United Airlines drops 787 through June 5th

United Airlines has announced that it will cut the Boeing 787 Dreamliner from its flying plans at least until June 5^th. The 787 has been grounded since January 16^th, in an attempt to resolve the problem with the aircraft’s lithium-ion batteries.

In total, there are fifty 787’s throughout the world that have been grounded. More than a month later, investigators are still trying to figure out what caused a battery fire in one plane and forced the emergency landing of another plane. The out of service aircraft has forced airlines to scrap their schedules until Boeing can resolve the battery problem. United, for example, was due to begin flying from Denver to Tokyo on March 31^st but has had to postpone until the 787 is cleared to fly. Boeing has been working diligently on finding a solution to the problem. How soon Boeing can fix the problem depends partly on the approval process by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

Most of Boeing’s customers have remained optimistic that Boeing will be able to come up with a solution very soon. All Nippon Airways, which has 17 of Boeings’ 787’s, has stood by the Dreamliner. ANA remain confident in the aircraft and hope they will be able to reassure their customers once the 787 is cleared to fly.

Although many customers will undoubtedly have safety concerns about the aircraft, Boeing remains firm in their belief of the aircraft. Boeing CEO Ray Conner, reiterated his stance recently, proclaiming: "I just want to reiterate that the 787 is still the game-changing aircraft it is meant to be". He also added that the solution Boeing has proposed “is not an interim solution. This is a permanent solution”. Many airlines will be keeping their fingers crossed that these statements are true and that these planes can get back in the sky sooner than later.

Three biggest U.S. airlines to offer internet service on international flights

The three biggest American airlines have announced that Internet service will soon be available on international flights. United, Delta, and American Airlines have all announced that they are a few weeks away from having their first international flights with internet connection.

Passengers can already enjoy internet service while flying over the U.S., but the air-to-ground signal used by those planes does not work overseas. To make this service overseas possible, the airlines are installing satellite-based systems.

Those of you who are now looking forward to streaming Netflix or watching YouTube videos on an international flight will most likely be disappointed. While speeds on airplane Internet connections are getting faster, they are most likely only good enough for basic Web browsing and emails. However, most of the international Wi-Fi systems will have computer servers on the plane with movies and TV shows that passengers can view for a fee.

This news should bring a smile to the faces of many business travelers who will soon be able to access important business emails while traveling internationally. All three airlines will have this service within the next 2 months, with fees for this service yet to be determined.

Virgin America to launch status matching program

Good news for travelers who have status with American Airlines or United Airlines: Virgin America has announced a status match program. Flyers from United Airlines and American Airlines’ frequent flyer programs can receive matched status through Virgin America’s Elevate Gold and Elevate Silver Status now through April 30, 2013.
 
United’s Mileage Plus and American’s AAdvantage flyers will get to enjoy nearly all of the benefits currently offered to Elevate Gold and Elevate Silver members. Some of these benefits include: priority check-in, free checked bag allowances, priority security clearance and boarding, and private discounts. Furthermore, if you apply for the Elevate program, you will have the opportunity to retain your status through the end of 2013 by earning points on flying Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, and Virgin Australia. 

If you have never flown Virgin America, now is a great time to familiarize yourself with this popular airline. Virgin America has won many awards, including 2012’s “Best Domestic Airline” by Conde Nast Traveler. Virgin America  is usually among the top rated domestic airlines year in, year out.

To book a flight on Virgin America contact your POTHOS travel team.

Delta, American, and United Airlines adding more lie-flat seats

Three domestic airlines have decided to add to their availability of lie-flat seats on transcontinental flights. Delta, American, and United airlines have all announced plans to add additional full flat-bed seats to its Business Class.

Delta has announced that beginning in March 2013, it will be offering 26 full flat-beds in its Business Class on its Boeing 767 aircraft and 16 full flat-beds on its Boeing 757 aircraft operating between New York and Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle.

American Airlines has also announced plans to upgrade seating. Starting in November 2013 they expect to receive orders of new Airbus A321 aircrafts that will feature a first class cabin with 10 to 20 fully lie-flat seats. The A 321’s are set to replace American’s Boeing 767-200s currently flying between New York and both Los Angeles and San Francisco.

United Airlines is also in the midst of modifying its premium class seating for flights between New York and both Los Angeles and San Francisco. United plans on replacing 12 United First P.S. seats with 28 new 180-degree lie-flat seats. These newly upgraded seats will be enjoyed by customers starting in January and United expects a complete rollout of the seats by October 2013.

