A United 787-9 Dreamliner. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
United is extending its new tiered fare structure to United First and United Business bookings.
The carrier said it will offer “base,” “standard,” and “flexible” rates for the two premium cabins, with “base” being the most affordable and most stripped down.
“Starting fall 2026, we’re offering three fare options for United First and United Business,” the airline said on its website. “You can select the tier with benefits that fit your travel needs. No matter which tier you select, your fare will include the same elevated onboard experience offered in that cabin.”
The new base fare allows one checked bag, one carry-on bag, and seat selection for a fee. Refunds and flight changes are not available.
Standard covers two checked bags, one carry-on, seat selection, and flight changes, but does not allow refunds. Flexible comes with all the perks of standard, in addition to being fully refundable.
United has said that its tier structure maximizes consumer choice and allows more passengers to access its premium cabins. Other airlines, including Delta, have embraced the tier model for similar reasons.
United First is available on flights within the U.S. United Business is offered on international flights between the U.S. and Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
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.
Contour said it is “reallocating” five weekly flights from its existing Muscle Shoals-Charlotte, North Carolina, service to Dallas/Fort Worth.
“Travelers in the Shoals region will continue to have daily nonstop service to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, while gaining new nonstop access to the Dallas-Fort Worth area,” the carrier said.
Flights between Muscle Shoals and DFW will operate five times weekly. Service from Muscle Shoals to Dallas/Fort Worth will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, while the return service from Dallas to Muscle Shoals will run on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Currently, Contour serves Muscle Shoals only from Charlotte.
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.
Israel: Flydubai Incident Was An Attempted Hijacking
The carrier said it will suspend all flights to and from Israel while investigations continue.
A flydubai 737 MAX 8 takes flight. (Photo: Boeing)
Passengers and crew aboard a Flydubai jet bound for Tel Aviv helped foil an attempted hijacking by one of the pilots, Israeli officials said Wednesday.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX, landed safely but unexpectedly in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday morning after diverting from Ben Gurion International Airport. Those on board told media outlets and investigators that one of the pilots attacked the other, then began bashing the controls, causing the airplane to drop over 17,000 feet in seconds.
Crew members and passengers seated near the front of the cabin said they heard the struggle in the cockpit, subdued the attacking pilot, and summoned two off-duty pilots who were traveling as passengers. The off-duty pilots took control of the 737 and executed the landing at Tabuk, while others attempted to assist the injured pilot, who was carried out of the flight deck and into the main cabin.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu largely confirmed those accounts Wednesday, saying one of the pilots stabbed the other, then attempted to crash the airplane and kill everyone on board. He praised the passengers and crew who intervened as “heroes.”
No injuries to any passengers were reported. Israeli passengers were flown from Tabuk to Tel Aviv, where Netanyahu greeted them in person.
According to Reuters, the pilot who attempted to hijack the 737 is an Omani national; the other pilot is an Indian national. Both were hospitalized upon arrival in Tabuk.
It was not immediately clear what motivated the attack.
Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, where the flight originated, are now investigating the incident. Israel said Saudi Arabia is handling the interrogation of the suspect pilot.
Israel initially planned to ramp up screening of all Flydubai personnel entering the country, but on Wednesday afternoon the carrier announced it will suspend all flights to and from Israel while investigations continue.
The passengers, rattled but relieved, told reporters that they were grateful to be back in Israel. Yaniv Hayunne, one of the passengers who helped restrain the attacker, was still wearing a bloodstained shirt when he arrived at Ben Gurion.
“I see you and I see a lion, a great hero,” Netanyahu told Hayunne.
Another passenger, Asaf Rajuan, told Reuters than he and others rushed into the cockpit without thinking, as if he was running to his save his family’s life.
Unnamed Israeli officials who spoke with local media said the defense and intelligence establishment is split on whether the incident was an act of terrorism or a suicide attempt.
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.
Passengers, Crew Sue Denver Airport After Fatal Runway Strike
One passenger died of smoke inhalation just days after the incident, the complaint states.
