Level (airline)

Level
IATA ICAO Callsign
IB IBE IBERIA
Founded 17 March 2017
Operating bases Barcelona-El Prat
Frequent-flyer program Avios
Fleet size 2
Destinations 5
Company slogan It's your world
Parent company International Airlines Group
Headquarters Barcelona, Catalunya
Key people Willie Walsh
Website www.flylevel.com

Level is a low-cost travel brand based at Barcelona–El Prat Airport in Spain. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of the multinational airline holding company IAG (International Airlines Group) that operates under an independent brand name. Level is marketed as a low-cost long-haul carrier, and began operations in June 2017 with service from Barcelona to Los Angeles, Oakland, Buenos Aires and Punta Cana.[1] All Level flights are currently operated by the Spanish airline and IAG subsidiary Iberia AOC, however the brand is slated to become an independent airline within IAG in the near future[2].

Background

Level was established by IAG in response to increased competition in the long-haul market from low-cost airlines, including Norwegian Long Haul. Despite initially being poised to launch in 2018, nn March 18 2017, IAG CEO Willie Walsh announced the new brand together with its four destinations out of Barcelona and operations beginning in June of that year. A 1-year contract is in place with Spanish airline Iberia, such that Iberia operates all Level flights under IB flight codes and provides the necessary personnel. IAG has expressed the intent to continue with future expansion of the airline by adding routes from other European cities[3].

The brand is to be become an independent subsidiary airline of IAG in the near future. Willie Walsh, CEO of IAG, stated the corporation due to take over operation of the brand would most likely be based in Spain[4].

Level sold 52,000 seats within two days of being established, and over 147,000 after little more than 1 1/2 months, far exceeding IAG's expectations[5]. Rome, Paris and Milan were mentioned as possible locations for future expansion of the airline in Europe, together with additional routes out of Barcelona–El Prat Airport[6].

Destinations

Iberia will initially fly as Level to four destinations in North America and South America from its Barcelona base. These will be Oakland, Los Angeles, Buenos Aires and Punta Cana.[7]

Country City Airport Notes
ArgentinaBuenos AiresMinistro Pistarini International Airport
Dominican RepublicPunta CanaPunta Cana International Airport
SpainBarcelonaBarcelona–El Prat AirportHub
United StatesLos AngelesLos Angeles International Airportseasonal
United StatesOaklandOakland International Airport

Codeshare agreements

As of July 2017, the airline has the codeshare agreements with the following airlines:

Fleet

Level Airbus A330-202 at Barcelona Airport

As of July 2017, Level's fleet consists of the following aircraft:[8].

Level fleet
Aircraft In Service Orders Passengers Notes
W Y Total
Airbus A330-200 2 3[9] 21 293 314[10] Operated by Iberia; 3 options due for delivery in summer 2018[11]
Total 2 3

Cabins and Service

Premium Economy

Premium Economy is available on all A330 aircraft. The cabin features 21 reclinable seats featuring 37" seat pitch in a 2-3-2 layout, each equipped with a 12" TV screen and noise cancelling headphones. Passengers are offered a full, three-course meal, and Wi-Fi is available for purchase. Passengers are also given a baggage allowance of one cabin bag and two hold bags.[12]

Economy

The Economy cabin of Level's A330 aircraft feature 293 seats in a 2-4-2 layout. Seats are equipped with a 9" seat-back TV screen, featuring a selection of films and TV shows. Despite being a low-cost carrier, Level provides free on board entertainment to passengers. In-flight wifi, meal service and checked baggage are all available for purchase by passengers in the main cabin, and provided free-of-charge for those in the premium cabin.

Frequent Flyer Programme

Level's frequent flyer program is Avios, the same frequent flyer program used by all IAG subsidiary airlines. Passengers may thus earn and redeem Avios points on Level in addition to Iberia, British Airways, Vueling, Aer Lingus and Flybe. Avios points may also be used for travel on airlines in the Oneworld alliance.

See also

References

  1. ↑ https://twitter.com/FLYwithLEVELen
  2. ↑ http://www.expansion.com/empresas/transporte/2017/03/17/58cbcba1468aebe4328b4628.html
  3. ↑ https://economia.elpais.com/economia/2017/03/17/actualidad/1489743440_638267.html
  4. ↑ http://www.eleconomista.es/empresas-finanzas/noticias/8398777/06/17/LEVEL-despega-este-jueves-con-el-vuelo-inaugural-entre-Barcelona-y-Los-Angeles.html
  5. ↑ http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2017/03/19/level-airline-tickets/
  6. ↑ http://www.eleconomista.es/mercados-cotizaciones/noticias/8337825/05/17/IAG-dice-que-la-acogida-de-Level-en-Barcelona-ha-sido-excepcional.html
  7. ↑ Liu, Jim (17 March 2017). "LEVEL outlines planned June 2017 launch". Routesonline. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  8. ↑ http://www.eleconomista.es/transportes/noticias/8339335/05/17/IAG-estudia-Roma-y-Paris-como-nuevas-bases-para-LEVEL-y-dotarla-con-cinco-aviones-para-verano-de-2018.html
  9. ↑ Dron, Alan. "IAG firms three A330-200s options for Level startup". Air Transport World. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  10. ↑ http://ch-aviation.com/portal/news/54278-iag-unveils-its-new-longhaul-lcc-level-to-launch-in-june
  11. ↑ Dron, Alan. "IAG firms three A330-200s options for Level startup". Air Transport World. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  12. ↑ https://www.flylevel.com/your_journey
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