Passenger Experience
Air France to Retire Half of its Airbus A380 Fleet Starting Next Year
Air France announced it will retire half of its fleet of Airbus A380 super jumbos starting next year.
The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine airliner that was introduced in 2007 in conjunction with launch customer Singapore Airlines. It is the world’s largest passenger airliner.
It can provide seating for 525 passengers in a typical three-class configuration or as many as 853 people in an all-coach configuration.
The announcement was made by …
Expansion Planned for MacArthur Airport on Long Island
Local officials are planning a $60 million upgrade of Long Island MacArthur Airport, which is named after General Douglas MacArthur.
The town of Islip, which owns the airport, is seeking the funds from the federal government. Plans include a new 100,000-square-foot (9,290-square-meter) west concourse that will replace a far smaller building that opened in 1990 as well as upgrades for the baggage claim terminal. The 1990 terminal was intended to be …
Airlines Expect Record Number of Travelers This Thanksgiving
The number of passengers that will fly during this year’s 12-day Thanksgiving holiday period is expected to increase over last year’s figures. The Thanksgiving holiday falls on Thursday, November 22.
Figures released by Airlines for America, an industry trade group, predict that 30.6 million passengers will travel on U.S. airlines during the last two weeks of November. The forecast is a 5% increase over last year’s prediction of 29 million.
The trade …
American Airlines to Introduce New Meal Options in First on Domestic Flights
American Airlines will offer new dining options in first class on board domestic flights starting Wednesday.
The new menus, designed by chef Julian Barsotti, will include a variety of dishes with separate lunch and dinner menus.
The lunchtime options will include a Chinese chicken salad, American chopped salad, and TexMex salad, all accompanied by grilled chicken, as well as dishes such as spinach ricotta raviolini, cheese enchiladas, and a new cheeseburger.
Appetizers for …
Southwest Airlines to Test New Boarding Process
Southwest Airlines said it plans to test a new boarding process at several airports.
The airline said it will board passengers via two doors instead of just one, giving passengers the opportunity to use the door closest to their seats. Using the rear door may, at some airports, involve using airstairs and walking on the tarmac.
The tests will take place at four airports in California, namely Hollywood Burbank Airport, Long Beach …
U.S. Citizens to be Eligible to Use U.K. Self-Service ePassport Gates
The United Kingdom announced plans to allow travelers from five countries, including the United States and Canada, to use ePassport gates when arriving at the country’s airports starting next year.
Chancellor to the Exchequer Philip Hammond made the announcement in the House of Commons in the course of presenting the U.K.’s budget.
“We’ll open the use of ePassport gates at Heathrow and other airports, currently only available to EEA nationals, to include …
KLM Debuts New Delft Blue Miniature Dutch House
KLM unveiled a new Delft blauwe huis or Delft Blue miniature Dutch house.
The new huis is a depiction of the first store opened by Douwe Egberts, the Dutch coffee company, which is located in Friesland. The airline will also begin to serve Douwe Egberts coffee on all flights in Europe as well as on intercontinental flights.
Each house, which stands several inches tall, is filled with jenever, otherwise known as Dutch …
