A United Airlines Boeing 737-700. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
United expects to close out the year on a high note.
In an earnings report released Wednesday, the carrier forecast fourth-quarter adjusted earnings of between $3 and $3.50 per share, which would improve on an already-strong $2.78 per share in Q3. The carrier’s Q4 projection is well above industry expectations, which averaged out to about $2.86 per share.
United also said that if momentum from the third quarter continues through the next three months, the airline could deliver the highest total operating revenue for a single quarter in its history.
United’s leaders based their prediction on several favorable trends, including rising demand for luxury travel, a segment the airline has worked hard to capture. The industry is also rolling back capacity, creating a more favorable pricing environment for carriers.
In a statement, United CEO Scott Kirby pointed to a series of long-term investments, some begun almost a decade ago, that are now bearing fruit both for United’s customers and its bottom line. These include the widescale installation of seatback screens, the opening of a fourth United Club location in Denver, and the rollout of United Polaris lie-flat seats.
Kirby said the improvements have helped grow the airline’s pool of brand-loyal customers despite volatility in the broader economy this year.
United on Wednesday posted operating revenue of $15.2 billion and net income of $949 million for the third quarter. Year-over-year, premium cabin revenue rose 6%, basic economy revenue increased by 4%, and loyalty revenue climbed 9%.
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.
Oregon’s Capital City Pooling Funds to Attract New Airline
Salem has not had scheduled commercial air service since August.
The Oregon State Capitol in Salem. (Photo: Shutterstock/Jacob Boomsma)
Salem, the state capital of Oregon, is putting together public and private funds in hopes of attracting a new airline after Avelo’s exit from the West Coast left the community without a single commercial carrier.
The Statesman Journal reported this week that the city council of Salem voted to move $100,000 from the city’s general fund to its airport fund each year for three years. The money will go toward a minimum revenue guarantee for an airline that opts to serve Salem-Willamette Valley Airport, also known as McNary Field. The airport is owned by the City of Salem.
The organizations Travel Salem and Fly Salem successfully raised pledged amounts of $400,000 per year for three years, the newspaper reported, bringing the total available for a revenue guarantee to $1.5 million over three years.
City staff told the Statesman Journal that the minimum goal for a viable revenue guarantee is $500,000 per year for three years.
Avelo in July announced plans to end all of its West Coast routes and shut down its base in Burbank, California. Service to Salem, among other destinations, was slated to end in mid-August. According to the Statesman Journal, the airline’s last flight out of Salem-Willamette Valley Airport took place on Aug. 10.
Avelo was expected to continue operations out of Burbank until December, but that deadline was moved up to Oct. 20.
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.
Avelo Axes Three Routes
The carrier says it is not seeing “high enough demand” in these markets.
An Avelo Boeing 737-800. (Photo: Shutterstock | Edgardo M Moya)
Avelo will discontinue three routes, including an international route, in the coming months. The ultra-low-cost carrier confirmed the changes this week.
The airline will halt flights between Raleigh/Durham and Montego Bay, along with Fort Myers, Florida, effective Jan. 3 and Jan. 7, respectively.
Avelo is also ending its route between Lakeland, Florida, and Long Island, New York, effective Nov. 30.
“Unfortunately, we aren’t seeing high enough demand to account for the large capacity of our planes. These are the only routes being canceled at this time,” an airline spokesperson told AirlineGeeks.
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 Jeju Air Boeing 737 aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ben Suskind)
Relatives of passengers killed in the Jeju Air crash in South Korea late last year are suing Boeing, arguing that outdated flight systems contributed to the accident.
Aviation law firm Herrmann Law Group said Wednesday that it filed a complaint against Boeing in King County Superior Court in Seattle on behalf of 14 families who lost loved ones in the accident, which occurred at Muan International Airport.
The aircraft involved in the crash was a Boeing 737-800.
The lawsuit blames Boeing for failing to modernize “outdated” electrical and hydraulic systems, which ultimately compromised the accident flight’s landing gear.
“Rather than admitting its fault in this tragic accident, Boeing resorts to its old, worn out ‘blame the pilots’ tactic,” said Charles Herrmann, lead attorney for the plaintiffs, in a statement. “These pilots make easy targets; they perished in the flames with the passengers. They cannot defend themselves.”
“Bereaved families deserve the truth,” he added. “Met with evasion in Korea, these plaintiffs seek justice in U.S. courts where we can legally compel them to reveal the truth.”
The cause of the crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216 is still under investigation, but South Korean officials have suggested that a bird strike disabled one of its engines as it approached Muan International Airport on Dec. 29, 2024. The 737’s landing gear did not deploy, and the aircraft belly-landed beyond the normal touchdown zone. It overran the runway, crashed into a lighting structure, and then hit a concrete-encased berm supporting an antenna array.
