Airlines

This is How Alaska Airlines is prepping for winter storms

Everyone knows snow can make the holidays extra cozy. But it can also cause headaches for people traveling during the ‘most wonderful time of the year.’

Peek inside Alaska Airlines’ first 737-800 retrofit(Opens in a new browser tab)

Pacific Northwest forecasts are calling for the possibility of snow beginning this weekend and continuing throughout the week. We could see up to three separate snowstorms that could span rain/snow showers to snow actually accumulating on the ground.

How should I proceed if an aircraft is about to crash?(Opens in a new browser tab)

At Alaska, it prepared to pull every lever to get you to your holiday destination, but disruptions from the snow and ice do happen. While team is working hard to get guests where they need to go, we want to share some of the reasons why we do what we do:

Why do the impacts feel worse in Seattle?

Seattle is Alaska’s hometown, and operations represent the largest percentage (by a wide margin) of departures and arrivals at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) compared to other airlines. Because of this, more of guests are impacted when something impacts operations at Seattle. If another airline’s main hub got hit with a snowstorm, hurricane or power outage, they would be disproportionately impacted.

For context, SEA has a very small footprint by acreage compared to other metropolitan airports. This constrains ability to deice entire schedule of flights in wintry weather. Because the space doesn’t allow for that type of volume, they have to thin out their schedule to keep planes moving.

Why do we cancel flights before snow arrives?

We use numerous tools and resources to help us predict the weather. When forecasts tell us to expect snow or ice, we know we need to act. Freezing temperatures and precipitation mean that we need to deice aircraft before they can safely fly. Much like putting chains or studded tires on your car before hitting a snowy road, deicing aircraft slows down operation. This means we can’t move normal number of aircraft into and out of the airport. In order to reduce traffic jams, they need to proactively cancel flights from schedule so they can keep as many aircraft moving as possible.

If need to cancel flights, they try and let impacted guests know as early as possible. This means it could look clear and beautiful outside, but your flight tomorrow may have been canceled.

Why does an airplane need to be deiced?

Whenever there’s any snowfall or ice on aircraft, it begin deicing procedures as part of safety protocol. Aircraft cannot safely operate if there is snow or ice accumulation on the wings or tails, so it’s critical that remove it before takeoff.

It has a full fleet of trucks, equipment and personnel across stations ready to do that work, along with a well-stocked amount of deicing solution. They work as quickly as the airport and weather conditions will safely allow. However, deicing aircraft at the gate can lead to longer wait times on the tarmac—but safety comes first.

How to be a pro winter traveler

Download mobile app to check-in, pay for bags and stay up to date on any changes to your reservation—it’s like having a travel agent at your fingertips.
Always check the status of your flight before heading to the airport. You can do this on mobile app or alaskaair.com.
Allow extra time to travel to the airport and navigate security.
Stay up to date on restrictions for unaccompanied minors and pets flying in the cargo hold. Often during winter weather, it will impose these restrictions to keep everyone safe.

What to do if your flight is canceled?

If your flight has been canceled, you will be contacted and reaccommodated on another flight. You will be emailed a special phone number to call if you need further help with your reaccommodation.

Airlines

IndiGo, India’s Leading Airline, Orders 30 Airbus A350-900 Aircraft

Today, IndiGo, India’s leading low-cost carrier, made headlines by placing its largest-ever order for A350 aircraft. This substantial move follows Air India’s order last year, signaling IndiGo’s strategic expansion into the wide-body aircraft market.

The Airbus A350, renowned for its advanced technology and spacious design, has become a prime choice among airlines worldwide. IndiGo’s decision to invest in the A350 stems from its growing international route network, where larger capacity and extended range are essential.

Following the announcement, IndiGo’s stock prices surged, reflecting investor confidence in the airline’s ambitious growth plans. The initial order encompasses 30 jets, with options for an additional 70 aircraft in the future. While specific configurations are pending, IndiGo is inclined towards the A350-900 variant, favored by many airlines for its versatility.

.@IndiGo6E weren't kidding when they said they have big plans for big planes.
The @Airbus #A350-900 ordered today will sit on top of this table when delivered in 2027.
Can't wait to see the #A350 in 6E's iconic livery. Until then here is a render made by @aeroconcepts1 #AvGeek pic.twitter.com/D75a7Qs0jO— VT-VLO (@Vinamralongani) April 25, 2024

Indian aviation enthusiasts have eagerly welcomed IndiGo’s bold move, anticipating the arrival of the A350-900 aircraft starting in 2027. Furthermore, the airline retains purchase rights for an impressive 70 more A350 family aircraft, signaling its long-term commitment to enhancing its fleet and expanding its global footprint.

Airlines

US DOT says Airlines must now pay automatic refunds for cancelled flights

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has released a final regulation requiring airlines to quickly reimburse passengers with automatic cash refunds when owed, according to a statement made by the Biden-Harris Administration.

