JetBlue Airways’ next challenge in its partnership with American Airlines is making sure travelers know whose plane they will be on. JetBlue is revamping its website to more clearly call out services it offers, like free Wi-Fi and snacks, or its business class, Mint, for jointly sold flights, JetBlue’s President and COO Joanna Geraghty said this week. “Transparency eliminates confusion,” Geraghty said. “It makes people feel comfortable if they know what they’re getting when they arrive, and it also enables us to talk about our great product offerings and enables American to talk about theirs.” The New York-based carrier shook up US airline service when it debuted in February 2000, offering seat-back screens with satellite TV, and has since offered its Mint business class at a lower price than competitors as well as more legroom than rivals. Competitors like United Airlines are in the process of making multibillion-dollar investments to improve customer amenities. American and JetBlue launched the Northeast Alliance in February, a partnership that allows the carriers to sell tickets on each other’s planes and coordinate schedules in the region. While JetBlue has grown rapidly over two decades, it remains small compared with big network carriers.<br/>
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Aer Lingus is to resume operations on its Knock to London Gatwick service on December 18th, in time for the busy Christmas period, it said on Friday. The service will return on a phased basis initially ahead of a planned full resumption of services in March. “This comes as welcome news for the west and northwest of Ireland following a suspension of the service for over 18 months as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Ireland West Airport. “The Gatwick service has been an ever present service at the airport since its commencement in 2009, and is a hugely important one from both a business, diaspora and tourism perspective.” Over the Christmas period the London Gatwick service will operate daily. The airport said the route provides “critically important” connectivity not just with the London market but as a gateway from the west of Ireland to Europe, with London Gatwick offering a wide range of international connections.<br/>
Virgin Atlantic Airways will double the number of services it operates to the US, adding back six routes suspended at the start of the coronavirus crisis as the Biden administration relaxes border curbs. The UK carrier will restore flights from London Heathrow to San Francisco starting Saturday, followed by links to Orlando, Florida, and Las Vegas next month, it said Friday. November will also see the resumption of services from Manchester to Orlando and New York, with Atlanta following in December. Richard Branson’s flagship airline is rebuilding capacity in a North Atlantic market that accounted for 80% of revenue before the pandemic shattered global travel. The surprise decision last month to lift an American ban on foreign visitorsprovided an immediate spur to demand, with bookings up 600% overnight. Virgin Atlantic will also extend unlimited free date and flight changes as a further enticement to customers concerned about the risk of renewed Covid curbs and lockdowns, stretching the rebooking horizon to April 2023. The US has yet to specify when Britons and other foreign nationals will be allowed in, saying only that a ban will lift in early November. Officials in a virtual meeting of G-7 transport and health ministers suggested the date could slip to mid-month, a person familiar with the matter has said.<br/>
"Twelve hours on your feet, flying from Kyiv to Zanzibar and back. If you wear high heels, you are hardly able to walk afterwards," says flight attendant Daria Solomennaya, 27. "That includes four hours of security checks and cleaning." She works for SkyUp Airlines, one of the youngest low-cost airlines in Europe, but one of the biggest in Ukraine. It has now decided to replace the old uniform from next month with a far more comfortable alternative. It isn't the first in Europe to do so, but for Ukrainians it is a sign that some of the old traditions are being swept away. When SkyUp surveyed its crews, it turned out that its female employees were fed up with their high heels, tight blouses and pencil skirts. "Many of my colleagues are permanent clients of podologists; their toes and toe-nails are constantly damaged by high heels," she complains. Varicose and spider veins are other frequent ailments. Several other airlines have already ditched elements of their dress codes that were previously considered standard in the industry. Ukraine's low-cost flier has gone further: out go the high heels, skirts and tight blouses, in come trainers, loose orange jackets and trousers.<br/>
Philippine Airlines received US court approval to access a $505m debtor-in-possession financing, which is core to its restructuring plan. “This important step confirms that our recovery process is on track,” Philippine Air President Gilbert Santa Maria said. Philippine Airlines received US court approval to access a $505m debtor-in-possession financing, which is core to its restructuring plan.“This important step confirms that our recovery process is on track,” Philippine Air President Gilbert Santa Maria said.<br/>