Don Casey, senior VP for revenue management at American Airlines, says that American Airlines is considering offering a bare-bones, no-frills ticket on certain international flights. American Airlines, like several of its rivals, added so-called “basic economy” tickets earlier this year on many domestic flights. The low-cost ticket gets you an economy seat but almost all other services, including seat selection, checked bags and food, cost extra. Casey did not use the term “basic economy” when he talked about the new international seats. Instead, he used the industry term “unbundled,” which refers to a ticket for a seat, without any extras. American Airlines officials said the carrier may add the new cheap seats next year. <br/>
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The union that represents American Airlines flight attendants has blasted Pittsburgh International’s plan to allow non-passengers through airport security in order to patronise airport stores and restaurants. But Christina Cassotis, CE of the Allegheny County Airport Authority, says Pittsburgh is a unique airport, a onetime hub for American predecessor US Airways, that has “lots of room” and that continues to prioritise safety and security. “Allowing the non-flying public to go through security at the…airport for the sole purpose of shopping is a terrible precedent and an ill-conceived decision,” said the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. “Beyond security concerns, having shoppers clog already frustratingly long TSA security lines will lead to flight delays and more passengers missing flights”. <br/>
Passengers flying British Airways to Orlando next summer who value their space should avoid flying Fridays or the first flight of the day Saturdays. Those are the services which will feature BA’s new “densified” jets, with 52 more seats squeezed into the same planes. It was revealed in November that the airline plans to add an extra seat to each row of economy on Gatwick-based Boeing 777 aircraft. They will be 10 abreast, rather than the current 9 across, which will continue on 777s based at Heathrow. IAG CE Willie Walsh said the move would allow British Airways to “lower the average cost per seat, charge a lower price and stimulate demand”. BA’s CE and chairman, Alex Cruz, said the densification of the 777 would bring seat costs below Norwegian’s 787. <br/>
As part of its premium-product revamp, British Airways is to offer airside transfers for business-class passengers who are at risk of misconnecting. The service, Premium Transfer Drive, will be available at London Heathrow for passengers connecting from UK domestic services to short-haul flights in business class (Club Europe); long-haul premium cabins (Club World and First); and silver- and gold-tier Executive Club members. BA will track these connecting passengers and, if they are at risk of missing their onward flights, automatically provide an airside car transfer. BA is fitting its short- and long-haul fleets with Wi-Fi over the next 2 years. “As Wi-Fi is introduced on our aircraft, we’ll also be able to use that to communicate directly with customers about their onward flight,” BA said. <br/>
Airberlin will cancel its operations between Berlin and Abu Dhabi starting Sept 15 just weeks after the airline filed for insolvency. Etihad Airways, which owns nearly 30% of Airberlin, said that it is rebooking its customers onto alternative Etihad flights. The cancellation of flights to Abu Dhabi comes as Airberlin grapples with uncertainty over its future after Etihad Airways said it is withdrawing financial support for the German carrier. Media reports suggest Airberlin will also be cancelling other long-haul flights including some routes to the US. In mid-August, Etihad said it will not offer further funding to the struggling carrier, and described Airberlin’s move to file for administration as “extremely disappointing for all parties.” <br/>
Qantas is to base 4 of its forthcoming Boeing 787-9s in Brisbane, Australia. Qantas has 8 787-9s on order, with the first due to arrive in October. The first batch of 4 will be stationed in Melbourne, Australia, with the first of the Brisbane-based batch due to arrive in mid-2018. All four aircraft are scheduled to be in place by the end of 2018. From Brisbane, the 787-9 is capable of flying nonstop to destinations such as Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco and Vancouver. The new aircraft will initially replace Boeing 747s; the 787-9s’ greater range opens up more potential destinations than can be reached by the 747s. The airline’s first four Melbourne-based 787-9s will operate the Melbourne-Los Angeles route from December, and the Melbourne-London (via Perth) route from March. <br/>