Los Angeles Archives – London Air Travel

Air New Zealand Suspends London Heathrow – Los Angeles

Air New Zealand is to withdraw from London altogether in late October 2020 when its last remaining route, London Heathrow – Los Angeles – Auckland is suspended.

London Air Travel » Los Angeles

Air New Zealand and Star Alliance Airline Tailfins at London Heathrow (Image Credit: Heathrow)

Air New Zealand is to withdraw from London altogether in late October 2020 when its last remaining route, London Heathrow – Los Angeles – Auckland is suspended.

Air New Zealand has cited the myriad of one-stop options that are now available for passengers travelling between Europe and New Zealand as the reason for the suspension.

It is of course not the only airline to cut one-stop routes between Europe and Australia / New Zealand. They are expensive to operate with relatively high crewing costs and poor aircraft utilisation. However, it is noteworthy that Air New Zealand has chosen to withdraw from London altogether, in contrast to Qantas which has sought to retain a presence in London.

Air New Zealand was also a popular option for passengers flying London – Los Angeles direct. However, with one daily flight, Air New Zealand has become less competitive against the joint schedules offered by AA and BA.

Air New Zealand currently offers passengers the option to fly from London Heathrow to Auckland via Singapore through a codeshare with Singapore Airlines. It has said it will offer more codeshare options to passengers after the cessation of London – Los Angeles.

Separately, Air New Zealand has announced its intention to fly from New York Newark to Auckland non-stop with the Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

Air New Zealand in London

Air New Zealand Press Advertisement, 26 August 1982

Air New Zealand, dubbed “The Ritz Of The Skies”, began flying from London on 26 August 1982. This was initially on Thursdays and Sundays only from London Gatwick via Los Angeles and Tahiti on a Boeing 747 aircraft. Until relatively recently, Air New Zealand served New Zealand from London via Hong Kong and Los Angeles.

IAG to launch new low cost long-haul airline “Level”

London Air Travel » Los Angeles

After months of speculation, International Airlines Group (“IAG”) which is the parent company of Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Vueling, has today confirmed is to launch a new low cost long-haul airline.

The airline is called “Level”. This is the first new airline launched by IAG in its six year history.

The airline will initially be based in Barcelona. It will launch on 1 June 2017 and its inaugural route will be Barcelona – Los Angeles which operate twice weekly.

Routes from Barcelona to Oakland California (three times weekly) will follow on 2 June 2017. Barcelona – Punta Cana (twice weeky) on 10 June 2017. Barcelona – Buenos Aires on 17 June 2017 (three times weekly).

The airline will intially operate with two brand new Airbus A330-200 aircraft with 239 seats in economy in a 2-4-2 configuration and 21 seats across three rows in premium economy in a 2-3-2 configuration.

In economy a seat pitch of 30″ will be offered with a 9″ personal entertainment screen. Checked baggage, extra leg room seats and hot meals can be purchased in advance. Food and drink, duty free goods, in flight comfort amenities such as blankets and pillows can be purchased on board.

In premium economy, a seat pitch of 37″ will be offered with a 12″ personal entertainment screen and noise-cancelling headphones.

Checked luggage (in addition to a free cabin bag), hot meals drinks and snacks, priority boarding, and in flight entertainment will be complimentary for customers flying in premium economy.

High speed internet connectivity will also be available for a charge for all passengers.

The availability of refunds and flight changes and seat selection will depend on the type of fare purchase in both cabins.

IAG promises one way fares economy from €99 and one way premium economy fares from €599.

Direct flights are on sale now at Flylevel.com

Connections will be available from Vueling’s short-haul network at Barcelona which, of course, operates from London Gatwick and Heathrow and a number of UK regional airports. However, flights with connections need to be booked via Iberia.com

Members of the Aer Lingus, British Airways and Iberia frequent flyer programmes will be able to earn Avios on all flights operated by Level.

The launch of Level is a clear competitive response by IAG to Norwegian which is launching new routes from a number of IAG markets in Europe. We have already seen a number of moves such as the launch by BA of routes from Gatwick to New York JFK, Fort Lauderdale and Oakland. BA is also planning to “densify” (that’s add more seats) some of its Boeing 777s to compete against Norwegian. We are likely to see further moves such as the launch of “unbundled” long-haul economy fares by Aer Lingus and BA.

As IAG have adopted a trans-national brand name, the airline will no doubt explore more routes from other European cities where connections from Vueling are available, such as Rome and Paris. Looking at the branding and marketing materials, IAG is actively pitching this airline at a younger market than many of its existing airlines. It will of course be interesting to see how this develops and whether it launches any routes from the UK.

Aer Lingus returns to Los Angeles & Newark, launches Hartford

London Air Travel » Los Angeles

As was widely tipped online, Aer Lingus has today announced it is to return to Los Angeles and Newark airports next year, and launch a new direct route from Dublin to Bradley International Airport in Hartford County, Connecticut. The latter route will be the sole transatlantic route from the airport.

