Update #17: Maeve signs with SkyWest and Delta, ATR aims for the US, IFC for DHC, and Air Tahiti Nui’s “new” premium economy

Maeve makes waves with SkyWest and Delta, ATR and JSX talk US turboprops, DHC connects the Q400, Air Tahiti Nui’s odd premium refresh, and much more this week…

By John Walton 8 min read
Rendering: The rear-engined Maeve Jet in the sky, with the Update logo in front

We’re back in your inboxes and on the site with the latest edition of The Up Front Update, rounding up a newsworthy week across the industry, with many a summit, conference, expo and roundtable bringing a variety of updates for you.

The big thing to note this week: Maeve unlocks both SkyWest and Delta with new partnership agreements

Any regional aircraft has to solve the puzzle of the scope clause within the US major airlines’ pilot contracts, which have put paid to multiple aircraft models.

In-air rendering: A rear-engined T-tailed aircraft, looking around the size of an A220, with open rotor turbofans mounted aft.
Maeve engineered the Maeve Jet specifically for easy scope clause compliance. Image: Maeve

With Delta and SkyWest onboard, Maeve is taking a huge step in programme credibility, customer engagement, and prospects for the 76–100-seater Maeve Jet hybrid — which The Up Front Subscribers and Pros learned more about in our feature article on 1 August.

Read on for our take on Maeve’s week in the US…

This week on The Up Front: 

Don’t miss our deep-dive into Air Côte d’Ivoire’s four-class A330neo, its studio class La First, and how the airline hopes to use it as the backbone of a regional hub with connection banks over Abidjan into the rest of West Africa, including interviews from airline executives. 

Interior, airline cabin. Closeup on front row studioc lass seat in browns and beiges, with large inflight entertainment screen. A cabin divider hangs behind the seats identifying them as Air Côte d’Ivoire "LA FIRST".
La First is just one of the intriguing aspects of Air Côte d’Ivoire's new A330neo. Image: John Walton

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The big news: Maeve inks crucial Maeve Jet deals with both SkyWest and Delta in a major boost for the program

Maeve announced a deal with SkyWest on Monday, where the enormous US regional contract carrier — operating more than 500 regional aircraft, almost all branded on behalf of Alaska (SkyWest), American (Eagle), Delta (Connection) and United (Express) — signed a strategic investment agreement with Maeve Aerospace.

If you missed it earlier in the summer, we sat down for an extensive interview with the Maeve team about their aircraft, business plans, the scope clause, and much more.

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John Walton

Editor in chief of The Up Front, with two decades of experience reporting across the global aviation industry, specialising in business and first class, seats, cabins and the passenger experience.