Qantas and British Airways Increase Flight Services on Joint Services Agreement

Australia’s Qantas announced on Tuesday plans of enhancing Joint Services Agreement (JSA) with British Airways. Enhancements will strengthen their Singapore hub and offer better services on flights between London Heathrow and Australia.

Qantas and British Airways are set to develop their long-running Joint Services Agreement (JSA). The two airlines aim to strengthen their Singapore hub and offer better products and services to passengers booking flights between London Heathrow and Australia. The move is seen as a part of the Qantas Group’s plan to create a competitive global airline business.

Qantas will maintain its Airbus A380 operations from Melbourne and Sydney to London via Singapore. The carrier also proposes to construct a new premium lounge at Singapore’s Changi International Airport. On the other hand, UK’s flag carrier, British Airways will upgrade its London to Sydney (via Singapore) operations from a Boeing 777 to Boeing 747.

These developments will consolidate Singapore’s standing as the principal hub in the relationship, reinforcing the two airlines’ competitive position in the Asia-Pacific region. Both airlines are known to be premier carriers. Cheap flight tickets may not be their forte, but the carriers still enjoy popularity among travellers for offering quality on-board services.

Under the updated Joint Services Agreement, Qantas will offer flights on Australia – Bangkok and Australia – Hong Kong routes, while British Airways will provide services on Bangkok – London and Hong Kong – London routes. This move is aimed at maximising the carrier’s respective operational strengths and will come into effect from 2012 beginning. BA also plans to augment the frequency of London – Hong Kong flights from 14 per week to 17 per week.

Australia’s Qantas will discontinue its Bangkok – London and Hong Kong – London routes and BA will terminate Bangkok-Sydney operations in favour of Qantas operating flights on the route. This will ease early retirement of Qantas’ four Boeing 747 aircrafts.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce remarked that the time was right to restructure the JSA between British and Qantas Airways.

“Strengthening our relationship with British Airways is an important element of our new strategy for Qantas International,” Mr Joyce said in the company’s press release that was posted on the website on Tuesday.

“Singapore will become the focal point of the JSA relationship, with daily Qantas A380 services from Melbourne and Sydney and onward to London, increased British Airways capacity and a new premium lounge.

“The new approach is a smarter use of both airlines’ resources that will enhance our competitive position in Asia and in the Australia – Europe market.

“Regardless of which airline is operating flights between Australia and the United Kingdom, we are focused on delivering a smooth and enjoyable flying experience for passengers. Restructuring the JSA will put us on the front foot in the fiercely competitive Australia – UK air travel market,” Mr Joyce further elaborated.

Qantas Announces New Lounges and Fleet Upgrades

Qantas also announced that it is going to invest almost $400 million in new international lounges, in-flight entertainment and aircraft refurbishment to enhance travellers’ experience.

“Qantas will construct a new First Lounge and Business Lounge in Los Angeles, three times the size of the current space, as well as new First Lounges in Singapore and Hong Kong,” Mr Alan Joyce was quoted in the company’s press release.

Mr Joyce stated that the introduction of the A380 in 2008 brought new levels of customer satisfaction and now the airline aims to make sure that consistent superiority is maintained across the fleet and lounge network.

“In February last year, Qantas announced a $250 million upgrade for nine Boeing 747-400s to meet the changing demands of the airline’s international customers. The first reconfigured B747 will commence services between Brisbane and Los Angeles in October, operating three return services per week,” he said.

The Qantas Group additionally launched a new low-cost airline, Jetstar Japan, in partnership with Japan Airlines and Mitsubishi. The airline is aimed at Japanese market and will serve travellers who seek cheap flight tickets.

American Airlines and India’s Kingfisher Airlines Announce Comprehensive Codeshare and Frequent Flyer Relationship

American Airlines and India’s leading carrier Kingfisher Airlines announced today they will enter into a comprehensive code share and frequent flyer relationship starting in 2011, subject to regulatory approvals. Kingfisher Airlines is a member-elect of the world’s leading quality airline alliance, oneworld®, of which American is a founding member.

The initial phase of the code share relationship announced today will allow American to place its AA* code on Kingfisher Airlines extensive domestic network beyond Delhi. American will also code share on Kingfisher Airlines flights from London Heathrow to both Delhi and Mumbai. American operates daily nonstop service between Delhi and Chicago O’Hare and Kingfisher Airlines will place its IT* code on those flights as well as on selected American flights between the United States and London Heathrow.

Members of American’s AAdvantage® and Kingfisher Airlines King Club frequent flyer programs will be able to earn miles on the codeshare flights. The two airlines are exploring a more comprehensive frequent flyer agreement that will include the ability to earn and redeem miles across each carrier’s network.

“We are very pleased to announce our codeshare partnership with Kingfisher, an airline that offers our customers the choice of flying to more cities throughout India and a more convenient travel experience,” said Virasb Vahidi, American’s Chief Commercial Officer. “We look forward to strengthening further our partnership as Kingfisher completes the process of joining the oneworld alliance.”

“I am delighted that Kingfisher Airlines has entered into a codeshare and frequent flyer relationship with American Airlines. The codeshare on American’s flight to Chicago will mark the first time ever that Kingfisher Airlines will place its code on any flight operating into the United States. This, coupled with the frequent flyer relationship, will mean that Kingfisher Airlines guests will be able to benefit from seamless travel on the routes covered by the codeshare,” said Manoj Chacko, Executive Vice President – Commercial, Kingfisher Airlines Limited.

American is currently celebrating the fifth anniversary of its daily service between Delhi and Chicago O’Hare. This past August, American moved its Delhi operations into the brand new, world-class Terminal Three at Indira Gandhi International Airport where Kingfisher Airlines is also located. This helps to provide seamless connectivity for passengers transferring between the two airlines’ flights. Also located in Delhi’s Terminal Three is Kingfisher Airlines prestigious new premium lounge which will be available to eligible American Airlines passengers.

You May Need to Change Flight Plan Weekend With British Airways

If you’re booked for a British Airways flight this weekend from BWI you may need to change your plans. A strike by BA’s cabin crew is set for three days beginning Saturday. British Airways officials say flights from Baltimore to London Heathrow will operate as usual on Saturday, but are canceled for Sunday and Monday. Travelers may be able to reschedule with partner airlines that have agreed to help during the strike by allowing passengers on canceled flights to rebook at no charge.

The cabin crew union, Unite, has also called for a second strike beginning March 27. The union is protesting pay freezes and other changes to working conditions. The Associated Press reported today that Unite is seeking support from American unions. Read more

British Airways to Charter Planes from Another Airlines During Cabin Crew Strike

British Airways expects to lease up to 22 aircraft from eight airlines in order to maintain services during a planned cabin crew strike this month.

It will use the aircraft to supplement its short-haul schedule from London Heathrow, and allow it to operate, overall, about 30% of its short-haul schedule over the initial strike period.

British Airways expects to carry 60% of booked passengers during the three-day strike from 20-22 March, adding that a number of other customers will be offered alternative British Airways flights or services on other carriers.
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Global Airline Industry Expectations in 2010 : Aviation Firms Shares Rose Sharply

Airline stocks have been flying high in 2010 thanks to renewed hopes over an economic recovery, an uptick in business travel, and a stronger dollar. The Claymore/NYSE Arca Airline ETF (FAA) has shot higher on the news, gaining nearly 5% on the week and 15% so far on the year. A slight pullback in oil prices–one of the primary negative factors weighing on the airline industry–has also added momentum to FAA in recent sessions. Ongoing concerns over the financial health of Europe have boosted the greenback, which generally moves in the opposite direction of oil.
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