Aer Lingus will fly five times a week to Los Angeles from Sunday 1 May 2016, and daily to Newark from Thursday 1 September 2016. Both routes will be operated by A330 aircraft. Flights for these routes are on sale now at AerLingus.com

Aer Lingus will also fly daily to Bradley International Airport from September 2016 and flights for this route are expected to go on sale 3 November. This route will be operated by a Boeing 757 aircraft.
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Virgin Atlantic Opens New Los Angeles Clubhouse

London Air Travel » Los Angeles

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Los Angeles (Image Credit: Virgin Atlantic)

Virgin Atlantic has long been known for its distinctive, if relatively few in number, Clubhouse lounges. The flagship being of course its London Heathrow Clubhouse, with other Clubhouses in San Francisco, New York, Boston and Washington.

One notable absentee has been Los Angeles, in spite of it being one of Virgin Atlantic’s most important routes after New York.

Today, 28 April 2015, Virgin Atlantic has opened a new Clubhouse at Terminal 2. The lounge has been designed by Slade Architecture who also worked on the airline’s Newark and JFK clubhouses.

The 4,000 sq ft triangular shaped Los Angeles clubhouse offers views of the airport’s apron and Hollywood Hills. The colour palette is relatively toned down compared to other Virgin lounges, with extensive use of white. It is clearly inspired by the Californian outdoor lifestyle and climate.

The lounge is lined by a sculpted Corian and copper Flow Wall that features a copper lined bar. Lounge furniture includes Swan chairs by Arne Jacobsen, Walter Knoll Turtle chairs, classic Eames chairs, and a custom fabricated surfboard inspired counter by the windows that is sculpted from layers of bamboo.

At the apex of the lounge is a pre-flight dining area offering dishes from Hinoki & The Bird. The walls are lined with bamboo and the space features a video insulation by artist Diana Reichenbach.

United Airlines to introduce free beer & wine on long-haul flights

London Air Travel » Los Angeles

United Airlines at London Heathrow (Image Credit: Heathrow)

In a further sign of US airlines continuing to narrow the historical gap in service levels between their European rivals, United Airlines is to provide complimentary beer and wine in economy class on long-haul flights to and from London Heathrow from 1 June 2015.

This is part of a package of service improvements announced by United Airlines. The airline will continue to charge for spirits in economy. Passengers will also have the option to purchase additional snacks in flight.

This move does, if we’re not mistaken, put United Airlines broadly on a par with Delta and American Airlines. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic continue to offer a full bar service free of charge in economy.

Whilst in the grand scheme of things, this is a very modest change and, in truth, only a reversal of a previous cut, it’s perhaps less likely other airlines will start charging for alcoholic drinks in economy.

United Airlines flies from London Heathrow Terminal 2 to New York Newark, Chicago, Washington Dulles, Houston, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Virgin Atlantic suspends Cape Town, Mumbai, Tokyo and Vancouver

Virgin Atlantic has announced a significant over-haul of its network, suspending a number of non-US routes. Mumbai & Tokyo are suspended from 31 January 2015. Seasonal flights to Vancouver & Cape Town are suspended from 11 October 2014 and 26 April 2015.

London Air Travel » Los Angeles

Virgin Atlantic aircraft at London Heathrow

Virgin Atlantic has today announced a major over-haul of its long-haul network, in what is arguably the single biggest chance to its network since the events of 11 September 2001.

Virgin’s year-round services from London Heathrow to Mumbai and Tokyo Narita will be suspended from 31 January 2015.

Virgin’s seasonal flights from London Heathrow to Vancouver and Cape Town will be suspended permanently from 11 October 2014 and 26 April 2015 respectively.

Virgin Atlantic adds Atlanta & Delta adds Los Angeles in Heathrow shuffle

Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines have announced changes to their schedules between London Heathrow and Atlanta and Los Angeles as part of their transatlantic joint-venture.

London Air Travel » Los Angeles

Virgin Atlantic & Delta Air Lines Aircraft (Image Credit: Delta Air Lines)

We have to admit to being a little surprised by this news.

Virgin Atlantic and Delta, partners together in a relatively new transatlantic joint-venture, have announced that they will swap flights between London Heathrow and Los Angeles and Atlanta from 26 October 2014.

Delta will take over one of Virgin Atlantic’s twice daily London Heathrow – Los Angeles flights. Virgin Atlantic will take over one of Delta’s thrice daily London Heathrow – Atlanta flights.

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Delta & Virgin Atlantic to start codesharing on transatlantic flights

London Air Travel » Los Angeles

Delta and Virgin Atlantic have announced the start of codeshares on each other’s transatlantic flights between the UK and North America for bookings made from 29 June 2013 for travel from 3 July 2013.

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BA confirms delivery dates for first Boeing 787 & Airbus A380 aircraft

London Air Travel » Los Angeles

British Airways Logo (Image Credit: British Airways)

British Airways has today, 10 June 2013, confirmed that is to take delivery of its first Boeing 787 aircraft on 26 June 2013, and a second Boeing 787 aircraft a day later. It will take delivery of its first Airbus A380 aircraft on 4 July 2013 at a special media event at Heathrow to celebrate the introduction of two new aircraft types to its fleet.

BA has previously confirmed that the Airbus A380 will operate the BA25/BA26 Hong Kong route and selected Los Angeles flights later this year. The airline has released seat plans for the A380 but has not revealed the full cabin specification for the aircraft.

BA is yet to confirm on which routes the Boeing 787 will first be deployed. However, it reasonable to assume that some of the first routes to receive the Boeing 787 will be transatlantic routes currently operated by the Boeing 767 aircraft which include Washington, New York Newark, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Calgary.
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