Tracking the Ever Changing Airline Industry

Cabin Managers has been tracking the airline industry closely for several years now, but the past six months has been a particularly active time for the airlines. Last Christmas, MAXjet Airways quit flying and, since then, more than a half dozen other air carriers have gone out of business including EOS Airlines and Silverjet who, along with MAXjet, comprised the three business class airlines serving the popular New York to London air route.

One airline that has managed to hang on is tiny L’Avion, the trading name of Elysair, a French operator based in Paris. L’Avion operates two Boeing 757-200 with 90 Business Class seats only, flying between Paris (Orly) and New York (Newark) twice daily, 5 times a week. We’ve expected that their long term survival was in jeopardy given the present market conditions and on Wednesday our suspicions were confirmed, but in a rather pleasant twist.

BA Acquires L’Avion

British Airways announced earlier this week an agreement to acquire L’Avion and integrate the airline into its new subsidiary OpenSkies. OpenSkies began providing service between Orly Airport and John F. Kennedy Airport recently and the combined operation will operate up to three daily flights between Orly and the New York area using Boeing 757 aircraft.

“L’Avion has built a fantastic business offering high-value premium service that has inspired tremendous customer loyalty on both sides of the Atlantic,” said Dale Moss, Managing Director of OpenSkies. “Together, we share common values and a deep commitment to safety, innovation and customer service. L’Avion will provide OpenSkies with immediate scale, increased access to Paris Orly and an experienced, talented employee base. This is a combination of two companies that are focused on bringing comfort and personalization to transatlantic travel.”

“We are thrilled about this agreement, which brings together two like-minded airlines with complementary business models and a focus on low costs and high value to create a premium transatlantic carrier,” said Marc Rochet, Chief Executive Officer of L’Avion. “We look forward to being a part of the high-quality customer experience that will become synonymous with OpenSkies, all backed by the vision of British Airways.”

Code Share Agreement

The deal is pending regulatory approval, but once that has been accomplished customers of the newly combined entity will be eligible to experience important benefits including an increased schedule and BA Executive Club privileges. At present, OpenSkies and L’Avion operate a codeshare agreement with L’Avion selling seats on OpenSkies flights.

Once we see how everything unfolds Cabin Managers will update the information for L’Avion listed on this site’s sidebar.

(Source: British Airways)

Happy Birthdays, Canada and USA!

Today is Canada Day and Friday marks Independence Day, two holidays important to the people of Canada and the United States of America, respectively.  These two nations share a lot in common, never mind one of the longest peacetime borders in the world.

Airlines In Canada and the USA

Both countries have been taking it on the chin lately when it comes to their airline sectors, with the US probably suffering the most. Canada is doing better in the current economic challenge as the housing sector downturn in the US is chiefly an American thing. However, high jet fuel prices isn’t good for anyone and,  where the US has embraced deregulation and seen a spate of recent airline failures, Canada has cautiously gone down the same path, but with less abandon.

I was going to use this month’s hiring forecast to take a special look at Canada, but there isn’t much to report other than this:

Seeking Work In Canada?

If you are an American who doesn’t have the right to work in Canada, applying for a position with a Canadian registered air carrier is useless. Conversely, if you are a Canadian seeking work in the US, you won’t find employment either. The reason: flight attendants are not classified as one of those positions where workers are needed. In fact, with all of the layoffs over recent years, there are many furloughed flight attendants looking for work. One exception: if you are seeking work in your own country for a position with the other country’s air carrier, you might be eligible for employment.

Canadian flight attendant jobs can usually be found posted on the airline’s website or on Workopolis, the big job search engine specific to Canada.  Since rolling out the new Cabin Managers last fall, I’ve also added information about Porter Airlines, small regional operator based in Toronto. This airline is now flying to Newark Airport, but their flight crew is domiciled in Toronto. Other positions such as customer service representative, ramp agent, and aircraft maintenance engineer are open to US citizens at Newark.

