Articles tagged “china eastern”

We know first class is on the way out on routes between the biggest business cities. But do travelers want a better-than-business option at a reasonable price?

Air China is its country’s clear profit champion. But as a new airport soon opens in its home city, its challenges are many.

Despite relinquishing his control, Richard Branson has been able to save face by negotiating the continuation of the Virgin Atlantic brand. At the same time a strengthened transatlantic joint venture means he'll have a better chance at competing with British Airways and its partners.

When airlines such as Delta and Etihad opt to make investments in partner airlines around the globe instead of making acquisitions, which can trigger regulatory hassles, the investor carriers are going to be subject to economic turmoil in partners' domestic markets. That just goes with the territory.

Ctrip didn't realize the extent of the problem it would inherit with its acquisition of Qunar given the latter's disputes with China's largest airlines. The direct-booking wars are acute in China, where the government has called on the airlines to sell half of their tickets on their own websites by 2018.

Wi-Fi suppliers are, quite literally, in a space race to win the Wi-Fi market. New satellites in orbit and due to launch will allocate greater bandwidth, and deliver higher speeds, to meet the needs of airlines and their customers alike. While there is still a way to go before in-flight Wi-Fi is ubiquitous, we’re getting closer every day.

Open Skies agreements also have a good side for U.S. airlines. The side over the Pacific is particularly attractive.

New planes and an expanded network will help the line keep pace with consumer growth while it attempts to carve out a bigger #2 slot for itself.