All 175 passengers were killed, along with four of the six crew members. The two survivors were rescued from the rear of the aircraft.
According to the lawsuit, the 737’s backup power systems did not switch on after the bird strike, leaving a number of other systems, most critically the landing gear and reverse thrusters, disabled. Nearly every system designed to slow the aircraft, both in the air and on the ground, failed, attorneys for the plaintiffs said.
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.
American Unveils Vintage ‘Flagship’ Livery
The airline will start flying a Boeing 777 with the special design next month.
The “Flagship” livery incorporates design elements from American’s old Douglas DC-3 aircraft, which sported an instantly recognizable orange lightning bolt motif and a roundel with an eagle. It will be painted on a Boeing 777-300ER registered as N735AT. The aircraft’s first flight with the new livery will take place in November.
In keeping with American’s former policy of naming DC-3s after the cities they served, the specially designed 777 will be known as “Flagship DFW.”
Airline leaders said the new livery is meant to call attention to the planned refresh of American’s 777-300 fleet, set to start next year. As part of the overhaul, the widebody jets will get Flagship Suite seats, which come with privacy doors, wireless charging pads, and a chaise lounge seating option.
The Flagship Knoxville housed in the American Airlines CR Smith Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. The airline’s new Flagship livery borrows from this design. (Photo: American Airlines)
American debuted the Flagship Suites earlier this year on its Boeing 787-9s.
The 777-300s will also get upgraded Premium Economy seats.
“American has thoughtfully chosen a design that evokes our rich history while looking ahead to our next 100 years,” said Ron DeFeo, American’s chief communications officer, in a news release. “Throughout American’s history, ‘Flagship’ has always been recognized as our premium travel experience… Painting the original Flagship design on our Flagship aircraft is a powerful way to honor that legacy while embracing the future.”
American is set to observe its centennial in April 2026.
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.
Frontier CEO Pushes to Limit Private Jets
Biffle says private flights worsen delays, plans to raise issue with FAA.
A Frontier Airbus A320neo in Las Vegas. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Frontier CEO Barry Biffle has called for tighter restrictions on private aircraft operations during periods of heavy air traffic, arguing that private flights can worsen delays and lead to cancellations for scheduled airlines.
In a LinkedIn post last week, Biffle wrote that when airlines file flight plans in line with their schedules, private jet operators often submit earlier departure times to gain priority.
“A private jet wants to leave at the same time. … They and we know we will likely get a ground delay program of two or three hours,” he said. “The PJ simply files for an earlier time and then gets to leave when they wanted to leave once they get the delay program.”
He added that such practices can leave airlines without viable operating windows. “Sadly, airlines often end up having to cancel because these delays stack up and time out our crews,” Biffle wrote.
The Frontier chief said he plans to meet with the Federal Aviation Administration to discuss potential solutions, suggesting that limits on private aircraft movements during peak travel periods could help reduce disruptions for commercial passengers.
In a follow-up post on Tuesday, Biffle thanked industry peers and travelers who had reached out in response to his comments. “It’s time to stop cancelling people’s flights just because we don’t organize the airport and airspace usage,” he wrote, reiterating his call for what he described as “common sense” management of the national airspace system.
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 Spirit Airbus A321 (Photo: Shutterstock | Ron Adar)
Ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit expects to record full-year losses for 2025 and 2026 but should return to profitability by 2027, according to documents submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday.
The airline, which is currently navigating its second Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a year’s time, forecasts a net loss of about $804 million this year and $145 million next year. By 2027, however, with Spirit’s restructuring plan nearing completion, net income should move into the black and reach $219 million by the year’s end, the filings said.
The carrier has not posted an annual profit since 2019. Spirit’s no-frills price structure, which fueled significant growth in the 2010s, left it susceptible to changes in the market following the COVID-19 pandemic, including overcapacity and a rise in labor and maintenance costs. It filed for bankruptcy in November 2024, emerged from the process in March, and, after worsening financial results, reentered Chapter 11 over the summer.
Spirit has slashed routes, shed aircraft leases, and furloughed hundreds of pilots as it works to reduce its debt load and secure financial lifelines from creditors. Its long-term transformation plan calls for the elimination of all “unprofitable flying,” cutbacks in airport gate rents, advertising spend, and non-core expenses, and “right-sizing” its workforce, which would likely entail further job cuts.
Spirit leadership ultimately hopes to reposition the brand from “budget traveler” to a “value-seeking audience.”
The airline recently secured a $475 million multi-tranche financing facility from its existing bondholders. The money is expected to be used to help Spirit maintain normal flying operations during the bankruptcy period.
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.
Spirit Cancels Airbus Order
The carrier had planned to take delivery of up to 62 aircraft.
A Spirit Airbus A321neo aircraft. (Photo: Shutterstock | Kevin Hackert)
Spirit has canceled a large portion of its Airbus aircraft order book as part of its ongoing Chapter 11 restructuring, according to court documents filed in New York.