A huge collective sigh of relief can be heard across the country by frequent cross-country fliers. The domestic skies are about to get much more comfortable for those who can afford it.

The Airbus A350 set to enter service in 2014

With the success of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, Airbus has responded by developing the Airbus A350. The A350 will have three different variants: the A350-800, A350-900, and the A350-1000. It will carry 250 to 350 passengers, depending on the variant.

The A350 incorporates major changes from its predecessor, the A330. Passengers will have more headroom, larger overhead storage space and wider panoramic windows than current Airbus models. Another one of the major improvements will be fuel efficiency. The A350 is said to lower operating costs by 8% compared to operating the Boeing 787.

The launch customer for the A350 will be Qatar Airways. Qatar Air has ordered 80 aircrafts, while 561 orders have been placed all together for the new aircraft. Domestic airlines United Airlines, US Airways, and Hawaiian Airlines have all placed orders for the A350. The A350 is scheduled to enter airline service sometime in mid to late 2014.

United Purchases 150 New Aircraft from Boeing

United Continental Holdings, Inc. seem to be setting the precedent for an environmentally friendly and technologically savvy revamp of their entire United Airlines fleet.

We posted earlier in this blog about the highly anticipated 787 Boeing Dreamliner, which will provide a new standard in the travel experience while reducing fuel costs by nearly 20%. Boeing plans to add 50 new Dreamliners to their fleet, being the first American carrier to fly the aircraft. The first Dreamliner will arrive in September of this year.

In addition to the 50 Dreamliners, United Airlines ordered 150 smaller, one-aisle 737s from Boeing, continuing the overhaul of the company’s flying equipment and boasting greater travel efficiency with lower fuel costs per seat.  Compared to the current 737s in use, United claims that the new models will reduce emissions by 13%. Coupled with modern travel technologies and flight efficiency, United Airlines’ reduction of the carbon footprint makes them one of the world’s most enticing air travel options.

Unfortunately, the planes take quite a while to build.

In 2013, deliveries will begin for the 737-900ER. These models will replace old and outdated domestic United aircraft and plan to burn 15% less fuel per seat. 50 of these planes are expected to be delivered between 2013 and 2022.

We’ll have to wait until 2018 for the next model 737, the MAX 9.

The future is bright for United frequent fliers, as we have a large amount of fancy new aircraft to look forward to. CEO of POTHOS, Michael Patton, is a United 1k Million Mile Frequent Flier and encourages travelers to book with United and experience their efficient service and, soon, their cutting edge aircraft.

On a recent trip to Seattle, we had the pleasure of grabbing a sneak peak of the 787 Dreamliner at the Boeing Factory. We can’t wait to see the new 737s! 

United Airlines Raises Bag Checking Fee on Transatlantic Flights; Luggage Concierge offers alternatives

United has followed a recent precedent set by Delta Airlines by increasing their bag checking fee from $70 to $100 on most transatlantic flights. Delta recently raised prices from $75 to $100 dollars according to Wolfe Trahan analyst Hunter Keay. Keay highlighted the fact that the hike-ups in bag checking prices were coming “despite falling fuel prices”.

Does this leave a frequent flier with any other options?

In an effort to accommodate travelers with concerns for increases in luggage prices, companies have sprung up offering private alternatives. One example of a private luggage delivery service is Luggage Concierge.

(http://www.luggageconcierge.com)

Luggage Concierge is looking to attract customers that are tired of paying up-charges on their luggage, especially for abnormally shaped luggage like golf clubs.

Luggage Concierge coordinates a luggage pickup from a set location and privately moves your belongings to and from the location of your choice without the use of an airline, allowing you to board your flight luggage free. 

Luggage Concierge offers a set of different insurance policy varying on the type of flight and boasts price rates competitive to those of most airline companies.

The cost is approximately $87 to $140 for a 75lb bag, 3 day domestic service, $85 for a golf bag, $454 for international flights. 

United Airlines Drops Early Boarding for Children, Putting Strain on Family Summer Travel Plans

Unless you’re sitting in first or business class, your children will no longer be able to board early on United Airlines flights.

United spokesman Charles Hobart released a statement saying the policy change was in order “to simplify the boarding process and reduce the number of overall boarding groups”.

A few major airlines like Delta, Jet Blue, and Virgin America still allow families with small children to board ahead of other coach class passengers.  United Airlines’ policy change has drawn a lot of media attention and could mark the beginning of the end for the pre-boarding of families with small children on all major airlines.

Passengers can expect a $9 or more charge for early boarding privileges on United Airlines, while active duty military passengers in uniform remain the last fliers to have free early boarding.