Eastern Airlines has pushed back the start of its new route between New York and Mexico. The airline had planned to fly to Los Cabos International Airport starting in three days' time. However, logistical problems mean that the service won't begin for another two and a half months.
Eastern delays Los Cabos launch
Eastern Airlines' route between New York's JFK International Airport and Los Cabos International Airport was meant to be the first new scheduled flight since the pandemic. The leisure service was due to depart JFK at 09:20 local time (13:20 UTC) on August 29th. However, that plan has now changed.
Instead, Eastern Airlines will push back the launch of this route until November 14th. It says that it needs more time to finalize plans around the departure and deplaning. According to its statement, ground team logistics are the issue. However, it did not provide any further information.
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Since the delay, Eastern Airlines has shared its apology with customers booked on the flight. It said,
"Due to the ongoing challenges the airline industry is facing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the infrastructure Eastern Airlines needs in Los Cabos to operate flights at the SJD airport has become unavailable...We look forward to safely and reliably providing the only nonstop service between NYC's preferred hub, JFK and Los Cabos when the circumstances permit."
Options for pre-booked passengers
Due to the delay in this scheduled service, some passengers will have already booked tickets on flights that are no longer departing. As a token gesture, Eastern Airlines is giving those customers with existing tickets the opportunity to rebook their flights. Alternatively, they can be canceled and both options incur no additional costs.
Despite these schedule changes, Eastern's recent promotional offer still applies. Customers can rebook their tickets as part of the $199 promotional price which includes;
- a first checked bag for free; and
- one piece of sports equipment for free.
Bad news for the Eastern Airlines revival?
The delay to the launch of Eastern's inaugural flight to Los Cabos does not bode well. The airline is returning from the ashes after it ceased operation in 1991 due to poor profitability and management.
However, it's now made its history a distant memory and relaunched almost as a new brand. It began its first services in January this year with a flight between New York and Guayaquil, Ecuador. Despite that, there was a palpable lack of celebration and according to The Points Guy, the experience leaves a lot to be desired.
The logistical planning in this instance surrounding the Los Cabos flight certainly poses a question mark over Eastern's activities. Will the airline be able to keep up with an evolving schedule?
With low-cost fares that rival its competition, Eastern Airlines is hoping to pick up customers from other US airlines. It's best to put this delay down to the pandemic and hope that the service takes off on November 14th.
How successful do you think Eastern Airlines will be? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.