Under an agreement approved by the bankruptcy court, the carrier will terminate its order for 52 Airbus aircraft and give up options for 10 more. The deal forms part of a broader settlement with aircraft leasing company AerCap, which had financed or managed a portion of Spirit’s future deliveries.
In exchange, AerCap will make a $150 million cash payment to the ultra-low-cost carrier and gain the right to file an unsecured claim of up to $572 million against the airline’s bankruptcy estate.
The airline expects the revised order and lease structure to save hundreds of millions of dollars in long-term obligations.
More on Order
According to fleet data from Cirium, the airline has a total of 90 aircraft on order, along with 50 options. These include A320neo and A321neo aircraft.
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.
Air Canada announced Tuesday that it will double the frequency of its luxury coach service between Toronto Pearson International Airport and the nearby Region of Waterloo International Airport in Woolwich, Ontario.
Starting Dec. 1, the Landline Company will operate 10 daily round trips between the two airports for Air Canada, up from the current five.
Airline leaders said the service, which launched last year, has proven popular with customers in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Customers can use the bus route to reach Toronto Pearson and from there connect to Air Canada’s global route network.
A spokesperson for Landline said the expanded schedule will allow passengers to better align their coach trip with their departure or arrival time.
Landline also operates Air Canada bus routes connecting Toronto Pearson with John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport in Hamilton and Kingston Norman Rogers Airport in Kingston.
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.
Aviation Deals of the Week
Explore some major discounts on headsets, flight bags, and more.
Surely, you'll find something you list in this week's deal roundup. [Courtesy: Sporty's]
At AirlineGeeks, we know that staying ahead in the aviation game requires not just skill, but also the right tools and gadgets. This week’s standout bargains feature essential equipment that ensure your flights are both enjoyable and efficient. Whether you’re a budding pilot or a seasoned aviator, these deals offer top-notch performance and value.
Private Pilot Oral Exam Guide Private Pilot Flash Cards [Courtesy: Amazon]
Remember flash cards from your high school Spanish or chemistry class? They’re a great way to study for tests. That’s why we’re pretty psyched to see these flash cards for the private pilot exam guide on sale. There are eight themes covering the main contents of the exam. If you want to dig a little deeper into the answers, there are reference materials listed on each card. There are 307 cards in the set.
Otto the Pilot Jumpsuit Costume [Courtesy: Sporty’s]
A Halloween costume based on “Airplane!” from 1980? Surely, you can’t be serious. (Wait for the punchline.) This inflatable jumpsuit can fit someone up to 6-foot-2-inches tall when fully inflated. A built-in fan keeps him fully inflated. Fun trivia: Aeromexico reportedly was the only airline to buy this movie for their in-flight entertainment. Yes, we are serious. And don’t call me Shirley.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 [Courtesy: Amazon]
For those passionate about flight simulation, the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Premium Deluxe SteelBook Edition is a must-have. Released on November 21, 2024, this iteration offers unprecedented detail and user-friendly enhancements. Experience real-world weather conditions and a stunningly realistic flying environment. Hobbyists and professional pilots alike will find this edition indispensable.
Pilots seeking an affordable yet reliable headset will appreciate the Rugged Air RA200. This passive headset boasts a 24 dB noise reduction, ensuring clear audio during flights. Its robust construction includes a stainless steel headband and gel ear seals for comfort.
Perfect for beginner drone pilots, the Holy Stone HS210T provides a unique flying experience with both land and air modes. Easy-to-use features like circle fly and 3D flips make it accessible for all skill levels. While it lacks a camera, its simplicity and affordability make it ideal for mastering the fundamentals of drone piloting.
Flight Gear Three Port Smart Charger (65W) [Courtesy: Sporty’s]
Keep your devices charged and ready with the Flight Gear Three Port Smart Charger. This compact accessory is perfect for pilots and frequent travelers, offering two USB-C ports capable of delivering up to 65 watts for high-demand electronics. A USB-A port ensures versatility for smaller gadgets.
The versatile flex clamp from MyGoFlight is an essential accessory for every pilot. Attachable to any yoke shaft or bar, this clamp supports device rotation while minimizing vibration for optimal stability during flights. Designed with durability in mind, it’s priced at $149 with an additional 15% off using the code GIFTOFFLIGHT2024.
Price:$149 (plus 15 percent off on this product and other MyGoFlight products when using the code GIFTOFFLIGHT2024)
By taking advantage of these offers, you can enhance your aviation toolkit without breaking the bank. Dive into these deals and elevate your flying experience to new heights.
AirlineGeeks may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
AirlineGeeks.com was founded in February 2013 as a one-person blog in Washington D.C. Since then, we’ve grown to have 25+ active team members scattered across the globe. We are all here for the same reason: we love deep-diving into the fascinating realm of the airline industry.
