Transportation Secretary Calls For Healthier Airline Snacks

While speaking about his push for renewed civility in airports and on flights, Sean Duffy said carriers should offer more nutritious food options.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, November 27, 2025 at 07:00 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Snacks on a commercial flight. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Mateen Kontoravdis)

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said this week that he would like to see healthier snacks on flights, tying the issue to his broader push for civility and formality in air travel.

While speaking with conservative news site BlazeTV, Duffy criticized the complimentary cookies that many airlines give to passengers.

“I would love some better snacks,” he said. “I would love a little healthier snack on the airplane… Maybe that could change it all. If I didn’t get the really fattening cookie full of butter and sugar and crap, or that little snack pack of pretzels. Can we do something else?”

“I think airlines should embrace a little [Make America Healthy Again] as well,” he added. “Can we get a healthy choice on the airplane?”

Many airlines around the world offer cookies, pretzels, crackers, nuts, and other snacks to passengers free of charge. Among the most popular and widely distributed are Biscoff cookies, Daelmans Stroopwafels, Cheez-Its, Sun Chips, and Quaker granola bars.

The secretary did not name any specific foods that he would like to see offered.

Since the start of the Thanksgiving travel season, Duffy has asked Americans to dress better and be more aware and polite while taking flights and navigating airports. More widely-practiced courteousness and respect, he argues, can help create a better travel experience while also tamping down some of the more disruptive and even confrontational behavior that seems to have surged since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I want to have a conversation with America that says, ‘Listen, let’s call on our better angels,’” he told BlazeTV. “‘Let’s all be better when we travel together. Let’s dress more respectfully. Let’s be nicer to one another. Let’s say please and thank you.’”

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.

Delta Flight Turns Back Over ‘Indication of A Mechanical Issue’

The airline cited a possible problem with the aircraft’s flaps.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 01:46 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Delta A330-300 aircraft. (Photo: Shutterstock | Santi Rodriguez)

A Delta flight out of Paris was forced to return to Charles de Gaulle Airport on Wednesday after encountering an “indication of a mechanical issue.”

In a statement, the airline said the crew of an Airbus A330-300 operating as Delta Flight 153 to Minneapolis declared an emergency after becoming aware of a problem with the aircraft’s flaps. The flight was given priority by air traffic controllers and landed safely back at Charles de Gaulle.

There were 177 passengers on board. According to a report from Business Insider, the A330 was in the air for less than 20 minutes.

“Customers were reaccommodated on same-day flights out of CDG,” Delta said. “We apologize to our customers for their delay in travel.”

Delta technicians are now evaluating the aircraft.

Zach Vasile

Air Canada Adds Four New Routes to Europe

Service will start in June and July 2026.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 12:18 PM ET

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Zach Vasile

An Air Canada Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at London Heathrow Airport. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Air Canada is planning new transatlantic routes to Germany, France, Belgium, and Portugal’s Azores next year.

The airline said Tuesday that it will connect Montreal and Berlin; Montreal and Nantes, France; Toronto and Ponta Delgada in the Azores; and Halifax and Brussels during the summer of 2026. Air Canada is also resuming its Montreal-Tel Aviv route next summer.

The start and end dates and frequencies of the upcoming flights are:

Montreal to Berlin: July 2 to Oct. 11, 2026; three times weekly

Montreal to Nantes: June 10 to Oct. 12, 2026; three times weekly

Toronto to Ponta Delgada: June 11 to Sept. 6, 2026; three times weekly

Halifax to Brussels: June 18 to Sept. 6, 2026; three times weekly

Montreal to Tel Aviv: June 5 to Oct. 24; twice weekly

Air Canada 737 MAX — An Air Canada Boeing 737 MAX 8. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Air Canada will operate the Montreal-Berlin route with an Airbus A321XLR and the Montreal-Tel Aviv service with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The other routes will use unspecified narrowbody jets, the carrier said.

All five flights are available for booking now.

“From Canada to Berlin, Ponta Delgada, Nantes, and Brussels, we are strategically increasing new non-stop routes across Europe to bring convenient access to key destinations, while strengthening economic ties and supporting tourism,” Mark Galardo, Air Canada’s executive vice president, COO, and president of cargo, said in a statement. “With these additions, Air Canada will offer North America’s second largest transatlantic network by destinations next summer.”

Air Canada previously announced new summertime routes from Montreal to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and Catania, Italy, and from Toronto to Shanghai and Budapest.

Zach Vasile

Caterers Protest at LAX Amid Holiday Rush

The labor union representing the workers said they face unsafe conditions on the job.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 10:47 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Aeroméxico Boeing 787 in Los Angeles. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Protesting airline caterers temporarily blocked a main street into Los Angeles International Airport late Tuesday as they called for higher pay and better working conditions.