The complaint, filed in Denver District Court on behalf of passengers and some crew members on the Frontier flight, holds the airport and two other businesses responsible for physical and mental injuries stemming from the May 8 incident. The plaintiffs cited exposure to smoke and engine fumes, injuries sustained during the runway strike and subsequent aborted takeoff and aircraft evacuation, and severe anxiety and post-traumatic stress. Some are too traumatized to board an airplane again, and have not flown since, the document states.
Among the 17 specific claims against the airport is one for wrongful death, for the May 16 death of passenger Silva Ermelinda De Cervantes. According to the complaint, De Cervantes died of smoke inhalation and exposure to toxic fumes.
The Post confirmed that De Cervantes died on May 16, but the Weld County Coroner’s Office declined to release her cause of death.
De Cervantes’ estate is represented in the filing, alongside the passengers and crew.
The plaintiffs are seeking “unspecified damages,” and did not provide a total dollar amount.
Michael Mott, 41, scaled an eight-foot fence topped by barbed wire on Denver International Airport’s outer perimeter, then walked to Runway 17L, where he was hit. The Frontier Airbus A321neo was departing for Los Angeles and had 231 people on board – 224 passengers and seven crew.
Twelve people on board the flight reported minor injuries, and five were hospitalized.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs argued that Mott would not have been able to enter the airport’s grounds if the perimeter was properly monitored and patrolled. Other people had broken into the property before, they said, and the May 8 incident was the sixth known intrusion since 2023.
DIA’s ground detection sensors did set off an alarm in the general area where Mott is believed to have jumped the fence, but the operator on duty attributed it to a herd of deer moving just outside the barrier.
Also named as defendants in the case are a behavioral health company that ran the facility where Mott was living at the time of his death; Covenant Aviation Security, a security contractor at Denver; and 20 unnamed employees of those companies.
The City of Denver, which owns and operates the airport, told the Post that while it considers the incident terrible and tragic, it is not legally responsible.
The behavioral health company and Covenant did not comment on the matter.
The FAA and NTSB are continuing to investigate the runway strike.
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.
Alaska Plans 15 Intercontinental Destinations from Seattle by 2030
Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Harrison hinted at future growth in Asia and Europe.
Alaska Boeing 787 Dreamliner. (Photo: Alaska Airlines)
Alaska Airlines plans to greatly expand its intercontinental network at Seattle in the coming years.
The airline currently flies to five intercontinental destinations from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, but at Tuesday’s Investor Day, Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Harrison said Alaska will have 10 such destinations by 2028 and 15 by 2030.
“In 2024, we had essentially zero ability to serve Seattle’s long-haul international demand on our own metal. But just two years later, we built a network that closes most of the gap. And by 2030, we expect to be the number one international carrier in Seattle,” Harrison said.
Alaska did not announce any new routes at Tuesday’s event.
The airline currently offers service from Seattle to Rome, Reykjavik, Iceland, London, Tokyo, and Seoul, and will launch flights to Paris and Athens next year.
Harrison said earlier in the day that there will be more Asia announcements coming.
“There will be a mix between obviously Asia and Europe, but a little bit more towards Asia,” he said.
Harrison also mentioned that Alaska is working on a three-bay hangar in Portland that can accommodate two widebody aircraft. The facility is expected to be completed in June 2028, and will “further strengthen Portland’s role in our network,” he said.
“With additional gates coming online this fall, we have meaningful room to add flying, while international remains largely untapped, another future unlock for us,” Harrison added.
Alaska currently does not serve any international destinations from PDX.
Matt is the Social Media Editor for aviation brands. Previously, Matt worked in television news and spent the last decade working and interning in newsrooms across New England. He is excited to bridge his two passions of aviation and storytelling in this role.
Israel-Bound 737 Drops 17,000 Feet, Diverts to Saudi Arabia After Violent Struggle Between Pilots
Israeli officials said a "major disaster" was avoided after one of the pilots attempted to hijack the airplane.
A flydubai 737 MAX 8 performing a test flight at Paine Field. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)
A fight between two FlyDubai pilots on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv raised alarms about a potential hijacking and prompted the Israeli Air Force to scramble fighter jets early Wednesday.
