Icelandair and Southwest Airlines have announced a new partnership, marking Icelandair as the first airline partner of Southwest. This collaboration is set to commence in 2025, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two airlines. The agreement aims to facilitate seamless connectivity for passengers traveling across their networks.
dnata Travel has observed a 21% increase in the average booking value for its in-store services in 2024 compared to the previous year. The company's 13 retail outlets across the UAE remain a preferred choice for residents seeking travel arrangements, driven by a growing demand for complex itineraries.
Union leaders from over 30 countries gathered in Galway this week for the UNI Property Services Global Conference. The conference focused on building union power in the cleaning and security sectors, with delegates voting on strategic initiatives to address low wages, job insecurity, and unsafe working conditions. These initiatives will guide the sector's actions for the next four years.
Air France is set to enhance its onboard Wi-Fi service, marking a significant move towards providing an upgraded travel experience. Starting in 2025, the airline will gradually introduce ultra-high-speed connectivity for passengers, aiming to offer a "ground-like" internet experience. This new service will be free of charge across all travel cabins and accessible by logging into a Flying Blue account. The rollout will eventually cover all Air France aircraft, replacing the current Wi-Fi offering.
The rise of e-commerce is reshaping consumer purchasing habits and business operations globally. In 2023, online retail sales reached $5.7 trillion, with Latin America experiencing a similar growth trend. Sales in the region increased by 14.3% last year, with Colombia witnessing a notable 12% increase.
Eleven civilian employees of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB) have secured a favorable ruling in their federal class action lawsuit against both their employer and the Union of Organized Civilian Employees. The lawsuit accused these entities of illegally discriminating by removing an employer-provided health benefit from employees who chose not to join the union. These employees argued that this action violated their First Amendment rights to abstain from unwanted union affiliation, receiving legal support from National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation attorneys.
Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has completed a significant environmental and safety upgrade by removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as "forever chemicals," from its Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) response fleet. This project, covering 14 ARFF trucks across both Los Angeles International Airport and Van Nuys Airport, is one of the largest transitions of its kind in the United States.
Air New Zealand is set to resume its seasonal direct flights from Auckland to Hobart, starting at 9:00 am NZT on October 27. The airline will operate these services using A320neo and A321neo aircraft three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. This marks the return of international flights to Tasmania.
Cathay Pacific has announced the expansion of its North American network with the introduction of non-stop flights between Hong Kong and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). This new route, set to begin on April 24, 2025, will be Cathay Pacific's sixth passenger destination in the United States and eighth in North America. The move aims to strengthen the airline's presence on the continent and enhance global connectivity from its home base in Hong Kong.
After a summer marked by the excitement of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Air France teams attended the IFTM Top Resa trade fair for three days filled with announcements, conferences, and meetings with tourism professionals.
dnata, a global provider of air and travel services, has been honored with the Aviation Sustainability & Environment award at the Aviation Industry Awards UK. This accolade recognizes dnata's efforts to enhance environmental efficiency across its operations, including airport operations, travel, and catering & retail sectors.
Los Angeles World Airports recently celebrated its volunteers at LAX, recognizing their contributions to enhancing the travel experience. Volunteers belong to three groups: Volunteer Information Professionals (VIPs), the LAXceeders Student Volunteer Program, and the Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUPs) program.
Air New Zealand is preparing for a significant increase in domestic travel during the upcoming school holiday period. Scott Carr, General Manager Domestic at Air New Zealand, announced that the airline has added thousands of additional seats to accommodate the surge in demand from September 27 to October 13.
A group of Michigan security guards employed by Triple Canopy, Inc. has voted to remove the power of United Government Security Officers of America (UGSOA) union officials to mandate union dues as a condition of employment. The vote, known as a "deauthorization" election, took place by mail in April and May, but the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) only recently released the full vote count.
Employees at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront Hotel have initiated a process to remove UNITE-HERE Local 2 union officials from their workplace. Erika Chavez, a hotel employee, has submitted a petition for this purpose to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Region 20 in San Francisco. Chavez received free legal aid from the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation.
Air New Zealand has announced a significant international sale, offering reduced fares to over 22 destinations worldwide. The sale includes popular locations across Asia, Europe, the UK, the USA, and Canada, with prices starting at $499 one way.
One day before the start of the Munich Oktoberfest, Lufthansa's traditional “Trachten” costume crew is set to take off again. Lufthansa flight attendants will depart from Munich to Osaka today, followed by a traditional costume flight to Johannesburg on September 30. For many years, it has been a tradition for the crew to wear traditional Bavarian garments on numerous European and German routes from Munich during the Oktoberfest season. Additionally, Lufthansa ground staff at the gates in Munich Terminal 2 greet passengers in this traditional dress. Instead of the classic...
Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), and Delta Air Lines have announced significant progress in their commitment to local, minority-owned business participation at LAX Terminal 3. This initiative includes 22 minority business owners collaborating to enhance the guest experience for Delta's customers and other travelers.
All articles from the May/June 2024 issue of Foundation Action are now available online.
John Wayne Airport Receives $20 Million FAA Grant for Accessibility Improvements