Allegiant Cuts Five Routes

Allegiant is shaking up its network. While the ultra-low-cost carrier added a handful of new routes last week, it is also ending service on others.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, August 05, 2025 at 09:27 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Allegiant A319 in Las Vegas. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Allegiant is shaking up its network. While the ultra-low-cost carrier added a handful of new routes last week, it is also ending service on others.

The airline will end service on five routes, according to Cirium Diio schedule data. Flights between Phoenix/Mesa and Toledo, Ohio, were originally slated to resume in December, but have now been removed from the airline’s schedule.

Allegiant’s Boston to Savannah, Georgia, service was scheduled to resume in October, but has also been removed.

The carrier’s Plattsburgh, New York, to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, route is now scheduled to end at the end of this month.

Other Network Changes

In addition, Allegiant’s Austin, Texas, to Asheville, North Carolina, service will end on Sept. 8. Flights between Newark, New Jersey, and Flint, Michigan, are now scheduled to end on Sept. 1.

“A key part of our business model is to evaluate flights and, when necessary, reallocate capacity and equipment to support routes that are showing stronger demand,” an airline spokesperson said as part of a statement. “There is always a chance that we’ll reactivate a route that we put on hiatus, so we’ll continue to monitor market conditions and respond appropriately.”

Last week, Allegiant added a batch of new routes, including service to Sarasota, Florida, a new destination for the airline.

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.

Alaska Adds More Long-Haul Markets

The airline announced the new services on Tuesday, scheduled to begin in spring 2026, as part of its strategy to grow connectivity from the Pacific Northwest.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, August 05, 2025 at 08:38 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Alaska's new 787-9 livery. (Photo: Alaska Airlines)

Alaska Airlines is expanding its international footprint with the launch of two new long-haul routes from its Seattle hub. The airline announced the new services on Tuesday, scheduled to begin in spring 2026, as part of its broader strategy to grow global connectivity from the Pacific Northwest.

The new routes will connect Seattle with London and Reykjavik, Iceland, marking Alaska’s first service to both cities.

The London Heathrow route will operate daily year-round aboard the airline’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, while the Reykjavik service will run seasonally during the summer using the Boeing 737 MAX 8.

Alaska said the addition of these routes brings it closer to its goal of serving at least a dozen international long-haul destinations from Seattle by 2030. These will join existing intercontinental flights to Tokyo-Narita and Seoul-Incheon.

Hawaiian 787-9 — A Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 787-9 (Photo: Shutterstock | Ian Dewar Photography)

The carrier also plans to link Seattle and Rome next year, marking its first-ever European route.

New 787 Livery

The carrier also unveiled a refreshed livery for its widebody fleet as part of the announcement. The updated design, inspired by the aurora borealis, will debut on the 787-9s and reflect Alaska’s branding for its growing international operations.

There it is! @AlaskaAir will begin painting its 787-9s with the airline’s branding (slightly updated) in January.

The airline is also adding two new long-haul destinations from Seattle: London Heathrow and Reykjavik. pic.twitter.com/lDu7Fhzbvl

— Ryan Ewing (@FlyingHighRyan) August 5, 2025

The airline plans to operate up to 17 Dreamliners in the years ahead. In addition, Alaska will also open a new pilot base in Seattle to support its expanding widebody operations.

Ticket sales for both new routes are expected to begin this fall.

Ryan Ewing

Air Canada Adds New Bus Route

The service will be operated by the Landline Company, which provides premium motor coach transportation for a number of airlines.

Zach Vasile

Monday, August 04, 2025 at 04:35 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Air Canada launched bus service last year (Photo: Air Canada)

Air Canada is launching a new bus route from one of its major hubs.

Starting Sept. 23, the carrier will offer twice daily trips between Kingston Norman Rogers Airport in Kingston, Ontario, and Toronto Pearson. Passengers will book their bus seats as part of their flight, allowing them to ride from Kingston and depart from Toronto, or arrive at Toronto and take the bus to Kingston.

The service will be operated by the Landline Company, which provides premium motor coach transportation for a number of airlines.

Air Canada officials said the new ground route will help connect Kingston to its global network. The airline has not served Kingston since 2020.

The buses running between Kingston and Toronto will seat 36 people in a two-by-one configuration. Free wireless internet will be available onboard.

Landline already operates Air Canada bus routes connecting Toronto Pearson to John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport in Hamilton, Ontario, and Region of Waterloo International Airport in Woolwich, Ontario.

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.

Lufthansa, Fraport Launch AI-Based System

Lufthansa and Fraport AG have partnered to implement an AI-powered system called “seer” at Frankfurt Airport, designed to enhance aircraft turnaround processes.

