Tag: flight

Virgin Atlantic announces codeshare partnership with LATAM Airlines

Virgin Atlantic has announced a new codeshare agreement with LATAM Airlines offering customers the opportunity to fly directly to the South American country of Brazil.

Customers booking through Virgin Atlantic are now able to travel from Heathrow direct to Sao Paulo as well as connecting onwards onto 12 domestic airports in Brazil. The other domestic destinations in Brazil include Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Porto Alegre (POA), Belo Horizonte (CNF), Brasilia (BSB), Curitiba (CWB), Goiania (GYN), Recife (REC), Salvador (SSA), Florianopolis (FLN), Fortaleza (FOR), Vitoria (VIX) and Londrina (LDB).

Customers travelling from Sao Paulo to London Heathrow will also have the option to smoothly connect onto Virgin Atlantic’s rest of world destinations through Terminal 3 including Tel Aviv, Delhi and Hong Kong.

Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, commented: ‘We’re incredibly excited to launch this new codeshare partnership with LATAM Airlines.’

‘As we recover from the pandemic, partnerships are more important than ever, and we look forward to building on the incredibly successful interline relationship we have had in place for a number of years. We also see opportunities beyond Brazil and look forward to expanding our relationship even further to serve destinations throughout South America including Peru and Colombia.’

‘This new partnership aims to respond to the large, fast-growing demand for leisure travellers looking to enjoy new experiences after a challenging 20 months. We know there is pent up demand for long-haul travel and we look forward to welcoming customers onboard on their way to exploring these exciting and vibrant Brazilian cities.’

‘As global economies gradually recover from the impact of the pandemic, we also expect to capture demand from corporate travel heading to Sao Paulo, the commercial capital of Brazil as well as other key business hubs in South America.’

Bournemouth Airport announces new flights to Gran Canaria and Lisbon with Ryanair

Bournemouth Airport has announced the addition of two destinations – Gran Canaria and Lisbon, Portugal, which will be operated by Ryanair as part of its winter schedule.

Ryanair’s new weekly flights to the winter sun destination of Gran Canaria will start on Sunday, October 31, while those looking for a city break in Portugal’s beautiful coastal capital, Lisbon will have a choice of twice-weekly flights (Tuesday and Saturday) beginning on November 2. Bookings are now open on Ryanair’s website.

With the new destinations, Ryanair will operate flights from Bournemouth Airport to 13 destinations in six countries, within its 2021/22 schedule, with flights to Spain (Alicante, Barcelona Girona, Gran Canaria, Malaga, Murcia Palma de Mallorca), Cyprus (Paphos), Ireland (Dublin), Malta, Poland (Krakow) and Portugal (Faro and Lisbon). In total, Bournemouth Airport has announced 33 domestic and international destinations in 15 countries for 2021/22.

Steve Gill, Managing Director of Bournemouth Airport, said: ‘We are delighted to be adding another flight to the hugely popular destination of Gran Canaria and two flights a week to the historic and charismatic city of Lisbon, adding to the choices available for holidaymakers looking for some much-needed winter sun and wanting the ease and convenience of flying from their local airport.

‘We look forward to being able to announce more routes returning over the coming weeks and months as operators confirm their schedules and we are continuing to work with our airline partners and in line with latest government guidelines to ensure safe travel through the airport.’

The new flights to Lisbon come as Ryanair announced a USD300m investment at Lisbon Airport, where it will base a further three aircraft from November – now seven in total – as part of its Winter ’21 schedule.

In view of the Covid-related travel protocols, Bournemouth Airport has partnered with an established healthcare provider, GPDQ, to provide a range of COVID-19 testing options. GPDQ is one of the UK Government’s approved test providers for travel and customers can book COVID-19 tests directly via the airport website.

Philippine Airlines announces cancellation of special PAL flight to/from London

Further to its announcement on April 1, Philippine Airlines has said that it has been compelled to cancel the one-off flight to/from London Heathrow that was planned for April 4.

