Jet Airways Suspends San Francisco-Mumbai Flights

Jet Airways will discontinue flights between San Francisco and Mumbai effective January 13, 2009. According to airline officials, the suspension is necessary to cut down on low performing flights. You may recall Jet Airways only began flying from SFO in June.

"We are suspending the flight on a temporary basis...because of the current economic situation we had to rationalise our network and take out the low-performing flights," said Sudheer Raghavan, chief commercial officer.

Although Jet Airways is a notable International airline with 400 daily flights throughout India and the globe, the airline was a complete newcomer to the San Francisco market. Jet Airways (softly) introduced the market to direct flights to India, but failed to offer compelling reasons for passengers comfortable with the status-quo to make the switch to a relatively unknown carrier.

If Jet Airways does decide to resume flights in the San Francisco market - and I hope they do, I suggest the airline re-introduce themselves on the following key strengths:

• Frequent flier program benefits; little, if any, communication was said about partnerships with U.S-based airlines to earn miles while flying Jet Airways. For example, Northwest and American Airlines both permit mileage accrual on some or all of Jet Airways flights.
• Product offered; Jet Airways operates a new Boeing 777-300ER on the San Francisco route, complete with the latest technological advances that put fun back into flying, and has 10 Boeing 787 'Dreamliner' planes on order. Compare that to other airlines operating older style aircraft lacking modern day comforts, style and ammenities.
• Brand name; while not recognized much on the West Coast, Jet Airways is the largest carrier in India and operates flights to several dozen cities throughout the world.

Emirates Postpones San Francisco Launch

According to airline routes news, Emirates Airlines has again postponed their San Francisco launch. Although no reason is cited, Emirates previously stated delays were related to taking delivery of a new Boeing 777-LR, set to operate the San Francisco to Dubai route.

Emirates now expects to begin operating flights from

San Francisco on December 15, 2008.

Emirates To Operate Superjumbo A380 On San Francisco Route

Emirates airlines announced Thursday the intention to operate a superjumbo Airbus 380 aircraft on its upcoming San Francisco to Dubai route. The double-decker Airbus 380 is the largest aircraft in the world.

The airline, which announced the debut of the San Francisco to Dubai route beginning November 20th, will initially operate using a Boeing 777 aircraft. Emirates Senior Vice President of commercial operations for the America's said, "We hope to build up the route for the A380. I would be disappointed if we could not operate the aircraft in two or three years in San Francisco."

On August 4th, Emirates will show off the first fully outfitted Airbus 380 at San Francisco International Airport. The plane has 14 first-class suites, 76 business class seats and 399 seats in economy.

(Above: An Emirates Airbus 380 aircraft at the 2005 Dubai Airshow. Nasser Younes/Agence France-Presse --Getty Images)

Emirates Postpones San Francisco Launch By 3 weeks

As we mentioned in April, Emirates Airlines rolled out plans to begin flying between San Francisco and Dubai this October. According to the airline routes news blog, the airline now says it must postpone the launch by about three weeks as they await the delivery of new Boeing 777 aircraft, delayed because of galley installation issues. Emirates hopes to be flying the route by November 20th.

Emirates First To Launch Airbus 380 Flights To United States

Emirates Airlines announced it will launch its first Airbus 380 commercial service on the

Dubai - New York route beginning August 1st, making it the first airline to bring passenger service utilizing the Superjumbo into the United States.

Considered one of the leading airlines in the world in terms of service, Emirates has said the Airbus 380 will offer a "high quality experience previously associated with private jets" (HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airlines).

Separately, Emirates previously announced it would begin flying Dubai to San Francisco October 26th utilizing a new Boeing 777-ER aircraft.

United Grounds Flights Today For Safety Checks

United Airlines sent out a press release this morning saying they are pulling all 52 of its Boeing 777 aircraft, mainly used for International flights. About half a dozen international flights destined for SFO were cancelled as of 9am today.

In their statement, United says passengers traveling April 2 may experience flight delays or cancellations for fire-system maintenance checks. United said the checks resulted from a review of maintenance records and discovery that the functional test that checks the firing system on one of the five bottles in the cargo fire suppression system on Boeing 777 was not performed. Not all the aircraft can be checked today, and the company warned of additional flight delays or cancellations over the next 24-36 hours.

In their statement United says it "is currently working to provide additional aircraft where available and is accommodating customers on other flights and other airlines. Customers can check which aircraft they are scheduled to fly on at united.com."

Jet Airways to begin San Francisco - Shanghai - Mumbai Service

Jet Airways will begin daily service from San Francisco to Shanghai and Mumbai starting May 5th. The hiring process has been going on for months at SFO, and the company recently loaded the schedule, but so far is not selling seats.

The Indian carrier previously announced they would operate a new Boeing 777-300ER's on this route, which feature individual suites in first class, including a 23-inch flat screen TV, eight-point massage system, and Internet & email on demand. According to airline officials, the entire plane will feature an enhanced mood lighting system that changes depending on the time of day and the time zone through which the aircraft is moving. At night, cabin ceilings will feature a starry effect, while at dawn and dusk the lighting will be gentle.

Visit http://www.jetairways.com/ for the latest updates, information or to book tickets.

San Francisco to Guangzhou Service Begins June 18

United Airlines will inaugurate San Francisco to Guangzhou (CAN) service beginning June 18th. Operated by a Boeing 777 aircraft, the daily service departs at 12:35PM From San Francisco, with a journey just short of 15 hours.

British Airways Crash at London's Heathrow Airport, 13 injured

Hundreds of flights into London cancelled as the investigation of the crash continues.
(CNN) A British Airways Boeing 777 flight en route from China crashed Thursday, just short of a runway at London Heathrow Airport. Passenger Paul Venter told the UK Press Association: "The wheels came out and went for touchdown, and the next moment we just dropped. I couldn't tell you how far."
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