Under the new regulation, passengers will find it easier to get refunds when airlines dramatically alter or cancel flights, cause severe delays for checked baggage, or don’t supply the additional services they paid for.

According to a statement from the Biden-Harris Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has published a final rule mandating airlines to promptly compensate customers with automatic cash refunds when they are eligible. The new rule would make it simpler for customers to receive refunds from airlines in cases when they drastically change or cancel flights, cause significant delays for checked luggage, or fail to provide the extra services they charged for.

Under the latest rule from the USDOT, passengers are guaranteed refunds in several scenarios:

Canceled or Significantly Changed Flights: Passengers are entitled to refunds if their flight is canceled or significantly altered, including changes in departure or arrival times exceeding 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally, departures or arrivals from different airports, increased connections, downgrades in service class, or changes less accommodating to passengers with disabilities.
Delayed Baggage Return: Passengers filing mishandled baggage reports can claim a refund for checked bag fees if their luggage is not returned within specific timeframes after flight arrival.
Unprovided Extra Services: If airlines fail to deliver paid extra services like Wi-Fi, seat selection, or inflight entertainment, passengers can request refunds for those fees.

The final rule streamlines the refund process, ensuring it is:

Automatic: Refunds are issued automatically without requiring passengers to request them.
Prompt: Airlines must refund credit card purchases within seven business days and other payment methods within 20 calendar days.
In Original Form of Payment: Refunds are provided in the original payment method used for purchase.
Full Amount: Passengers receive full refunds minus the value of any portion of transportation already used, including government and airline fees.

Suggest banning family seating junk fees and ensuring that parents can travel with their kids at no additional cost. No airline promised to ensure fee-free family seating prior to efforts from President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg last year. Family seating is now guaranteed free of charge on four airlines, and the Department is working on a plan to eliminate family seating junk fees.

Propose to make passenger compensation and amenities mandatory so that travelers are taken care of when airlines cause flight delays or cancellations.

Airlines

The Nine Freedoms of the Air – Jetline Marvel

Most of us travel from one city to another city via road we need to get permission to that specific city if it is in another country like a visa or Road access permission to use its property for revenue purposes to carry passengers and Cargo. Similarly, In the airline Industry, it is also important that the Company have permission to fly and access that country whether it’s for stoppage flying above them, or Operating the passengers within that country This is called Freedom of the Air.

Some countries together they agree with certain conditions to access their Aerospace for to access for the airline to travel above their nation. If the bilateral is done for Their own countries’ airlines or other countries’ airlines. In this chapter, we understand how this thing is carried out. What all the condition has to look into that.

The Freedoms of the Air are international commercial aviation agreements (traffic rights) that grant a country’s airline(s) the privilege to enter and land in another country’s airspace. They were formulated in 1944 at an international gathering held in Chicago (known as the Chicago Convention) to establish uniformity in world air commerce. There are generally considered to be nine freedoms of the air.

Most nations of the world exchange first and second freedoms through the International Air Services Transit Agreement. The other freedoms,chase freedom airline miles when available, are usually established between countries in bilateral or multilateral air services agreements. The third and fourth freedoms are always granted together. The eighth and ninth freedoms (cabotage) have been exchanged only in limited instances

First Freedom:

The basic permission granted to an airline from one country (A) to fly through the airspace of another country (B)

Second Freedom:

The permission for a commercial airplane from country (A) to land and refuel (often called a technical stop) in another country (B).

Third Freedom :

The privilege for an airline to transport paying (Revenue) passengers from its home country (A) to another country (B).

Fourth Freedom

The rights for an airline to transport paying (Revenue )passengers from another country (B) to the airline’s home country (A).

Fifth Freedom

Fifth Freedom (also known as beyond rights): The rights for an airline to transport passengers from its home country (A) to a destination (B), then pick up and carry passengers to other international destinations (C).

Sixth Freedom:

Sixth Freedom (Combination of Third & Fourth Freedoms) The right for an airline to carry passengers or cargo between two foreign countries (B and C), provided the aircraft touches down in the airline’s home country (A).

Seventh Freedom:

The authorization for an airline to operate flights that start in a foreign country (B), skip its home country (A), and transport passengers to another international destination (C).

Eighth Freedom Air

The rights for an airline to transport passengers from one location within a country’s territory (B) to another point within the same country on a flight originating in the airline’s home country (A). This right is commonly referred to as cabotage and is notably scarce outside of Europe.

Ninth Freedom Air

The entitlement for an airline from a specific country (A) to begin a flight in a foreign country (B) and transport passengers from one location to another within that foreign country. This concept, also referred to as stand-alone cabotage, distinguishes itself from the traditional aviation definition of cabotage by not directly involving the airline’s home country.