Flying Internationally

Both Canadians and Americans can sometimes find work in other countries, especially if a call for employment of foreign nationals has been made. Cabin Managers has tracked two air carriers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways and both are hiring. Each airline has held open houses recently in the US and in Canada, providing an opportunity for people to check them out. A third airline, Gulf Air, which is based in Manama, Bahrain, is also hiring flight attendants. They have a specific page for US or Canadian residents to visit to learn more this opportunity.

The Months Ahead

Beyond the short term, events unfolding over the coming months will foretell the direction the airline industry is heading. If fuel prices remain elevated or continue to rise, then more bankruptcies will take place and employment prospects will further dim. If fuel prices drop significantly, much of the pressure will be reduced though not altogether removed. And, as long as the threat of higher fuel prices remain, further consolidation will take place in a bid to cut costs.

As always, please bookmark this site and check back frequently for updates. If you have some information to share, feel free to hit the comment button and share what you have with everyone else.

Safe flying!

In case you haven’t noticed, business aviation is booming. Yes, those small jets that are often parked on the other side of the field at airports all across the US are in great demand.

40 New Aircraft For NetJets

Just last week Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, reached an agreement with NetJets to supply a total of 40 new Gulfstream aircraft. The agreement is valued at approximately $1.9 billion which means that four Gulfstream G450s and four Gulfstream G550s will be delivered to NetJets each year from 2012 through 2016. This deal also includes a long-term maintenance support agreement.

No, that may not sound like a lot of jets being delivered, but NetJets has the largest business jet service in the world. NetJets provides long-range service for corporations, wealthy individuals, and celebrities who must be able to fly on short notice. NetJets has over 90% of the long-range cabin fractional market and is the largest operator of Gulfstream aircraft in the world. As of June 2008 NetJets’ worldwide Gulfstream fleet totals 110 and is comprised of 21 Gulfstream G550/V, 55 Gulfstream G450/400/IV-SP and 34 Gulfstream G200s.

Accepting Applications

In the US, NetJets has two fleets operating — one flying Falcon Jets, the second flying Gulfstreams. The Falcon Jet side of the business isn’t accepting applications right now, but the Gulfstream side is. So, if you are interested in applying, then why not send your resume out today?

For Gulfstream large cabin aircraft mail to:
NetJets International, Inc.
ATTN: RECRUITING
108 Traders Cross Road, Ste. 100
Okatie, SC 29909
Fax 843.705.8001
njintlemployment@netjets.com

For flight attendants interested in flying with NetJets Europe email: cabincreweurope@netjets.com

NetJets Comes Highly Recommended

Please check directly with NetJets regarding their current hiring status. Though CabinManagers can’t forward your personal information to NetJets on your behalf, we can recommend the company as being a solid performer offering very good pay (beginning salaries in the low 40s) and excellent working conditions.

Yes, the airlines are swooning while business aviation is booming. Perhaps taking a hard look at what flying on a corporate jet requires is a good way to go.

Resources

Corporate Flight Attendant Community

NetJets Flight Attendant Page

OpenSkies Is Here!

A new airline is getting ready to take flight: OpenSkies, a division of UK flag carrier, British Airways is now in business.

The airline is a direct result of the Open Skies agreement reached this past March between the European Union (EU) and the United States, allowing European airlines to fly from a destination outside of their home country to the US. Previously, flights had to originate in the country where the airline was domiciled as “cabotage” rules forbid this practice. Given that the 27 EU countries are operating somewhat like the 50 states of the US, this move makes sense.

Open Skies (the agreement) isn’t perfect as it allows US air carriers to fly to points within Europe while denying similar access to European air carriers stateside, at least for now. That may change in the future, but the US is trying to protect its ravaged airline industry from outside forces who could wreck the economy.

For flight attendant prospects, OpenSkies (the airline, that is) could present a wonderful opportunity to get in on the ground floor of something that has a promising future.  Thanks to the backing of British Airways, OpenSkies has a chance of making it where others have failed (i.e., MAXjet Airways, Silverjet, and EOS Airlines).

