On April 28, 1968, United Airlines flew its first Boeing 737-200 on an inaugural flight between Chicago and Grand Rapids. Over 41 years later, a Boeing 737-300 will be the last Boeing 737 to fly in United Airline colors.
Instead of going with the next generation of Boeing 737’s, United chose to go with Airbus A320s instead. The last flight will start off in Washington DC on October 28th and end up in San Francisco where it will be prepared for its retirement. The airline was only flying 737-300’s and 737-500’s and most likely the Airbus A320 will replace the lost 737’s.
Maybe Delta Air Lines should have the special Falcon livery
On Saturday, I blogged about how AirTran is the official airline of the Atlanta Falcons. To celebrate, AirTran made a special livery for the airline. Today, I was interested about the arrangement and did a little research and found that even though they are the official airlines, when traveling, the Falcons fly on Delta Air Lines.
The deal between the Falcons and AirTran allows the airline to put signs up in the Georgia Dome, use of the Falcon players in advertising, and of course the special livery Boeing 717.
The Falcons are not the only ones. The Phoenix Cardinals and US Airways had an arrangement, although the team flew on Northwest Airlines (which is now Delta Air Lines).
Even though this can be mis-leading, it is business. In fact, with AirTran flying only Boeing 737’s and Boeing 717’s, they have no aircraft able to fly a whole NFL team and staff. It just shows that just because an airline is the official carrier of a team, doesn’t mean the team gives their seal of approval. Personally, I don’t consider what sports team is endorsing the airline I fly when booking my travel.
We have been following the creation of the Continental Blue Skyway livery from the beginning. The voting, the showing, and I was even able to see it first hand while on a layover in Houston.
After seeing my excitement with seeing it in person, Continental Airlines pointed out there was a time-lapse video showing the creation of the special livery.
I know this might be a lot of attention giving to one livery, but I really love special liveries as much as I love retro ones.
Some special liveries might change the look of the tail or put a little graphic on the side of the plane. However, AirTran went all out for its Atlanta Falcon’s livery, called “Falcon 1.” AirTran is the official airline of the Atlanta Falcons and the two will have joint advertising.
There is also a very interesting video here, showing the transformation.
Drinks on a recent flight on Alaska Airlines that did not fly over New Mexico
In 2007 US Airways sued the state of New Mexico because the state pulled the airline’s liquor license. The state chose to do this after a passenger, Dana Papsi, was served too much alcohol on a flight and caused a car crash that killed five people, plus himself. This means US Airways cannot serve any alcohol on flights that are over New Mexico or grounded in the state. The airline lost the federal suit, meaning New Mexico had to remain alcohol-free.
Kelly O’Donnel, New Mexico’s License Department superintendent stated, “It is a victory, a huge victory, for public safety here in New Mexico and for other states that want to ensure their liquor laws are upheld by everybody who is selling liquor within their borders.”
US Airways argued that the state has no authority to tell the airline how to regulate alcohol, since it is a federal issue. Now that the federal courts have agreed with the state, the airline has nowhere else to go.
Although the passenger involved should have had better personal responsibility, the 21st Amendment provides the right to distribute and sell alcohol, and that comes with responsibility in serving. During the investigation, other passengers stated it was obvious the man who caused the five deaths was intoxicated and the airline still served him two additional drinks.
Should the airline not be allowed to serve alcohol or should they get a fine and be able to continue?
