Delta is actively engaged in seeking ways of getting to major European gateways and Heathrow is the apple of their eye. To arrive at Heathrow -- considered the most profitable airport in Europe and the continent's business travel hub -- Delta on June 28 filed an ambitious and complex flight plan with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Delta is seeking federal approval of new airline partnerships that could give the Atlanta-based airline a greater wing span in Europe and beyond. Delta's DOT application specifically pinpoints 24 new or expanded nonstop routes, saying in a 253-page document that "4,071 city-pairs would be upgraded to two-stop service," affecting more than 3.4 million passengers and growing Delta's reach to Africa, India and the Middle East. Most importantly, it could help Delta crack the Heathrow code and let the SkyTeam alliance catch up with the Star Alliance, led by United Airlines, and oneworld, led by American Airlines and British Airways, which already have strongholds on Heathrow. It could also help Delta compete against low-cost European carriers like Ryanair and Aer Lingus that are revving to fly across the pond.

US Airways has launched a bid for daily direct flights from Philadelphia to Beijing, China. The airline said that, if approved by the United States Department of Transportation, the flights would begin in March 2009 and would be the first-ever service to Asia both for Philadelphia and under the US Airways' brand. US Airways is reportedly proposing seven weekly roundtrip flights serving more than 150,000 travellers annually to be operated with Airbus A340 aircraft between Philadelphia and Beijing. Service would originate in Charlotte on a 204-seat Boeing 767 aircraft.

Virgin America finally takes to the skies this month, shaking up the air travel market with cheap flights from coast to coast. Virgin, based in Burlingame, California will start Aug. 8 with two daily nonstop flights between San Francisco International Airport and New York's John F. Kennedy Airport and five daily nonstop flights between SFO and Los Angeles International Airport. The entry of a new low-cost carrier into the market could reduce fares on many routes for Bay Area passengers while multiplying departure times and destinations. Introductory fares start at $44 one way to Los Angeles in coach and $149 in first class, while fares to New York begin at $139 one way in coach and $389 in first class. In addition, Virgin America gives a shot in the arm to the region's airline industry. The airline says it eventually will create 3,000 to 5,000 jobs here for mechanics, flight attendants, pilots, reservationists and others. Already, such established discount players as Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways are reacting by beefing up operations at SFO, the region's largest airport.
Virgin America hopes to expand relatively quickly. The airline plans to increase flights between San Francisco and New York to four a day by Sept. 9 and ramp up service to other cities shortly afterward. On Sept. 26, the airline will begin two daily flights between San Francisco and Washington Dulles International Airport. On Oct. 10, it will begin service between SFO and Las Vegas with three daily nonstop flights. The airline "expects to serve as many as 10 cities within a year of operation and up to 30 cities within five years of service,'' it said in a statement.

June 20th was the last day for airlines to get their applications in for seven new flights coming available between the US and China over the next three years. Conventional wisdom says Delta will get this year’s award with Atlanta-Shanghai flights. Next year, United is expected to get San Francisco-Guangzhou while the other spot, which can only be used to second tier airports in China, will likely remain unfilled. But in 2009, the big competition heats up when four additional daily flights between the US and China come available. All the usual competitors are there (see below), but one that really stands out is Maxjet, It would appear that China travelers will have a wide variety of US carriers to pci one and the bet here is that MaxJet will be one of them.

New York, NY—July 19, 2007- EL AL, Israel’s National Airline, is about to accept the first of two new Boeing 777 aircraft that will be used on the United States/Israel route. These long-range planes, which are the most advanced and sophisticated in the aviation world, will be the flagship aircraft in the EL AL fleet flying to Israel from destinations in North America and the Far East. Currently, EL AL is renewing its entire 777 and 747-400 fleet to meet the high standards of the new aircraft and to create an even better flight experience for passengers. In September of 2005, the EL AL Board of Directors approved the $250 million purchase of these two new Boeing 777-200 aircraft. EL AL also invested more than $20 million to upgrade seats and inflight entertainment systems on existing EL AL 777 and 747-400 aircraft. The high point of these investments is the arrival next week of the first new 777, on July 25th. EL AL takes possession of the second new aircraft next month, before the end of August.

Continental Airlines is offering special promotions to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its OnePass program. This month Continental is running a special 20th anniversary online auction at www.continental. com. Throughout July, members will have the opportunity to bid on a collection of merchandise and experiences. Items include suites at Yankees and Astros games, a 14-day Osaka-Hong Kong cruise, Callaway golf clubs, a deluxe Hawaii vacation package and a plasma television. Members will see many more exciting items and vacation packages available at the auction site throughout the month. For more information, visit www.continental.com

Airline Unveils First-Ever Specialty Aircraft Christened by Homer: Woo-Hoo, JetBlue!
JetBlue Airways in partnership with Twentieth Century Fox, announced it has been named "The Official Airline of Springfield" -- the hometown city of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson – to celebrate the summer theatrical release of

The Simpsons Movie. In honor of America's favorite animated family of comedy, JetBlue will unveil its first-ever specialty aircraft, christened "Woo-Hoo, JetBlue!" and featuring an image of Homer along with a permanent logo of the airline's new Springfield status. In addition, The Official Airline of Springfield is hosting an exclusive Simpsons Sweepstakes (www.jetblue.com/simpsons) for TrueBlue members, who can enter for a chance to win some really cool prizes. The grand prize winner will receive a JetBlue Getaways package for two to Los Angeles, CA to attend the premiere of The Simpsons Movie on July 24, 2007. During the month of July, JetBlue customers will also enjoy a continuous offering of Simpson's episodes on FOX Channel 41 of its signature in-flight entertainment system. All JetBlue flights feature 36 channels of free, live DIRECTV programming, more than 100 channels of XM Satellite Radio and a rotating selection of pay-perview movies from FOX InFlight.