Is OpenSkies hiring? Absolutely! In fact, we can share the following information about who they are looking for in a candidate, but we urge you to visit the airline’s career page for more information. Here are some of the highlights of the position:

Cabin Crew

Who are we looking for?

Flight attendants who:

• have a passion for giving excellent customer service
• love working in a team
• possess great communication skills
• want to help shape a new airline
• are friendly and approachable
• ideally have a bilingual capability

In addition we have opportunities for suitably qualified Flight Attendants to become Team Leaders who:

• Have a minimum of 12 months recent flying experience as a flight attendant
• Can lead and motivate a team
• Can create the environment for service excellence

Why join OpenSkies?

• Have the opportunity to deliver a pri cemium product and service style
• Being in at the start of a exciting new premium international airline
• Great opportunities for career advancement
• No reserve lines - everyone gets to fly immediately
• Paid while you are training in London at the OpenSkies training school.
• Elegant, designer uniform - Free initial issue.

Enjoy a competitive compensation and benefits package consisting of:

• Per diem expenses
• Generous vacation and holiday benefits
• Worldwide Staff Travel with British Airways
• 401(K) Retirement Plan
• Medical Benefits
• Dental Benefits

How do I apply?

We are recruiting Flight Attendants in the New York area in late June and July. If you are interested in joining our team, complete our on line application by clicking here

http://cabincrew.openskiescareers.com

Once you have passed this initial online screening you will be invited to attend an interview. We have a number of dates scheduled for interviews in New York and you will be able to book yourself onto an available date that suits you. Be prepared to spend the whole day with us.

Are You A New Yorker?

Of course, if you already live in the New York area, then that is an advantage for you. If you don’t, apply anyway, but be prepared for getting yourself to the Big Apple and spending the day with the airline.

Best wishes — we’ll post more information here as it becomes known.

Pictured: ExpressJet co-workers, Rose Morgan and Lo Lyons, prepare their team’s float for the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s Race for the Cure. (PRNewsFoto/ExpressJet)

Airline news has been particularly bleak this year as a rash of air carriers call it quits and as many other airlines struggle to survive. If you’re a regular visitor to CabinManagers, then you are familiar with the frequent reports of one airline after another going out of business.

In the midst of all of this, it is always good to find the occasional ray of light which manages to penetrate the darkness. One company, ExpressJet Airlines, has been shining a bright light lately, in the area of giving back to the community. The following story tells how several ExpressJet employees banded together for different worthy causes and made a difference in the process:

After she, her mother, and her aunt, were simultaneously diagnosed with breast cancer, Lyons sprang into action for the cause of early detection for all.

“This cause was close to me, and many of my closest friends are my co-workers,” said Lyons. “We formed a walking team and raised money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s Race for the Cure. My company and my co-workers have been some of my greatest supporters.”

Employee morale at work also gets a boost from employee charitable efforts after hours.

“Today’s employees are concerned about whether the values of the company for which they work are compatible with their own personal viewpoints,” said business consultant Roger E. Herman.

Mark Silver, a retired Navy pilot and motorcycle enthusiast who flies for ExpressJet Airlines, joined the first annual Texas Honor Ride to raise money for wounded soldiers and their families. The group of motorcycle clubs rode across the state to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. With one email, Silver kick-started a movement that spread through the company.

“To be able to ride together, as a team, as co-workers, and to be able to give something back to those who gave us so much, truly made us proud of ExpressJet,” Silver said.

Kudos to ExpressJet for creating an environment where workers can make a difference whether they are at work or working together on their own time. For the complete article and tips on how to organize an event like the two mentioned here, please visit ExpressJet Airlines.

ExpressJet Remains Independent

Until 2002, ExpressJet was a unit of Continental Airlines before the airline was spun off in a public offering that raised $500 million. ExpressJet had received an offer in April 2008 from SkyWest Airlines to buy ExpressJet at $3.50 per share, but that offer was rejected. Instead, ExpressJet renegotiated its regional service agreement with Continental and will provide 205 jets to serve Continental going forward.

