Airlines
Delta resumes nonstop service from LAX to Haneda; launches new service from Honolulu
Delta resumes nonstop service from LAX to Haneda; launches new service from Honolulu
Beginning on October 30, Delta will restart service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Tokyo International Airport (HND), anticipating Japan’s relaxation of travel restrictions.
The route will start operating three times weekly before moving to daily starting Dec. 1. The restart of service will use Airbus 330-900neo aircraft featuring Delta One Suites, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin services.
Delta will also start a new daily service between Honolulu and Haneda on Dec. 1. This is the first time Delta has offered service from Haneda to Honolulu with its start delayed due to the pandemic. Customers will be able to enjoy Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort + and Main Cabin services using the Boeing 767-300ER.Haneda is a key hub for Delta and offers multiple travel options from key U.S. gateways including Seattle, Atlanta and Detroit.
Delta schedule for Los Angeles (LAX) – Haneda (HND) flights (Oct. 30 – Nov. 28):
Flight | Departs | Arrives | Operating Day | Aircraft |
DL7 | Los Angeles at 9:45 a.m. | Haneda at 3:10 p.m.
(next day) |
Wed, Fri, Sun | A330-900neo |
DL8 | Haneda at 4:50 p.m. | Los Angeles at 10:00 a.m. (same day) | Mon, Thu, Sat | A330-900neo |
Delta schedule for Los Angeles (LAX) – Haneda (HND) –flights (Dec. 1, 2022 – March 24, 2023):
Flight | Departs | Arrives | Operating Day | Aircraft |
DL7 | Los Angeles at 9:45 a.m. | Haneda at 3:10 p.m.
(next day) |
Daily | A330-900neo |
DL8 | Haneda at 4:50 p.m. | Los Angeles at 10:00 a.m. (same day) | Daily | A330-900neo |
Delta schedule for Honolulu (HNL) – Haneda (HND) –flights (Dec. 1, 2022 – March 24, 2023):
Flight | Departs | Arrives | Operating Day | Aircraft |
DL181 | Honolulu at 1:30 p.m. | Haneda at 6:00 p.m.
(next day) |
Daily | B767-300ER |
DL180 | Haneda at 9:00 p.m. | Honolulu at 9:00 a.m. (same day) | Daily | B767-300ER |
Delta’s flight schedule remains subject to change due to the evolving nature of COVID-19, customer demand and government travel regulations. Customers are encouraged to visit the Delta Discover Map to check entry requirements before they travel.
“As travel restrictions gradually ease in Japan, we decided to restart the service from Los Angeles and Honolulu and increase the frequency of the flights currently operating flights to Haneda,” said Victor Osumi, Delta’s Managing Director – Japan. “Our commitment to the health and safety of everyone on board always comes first, and customers will enjoy more options to Haneda, with Delta’s unparalleled travel experience on the ground and in the air.”
Delta opened the new Delta Sky Club at Haneda on July 29. The Club features a premium bar serving seasonal cocktails, wines, beers, spirits and Japanese sake – all of which are complimentary for guests. A specialty, made-to-order noodle bar staffed by a dedicated chef will provide a delicious taste of the popular regional cuisine. A buffet bar will serve international and Asian-inspired meals prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients in the Club’s restaurant-quality kitchen.
When the Delta Sky Way at LAX project is complete in 2023, Terminals 2 and 3 will be a consolidated 1.2- million-square-foot, state-of-the-art, 27-gate complex, providing an easy-to-navigate customer journey as well as connecting Terminals 2 and 3 to the Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B), enabling quick airside connections to Delta and Delta partner-operated flights.
Airlines
Cathay Pacific asks business class customers to bring their own cutlery
In an innovative move towards sustainability, renowned Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific has recently floated an unconventional idea to its business class customers.
Bringing their own cutlery sets onboard. This initiative, revealed through a member survey circulated within the airline’s “Cathay Lab” community – a platform comprising frequent business class travelers – has stirred a wave of curiosity within the aviation industry.
