Delta expanded its transpacific partnership with Korean Air June 14 as the Atlanta-based carrier announced a new nonstop route between Seattle-Tacoma International and Osaka, Japan’s Kansai International starting in 2019. Specific schedule details were not released. Delta will codeshare the flight with Korean Air, as part of the joint venture partnership launched between the airlines in May. Delta plans to fly the route with a Boeing 767-300ER equipped with 25 lie-flat seats in Delta One, 29 “comfort plus” seats and 171 main cabin seats. Concurrent with the Osaka route announcement, Delta said it had “made the difficult business decision” to end its nonstop Seattle-Hong Kong flights, with the last flight out of Hong Kong set for Oct. 4. Delta service between the two cities will continue, but will be offered via Seoul-Incheon on Korean Air.<br/>
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Despite a cloud over its future, Alitalia is decking out its flight attendants in sleek new uniforms designed by Alberta Ferretti featuring the colours of the Italian flag. The loss-making airline, once a symbol of Italy’s post-war economic boom, was put under special administration last year for the second time in a decade, struggling to compete against low cost carriers and high speed trains. Italy’s previous government had been looking for new investors, with easyJet, Lufthansa and Wizz Air all submitting expressions of interest. But the lengthy formation of a new anti-establishment government delayed the process. First contacts between the new administration and Alitalia could take place next week, a source familiar with the matter said. On Friday, Ferretti, known for her feminine style, unveiled a collection of navy blue dresses, skirts and pant suits for Alitalia staff, adorned with green and red striped bows and cuffs, and golden buttons. The designs were matched with red ties and silk scarves and combined with leather gloves and bags. “I wanted sober lines and for Italian elegance to travel around the world, she said. Alitalia CCO Fabio Lazzerini said the move was part of a broader effort to revamp the airline’s brand.<br/>
Delta recently created a special flight to help a group of Belgian tourists reach their South Dakota vacation after experiencing travel delays. The tourists boarded a flight from Amsterdam on May 31 as part of a reward trip for coffee roasters using creamer by Dutch dairy cooperative FrieslandCampina. But inclement weather delayed the initial flight's takeoff to Minneapolis, where travellers met further delays because of short staffing at the US Customs and Border Patrol checkpoint. The delays forced the tourists to miss their flight to Rapid City, South Dakota, said a cooperative representative. A Delta spokeswoman said the two options were accommodating the passengers in hotels that night, followed by an eight-hour bus ride to Rapid City, or something quicker. Airline officials soon identified a 160-passenger jumbo jet and crew available to take the roughly 20 tourists to their Black Hills destination. "It may not be the most cost effective option, but it's the right thing to do," the spokeswoman said.<br/>