American Adds Long-Haul Routes for 2026

American Airlines is adding new international routes and reviving others that it cut before COVID-19 in time for the summer of 2026.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, August 07, 2025 at 10:24 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An American Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

American Airlines is adding new international routes and reviving others that it cut before the COVID-19 pandemic in time for the summer of 2026.

In a statement, the carrier said it will bring back nonstop flights to Milan, Prague, and Budapest, Hungary, extend service to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and add new connections to Athens and Zurich.

“Customers continue to tell us that Europe is where they want to go each summer and these new routes make it even easier to cross the Atlantic in 2026,” said Brian Znotins, American’s senior vice president of network and scheduling planning, in a news release.

All flights will be operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, except Dallas/Fort Worth to Zurich, which will see service with a Boeing 777-200. Miami-to-Milan was last flown by the carrier in 2020, while the two Philadelphia routes were last scheduled in 2019.

An American Boeing 777-200 in Miami (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Year-round service between Miami and Milan will launch March 29, 2026, followed by seasonal flights between Philadelphia and Budapest, Philadelphia and Prague, Dallas/Fort Worth and Athens, and Dallas/Fort Worth and Zurich, all set to start May 21, 2026.

Seasonal Extension

An existing seasonal service between Dallas/Fort Worth and Buenos Aires will get a summertime extension, from May 21 to Aug. 3, 2026. The extension is meant to support increased travel to and from Texas during the 2026 World Cup, which will use Dallas and Houston, among many other cities, as host locations.

The carrier noted that its Philadelphia-Budapest route will be the only nonstop flight in the world between the U.S. and the Hungarian capital.

The airline also plans to increase capacity on existing service between Los Angeles and Tokyo and Dallas/Fort Worth and Tokyo in the summer of 2026.

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.

United Resumes Flights After Tech Problem

United has resumed normal operations after a technology problem grounded airplanes and delayed over 1,000 flights late Wednesday.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, August 07, 2025 at 09:17 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A United Airbus A320. (Photo: Shutterstock | Wenjie Zheng)

United has resumed normal operations after a technology problem grounded airplanes and delayed over 1,000 flights late Wednesday.

The carrier halted departures at its major hubs, including Chicago, Denver, Houston, and Newark, New Jersey, shortly after 6 p.m. due to an issue with a computer system. United passengers were not allowed to board their flights, and some faced delays getting off their landed airplanes due to backups at the gates.

United’s regional service was not affected.

The problem was fixed by around 10 p.m., by which time just over 1,000 flights had been delayed and hundreds canceled.

“The underlying technology issue has been resolved, and, while we expect residual delays, our team is working to restore our normal operations,” the airline said.

CBS News reported that United was treating the situation as a “preventable delay,” meaning it will compensate passengers who booked hotels or incurred other expenses as a result of the glitch.

Airline officials said the affected computer system, known as Unimatic, stores and feeds information about flights to other systems, including those that determine an aircraft’s weight and balance. It was not clear what caused the problem with Unimatic, but a cyberattack has been ruled out, they added.

The airline canceled nearly 7% of its scheduled flights yesterday, according to Anuvu Pulse data.

“I’ve been briefed by United CEO Scott Kirby on their company’s internal tech outage,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote on X late Wednesday. “The issue was specific to United’s operations, and is unrelated to the broader air traffic control system.”

Zach Vasile

Frontier CEO Predicts Carrier Will Be ‘Last Man Standing’ in Low-Cost Sector

During Frontier’s recent second-quarter earnings call, CEO Barry Biffle expressed confidence in the airline's long-term position.

Ryan Ewing

Thursday, August 07, 2025 at 06:30 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Frontier A321neo. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

During Frontier’s recent second-quarter earnings call, CEO Barry Biffle expressed confidence in the airline’s long-term position within the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) segment, stating that Frontier expects to be the “last man standing” as market conditions continue to pressure competitors.

“We’ve got one of the cleanest balance sheets in the industry,” Biffle said. “We are going to be last man standing in the low-cost space when you get to next year. No one is going to have our cost structure. No one’s going to have our balance sheet.”

