The Week In Travel

Delta Air Lines has revealed this week that it has recorded its highest ever number of advanced bookings ahead of the upcoming summer season. The airline’s outlook for the future is certainly a positive one, with CEO Ed Bastian stating the company is ‘confident in our full-year guidance for revenue growth of 15 to 20% year-over-year’.

In Europe, German flag carrier Lufthansa has moved closer to purchasing a stake in ITA Airways this week, with the official approval of its business plan by the Italian airline’s board of directors. Both sides reportedly met in Rome to finalise the deal which will see Lufthansa acquire 40% of ITA Airways, with an option to purchase the remaining 60% at a later date.

In sustainability news, Ryanair will now be powering its full schedule of flights from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport with a 40% SAF blend, as a result of the expansion of its partnership with SAF supplier Neste. The new scheme is anticipated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from these flights by 32%.

Staying in the Netherlands, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has this week introduced a service that allows travellers to reserve a dedicated time slot to pass through security, in an effort to reduce waiting times and security-related delays. This free service will be offered to travellers flying within the Schengen Area, with additional destinations expected to be announced shortly.

And finally, a man flying to Faro received royal treatment from the Jet2 cabin crew, and was ‘treated like a king’ as a result of being the only person on the flight. Originally worried that he had missed his flight due to the lack of activity at the gate, 65-year-old Paul Wilkinson quickly discovered he was indeed the only one boarding the flight from Belfast to Faro. Paul claims he was pampered by the staff who treated him as though it was his own private jet and nicknamed him King Paul for the duration of the journey. Long may he reign.