Airlines

Spirit Airlines Pilots Approve Collective Bargaining Agreement

Spirit Airlines announced that its Pilots, who are members of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), have ratified an amended collective bargaining agreement. This contract will provide a significant pay increase and other enhanced benefits for Spirit’s Pilots.

“We appreciate the dedication of the ALPA Negotiating Committee, Master Executive Council (MEC) and the Spirit Airlines Negotiating Team for their hard work to reach this agreement,” said John Bendoraitis, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Spirit Airlines. “We truly value our incredible Pilots, and we’re proud to recognize their contributions, passion and professionalism as they keep us flying every day.”

Spirit Airlines and CAE Launch New Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway Program for Aspiring Commercial Pilots(Opens in a new browser tab)

Out of the 2,326 eligible pilots who voted, 69 percent voted in favor of the new collective bargaining agreement. The two-year deal represents an economic gain of $463 million or 27 percent over the next two years, with zero concessions.

“This TA not only offers the financial gains our pilots need today, but also creates a stronger bargaining position for Spirit Airlines pilots at our next step, either in the merger process with JetBlue or in comprehensive negotiations with Spirit Airlines as a stand-alone carrier,” said Spirit’s Master Executive Council chair Capt. Ryan Muller.

The agreement is effective retroactively to Jan. 1, 2023. If the JetBlue–Spirit merger does not gain regulatory approval or is otherwise abandoned, Spirit pilots will immediately reenter Section 6 negotiations with Spirit Airlines management.

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.