Biffle’s comments came as the airline reported financial results for the quarter, posting a net loss of $70 million. While acknowledging that capacity remains elevated across the industry, he suggested that financially unsustainable flying will begin to be pulled back in the coming months.

“We see that the capacity — it may not come out by next spring, but it’s coming out,” Biffle said. “And history shows it actually will be out by next spring. Maybe it goes a little further, but I can’t imagine that. I just don’t believe that the balance of the industry is going to accept money-losing flying for a full another year.”

Biffle’s comments come amid broader consolidation and shifting dynamics within the ULCC sector, following failed merger efforts and increased pressure from high fuel costs and low fares.

Ryan Ewing

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.

Turkish Nearing Binding Offer for Stake in Air Europa

Turkish Airlines is almost ready to put forward a binding offer for a piece of privately-owned Spanish carrier Air Europa.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, August 06, 2025 at 03:35 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Turkish Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Turkish Airlines is almost ready to put forward a binding offer for a piece of privately owned Spanish carrier Air Europa.

According to a report from Reuters, Turkish Airlines executives discussed their tentative bid during an earnings call on Wednesday.

“We are preparing to provide a binding offer very soon,” one official said. “However, we have not come to that stage yet. As soon as we have the board approval and board decision we will announce it publicly.”

The executives said they are interested in Air Europa because its flight network, centered mainly on the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America, complements Turkish Airlines’ routes.

An Air Europa Boeing 787 in Madrid (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

It is not clear if any other airlines are currently vying for the 20% stake in Air Europa. Air France-KLM withdrew from negotiations last month, and on Tuesday, Germany’s Lufthansa Group did the same.

Air Europa, which is owned by the Hidalgo family through its holding company Globalia, is looking to raise cash to pay back about $546 million in loans it borrowed from the Spanish government during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to European media, the family has put off some potential bidders by valuing its airline at $1.1 billion.

If Turkish Airlines is successful with its offer, the carrier would become one of the very few non-European companies to own a piece of a European airline.

Air Europa is the third-largest airline in Spain, behind Iberia and low-cost carrier Vueling.

Zach Vasile

Ethiopian Airlines Says It Will Not Lease Jets to Russia

Ethiopian Airlines on Wednesday denied media reports that it planned to lease commercial aircraft to airlines in Russia.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, August 06, 2025 at 12:28 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Ethiopian Airlines on Wednesday denied media reports that it planned to lease commercial aircraft to airlines in Russia, where Western sanctions have left operators without new passenger jets, spare parts, and maintenance services.

“We have observed news circulating on social media that implicate [sic] Ethiopian Airlines will supply airplanes to Russian airlines on wet-lease bases, and also supply aircraft spare parts to them,” the carrier said in a statement on X. “We would like to inform all concerned that Ethiopian Airlines has never been requested or discussed on this topic with any party. Moreover, it does not have any plan or intention to do so. Hence, the news is unfounded.”

“We would also like to assure our customers, partners, and stakeholders that Ethiopian Airlines conducts its operation in full compliance with applicable international laws, regulations, and contractual obligation,” the statement continued.

According to reports circulated by outlets in Russia, Ethiopia, and Ukraine, a Russian delegation approached Ethiopia’s Civil Aviation Authority last month and asked for help setting up an aircraft leasing deal with Ethiopian Airlines. The organization reportedly rejected the request because it does not have the authority to order Ethiopian Airlines to lease its airplanes.

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew told the Amsterdam-based Moscow Times that there were no substantive talks between his company and the Russian representatives.

An Aeroflot Boeing 737-800 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

“Russia is under U.S. sanctions, and Ethiopian Airlines has strong operational and commercial ties with the United States,” Tasew said. “We operate under international regulations and U.S. law, and we are not willing to take the risk of violating those laws.”

Russia has reportedly approached a number of countries, including Kazakhstan, Kuwait, and Qatar, in an effort to circumvent Western sanctions imposed on its aerospace and airline industries after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. About two-thirds of Russia’s commercial aircraft are Boeing and Airbus models, but until the sanctions are lifted, the two companies cannot deliver new airplanes to Russian operators or service their existing fleets. As a result, Russian airlines are running up against mounting technical failures and pulling problem aircraft from service.