According to KABC-TV, the caterers are employees of Flying Food Group and members of the UNITE HERE Local 11 labor union, which represents hospitality workers in California and Arizona. Flying Food Group supplies food and beverages for carriers such as Hawaiian Airlines, Air France, and Lufthansa.

At one point in the evening, the protests spilled out onto Century Boulevard and blocked cars from entering the airport. Police then intervened to move the workers back onto the sidewalk, KABC reported.

Tuesday was expected to be the busiest travel day of the Thanksgiving holiday period, and could turn out to be the busiest single day of 2025.

The caterers told local media that they face unsafe working conditions, including burst pipes, blocked exits, malfunctioning fire alarms, and exposure to chemical burns.

“Despite the growing number of problems – and despite workers repeatedly raising these concerns – the leadership of Los Angeles World Airports has failed to take meaningful action to hold Flying Food Group accountable to the city’s own requirements for its licensees,” Susan Minato, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11, said in a statement. “We need accountability from the city.”

The workers have also filed complaints with California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

Zach Vasile

JSX Plans Its First ATR Route

Service will start next month.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 09:44 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

JSX's first ATR aircraft arrives at Dallas Love Field. (Photo: Adam Baker)

JSX announced this week that it will start service between Santa Monica, California, and Las Vegas before the end of the year.

The public charter carrier will fly once daily between the two cities using its new 30-seat ATR 42-600 turboprop aircraft, which it ordered earlier this year to help reach small and underserved airports. Flights will start on Dec. 19.

JSX currently operates flights from Las Vegas but has not served Santa Monica before.

“With demand for efficient regional travel at an all-time high, our operations at Santa Monica Airport will deliver joyful, attainable air travel while supporting local families and businesses,” JSX CEO Alex Wilcox said in a statement. “We are committed to being a responsible, respectful community partner for as long as Santa Monica chooses to keep its airport open.”

Santa Monica Airport is expected to shut down in 2028. The facility has been the focus of resident complaints about noise and air pollution for years, and in 2017 the city and the FAA reached an agreement to wind down operations there.

JSX expects to take delivery of four ATR 42-600 aircraft, with options for up to 25 more. Company officials have said the turboprop airplanes will allow access to smaller airports with shorter runways that JSX’s main fleet, consisting of Embraer E135s and E145s, cannot use.

Zach Vasile

Union to File For Vote at JetBlue

IAM said there is enough interest among the airline’s ground workers to justify a representation election.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 06:00 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A JetBlue A320 aircraft. (Photo: Shutterstock | Markus Mainka)

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said Tuesday that it will file for a union representation vote for about 3,000 JetBlue ground operations workers.

The union said there is “sufficient interest” among the JetBlue employees to justify holding an election. It plans to file for a vote with the National Mediation Board.

“Now is the time for JetBlue workers to join the IAM union family and gain the dignity and respect of a union contract and a strong voice on the job,” IAM Air Transport General Vice President Richie Johnsen said in a statement. “Conditions for JetBlue G.O. crewmembers need to be improved. Safety on the job, pay, benefits, job security, favoritism, and general work rules can all be improved when crewmembers unionize and demand change with the backing of over 600,000 IAM union members.”

JetBlue did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AirlineGeeks.

JetBlue’s ground workers voted against unionizing in 2023. IAM said that vote took place following an “aggressive union-busting campaign” from the airline.

According to the union, JetBlue ground employees cited below-standard pay and benefits, poor and unsafe working conditions, and unjustified discipline and terminations, among other issues, as reasons for wanting to join IAM.

Zach Vasile

Southwest Adds New California, Hawaii Routes

The carrier is adding routes as its schedule extends through September 2026.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 02:02 PM ET

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Zach Vasile

Southwest 737 MAX 8 aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Southwest on Tuesday announced a series of route additions and frequency increases as it published its schedule through Sept. 30, 2026. The carrier said the latest update includes growth in Southern California and new links to Hawaii.

Beginning Aug. 4, Southwest will launch daily service between San Diego and Santa Barbara. The airline will also double the number of daily flights linking San Diego with Portland, Salt Lake City, and Seattle on the same date.

According to the carrier, the changes will bring San Diego to a record 139 peak-day departures in late summer 2026.

New Hawaii Service

The airline will further expand from Long Beach, where service to Portland and Seattle will resume on Aug. 4, 2026. Both routes will operate six days per week.