Tolga Karadeniz

Monday, August 04, 2025 at 02:49 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Lufthansa Boeing 787 Dreamliner. (Photo: Lufthansa Group)

Lufthansa and Fraport AG have signed a new agreement to modernize aircraft handling at Frankfurt Airport using artificial intelligence. Developed in partnership with Lufthansa’s innovation unit zeroG, the AI-powered camera system known as “seer” is designed to improve turnaround efficiency by capturing real-time data on ground processes and making it accessible to all operational stakeholders.

The turnaround process — which includes steps such as docking the passenger boarding bridge, unloading and loading baggage, refueling, and catering — is among the most complex and time-critical phases in airline operations. The “seer” system records each action through strategically placed cameras at aircraft parking positions. The AI technology automatically timestamps each event and stores it in a centralized database, creating a single, verified source of information for ground handlers, airlines, and airport authorities.

Real-Time Insights

Development of the system began in 2023, followed by a pilot phase conducted from February to May 2024 at selected stands at Frankfurt Airport. Currently, “seer” is active at five aircraft parking positions. Lufthansa and Fraport expect to expand the system to 20 positions by the end of the third quarter, with a full-scale rollout planned to follow.

Fraport, which operates Frankfurt Airport, is working to integrate AI into a range of airport processes to increase efficiency and ease staff workloads. CEO Stefan Schulte said the “seer” system enhances visibility across the entire turnaround process, allowing employees and partners to better adjust and plan subsequent actions, ultimately improving overall airport flow and reducing delays.

ZeroG, Lufthansa’s digital innovation subsidiary, developed the AI and computer vision infrastructure powering “seer.” The company is responsible for integrating the system into daily operations and ensuring its functionality meets the needs of both the airline and the airport. Managing Director Manuel van Esch said the aim is to make ground processes “visible, analyzable, and controllable” in real time, enabling improved decision-making, better resource planning, and enhanced operational reliability.

Tolga Karadeniz

Tolga is a dedicated aviation enthusiast with years of experience in the industry. From an early age, his fascination with aviation went beyond a mere passion for travel, evolving into a deliberate exploration of the complex mechanics and engineering behind aircraft. As a writer, he aims to share insights , providing readers with a view into the complex inner workings of the aviation industry.

Alaska and Hawaiian Resume Pilot Hiring

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines resumed pilot hiring on Friday, reopening the application process for new first officers.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, August 04, 2025 at 10:42 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Alaska and Hawaiian aircraft in Maui. (Photo: Shutterstock / EQRoy)

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines resumed pilot hiring on Friday, reopening the application process for new first officers following a slowdown during their ongoing merger process.

According to the airlines, the new pilot hiring process will be combined across both airlines. The move is seen as an early step toward integrating pilot seniority lists across the two carriers, which are in the process of merging under a single operating certificate.

Interviews are slated to begin in September, and new hire classes will kick off after the airlines obtain their single operating certificate.

The two pilot groups, both represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), are working through a Seniority Merger Integration Committee (SMIC) to establish the terms of seniority list integration. The final combined seniority list will be implemented once a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) is negotiated and ratified.

The airlines aim to complete the merger process, including operating under a single certificate, by late 2025.

So far this year, Alaska has not onboarded any new pilots, according to data from FAPA. Hawaiian has hired 48 new aviators. Last year, Alaska hired 18 first officers, while Hawaiian brought on 52.

Ryan Ewing

Delta Adds Flights for 2026 Holiday

Delta is temporarily adding flights next spring to help travelers at its Boston hub take advantage of the long weekend created by Patriots’ Day.

Zach Vasile

Monday, August 04, 2025 at 09:44 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Republic Airways Embraer jet (Photo: Shutterstock | Wirestock Creators)

Delta is temporarily adding flights next spring to help travelers at its Boston hub take advantage of a state holiday.

The carrier said it will operate 40 additional nonstop flights to 10 warm weather destinations before and after Patriots’ Day, which will fall on April 20 in 2026. One of those destinations, Panama City, Florida, is a new service from Boston that will continue past the holiday, Delta said.

The airline currently serves Panama City from New York-LaGuardia, Atlanta, and Austin, Texas.

In Massachusetts, Patriots’ Day, which commemorates the earliest battles of the American Revolutionary War, is always celebrated on a Monday, giving state residents a three-day weekend.

“Patriots’ Day is a uniquely Boston celebration, and we’re excited to offer nearly 6,000 additional seats on flights out of Boston to give our customers even more ways to make the most of the long weekend,” said Amy Martin, vice president of network planning at Delta. “Whether you’re chasing sunshine, reuniting with loved ones, or just taking a well-earned break, these new routes make it easier than ever to take off from Boston and land somewhere sunny.”