Russia has retaliated by barring Western airlines from using its airspace. The government also announced plans to revive its domestic aircraft manufacturing capabilities and return to Soviet-era output levels, but that goal is likely many years away.

Ethiopia has not sanctioned Russia directly and declared itself neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Zach Vasile

Fifth Boeing 777X Makes First Flight

Boeing took its fifth 777-9X aircraft out for its first flight over Washington state on Tuesday, breaking a nearly five-year lull.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, August 06, 2025 at 12:23 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Boeing's fifth 777-9X takes off from Paine Field in Washington state. (Photo: Marian Lockhart/Boeing)

Boeing took its fifth 777-9X aircraft out for its first flight over Washington state on Tuesday, breaking a nearly five-year lull linked to technical problems on the widebody series.

The manufacturer said the airplane, 777-9 WH286, took off from Paine Field in Everett, Washington, and flew for two hours and 27 minutes over the state before landing back at Paine. The aircraft reached an altitude of 39,000 feet and airspeeds of 511 knots, or Mach .84, which Boeing said is typical for a maiden flight.

It was the first time in nearly five years that a new 777X took its first flight.

“The 777-9 flies beautifully, and this airplane performed just as we expected,” said Captain Ted Grady, chief pilot for the 777X program. “We appreciate the hard work of our teams who designed, built, and prepared this airplane for flight, and we’re continuing our focus on getting the 777-9 certified and in our customers’ fleets.”

WH286 will now undergo a series of ground and flight tests focusing on the aircraft’s resilience against electromagnetic interference and lightning strikes, Boeing said.

Certification of the 777X series has been held up for several years by technical problems. In 2020, a 777-9 experienced an “uncommanded pitch event” in which the nose of the aircraft rose and fell without pilot input. FAA inspectors have also raised concerns about the model’s engines, avionics, and the quality of its manufacturing. In 2021, the agency said the 777X had not yet reached “maturity” in its design.

Boeing has worked to resolve those issues, and in January test flights resumed after a five-month pause.

The company aims to have the 777X certified later this year or in early 2026, with deliveries expected to begin next year.

The 777X series includes the 777-8 passenger jet, the 777-8F freighter, and the 777-9. According to Boeing, customers have ordered over 550 777X aircraft.

Zach Vasile

Cathay Pacific Bets on Boeing 777X

Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific this week ordered 14 more Boeing 777-9 aircraft, bringing its total order for the model to 35.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, August 06, 2025 at 09:58 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Boeing 777X test aircraft (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific this week ordered 14 more Boeing 777-9X aircraft, bringing its total order for the model to 35.

The airline said the more fuel efficient widebody jet will help reduce operating costs while also accommodating increased long-haul travel demand across its network. The 777-9 reduces fuel use by 20% compared to the older airplanes it is meant to replace.

“We plan to expand and renew our fleet with the additional 777-9 aircraft, enabling us to continue our rich history of connecting the world with our Hong Kong hub,” said Cathay Group CEO Ronald Lam. “Cathay Pacific aims to further strengthen our ongoing partnership with Boeing and leverage the world-class features of the new 777-9 as we strive to become the
world’s best premium airline.”

According to Boeing, Cathay Pacific will be the largest 777-9 operator in the Asia-Pacific market once the ordered aircraft are delivered.

The carrier’s current fleet consists of Boeing 777s and Airbus A321s, A330s, and A350s.

A Cathay Pacific 777X rendering (Photo: Boeing)

The aircraft deal was announced the same day Cathay Pacific reported slightly higher first-half profits, totalling about $465 million, stemming from increased passenger volume, lower fuel prices, and steady cargo performance. But that improvement was largely overshadowed by lower passenger yields and financial struggles at HK Express, Cathay Pacific’s low-cost subsidiary, which posted a first-half loss of about $66 million.

Airline officials said that while the HK segment faces “challenges,” they expect it to return to profitability in the long term.

Certification Woes

Certification of the 777X by the FAA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency has been delayed numerous times over technical problems. A major setback came in 2020, when an “uncommanded pitch event” caused the aircraft’s nose to pitch up and down without input from the pilot. Inspectors also reported issues with the aircraft’s engines, manufacturing quality, and overall design.

