American, British Airways, Iberia, Lufthansa, and United have teamed up to call for coordinated COVID-19 testing as the path to end European Union and USA travel bans and restore transatlantic traffic. Airlines: Testing Will Lead To Safe Re-Opening Of...
Istanbul’s Most Popular Tourist Attraction Converts To A Mosque – Will Hagia Sophia Still Be Open To Tourists?
Turkey has confirmed that the Hagia Sophia, originally a church, then a mosque, now a museum for nearly the last century, will revert to a mosque later this month. Will Istanbul’s most famous landmark now be off-limits to non-Muslims...
JetBlue Will Build Sizable LAX Base, Abandon Long Beach
In a seismic reshuffle that hints at JetBlue’s international ambitions, JetBlue will leave Long Beach Airport and base Southern California operations at LAX. JetBlue Will Add LAX Base Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of JetBlue’s “most successful and...
Survey: Air Travelers Hope To Ditch Masks But Worry About Crowds
New public opinion research from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) suggests travelers are much more worried about crowds and dirty lavatories than masks onboard airplanes. Survey: How Passengers Are Concerned About COVID-19 The survey took place in early...
Windy City Love: New Tel Aviv Service From United + Hong Kong Returns
United will bolster longhaul service from its Chicago hub with new service to Tel Aviv and a resumption of service to Hong Kong. New Chicago – Tel Aviv Service On United Starting in September, subject to government approval, United...
EL-AL Accepts Bailout, Faces Nationalization
EL AL Israel Airlines has accepted a bailout worth $400 million from the government that will likely give Israel a majority stake in its flag carrier. EL AL Bailout Details The bailout includes: $250 million government-backed loan – Israel...
Why Dubai May Be Very Crowded This Summer
For citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hoping to escape the summer heat, air conditioning is likely going to be the only choice for the summer 2020 months. Government officials have barred citizens and residents from leaving the...
United Airlines Unveils Ambitious August Schedule
Sensing a return in demand, United Airlines will scale up both domestic and international flights in August 2020. Here’s more info on the United Airlines August 2020 schedule. Key Highlights Nearly 25,000 additional domestic and international flights compared to July...
U.S. Residents, Not American Citizens, Banned From European Union
As expected, most Americans will be banned from the European Union when borders gradually re-open starting tomorrow. But the key metric will be residence, not passport. That’s a relief for many Americans living outside the USA. Americans Banned From...
John Wayne May Be Dropped From SNA Airport Due To Inflammatory Playboy Interview
In another culture war clash that impacts travel, Orange County is considering dropping John Wayne from its airport name. OC Democrats, Weary Of John Wayne 1971 Playboy Interview, Want His Name Dropped From SNA Airport “Duke” was interviewed by...
Airline CEO Meeting At White House: What Happened?
Airline executives from major U.S. airlines met with Vice President Mike Pence and a number of other top administration officials yesterday at the White House. What happened at the meeting? Who Attended Airline CEO Meeting At White House? Per...
Lufthansa + Turkish Airlines Will Shut Down Leisure Subsidiary
SunExpress Deustschland, a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, will cease operations and liquidate, becoming the latest casualty of COVID-19. Per Deutsche Welle, flights after June 26, 2020 will be cancelled and about 1,200 employees will lose their...
Report: Careless Pilots Blamed For PIA A320 Crash
A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Airbus A320 crash that killed 98 people has been blamed on pilot error, according to a preliminary report. Apparently, the pilots were chatting about COVID-19 instead of paying attention to their duties and many...
European Union Will Ban Americans When Borders Reopen
In a stinging blow to U.S. prestige, the European Union is finalizing a policy that would ban Americans when borders re-open next month. The New York Times, which viewed the draft report set to be released tomorrow, reports that...
United Airlines No Longer Fears “Worst-Case” Scenario
United Airlines no longer sees any risk that it will not survive the pandemic, but is still warning employees that painful cuts may be ahead. Kirby: United MileagePlus Loan Secures Survival of Airline In a video message to employees...
United States Issues Gentle Rejection To Chinese Airlines
The United States has rejected a request by Chinese airlines for more service to the USA, but done so gently. How We Reached This Point U.S. carriers suspended China service in winter, over falling demand and COVID-19 concerns. With...
New “AirShield” Promises Invisible Onboard Protection From COVID-19
A Seattle-based firm has developed what it calls a smart solution to inhibiting the spread of COVID-19 onboard airplanes. It’s called the “AirShield” and redirects airflow to create a “forcefield” around each passenger. What is AirShield? Developed by Teague,...
U.S. And China Reach 妥协 On Air Service…Delta Will Resume Flights Next Week
The United States and China reached a compromise (妥协) on air service, with each nation now permitted to operate four flights per week between the world’s two largest economies. But is the new US – China flight compromise just...
U.S. Airlines Now Authorized To Suspend Service To 62 Airports, Despite Objections
U.S. airlines have officially been granted the right to suspend service to a total of 62 airports on the basis of reduced demand. Last month, I provided a list of destinations that the U.S. Department of Transportation provisionally approved...
Wow: Lufthansa Board Rejects German Bailout
The Lufthansa Supervisory Board has rejected Germany’s bailout package over new EU-imposed slot restrictions. On Monday, Germany and Lufthansa agreed in principle on a €9 billion aid package. This was not a free gift, but a 4% loan with many...
