The summer of 2016 brings some exciting new routes and airlines to San Francisco International Airport. These additions will expand the route network of SFO, allowing travellers to explore new destinations around the world. Air Berlin, Fiji Airways, and WOW Air will all begin service to SFO in late spring to early summer, expanding the reach of the route network of SFO.
Air Berlin, the second largest airline in Germany, will begin service to San Francisco from one of their hubs, Düsseldorf on May 6, 2016. The flight AB7393 will be operated on Air Berlin’s Airbus A330-200 product. Air Berlin has previously served San Francisco aboard an Airbus A330, using the same flight number. The route was cancelled in 2009, with October 19, 2009 being the final flight from SFO to DUS with the airline. Seven years later, it appears that Air Berlin has seen an opportunity in San Francisco and is reinstating the route. According to SeatGuru, a aircraft seating chart tool by TripAdvisor, the aircraft will feature 19 business class seats and 271 economy seats. The business class seats feature 180 degree recline and all have direct aisle access. Out of the 271 economy seats, 44 are “XL Seats”, Air Berlin’s premium economy product. The only differences between “XL Seats” and normal economy seats are an extra 6 degrees of pitch, and location nearer the front of the aircraft. All seats feature Air Berlin’s new entertainment and video on demand system. This new route will expand the options for Bay Area travellers who wish to explore Europe. With extremely cheap fares and hip advertising, WOW Air is a rapidly expanding, low cost airline. Based in Reykjavík, Iceland, WOW Air operates transatlantic flights from its hub in Iceland to the United States and Europe. With a fleet of only six aircraft, the airline is still very young, but very popular. Five time weekly service to San Francisco is scheduled to begin on June 9, 2016 from Reykjavík, aboard an Airbus A330-300. The airline does not currently possess any A330’s, but 3 are on order. The aircraft will hold 342 passengers in a single, economy class, configuration. Customers may purchase a premium economy seat with an extra four inches of legroom. Fares can be purchased for as low as $99 on certain dates, but passengers should be aware of extra charges imposed by the airline. If one wishes to bring a carry-on heavier than 5kg. or 11 lbs. they will be charged $48. One piece of checked luggage, usually expected to be free on international flights, will incur a charge of $67. Travellers will have to decide if travelling with WOW Air is for them, but nevertheless, it is an exciting addition and option for travellers who wish to explore Iceland or Europe on a budget. Only one week after the commencement of WOW Air’s service to Northern California, Fiji Airways will be introducing direct service from San Francisco to the South Pacific. On June 16, 2016, travellers will be able to catch a direct flight from SFO to Nadi, Fiji. The flight will operate twice weekly, on Thursdays and Sundays. The route will operate seasonally, ending on August 14, and recommencing on December 15, 2016 and continuing until January 15, 2017. Fiji Airways will be gracing the skies above San Francisco with their Airbus A330-200. This aircraft features 24 business class seats and 249 economy seats. Recent reviews on SeatGuru are mixed with some praising the airline for their business class seats, but others warning other travellers of squished economy seats and business class seats that do not lay flat. The San Francisco airport announced the #BulaSFO sweepstakes in celebration of the new route. One winner will receive round-trip tickets to their Fijian city of choice. The South Pacific will be within reach to travellers come this June. 2016 is the year of the A330 for SFO, with three new airlines, serving three new cities, but with one thing in common, an Airbus A330. Hopefully these new routes will provide travellers with opportunities to visit new cities in Europe and the South Pacific and new airline choice for their travels. Along with these exciting new routes in 2016, Virgin Atlantic has announced they will begin service to San Francisco in the spring of 2017. Virgin Atlantic will serve SFO three times weekly aboard their Airbus A330-300 aircraft from Manchester, adding on to their daily flights from London, and increasing their presence in San Francisco. This will even further the choices for travellers hunting for cheap fares to their destinations. Throughout the last decade SFO has made some awesome upgrades, like constructing a new ATC tower and completely redoing Terminal 2. With a recent form filled out by SFO’s Doug Yakel, the future looks even brighter. In this recent form we asked, “Will SFO get an observation deck?” We were given the response of “Yes” but the deck is, “To be determined, still in design phase” and “...Will be a combination of open air and closed area.” We look at this as great news and a great new spot for everyone to see! For the experience of the passenger flying through SFO and maybe even the common spotter, SFO will be excelling. Within the next 2-5 years SFO plans to have a terminal connector (post security) running from Concourse A all the way to G. With these remodels we will see Concourse F and all of Terminal 1 to be completely remodeled by 2020 or later. Within the next 5 years SFO plans on seeing an increase of 1%-9% in both domestic and international service with plans to add more international gates. During the latest Super Bowl SFO estimated more than 500,000 people traveled through SFO to tour Super Bowl or to see the Big Game. Even though many say the 787 is a downgrade for routes, we here at SFO don’t think so. In the recent form we asked about the launch of Non-stop San Francisco to Singapore Changi. “This will be a big deal...Singapore is one of the largest unserved markets for SFO, and this flight will link two major tech centers together. The flight will be the 4th longest route in the world, longest 787 route and longest route operated by a US airline and shaving 4 hours off of a typical connecting route.” Yakel states. “The 787 is a game-changer for the industry, opening up the profitable routes that might not exist with other aircraft types. This is why you see United using 787s on what we call “Long/Thin” routes, like Chengdu, Xi’an and Singapore. It’s the right combination of seats, range and operating efficiency. While changes may reduce the number of available seats in a market, this is a minor in comparison to the new possibilities the 787 can offer. Special thanks to Doug Yakel and SFO for helping us with the form and article! Written by Harrison with help from Doug YakelIn 1954, Qantas began service to SFO with the Lockheed Constellation, stopping over in Nadi, Fiji and Honolulu, Hawaii. 5 years later, the route was upgraded to a Boeing 707, and in 1971 the 747 was introduced on the route, eliminating the fuel stop in Fiji. Qantas has been in and out of SFO several times since then, leaving the route in 1995, returning in 2006, and leaving again in 2011. |
WritersHarrison, Eric, Alessandro and Elliot Archives
April 2016
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