Atlantic Hoppers

Fuel prices will sharply reduce flights across the Atlantic

Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM and Alitalia will sharply reduce flights across the Atlantic starting this fall, after airlines added too many flights on those routes just as fuel prices shot up.

The change will leave travelers between the U.S. and Europe with fewer choices. Delta began adding more trans-Atlantic flying toward the end of 2010. In November it announced new flights from Boston to London and flights from Miami to London, as well as additional flights from New York to Paris and flights from Seattle to Amsterdam, among others.

Delta and its partners said they will cut flying capacity by seven percent to nine percent starting this fall. The reduction means that the amount of flying they do will drop about 15 percentage points compared to the growth they had planned previously, Delta President Ed Bastian said on Thursday.

Read more on The Seattle Times

Posted in No category | Comments Off

Icelandair reintroduces flights to Washington, DC

Since yesterday, 17th May, Icelandair has restarted the flights to Washington Dulles International Airport.

Icelandair operates flights from Reykjavik to Washington, but also from a range of European airports (connecting via Reykjavik): Amsterdam, Stockholm, Paris, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Glasgow, Helsinki, London, Manchester, Milan, Munich and Oslo. The added advantage of flying Icelandair is that it allows for a free stopover in Iceland on your way to Washington.

Once in Washington, Icelandair have put together what they call “5 of the coolest things to do”:

• Night tour of the FDR and Jefferson Memorials
• Hitting H Street and Barracks Row, two of the new “it” spots for a meal or drinks
• Having a drink on the top floor of the W Hotel overlooking the White House
• People watching and sipping margaritas on the outdoor patio at Lauriol Plaza near DuPont Circle
• Hire a bike and cycle from Georgetown to Great Falls on the C&O canal

Posted in No category | Comments Off

New flights from Charlotte, NC to Dublin and Madrid

US Airways have started this weekend a new seasonal Summer service from its Charlotte, NC hub to two European capitals: Dublin, Ireland and Madrid, Spain.

The new flights from Charlotte Douglas International Airport will operate through Sept. 30. Flights from Charlotte to Madrid begun on Friday, May 13, and flights from Charlotte to Dublin start today, Saturday, May 14.

Suzanne Boda, US Airways’ senior vice president of airport customer service, international and cargo said, “We’re deepening our commitment to growing our Charlotte hub by adding daily flights to two major European business and tourist destinations.”

The new flights will complement US Airways’ daily nonstop flights to Madrid and Dublin from Philadelphia, the airline’s international gateway. Last week, the airline reinstated seasonal summer flights from Philadelphia to Athens, Greece; Glasgow, Scotland; Lisbon, Portugal; and Venice, Italy. Seasonal summer service to Barcelona, Spain, began in March.

Posted in No category | Comments Off

New route from Frankfurt to Seattle, WA

From June 2011, every Monday and Thursday, Condor will launch new nonstop flights from Frankfurt to Seattle (Washington, USA), an important hub of Alaska Airlines.

“We are constantly searching for new exciting destinations for our guests”, underlines Achim Lameyer, Vice President Passenger Sales at Condor. “Seattle itself offers a great variety of attractive outdoor leisure and urban activities. Furthermore, our cooperation with Alaska Airlines allows connections with many cities along the US West Coast and within the Pacific region.”

Seattle is a perfect starting point for Alaska cruises and for walking and hiking tours in the famous Mount Rainier National Park. With a large number of museums and theaters, the well-known Seattle Symphony Orchestra or the Pacific Northwest Ballet, the cultural life leaves nothing to be desired. Or discover Seattle at night and follow the tracks of rock legend Jimi Hendrix.

Posted in No category | Comments Off

Condor launches flights from Frankfurt to Puerto Rico

German charter airline, Condor, included San Juan, Puerto Rican lively capital in their 2011/12 winter flight schedule. Flights from Frankfurt to San Juan will run twice a week.

Mountainous Caribbean state Puerto Rico has plenty on offer for all types of vacation: white sandy beaches with turquoise blue seas and stunning waterfalls in the midst of rich green rainforests captivate tourists as much as the historic buildings in San Juan, dating back to the era of Christopher Columbus. Savor a fruity piña colada, which was allegedly invented here, as you discover the colorful island nightlife. More than enough reasons to take an unforgettable trip to Puerto Rico.

Posted in No category | Comments Off

Air France to put A380 from Paris to San Francisco this summer

From 6 June to 4 September 2011, Air France will operate daily flights from Paris to San Francisco by Airbus A380.

Over the summer period, Air France is offering its customers the opportunity to discover the West coast of the United States on board this super jumbo with three bars divided between the two decks.

Flights from Paris CDG to San Francisco: 10:30 – 12:40
Flights from San Francisco to Paris CDG: 16:10 – 11:35 the next day

During summer 2011, Air France is operating 10 weekly flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and San Francisco, including one daily flight by A380 from 6 June to 4 September. This service is operated in partnership with Delta as part of the largest North-Atlantic joint venture with close to 250 daily flights.

Posted in No category | Comments Off

New summer flights from Zurich to Orlando

Edelweiss Air, a subsidiary of Swiss, announced it will operate new direct flights from Zurich to Orlando.

The flights will operate every Saturday between 2nd July and 10th September 2011:
Flights from Zurich to Orlando: 17:05-21:25
Flights from Orlando to Zurich: 23:15-14:30

Posted in No category | Comments Off

New US-Spain routes for Iberia

Due to a joint agreement with American Airlines and British Airways, Iberia is launching new transatlantic routes.

Iberia will introduce flights from Los Angeles to Madrid on March 28th. The route will be operated three times per week – Monday, Wednesdays, and Saturdays – and a fourth flight will be added in the July-September period.

The Spanish flag carrier states it will carry about 68,000 passengers in the first 12 months. Iberia network will also include connecting flights to and from Fresno, Medford, Santa Barbara, Honolulu and Sacramento.

Iberia’s routes from Barcelona will list a new transatlantic flight from Miami to Barcelona, that will be operated from March 29th every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Iberia expects to carry 53,000 passengers on this route in the first year of operation.

Posted in No category | Comments Off

New flights from Barcelona to Sao Paulo with Iberia

Iberia announced new flights from Barcelona to Sao Paolo, starting from the 19th June 2011.

There will be two flights per week, on Wednesdays and Sundays.

The other airline flying this route is Singapore Airline from March 28th 2011.

Posted in No category | Comments Off

KLM launches new flights from Amsterdam to Cuba

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will launch thrice-weekly flights from Amsterdam to Havana from 31 October.

This route is currently operated by Martinair, until 31 October.

KLM President & CEO Peter Hartman: “From the forthcoming winter schedule, KLM will markedly expand capacity to the Caribbean. Cuba is the perfect addition to KLM’s extensive global network. With Havana, we now offer even more options for Dutch holidaymakers departing from the Schiphol Mainport. What’s more, Cuba enjoys widespread popularity beyond the Netherlands amongst many European citizens, who can travel to this exceptional Caribbean destination within a day, transferring but once en route.”

Cuba offers tremendous diversity to tourists: from unspoilt nature and historical and cultural gems to luxury coastal resorts. KLM will depart from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport three times a week, flying directly to Havana using MD11 equipment, offering seats for 285 passengers: 24 in World Business Class and 261 in economy class. The flights to Cuba will be operated on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, departing from Schiphol at 13:15 hours and arriving in Havana at 17:45 hours. The return flights will depart from Havana at 19:45 hours, arriving in Amsterdam the following day at 10:45 hours.

Posted in No category | Comments Off