Airlines

Eurowings celebrates the 1000th sneaker flight

Sneaker Flydays

Lufthansa Group Airline with sports shoes instead of high heels on board
“Sneaker Flydays” are very popular with employees and customers
Eurowings is examining expansion and launching a discussion across the industry
Are sports shoes generally the more comfortable “fit” for crew members?

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COLOGNE/BONN, November 3, 2022. The sneaker alarm at Eurowings continues: crews and teams of the German airline will again wear white sports shoes with the Eurowings logo with their uniform on Friday, November 4. At the third edition of its “Sneaker Flydays”, the airline from the Lufthansa Group is already celebrating the thousandth flight in sport’s shoes. With the sneakers for the uniform, Eurowings not only provides a fashionable eye-catcher. A discussion has also started in the aviation industry as to whether sports shoes are not generally the more comfortable “fit” for crew members.

“The next airline where flight attendants swap high heels for sneakers,” says travel blogs about the Eurowings cause. Numerous airline employees have spoken out on social media in favor of wearing sports shoes on board aircraft. There is now “an international discussion” about the choice of shoes, writes the Swedish newspaper “Aftonbladet”.

Some of the pioneering airlines incorporating in-flight sneakers into their uniform wear orders include Ukraine’s SkyUp Airlines, Iceland’s Play, and Japanese carrier Zipair. Eurowings has deliberately declared its “Sneaker Flydays”, which currently always take place on the first Friday of each month, as a test phase. First, the Lufthansa Group airline wants to analyze the reactions of its own staff and customers. Should the feedback on the sneakers remain so positive, Eurowings will consider increasing the frequency of the “Sneaker Flydays” in the new year.

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Sneakers instead of high heels?

With this campaign, Eurowings wants to meet the desire of the workforce for a sporty travel companion. As a sign of recognition for all the extra miles that Eurowings employees went during the pandemic, every employee received sports shoes from the cooperation partner Puma free of charge and delivered to their home in September. Since then, the all-white sneakers with the Eurowings logo can be worn not only privately and in the office, but also on board Eurowings flights – always on selected Fridays, the so-called “Sneaker Flydays”.

With the sporty outfit, Eurowings underlines its claim to dare something new and to keep up with the times – far beyond Germany. In addition to Eurowings Germany, flight operations in Eurowings Europe also take part in the “Sneaker Flydays” – with stations in Mallorca, Stockholm, Prague, Salzburg, and Pristina.

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.