While details are still emerging, media reports suggest the two pilots were fighting inside the cockpit and may have both been stabbed. The incident caused the Boeing 737 MAX to drop about 17,400 feet in two minutes. The plane also gave out a distress signal indicating some kind of general emergency, before switching to one that signals “unlawful interference.”
The 737 landed at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. According to NBC News, both the captain and first officer were transported to a local hospital.
There were over 100 passengers on board, and none were reported injured. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said arrangements were being made to transport Israeli passengers to Tel Aviv after many refused to board a FlyDubai flight out of Tabuk.
Israeli officials told The Jerusalem Post that one pilot stabbed the other in the cockpit and attempted to take control of the aircraft. Some crew members and passengers seated near the front of the plane noticed the altercation, subdued the attacker, and dragged him out of the cockpit. Two off-duty pilots who were traveling as passengers then took the controls, flew the 737 to Tabuk, and executed the landing.
These details could not be independently verified as of Wednesday morning.
As the incident unfolded, the Israeli Air Force scrambled fighter jets for a potential interception, the Post said, and Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting with defense officials.
CNN reported that the alleged attacker is an Omani national.
According to the Post, the growing consensus among Israel’s defense and intelligence establishment is that the incident was a foiled terrorist act.
Images and videos reportedly captured by passengers and shared with U.S. and Israeli media show a man, believed to be a passenger, with bloodstained clothes in the cabin. Another video shows passengers cheering and applauding as the 737 landed in Tabuk.
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.
Alaska to Join American’s Atlantic, Pacific Joint Ventures
Alaska said the move will put it "on equal footing with its competitors" and strengthen its international profile.
The carriers said Tuesday that they will file for approval and antitrust immunity with the U.S. Department of Transportation “in the coming months.”
Members of the two joint ventures coordinate on routes, codeshare, offer reciprocal loyalty benefits, and share revenue on certain services.
“Joining these joint businesses would put Alaska on equal footing with its competitors by giving our guests more seamless access to international destinations while preserving the care, loyalty benefits, and premium experience they expect from Alaska,” Andrew Harrison, Alaska’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said in a news release.
The Atlantic Joint Business includes American, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Aer Lingus, and Spain’s Level. The Pacific Joint Business consists of American and Japan Airlines.
“We’re proud of our long-standing partnership with Alaska Airlines and excited to build on its success,” American Chief Commercial Officer Nat Pieper said in a statement. “Together, with our joint business partners in the Atlantic and Pacific, we are enhancing a global network that gives customers greater access, convenience, and choice.”
American and Alaska already offer loyalty reciprocity and are both members of the oneworld alliance, which allows codesharing and other forms of cooperation.
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.
Austin Breaks Ground on New Concourse
The facility will serve as a reliever during the construction of Concourse B and the remodeling of Concourse A.
The 37,000-square-foot Concourse M, situated on the west side of Austin’s airfield, will add six gates for narrowbody aircraft, airport officials said. The facility will primarily function as a reliever during construction of the planned 26-gate Concourse B and the upcoming remodeling of Concourse A, preserving gate capacity while work is underway.
Passengers traveling through Concourse M will access and depart the facility using a shuttle bus operating from Gate 13 in the Barbara Jordan Terminal. The airport said this system will keep construction activities separated from the primary terminal footprint.
Four of the six new gates will be contact gates; the other two will be walkout gates.
The facility will also include full-sized restrooms, a nursing room, seating areas, and a “coffee market” with grab-and-go food and beverages.
“By providing additional gate capacity as construction takes shape throughout the airport campus, Concourse M will help us support our airline partners, reduce operational impacts, and keep our community connected as we build the airport the Central Texas region needs,” Austin-Bergstrom CEO Ghizlane Badawi said in a news release.
The airport is looking to have Concourse M completed and open by early 2028.
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.
Italy’s Catania Airport Reopens After Activity at Mount Etna
Catania is located on the eastern coast of Sicily. Its airport is the fifth-busiest in Italy, behind Rome, Milan-Malpensa, Milan-Bergamo, and Naples.
