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Edward Russell @byerussell.com · 19h

The goal for Alaska with its new premium 737 MAX 10s is to close what it considers a “key product gap” in its offering for high-end West Coast fliers. Expect to eventually see the planes in Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle. www.flightglobal.com/strategy/202...

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TAP Air Portugal, with its geographically well positioned Lisbon hub, is the next prize in European airline consolidation. Air France-KLM and the Lufthansa Group are facing off.

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Edward Russell @byerussell.com · 19h

The Twin Cities will open the 14.5-mile Green Line extension to Eden Prairie in June 2027. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

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Reposted by Edward Russell

Amtrak Cascades @amtrakcascades.wsdot.wa.gov · 20h

Today's the day! Jump on Trains 503, 508, 516 and 519 to enjoy the new Amtrak Cascades trains. Super comfy seats. Tray tables in Triplicate - not even kidding! Adjustable cupholders. There is nothing like that new train smell.💚🤎🤍

A shiny new green, mocha and cream-colored train sits at a station on a sunny day.

A pair of comfy business class seats are on either side of a narrow table aboard a new Amtrak Cascades Train.

The interior of the cafe onboard the new Amtrak Cascade trains. Self-service options are visible, as is staff working behind the counter to provide hot food. The cafe is spacious and accessible.

A look down the aisle of coach class, which includes accessible seating areas for passengers using wheelchairs. The seats are gray and the room around them is spacious.

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Edward Russell @byerussell.com · 20h

Amtrak's first Airo trainset is on its maiden revenue run on the @amtrakcascades.wsdot.wa.gov from Seattle en route to Eugene via Portland. The new trains dramatically increase seating capacity and, hopefully, passenger comfort.

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Edward Russell @byerussell.com · 20h

Alaska Airlines plans 8 new intercontinental routes — 3 more than before — by 2030. Where might the airline fly? Execs are mum but a presentation described them as "JV opportunities" — maybe Dublin, Madrid and more Tokyo?

flightglobal.com

Alaska plans eight more intercontinental routes, new joint ventures

The Oneworld alliance carrier plans 15 intercontinental routes from Seattle in the next four years.

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Edward Russell @byerussell.com · 21h

Is it time to end the Heathrow Express? Ending the pricey rail line that connects Paddington and the airport would open track space for Elizabeth Line trains that carry travelers into and through central London on only a slightly longer journeys.

theguardian.com

London transfer: is it time to kill off the Heathrow Express?

With fares high and passenger numbers low, plans for a third runway could bring the train’s future into question

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Edward Russell @byerussell.com · 22h

10 seconds of @flysea.bsky.social morning action ✈️

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Hard to say in a mock up but the premium economy recliners I tried with @crankyflier.com were def intimate.

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Agree, they don't have any free planes before ~2030

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Right. KE is a possibility but I think Alaska, or one of its partners, is more likely.

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PDX historically had one Asia flight — Delta to NRT — that ended early in the pandemic. You're right, it probably could support nonstops to two Asia hubs. Alaska's connecting traffic growth at PDX would also enable significant potential feed for them.

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Alaska execs just said long-haul from PDX is "another future unlock for us." Implication is something should be coming in the next few years. Maybe NRT once they jon the transpacific JV?

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Alaska will fly two 737-10 layouts: Premium in the Aurora livery with 159 seats, including 12 lie-flat suites and 12 premium economy seats. Standard in the Chester livery with 188 seats; that's 10 more seats than on the 737-9s.

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Alaska will add 8 more intercontinental destinations for a total of 15 from @flysea.bsky.social by 2030.

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Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci kicking off the group's media and investor day in Seattle. www.flightglobal.com/strategy/202...

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Come for the run around Hollywood Burbank Airport, stay for the aviation history 🏃‍♂️✈️ www.instagram.com/p/Dd2P1S3BtcX/ #running #avgeek

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Seth Miller @wandrme.paxex.aero · 29/09/2026

Some windy Seattle miles 🏃‍♂️ #running

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Reposted by Edward Russell

If I'm reading this correctly Alaska Airlines says 25% of its long-haul pax ex-SEA carry its cobrand credit card. That's an impressive stat.

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Alaska will present its new product offerings, and financial targets, to investors later today in Seattle. I'll be there so follow for more upates.

