Delta’s Austin Build-Up Goes Long-Haul

The new service will mark the carrier’s return to the Texas-Europe market after more than three decades.

Ryan Ewing

Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 02:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

A Delta A330-900neo (Photo: Shutterstock | Joe A. Kunzler)

Delta is adding its first long-haul route from Austin, Texas, as the carrier continues to build its presence in the city, marking its return to nonstop service between Texas and Europe after more than three decades.

Beginning March 27, 2027, Delta will operate daily, seasonal flights between Austin and Paris-Charles de Gaulle. The route will be operated by an Airbus A330-900neo aircraft.

Delta last connected Texas with Europe via Frankfurt in 1995, when it operated a hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The Austin flight will end a 32-year absence from the market.

Delta’s DFW network in Q2 of 1994 (Photo: gcmap, data from DOT T-100 data sourced via Cirium Diio)

The route will also be the first nonstop connection between Austin and Paris. Delta will become the only U.S. airline operating nonstop service between Austin and Europe, although foreign carriers already connect the city with destinations across the Atlantic.

Lufthansa links the Texas capital with Frankfurt, KLM serves Amsterdam, and British Airways operates flights to London Heathrow.

“Austin’s growth continues to create new opportunities for customers, and Delta is proud to grow alongside it,” Joe Esposito, Delta’s chief commercial officer, said in a news release. “Launching Austin’s first nonstop service to Paris is a defining milestone, but it’s just one part of our broader investment in the region.”

Broader Build-Up

The Paris route is part of a larger expansion by Delta in Austin. By summer 2027, the airline expects to serve approximately 30 destinations from the city and operate more than 70 departures on peak days.

Delta will also add daily service between Austin and San Diego on April 12, 2027, using an Airbus A319. On the same date, the airline will increase its Austin-San Jose, California, route to twice daily. The San Jose service is scheduled to launch Oct. 6, 2026.

A Delta A320 in Austin (Photo: Shutterstock | lorenzatx)

In addition, the carrier is extending its seasonal Austin-Cancun route to operate year-round.

Delta currently employs more than 900 people in Austin and recently opened a flight attendant base in the city with more than 100 crew members. It operates a Sky Club at Austin-Bergstrom and is planning a second, larger location as part of the airport’s expansion.

The airline also expects to eventually operate from 15 gates in Austin-Bergstrom’s planned Concourse A.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

Breeze Cuts Route to D.C.

Service will end in November, the carrier said.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 01:36 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Breeze Airways Airbus A220 aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Breeze Airways will wind down a domestic short-haul route it launched less than one year ago.

The carrier confirmed to AirlineGeeks that service between Tri-Cities Regional Airport in Blountville, Tennessee, and Washington Dulles will end this fall. Flights are available for booking until Nov. 30, the airline said.

Breeze added Tri-Cities to its route map in December, with flights to Washington Dulles and Orlando, Florida. The connection to Orlando will continue to operate as scheduled.

Tri-Cities Regional Airport serves the Tri-Cities region of northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia, including Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport.

Breeze did not provide a reason for dropping the connection.

The head of a regional economic development group told the Kingsport Times News that officials are discussing other potential routes with the airline.

Zach Vasile

Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of commercial aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.

Former Spirit HQ in Florida Sells for $93M

An entity connected to a Boston investment firm placed the winning bid.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 11:26 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

American and Spirit aircraft in Orlando, Florida (Photo: Shutterstock | VIAVAL TOURS)

Spirit Airlines’ former headquarters in Dania Beach, Florida, will soon have a new owner.

The Miami Herald reported Thursday that DPC HoldCo LLC submitted the winning bid for the property at an auction on Tuesday. The entity, an affiliate of Boston investment firm Hill City Capital, agreed to pay $93.25 million in cash, the newspaper said.

The results of the auction were revealed on Wednesday. The deal will have to be approved by the bankruptcy court overseeing Spirit’s liquidation, and a hearing is scheduled for Aug. 19.

According to the Herald, Spirit’s former HQ consists of four buildings in a shopping area called Dania Pointe. The main building is six stories high and covers about 180,000 square feet. A separate building houses a flight simulator used to train pilots.

Spirit shut down abruptly on May 2 after a last-minute bailout from the federal government failed to materialize. About 17,000 employees lost their jobs, and Dania Beach lost an important taxpayer and driver of local economic activity.

The defunct carrier is now selling off its remaining assets, including aircraft, equipment, real estate, and airport gates.

Zach Vasile

Frontier Adds International Route for the Holidays

Flights will start Dec. 17.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 09:22 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Frontier A321neo. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Frontier will offer a temporary connection between Southern California and Central America this winter, in time for the holiday season.

The carrier confirmed to AirlineGeeks that it will serve Guatemala City from Los Angeles. The route is scheduled to launch Dec. 17 and will operate through early January.

