10 replies to this topic

[Stevphfeniey]

 

All relevant news and press releases from Excel headquarters and member airlines will be posted here.

 

Excel Alliance - Explicit

[Stevphfeniey]

 

 

16 May, 1998

 

North American Airlines, British Imperial, Volait, Orchid Japan and Australian Pacific are proud to welcome our first new member since the creation of Excel Alliance one year ago: Air Okinawa of Japan. 

 

The announcement comes at the heels of a partnership between Orchid Japan, the nation's leading airline, and Air O to increase its footprint in the increasingly competitive Asian market. The partnership ensures that over half a million travelers are getting the best service in Asia. Air O allows Excel and Orchid Japan to solidify its place in the Japanese market. Orchid Japan / Air O currently fly to 100 destinations in Japan, East Asia and the rest of the globe. 

 

Speaking at the announcement, North American Airlines CEO Stefan Stephensen said "The integration of Air O into the alliance is an important milestone. We have integrated our first airline into our network and hope to see more join."

 

Full integration of Air O into the Excel network is expected to take place later this year. 

[Stevphfeniey]

 

5 December, 1998

 

The member airlines of Excel Alliance welcomed Orchid Thai, Thailand and South East Asia's leading airline, to the group.

 

The airline is a partnership between the Thai government and the Japan based Orchid Group, which also owns fellow Excel Alliance member Orchid Japan. The addition of Orchid Thai gives Excel additional access to 12 new destinations in Asia and establishes a new connecting point out of Bangkok. 

 

Orchid Thai's ascension was a well received development among the members of Excel, with British Imperial and Oceanian Pacific CEOs commenting on a new convenient stopover point between Europe and Oceania.  

 

With the addition of Orchid Thai and Air O in 1998, Excel Alliance is on track to become one of the world's leading airline groups. Its nine member airlines operate over 1700 aircraft to 754 cities across the world carrying 194 million passengers a year.

[-Newcdn]

 

Orchid Japan announces retirement of final 8 Boeing 747-200 aircraft, buys 6 Boeing 777-300 planes

 

Tokyo: Orchid Japan today announced that it will be retiring its fleet of 8 Boeing 747-200 aircraft, which are now over 20 years old. Originally planned to be replaced by Boeing 747-400 aircraft, Orchid decided in 1993 to continue flying the older -200 models alongside the newer -400 model to regional destinations in Asia. The airline announced that it has now found a suitable replacement for the remaining 8 aircraft, and these will be replaced by Boeing's new twin-engine Boeing 777-300 aircraft. 

 

First deliveries of the of the Boeing 777-300 aircraft are scheduled for July of this year. Orchid will take delivery of 4 aircraft this year and another 2 aircraft will join the fleet next year.

 

The airline also announced that it will be ending its service to Toronto on May 1, 1999, which is currently operated by Boeing 747-200 aircraft. Orchid will continue its daily Boeing 747-400 flight to Vancouver, which is code-shared with YVR-based Pacific Airways. Passengers affected by the cancellation of the non-stop Toronto flight have been re-booked via Vancouver on Pacific Airways.

[zipp]

Steve, don't lie, Thai Sky is Thailand's leading carrier. Outrageous claims get you nowhere

[Oggey]

 

Auckland, New Zealand

Oceanian Pacific has placed an order of 15 of Airbus's latest revolution in aviation with options for 10 more, the mid-ranged A330. These planes will be used on routes from Auckland to the small lucrative islands around Australia and New Zealand. Aswell as former Australian Pacific routes across Australia.

 

The first A330 will arrive in October, 1999 and will also be fitted with Oceanian's new config, the Oceanflyer.

[Stevphfeniey]

 

 

12 August, 2000

 

Excel is proud to welcome Austrian Airlines and TINSA Brasil to the network at a joint ceremony.

 

Both airlines are expected to offer a wider range of travel destinations throughout the world.

 

TINSA Brasil is Excel's first carrier in Latin America and flies to over 45 new destinations not previously served by other Excel carriers. TINSA Brasil has also recently completed its purchase of Peruvian Airlines, and it is expected that the airline is to be rebranded as TINSA Peru and enhance Excel's footprint in South America. 

 

Austrian Airlines joins as Excel's third European carrier after British Imperial and Volait, and flies to 30 destinations in Europe not served by either carrier. These destinations are mostly in Central and Eastern Europe. Austrian Airlines has also been refocusing its intercontinental network by launching flights to Excel hubs at Philadelphia and Bangkok, offering more connection options for carriers at either end.

