas City, Mo. (MCI) to/from Ft. Myers, Fla. (RSW)
Milwaukee (MKE) to/from Ft. Myers, Fla. (RSW)
Omaha, Neb. (OMA) to/from Orlando, Fla. (MCO)
Omaha, Neb. (OMA) to/from Tampa, Fla. (TPA)

Omaha-Orlando service, which has operated as Saturday-only service since October, will expand to five times weekly. All routes will operate a reduced schedule Jan. 6 through Feb. 15, 2012.

Frontier’s service to family-friendly Florida destinations includes the only service from Des Moines to the most convenient airports in Orlando and Tampa, as well as the only nonstop service from both Madison and Omaha to Florida. Service will be provided on 99-seat Embraer 190 aircraft, which feature no middle seats and available STRETCH seating with up to 7 inches of additional legroom on every flight.

Introductory fares beginning at $119* each way are offered on most of the routes. The fares are available at FrontierAirlines.com through Dec. 15, 2011, for travel through Feb. 15, 2012.

Frontier will also introduce seasonal service between Kansas City and Orlando on Jan. 5, 2012, and between Kansas City and Tampa on Feb. 15, 2012.

VivaAerobus Launches New Flights from San Antonio – Monterrey

By Budget Airline News

On November 15, 2011, Mexican budget airline VivaAerobus announced a new international route between San Antonio, USA, and Monterrey, Mexico. The frequency will be three flights per week on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Total prices start from $79 USD.

“The city of San Antonio serves a pivotal role in VivaAerobus’ plans for international growth,” said VivaAerobus CEO, Juan Carlos Zuazua, adding, “With this new route, our carrier is contributing to strengthen those ties that exist between these two important cities. Traditionally many people from Monterrey visit San Antonio for shopping, business, or simply a leisure trip.”

With the addition of this new flight, VivaAerobus now operates 6 routes to the United State and 43 domestic routes.

AirTran Airways will cease operations at several airports next year

By Budget Airline News

AirTran Airways will cease its operations in June 2012 at the following airports: Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), Miami International (MIA), Central Illinois Regional Airport/Bloomington/Normal, Ill. (BMI), Charleston’s Yeager Airport in West Virginia (CRW), and Dulles International (IAD). The Southwest Airlines operations at IAD will continue unaffected.

AirTran Airways says it can no longer support service to these particular markets in light of the realities of the challenging economic environment and sustained high fuel prices. The airline has a keen focus on aligning its service with Customer demand and making capacity available for future opportunities without growing the current fleet. AirTran’s existing flight schedules are currently open through June 2, 2012. Today’s announcement will be incorporated into AirTran’s flight schedule extension to be published on Nov. 13, 2011.

AirTran’s 19 Employees currently serve BMI with three daily nonstop flights and its 17 IAD Employees support three daily departures. Its CRW (three weekly departures), MIA (one daily nonstop), and TYS (one daily nonstop flight) service are all supported by AirTran’s contracted Vendor Partners.

The Company’s priority is to take excellent care of its dedicated Employees, Partners, and Customers in these markets. AirTran Employees at these locations have performed superbly and will have the opportunity to move elsewhere within AirTran, after operations cease next year.

AirTran Airways will continue to operate at Miami, Knoxville, Dulles, Bloomington/Normal, and Charleston airports until June 3, 2012. Ticketed passengers, passengers holding reservations, or passengers desiring to make reservations for flights to or from these airports have no need to alter their travel plans prior to June 3, 2012.

Spirit Airlines starts Chicago – Orlando flights

By Budget Airline News

Spirit Airlines started daily non-stop service between Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Orlando, Florida. To celebrate, Spirit is offering fares from $9 (each way based on round trip purchase).

“We are thrilled to be adding service between Chicago and Orlando and are excited to be giving even more consumers the opportunity to save money on travel. Our ultra low base fares with a range of optional services for a fee allows customers the freedom to choose only the extras they value,” said Spirit Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Barry Biffle.

In addition to the new service to Orlando, Spirit also recently started service from Chicago O’Hare to Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit and New York LaGuardia.

