Star Alliance, Oneworld and SkyTeam -- the three global airline alliances -- are once again leaning into technology integrations for facilitating smooth, multi-airline journeys. Take, for example, Oneworld CEO Nat Pieper's comments during an interview last month: "We want a Oneworld multicarrier ticket to be as simple to orchestrate from a guest perspective as if they were flying the same itinerary on one carrier," he said. "It should be all facets of the journey, from the time you search that itinerary to check-in." He added: "Ultimately, as I get off the airplane, if I've got an issue with my bag and I'm on a British Airways-operated flight but I want to use the American Airlines app -- we want you to be able to use whatever app you want to." Ambitions such as these aren't new for the alliances. But as the three have reached something close to global coverage, facilitating seamless, multicarrier journeys has become a priority. And with air carriers around the globe now better positioned to dedicate resources to these integrations than they have been since pre-Covid times, the alliances are starting to achieve significant milestones. SkyTeam, which counts Delta, Air France, KLM and Korean among its 19 members, now facilitates seamless multi-airline itinerary check-in on 95% of the group's global volume, said CEO Patrick Roux. For example, a flyer whose one-way itinerary includes flights on Delta and Korean can check in for both flights via either carrier's app. "It's becoming a completed project. We're almost there," Roux said. "The ambition is to have all the touch points of the customer journey in place and to be the first one to provide it." Meanwhile, Star Alliance, which counts United, Lufthansa, Turkish and Singapore among its 26 members, has enabled cross-airline free seat selection on 83% of connecting bookings, said Luc Lachoix, Star's vice president of digital and technology. Star's goal is to bring that number to 90% by the end of the year. The alliance also projects it will facilitate multi-airline bag tracking on 60% of Star itineraries this year.<br/>
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A United Airlines Holdings Inc. policy requiring flight attendants to provide a doctor’s note when calling in sick on certain days is being reviewed by the US Labor Department to see if it conforms to federal rules. The department said it had received “numerous recent inquiries” from workers about the change, the agency said Thursday in a statement. United told employees that starting July 21 it would require the extra documentation until further notice for those calling out sick for assigned flights or being on reserve for Friday, Saturday or Sunday. “We have seen a significant increase in sick calls over weekends this summer,” United said in an employee message seen by Bloomberg. Those requests have risen as much as 23%, suggesting “that some flight attendants are misusing sick leave.” The policy also requires those calling out to visit a doctor in person. The change doesn’t prevent taking approved unpaid leave, and complies fully with federal law and the carrier’s union contract, United said in an emailed statement. “The policy is narrowly tailored to the days when abuse has been occurring, and we hope to return to our usual approach of not requiring a doctor’s note soon,” the airline said. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents United crew members, has filed a grievance against the airline over the issue, saying it violates their contract is “burdensome and costly” and intended to discourage workers from taking medical leave. The union and airline are currently in negotiations for a new labor agreement. In the message announcing the policy, United cited a greater risk of disrupting operations when more employees than normal are off the job for illness. The rule also applies to those taking paid or unpaid sick time, or using sick leave to care for a spouse or child. Failure to submit the note from an accredited physician within 72 hours could result in disciplinary action or termination, the airline said.<br/>
Canadian flag carrier Air Canada has announced its latest airline partner. The Star Alliance carrier is already known for the number of airlines it allows its Aeroplan frequent flyer program members to redeem their points on, with the newest addition being Lufthansa Group subsidiary Eurowings. The low-cost airline is based in Düsseldorf, Germany, and is wholly owned by the Lufthansa Group. While Lufthansa is a Star Alliance member as a carrier, all of its subsidiaries are not members by default, so this presents a new opportunity for Aeroplan members to earn and spend miles on a new European carrier. Eurowings primarily serves domestic and European destinations from its main hubs, Düsseldorf and Hamburg. Aeroplan members can now earn Aeroplan points on all eligible Eurowings flights, Status Qualifying Miles, and a Status Qualifying Segment that count towards Aeroplan Elite Status. Eurowings flights ticketed by Air Canada also earn Status Qualifying Dollars. Aeroplan Members who do not hold Elite Status will earn points based on the actual distance flown and the booking class purchased. The process works slightly differently for those with status, as points are earned based on actual miles flown multiplied by the associated booking class accumulation percentage or the minimum points rule.<br/>
Avianca and Gol holding company Abra Group has signed a memorandum of understanding for five Airbus A350-900s. Abra did not disclose a delivery timeline for the aircraft nor specify which carrier would operate the type. Neither Abra carrier currently operates A350s. Colombian carrier Avianca operates Boeing 787 widebodies, while Brazilian operator Gol – which is currently undertaking a Chapter 11 financial restructuring – is an all-narrowbody operator. Abra CE Adrian Neuhauser says: “We believe the arrival of these five A350s, which offer a best-in-class passenger experience, are more fuel efficient and have a lower cost per seat than competitor aircraft, will allow us to strengthen our commitment to make travel more accessible and responsible. This also means better prices for customers with better connectivity between our continent and Europe, and will further consolidate Abra as one of the largest and most competitive air transportation groups in Latin America. The aircraft selection is consistent with the strategic announcements we have done this year and further executes on our long term vision.”<br/>
SAS Scandinavian Airlines (SK, Copenhagen Kastrup) is a step closer to exiting bankruptcy protection, currently scheduled for August 2024, after the Stockholm District Court approved its reorganisation plan in Sweden. The company's Swedish reorganisation is part of the overall turnaround plan approved during SAS's Chapter 11 process in the United States and is a condition precedent for the plan to become effective. Although the timetable may change, SAS anticipates emerging from restructuring in August, which will be contingent on fulfilling all necessary conditions, including regulatory approvals. There is also a three-week appeal period before the court's decision enters into legal force. As part of the Swedish reorganisation, all of the company's existing common shares and listed commercial hybrid bonds will be redeemed and cancelled. Against this background, the company has applied for the delisting of its existing common shares from Nasdaq Stockholm, Nasdaq Copenhagen, and Oslo Børs, and the delisting of its commercial hybrid bonds from Nasdaq Stockholm, pending the legal force of the reorganisation plan.<br/>