Issue No. 811
The Pandemic's Network Legacy
The pandemic prompted some out-of-the-box network changes at U.S. airlines, but are they here to stay?
Pushing Back: Inside the Issue
Airline networks have changed as a result of the pandemic. Some were clear money grabs — United flying from cities in the Upper Midwest to Florida in the winter — but others are more strategic, like JetBlue moving its Southern California base to LAX. We dive into what's likely to stick around and what's not since Covid-19 grounded most fleets a year ago in the Feature Story this week.
Elsewhere in the issue, Delta sees possible profits this fall but is still awash in red ink as lucrative business travelers continue to sit out the recovery. Airbus continued to outpace Boeing in the delivery race, and Air France-KLM shareholders France (the country) and China Eastern are on track to increase their holdings in the Franco-Dutch company with a new $1.1 billion capital increase. And in Canada, while aid is beginning to flow, Air Canada and WestJet delayed their return to lucrative sun spots as travel restrictions remain.
Verbulence
"Our customers are reclaiming their lives, air travel will be central as people reconnect with loved ones and business colleagues replacing their screens with real human touch points as they venture out of their homes and communities to experience the world again."
Delta CEO Ed Bastian
The Airline Weekly Lounge Podcast
New episodes drop every week and are available wherever you get your podcasts and on AirlineWeekly.com. In the latest podcast, Edward "Ned" Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan talk all things Canada, and Ottawa's new financial support for Air Canada with more funds — maybe — coming for its competitors. Listen to the episode.