‘We are presently working on an alternative arrangement for passengers who had planned on taking this flight, and are in coordination with the concerned authorities and the UK Embassy. Once arrangements are set and operational challenges resolved, we shall make the appropriate announcement,’ it said.

Eastern Airways expands routes from Southampton with new Belfast City

From March 23, 2020, Eastern Airways will offer up to seven flights a week from Southampton to Belfast City Airport, which was a Flybe route formerly. The UK regional airline already commenced services from Southampton to Manchester and Newcastle last week, both initially at 11 flights a week along with a new route to Teesside International Airport in the north east of England with 11 flights a week.

Roger Hage, Eastern Airways’ General Manager Commercial & Operations, said: ‘Adding a Belfast City service from Southampton Airport, along with our new Manchester and Newcastle services which we started here today, following Monday’s launch to Teesside, is a significant expansion with up to 70 departures a week in total. We are ensuring Southampton is reconnected to the regions throughout England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

‘Initially the Belfast City route will be daily and reconnects the south coast of England to Belfast for business and leisure, while inbound passengers have the London rail connection within the hour and access to the major cruise offering via the port. By providing six destinations from Southampton, frequency and additional destinations will continue to increase.’

Neil Garwood, Managing Director of Southampton Airport, said: ‘We are absolutely delighted to have reconnected our route network to Belfast with Eastern Airways.

‘Belfast has long been one of our most in-demand destinations, and importantly this will once again enable vital regional connectivity with Northern Ireland. We look forward to enhancing our route network further with Eastern Airways.’

For several years Eastern Airways has provided a Southampton to Leeds Bradford service with up to 15 flights a week, and from April 27 2020 the carrier will offer a Southampton link to Aberdeen via Teesside International. From Southampton, the airline now provides scheduled flights to Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds, Teesside International, Belfast City and Aberdeen.

The Humberside Airport-based carrier offers a network of routes from airports including Aberdeen, Alicante, Anglesey, Belfast City, Birmingham, Cardiff, Dublin, Humberside, Isle of Man, Leeds Bradford, London City, Manchester, Newcastle, Southampton, Teesside International and Wick John O’Groats. Flights are bookable at www.easternairways.com and the airline provides complimentary on-board refreshments and a minimum of 15kg of free hold baggage.

Loganair commences new Glasgow service from Cardiff Airport

Loganair has said that it has commenced a new service between Cardiff and Glasgow on February 27, the first air connection between the two cities since October 2019.

Spencer Birns, Chief Commercial Officer at Cardiff Airport said: ‘It is fantastic to welcome Loganair’s scheduled services to Cardiff, and we are really pleased that they have taken this opportunity to bolster links between Wales and Scotland.

‘Wales has strong ties with Glasgow and the new regular service will help facilitate our passengers who need to travel for business, or for visiting friends and family.’

The new year-round service will connect the two cities, aiming at boosting business or leisure trips of different durations, including weekends, long weekends and short breaks. There is currently no direct rail service between Glasgow and Cardiff, and car journey times can take more than seven hours.

Operated on Loganair’s 49-seat Embraer 145 jet aircraft, the route has a flight time of 1 hour and 15 minutes, and operates up to eight times a week. The launch will also help Pro14 rugby fans looking to follow their club to Scotland for matches against Glasgow Warriors.

Kay Ryan, Loganair’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: ‘We are looking forward to welcoming passengers on-board our aircraft at Cardiff Airport.

‘This is an important business route to Glasgow and Scotland’s biggest city is a great destination for shopping and nightlife. The city is home to three universities, where the student experience is considered to be one of the best in the UK.

‘Rugby fans will also be delighted with this new route launch, allowing travelling supporters to take in Pro14 clashes against the Glasgow Warriors.’

Across its network, Loganair provides 15kg of complimentary baggage allowance, in-flight refreshments and the option to join Clan Loganair – the airline’s reward programme for frequent flyers.