 

TINSA Brasil and Austrian Airlines open up developing and expanding markets to Excel customers, and it is expected that our network in these areas will expand rapidly to keep pace with the economic growth of these regions.

 

Both airlines expect full integration into frequent flyer programs and other customer service benefits within the next few months.

[Stevphfeniey]

 

17 September, 2000

North American Airlines is continuing its ongoing fleet renewal and partnership with the European aircraft consortium EADS with its order for thirty-five Airbus A320 series aircraft. This solidifies almost a ten year relationship between the two companies, which began with an order for Airbus A330 long-range aircraft. The order is for twenty-five Airbus A319 aircraft, which are replacing Boeing 727-200 and Douglas DC-9-40 jetliners on routes across our network, as well as delivering an improved in-flight experience for travelers.

The order also includes the new Airbus A318 jetliner, which will begin replacing our Douglas DC-9-30 aircraft starting in 2003. The A318 will include next-generation in-flight entertainment systems which will be implemented across our entire short-haul fleet in 2002. The A318 and A319 offer substantial savings in fuel burn compared to our older aircraft, freeing up income to be put towards improving the NAA experience.

Options for a further forty Airbus A320 series aircraft are included in the deal. 

[-Newcdn]

 

Orchid Japan service updates

 

Tokyo -  These are the latest changes to Orchid Japan’s international services from Tokyo Narita. Changes are being gradually implemented starting March 1, 2003.

 

Orchid Japan will be ending service to the following 3 destinations on March 15, 2003. Affected passengers have been rebooked on partner airlines and will be notified shortly.  

 

Tokyo - Bangalore 5 weekly Boeing 767-300ER service is cancelled.  

Tokyo - Munich Daily Boeing 767-300ER service is cancelled.

Tokyo - Rome Daily Boeing 777-200ER service is cancelled

 

Tokyo - Amsterdam Aircraft downgauge from Boeing 747-400 to Boeing 777-200ER. End of First Class service.

Tokyo - Honolulu 1 daily each of Boeing 747-400 and Boeing 767-300ER service. Previously double daily Boeing 767-300ER service.

[-Newcdn]

 

Canadian announces new daily flights to London and Paris

 

Toronto - Canadian, the nation’s leading airline today announced that it will be launching transatlantic service from Montreal, making it the 4th Canadian city in the carrier’s network with non-stop service to Europe. Canadian will launch daily flights to London’s Heathrow Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle from Montreal, on-board dual-class Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

 

The airline also announced that it will be adding a daily Toronto-Paris CDG service and adding a second daily flight on the Toronto-London route. With this new addition, the Excel Alliance member airline will now operate 5 daily flights to London from 4 Canadian cities.

 

 

Montreal - London Heathrow NEW daily Airbus A330-200 service, starting August 1, 2003.

Montreal - Paris Charles de Gaulle NEW daily Airbus A330-200 service, starting August 1, 2003.

 

Toronto Pearson - London Heathrow Addition of a second daily roundtrip on-board Airbus A330-200 starting August 15, 2003. First daily flight continues operation with Airbus A340-600.

Toronto Pearson - Paris Charles de Gaulle NEW daily Airbus A330-200 service, starting August 25, 2003.

 

 

Reservations for the new flights are now open, with roundtrip Economy Class airfares to London starting at $620. Departure from Toronto or Montreal. Roundtrip Economy Class airfares to Paris starting at $580, departure from Toronto or Montreal. Promotional fares available for a limited time only. Fares include all taxes and fees.

[-Newcdn]

 

Orchid Japan announces $9.7 billion fleet renewal program

 

Seattle - Orchid Japan today unveiled its 7-year $9.7 billion fleet renewal program, during which the airline will take delivery of 106 new Boeing aircraft, including the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Orchid Japan announced firm orders for 39 Boeing 737-800 NG aircrafts, 35 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners and 22 Boeing 777-300ER twinjets, making it the largest order in the airline’s history.

 

The new Boeing aircraft will replace the airline’s aging fleet of Airbus A320 planes, Boeing 767s, and Boeing 747-400s.

 

Deliveries will start later this year with the Boeing 737 NG aircraft, while the Boeing 777s will join the fleet starting in 2006, followed by Boeing 787 Dreamliners in 2008-2012.

 

Orchid also announced that it will be launching a new Premium Economy product on its international widebody fleet, to be introduced with the new Boeing 777 planes. Details of the new cabin will be released at a later date.

 

With this fleet renewal program, Orchid Japan will have the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleet of airplanes in Japan, ensuring a safe, pleasant and stylish flying experiences for all of our passengers.