A China Eastern Boeing 777. (Photo: Shutterstock | R.D. de Boer)
Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines will soon have a new home at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
The consortium behind the Terminal One project at JFK said China Eastern will move to the new facility from its current location in Terminal 1. The new Terminal One is being built on sites now occupied by Terminal 1 and the former Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, where it will anchor the airport’s south side.
“We are honored to serve as China Eastern Airlines’ long-term strategic partner as they continue to grow in New York City,” said Jennifer Aument, CEO of The New Terminal One, in a news release. “China Eastern’s commitment to exceptional service aligns with our vision to transform the international travel experience at JFK. We’re excited to work together to create a premier gateway between New York City and Shanghai.”
The new Terminal One is part of a broader $19 billion transformation project at JFK launched by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The new facility will have 23 gates, departures and arrivals halls, and retail and dining space. The first 14 gates are scheduled to open next year, and airport officials expect the entire terminal will be complete by 2030.
China Eastern launched nonstop service between New York and Shanghai in 2006. Its other destinations in North America are Toronto, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver.
A number of international airlines have already committed to gates at the new Terminal One, including Air France, KLM, Korean Air, Etihad, China Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Air New Zealand.
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.
Southwest Reaffirms Plan to Serve DFW
CEO says flights are still on the horizon, bucking an over half-century legacy of only serving nearby Love Field.
Southwest’s interest in serving Dallas/Fort Worth marks a major shift driven not only by gate limits but also by regulatory and infrastructure barriers at Dallas Love Field. When DFW opened in 1974, Southwest chose to remain at Love Field, sparking years of political and legal battles that culminated in the 1979 Wright Amendment.
With its corporate headquarters located next door, Love Field has long been a staple of Southwest’s legacy. Its first flight took place on June 18, 1971, originating from Love Field to Houston Hobby Airport and San Antonio International Airport.
Though the law’s flight restrictions were fully repealed in 2014, its legacy remains embedded in subsequent agreements that restrict Love Field’s size and capabilities. The 2006 Five-Party Agreement, signed by the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, DFW Airport, Southwest, and American Airlines, capped Love Field at 20 gates and formally designated DFW as the region’s primary airport for international service.
Overlooking DFW Airport’s Terminal B. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Love Field was designed primarily for short-haul domestic operations and does not include federal customs and immigration facilities. As part of the 2006 agreement, Dallas pledged not to pursue the construction of a federal inspection station at Love Field — effectively barring any airline, including Southwest, from operating international flights.
For Southwest, these restrictions mean its Dallas base cannot support the type of international growth seen in Houston, Phoenix, or other key markets. The carrier operates at maximum gate capacity at Love Field and cannot expand or diversify its route map without breaching the 2006 agreement.
‘A Certain Mission’
With interest in flying internationally, Jordan reiterated that the carrier is still looking for a few gates at DFW. These would “fulfill a certain mission,” he said, with somewhere between 5-to-10 gates planned.
Jordan did not give a specific timeline for Southwest’s plans at DFW, saying the airline has “a lot of priorities.” The airline’s DFW service could still be several years away, he added.
“It’s something that’s been moved out a few years in terms of a priority,” Jordan stated.
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.
CommuteAir overrun incident in September 2025 (Photo: FAA)
The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report says a CommuteAir Embraer ERJ-145XR operating as United Express flight 4339 continued its landing in Roanoke despite two go-around calls from the first officer before overrunning the runway and stopping in the engineered materials arresting system (EMAS) on Sept. 24.
No injuries were reported among the 50 passengers and three crew members.
According to investigators, the flight — the second leg of day four for the crew — departed Washington Dulles after maintenance-related delays. En route, ATIS for Roanoke indicated calm winds, no precipitation, and Runway 6 in use. The captain initially briefed the localizer 6 approach and declined the first officer’s suggestion to run wet-runway landing performance numbers because ATIS did not report precipitation.
The E145 was stopped by the EMAS (Photo: FAA)
Approach control later advised precipitation along the Runway 6 path and that other aircraft were landing on Runway 34, prompting the crew to set up and brief the ILS 34 approach as rain intensified. The captain then asked the first officer to compute landing performance for a wet surface with a runway condition code of 5; the FO calculated a margin of about 200 feet without thrust reversers.
The captain briefed a go-around and diversion to Greensboro, North Carolina, if needed.