Continental Airlines Inc. has contributed $75 million to its benefit pension plans for a total year-to-date amount of $211 million. The Houston-based airline said the $75 million contribution exceeds the minimum funding requirement of $187 million. In 2007, Continental (NYSE: CAL) expects to contribute $328 million to its pension plans. In 2006, contributions amounted to more than $240 million. Since the beginning of 2002, Continental said it has contributed more than $1.2 billion to the plans.

North American Airlines to Launch Scheduled Flights Linking Baltimore/Washington to Lagos, Nigeria North American Airlines will launch three weekly scheduled flights linking Baltimore/ Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) to Lagos, Nigeria beginning Sept. 4, 2007. This new service will operate with one stop at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. "There is significant demand in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C., area for direct flights to Africa, and North American's Boeing 767-300ER service will greatly reduce flying time between BWI and Lagos," said Robert Binns, chief marketing officer. "Our departure and arrival times allow for convenient connections to a network of Africa destinations with our marketing partner, Virgin Nigeria. Customers also will appreciate our new Business Class service with all-leather seating and inflight entertainment, including nine audio and six video channels to choose from." North American also serves the Baltimore/ Washington area with weekly service to and from Accra, Ghana.

Southwest Airlines Co. won U.S. permission to keep letting flight attendants leave planes to perform other duties as jets load and unload, helping the carrier avoid cost increases. Attendants can do work such as escorting children and helping travelers in wheelchairs between connecting flights, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The decision reversed an FAA manager's April 2006 directive that all three attendants on each flight had to stay on board. AMR Corp.'s American Airlines, Delta Air Lines Inc., US Airways Group Inc. and AirTran Holdings Inc. backed Southwest's request, saying they wanted to adopt the practice. Southwest said in September its attendants continued to leave their planes while it appealed the FAA's initial decision. Southwest, the largest U.S. low-fare airline, wants to keep its jets' average stay at gates between flights at 25 minutes, a key to the company's profit. Losing the appeal would have lengthened ground times, raised costs and required higher fares, the Dallas-based carrier said. Two attendants would be able to leave the plane while passengers exit, and one could be away during boarding, under the FAA decision posted July 6 in Washington.

Chile’s LAN Airlines to add 32 Boeing 787 Dreamliners by 2016, investing US$3.2 billion Chile's dominant carrier LAN Airlines SA said it will add 32 Boeing 787 Dreamliner long-haul aircraft to the company's fleet between 2011 and 2016, marking the largest investment in the company's history. LAN said it will buy 26 aircraft, and acquire six more through leasing contracts, spending about US$3.2 billion. The Santiago, Chile-based airline said its board also approved 10 Dreamliner purchase options for 2017 and 2018. The 787 Dreamliner is expect to begin commercial operations by the end of 2008. The fuel-efficient, ecologically friendly airplane has the capacity to seat 250 to 300 passengers, in two classes. Boeing Co. unveiled its first fully assembled 787 earlier this month, and the Chicago-based company has already more than 600 orders from customers lured by the jet maker's promise that the midsize, long-haul aircraft will burn less fuel, be cheaper to LAN said its 787 order is aimed at replacing and expanding the company's long-haul fleet, and will allow it to run new international routes.

Etihad Airways signed the terms of a US$180 million agreement for a sale and leaseback facility that will be used to finance the airline’s acquisition of two Airbus A330-200 aircraft. The aircraft have been received by Etihad and are in service. ADCB, as a sole arranger, will provide financing of $180 million to the airline. The facility is structured as a lease with repayment spread over 12 years and a terminal balloon payment of 30 per censt upon final maturity. James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: “This agreement is indicative of the strong relationship between Etihad Airways and ADCB. We appreciate the support of like-minded business partners who continue to underpin the development of the UAE’s national airline.”

Virgin America Airlines received its operating licence from US aviation authorities and announced plans to sell tickets. The carrier plans to start flying in August from its San Francisco base. Virgin America will fly new Airbus A319s and A320s and plans to serve up to 10 cities within a year of its launch. Routes will be announced in the coming weeks. Virgin America won regulatory approval of its business plan in May after agreeing to restructure its investor financing -

including millions from Branson's interests - and promising to replace its chief executive, Fred Reid, to satisfy a US law that limits overseas influence in domestic airlines. Virgin America will still have a branding and marketing relationship with Branson's Virgin Group, which operates Britishbased Virgin Atlantic Airways. Some US airlines had opposed Virgin America's entrance, saying Branson would be controlling the airline one way or another. Virgin America has said it is an American carrier and operating decisions will be made by US citizens, as the law requires.