Engineers have worked to resolve those problems, and certification testing formally resumed in January.

Boeing aims to complete certification for the 777X later this year or in early 2026 and start deliveries next year. Lufthansa will be the first airline to take delivery of the aircraft.

If the 777X does enter service in 2026, it will do so six years behind schedule.

Zach Vasile

ANA to Retire Star Wars Jets After Decade-Long Run

All Nippon Airways (ANA) will end its long-running Star Wars jets program in March 2026, the Japanese airline announced this week.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, August 05, 2025 at 12:15 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

ANA's special Star Wars livery (Photo: Shutterstock)

All Nippon Airways (ANA) will end its long-running Star Wars jets program in March 2026, the Japanese airline announced this week. The themed livery campaign began in 2015 through a licensing agreement with Lucasfilm and Disney.

The first of ANA’s three Star Wars-branded aircraft, the R2-D2 ANA JET, will operate its final flight on Tuesday. The 787-9 is scheduled to fly as NH102 from Tokyo Haneda to Washington Dulles and return to Tokyo as NH101.

The remaining two aircraft in the program, including the C-3PO ANA JET, will be phased out by March 2026. ANA said the C-3PO-themed aircraft is expected to complete its final flight in the first week of January, with further details to be published in the fall.

A Star Wars themed Boeing 777-300ER (Photo: nimame – 式典的なものはこれで完了, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47824480)

Each of ANA’s Star Wars jets featured exterior liveries and themed in-flight products such as headrest covers, paper cups, and crew uniforms. The program included Boeing 777s and 787-9 Dreamliners, all painted with characters from the Star Wars franchise.

ANA stated the program will officially conclude when all related flights and services end by March 31, 2026.

Ryan Ewing

Austrian to Phase Out Embraer E195s

Austrian Airlines plans to phase out its Embraer E195 aircraft as part of a broader effort to reorganize and simplify its fleet.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, August 05, 2025 at 10:45 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Austrian E195 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Austrian Airlines plans to phase out its Embraer E195 aircraft as part of a broader effort to reorganize and simplify its fleet.

The carrier confirmed Tuesday that it will retire its 17 E195s by 2028, citing its need for “more modern and larger aircraft.” Starting later this year, Airbus aircraft will gradually take over the short- and medium-haul routes currently flown by the E195s.

The airline said it will take delivery of an additional six Airbus A320neos to support the transition.

Austrian’s current fleet consists of a mix of Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer aircraft. Once the E195 is taken out of service, it will be Airbus and Boeing only.

Austrian also plans to retire its older Boeing models, specifically the 767 and 777, and replace them with the 787-9 Dreamliner. The end result, airline officials said, will be two simplified aircraft groups – one consisting of the A320 family, and the other made up of Dreamliners.

In the long term, the carrier expects to replace its older Airbus aircraft with A320neo options. It did not provide a timeline for that phaseout.

Austrian is a subsidiary of Germany’s Lufthansa Group. It flies mainly within Europe but also operates long-haul routes to destinations in the U.S., Canada, Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia.

Zach Vasile

Spirit Plans New International Routes

Ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit announced Tuesday that it will launch nonstop flights to two new destinations from its Fort Lauderdale hub.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, August 05, 2025 at 09:48 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Spirit Airbus A321 (Photo: Shutterstock | Ron Adar)

Ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit announced Tuesday that it will launch nonstop flights from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Belize City, Belize, and Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands.

Service to Belize will start first, on Nov. 21, operating three times a week on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The Fort Lauderdale-Grand Cayman route will come online Dec. 4, also operating three times per week, on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Airline officials said that, once service begins, Spirit will be the only carrier in the world flying nonstop from Fort Lauderdale to Belize and Grand Cayman.

Spirit plans to offer three seat classes on the new routes: Spirit First, Premium Economy, and Value. Spirit First comes with a larger seat, a free carry-on and one checked bag, priority boarding, and other benefits, while Premium Economy offers extra legroom and one carry-on.

The carrier has been building up its operations in Florida, and Fort Lauderdale specifically, since emerging from bankruptcy in March. Last month it announced nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale and Key West, set to start Nov. 6.

Zach Vasile