Alaska’s Purchase of Hawaiian Passes DOJ MusterThe pending merger of Alaska and Hawaiian took a major step forward this week when the US Department of Justice (DOJ) allowed the clock to run out on its opportunity to file a lawsuit to block the deal. We’re told that DOJ spokesperson Chris Webber tried to call a time-out just before the clock expired, but the agency didn’t have any left.
The DOJ’s time expired Tuesday without it objecting, and the transaction now awaits approval from the Department of Transportation before it can move towards completion. The current deal calls for Alaska to pay $18 for each share of Hawaiian which includes Hawaiian’s $900 million in debt and its priceless reserves of POG juice located in a cave on Oʻahu.
If the deal closes, it would be the largest merger in the industry since 2016 when Alaska scooped up Virgin America after it outbid JetBlue.
Southwest Extends, ExpandsSouthwest Airlines extended its schedule through April 7 of next year, opening its booking window for spring break travel while also adding seven new routes and increasing its menu of redeye offerings.
The routes for Southwest include Saturday only flights between Nashville and both Los Cabos and Punta Cana plus Sacramento to Puerto Vallara. The carrier added two cities to its Austin operation, with flights from AUS to Milwaukee and Reno, two cities that are often confused for each other. Lastly, it’ll fly between Nashville and Indianapolis, a route that will be especially popular to residents of both cities who don’t own cars, and from Sacramento to Tucson.
Redeyes are being added to torture travelers in three more western cities, Denver, San Diego, and Sacramento, complementing the three cities it announced weeks ago — Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. Redeye service is expected to begin as soon as its pilots figure out a decent sleep schedule.
Qatar to Take 25% Stake in AirlinkQatar Airways is acquiring a one-quarter stake in South African regional carrier Airlink as it continues to diversify its airline holdings around the world.
QR currently has an ownership piece of IAG and Cathay Pacific, but this will be its first foray into owning part of an African-based airline. The two airlines already have a codeshare agreement, although Airlink also has a codeshare with Emirates, an… air link… that could be on its way out now.
Both Qatar and Airlink are hopeful this cash infusion into the regional carrier will allow it to expand its offerings, both from a network and fleet standpoint. Airlink exclusively flies Embraer jets, but when this agreement is finalized, an opportunity could present itself to add narrowbody aircraft.
The transaction is still subject to regulatory approval in South Africa.
Delta Announces Thing That Sounds Like a Thing, Isn’t Really a ThingDelta Air Lines announced the launch of a new program — Delta Business Traveler — which it describes as the first time a U.S. airline has launched a program dedicated to business travelers regardless of the size or relationship with the airline. That’s all well and good, but the actual program itself has about as much value as those 10,000 SkyMiles it offered up when Delta Crowdstrike melted down last month.
In a shocking turn for Delta, the program is free to join — for now. It’s only valid for U.S. residents, and comes with an endless amount of perks including:
Six months of complimentary Hertz Five Star status — a status which comes with expedited bail service if you’re arrested for stealing a car you’ve already returned A free trial and then $99 monthly rate from Industrious, a coworking space with offices located around the world, likely in nowhere that’s convenient or helpful for you And three bonus miles per dollar spent when booking hotels and cars through Delta Vacations — so adding three SkyPesos when choosing one of the least economical and efficient ways to book a hotel stay or rental car
FAA Finally Solves Everything, Can RetireThe Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) solved the problem of the on/off relationship it had with “no smoking” signs in passenger cabins. Despite smoking having been banned on all flights for 30 years now, the FAA had not amended its regulation that “no smoking” signs have the ability to be turned off by the captain despite there literally never ever being a reason to need that functionality.
In a testament to government efficiency, the FAA has spent the last three decades requiring airlines to apply for — and then it would grant — an exemption to be required to have a “no smoking” sign that could be turned on and off, but this new policy will remove this requirement. It will likely come as a relief to just about everyone in the industry, with the exception of the person at the FAA whose job it was to review the requests for exemption.
Air Astana took delivery of a new A320neo.
Air Canada pilots authorized a strike to begin as early as mid-September.
Air Greenland and Icelandair are adding technical stops on their flights to Nuuk.
Allegiant had a slight decline in July traffic compared to last year. But it’s got that resort in Florida, so everything is fine!
American is suspending Israel service through the end of 2024 and into April of 2025.
ANA is adding winter service to Istanbul, Milan, and Stockholm.
Azul is adding wifi on its long-haul flights via Viasat.
Cabo Verde Airlines is seeking a Dash-8 wet-lease. Anyone reading this who has an available Dash-8 that is properly staffed with flight crew, cabin crew, and a mechanical team should contact the airline immediately. Tell them Cranky sent you and we get a $200 referral fee.
Centrum Air is set to receive its first A321neo.
Delta is now the official airline of Caitlin Clark the WNBA.
Discover is adding planes and making its premium classes a little fancier.
Emirates‘s dream is to purchase five A380s after their leases end later this year.
Etihad plans to debut its A321LR next fall.
Flair‘s new CFO is Sumanth Rao whose first order of business was to add pasta sauce for sale on all flights.
FlyGabon delayed its debut to August 31. Update your plans accordingly.
interCaribbean Airways needs to get better. Or else.
JAL signed a codeshare agreement with Air Astana, giving the two carriers a lockdown on the coveted Japan – Kazakhstan corridor.
JetBlue is offering a new status match for Alaska, American, Delta, and United elite members.
Jetstar Flight 507 was parked after arriving in Melbourne when a passenger opened the emergency exit, walked along the wing, and climbed down the engine before being arrested. Quite honestly, it’s far less impressive than if he had done it after being arrested.
Juneyao Air is finally flying between Melbourne and Shanghai.
Lufthansa extended its Middle East flight suspensions through August 26. It also added a new B777F.
MYAirline has $4 million less today than it did yesterday.
Oman Air showed off its new Business Studio.
Qantas retired its final B737-400 freighter.
Qatar is increasing the amount of airplanes it flies to some airports.
Ryanair is not interested in the slots ITA is giving up as part of the Lufthansa merger because if they can’t be won in a courtroom, what good are they?
Sun Country FAs voted to authorize a strike.
SWISS extended its suspensions to both Beirut and Tel Aviv through August 26.
TAROM sold its slots at London/Heathrow to Qatar.
United picked up a win in court.
Virgin Australia is adding its VA code on Air New Zealand operated Trans-Tasman flights between Australia and New Zealand.
My dog accidentally swallowed my entire bag of Scrabble tiles this morning. We had to drop him off at the vet to get looked at.
I called a few minutes ago to see if they had an update — no word yet.
