Delta Chairman Resigns and 12 Other Aviation Trends This Week

Every week we post hundreds of stories across various sectors in travel, connecting the dots across various global trends, and in these weekend posts we highlight the stories that tackle these trends. This one looks at top aviation trends.

For all of our trends roundups, go here.

>>Delta’s not-too-popular variable award pricing model is now being used to price out tickets on Virgin Atlantic. That may not bode well for the future of using SkyMiles within Delta’s larger SkyTeam network: Delta Brings Its New Loyalty Redemption Pricing to Virgin Atlantic

>>Considering how tight the labor supply is, and how much U.S. pilot unions dislike Norwegian Air, it will be interesting to see how many applications the airline receives. Then again, pilots love flying big modern jets, and the Boeing 787 is about as good as it gets: Norwegian Air Will Hire U.S. Pilots After Accusations of Flouting Labor Standards

>>American’s got a new premium economy cabin that it’s flying domestically for the next few months. Let’s see if it turns into a viable product: American Airlines Launches Its Premium Economy — Skift Business Traveler

>>You have to give Frantz Yvelin some credit for thinking big, but the idea that an all-business class airline could work outside of a few of the largest financial centers in the world seems far-fetched: La Compagnie CEO Interview: Why an All-Business Class Airline Can Still Work

>>China is a long way from being an open market, but for carriers in China and the UK, this is welcome news: New Agreement More Than Doubles Number of Allowed Flights Between UK and China

>>Richard Anderson just took over as executive chairman in May, so this news comes as a major surprise. Perhaps we’ll learn more soon about why he decided to step down. Regardless, he leaves an impressive legacy at Delta: In Surprise Move, Delta Air Lines Chairman Resigns Effective Immediately

>>Let’s be honest: The coach configuration on most planes hasn’t changed in decades, and it’s probably not going to change any time soon: This Is Why Long-Haul Coach Class Has Hardly Changed in Five Decades

>>Monarch’s immediate future may have been secure but its already fragile reputation has taken another hit: Airline and Operator Monarch Gets Life-Saving Investment From Major Stakeholder

>>Delta, like its competitors, needs to come up with a cohesive strategy on how to challenge the discount airlines beginning to move into the trans-Atlantic market: Delta Has Big Concerns About Low-Cost Trans-Atlantic Competition

>>Delta CEO Ed Bastian tried to answer questions about why former CEO Richard Anderson abruptly resigned as executive chairman. But it’s still not really clear why Anderson stepped down so quickly after taking over: Delta Air Lines Chairman’s Resignation Was Part of the Plan, CEO Says

>>Delta just opened up upgrades for some of its elite members traveling on award tickets. While a great perk for travelers, it also may be an indication of Delta’s willingness to bury the hatchet with SkyMiles members: Delta Adds New Upgrade Perks for Some SkyMiles Members

>>Delta’s CEO appears confident following third quarter earnings that were better than analysts predicted: Delta CEO: There’s No Pilot Shortage, But We’re Giving Raises Anyway

>>Momondo Group looks like it is working out some of the duplication from the 2011 merger of Cheapflights and its Danish rival, Momondo: Momondo Group Makes Changes at Cheapflights Operation