On April 17, 18, and 23-26, Delta will increase capacity on routes between Boston and Panama City, Jacksonville, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Pensacola, Fort Myers, and Sarasota in Florida; Charleston and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina; and Savannah, Georgia.

Exact departure times and schedules have not yet been released.

The additional flights will operate as a mix of Delta and Delta Connection.

Zach Vasile

Icelandair Reworking Domestic Network

Icelandair is making changes to its domestic route network as it takes over a government contract and prepares to retire the smallest aircraft in its fleet.

Joey Gerardi

Saturday, August 02, 2025 at 08:00 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

The Reykjavík Domestic Airport in Iceland. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)

Icelandair has been expanding not only its partnerships and interlines but also its overall destinations, with new cities being added on both sides of the Atlantic this summer. Aircraft upgrades have also been implemented, with places like Nuuk in Greenland now seeing service on a Boeing 737 MAX instead of a Dash-8 200.

But outside of the international destinations served from Reykjavík/Keflavík International Airport, not many people outside of Iceland are aware that the airline operates a smaller hub out of Reykjavík Domestic Airport, located 45 minutes away from the larger airport and in the heart of the capital, for its flights within Iceland.

Currently, the airline offers flights to three destinations from Reykjavík Domestic: Ísafjörður, Akureyri, and Egilsstaðir. The flights are operated with a turboprop fleet, which consists of the 37-seat Dash-8 200 and the slightly larger 76-seat Q400.

Icelandair now plans to drop one domestic route, add another, and fly to one destination for a very short period of time, just a single weekend.

Vestmannaeyjar

The first add is only temporary, and very much so, with flights only operating for five days from July 31 to Aug. 4. The addition of flights to Vestmannaeyjar, located on the island of Heimaey, is meant to accommodate the events of Þjóðhátíð, which translates to “national holiday” in English. Þjóðhátíð is an “epic music and cultural festival” that takes place during the first weekend in August. Icelandair has operated these special flights for several years.

The population of the island of Heimaey increases from 4,000 to 20,000 for this event. Flight schedules and frequencies between Reykjavík (RKV) and Vestmannaeyjar (VEY) are listed below.

July 31:

RKV to VEY, 1x

VEY to RKV, 1x

August 1:

RKV to VEY, 5x

VEY to RKV, 1x

August 2:

RKV to VEY, 1x

VEY to RKV, 2x

August 3:

RKV to VEY, 2x

VEY to RKV, 2x

August 4:

RKV to VEY, 2x

VEY to RKV, 9x

All of the flights will use the Q400, with the exception of three of the return flights from Vestmannaeyjar back to Iceland that use the smaller Dash-8 200.

: Icelandair Dash 8 at Akureyri International Airport, Iceland. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | John Flett)

Höfn

Höfn, located on Iceland’s southeastern coastline, will be a totally new destination for the airline. According to Icelandair, it recently won a contract from the Icelandic government for subsidized air service to the city. Currently, Höfn sees service with Norlandair with its TwinOtter most days of the week.

Icelandair will begin flying to Höfn from Reykjavík Domestic on Sept. 1, with flights operating five times a week on the Dash-8 200. While this is fewer weekly flights than Norlandair currently operates to Höfn, the aircraft Icelandair will operate are larger and will make up for it in extra seating capacity. In addition, with Icelandair most likely ending Dash-8 200 service sometime in 2026, the flight will upgrade again to the Q400.

Norlandair will end service to Höfn on Aug. 31, the day before Icelandair begins its flights there.

Ísafjörður

Icelandair will discontinue this service, mainly because of the upcoming retirement of the Dash-8 200, the smallest aircraft in its fleet.

One of the reasons Icelandair kept the Dash-8 200 is because of the short runways at airports in Greenland, where the carrier frequently flies. But more airports in Greenland are opening longer runways, including Nuuk, where Icelandair flies its Boeing 737 MAX during the peak tourist season and the Q400 during the off season.

: An Icelandair Dash-8~200. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)

“The decision was made due to changes to Greenlandic airports,” Icelandair CEO Bogi Nils Bogason said in an interview with RÚV. “[They] are expanding their airports’ airstrips, meaning that larger and more efficient planes can be flown there. With these changes, the Q200 model will not be as competitive.”

There is only one airport left in Greenland that Icelandair flies to that still can’t accept anything larger than a Dash-8 200 — Ilulissat. But that airport is also under construction, and a longer runway is expected to open there in 2026. Once that longer runway opens in Ilulissat and the Q400s are able to land there, there is no more use for the Dash-8 200 in the Icelandair fleet, and service to Ísafjörður will end.

It will be a devastating blow to the community, as there is currently no bus service to Ísafjörður, which will leave residents without public transportation or commercial flights. At least for now, though, the route is safe and AvGeeks wanting to fly the Icelandair Dash-8 200 to Ísafjörður still have time to try out the flight and its unique and difficult approach to the airport.

