Updated fleet plans from two U.S.-based Boeing 787 operators include some 2022 deliveries but continue to slide units into future years amid ongoing uncertainty over when the FAA will allow resumption of customer hand-overs.
The investment is the third sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) deal in the portfolio of United Airlines Ventures, which is focused on investing in next-generation aviation technologies including SAF, hydrogen- and electric-powered aircraft.
United and Delta are both looking to acquire U.S.-South Africa frequencies, which are limited under the current air services agreement between the countries.
United hopes to begin flying between Washington and Cape Town from November but will face competition for the available weekly frequencies under the US-South Africa air services agreement.
United Airlines became the first major U.S. carrier to open its own flight school, part of an effort to address a looming pilot shortage that is expected to worsen in coming years.
United Airlines has revised down its flying program for 2022, now conceding its full-year capacity will be below 2019 levels because of the omicron coronavirus variant.
The broader transpacific partnership is particularly crucial for Virgin Australia since it is no longer offering its own flights to the U.S after restructuring in 2020.
The Denver-based startup is reportedly in final negotiations to develop a production facility for its Overture supersonic airliner at Piedmont Triad International Airport near Greensboro, North Carolina.
Passenger numbers in the U.S. reached their highest levels since Spring 2020, but new concerns about the omicron coronavirus variant could threaten momentum during the winter travel season.
One of the farthest routes in United Airlines’ network will return in January with the restart of flights between San Francisco (SFO) and Singapore Changi (SIN).
