Airlink’s First Three Embraer E195-E2s Arrive in South Africa

New aircraft are expected to unlock more destinations.

Lorne Philipot

Friday, October 03, 2025 at 05:30 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Airlink's first E195-E2 (Photo: Airlink)

Airlink has welcomed three new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft to its fleet.

Under a lease agreement, finalized in August, with Florida-based Azorra, Airlink is set to take delivery of ten new E195-E2 aircraft.

“The integration of the E195-E2s into Airlink’s fleet is an important milestone in the company’s 33-year history and will set it on a new trajectory. In addition to the operational and commercial flexibility the larger and more capable aircraft offer, they will also unlock additional efficiencies and cost savings from the high degree of operating, maintenance, training and equipment commonality with our existing E-Jets,“ Airlink CEO, De Villiers Engelbrecht said, according to a news release.

Fleet Modernization

Airlink has already received three of the ten aircraft leased under this deal. Two of these arrived in South Africa last week. The E195-E2s are in the process of being ferried from Embraer’s facilities in São José dos Campos, Brazil, to Johannesburg.

The aircraft will enter service with Airlink in December, for the peak summer holidays. In the meantime, Airlink is complying with the South African Civil Aviation Authority’s processes, demonstrating its ability to operate and support the aircraft so that they may be added to the airline’s air operator’s certificate.

The airline’s pilots, cabin crew, engineering, and maintenance personnel are undergoing training on the E195-E2. Airlink’s aircraft maintenance facility is also equipped to support the aircraft, the carrier said.

“The new E2s and our current E-Jets have very similar flight decks, operating procedures and handling characteristics. This will also ensure a streamlined entry into service.” Engelbrecht said.

The new E195-E2s bolster the carrier’s all-Embraer fleet. These new aircraft, which seat up to 136 passengers in a two-by-two configuration, will provide Airlink with additional capacity to compete on high-density routes. The E195-E2s additional range will also open up new route opportunities across sub-Saharan Africa for the airline.

Lorne Philipot

Lorne is a South Africa-based aviation journalist. He was captivated and fascinated by flying from the day he took his first airline flight. With a passion for aviation in his blood, he has flown to destinations in all corners of the globe. Lorne has traveled extensively and lived in various countries. Drawing on his travels and passion for aviation, Lorne enjoys writing about airlines, routes, networks, and new developments.

Avelo Launches New Loyalty Program

Members will get free priority boarding, special discounts, and other perks.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, October 02, 2025 at 02:55 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Avelo Boeing 737 aircraft. (Photo: Avelo Airlines)

Ultra-low-cost carrier Avelo has launched a new loyalty program, Avelo PLUS, which it says will offer customers more perks and increase affordability.

Members will get exclusive lower fares on bookings, free priority boarding, special deals and discounts, rewards, and the ability to share benefits with up to nine other people. The program costs $49 for the first year.

“Our customers have been asking for a program for loyal customers, and we’re excited to offer Avelo PLUS and expand on our already affordable, convenient, and reliable air service by providing even more value for travelers,” said Avelo CEO Andrew Levy in a news release.

Avelo is in the process of modernizing its fleet with Embraer E195‑E2 aircraft. Last month, the carrier committed to buying 50 of the jets, and has options for 50 more. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027.

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.

Southwest Adds New State to Its Network

Carrier to expand its U.S. footprint in 2026 with two new routes.

Ryan Ewing

Thursday, October 02, 2025 at 11:52 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Southwest 737 MAX 8. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Southwest announced Thursday that it will expand to a new state in 2026. The airline said tickets for its upcoming service will be available when schedules are extended later this month.

The carrier confirmed that Anchorage, Alaska, will join its network in the first half of 2026, making the state the 43rd served by Southwest. With the addition, the Dallas-based airline’s domestic network will include 122 airports.

Seasonal service to Anchorage will operate from Southwest’s Las Vegas and Denver bases. Flights are slated to begin in May.

“We’re adding destinations that once seemed inconceivable for Southwest in order to build a route network that creates new experiences and more possibilities than ever before,” said chief operating officer Andrew Watterson in a news release.

State officials also welcomed the move, calling it a boost for both affordability and regional connectivity.

“Air travel is a lifeline in Alaska, and Southwest’s arrival in Anchorage is a major win for our communities,” added Ryan Anderson, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, in the release. “This service will provide more affordable, reliable connections for Alaskans and help share our great state with more visitors than ever before.”