Captain Continued Approach
On final, the crew observed increasing rain. The first officer noted the aircraft was high on the precision approach path indicator and, after crossing runway markings, called for a go-around; about halfway down the runway, the FO called for a go-around a second time, but the captain continued the approach.
The aircraft touched down, and the crew applied maximum braking and deployed thrust reversers. The jet overran the end of Runway 34 and came to rest in the EMAS. Airport firefighters assisted with deplaning via a ladder after the crew completed evacuation checklists; there were no injuries.
The NTSB is continuing to investigate the incident.
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.
An Air France Airbus A350 (Photo: Shutterstock | Robin Guess)
Air France is continuing to expand its North American presence with plans to launch a new U.S. route in 2026. The service is scheduled to begin on April 15 and will operate three times weekly from Paris–Charles de Gaulle.
The French flag carrier will connect Paris with Las Vegas, marking its 19th destination in the United States and 26th across North America. Flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays using the airline’s Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
According to Air France, flight AF56 will depart Paris at 1:40 p.m. and arrive in Las Vegas at 3:35 p.m. local time. The return flight, AF57, will leave Las Vegas at 5:50 p.m. and arrive in Paris the following afternoon at 1:05 p.m.
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.
The former leaders of a Miami-based investment firm that backed Australian airline Bonza and Canadian carrier Flair have been charged with wire and securities fraud.
In a statement, the FBI’s New York office said 777 Partners cofounder Joshua Wander and former CFO Damien Alfalla cheated private lenders and investors out of hundreds of millions of dollars by pledging assets the firm did not own, falsifying bank statements and records, and misrepresenting the company’s overall financial condition. The two are accused of stealing around $500 million.
“As alleged, the defendants, through 777 Partners, lied to lenders and investors, double-pledged collateral, and used restricted funds to bankroll risky acquisitions – putting nearly $500 million and the lifelines of structured-settlement beneficiaries at risk,” Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel said in a news release. “In actuality, the defendants put forth an illusion of stability that was a years-long house of cards. This alleged scheme was self-serving, siphoning funds meant for victims and leaving investors and lenders holding the bag.”
Both Wander and Alfalla were charged with wire fraud, securities fraud, and conspiracy to engage in both crimes. Wire fraud, securities fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud each carry a maximum of 20 years in prison, while conspiracy to commit securities fraud carries a maximum of five years in prison.
The FBI announced Wander’s indictment on Thursday. Alfalla pleaded guilty to a “fraud scheme” involving 777 Partners two days before, on Oct. 14, the agency said, and is now cooperating with the government.
A Flair Boeing 737 MAX. (Photo: Flair Airlines)
Prosecutors said 777 Partners’ original business model involved underwriting and financing structured legal settlements for personal injury victims and lawsuit beneficiaries. Starting in 2018, the firm began investment proceeds from its structured settlements business into other ventures with “less certain cash-flow profiles,” including airlines, streaming services, and the professional soccer teams Sevilla FC and Genoa CFC. 777 Partners eventually overextended itself with these investments and acquisitions, the FBI said, and began pledging assets as collateral that it did not own.
Bets on Budget Airlines
Investigators did not say which airlines 777 Partners invested in, but it is known the company backed low-cost carriers Bonza and Flair.
Bonza, which went out of business in April 2024, had its base in Australia’s Sunshine Coast and aimed to connect underserved markets and underutilized airports. It operated flights for a little over a year before entering voluntary administration, which is similar to bankruptcy protection in the U.S. All of Bonza’s scheduled flights were canceled, and its workforce was laid off.
In July 2024, a court decided that Bonza would be liquidated.
Around the same time Bonza collapsed, an asset management company in the U.K., Leadenhall Capital Partners, sued 777 Partners in New York district court for allegedly double-pledging collateral. Leadenhall alleged that 777 Partners was “operating a giant shell game at best, and an outright Ponzi scheme at worst.”
Wander and 777 Partners were increasingly visible in England after attempting to buy Liverpool-based Everton F.C.
Flair, which launched in 2005, is still operating, though it has faced occasional financial difficulties. In 2023, aircraft lessor Airborne Capital seized four Flair airplanes because the carrier allegedly fell behind on its payments. Flair’s CEO suggested at the time that the repossessions were an attempt by the airline’s competitors to run it out of business.
