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flynas signed (25-Jul-2024) a firm order for 130 A320 family aircraft and 30 A330neos. The order increases the carrier's order book to 280 Airbus aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2027. flynas MD and CEO Bander Almohanna stated the order "ensures sustainable growth across our network of regional and international routes, spanning short, medium, and long haul flights". He added the carrier aims to expand its fleet from 61 to more than 160 aircraft by 2030. [more - original PR - flynas] [more - original PR - Airbus]

Southwest Airlines announced (25-Jul-2024) plans to offer premium seating options with extended legroom onboard all flights from 2025. The carrier expects the new seat product to comprise approximately one-third of seats across its fleet, aligning with industry peers on narrowbody aircraft. Southwest stated that specific cabin layout details are currently undergoing review, with more details to be announced at its Investor Day in late Sep-2024. [more - original PR]

Southwest Airlines announced (25-Jul-2024) the introduction of overnight, red-eye flights on the following initial routes from 14-Feb-2025:

• Las Vegas-Baltimore;
• Las Vegas-Orlando;
• Los Angeles-Baltimore;
• Los Angeles-Nashville;
• Phoenix-Baltimore.

The carrier plans to phase in additional red-eye flights in the coming schedules as part of its multi-year transformation to 24 hour operations. Southwest stated the new overnight flights are expected to provide incremental value and cost savings, enabling the carrier to fund almost all new capacity through 2027 without incremental aircraft capital deployment. [more - original PR]

Kenya Airways announced (25-Jul-2024) plans to increase capacity on five times weekly Nairobi-Johannesburg and three times weekly Nairobi-Cape Town services with an upgrade to Boeing 787 aircraft, effective 01-Aug-2024. The aircraft features 204 economy and 30 business class seats. [more - original PR]

Lufthansa City Airlines, via its official LinkedIn account, announced (24-Jul-2024) it is now operating two aircraft to destinations in Germany and Europe, from 24-Jul-2024. The new destinations comprise Bordeaux, Hamburg and Berlin. As previously reported by CAPA, the carrier commenced commercial service on 26-Jun-2024, to Munich, Birmingham, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Hannover and Bremen.

Air France inaugurated (23-Jul-2024) its new airport experience for La Première passengers transiting through Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, on 23-Jul-2024. As previously reported by CAPA, features include:

• Dedicated check-in lobby, equipped with 15 seats and two private lounges. The lobby will also cater to arriving La Première passengers, who will be able to relax post flight, use the shower facilities and retrieve their checked baggage;
• Exclusive private passage to the lounge, featuring a dedicated security checkpoint;
• 1000sqm exclusive La Première lounge;
• Three new 45sqm suites adjacent to the lounge, which can be reserved. [more - original PR]