Aviation News

Virgin Atlantic's fleet consists of 44 aircraft: 17 Boeing 787-9s, 12 Airbus A350-1000s,eight A330-900s, and seven A330-300s. Its average fleet age is a reasonably low 7.2 years, helped by its A330-900s (1.6 years) and A350s (4.4 years). Removing the rest of its A330-300s by 2028 will help. Doing so will improve its fleet's fuel consumption, maintenance requirements, and hard product, offset by higher ownership costs.

Denver International Airport (DEN) has big ambitions of turning into one of the largest and most important hubs for commercial aviation in the United States. Long used as a hub for commercial air traffic between regional destinations in the Mountain West and other cities across the country, Denver International is now turning its sights towards international expansion. The airport's CEO had quite a few words to share regarding the potential future of its long-haul international network.

In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, legacy airlines in the United States have begun to expand their global networks to include more secondary destinations that cater to point-to-point travelers. Delta Air Lines, one of the largest carriers in the United States and the market's leader in terms of profitability, is no exception. It has continued to expand its schedule with more services to smaller markets in Europe that have historically not enjoyed nonstop flights.

A Lufthansa Airbus A321-200 aircraft en route to Seville, Spain, flew without a pilot for approximately ten minutes after the first officer suffered a seizure. This occurred shortly after the captain had temporarily left the cockpit. Upon returning and discovering the first officer incapacitated, the captain took control of the Airbus A321 and diverted the flight to Madrid Airport (MAD).

Uganda Airlines expanded its international route network by launching its first-ever direct nonstop flights from Entebbe (EBB) to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) on May 18, 2025. The route is served by Uganda Airlines’ Airbus A330-800 widebody aircraft, making Gatwick one of the few airports worldwide to welcome this rare aircraft type. In fact, the Ugandan carrier will be the first airline to operate the A330-800 at Gatwick.

Qantas Airways, the flag carrier of Australia, is set to reduce it's current once daily Airbus A380 flights between Sydney and Johannesburg to four times weekly. This popular route is the only Airbus A380 route that operates solely within the Southern Hemisphere, and provides the only non-stop link from Australia's east coast, to Africa.

Today marks a major milestone for Boeing and the Boeing 777 program. 30 years ago today, the airline delivered its first 777 aircraft to launch customer United Airlines. Since its introduction, the aircraft has become a critical long-haul workhorse for airlines across the world.

CommuteAir, a regional partner of United Airlines, has just hit some important milestones. Last week, the regional operator moved into a new headquarters building. At the same time, it revealed that it has extended its contract with United Airlines to operate regional flights under the United Express brand.

Miami International Airport is equipping some of its jet bridges with wheelchair lifts. The decision was made to help improve the travel experience for passengers using mobility devices. While the lifts will be introduced with a limited scope at first, they are a part of Miami Airport's larger initiative to modernize its facilities.

The United States' Department of Transportation has dropped its lawsuit against Southwest Airlines. The agency first sued Southwest in January of this year, alleging the carrier had created an unrealistic schedule that resulted in chronically delayed flights. However, with a new presidential administration in office, the lawsuit has been dropped.

As a result of the fatal accidents caused by manufacturing faults in two 737 MAX jets, Boeing has been accused of deceiving the FAA during the MAX planes' original certification process. Recent news from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) indicates that Boeing has withdrawn its guilty plea, and a resolution may have been reached that avoids the Boeing Corporation being prosecuted for felony charges.

Alaska Airlines has big plans for the future of its hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), a facility that could soon become the linchpin of the airline's proposed global network. Following up on the success of JetBlue's expansion into transatlantic markets, it is not surprising that Alaska Airlines has some ambitions of becoming a transpacific carrier, one that might look to connect the United States West Coast with destinations across East Asia.

United States aviation safety regulators have proposed temporary limits on flights to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), amid continued operational struggles. The proposed restrictions would see no more than 28 arrivals per hour at the facility, in an attempt to eliminate delays following multiple weeks of radar and radio outages that have wreaked havoc on the airport's operations.

Asiana Airlines has prolonged its Airbus A380 flight schedule on the route between Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) and Sydney Kingsford International Airport (SYD), Australia. According to the aviation analytics company Cirium, the South Korean airline will extend its A380 schedule by two additional months, instead of the three previously planned.

Earlier this week, I stumbled upon Turkish Airlines'investor relations presentation for the first quarter of 2025. The call, which took place at the end of March, details both the airline’s financial and operational performance as well as its outlook for the rest of the year. Lo and behold, Orlando remained strong on the carrier’s list of possible new destinations in the future.

Spirit Airlines has reduced its flight numbers by 25% during peak summer months, which are considered the most lucrative period for carriers across the world. According to the aviation analytics company Cirium, the low-cost airline will operate 59,304 flights from June 1, 2025, through August 31, 2025, a notable decrease from 80,003 flights during the same period last year.

United Airlines plans to reopen its business class lounge at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). A document released by the Hong Kong government, first reported by Executive Traveller, revealed that the carrier’s flagship United Club will reopen sometime in June or July 2025.

This month, layoffs are expected at US Department Of Transportation(USDOT), as part of a wider government effort to reduce the overall number of federal employees. As reported on May 15, 2025, by CDLLife, referencing CBS, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told USDOT workers that layoffs, or reductions in force (RIF), are coming soon. This comes following many USDOT employees accepting a deferred resignation program (DRP) offer.

The flying Kangaroo has announced for the second time in just a couple of weeks, a new non-stop direct service to New Zealand. Earlier this month, Qantas was proudly boasting its new route between Perth and Auckland. However, the end of the week was wrapped up with the news that a new seasonal service will connect Adelaide, South Australia, and the City of Sails ( Auckland Airport), New Zealand. The route, which will take off from October 31, and be served across the Southern Hemisphere summer season, until May 3.

The Australian High Court passed down a judgment in the Evans & Anor v Air Canada case on May 14. The one-page statement denies the claims by the passengers (appellants) that there should be no limit to the damages owed by Air Canada for injuries, pain, and suffering. The case results from an incident in 2019 in which 35 passengers were injured enroute to Sydney after a powerful strike of turbulence disrupted the flight and forced a landing in Hawaii.