All your aviation news is in one spot, neat and tidy, so you can get on with your day with added knowledge.

So here’s that latest in our airline wrap!

Singapore Airlines subsidiary launches services to Sapporo 

Scoot, the long-haul, low-cost wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, will launch three-times-weekly services to Hokkaido Prefecture’s capital of Sapporo (New Chitose Airport) via Taipei from 1 October 2016.

This means that you can get a dose of shopping, skiing, slurping udon and spicy Singapore noodles, by teaming the two destinations together.

“Hokkaido has long been a favourite with Australians for winter skiing holidays, but there is so much else to see and do in Hokkaido throughout the year! The perfectly cool year-round climate, even in summer, makes it a breeze to enjoy Hokkaido’s famed seafood and agricultural produce, luxuriate in the freedom of self-drive tours, and appreciate its wealth of natural wonders like the renowned flower fields,” said Scoot CEO, Mr Campbell Wilson.

Scoot’s Singapore-Taipei-Sapporo services will be operated using spacious, wide-bodied 787 Dreamliners with improved humidity and cabin pressurization, the largest windows of any modern jet, more overhead compartment space, and which produce 20 percent less noise compared to conventional aircraft.

Air Canada’s new Premium Economy arriving earlier than expected

Air Canada has announced that its new Premium Economy Class product will now be available on its daily non-stop Sydney-Vancouver service from 11 May 2016 – one week earlier than originally scheduled.

Premium Economy offers more legroom and recline, along with wider seats equipped with an enhanced definition intuitive touch personal entertainment screen. In addition, Premium Economy passengers can enjoy premium meals and priority check-in and baggage delivery at the airport.

The new B777-200 aircraft also features a re-designed Economy cabin, offering an upgraded in-flight entertainment system available free at every seat.

Etihad Airways redefines airline competition

Etihad Airways has adopted a new partnership approach which defines a new model for airline competition.

President and CEO James Hogan said that in an industry dominated by legacy airlines, and with such high barriers to entry, no new network carrier could hope to compete effectively in its own. Yet without new competition, consumers around the world would suffer.

“The highest barrier is network. You can’t build a global network overnight – in fact, you’d need decades, and billions of dollars, to build networks that could compete against the major airline groups,” said Hogan.

Etihad Airways open partnership approach aims to work with scores of airlines on codeshare agreements and minority equity investments in strategically important airlines, in order to overcome this barrier.

“Together, we have been able to create a new competitive choice for air travellers in key markets around the world.  That’s good for consumers, good for tourism and good for trade,” said Hogan.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, delivers the keynote address at the monthly Wings Club luncheon held at The Yale Club in New York yesterday (21 April 2016).

Naan-Stop Discovery in India

Scoot has introduced services to Chennai, Amritsar and Jaipur, flying guests on its spacious 787 Dreamliner to inspiring India.

From 24 May, guests from Australia will be able to fly to Chennai via Singapore to visit India’s bustling ‘capital of the South’ – be it for business travel, visiting family and friends, or simply relishing the richest South Indian flavours to treat the senses.

Scoot’s launch in Chennai will complement the SIA Group’s existing services, while Scoot’s new services to Amritsar (also commencing 24 May) and Jaipur (commencing 2 October) will bring international travellers to the magnificent Golden Temple and the stunning Pink City on its all-787 Dreamliner fleet with spacious cabins and inflight features.

To mark its launch in India, Scoot is offering a limited-time promotion from now till 2359hrs onThursday, 28 April 2016. One-way Economy FLY fares to Chennai, Amritsar and Jaipur via Singapore start from AU$189 and AU$399 for ScootBiz. 

United Airlines Announces Strong First-Quarter 2016 Performance

United Airlines (UAL) today reported its first-quarter 2016 financial results.

• Excluding special items, UAL reported first-quarter net income of $435 million, earnings per share of $1.23 per diluted share and pre-tax earnings of $688 million.
• Including special items, UAL reported first-quarter net income of $313 million, earnings per share of $0.88 per diluted share and pre-tax earnings of $494 million.
• During the first quarter of 2016, the company repurchased $1.5 billion worth of its common stock, representing approximately 8 percent of shares outstanding.

“I am extremely proud of United’s nearly 86,000 aviation professionals for their contributions to these strong results – including the improvements in our reliability, customer satisfaction and financial performance,” said Oscar Munoz, president and chief executive officer of United Airlines. “As we accelerate United’s path forward, we will continue to focus on running a great airline today while innovating for tomorrow.”

LATAM Airlines Group and Interjet establish codeshare agreement and strengthen connectivity between Oceania and Mexico

LATAM Airlines Group, the largest airline group in Latin America, and Interjet, the high efficiency Mexican airline with top quality services, have reached a codeshare agreement, allowing passengers from LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines to access greater and better connections between Oceania and Mexico through Interjet. This new codeshare reinforces the connectivity that LATAM Airlines Group provides for Australian and New Zealand travellers.

With this agreement, the passengers of LATAM Airlines Group will be able to connect quickly and efficiently to 25 destinations in Mexico, including Acapulco, Cancún, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos.

“We are pleased to confirm this partnership with Interjet, which will allow us to strengthen the connectivity to such an important country as Mexico, increasing the travel options that we provide to our passengers in Latin American who fly with LAN Airlines, LAN Peru or TAM”, said Soledad Berrios, Senior VP Alliances LATAM Airlines Group.

LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT VOTED ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOP 10 SCENIC AIRPORTS 2016

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has been voted one of the world’s most scenic airport landings in a poll of global travellers and travel industry experts coming in at number nine.  Conducted by PrivateFly, over 7,500 individual votes were received and a total of 115 different global airports received nominations.

A panel of major names in the travel industry narrowed down the initial nominee list of 115 airports for the public to vote on, with ex-New York Times travel writer Joe Sharkey choosing LAX. He commented: “The approach reveals not just the vast urban sprawl but most remarkably L.A.’s stunning geography – sea, mountains, valley, desert beyond – all bathed in the amazing Los Angeles white sunlight.”