Aviation News

In the 12 months to February 2025, Turkish Airlines carried over 3.6 million passengers to/from the US.That is a finding based on examining all its routes using US Department of Transportation data. The Star Alliance carrier was the fifth-largest foreign long-haul operator in the US, behind British Airways (7.6 million), Lufthansa (5.2 million), Air France (4.5 million), and Virgin Atlantic (3.7 million).

Several tabloids have recently reported that low-cost carriers may begin installing standing seats on commercial aircraft as early as 2026. The stories center on Aviointeriors’ long-running “SkyRider” saddle seat concept, implying that budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet could soon implement the design to increase capacity and lower fares.

Allegiant's all-domestic operation involves 42 US states. Unsurprisingly, intra-state services in the ultra-low-cost-carrier's network are highly unusual. Until Allegiant's latest route announcement, its sole links for the rest of 2025 were to be within Florida: Orlando Sanford and Tampa St Pete to Key West. However, it will now begin flying between Knoxville and Memphis in Tennessee, the country's 36th-largest state by geographic area.

Very rarely do passengers file lawsuits against an airline when there was no major flight safety incident involved. However, that has recently taken place in the case of a United Airlines passenger who was injured by a falling suitcase onboard a flight that took place back in 2023. The passenger in question is alleging serious damages against the carrier, arguing that the cabin crew are at fault for not appropriately securing the suitcase in question.

Boeing aims to maintain a monthly production rate of 38 aircraft for the 737 MAX program. This is the maximum output currently permitted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the manufacturer will need to prove that it can maintain this level before it is allowed to produce more aircraft.

Since 2020, when Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) opened phase one of its ‘The New SLC’ project, the airport has welcomed six new airlines to its premises, which also offered additional international connections. The number does not include two public charter companies, Aero and JSX, which have also launched services from/to the Utahn airport.

On May 21, ahead of the peak summer season, SAS reintroduced flights from Copenhagen to Seattle.It is one of numerous transatlantic US routes starting this month. The carrier served Seattle for many years until 2009.

A Cessna 550 crashed into a military housing neighborhood in San Diego early Thursday morning, igniting fires across multiple homes and vehicles, according to city officials. San Diego Fire-Rescue said it received an emergency call at 03:37, with crews arriving at the crash site just six minutes later. The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) confirmed its response and urged the public to "avoid the area while crews work".

American Airlines has announced that it is set to enhance the buy-on-board food and drink selections for its economy class passengers. Starting next month, the carrier's increased offering will feature an interesting range of new snacks, including sliders, tapas, and biltong. It has also invested in its beverage offering, and will be rolling out tequila from a Texas-based supplier onboard certain flights in June.

More than 80 passenger airlines will operate across the Atlantic from the Americas this year. Of these, the minuscule Air Saint-Pierre might not be one that immediately comes to mind. As its fleet consists of a few turboprops, the carrier wet-leases a Boeing 737-700 from ASL Airlines for the time-limited transatlantic domestic operation to/from Paris CDG, with the service marketed and sold by Air Saint-Pierre. F-GZTP has been used the most.

Yesterday, a man was charged with making a false bomb threat on a Hawaiian Airlines flight, after reportedly telling a flight attendant that the passenger next to him had a bomb. The Navy Electronics Technician 1st Class John Stea, 35, was arrested and charged. As a result of Stea's actions, nearly 300 people onboard were deplaned and transported by bus to a secure area while the aircraft and all luggage were cleared.

Avelo Airlines launched a new route Wednesday with its first connection to Maine’s Portland International Jetport (PWM). The new nonstop service originates from Avelo's base at Connecticut’s Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN). The route will operate twice-weekly through the summer, flying on Sundays and Thursdays. Avelo will utilize its smaller Boeing 737-700s on the route.

On Tuesday, May 20th, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an interim order that would reduce the flight arrival and departure rates at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). This order comes following multiple weeks of operational struggles at the facility, in which air traffic control screens went dark and massive delays followed as a result.

With more overseas flights than any other US airline, United Airlines is the biggest carrier in the world. Next summer, United will provide 800 daily flights to and from 147 overseas locations, 40 of which are not served by any other American airline. United is the only American airline to fly to Porto, Ponta Delgada, Madeira Island, and Faro, and it will now serve five destinations in Portugal, more than any other US airline.

Starting May 28, 2025, Southwest Airlines will require passengers to use power banks and portable charging devices in plain sight while onboard. Southwest will be the first US carrier to implement the policy following several onboard incidents involving lithium-ion batteries.

Ryanair has asked some of its cabin crew in Spain to return the salary increases paid out since October 2024, following a legal battle involving two rival unions. The dispute stems from a pay deal agreed between the airline and the Spanish union Confederación Sindical de Comisiones Obreras (CCOO), which was later ruled invalid by Spain's High Court.

Aer Lingus,Iberia, and Wizz Air UK now use the Airbus A321XLR. As of May 21, they have seven aircraft: Aer Lingus and launch customer Iberia have three frames each, while Wizz Air has one. Of course, these numbers will change quickly as deliveries ramp up.

A luxury Boeing 747-8 owned by the Qatari Royal family was officially gifted to the US on Wednesday. The Department of Defense reportedly confirmed that the jumbo jet would be used as a new Air Force One for President Trump.

Lufthansa has been forced to cancel a flight from Hyderabad to Frankfurt as the Boeing 787-9, operating the flight, had to abort its takeoff during the takeoff roll, resulting in deflated tires.

Etihad Airways has started 2025 on a high note by recording its highest-ever profit for the first quarter of the year. In a period when the carrier also grew its fleet and workforce while customer satisfaction rose, the Abu Dhabi-based UAE flag carrier had plenty of reasons to be cheerful in the first few months of the new year. Alongside almost a thousand new hires, it has also promoted hundreds of staff.