Vueling announces special flights to Italy from Cardiff for UEFA EURO 2020

European low fares airline, Vueling Airlines has announced special flights from Cardiff to Rome-Fiumicino, so fans will be able to fly from to support the Wales football team at the UEFA EURO 2020.

The football match against Italy will kickoff at Rome’s Olympic Stadium on June 21, 2020.

The airline will operate an outbound flight from Cardiff Airport to Rome-Fiumicino Airport, departing at 13:05 on 20th June 2020 and returning at 14:30 on 22nd June 2020. The flights will be operated on an Airbus A320, which can hold up to 186 passengers each way. Flights are on sale now at vueling.com/en, via Vueling’s mobile app, on the m.vueling.com mobile site or via the local travel agent.

Spencer Birns, Chief Commercial Officer at Cardiff Airport, said: ‘The Euros are such a major event in the sporting calendar, and it is fantastic to see that our valued airline partner Vueling is making it possible for Welsh football fans to see the team in action against Italy.’

Cardiff Airport is the gateway to Wales, handling over a million passengers a year with over 50 direct routes and more than 900 connecting destinations worldwide through hubs including Amsterdam Schiphol, Dublin and Barcelona.

A part of International Airlines Group (IAG), Vueling operates short and medium-haul destinations in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, which are operated with a fleet of 120 aircraft of the Airbus A319, A320, A320neo and A321 models.

Lufthansa announces new Newcastle -Munich service

German airline Lufthansa has recently commenced a nonstop service from Newcastle to Munich.

This is the first Munich service for Lufthansa from Newcastle, opening its seventh destination in the UK. The new service complements the existing Eurowings direct flight to Dusseldorf.

The six-weekly service operates Sunday to Friday and offers leisure and business the opportunity to explore Bavaria’s capital city, in addition to providing over 130 onward connections throughout Europe, Americas and Asia Pacific.

Munich is renowned for its annual Oktoberfest, beer halls, classical music and iconic landmarks such as the Neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus. Fares start from £86 return and are available to book now at lufthansa.com.

Announcing the new flight, Andreas Koster, Senior Director Sales UK, Ireland & Iceland, Lufthansa Group, said: ‘We are delighted to be able to offer passengers in the North East with an additional and convenient new route into Germany. At Lufthansa, we pride ourselves on being a premium, full-service, five-star airline and in connecting our customers to one of our two major hubs with our world-wide network. This new service will connect our customers from Newcastle to exciting cities and cultures in Europe and beyond.’

Nick Jones, Chief Executive at Newcastle International Airport said: ‘We are delighted that Lufthansa, a globally-renowned, five-star airline, has chosen to operate from Newcastle International Airport. Watching the first flight take to the skies this morning was a very proud moment for the Airport and an important milestone for the region. As well as opening up Munich as a direct destination, this new route will provide over 130 onward connections throughout Europe and beyond – providing both our business and leisure passengers with more choice and flexibility in 2020. I hope that the North East travelling public support and enjoy using this new service.’

United Airlines to start year-round Dublin-San Francisco service

United Airlines has announced that it will start operating a new, year-round, daily nonstop service between Dublin Airport and its hub at San Francisco from next summer.

The new daily service will depart Dublin at 11.50 arriving in San Francisco at 14.20. The return flight will depart San Francisco at 15.55 and arrive in Dublin Airport at 9.45 the following day. The airline will operate its new route with a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, starting June 6, 2020.

Dublin Airport Managing Director Vincent Harrison said, ‘United is a valued customer serving Dublin Airport for more than two decades and we are particularly delighted to see it adding a fourth destination to its route network next summer.’

‘San Francisco is the global tech centre of the world and many of the companies based there have offices in Ireland. This new route will further grow tourism and trade between Ireland and the US and provide greater choice and flexibility for both business and leisure passengers. We will work closely with United’s management team to ensure this new service is a success in both directions.’

‘Dublin and Silicon Valley are two regions synonymous with big tech,’ said United’s Vice President of International Network Patrick Quayle. ‘Many global tech companies have a major footprint in both regions, and they need a carrier with an extensive worldwide network to help conveniently connect their business. As the only US airline to serve Ireland from the West Coast, United is uniquely suited to provide the connectivity these companies and economies need to continue thriving.’