The airport shut down on Saturday after plumes of volcanic ash from Etna began clouding the area. Short-term closures from volcanic activity are relatively common at Catania-Fontanarossa.
Delta is the only U.S. airline currently serving Catania, with nonstop flights from New York-JFK. United plans to serve Catania from Newark, New Jersey, starting next year.
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.
Alaska Bets on Premium With New Suites, Cabins, and Lounges
The carrier unveiled the lie-flat "Aurora" suite for mainline 787s and certain 737 MAX 10s.
A rendering of Alaska's Aurora suites. (Credit: Alaska Airlines)
Alaska Airlines accelerated its push into premium flying this week with plans for new luxury suites, upgraded cabins, a dedicated premium economy class, and new lounges in Seattle and Honolulu.
The new and expanded products represent Alaska’s biggest investment in premium in years, and fit the broader trend of U.S. airlines rushing to add premium seats to capture market share and strengthen revenue.
The fully lie-flat “Aurora” suite will be the highest-end seat offering on Alaska’s mainline fleet, officials said. The suites will come with softer, upgraded seat upholstery, storage space, direct aisle access, a 19-inch 4K entertainment screen, Bluetooth connectivity, charging ports, and “restaurant-quality” dining options.
Passengers who book an Aurora suite will also get access to an exclusive Aurora check-in and concierge service at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and an upcoming Aurora Lounge.
Alaska said it will install 34 Aurora suites on all of its Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and 12 on at least 25 737 MAX 10 aircraft flying transcontinental routes. There are currently no premium lie-flat seats on the carrier’s 737s.
The suites on the Dreamliners will have sliding privacy doors.
A rendering of the Aurora suites. (Credit: Alaska Airlines)
Hawaiian Upgrades
Hawaiian Airlines’ 24 Airbus A330s will get brand new interiors starting in 2028, Alaska said. As part of that upgrade, the full cabin will get 4K entertainment screens and Bluetooth.
Also in the works are improvements and new perks for Hawaiian’s previously announced Leihōkū suites, which will be installed on the A330s. The suites will now include sliding privacy doors, lie-flat seating, direct aisle access, “hotel-quality” bedding, a 19-inch 4K entertainment screen, curated dining with wine pairings, charging ports, and access to exclusive check-in and concierge services in Honolulu and Seattle.
A rendering of the Leihōkū suites. (Credit: Alaska Airlines)
Hawaiian’s A330s serve destinations in Asia, the South Pacific, and North America.
Premium Reserve
Alaska’s new premium economy offering, known as Premium Reserve, will come with a wider seat and greater pitch than traditional economy, as well as enhanced recline and a leg and calf rest. Other amenities include a larger tray table, a 16-inch OLED screen, multiple charging ports, and upgraded dining options.
A rendering of Premium Reserve. (Credit: Alaska Airlines)
Alaska said there will be 35 Premium Reserve seats on the 787-9 and 787-10; 28 on the A330; and 12 on the 737 MAX 10.
Lounges
Late next year, Alaska will open two new lounges inside Seattle’s C Concourse – a 500-seat Alaska Lounge on the main level, and a 200-seat Aurora Lounge for Aurora suite customers upstairs. The combined 41,000-square-foot space will feature an outdoor patio with a fireplace, private work “pods,” locally-sourced food and beverage options, and three bars.
The Aurora Lounge will have private shower suites, wellness spaces, and made-to-order meals.
A rendering of the planned Alaska Lounge at Seattle. (Credit: Alaska Airlines)
The combined space will be the largest lounge area at Seattle, and one of the largest in the entire U.S.
Hawaiian is also getting a new lounge, at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Alaska officials said the 13,000-square-foot space will be located at the entrance of the Mauka Concourse in Terminal 1, and will include a full-service bar, locally-inspired food and beverages, and private work spaces.
Alaska also plans to open a new, 14,000-square-foot lounge in San Diego in 2028.
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.
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!
Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox
