Southwest CEO Gary Kelly on Wednesday said he is optimistic that Congress can pass a national coronavirus relief package that includes airline aid despite a monthslong impasse between lawmakers and the White House. Airlines earlier this year received $25b in federal payroll support which prohibits job cuts and requires minimum service levels through Sept. 30. With that date a week away, airline CEOs, including Kelly, have met with government officials and lawmakers in Washington in a last-minute plea for additional aid for the sector struggling with demand at less than a third of last year’s levels because of the pandemic. Like other airline chiefs, Kelly said the carrier doesn’t expect a strong rebound in air travel anytime soon. “We’re very hopeful they can come to an agreement and get that passed and help the economy and obviously help the travel industry,” Kelly said. The proposal has won bipartisan support on Capitol Hill and from the White House, but lawmakers and the Trump administration have repeatedly failed to reach a deal on a new national coronavirus package that would include that aid. Even without additional aid Southwest is reluctant to further cut capacity because it could end up causing more pain for the airline, Kelly said.<br/>
unaligned
An Israeli airliner flew to Bahrain on Wednesday, tracking data showed, just days after the two countries inked a normalisation accord backed by the US. The Israir Airlines jet from Tel Aviv flew over Saudi Arabia to reach the Gulf state, according to data from the FlightRadar24 website. Israel's Yediot Aharonot newspaper reported senior government officials were on the plane. It comes a day after Netanyahu spoke by phone with Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman to map out the two countries' new relationship. They "reviewed potential areas of bilateral cooperation and relevant regional and international developments", the Gulf state's BNA news agency said. Bahrain's decision to normalise ties with Israel followed a similar move by the United Arab Emirates.<br/>
“A contactless, stress-free flying experience”: that is the promise from the leading Indian airline, SpiceJet – but only for passengers who pay extra to leave adjacent seats empty. Travellers who believe “hell is other people,” or wish to increase social distancing, are invited to select an aisle or window seat, and then add one or two additional seats. The message is: “Book from window to aisle, for your safety and smile.” The pricing on a test booking indicated that the empty seats are sold at about 60% of the “human” price. Between Delhi and Mumbai, the first flight of the day on 24 September is priced at 4,305 rupees (GBP46) for a single traveller and a seat assignment. The two extra seats are priced at 2,664 rupees (GBP28) each. A “private row” costs a total of GBP102, which represents a premium of 125%. Passengers who choose the option are told: “Just sit back, relax and enjoy a contactless, stress-free flying experience.” SpiceJet is also offering passengers Covid-19 insurance, covering “tests, medication and consultations during hospitalisation for positive diagnosis of Covid-19,” for the equivalent of £5.<br/>