Another week has gone by, and it’s been a busy one in the airline industry.
In addition to the usual new route announcements, launches, and a few cuts, a sinkhole appeared at LaGuardia (LGA). Meanwhile, the Oneworld lounge at Los Angeles‘ Tom Bradley International Terminal (LAX) got a much-needed refresh, and Lufthansa added Singapore (SIN) to its Allegris route network.
However, we’ll start with news that the end might be in sight for troubled low-cost airline Norse Atlantic.
Is It Finally the End for Low-Cost Transatlantic Travel?
While it’s currently still flying, Norwegian long-haul, low-cost airline Norse Atlantic has appointed JP Morgan to help turn its finances around through a potential sale or merger.
After several airlines — such as Iceland Express, Norwegian (long-haul), PLAY, Primera Air, and WOW Air, have tried and failed — is it time for Norse to take the hint and give up? Successfully operating as a low-cost carrier on long-haul routes with such slim margins is tough in any market, let alone in a highly competitive one like that between the U.S. and Europe.
LaGuardia’s Mysterious Sinkhole
A sinkhole chose the Memorial Day travel period to appear in one of LaGuardia‘s 2 runways on Wednesday, resulting in hundreds of delays and cancellations. Relatively normal service resumed on Thursday, even though the runway remained closed for repairs. The teams on the ground are working to make the holiday weekend travel as smooth as possible despite the circumstances.
New Routes That Launched This Week
On Wednesday, Delta started North America’s only nonstop flight to Olbia (OLB) on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia. And on Thursday, Porter Airlines established a new connection between Austin (AUS) and Toronto (YYZ). In fact, this week was a kickstart to the summer season for Canadian airlines as Air Canada launched the nation’s only nonstop service to Palma de Mallorca, Spain (PMI) from Montréal (YUL).
Air Transat, Canada’s leisure airline, expanded its presence in the U.K. with a new nonstop service connecting the nations’ capital cities with a new flight from Ottawa (YOW) to London Gatwick (LGW).
LAX’s Oneworld Business Lounge Refresh
Oneworld airline passengers departing Los Angeles’ (LAX) Tom Bradley International Terminal now have a swish new lounge to enjoy before their flight. After opening as a Qantas lounge over a decade ago, the joint Oneworld lounge has increased capacity and received a fresh look.
Officially a joint venture between British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas, eligible passengers flying other Oneworld airlines from the terminal, such as Fiji Airways, also have access.
Allegiant Doubles Down on Florida
In October, Allegiant will expand its presence in Florida with 8 new routes. From Fort Lauderdale (FLL), the leisure airline will serve Boston (BOS), Kansas City (MCI), Omaha (OMA), and Pittsburgh (PIT).
Elsewhere in the Sunshine State, Allegiant will add service from Clearwater (PIE) to Philadelphia (PHL) and Colombia, Missouri (COU), as well as from Orlando Sanford (SFB) to Trenton, New Jersey (TTN), and between Punta Gorda (PGD) and La Crosse, Wisconsin (LSE).
JetBlue Cuts Several Routes in Network Reprioritization
After using Spirit’s demise to grow in Fort Lauderdale recently, JetBlue is reassessing where to send its planes to maximize profits. Unfortunately, that’s meant some popular leisure routes have been axed, mainly affecting Newark (EWR) and Manchester, New Hampshire (MHT).
Manchester will lose JetBlue’s nonstop services to Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers (RSW), and Orlando (MCO). And from Newark, JetBlue is cutting its routes to Aruba (AUA), Cancun (CUN), Punta Cana (PUJ), Santo Domingo (SDQ), and Tampa (TPA).
Additionally, JetBlue is ending service between Hartford (BDL) and Tampa and from Orlando to San José, Costa Rica (SJC).
Lufthansa’s Allegris Flies to More Cities
Also this week, German flag carrier Lufthansa added Singapore (SIN) to its slowly growing list of destinations to which it will send its Allegris-equipped aircraft. It brings the total to 21 airports, including 7 Asian cities, 3 destinations in Africa, 2 in South America, and 9 in North America.
As Lufthansa takes delivery of more Allegris-equipped aircraft and completes the retrofit of others, more destinations will be gradually added.
Final Thoughts
There was a little bit of everything this week, from lounges and routes to sinkholes and signs of trouble.
Have a great Memorial Day weekend, and we’ll be back next week with more airline and aviation news you might have missed.