The airline did not disclose routes or a start date for its new Anchorage service.

Anchorage becomes the fifth new destination Southwest has unveiled this year, following announcements of service to St. Thomas, Knoxville, Tennessee, Sint Maarten, and Santa Rosa, California.

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.

Dallas Love Field Expansion Includes Plans for Lounges

Airport overhaul to address rising passenger traffic as Southwest evaluates lounge options.

Ryan Ewing

Thursday, October 02, 2025 at 11:36 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 airplanes at Dallas Love Field. (Photo: Shutterstock | Markus Mainka)

Dallas Love Field is undergoing planning for a major terminal overhaul that includes the introduction of passenger lounges — a feature long absent at the airport. Meanwhile, Southwest CEO Bob Jordan has publicly affirmed the carrier’s interest in adding lounge access to its product lineup.

Dallas Aviation Director Patrick Carreno noted the goal of improving the passenger experience during an interview with NBC DFW, saying, “The most important is the customer, the passenger experience.”

As part of the renovation, Love Field plans to expand the concourse by pushing outward walls and moving the jet bridges 50 feet to create additional room for seating, concessions, restrooms—and lounges.

Dallas Love Field (Photo: City of Dallas)

“So we’re looking at how many lounges can we fit in here and where do they go,” Carreno added.

Carreno noted that Southwest is expected to fund most of the project, with the City of Dallas also playing a role. Though the total cost could reach “a billion or so range,” the plan is designed to function without adding gates, which federal law prohibits.

The gate restriction stems from the Wright Amendment Reform Act of 2006, which capped Love Field at 20 gates as part of a compromise to end decades of restrictions on long-haul flights from the airport. The law prevents additional gate construction to balance competition between Love Field and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

Only two airlines serve the airport: Delta and Southwest. Alaska ended service to the Dallas airport in May.

Not only is it the airline’s home airport, but Love Field is also Southwest’s sixth-largest station by number of flights, with around 200 daily departures.

Southwest operates roughly 97% of Love Field’s total daily commercial flights, according to schedule data from Cirium.

The carrier’s CEO Bob Jordan has begun signaling that lounge offerings are under consideration. Speaking to CNBC earlier this year, Jordan remarked:

“Whatever customers need in 2025, 2030, we won’t take any of that off the table. We know we have customers that want things we can’t provide — like a lounge, like true premium, like long-haul international.”

Major construction at Love Field is slated to begin in 2027 and extend over approximately six years.

Ryan Ewing

JSX Eyes First ATR Routes

The carrier hopes to deploy new ATR 42-600 aircraft as early as this year.

Ryan Ewing

Thursday, October 02, 2025 at 10:12 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

JSX ATR aircraft rendering (Photo: ATR)

JSX is preparing to introduce its first ATR turboprop operations with service from Santa Monica Airport, according to an application filed with city officials seen by the Santa Monica Daily Press.

The carrier intends to use ATR 42-600 aircraft in a 30-seat layout to begin scheduled flights from the airport next year. Potential destinations from Santa Monica were not included in the filing.

The Santa Monica proposal represents JSX’s initial deployment of the ATR fleet, which the company ordered in June through an agreement covering up to 25 aircraft. The turboprops are designed to open access to shorter-runway airports, a key part of JSX’s strategy to expand its network beyond the limitations of its Embraer jets.

Austin,Texas-,May,14,,2023,Austin-bergstrom,International,Airport,Jsx,Erj — A JSX aircraft lands at Austin Bergstrom International Airport. (Photo: Shutterstock)

JSX is planning to add 15 ATR aircraft to its fleet with options for 10 more, according to Cirium Fleet Analyzer data.

In its filing, JSX highlighted the ATR’s quieter engines and reduced emissions as a response to community concerns about noise and environmental impacts. The carrier also cited strong existing demand in the area, noting that more than 2,000 Santa Monica residents have already flown with JSX from other regional airports.

Airport Closure

The lease being sought by JSX would allow operations through late 2028, ending shortly before Santa Monica Airport’s scheduled closure under a 2017 agreement with the FAA. City officials have reiterated that the closure timeline will not change, though aviation activities remain permitted until that date.

Approval for the new service is still pending, with the Santa Monica Airport Commission recommending additional review before a final decision.