From Dublin, United Airlines also operates services to Chicago, Newark, and Washington D.C. Currently, Dublin Airport has flights to 190 destinations in 42 countries operated by 50 airlines.

Wizz Air launches direct flights from London to Moscow and St. Petersburg

European low-cost airline Wizz Air has said that its British subsidiary airline Wizz Air UK has commenced scheduled direct flights from London Luton to the Russian cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg.

The St. Petersburg route is the first direct flight operated by a British airline from the UK to the Russian destination, and the route to Moscow is the first ever low-cost flight connecting the two capital cities.

Tickets for Wizz Air UK flights can be booked on wizzair.com at a price from EUR29.99 / £25.99, one way, including all taxes.

The new flights from UK to Russia were launched on October 1, 2019 and will be operated daily. The first Wizz Air flight from Luton to Vnukovo Moscow Airport will depart at 15:20 (17:20 Moscow time) with arrival at 21:00 Moscow time, and to Petersburg Pulkovo at 22:40 (00:40 Moscow time Wednesday) with arrival at 04:05 Moscow time. The flights will be operated on 180-seater Airbus A320 and 230-seater Airbus A321 planes, respectively.

Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer, London Luton Airport, said: ‘We’re really excited to be launching these two fabulous destinations, making Russia the 44th country to be connected with London Luton Airport. I’m very confident that they will prove a big success with our passengers and we remain grateful to Wizz Air for continuing to widen their choice of destinations available here at the airport.’

Owain Jones, Managing Director of Wizz Air UK said: ‘We are thrilled to offer our UK passengers the opportunity to experience Russia’s major cities. Those looking to immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of Moscow and St. Petersburg need look no further, as our direct, low-fare flights make these cities more accessible than ever. Wizz Air is delighted to continually offer our customers more opportunities to discover new and exciting destinations across Europe and further afield and look forward to welcoming passengers travelling to Russia on-board our young, green and ultra-efficient Airbus aircraft fleet.’

Wizz Air now offers 107 low fare routes to 30 countries from eleven UK airports; and 63 routes from its base at London Luton Airport.

Jet2.com introduces in-flight gluten-free and vegan meal options for customers to pre-order

British airline company Jet2.com has introduced two gluten-free meals and two vegan options to its selection of pre-ordered meals.

Jet2 said that in direct response to demand from customers, the company has added two gluten-free options to give customers increased choice of meals when flying with the airline. The Gluten Free Roast Chicken Dinner includes a traditional roast chicken breast with grilled potatoes and vegetables, served with a gluten-free gravy. The All-Day Gluten Free Breakfast is topped with grilled bacon, scrambled egg, rosti potatoes, and sautéed mushrooms in a tomato sauce.

In addition, following demand from customers who have removed animal products from their diet, Jet2 has introduced two new vegan meals, including an All-Day Vegan Breakfast featuring a grilled vegan sausage, rosti potatoes, and sautéed mushrooms in a tomato sauce, as well as a Vegan Moroccan Vegetable Tagine served with couscous.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: ‘Customer feedback shows that there is strong demand for vegan and gluten-free options, so we are delighted to be introducing these four delicious meals, giving customers more choice on our award-winning airline. We are always looking at ways in which we can develop our offering and VIP customer experience, and we are sure that these new pre-ordered meals will be just as popular as the exciting in-flight menu changes that we have already announced this year.’

The airline has introduced several culinary announcements this year, giving customers a wider range of in-flight food choice. In January, Jet2 added its first ever vegan option to its in-flight menu, with the introduction of a Penne Arrabbiata pasta dish, and in May the airline introduced two Nando’s snacks to its new in-flight menu – the first UK airline to introduce Nando’s onboard.

The new in-flight meals will be onboard flights starting today, August 2. They can be purchased when booking with Jet2.com and Jet2holidays or can be ordered post-booking.