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Starting in April, American Airlines will introduce its basic economy fares on some trans-Atlantic flights. "We haven't announced markets yet," an airline spokesman said. "That will happen when tickets go on sale in April." American is making the fares available in conjunction with its trans-Atlantic partner carriers British Airways, Iberia and Finnair. “We're following the same playbook in this latest expansion as we did for the initial rollout of basic economy,” the airline said March 1. “That includes training that began this week for airports and reservations team members and making it available in a limited number of markets first to make sure we get it right.” Basic economy passengers on trans-Atlantic routes will be allowed to use overhead bins, unlike passengers on American’s domestic basic economy flights. <br/>

Ten months into the top job and Cathay Pacific CE Rupert Hogg’s to-do list hasn’t gotten any shorter. While its cargo business and passenger traffic, especially premium travellers, is recovering, inflated wage costs and ever-increasing competition from Chinese rivals are issues he has to contend with. Among these, fuel-hedging bets gone awry top the list: Losses from miscalculated oil-price bets are probably more than double the airline’s net loss for 2017. The airline is expected to report a full-year net loss of HK$2.7b (US$345m) for 2017, after a first-half deficit of HK$2.05b, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey of 5 analysts. The carrier has embarked on a 3-year plan announced in 2017 that includes 600 job cuts to reduce costs and help turn its fortunes around. <br/>