Ryan Ewing

Delta CRJs Collide at LaGuardia

A flight attendant suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, October 02, 2025 at 09:37 AM ET

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Edited By:

Zach Vasile

An Endeavor Air CRJ-900 painted in the Delta Connection livery. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Two Delta regional aircraft collided on the taxiway at LaGuardia Airport in New York on Wednesday, injuring a flight attendant.

According to the FAA, both aircraft involved in the accident were CRJ-900s operated by Endeavor Air, a regional airline owned by Delta. Endeavor Air Flight 5155 was preparing for takeoff to Roanoke, Virginia, when its wing struck the fuselage of Endeavor Air Flight 5047, which had just arrived at LaGuardia from Charlotte, North Carolina.

The incident occurred at the intersection of Taxiways M and A around 10 p.m.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates LaGuardia, said a flight attendant suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital.

Photos shared on social media show visible damage to Flight 5047’s nose, with part of the cockpit’s windshield shattered.

Another angle from the plane @Delta crash at LaGuardia pic.twitter.com/gXLFZYn264
— Oren (@oren_juice) October 2, 2025

The FAA and the NTSB now investigating the cause of the collision. CBS News reported that the aircrafts’ black boxes are being sent to the NTSB’s lab in Washington, D.C., for analysis.

Delta apologized to the passengers and said it would work with the airport and other agencies to figure out what went wrong.

“Delta teams at our New York-LaGuardia hub are working to ensure our customers are taken care of after two Delta Connection aircraft operated by Endeavor Air were involved in a low-speed collision during taxi,” the airline said in a statement. “Delta will work with all relevant authorities to review what occurred as safety of our customers and people comes before all else. We apologize to our customers for the experience.”

Overall operations at LaGuardia were not affected, the Port Authority said.

Zach Vasile

American Bringing Back Service Dropped in 2021

Seasonal flights return next summer after a five-year pause.

Ryan Ewing

Wednesday, October 01, 2025 at 01:30 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An American A321neo. (Photo: Shutterstock | Robin Guess)

American will restart service on a route it last served nearly five years ago.

A spokesperson from the Fort Worth, Texas-based airline told AirlineGeeks on Wednesday that it plans to reconnect its Phoenix hub and Anchorage, Alaska. The carrier last served this route in September 2021.

Next summer, American plans to bring back this service on a daily basis. Flights will start on May 21, 2026, operated by an Airbus A321neo.

The route will continue to be seasonal during the summer months, ending on Sept. 8.

American connected Phoenix and Anchorage since 2015, before a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, according to Cirium Diio schedule data. Alaska Airlines also served the route.

Super Bowl Boost

In addition to resuming Phoenix-to-Anchorage flights next year, the airline plans to add more service in San Jose, California, during the Super Bowl in February.

Between Feb. 5 and 10, 2026, the carrier plans to grow operations in San Jose by more than 450%, adding over 10,000 seats. In addition to flying larger aircraft on regularly scheduled routes from Dallas/Fort Worth and Phoenix, American will operate special flights from Charlotte, North Carolina, Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles, Miami, New York-JFK, and Philadelphia.

During the peak travel period, American’s schedule to San Jose will include: from Dallas/Fort Worth, seven flights per day on February 5 and 6; from Phoenix, six flights per day on those same dates; from Los Angeles, three daily flights; and single daily flights from Miami, New York, and Philadelphia.

Ryan Ewing

Top 5 Airline Job Openings This Week From FindaPilot.com

Explore top pilot jobs from B747 Captains to First Officers at leading airlines. Find your dream job on FindaPilot.com and advance your career today.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Wednesday, October 01, 2025 at 12:10 PM ET

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Edited By:

Steve Spears

Inside a Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight deck at the Farnborough Airshow. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

As the aviation industry continues its dynamic and often turbulent path, opportunities for skilled professionals are constantly evolving.

For those looking to advance their careers or find their next role, FindaPilot.com serves as a vital tool, connecting pilots with employers for positions ranging from airline and corporate to charter and contract work.

The platform allows employers to find qualified candidates for everything from a single-day trip to staffing an entire airline. This roundup highlights some of the top positions currently available.

Top 5 Job Openings – Week of Oct. 1

First Officer – Portland, OR

Alaska Airlines is looking for candidates with a minimum of 1,500 hours of total documented flight time.

Captain – Kingsford, MI

Applicants sought with all appropriate licensures and flight hours to fly competently as captain of CE-208 aircraft.