Three other aircraft leasing companies, which used Airborne Capital to manage their leases for Flair, later sued 777 Partners for $30 million over the missed payments.
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.
United Returns to California Airport After a Decade
A United Embraer E175 operated by SkyWest (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
United will add another airport to its route map in 2026, becoming the second U.S. airline to regularly serve it. The Chicago-based airline last served this airport over a decade ago.
Beginning on March 30, the carrier will relaunch flights to McClellan–Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, California. Twice-daily flights are scheduled from United’s Denver and San Francisco hubs on SkyWest Embraer E175s.
The airline’s network planning chief, Patrick Quayle, confirmed the carrier’s newest airport addition on Instagram.
“Carlsbad is a bit different for the United network. It’s not Bangkok. It’s not Bari. It’s a small domestic airport, and there’s something special about connecting it to the world,” he said in a post. “One of the things that makes Carlsbad different is that it only handles two scheduled commercial departures every day – the rest are general aviation.”
American launched flights to Carlsbad in February, which is located just over 30 miles north of downtown San Diego. Currently, it is the only major airline serving the airport, with flights to its Phoenix hub.
Semi-private operator JSX also flies to McClellan-Palomar.
United last flew to the California airport in April 2015 with service to Los Angeles.
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.
A United Airbus A320 (Photo: Shutterstock | Ceri Breeze)
United is slated to phase out its fleet of Airbus A319s and A320s as it takes delivery of newer aircraft.
Currently, the Chicago-based airline has 78 A319s and 70 A320s in active service, according to fleet data from Cirium. Roughly a dozen aircraft have been retired or placed in storage.
The A319s have an average age of 24 years, while the A320s are nearly 26 years old.
The airline’s chief commercial officer, Andrew Nocella, shared that United plans to retire the “lower-margin” A319 and A320 aircraft by 2030.
“This gauge increase is a proven formula for margin growth and accelerates as we retire smaller, lower-margin A319 and A320 aircraft from our fleet by 2030,” he said during a recent earnings call, noting an increased pace in A321neo deliveries.
‘Critical Mass’
United’s 200-seat A321neo fleet will reach “critical mass” in the coming years, Nocella added, “helping drive better customer experience, but also creating cost convergence with others.” The airline took delivery of its first A321neo in October 2023, and now has 49 in active service.
A United A321neo. (Photo: United Airlines)
“United’s hubs can support this higher gauge and allows us to accept more basic economy passengers at a profit,” he continued.
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.
A United 737 MAX 8. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Noah Escobar)
The leader of an atmospheric data collection and weather prediction company believes one of his weather balloons could be the cause of a smashed windscreen that forced a United Airlines flight to make an emergency landing last week.
United Flight 1093, operating with a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was flying from Denver to Los Angeles on Thursday when the pilots reported a cracked windscreen at cruise altitude over Moab, Utah. The flight landed safely in Salt Lake City, and the NTSB is now investigating.
While not verified by either United or the NTSB, photos circulating on social media site X show what appears to be the heavily damaged windscreen and scorch marks on the aircraft’s exterior above and around the windscreen.
The marks, combined with the aircraft’s reported cruise altitude – far higher than most birds can fly – prompted some social media users to speculate that a small meteorite or piece of space debris may have caused the damage. But on Monday, science and space YouTuber Scott Manley suggested that a weather balloon could have struck the 737 MAX.
Here's what the operational part of the @WindBorneWx weather balloon looks like – they use sand as ballast. And here's the plane, I now understand why the paint on the window frame looks like it's been sand blasted.
“Here’s what the operational part of the @WindBorneWx weather balloon looks like,” Manley wrote on X. “They use sand as ballast. And here’s the plane, I now understand why the paint on the window frame looks like it’s been sand blasted.”
“It does look like WindBorne are doing all the right things, but I’m guessing the controllers just didn’t get the location information they were sharing?” he added.
John Dean, CEO of WindBorne Systems, answered Manley on X.
“Hi Scott, cofounder/CEO of @WindBorneWx here,” his post read. “Yes, I think this was a WindBorne balloon. We learned about UA1093 and the potential that it was related to one of our balloons at 11 p.m. PT on Sunday and immediately looked into it. At 6 a.m. PT, we sent our preliminary investigation to both NTSB and FAA, and are working with both of them to investigate further.”