Emirates Airline, the world’s seventh-largest airline, will be holding an Open Day in Houston on June 27th. Open Days are information sessions where prospective flight attendants can meet members of the airline’s Recruitment Team.

Dr. Bobbie Sullivan of Cabin Crew News shared this information to Cabin Managers recently; thank you Bobbie for your head’s up!

Cabin Managers previously noted that Emirates was adding San Francisco to their list of North American gateways. Emirates already flies out of Houston, providing non-stop service to Dubai. The airline held a pair of recruiting sessions in Canada earlier this month and we fully expected that some sort of US recruitment would also be arranged. It has and we’re happy to share the following information with you.

June 27th Open Day Details

Open Day commences at 9:00am sharp and interested applicants are required to present an updated resume together with a full length and a passport size photographs in business attire. The Open Day will take up a large part of the day, depending on the number of candidates.

If you are successful at this stage you will be required to attend a further selection day during the course of the week.

Open day details:

Open Day: June 27, 2008 9:00 am

Venue: Intercontinental Houston
2222 West Loop South
Houston, Texas 77027

Requirements:
- Minimum age 21 years at the time of application.

- Minimum arm reach of 212cms (on tip toes), which enables you to reach emergency equipment on all aircraft types.

- Educated to at least high school standard.

- Fluency in written and spoken English (fluency in another language is an asset).

- Medically fit to meet aircrew requirements.

- You must be the sort of person who has the natural ability to provide excellent service within a team environment.

We realize that being based overseas isn’t for everyone and some might object to living in an area of the world where their personal rights are curtailed. Dubai is considered by many people to be one of the most open cities in the Muslim world, embracing some Western customs and accommodating many different cultures.

Spend some time on the Emirates website to familiarize yourself with the company and research the United Arab Emirates and Dubai to discover what that area of the world holds for you.

Finally, if you are planning to attend Open Day DO NOT ARRIVE LATE or you will not gain admittance to the event!

Apply Now/More Information

Business class airlines flying from the New York metropolitan area to London just cannot catch a break.

One, Two, Three Bankrupt Airlines

First, it was MAXjet Airways who folded just before Christmas 2007, leaving passengers scrambling in a bid to get home. Plans to re-launch the carrier as a charter operator apparently are on hold.

Second, it was EOS Airlines who announced this Spring that their elite business class service was through, citing rising fuel prices and competition for its demise. EOS’ claim to fame was its introductory $6500 roundtrip airfare, with 48-passenger seating and amenities rivaling what corporate jet fliers receive.

Third, and last, is Silverjet the British-registered airline that recently seemed to have worked out a key funding plan which would have rescued the airline, but today Forbes has reported that the airline has been shut down and all 300 employees fired. Silverjet had suspended operations two weeks ago when it ran out of cash, but an Irish suitor canceled the deal.

Sardine Class, Anyone?

All three airlines sought to carve out a niche abandoned by the SST market after the last of the aging aircraft were pulled from Air France’s and British Airways’ fleets. Though no one was promising to get passengers back and forth across the Atlantic quickly, the business-style air carriers could at least do it in style, something the legacy air carriers weren’t doing.

Alas, the New York-London business-class only market is now dead. Businesses will have to choose whether to fly corporate or to catch a flight on one of the big American or British air carriers, flying choices which are at polar opposites of each other.

Cabin Managers has learned that Etihad Airways, the national airline for the United Arab Emirates, is planning to hold flight attendant recruiting sessions this month. Two cities, New York and Los Angeles are the main focus of this recruiting drive, but they aren’t alone. 8 U.S. cities have been identified as part of Etihad’s current recruiting effort and we’re listing those cities here.