Pilots Boeing 737 – Istanbul, Turkey

Candidates need valid Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) or Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with multi-engine and instrument rating.

Corporate Pilot G150 – Little Rock, AR

Richardson Properties is looking for applicants with 2,500 hours total hours fixed wing and 5 years of aviation experience.

Part 135 Citation PIC – Waterford, MI

Minimum five years of experience in a corporate or professional setting requested.

Some Help for Your Aviation Job Hunt

Which U.S. Airlines Are Hiring Pilots? Despite the overall slowdown in hiring, some airlines are still looking for new pilots. Here are the airlines that are currently hiring pilots in the United States. Read more

How to Become a Regional Airline Pilot: The path to becoming a regional airline pilot requires hard work and dedication, but it opens the door to a world of opportunities in the airline world. Read more

Aviation’s Next Hiring Boom: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates four percent growth for aircraft and avionics mechanics through 2032. Read more

How To Become a Chief Pilot: Chief pilots are senior crewmembers with significant experience in safe flight operations. Airlines hire their own captains into management positions to oversee flight operations on a specific aircraft type in which they have expertise; some even hire a chief pilot for each base in their network. Read more

Careers in Sustainable Aviation: As the world increasingly invests in sustainable aviation, many exciting green jobs have emerged throughout the industry. Read more

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

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.

Porter Adds Routes to U.S., Caribbean

Service will start early next year.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, October 01, 2025 at 11:09 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Porter E195-E2. (Photo: Shutterstock | The Global Guy)

Canadian airline Porter announced Wednesday that it is adding nonstop routes to the U.S. in a bid to shore up transborder connectivity.

For the first time ever, the carrier will serve a U.S. destination, Phoenix, from Vancouver. Currently, Porter connects Vancouver only to cities in eastern Canada, including Toronto and Montreal.

The airline is also adding nonstop service from Ottawa to Phoenix and Miami, and from Montreal to Nassau, The Bahamas. This will be the carrier’s first nonstop Caribbean service from Montreal.

Phoenix and Miami are both hubs for American Airlines, which announced a new codeshare agreement with Porter on Monday. As part of that deal, American and Porter officials suggested that new U.S.-Canada routes, including a link between Canada and Phoenix, were being worked out.

Service between Vancouver and Phoenix will start Feb. 2, 2026, and operate daily. Flights between Ottawa and Miami will begin earlier, on Jan. 24, and service between Ottawa and Phoenix will come online Feb. 7. Both of those routes from Ottawa will operate three times a week.

Service between Montreal and Nassau will launch Feb. 5, and will also operate three times weekly.

Porter is also expanding service on existing routes to warm weather destinations this winter. These routes include Hamilton, Ontario, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Ottawa to Grand Cayman; Ottawa to Liberia, Costa Rica; Ottawa to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Toronto to Cancun; Toronto to Fort Lauderdale; and Toronto to Liberia.

All new and expanded routes will be operated by Porter using Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.

Zach Vasile

British Airways Adds Brand-New U.S. Route

New service will be the airline’s 30th destination in North America.

Ryan Ewing

Wednesday, October 01, 2025 at 10:34 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A British Airways Boeing 787-8 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

British Airways is gearing up to bolster its U.S. network next year. The airline plans to add another destination to its route map.

Starting in April 2026, the airline will serve St. Louis, Missouri. Flights are slated to begin on April 19, according to Ishrion Aviation.

Flights are also available for sale on the airline’s website.

The British flag carrier’s new U.S. route will operate four times per week on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

Outbound flights are slated to depart London Heathrow at 4:25 p.m., arriving in St. Louis at 7:30 p.m. Return flights depart St. Louis at 10:00 p.m., before arriving in London at 12:05 p.m. the following day.

A British Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

St. Louis will be British Airways’ 27th U.S. destination and 30th in North America.

Circa-TWA Route

While British Airways has never flown to St. Louis, the city had non-stop flights to London until 2003, per U.S. Department of Transportation data.

Back when the now-defunct airline had a hub in St. Louis, TWA operated regular flights to London Gatwick. The carrier operated a mix of Boeing 747 and 767 aircraft on this route.

After acquiring TWA in 2001, American Airlines continued to serve St. Louis and London Gatwick with 767-300 aircraft. This route eventually ended in 2003.

British Airways’ new route to St. Louis won’t be the city’s only trans-Atlantic flight. Lufthansa also serves the city from its Frankfurt hub.

Ryan Ewing