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As previously hinted at, Alaska will join transatlantic and transpacific joint ventures with American, BA, JAL and others. www.flightglobal.com/strategy/202...

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Alaska Airlines will expand its long-haul network from Seattle faster than previously planned. The airline now forecasts 15 long-haul routes (Europe, Asia, etc) by 2030, up from its previous guidance of ~10. It flies or has announced 6 to date (NRT, ICN, FCO, LHR, ATH, CDG).

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Alaska, and every other airline investing in premium, is the number of economy seats is dropping. That not only drives higher premium revenues but also higher economy fares, good for the bottom line but not necessarily for travelers. It's the K-shaped economy in a metal tube.

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Airport Architecture @airportarchitecture.byerussell.com · 29/09/2026

The suite — pun intended — of new offerings from Alaska brings the company's premium product in line with its competitors and positions it to, as Minicucci aims, be a fourth global US airline that can compete with the likes of American, Delta and United.

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Reposted by Edward Russell

Alaska Airlines is investing millions in product. One detail — first reported by Airport Architecture — is its giant new Seattle-Tacoma lounge will feature an outdoor terrace (sorry, no pics yet), the first for the airline's lounge network. byerussell.substack.com/p/seattle-ta...

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Clément Alloing @calloing.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

New from Alaska: business class suites and premium economy seats on its 787s and select 737-10s — yup, MAX 10s with lie-flats — plus Hawaiian A330s all coming in 2028. It's part of CEO Ben Minicucci's aim to turn the airline into a “premium global carrier." www.flightglobal.com/strategy/202...

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Reposted by Edward Russell

And she is in the sky 🥰🥰🥰 First flight today at #Toulouse #Airport for the first @airbus.com #A350F #FWXLD. Follow #AIB01LD on @airnavradar.com #Avgeeks #Avgeek

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The Pacific Northwest is so damn beautiful 🗻

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Yes, it’s a shame they’re moving the terminal closer to a station with fewer trains.

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My ride to Seattle today ✈️ My travel is courtesy of Alaska Airlines. #AvGeek

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I get why it’s where it is. They needed a location where they have space further from the runways (current terminal is too close) and the SW quadrant doesn’t have that space. New terminal does have sidewalks though, and a Metrolink stop.

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Emily Gorcenski @emily.gorcen.ski · 28/09/2026

I love an airport you can easily walk to. 📍 Hollywood-Burbank byerussell.substack.com/p/the-pedest...

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Reposted by Edward Russell

Here’s the most incredible story you’ll read today. A small plane with four people aboard crashes in a field. Another pilot witnesses it. That pilot happens to be flying a bunch of skydivers. They offer to jump to assist, are given permission. The skydivers happen to be EMTs. Everyone survives.

wisn.com

Skydivers alert emergency crews, assist after plane crashes near East Troy airport

Four people were aboard the single-engine plane when it went down in a cornfield near Carvers School Road in East Troy at about 1:30 p.m.

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Reposted by Edward Russell

Payton Chung @westnorth.com · 28/09/2026

It's extended metaphor time! Imagine if the only restaurants you could choose from were all you can eat buffets - or fancy tapas bars. That would be silly, but it's akin to the absurd housing choices that result from "tall or sprawl" zoning. My latest in @ggwash.org ggwash.org/view/104984/...

ggwash.org

A trip to Zoning World

Let’s take the family to Zoning World, the most tedious place on earth! If only we had a (missing) middle (housing) ground.

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Reposted by Edward Russell

Airport Architecture @airportarchitecture.byerussell.com · 28/09/2026

Hollywood-Burbank, PSA Terminal/Terminal B, 1981 (opened 1974), by Pederson and Stice. 📷 Los Angeles Public Library. #airportarchitecture www.instagram.com/p/Dd1hIiqs2fs/

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Reposted by Edward Russell

Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

NEWS: A federal judge has declared a mistrial in the federal bribery trial of Ward 8 Council member Trayon White. What happens next is the big question: www.washingtonsun.com/metro/trayon...

washingtonsun.com

Judge Declares a Mistrial in Trayon White’s Bribery Case

The mistrial means that White, who would have been ineligible for public office in D.C. if convicted, can remain on the D.C. Council — at least for now.

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Reposted by Edward Russell

photoJDL @photojdl.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Today's 'flickr search of the day' "Canadianrockies2026"

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