Airlines

United Airlines launching apprenticeship program

Calibrate is a 36-month program that allows participants to “earn and learn”.

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The launch of Calibrate, an internal apprenticeship programme, by United Airlines today will help expand and diversify its pool of aircraft maintenance technicians (AMTs). The inaugural class will begin training next week in Houston as the airline plans to train more than 1,000 people at about a dozen locations by 2026, with the objective that at least half of them will be women or people of colour.

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Calibrate is a 36-month programme that allows participants to “earn and learn” by receiving compensation while undergoing full-time certification and training. Participants avoid paying the up to $50,000 cost of attending a technical school because they are paid while they learn.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, United, and the Federal Aviation Administration created the apprenticeship programme to speed up the process of becoming a United AMT and expand the airline’s pool of facility technicians and mechanics.

The second cohort of Calibrate apprentices is anticipated to begin in early 2023, also in Houston, and to spread to more than a dozen additional locations, including San Francisco and Orlando.

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At the top of their pay scale, United’s approximately 9,000 highly qualified and certified aircraft maintenance technicians receive combined wages and benefits of more than $140,000. The airline actively seeks out candidates from trade schools and the military for these highly skilled positions, and United offers entry-level positions as a path to a career in these fields. Many United executives began their careers as mechanics, including the present Vice President of Line Maintenance.

United is on track to hire more than 15,000 new team members systemwide and expects to hire over 15,000 new employees in 2023, including 7,000 maintenance technicians by 2026. This year alone, United has hired over 800 maintenance technicians and expects to hire 2,000 in 2023.

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.

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“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.

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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.