Delta Air Lines said it plans to hire far fewer pilots in 2024 than in recent years, signaling a potential end to the airline industry’s post-pandemic hiring surge.
12.12.2023 - 17:11 / thepointsguy.com / Spirit Airlines
When JetBlue introduced Mint in 2014, it wasn't long until the carrier started racking up the awards.
Mint was a new take on domestic business class that hadn't been seen before in the industry. From innovative lie-flat suites to chef-inspired meals (that people actually want to eat), it's no surprise that JetBlue's flagship product kept winning awards.
But now, nine years later, JetBlue's original Mint cabins are dated. Fortunately, improvements are on the way.
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"We are ready with a plan. We just need to go to start doing facelifts for lack of a better term of the cabin," Mariya Stoyanova, JetBlue's onboard product chief, said in an exclusive interview with TPG.
Speaking about the age of JetBlue's existing Mint product, Stoyanova shared that "we're definitely at the point where we need a facelift. I mean, it's been a while. For a business-class product, you usually do a retrofit between seven and 10 years, and we're there."
Before you get too excited, know that JetBlue wouldn't share any details of what the retrofitted product might look like. Of course, it's possible that the carrier might simply rip out the old seats and install its next-generation Mint Suites and Studios, but it's too early to tell what might be coming next.
In fact, Stoyanova couldn't even share when these retrofits might happen. That's because of the pending takeover of Spirit Airlines, which hangs in the balance based on the outcome of the Department of Justice antitrust trial that just concluded last week.
Assuming the merger goes through, JetBlue has already stated that it'll retrofit Spirit's yellow Airbuses into a more traditional JetBlue configuration, which could complicate the timeline for the Mint refurbishments.
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"A lot depends on the outcome of the developments in the past few weeks," Stoyanova added.
For now, we'll have to wait to see what happens with the Spirit merger, but I'm looking forward to seeing what JetBlue has up its sleeve. Between the outdated inflight entertainment systems, the wear and tear around the cabin and the (sometimes) inoperable suite doors, the tried-and-true original Mint product is in desperate need of some TLC.
While the original Mint needs the most work, even the new product isn't necessarily holding up so well. Between broken buddy seats, cracked seat placards, damaged suite doors, worn-out footwells and peeling wireless charging pads, you might be surprised to learn that this product is just over two years old.
The good news is that JetBlue has some near-term plans to address many of these issues, according to Stoyanova.
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Delta Air Lines said it plans to hire far fewer pilots in 2024 than in recent years, signaling a potential end to the airline industry’s post-pandemic hiring surge.
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As millions of passengers begin to fill airports for the 2023 holiday season, Southwest Airlines is still facing consequences for last year's holiday travel meltdown. The Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a record $140 million fine against Southwest on Monday, while also introducing new consumer protections and enforcements to help avoid another meltdown, which left thousands of flights canceled and passengers across the United States stranded, from happening again. “We’re pleased to have reached this consumer-friendly settlement, which includes a new, industry-leading policy to compensate Customers during significant delays and cancellations,” Southwest Airlines shared in a statement about the settlement. After the holiday travel meltdown of 2022, the Department of Transportation conducted an extensive investigation which found the airline failed to provide prompt refunds and general service to «hundreds of thousands of Southwest customers». As a result of the investigation, the Department of Transportation says that Southwest will be financially responsible for at least $750 million which includes refunds, future compensation for tickets, and more. In addition to the fine and payments, the DOT enforcement also requires that Southwest establish a $90 million reserve fund for future flight delays and cancellation. “This industry-leading benefit will ensure that Southwest passengers impacted by any future significant disruptions will receive not only flight rebooking, hotels, and food during the delay, but also timely compensation from Southwest due to the inconvenience,” the DOT release shares. Looking ahead to the holiday travel season that is currently underway, Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan said the airline is “absolutely ready” in a recent interview, and that the airline has taken many steps to ensure reliable air service, Airline passengers this holiday can also utilize new tools from the Department of Transportation, including an interactive dashboard which shows their rights when flying. “For those who are planning to fly.
The port of Gustavia in St. Barths is getting crowded this holiday season as the legendary superyacht showdown begins. The season started early, with the wealthiest men in the world and their celebrity friends anchored outside of Gustavia and neighboring St. Maarten and Antigua. Many will stay throughout Christmas, taking glamorous day trips to nearby islands, and then party with the traditional fireworks show above St. Barths Fort Oscar on New Year's Eve.
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Air India, privatized in 2022 and now part of the Tata Group, made big strides in 2023 to make up for years of neglect. The airline ordered a large number of aircraft for its ambitious growth plans, unveiled its new brand imagery, and showcased the planned retrofit of its existing widebodies. The airline is also preparing to induct its first A350 aircraft into service.