Frontier has not offered an LAX-to-Guatemala City service before.

The airline currently serves Guatemala City from Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, and Orlando, Florida.

Zach Vasile

Air France to Transport Pope Leo During State Visit to France

The carrier will use an Airbus A321 bearing the Vatican’s coat of arms.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 04:46 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Air France aircraft. (Photo: Air France)

Pope Leo XIV will fly Air France when he visits the carrier’s home country in September.

The airline said it will dedicate an Airbus A321 to carry Leo, his delegation of cardinals, and accredited journalists to locations within France and then back to Rome. The aircraft will have the coat of arms of Vatican City displayed on its fuselage exterior, as well as inside the cabin.

According to Air France, the pope will fly from the Honorary Pavilion at Paris-Orly to Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport in the south of France on Sept. 26; from Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées to Metz-Nancy-Lorraine Airport in the east on Sept. 28; and from Metz-Nancy-Lorraine to Rome-Fiumicino, also on Sept. 28.

Air France did not say how Leo will reach Paris to begin his journey, but he will likely use a chartered aircraft from ITA Airways, the flag carrier of Italy. Popes have generally used ITA for outbound flights since the collapse of former Italian flag carrier Alitalia 2021.

Leo is expected to meet with French President Emanuel Macron while in Paris. He will also give a speech at the headquarters of UNESCO, celebrate Mass at Notre-Dame, and appear at a vigil at Stade de France. Similar large events and meetings will take place in Lourdes and Metz.

Leo’s trip to France will be the first state visit to the country by a reigning pope since Pope Benedict XVI visited in September 2008. Pope Francis traveled to France three times during his papacy, but none were considered an official state visit.

Air France also flew Pope John Paul II in the 1980s and 1990s, most notably during part of his Africa tour in 1989.

Zach Vasile

Ryanair to Integrate Google’s AI Platform

The Irish carrier has signed a five-year agreement with Google Cloud.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 01:22 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Ryanair 737 descends into Milan. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr)

Ireland’s Ryanair on Wednesday announced a five-year deal with Google Cloud that will give the ultra-low-cost carrier access to Google Workspace and Gemini Enterprise, Google’s artificial intelligence platform.

The tools will be made available to around 35,000 employees across Ryanair’s network.

Airline officials said Gemini Enterprise will be used to help automate decision-making, optimize flight crew logistics, and support corporate productivity.

“Ryanair is on an incredible growth journey to 300 million passengers by 2034,” CEO Eddie Wilson said in a news release. “To support this growth, we need to ensure we have excellent infrastructure resilience, and our new dual-cloud strategy provides this, alongside technology partners that match our speed and relentless focus on efficiency.”

Ryanair is the largest airline in Europe by several metrics. Like other European carriers, it has been stung by higher jet fuel prices and route disruptions stemming from the war in Iran.

Airlines across the world are increasingly turning to AI to streamline operations and build new tech products. Delta, for instance, is in the process of rolling out Delta Concierge, an AI-powered digital assistant within its mobile app.

Zach Vasile

American Shakes Up Management to Close ‘Meaningful Gap’

The carrier is facing growing pressure to improve profitability.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 11:58 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

American aircraft at DFW Airport. (Photo: AirlineGeeks)

American Airlines is reshuffling its senior management team as it looks to close the persistent profitability gap with rivals United and Delta.

In a letter sent to company officers on Monday, CEO Robert Isom announced four additions to the team, and three departures.

Forbes, which obtained a copy of the letter, reported the new additions as Heather Garboden, JC Gulbranson, Caroline Clayton, and Steve Neuman. Executives Kevin Brickner, Ron DeFeo, and Nate Gatten are departing.

“I recognize that there is a meaningful gap between where we are today and where we know American can – and should – be,” Isom wrote. “To close that gap, we must improve performance where it matters most: delivering a better experience for customers, running a more reliable operation, strengthening engagement with our team members, and generating stronger business results.”

Garboden is American’s chief customer officer; Gulbranson is senior vice president of flight operations; Clayton is senior vice president of communications and chief marketing officer; and Neuman is senior vice president of government affairs.

Brickner currently serves as senior vice president of technical operations and will retire after a 30-year career with the airline, according to The Dallas Morning News. Ron DeFeo is departing as the carrier’s chief communications officer, and Gatten as executive vice president of American Eagle, corporate real estate, and government affairs.

According to Forbes, Chief Commercial Officer Nat Pieper will see his area of responsibility expand to include marketing, brand, advertising, and partnerships, and Garboden will report directly to Pieper. Garboden’s role will now include reservations, contact centers, service recovery, and catering.

Gulbranson will handle airports and planning as well as American’s integrated operations center, which remains under the leadership of Chief Operating Officer David Seymour.

