Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) for August - Flight Operations

The 598,166 flights operated in August 2022 were 84.9% of the 704,553 flights operated in pre-pandemic August 2019. Operated flights in August 2022 were up 0.91% year-over-year from the 592,760 flights operated in August 2021 and down 1.6% month-over-month from the 607,657 flights operated in July 2022.

August 2022 On-Time Arrival

In August 2022, reporting marketing carriers posted an on-time arrival rate of 75.6% up from 74.9% in July 2022 and down from 77.6% in pre-pandemic August 2019. The year-to-date on-time arrival rate for 2022 is 75.8%.

Highest Marketing Carrier On-Time Arrival Rates August 2022

1. Delta Air Lines Network – 82.9%
2. Alaska Airlines Network – 82.3%
3. Spirit Airlines – 81.6%

Lowest Marketing Carrier On-Time Arrival Rates August 2022

1. JetBlue Airways – 65.9%
2. Allegiant Air – 66.5%
3. Southwest Airlines – 67.7%

August 2022 Flight Cancellations

In August 2022, reporting marketing carriers canceled 2.5% of their scheduled domestic flights, lower than the rate 3.1% in August 2021 and higher than the rate of 1.8% in pre-pandemic August 2019.

Lowest Marketing Carrier Rates of Canceled Flights August 2022

1. Hawaiian Airlines – 0.1%
2. Alaska Airlines Network – 0.5%
3. Spirit Airlines – 0.9%

Highest Marketing Carrier Rates of Canceled Flights August 2022

1. United Airlines Network – 3.6%
2. American Airlines Network – 3.5%
3. Southwest Airlines – 2.7%

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation

JetBlue Becomes Anchor Tenant at Orlando International Airport's New Terminal

Beginning today, JetBlue officially became the anchor tenant at Orlando International Airport’s (MCO) brand new state-of-the-art Terminal C. It marks a full move of the airline’s operation in Orlando, with all JetBlue flights arriving and departing at the new facility. JetBlue ceased flight operations at its former home at Terminal A, with its final flight on Oct. 24.

JetBlue is now the only U.S. carrier in the new Terminal C, operating the largest number of gates, 10 in total, all outfitted with biometric boarding. The move bolsters JetBlue’s service to the region, with plans to operate nearly 70 daily flights to 22 destinations during the peak holiday travel period in December of this year.

Source: JetBlue

Alaska Airlines Makes Biggest Boeing Aircraft Order in Its 90-year History

Alaska Airlines announced today it is exercising options to purchase 52 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for delivery between 2024 and 2027, growing the airline's confirmed 737 MAX fleet from 94 to 146. Alaska also secured rights for 105 more planes through 2030, ensuring access to sufficient aircraft for fleet replacement and growth. This agreement represents the largest commitment for future aircraft in the airline's history.

Already operating a fleet of 35 737-9 aircraft, the airline expects to accept delivery of another 43 MAX aircraft between now and the end of 2023 – at which point they will once again operate a mainline fleet solely of Boeing aircraft. The performance of the 737-9 has exceeded expectations on economics and fuel efficiency, as well as guest satisfaction.

Source: Alaska Airlines

Air Canada to Acquire 15 Additional Canadian-built Airbus A220-300 Aircraft

Air Canada today announced that it has converted options for 15 Airbus A220-300 aircraft into firm orders, bringing to 60 the total number of the Canadian-built aircraft it will acquire for its fleet.

Source: Air Canada

American Airlines to Add More Business Class Seats

American Airlines expanded on its plan to drop first-class seats on its international flights and replace them with more business class seats.

Some of the new seats on long-haul international flights will be dubbed “Flagship Suites” and feature seats that convert into beds and doors for privacy.

Source: CNN

Last United Airlines Boeing 787-9 Now Undergoing Polaris Retrofit

United Airlines is no longer flying a Boeing 787 Dreamliner with its older generation of business class seats, with the last aircraft now undergoing a Polaris retrofit. Furthermore, the carrier will shortly introduce its first retrofitted Boeing 767-400 into service. Each step marks another milestone in United’s fleet refresh plan.

The last 787-9 aircraft without Polaris seating, N27958, has now arrived in Xiamen, China. There it will undergo a retrofit that will see the installation of new Polaris business class seats as well as a Premium Plus (premium economy) cabin. This marks an important milestone as the final Dreamliner in the United fleet to undergo such a retrofit.

Source: Live and Let's Fly