Southwest is also adding new Hawaii service from the Los Angeles Basin. The carrier plans to begin peak-day service between Burbank and Honolulu on Aug. 4, going head-to-head with Alaska. A new daily Ontario–Honolulu flight will launch earlier in the season on June 4.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Republic, Mesa Complete Merger

Mesa stockholders approved the combination in a vote last week.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 11:25 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Republic Airways E175 aircraft. (Photo: Shutterstock | Austin Deppe)

Regional carriers Republic Airways and Mesa Airlines are now a single company.

The merger of the two airlines, first announced in April, officially closed Tuesday, company officials announced. The resulting entity, known as Republic Airways Holdings, now owns the world’s largest Embraer fleet, with nearly 300 E170 and E175 aircraft, and operates over 1,300 daily departures, making it one of the largest regional airlines in the U.S.

Mesa shareholders voted in favor of the linkup on Nov. 17, clearing the last major regulatory hurdle for the partners.

“This merger establishes a combined company with a common mission to provide safe, clean, and reliable service to connect people and communities across America,” Republic Airways CEO David Grizzle said in a statement. “The transaction will create value for all of our stakeholders and strengthen the regional aviation industry. Today, Republic returns to the public markets as a well-capitalized airline with a strong strategic plan, a capable and proven workforce of aviation professionals, and a horizon bright with opportunity.”

A Mesa-operated American Eagle CRJ-900 aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Even though they are now legally one company, Republic and Mesa will maintain “parallel operations” while executives work to consolidate the airlines into a single carrier. They will also continue to operate flights for their current airline partners. Republic has service agreements with United, Delta, and American, while Mesa works only with United, flying as United Express.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Republic shareholders own approximately 88% of the combined company’s common stock, while Mesa stockholders will own at least 6% and up to 12%, subject to the final settlement of Mesa’s pre-closing obligations.

As of Tuesday, Republic Airways Holdings will trade under the ticker RJET on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

Zach Vasile

Iberia Adds New Link Between U.S. and Spain

Service will start in March 2026.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 09:53 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Iberia A321XLR aircraft (Photo: Tobias Gudat)

Spanish flag carrier Iberia is expanding its footprint in the New York metro area.

Starting March 29, 2026, the airline will offer daily nonstop flights between Madrid and Newark, New Jersey. The new route will complement Iberia’s existing service between Madrid and Barcelona and New York-JFK, airline leaders said.

“The addition of Newark not only strengthens our presence in New York with a third daily frequency but also expands options for our customers by offering greater flexibility in schedules and fares, along with the advantages of multi-frequency service,” said María Jesús López Solás, Iberia’s chief commercial, network development, and alliances officer. “Diversifying between [JFK] and Newark allows us to optimize operations and better adapt to market needs, reinforcing our position along one of the most strategic corridors across the Atlantic.”

Iberia will operate the Madrid-Newark route with an Airbus A321XLR aircraft.

With the new flights to Newark factored in, Iberia will offer over 350,000 seats between Madrid and the greater New York area in the summer of 2026, officials said.

Deliveries of the A321XLR are allowing Iberia to gradually expand its transatlantic network. Last week, the carrier announced plans to connect Madrid and Toronto starting in June 2026.

Currently, the airline serves nine destinations in the continental U.S., including Boston, Chicago, Miami, Washington Dulles, and Dallas/Fort Worth.

Zach Vasile

Air Transat Adds Routes to Europe, Africa

The new destinations are part of the airline’s summer schedule.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 09:01 AM ET

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Zach Vasile

An Air Transat A330 in Brussels. (Photo: AirlineGeeks)

Canadian airline Air Transat is continuing to expand its schedule for summer 2026, with new routes planned to Europe and West Africa.

Starting in June, the Montreal-based carrier will fly nonstop to Accra, Ghana; Dakar, Senegal; and Reykjavik, Iceland. The airline will serve Accra from Toronto and Dakar and Reykjavik from Montreal.

Service to Ghana will operate from June 17 to Oct. 22, 2026, with two weekly flights on Wednesdays and Sundays. Flights to and from Senegal will operate in roughly the same window, from June 17 to Oct. 21, and will run twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Service to Reykjavik will be available from June 16 to Sept. 27, with up to two flights per week on Tuesdays and Sundays.

When the routes launch next year, Air Transat will be the only airline in the world connecting Canada with Ghana and Senegal.

The airline also said it will increase the frequency of returning seasonal service between Montreal and Valencia, Spain. From June 16 to Sept. 8, the route will operate twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Air Transat has added a number of new routes to its summer schedule over the past several weeks, including connections between Quebec City and Marseille; Ottawa and London Gatwick; and Montreal and Agadir, Morocco.

Zach Vasile