April 29, 2021 / Neos (NO) obtained approval from the US Department of Transportation to operate flights to the United States and annouced the beginning of a twice-weekly rotation between Milan Malpensa (MXP) and New York (JFK) from mid-June.
Flights will leave MXP each Thursdays and Sundays at 12.20 to land in JFK at 14.50. From New York, departure will be at 17.50 with arrival in Milan at 7.20 the following day. All services will be operated by dual-class Boeing 787-9s boasting Premium Economy and Economy cabins.
Created in 2002 as a joint venture between Tui Group and Alpitour, Neos became an all-Italian airline two years later, as Alpitour acquired the German participation into the carrier. In its almost twenty year-long history it specialized in leisure travel, connecting Italy to destinations in the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean, Canary islands and Egypt. It also flies to China, with the Milan to Nanjing (NKG) rotation which is operating as a Covid-tested flight since November 20, 2020.
The same type of protocol has been applied in the last few weeks to the flights to Tenerife (TFS) in the Canary islands and will be extended to the New York flights in mid-June. “The inauguration of a scheduled passenger service to the US is a milestone in the history of our airline” Carlo Stradiotti, Neos’ CEO, commented in an official note, adding that “this is going to be only the first step. We are already planning to add a third weekly frequency to New York in 2022, as well as considering further destinations in the US”.
According to planespotters.net, Neos has a fleet of 13 aircraft, making for the second-largest Italian carrier after Alitalia (AZ). It has been one of the few airlines in the world to grow its fleet during the pandemic, receiving two ex-Norwegian B787-9s in december 2020 and February 2021 and taking delivery of two Boeing 737 MAX8s a few weeks ago, with two more expected soon.
The 787s feature two different configuration: 4 of them offer 28 seats in premium Economy and 331 in Economy for a total of 359 seats, while the newest two have 35 seats in Premium Economy and 309 in Economy for a total of 344. The two MAXs feature 186 seats, as well as the five -800s. The airline’s main hub is at Milan Malpensa airport, with secondary bases in Verona (VRN), Bologna (BLQ) and Rome Fiumicino (FCO). (Photo Neos)