All schedules and aircraft are subject to change.

Joey Gerardi

Joey has always been interested in planes for as long as he can remember. He grew up in Central New York during the early 2000s when US Airways Express turboprops ruled the skies. Being from a non-aviation family made it harder for him to be around planes and would only spend about three hours a month at the airport. He was so excited when he could drive by himself, the first thing he did with his driver's license was get ice cream and go plane spotting for the entire day. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 2022 with a B.S. in Aviation Management & Operations and a Minor in Business, and currently works for a major airline in his hometown.

Emirates Expands Mainland China Network

The carrier now operates 49 weekly flights across five Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou.

Tolga Karadeniz

Saturday, August 02, 2025 at 06:30 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Emirates has officially launched its daily nonstop service to Hangzhou, marking the airline’s fifth gateway in mainland China and its second new Chinese destination in less than a month, following the debut of Shenzhen service earlier in July.

Flight EK310 touched down at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport on July 30, where it was met with a traditional water cannon salute and a warm welcome from airport officials, dignitaries, and local stakeholders. Passengers arriving on the inaugural flight were presented with commemorative gifts, including keychains, certificates, and Chinese tea tasting sets.

Operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, flight EK310 operates once per day.

The carrier now operates 49 weekly flights across five Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou. The airline continues to strengthen its position in China through codeshare and interline partnerships with China Southern Airlines, Air China, and Sichuan Airlines.

Tolga Karadeniz

Delta Opening New Crew Base

Delta is gearing up to open a new crew base later this year. The Atlanta-based carrier announced plans for an additional flight attendant domicile this week.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, August 01, 2025 at 03:46 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Delta A321s in Austin. (Photo: Shutterstock | lorenzatx)

Delta is gearing up to open a new crew base later this year. The Atlanta-based carrier announced plans for an additional flight attendant domicile this week.

The airline’s newest crew base will open in Austin, Texas, in October, a spokesperson confirmed to AirlineGeeks on Friday. Delta called this move a “milestone” as it continues to ramp up operations in the Texas capital.

In a statement, the spokesperson added that the new base “reflects the city’s rapid growth and our long-term commitment to the market.”

“We’re continuing to expand our presence and network in Austin, evident in a more than 35% year-over-year increase in departures at AUS, reinforcing our position as the airline of choice for travelers to and from the Texas capital.”

The new domicile will be permanent and is currently limited to cabin crew.

Delta’s newest base announcement comes after Southwest said it would be closing its Austin flight attendant base last month. Regional carrier SkyWest maintains a pilot and cabin crew domicile in the city.

In addition to Austin, Delta has flight attendant bases in Atlanta; Boston; Cincinnati; Detroit; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Honolulu; New York; Los Angeles; Orlando, Florida; Minneapolis; Portland, Oregon; Seattle; San Francisco; Phoenix; Las Vegas; and Salt Lake City.

The carrier has been doubling down in Austin, adding several new routes. In recent months, the carrier began connecting the city with Tampa and San Francisco.

Ryan Ewing

Republic, Mesa Pilot Unions Sign ‘Unity Agreement’

The unions representing pilots at Republic and Mesa have signed a “unity agreement” that will govern contract negotiations as the two carriers work to merge.

Zach Vasile

Friday, August 01, 2025 at 02:52 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

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

The unions representing pilots at Republic Airways and Mesa Airlines have signed a “unity agreement” that will govern contract negotiations as the two carriers work toward a merger later this year.

Republic pilots are represented by Teamsters Local 357, while Mesa pilots belong to the Air Line Pilots Association. The two organizations are now working together and plan to set up a joint negotiating committee to pursue a new collective bargaining agreement with the combined company.

“Corporate mergers should never come at the expense of workers,” said Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien. “This agreement shows what’s possible when unions work together to protect the people who keep these companies running. We’re proud to stand behind Republic and Mesa pilots and to work alongside ALPA as we welcome the Mesa pilots into our ranks.”

The unity agreement will remain in effect until the pilots’ contract is finalized and ratified.

Mesa CRJ-900 — A Mesa Airlines CRJ-900 in Phoenix (Photo: Shutterstock | Robin Guess)

Republic and Mesa announced plans to merge in April. The combined company will keep the Republic name, and 88% of the business will be owned by Republic shareholders. Mesa shareholders will own a minimum of 6% and up to 12% depending upon Mesa achieving certain pre-closing criteria.

The carriers will continue operating flights for their current partners. Republic has service agreements with United, Delta, and American, while Mesa works only with United, flying as United Express.

The merger is expected to close in the third or fourth quarter of 2025.

Zach Vasile