Etihad Airways Steps Up Flight Attendant Recruiting

According to the published information sheet sent to me, the following is the information related to Etihad’s June sessions:

Etihad Airways is coming to the US in June to conduct interviews for new cabin crew members. We are looking for candidates for our Cabin Crew and Onboard F&B Manager roles. We will be in the following cities on the following dates:

• New York, 14 June
• Chicago, 15 June
• Minneapolis, 16 June
• Seattle, 17 June
• San Francisco, 18 June
• Los Angeles, 19 June
• Houston, 21 June
• Atlanta, 22 June

Full descriptions of both jobs are available on our websites (http://careers.etihadairways.com), but basic details are below. If you are interested in either of the positions, you can reply to this advertisement by emailing your CV and a copy of the photo page from your passport to ccrecruitment@etihad.ae. Please list the city of interest on the subject line of your email. If you are selected for an interview, you will be sent an invitation with full details about the day.

For Cabin Crew: You don’t need to have flight attendant experience; however, 2 years of customer service experience is required.

For Onboard Food & Beverage Manager: You need to have supervisory F&B experience in a 4-5 start hotel (Assistant F&B Manager, F&B Manager, Catering Manager) and should be ready to take your F&B experience to an airline to serve guests while aboard the aircraft.

Additional Information You May Find Helpful

Lots of people have asked us about Etihad’s recruitment process. We found that visiting their site and reading the information supplied is the best course of action to take. Specifically, visit their recruiting page and you’ll find everything you need about working for Etihad.

Best wishes to everyone who applies!

Note: Etihad is not the same airline as UAE-based Emirates Airline. Emirates is holding recruiting sessions in two Canadian cities during June, but no U.S. locations have been mentioned.

One of the fastest growing airlines in the world is Emirates Airline, which is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Thanks both to its central location and wealth, Emirates continues to grow despite the overall global aviation slowdown. New aircraft continue to enter the Emirates fleet and the airline is expanding while many of its competitors are contracting.

In North America, Emirates flies out of New York’s JFK Airport, Houston, Los Angeles, and Toronto. This October the airline will be opening a fifth North American gateway at San Francisco. Emirates will be the first airline to connect Dubai and San Francisco using its newest, technologically advanced Boeing 777-200LR on that route. The aircraft offers 266 seats in a three class configuration and will provide 10 tons of freight lift in both directions.

Covering Six Continents

At present, Emirates provides service to 99 cities in 62 countries scattered across the Mideast, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and North America. The airline serves one South American city, Sao Paulo.

North American Hiring

The question many visitors to this site have about Emirates isn’t whether they are hiring, but how to get hired. Though we’ve provided links on our Emirates information page to help people out, we thought you’d like to know that the airline occasionally holds hiring sessions in Canada and the United States.

For example, this Saturday (June 7th) the airline has shared the following information about an open house they will be holding in Vancouver:

FLIGHT ATTENDANT RECRUITMENT - OPEN HOUSE
Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel
1088 Burrard Street
Vancouver, B.C. Canada

Date: June 7, 2008
Time: Apply in person from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

For more details please visit: www.emiratesgroupcareers.com or www.konexion.ca — Please bring two copies of your updated resume.

In addition, the following Saturday Emirates will be in Toronto:

FLIGHT ATTENDANT RECRUITMENT - OPEN HOUSE
Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Downtown
475 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario

Date: June 14, 2008
Time: Walk in any time from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

For more details please visit: www.emiratesgroupcareers.com or www.konexion.ca — Please bring two copies of your updated resume.

No US Interviews…Yet

We haven’t found recruiting dates for the US for the month of June, but when we do we’ll post that information here.

A quick survey of the airline industry landscape and it isn’t difficult to realize that the hiring forecast for flight attendants is currently gloomy.

A few bright spots remain, especially for the flight attendant prospect willing to be based and work overseas. Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways are at the vanguard of those types of airlines hiring today, with regional US providers also hiring. With the latter, you can expect substandard pay and tough working conditions.

Charter Airlines: Offering Something Different

For June, instead of repeating the usual choices or focusing on the downside of the industry, I thought it would be of interest to readers if I mentioned those airlines who primarily or exclusively fly charter. Specifically, airlines which fly sports teams, companies, and vacationers on demand.

