On Monday JetBlue announced its new JetPaws program, which basically is trying to make flying (or jetting, if you’re into JetBlue 
) easier for those traveling with pets. They’re even selling a JetPaws pet carrier to go along with the program. The airline has also released a guide for traveling with a pet, which includes lists of pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, and parks, as well as animal hospitals.
This was the part of the press release I found interesting, though:
As part of the new program, customers will also receive two bonus award points for each flight through JetBlue’s TrueBlue customer loyalty program, helping two-legged customers earn free travel faster when traveling with Fido or Fluffy.
Well, now your pet doesn’t have to be lonely when you go on a mileage run! 
There is also a contest going on:
To celebrate the launch of JetPaws, today through December 30, 2008, the value airline is hosting the ‘JetBlue Pet Look-Alike’ photo contest (a) on www.jetblue.com/jetpaws, where customers can find information on how to submit their favorite resemblance photo of them and their pet.
You can find more information about the program here.
In yesterday’s post I wondered if the internationally configured Delta and Northwest 757s would receive Wi-Fi, which wasn’t exactly clear in the press release. Those aircraft will not have Wi-Fi installed so passengers are out of luck if they’re on a domestic flight with one of those aircraft. Thanks to the Delta Corporate Communications office for their quick reply and help.
Well, according to this press release from yesterday, Delta is launching inflight Wi-Fi today. The service is available on 5 Delta Shuttle aircraft, and one 757. As part of the launch, the internet service is free on the shuttle flights from today until December 31. The prices will be the same as American’s – $9.95 for flights under three hours, and $12.95 for the longer flights.
I find it interesting to compare how American and Delta are launching Wi-Fi. American’s service is available on 767-200s, often used on transcons (and New York-Miami), while Delta is starting with the shuttles. It appears to me that both airlines are trying to attract business travelers. But, will that many people buy Wi-Fi on a relatively short shuttle flight? Personally, I’d be more likely to buy it on the longer flights. I guess it will eventually be a moot point in Delta’s case*, as the press release also explained how the service will expand:
Delta expects 10 aircraft to be in service by the end of this year. Throughout 2009, Delta will continue to add Inflight Internet across its domestic fleet, first on MD-88, MD-90, Boeing 757 and Boeing 737 aircraft, expanding to the remaining domestic fleet of Boeing 767-300 aircraft by late 2009. In addition, Delta and Aircell will begin the certification process for the mainline domestic fleet of the airline’s Northwest subsidiary in early 2009 with Gogo installations scheduled to begin in late 2009.
The mention of domestic 767-300s got me thinking – what about the 757s? Both Delta and Northwest have some in an international configuration – will they get the Wi-Fi? I’ve e-mailed Aircell, hopefully they will get back to me.
Speaking of Delta, the airline announced this morning that it will begin flying Detroit-Rome on a Northwest A330 starting in June.
*Note: Does anyone know American’s plans for expansion of Wi-Fi? I really haven’t found anything.
Well, the headline is relatively self explanatory. On Friday, Aer Lingus said it would remove its fuel surcharge on long-haul flights. This is certainly good news for consumers. The more important question, I think, is what the other airlines will be doing. Aer Lingus’ decision will most likely bring down fares to Ireland for all airlines, but it probably won’t have an effect on other international markets. That being said, I think we’ll continue to see a drop in fuel surcharges (and maybe some airlines will remove them outright like Aer Lingus), with oil under control, and more importantly, with weakened international demand.
Quick Note: I have finals this week, so my posts might be a bit short (like this one) and sporadic for the next couple of days.
Hat tip to my friend Rick for passing this along. The Delta blog did have some photos of the ex-Northwest bird in Delta colors, but they only showed parts of it. Now full images can be found in the Airliners.net forum.
My feelings are mixed. I like the way the tail looks. But, I think there should be a bit more blue on the fuselage and the title should be bigger.
I will miss the Northwest livery for sure, though.
What do you think of it?
Today’s video is one of my favorite airline commercials ever. It was released post-9/11 by United, and I think for that time period, the spot served its purpose quite well. (The fact that Rhapsody in Blue is one of my favorite songs is another reason why I like it so much.)
To see a longer video from the same campaign (which is also great), click here.
Via ATW:
“We are now working on a new concept that we can see up to 50 member carriers in the future. That could mean maybe 30 or 40 or even more carriers.” (Said by Star CEO Jaan Albrecht)
Albrecht said it is talking to “several carriers” regarding future membership, especially in Africa and Latin America. “But we don’t need a hub in the desert. We are not talking to Middle East carriers about joining Star,” he said.
I can’t say I was really expecting to read this. 50 members? I think Star still has room for growth, but I’m not sure if it has that much.
I certainly agree that Star can grow in Africa and especially Latin America, but I really don’t understand why Star wouldn’t want to try tapping the Middle East market a bit more. And plus, doesn’t EgyptAir count as a Middle Eastern carrier? (Unless if Star considers them African)
Southwest released a new schedule on December 9. The changes are pretty minor – take a look at this PDF which lists them. All of the changes are +/- 1 frequency. There is one new flight: Denver-Tuscon.
Many of them could be seasonal changes. Bill Owen, the Lead Planner in the Scheduling Department writes:
We’re also acting big-time on seasonal traffic shifts. These happen every year, but in the past we weren’t really able to rip-and-tear our schedule to take advantage of them. This year, we’re all over it!
For example, my home airport (PVD) lost one MCO flight and one TPA flight. There’s a chance PVD might get them back in the winter.
Bill also had a bit of a “cliffhanger” at the end of his post:
Now because I know you guys will ask, because you notice EVERYTHING….we’re taking the very unusual (for us) tactic of only opening up our Summer schedule until the end of June Instead of opening it up into August. We’re still working on a few things, so stay tuned. Don’t worry, we plan to open up the rest of the Summer for sale early next year.
I’m interested!
To be honest, I’m somewhat surprised Southwest didn’t cut more flights, considering that the November traffic numbers were relatively low. But, obviously, they know more than I do!
Today, JetBlue announced it was resuming service between Boston and San Francisco, starting May 1. According to this article, it will go until September 8 with one roundtrip a day.
So, is this a response to Virgin America? Maybe, I really don’t know. It could have very well been part of JetBlue’s summer schedule with some increased service. Regardless, it’s nice that consumers will have an extra flight now.
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