Virgin America Launches Nonstop Flights to Palm Springs

By Budget Airline News

Virgin America is bringing its stylish, low-fare service to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) as of December 15, 2011: with tickets on sale now for its new nonstop seasonal flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to PSP and same-plane through-flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to PSP. Known for its reputation as “Hollywood’s Playground,” an enviable desert climate, world-class resorts and golfing, shopping, special events and modern and mid-century architecture, PSP will be the sixteenth destination in the award-winning airline’s growing network. As the only California-based airline, Virgin America will bring its unique brand of low-fare competition to the PSP market with a seasonal daily flight schedule operating from December 15, 2011-April 30, 2012. Virgin America will offer daily nonstop intra-California flights from SFO to PSP and daily same-plane through-flights from New York to PSP. To mark its expansion to the ultimate winter getaway, today the carrier also launches a “Get Some Playtime” fare sale with SFO-PSP fares from $99* and JFK-SFO-PSP fares from $199.*

“As the only California-based airline, we’re pleased to launch seasonal service to one of our state’s most popular getaway spots – Palm Springs and the surrounding desert resort cities,” said David Cush, President and CEO of Virgin America. “Our expansion to the region will inject some much-needed competition into the air travel market. With low fares and a quality of service that is unrivalled in the domestic skies, we hope our new flights will be a welcome breath of fresh air for Bay Area and New York travelers looking for an affordable escape to the desert oasis this winter. The destination also allows us to add seasonal capacity from our California base, as we continue to grow our network.”

Known for outstanding service, new aircraft with beautifully designed and comfortable cabins, and a host of high-tech amenities, Virgin America has swept the major travel awards since its 2007 launch, including being named “Best Domestic Airline” in both Condé Nast Traveler’sReaders’ Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards. The airline offers custom-designed mood-lit cabins and inventive amenities like fleetwide WiFi, power outlets and touch-screen entertainment at every seat. The Red™ entertainment platform offers guests their own nine inch touch-screen TV with 35 on-demand films, live TV, Google Maps, videogames, seat-to-seat chat, music videos, a 3000 track MP3 catalog and an on-demand menu – so flyers can order a cocktail or snack right from their seatback any time during a flight.

“Virgin America is a world class brand and Palm Springs is a world class destination and we are thrilled to join together and provide this new air service at Palm Springs International Airport,” said Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet.

“We work hard to deliver a high caliber airport to all of our tenant airlines and we are confident that Virgin America and its guests will be very pleased with the service provided at PSP Airport,” said Thomas Nolan, Executive Director of the PSP Airport.

WestJet Launches New Non-stop Service Toronto to Palm Springs

By Budget Airline News

WestJet launched new non-stop, seasonal service between Toronto and Palm Springs, California. “Palm Springs is the 43rd WestJet destination with non-stop service from Toronto Pearson International Airport, as we continue to expand and enhance our award-winning service to and from Canada’s largest city,” said Hugh Dunleavy, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Strategy and Planning. “Now with nearly 70 flights per day in and out of Toronto Pearson, an increase of 70 per cent over the last five years, WestJet is well positioned to continue to grow its market share in central Canada.”

WestJet will fly between Toronto and Palm Springs on Wednesdays and Saturdays until April 30, 2011. The outbound flight leaves Toronto at 10:15 a.m. EST and arrives at Palm Springs International Airport at 12:30 p.m. PST. The return flight leaves Palm Springs at 1:15 p.m. and arrives in Toronto at 8:38 p.m.

“We’re very pleased to see WestJet continuing to grow their network at Toronto Pearson by adding to the great travel opportunities already available to our guests,” said Pamela Griffith-Jones, Chief Marketing and Commercial Development Officer for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. “This new route to Palm Springs will be a great addition to their service in Toronto and shows WestJet’s ongoing commitment to providing great service to travellers in the GTA.”