With sustainability becoming an increasing concern in aviation, Cathay Pacific’s survey aimed to gauge passengers‘ willingness to partake in various eco-friendly practices during their journeys.
Among the initiatives presented, including refilling reusable water bottles and recycling plastic, the prospect of bringing personal cutlery garnered significant attention. Some members expressed practical concerns, questioning the feasibility of carrying cutlery through airport security and the potential inconvenience for passengers unaware of regulations.
Others suggested that Cathay Pacific should simply provide reusable cutlery onboard instead. Furthermore, there were suspicions among some respondents that the BYO cutlery proposal might be a precursor to introducing additional charges, with one user humorously envisioning a scenario where the airline lends cutlery sets for a fee.
Despite the skepticism surrounding the proposal, Cathay Pacific’s exploration of innovative sustainability measures reflects a broader industry trend towards environmental consciousness.
Airlines
Air India and IndiGo’s Joint Initiative, Plans for 170 Wide-Body Aircraft
In a bold move that underscores their confidence in India’s burgeoning aviation sector, Air India and IndiGo have revealed ambitious plans to acquire a combined total of up to 170 wide-body aircraft.
This strategic investment marks a significant shift in the country’s aviation landscape, as it brings European aircraft manufacturer Airbus into a domain traditionally dominated by American giant Boeing.
With India positioned as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, the timing couldn’t be more opportune for such expansion endeavors. The aim is clear: to elevate India’s status as a global aviation hub by enhancing connectivity through direct flights between Indian cities and international destinations.
Currently, a substantial portion of India’s international air traffic relies on overseas hubs, particularly in the Gulf region. IndiGo’s announcement of firm orders for 30 A350-900 aircraft, with an option for an additional 70, signals its commitment to capturing a larger share of the long-haul market.
Meanwhile, Air India’s comprehensive order, unveiled last year, encompasses 70 wide-body planes, including a mix of A350 and Boeing 787 models.
Recognizing the potential for disruption in the long and ultra-long haul segments, aviation consultancy CAPA India has emphasized the pivotal role Indian carriers can play in driving innovation and transformation.
With the current combined fleet size of Indian airlines exceeding 700 aircraft, the stage is set for Air India and IndiGo to spearhead a new era of growth and connectivity in the Indian aviation sector.
Airlines
Air China Makes Landmark Deal: Orders 100 C919 Jets from COMAC
In a strategic move that could reshape China’s aviation industry, Air China has inked a monumental deal with Comac, signaling a significant shift in the nation’s commercial aircraft procurement landscape.
The agreement, valued at a staggering $10.8 billion based on list prices, entails the purchase of 100 Comac C919 jets, a resounding endorsement of the homegrown challenger to aerospace giants Airbus and Boeing.
The announcement, disclosed in a filing by Air China, underscores the airline’s commitment to bolstering its fleet with domestically manufactured aircraft. These C919 jets, slated for delivery between 2024 and 2031, are poised to amplify Air China’s operational capabilities and enhance its competitive stance in the global aviation arena.
The C919, a formidable competitor to Boeing’s 737 Max and Airbus’s A320neo, symbolizes China’s ambitious foray into the global aviation market. With Air China’s commitment to acquiring a substantial fleet of C919s, the aircraft is poised to carve out a formidable niche in the industry, challenging the dominance of established players.
Notably, Air China‘s existing fleet comprises an extensive array of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, showcasing its diverse operational portfolio.
With nearly 500 airplanes in service, including models from the A320 family and the 737 series, Air China’s decision to incorporate the C919 into its fleet underscores a strategic diversification strategy.
While Airbus has enjoyed notable success in China, buoyed by its local assembly line, Boeing has faced formidable challenges in recent years. However, Air China’s resolute investment in the C919 signals a paradigm shift, amplifying China’s quest for self-sufficiency in aviation.