Aviation News

The Airbus A319 is relatively uncommon in Australia. According to ch-aviation, QantasLink, SkyTraders, and SkyTrans have 13 examples, although not all of them are active. QantasLink has eight frames, all operated by Network Aviation, a carrier owned by the Qantas Group, on its behalf.

Ontario, California, is the US’s 60th-busiest airport based on passenger flights in June, with slightly more departures than Boise, Idaho. Of course, this is somewhat unfair, as it is located within the enormously populous Greater Los Angeles area. On June 2, Ontario made history by welcoming its second long-haul passenger route: STARLUX from Taipei. It is the second A350 user on that airport pair.

Alaska Airlines is expanding its fresh food selection, offering its popular dishes on more flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and various other airports. The carrier aims to offer its passengers more of the fresh, flavorful meals they love to deliver a memorable in-flight dining experience.

Southwest Airlines has launched a major promotional campaign to mark its 54th anniversary. The airline is offering up to 50% off base fares for a limited time. The discount applies to select flights across the continental US and is valid for travel from August to December.

On June 3, Alaska Airlines revealed its first European route. Starting next May, the oneworld member will begin flying from Seattle—by far its most-served airport—to Rome Fiumicino. The announcement came shortly after the carrier started its first long-haul service (to Tokyo Narita) and a day after Seattle welcomed Edelweiss as its next European operator.

Delta Air Lines flight 2089 was 1 hour and 35 minutes late on its redeye departure this past Sunday, June 1, according to FlightAware data. The apparent cause is a bit more troublesome than your usual delay. A passenger aboard the Boeing 737-900 struck a Flight Attendant (FA) in the course of an altercation over carry-on baggage.

On May 31, an Oman Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 operating flight WY-815 to Bangkok was forced to return to Muscat, as reported by The Aviation Herald. The aircraft experienced a flap-related problem shortly after take-off, which prompted the crew to discontinue the onward journey.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a reminder to travelers that they should properly pack their firearms before traveling with them on aircraft. The agency issued the warning after coming across three firearms in carry-on bags in San Antonio “this month,” making it three firearms in three days.

A Georgian Airlines Boeing 767 nearly landed on an unfinished runway in Xi’an, China, according to a report by The Aviation Herald. Upon realizing that the widebody aircraft was approaching a runway still under construction, the flight crew initiated a go-around.

According to industry estimates, Airbus delivered about 51 aircraft in May, a 4% decrease from the same month the previous year. Deliveries so far this year are about 243 aircraft, which is 5% less than the first five months of 2024, according to Reuters.

In the last few days, news broke from Vending Times that Delta Air Lines would be partnering with Farmer's Fridge to offer a selection of its chef-curated items as inflight dining options on select flights. Starting today, June 3, Delta flights departing from Los Angeles International Airport will offer the meals for a limited time, according to a press release.

Yesterday, Reuters reported that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has scheduled a hearing for June 24, which will determine the probable cause of a midair cabin panel and door plug blowout on Alaska Airlines flight 1282. This incident garnered worldwide attention last year, as it resulted in a two-week grounding of all Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, and severely damaged Boeing's reputation.

Delta Air Lines has announced that it will be resuming its route between Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) and Indianapolis from August 11, 2025. The airline last flew the route five years ago, but it was subsequently cut during the pandemic. Delta's wholly-owned regional subsidiary, Endeavor Air, will operate the daily flights under the Delta Connection brand.

A 35-year-old woman on a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Mexico City International Airport (MEX) suffered a stroke midair over the Atlantic. Thanks to the timely intervention of another passenger onboard, a doctor, and a diversion to Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), the woman's life was saved.

Alaska Airlines has trimmed some of its summer schedules after delaying the delivery of two Embraer jets to avoid additional costs imposed by tariffs. Alaska is among several US airlines whose aircraft deliveries have been affected by the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

American Airlines has partnered with Brandon Blackwood, one of Hollywood's most sought-after designers, to launch a new line of amenity kits exclusively for premium cabin passengers. The airline will debut three new kits later this month, which will be available through early September. These limited-edition kits, which double as a collectible and reusable accessory, will be offered on select international, transcontinental, and Hawaii flights.

Welcome to my 170th weekly routes article! It includes 10 mini-stories about subjectively exciting services that took off between May 27 and June 3 (unless stated). While dozens of routes worldwide started in the examined period, only a selection of intriguing additions are covered in this article.

Alaska Airlines has announced that it will begin flying from Seattle, Washington, the United States, to Rome, Italy, with flights taking off in May 2026. Bookings will open in fall 2025, according to the airline.

On June 2, Edelweiss, the Swiss leisure airline, inaugurated the first flight ever from Zurich to Seattle. This followed the return of SAS from Copenhagen on May 21, having last flown to Seattle in 2009. Their entry means 12 passenger airlines—US and European—now fly between the Washington State airport and Europe, the most since 2023. Alaska Airlines will join them next year, with its first route to Rome.

United Airlines has officially finalized a deal with the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) to add five more gates to its operations at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). The move comes ahead of a summer that is expected to see record numbers of flights and air travelers passing through O’Hare’s doors.