Southwest Considers Adding Long-Haul International Flights
Southwest Airlines signaled its first foray into long‑haul international service, a strategic pivot from its traditional domestic‑focused model. CEO Bob Jordan told the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference that the carrier aims to launch such routes within three to five years, targeting a curated network of eight to twelve overseas cities rather than a sprawling global footprint. Jordan stressed, “We’re not going to become Delta and United and American,” underscoring a disciplined approach. He highlighted Baltimore as a natural anchor for these flights and previewed ancillary upgrades, including airport lounges and a premium product suite. If executed, the move could diversify Southwest’s revenue base, pressure legacy carriers on price, and reshape competition on trans‑Atlantic and trans‑Pacific corridors, while testing the airline’s low‑cost model on longer routes.
Spirit Reaches Deal to Exit Second Bankruptcy
Spirit Airlines has reached a tentative agreement with its creditors to emerge from its second Chapter 11 filing by late spring or early summer 2026. The restructuring plan promises a leaner cost base, a right‑sized fleet, higher aircraft utilization, and...
Contour Sets Start Date For New EAS Route
Independent regional carrier Contour will launch Essential Air Service flights from South Arkansas Regional Airport in El Dorado to Dallas/Fort Worth on March 16. The airport, which lost scheduled service in November, will receive up to three daily nonstop flights with a varied...
Sunrise Dominicana Seeks Clearance for U.S. Flights
Sunrise Dominicana, a Dominican carrier certified in 2025, has filed a request with the U.S. Department of Transportation for a five‑year exemption to operate scheduled and charter flights between the Dominican Republic and the United States. The airline plans to...
United, American to Inject $200 Million Into Brazil’s Azul
United Airlines and American Airlines have each pledged $100 million to recapitalize Brazil’s Azul as it emerges from Chapter 11, while existing creditors will contribute an additional $100 million. United’s cash will flow through a public equity offering and American will use warrant...
PSA, Flight Attendants Reach Tentative Labor Agreement
PSA Airlines and the Association of Flight Attendants‑CWA have reached a tentative three‑year labor agreement that delivers an immediate 10 % wage increase, retroactive pay and a boarding‑pay premium that can add up to 16 % to earnings. Over the contract term,...
FAA, EASA Qualify Boeing 777-9 Flight Simulator
The FAA and EASA have issued initial qualification certificates for the Boeing 777‑9 flight simulator, a joint effort by Boeing and CAE. The simulator, housed at Boeing's Gatwick training campus, will now be used by regulators to validate training courseware before...
Lufthansa, Air India Expand Partnership, Will Coordinate on Routes
Lufthansa Group and Air India signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation across routes, IT, loyalty programs and customer experience. The agreement expands their relationship from a simple codeshare to a broader interline framework covering all subsidiaries, including Austrian,...
United Orders 300 GEnx Engines for 787s
United Airlines has signed a deal with GE Aerospace to purchase 300 additional GEnx engines and associated spares for its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. The order, which does not disclose price, will increase United’s fleet of GEnx‑powered aircraft to over...
Spirit A320neos Sold, Set for Teardown
EirTrade, together with RESIDCO, purchased two Spirit‑owned Airbus A320neo jets—only three to four years old—for part‑out. The aircraft will be dismantled in Goodyear, Arizona, with components routed to Dallas to meet AOG demand across the Americas. EirTrade highlighted the massive...
Frontier Launches Two Routes
Frontier Airlines has reinstated two nonstop routes from its Florida hubs, launching Miami → Chicago O’Hare with three weekly flights and Orlando → Pensacola with two weekly flights. The services, previously suspended in 2022, resume ahead of the spring‑break travel rush. Frontier’s vice president...
Vietnam Airlines to Introduce Amsterdam Service
Vietnam Airlines announced a new nonstop service between Hanoi and Amsterdam, launching on June 16, 2026. The route will run three times weekly—Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday—using an Airbus A350‑900. It links two SkyTeam hubs directly, eliminating the current need to...
American Adds Flights for Kentucky Derby
American Airlines announced a temporary surge in service to Louisville, Kentucky, to meet demand for the May 2 Kentucky Derby. The carrier will boost flights from its seven existing hub airports and launch special routes from 13 cities that normally lack...
United, JetBlue Roll Out Cross-Platform Booking
United Airlines and JetBlue have launched cross‑platform booking, allowing customers to purchase eligible itineraries on either carrier’s website or mobile app. Travelers can pay with cash, points, or miles, instantly expanding the flight inventory displayed on both platforms. The feature...
Arizona Airport Eyes Commercial Expansion
Buckeye officials approved a lease of five acres at the municipal airport to build 12 private hangars, which Vermillion Development will construct and sell. The move is framed as a catalyst for economic growth and a first step toward a...