Turbulence Safety, Admirals Club Improvements, Delta A321neo Issues, and More Airline News

American Airlines steals the thunder with 3 entries in our roundup this week, including how it hopes to reduce the risk of turbulence injuries before landing.

We’ve also got news about Delta’s dashed hopes of offering the most premium transcontinental business class seats, another update onQantas’ Project Sunrise, and more airline and aviation news.

Delta Rethinks Its Most Premium Airbus A321neo Business Class Seat

The battle to offer the best-in-class luxury seats on coast-to-coast routes might have just bitten Delta on its Airbus A321neo tailfin. Before any airline can sell tickets for a new seat, an official certification is required. As Delta has yet to get sign-off on the reverse-herringbone Safran Vue seat for its premium-heavy A321neos, it’s likely to scrap it in favor of the Thompson Vantage Solo seat like other airlines are already flying.

Moving To Reduce Turbulence Risk

As of this week, both American Airlines and JetBlue introduced a new safety protocol. The captain’s pre-landing announcement for cabin crew to secure the cabin will now come at 18,000 feet rather than 10,000. The change is intended to reduce the risk of passenger and crew injuries from turbulence, which is more likely to occur at lower altitudes. However, this also means passengers will need to put away laptops, stow tray tables, and return their seats to the upright position around 10 minutes earlier than usual.

American Airlines Refreshes Lounge Food

Preflight dining in American’s Flagship Lounges and Admiral’s Clubs is getting a “taste-over.” In Flagship lounges, new dishes and small plates, as well as interactive dining experiences — like a cheese-monger cart — are being introduced at all locations. QR code at-seat ordering will now also be offered network-wide.

As for its Admiral’s Club locations, which needed the most TLC, American has promised more frequent variety, new wines (for purchase), 2 additional hot items to choose from, and a better quality, more aesthetic charcuterie selection. Be gone, bowls of cubed cheese and pickles.

American Suspends Routes from LAX and Charlotte

Rising jet fuel costs have led to American Airlines‘ decision to temporarily suspend 6 cross-country routes this summer. The airports mainly affected are Los Angeles (LAX) and Charlotte (CLT), from which the following routes will not operate between August 5 and October 5:

• LAX to Cleveland, Ohio (CLE), Columbus, Ohio (CMH), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (PIT), and Washington Dulles (IAD)
• CLT to Ontario, California (ONT) and Sacramento, California (SMF)

Coming Soon: Project Sunrise Inaugural Date

This week marked the first successful test flight of Qantas‘ first-ever Airbus A350-1000ULR. The aircraft will undergo even more rigorous testing over the next 2 months in Toulouse, France, before it heads Down Under to its new home base in Sydney. Reaching this next milestone means that Qantas will be ready at some time later in June to finally announce the date of the first-ever commercial Project Sunrise flight (and I cannot wait!).

Austin Will Get a New Credit Card Lounge

The jury’s out on which bank lounges will open at Austin Bergstrom (AUS). In addition to Southwest’s new “Project Oasis” lounge space, the airport confirmed to View from the Wing that there’s still space for at least 1 additional lounge operated by a credit card or bank.

New Routes and Destinations

United has confirmed Tuxtla Gutiérrez (TGZ) as its 25th Mexican destination. The resumption of the nonstop service on October 28 from Houston (IAH) will mark the only nonstop service from the U.S. to the Mexican city.

And from July 1, Contour Airlines will connect Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport (PKB) and Altoona-Blair County Airport, Pennsylvania (AOO) with Myrtle Beach, Florida (MYR) for the summer season until August 15 and August 22, respectively.

It also looks like Qatar Airways may return to Philadelphia soon, but nothing is confirmed.

Final Thoughts

The cynic in me can’t help but think there’s an ulterior motive behind starting pre-landing procedures 8,000 feet higher. I fly a lot, and I’ve never seen anyone injured while the plane approaches 10,000 feet. It’s a shame Delta’s will need some big last-minute changes to its Airbus A321neos; that seat had the potential to be the best of the best.

However, the most exciting news this week is for frequent American Airlines flyers with the promise of improved Admiral’s Club catering. Regarding the Project Sunrise launch date, we’ll update you as soon as we have more information.