WindBorne makes and deploys long-duration “smart” weather balloons to produce weather forecasts.
In a statement on Monday, the company said the “foreign debris object” that hit the United aircraft “was likely a WindBorne balloon.”
“WindBorne has conducted more than 4,000 launches,” the message said. “We have been coordinating with the FAA for the entire history of the company and file NOTAMs (aviation alerts) for every balloon we launch. The system is designed to be safe in the event of a midair collision. This is the purpose of the FAA Part 101 and ICAO weight limits. Our balloon is 2.4 pounds at launch and gets lighter throughout flight.”
The company also said it immediately rolled out changes to minimize time its weather balloons spend between 30,000 and 40,000 feet.
The NTSB has not commented on WindBorne’s statement.
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.
The company said its new $70 million facility will boost its capacity to serve E-Jet customers in the U.S. by 53%. The center is expected to open in 2027.
Embraer began operations at Alliance Airport in June at an existing hangar.
“This moment marks a new chapter in Embraer’s journey in the United States, a country where we’ve been for over 46 years,” Embraer President and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto said in a news release. “With an investment of up to $70 million and the creation of 250 new skilled aviation jobs, this facility is a symbol of our long-term commitment to the U.S. market.”
The company hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking at the airport on Monday, attended by Fort Worth and Denton County officials, representatives of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership, and real estate developer Ross Perot Jr.
Embraer first announced plans to open a new MRO center in Fort Worth in October 2024. Company leaders said additional infrastructure is needed to support the growing number of E-Jets operating in North America.
Embraer has more than 80 authorized service centers and 13 Embraer-owned service centers worldwide.
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.
Pan Am Returning to the Seas
Holland America’s Zuiderdam will retrace the carrier’s original routes through the Caribbean.
A 1935 print ad for Pan Am. (Photo: Gleason Waite Romer/Dade County Newsdealers, made available through Wikimedia Commons)
Cruise line Holland America is partnering with the Pan Am brand to launch a nearly month-long trip at sea commemorating the defunct airline’s 100th anniversary.
The 28-day Pan Am 100th Anniversary Legendary Voyage will retrace original Pan Am Clipper routes in and around the Caribbean and Latin America, visiting 18 ports of call. The cruise will depart from Miami, Pan Am’s longtime base, on the Holland America ship Zuiderdam on Oct. 30, 2027.
Organizers said the journey will call back to Pan Am’s most glamorous era with themed meals, period-inspired décor, and historical programming.
“Pan Am and Holland America Line both helped pioneer modern travel – Pan Am in the skies and Holland America Line at sea,” said Paul Grigsby, vice president of itinerary planning and deployment for Holland America, in a statement. “With roots that reach back more than a century, both brands share a legacy of connecting people to the world with impeccable service and a spirit of discovery. This collaboration is a tribute to the golden age of travel and humanity’s enduring drive to explore.”
According to Holland America, the cruise will launch from Miami and stop at Nassau, The Bahamas; RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, which is Holland America’s private island; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; St. John’s; Castries, Saint Lucia; Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago; Willemstad, Curaçao; Oranjestad, Aruba; Santa Marta and Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Belize City, Belize; and Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico, before heading back to Miami.
Nine of the ports – Nassau, San Juan, Charlotte Amalie, St. John’s, Castries, Port of Spain, Colon, and Progreso – were original Pan Am destinations.
Pan Am used the name “Clipper” for several types of “flying boats” that could land on water. The aircraft helped Pan Am expand and dominate international air travel in the 1930s and ‘40s.
Comeback in the Works
Holland America is collaborating with Pan Am Global Holdings, which manages the intellectual property rights for the long-defunct Pan American World Airways. Pan Am has not operated as a commercial airline since its bankruptcy in 1991.
A Pan Am 707. (Photo: Shutterstock | Peter Scharkowski)
Separate from the cruise, however, Pan Am’s successor company is planning a possible return to the skies. Earlier this month, Pan Am Global Holdings and aviation merchant bank and consulting firm AVi8 Air Capital announced they have formally started the airline certification process with the FAA, which could reestablish Pan Am as a Part 121 scheduled carrier.
The partners said that, once certified, the new Pan Am plans to operate a fleet of Airbus aircraft. The company will be headquartered in Miami.
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.
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