Airlines

Following a strike call, Lufthansa confirms negotiations with the pilot union.

The Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) and the union will be the subject of intense time pressured collective bargaining negotiations on Tuesday. The strike call announced tonight means that today at 12:00 a decision must be made regarding the strike-related flight cancellations for Wednesday and Thursday. This is essential for staff and aircraft scheduling, as well as for giving affected passengers at least a brief heads-up.

In the event of a strike on 7 and 8 September, massive effects on Lufthansa’s flight operations are again to be expected.

At Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Michael Niggemann, the company’s labour director and chief human resources officer, said: “Although a negotiation date has been set, it is disappointing that this pay conflict has not subsided. For this strategy, we have no comprehension. We know that our pilots would much rather fly than strike, therefore taking an escalation-based approach is incorrect as well. However, despite the short moment of time, we will do every effort to be successful with an improved offer.”

After the Vereinigung Cockpit collective bargaining demand was changed last Friday as a result of a ruling by the Munich labor court, the union will present the new demand for the first time today. The previous demand for automated inflation compensation has been replaced by a demand for an annual pay increase of 8.2 percent starting in 2023 – in addition to a 5.5 percent increase this year. The union’s list of demands contains a total of 16 individual points.

Lufthansa will make an improved offer today. So far, an increase of 500 euros on 1 September 2022, and 400 euros on 1 April 2023, have been offered.

Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.