“We are all very excited to see WestJet continue to grow Canadian air service to Palm Springs International Airport,” said Thomas Nolan, Executive Director, Palm Springs International Airport. “This new Toronto service should be a welcome complement to their existing service here because it will be this airport’s first direct flight to eastern Canada. Thank you to all of our Canadian visitors and residents for making our wonderful Coachella Valley their destination of choice, and we are anxious and well poised for continued growth in this sector of our market.”

One-way fares between Toronto and Palm Springs, available in both directions on non-stop flights only, are available from $199 plus applicable taxes and fees.

WestJet’s non-stop service from Toronto Pearson also includes many popular sun destinations such as Cancun, Fort Lauderdale, Grand Cayman, Miami, Nassau, Punta Cana, Santa Clara, St. Lucia, St. Martin, and Turks and Caicos.

Virgin America to Start Flights to Toronto

By Budget Airline News

Virgin America will serve Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) with daily flights from California’s West Coast starting June 23, 2010. The new service will launch with daily flights from both San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Toronto (YYZ). Virgin America offers business and leisure travelers a host of innovative amenities, including beautifully designed mood-lit cabins, fleetwide WiFi, standard power outlets near every seat and Red — the largest and most advanced personal touch-screen entertainment platform in the skies. Since its 2007 launch, the airline has consistently swept the major travel awards, including “Best Airline” in both Condé Nast Traveler’s 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure’s 2009 World’s Best Awards.

In an unusual move, the airline today announces its expansion to Toronto via Twitter — without the support of traditional advertising. The first 500 Twitter followers who receive the airline’s expansion Tweet can score a 50 percent discount on flights to Toronto for travel June 23-November 17, 2010.* Virgin America is the only airline based in Silicon Valley, and its inventive use of technology, social media and design has made it a favorite among tech-forward flyers.

“Toronto is one of the largest cities in North America and a world-class travel destination — with strong ties to California — most notably in the entertainment and high-tech sectors,” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. “Our unique in-flight experience will be a perfect match for the diverse, tech-savvy flyers along the routes and we can’t wait to start welcoming them.”

The airline’s Toronto schedule:

* SFO-YYZ: one nonstop daily flight and one daily through flight
* YYZ-SFO: one nonstop daily flight and one daily through flight
* LAX-YYZ: one nonstop daily flight and one daily through flight
* YYZ-LAX: one nonstop daily flight and one daily through flight

“We are delighted to welcome Virgin America to Toronto Pearson,” said Lloyd McCoomb, President and CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. “Virgin America’s expansion into Toronto is a testament to the strong business and tourism ties between Canada and the U.S. These routes show the importance of continued growth in the North American market.”

In addition to a Main Cabin that offers custom-designed leather seats with a deeper, more comfortable pitch, the airline’s First Class offers plush white leather seats with 55 inches of pitch, 165 degrees of recline and lumbar massagers. The carrier’s Main Cabin Select option offers 38-inches of pitch, free food and cocktails, an all-access pass to Red’s countless entertainment options, dedicated overhead bins and priority check-in/boarding. The airline’s Red platform offers over 700 hours of entertainment content, including 25 films, live and premium TV, Google Maps, music videos, videogames, seat-to-seat chat, a 3000 MP3 library and an on-demand menu — so guests can order a cocktail or meal from their seatback any time during a flight. In 2009, the menu was named best-in-class in Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards.

“Virgin America’s service is a great match for Toronto and we are thrilled to welcome them,” said David Whitaker, President and CEO of Tourism Toronto. “California’s sophisticated travelers coming to Toronto will find one of North America’s most exciting urban destinations and Canada’s entertainment and business capital.”

With outstanding service and beautifully designed new planes, Virgin America has captured a loyal guest following and experienced significant growth since its launch. In addition to Orlando and Toronto, the airline intends to announce at least three more new destinations in 2010. For Virgin America’s most recently reported quarter (the third quarter of 2009), the airline reported its first quarterly operating profit, a year-over-year revenue increase of 38 percent, record load factors and improved unit costs.

Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, Orange County (ends May 26), Fort Lauderdale, Toronto (starting June 23) and Orlando (starting August 19).