Please note that although a charter airline is listed, it doesn’t mean that they are hiring at the moment. Typically, these types of air carriers are quite small and staffed with crew who have been employed for a long time. Some use supplemental flight attendants for special flying (such as Haj pilgrimmage), but for the most part you must be trained by them and already on their payroll in order to fly with them:

Allegiant Air — This ten year old airline is located in the Las Vegas, NV area and flies both scheduled and charter flights. The airline routinely holds information sessions for flight attendants.

Miami Air International — Founded in 1990, this Miami, FL-based airline provides charter service for companies and for the federal government. At present, Miami Air is extensively involved in ferrying troops back and forth to the Middle East.

Omni Air International — Located in Tulsa, OK, Omni is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The airline flies for international charter operators and provides service under government contracts. Several of the airline’s jets are currently being wet-leased to other companies.

Pace Airlines — Located in Winston-Salem, NC, Pace exclusively operates as a charter air carrier. The airline has contracts with sports teams and companies and launched Hooters Air in 2003, a scheduled airline service that closed shop in 2006.

Primaris Airlines — This Las Vegas, NV air carrier is one of the newest and smallest charter operators, having gotten its start in 2002. Though flying just two aircraft, the airline made news a few years ago when they announced that they would purchase 20 Boeing 787 aircraft, a deal they later rescinded.

Ryan International Airlines — Headquartered in Rockford, IL, Ryan started out in the early 1970s as a cargo carrier and began adding passenger flights some ten years later. Today, the company flies for tour operators and is important provider of transportation for college and professional sports teams.

Sun Country Airlines — Headquartered in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, Sun Country offers limited scheduled and regular charter services, the latter for tour operators in Mexico and the Caribbean. The airline recently began to build up its Dallas business in a bid to serve travelers to Mexico. Bobbie Sullivan reported April on Professional Pilot News that Sun Country laid off 45 pilots, so please keep that in mind if applying.

USA3000 Airlines — Established in 2001 by Apple Vacations, USA3000 is headquartered in the Philadelphia, PA area. The airline’s all-Airbus 320 fleet is one of the newest in the industry and flies tour groups from the Northeast and Midwest to Florida, the Dominican Republic, and to Mexico.

USA Jet Airlines — Operating a fleet of MD-9 aircraft with seating for just 50-74 passengers, Ypsilanti, MI-based USA Jet serves freight and charter clientele exclusively. The airline flies sports teams, political candidates, members of the media, tour groups, and provides travel for companies.

World Airways — Based in Peachtree City, GA, World Airways has been flying for 60 years. Primarily a freight hauler and a charter operator, World’s largest customer is the federal government. The airline also owns North American Airlines.

Xtra Airways — Located in Elko, NV, Xtra got its start in 1987 as Casino Express Airlines. The company flies mostly charter flights including for casino tour operators. Flight attendant applications are being accepted with anticipated hiring to commence in Spring 2009.

This list isn’t comprehensive, but it does include all of the U.S. based airlines who regularly provide charter service.

A Stable Future?

One question that prospective candidates have in mind when working for a charter airline is this — are they stable enough to survive the ups and downs of the business? Though it is impossible to predict how any airline will perform long term, the advantage for a charter operator is that their increased costs (namely fuel) are passed on to the customers.

Unlike scheduled airlines who must hold the line on costs or risk losing business, the pressure for charter operators is a bit different — they still want to offer the best service at a decent price, but they can only do this by recouping their rising costs from their customers.

In conclusion, if you are interested in seeking employment with a charter operator, then click on the provided links and see what they have to offer. Send your resume directly to the airline and bookmark their hiring information page(s) to keep tabs on them.

Further Reading

All-business-class airlines take off despite past failures

Sun Country cuts pay of managers to limit losses

TOURISM: If not by air, then how?

USA Jet Airlines Unit Earns FAA Diamond Award

USA3000 Airlines to offer flights to Mexico, Jamaica

World Airways to Continue Operating Three MD-11 Freighters for Lufthansa Cargo

Boeing 787 courtesy of Yasobara.

Omni Air courtesy of Christopher Kern.

World Airways courtesy of Peter Rimar.