Ultra-low cost carrier Frontier Airlines is doubling in size. The expansion, announced Tuesday, will add 21 new cities and 85 new routes to the airline's network. By the summer of 2018, Frontier will operate 314 non-stop flights. That's double what it flies today. "These new flights will allow us to serve even more of America and make flying a truly affordable option," said CE Barry Biffle. Sunny locales like Tampa, Miami, Orlando, Fort Myers, Fla., and Cancun, Mexico will all get expanded service and its base in Denver will get 19 new destinations. With its expansion, the airline says it will serve 90% of the population in the continental US. Over the last decade, the carrier has been transformed from a bankrupt legacy carrier into a rapidly expanding, ultra-low cost airline under new management. The Denver-based airline filed for an IPO in March and is eager to show its growth potential to investors.<br/>The number of passengers flown by Frontier grew by more than 15% last year and its planes were more full than any carrier. The expansion, however, largely steers clear of territory dominated by ultra-low cost rival Spirit Airlines, which has a similar no-frills business model.<br/>
unaligned
Low-cost carrier Norwegian has performed its first commercial transatlantic flights using the Boeing 737 MAX, with two aircraft now in revenue service. The first Norwegian 737 MAX transatlantic sector was operated July 15 by an aircraft named “Sir Freddie Laker,” who is widely recognized as a long-haul, low-cost pioneer. The Skytrain executive started long-haul, low-cost flights between London Gatwick and New York in 1977, with fares starting at GBP59. Norwegian’s 189-seat 737 MAX operated between Edinburgh and Hartford, Connecticut, followed by a second rotation from Edinburgh to Stewart International in New York. The 737 MAX offers longer range compared with older narrowbodies, opening up smaller transatlantic city pairs at an affordable cost and fare price. Norwegian will take delivery of six 737 MAXs this summer, joining the two it already has in service. The other four 737 MAXs will be delivered over the coming weeks.<br/>
THAI Smile is finally set to integrate its reservation system with that of parent THAI on Aug 1 after delays and inflated costs. The change the reservation and ticketing system, from the present Navitaire system to the Amadeus Altea Suite, promises to increase booking efficiency, making it more convenient, accurate and faster. The system will also support connectivity with other airlines, according to THAI Smile acting chief executive Wiwat Piyawiroj. He said the system will be implemented in four key areas: reservation, ticketing, inventory and check-in for departure control. This would result in greater efficiency of THAI Smile's passenger services and staff performance. THAI Smile's migration is meant to create greater integration with THAI, which is seeking to have the group's subsidiary airlines, including Nok Air, operate as a team. <br/>