Clayton will take over communications and Neuman will lead government affairs and sustainability.

Additionally, Chief Financial Officer Devon May will handle corporate real estate, and Brandon Kahle will lead regional operations, also under Seymour’s remit.

Isom has faced growing pressure from investors and some of American’s work groups to increase profitability. Earlier this year, the carrier’s unionized flight attendants issued a vote of no-confidence in Isom after full-year earnings were released.

Zach Vasile

FedEx 777 With Retro Livery Makes Appearance as Memphis Airport Renamed

The airport has been renamed for FedEx founder Frederick W. Smith.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 10:03 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A FedEx 777 in a retro livery. (Photo: Memphis International Airport)

A FedEx Boeing 777 sporting the cargo airline’s vintage livery landed at Memphis International Airport on Tuesday as the hub was officially renamed for the late FedEx founder and chairman Frederick W. Smith.

The aircraft is painted half white and half purple with an orange cheat line and decidedly retro lettering spelling out “Federal Express.”

The airport said that, in keeping with FedEx’s tradition of naming aircraft after team members’ children, the aircraft is named for Smith’s granddaughter, Rosie.

The FedEx 777 in vintage livery, landing at Memphis. (Photo: Memphis International Airport)

Around 200 people, including civic leaders and business executives, gathered at the airport Tuesday as Memphis International Airport was renamed Frederick W. Smith International Airport.

FedEx Express is headquartered in Memphis, and has its “World Hub” at the airport.

Smith died in 2025 at 80.

Members of his family were on hand to receive a resolution announcing the renaming.

“Today, we immortalize a true visionary who reshaped the logistics industry and elevated our city’s footprint on the global stage,” Terry Blue, president and CEO of Memphis Shelby County Airport Authority, said in a statement. “As passengers travel through Frederick W. Smith International Airport, we want them to be reminded of the relentless drive, innovation, and community spirit that Fred Smith championed throughout his life.”

A close-up of the nose of the 777. (Photo: Memphis International Airport)

While the renaming takes effect immediately, physical and technical rebranding of the airport will be carried out in phases. This includes updates to the facility’s interior and exterior signage.

The airport’s three-letter IATA code, MEM, will not change, officials said.

Zach Vasile

AirBaltic to Shrink A220 Fleet

The carrier previously planned to expand its fleet to around 100 jets.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 04:23 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An airBaltic Airbus A220. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

AirBaltic will shrink its all-Airbus A220-300 fleet this year as economic pressures continue to squeeze the European air travel industry.

The Latvian flag carrier said Tuesday that it is adopting a new business plan as demand levels off and costs continue to rise. As part of that plan, the airline will reduce its A220 fleet from 54 aircraft to 36 by the end of this year.

Over the long term, airBaltic expects to rebuild to 40 A220s by 2031.

The airline previously planned to grow its fleet to around 100 aircraft but said Tuesday that its “operating environment has changed materially.” It cited moderating revenue growth, uncertainty and high costs stemming from conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and constraints on Pratt & Whitney engine deliveries.

In addition to right-sizing its fleet, airBaltic said it will deepen its presence in existing markets, increase profitability, and secure €225 million of interim financing. Riga will remain its primary hub, airline officials said.

“Every successful airline must continuously adapt to a changing market,” airBaltic President and CEO Erno Hildén said in a news release. “Thus, this business plan is about making disciplined choices that strengthen airBaltic’s long-term competitiveness while preserving what matters most – reliable connectivity and operations, together with financial sustainability.”

Zach Vasile

American Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Suspected Bird Strike

Flames were seen shooting from the aircraft’s left engine.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 03:13 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An American 737-800 in Phoenix. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

An American Airlines aircraft made an emergency landing in South Carolina on Monday after a possible bird strike caused flames to shoot from its left engine.

The Boeing 737-800 had just departed Myrtle Beach for Charlotte, North Carolina, around 8 a.m. when passengers heard a bang, then saw flames coming from the engine, according to CBS News. The outlet spoke to multiple people who were on board the flight.

A video purportedly taken on board and shared with FOX News shows flames shooting out of the engine, but the engine itself does not appear to be on fire.

“Mayday, mayday, mayday. We’ve got an engine problem here,” one of the pilots told air traffic control.

The 737 landed safely back in Myrtle Beach, and no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew.

American Airlines plane makes emergency landing after flames shoot from engine: 'Mayday, mayday, mayday' https://t.co/Eqm1tHSTci pic.twitter.com/BO8LHkpSJl
— New York Post (@nypost) August 11, 2026

In a statement, the FAA said the crew reported striking a bird during takeoff. The agency is now investigating the incident.

American said it took the airplane out of service for an inspection. Another aircraft flew the passengers to Charlotte.

Zach Vasile