Qatar Plans Return to U.S. East Coast Destination

The Doha-based carrier last served the city in 2023.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 04:00 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Qatar Airways A350-900 pushing back for its next flight in Zurich. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Qatar Airways is returning to a U.S. city it last served three years ago.

On Aug. 1, the carrier will resume nonstop service between Doha and Philadelphia. Flights will operate daily, using Airbus A350-900 aircraft.

Tickets are now available for purchase.

Airline officials said the restored route will strengthen connectivity in the region and allow American Airlines passengers to book single-itinerary connecting flights via Philadelphia. Qatar Airways and American are both members of the oneworld alliance.

With the addition of Philadelphia, Qatar Airways will serve 14 destinations in North America this summer, including Atlanta, New York-JFK, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago O’Hare, and Toronto.

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.

American Weighs Its Next Widebody Fleet Move

The carrier says it is “actively engaging” with Airbus and Boeing.

Ryan Ewing

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 01:37 PM ET

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Zach Vasile

An American 787-9 Dreamliner (Photo: Shutterstock | Michael Derrer Fuchs)

American Airlines is evaluating its next long-term aircraft order as the carrier looks to define the future of its widebody fleet.

Speaking during the company’s recent annual shareholders meeting, CEO Robert Isom said American currently has a request for proposals in the market and is in active discussions with both Airbus and Boeing regarding a potential widebody aircraft order.

“We’ve been making several long-term investments to improve the business,” Isom said. “One good example is the work we’re doing right now to shape the future of our widebody fleet. We currently have an RFP in the market and are actively engaging with both Airbus and Boeing as we evaluate our next order for widebody aircraft.”

The effort comes as American looks beyond its existing aircraft commitments. The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier currently has 19 widebody aircraft on order, along with options for 28 more.

Planned 777 Retirements

Isom said the airline is also planning around expected Boeing 777 retirements in the 2030s.

“Given the long lead times associated with widebody deliveries and expected Boeing 777 retirements in the 2030s, now is the right time to define what comes next as we continue to expand and modernize our internationally capable fleet,” Isom shared.

The carrier had previously planned to add the Airbus A350 to its fleet. Those aircraft were originally ordered by US Airways before its 2013 merger with American, but the airline later canceled the A350 order in 2018 as part of a broader deal for additional Boeing 787s.

The potential widebody order would follow a major fleet announcement in 2024, when American placed orders for 260 aircraft, including Airbus A321neos, Boeing 737 MAX 10s, and Embraer E175s. That agreement also included options and purchase rights for an additional 193 aircraft.

Isom added that the order helped set American’s narrowbody and regional fleet plans “well into the next decade.”

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.

Air Canada’s First A321XLR Enters Service

The aircraft flew from Montreal to Toronto on Tuesday.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 12:45 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Air Canada's first A321XLR. (Photo: Air Canada)

Air Canada’s first Airbus A321XLR officially entered service on Tuesday with a short domestic flight, a warm-up of sorts as it nears its transatlantic debut.

The aircraft, registered as AC413, flew from Montreal to Toronto with 182 passengers on board. It will make several more domestic short-haul trips this week before its inaugural international flight on June 15, from Montreal to Toulouse, France.

Air Canada is now officially the first operator of the A321XLR in Canada, and the second in North America.

Airline officials said the type will support network growth, improve fuel efficiency, and enhance the customer experience.

Air Canada’s first A321XLR. (Photo: Air Canada)

“The entry into service of the first Airbus A321XLR marks a transformative moment for Air Canada and the beginning of an exciting new era for our customers, industry partners, and colleagues,” Mark Galardo, Air Canada’s executive vice president, chief commercial officer, and president of cargo, said in a news release. “Today, we celebrate an aircraft that will unlock new destinations, improve service on existing markets, and enhance the onboard experience.”

AC413 is the first aircraft in Air Canada’s fleet to come with the carrier’s new “Glowing Hearted” interior preinstalled. The layout includes 14 lie-flat seats in Signature Class – a first for single-aisle aircraft among Canadian carriers – and 168 Economy seats. Every seat features seatback 4K OLED IFE screens with Bluetooth audio and power outlets for personal devices, the airline said.

Air Canada took delivery of its first A321XLR in April. The variant will be used mainly on transatlantic routes from Toronto and Montreal, as well as on North American transcontinental service.

Signature Class on Air Canada’s A321XLR. (Photo: Air Canada)

Air Canada will acquire a total of 30 -XLRs – 15 leased, and 15 purchased directly from Airbus.

Zach Vasile

American, Google Partner on Record SAF Deal

The new agreement is designed to stimulate demand for bio-fuel.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 11:45 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An American 787-9 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

American Airlines and technology giant Google have signed an agreement that they said will unlock approximately 35 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) over the next three years.

The partners said the SAF financed by the deal will cut nearly 300,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions.

Under the agreement, American will purchase and take delivery of SAF at Chicago O’Hare. The fuel will be derived from waste feedstocks, such as used cooking oil. Chicago was chosen in part because of Illinois’ recently enacted SAF tax credit.

Google said it will receive the environmental benefits of the deal through SAF certificates that help offset emissions from employee business travel.

SAF can reduce aircraft emissions by up to 80%, but because it remains scarce and relatively expensive, carriers and private aviation companies frequently solicit donations from customers and partnerships from companies to support SAF purchases and integration.

American and Google said their agreement is the largest ever publicly announced SAF deal between an airline and a single corporate customer.

“Our industry-leading agreement with Google is a critical step forward in reducing emissions from our operations,” American Chief Sustainability Officer Jill Blickstein said in a news release. “By working with leaders like Google who share our commitment to innovation, we’re helping to grow demand for SAF and support the development of a stronger, more resilient market.”

Zach Vasile

Police: Ex-Air Canada Pilot Flew for Nearly 17 Years Without Proper License

Geoffrey Wall, 59, is accused of misrepresenting his credentials to his longtime employer and regulators.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 10:45 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Air Canada Boeing 777-300ER departing London Heathrow (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

A former Air Canada captain now facing fraud charges operated more than 900 domestic and international flights over nearly 17 years without a required license, police said Tuesday.

The pilot, identified as Geoffrey Wall, 59, of Barrie, Ontario, was already facing civil fines for his alleged lack of proper credentials, but authorities in Ontario’s Peel Region announced that Wall was arrested and charged over the matter on June 1. He was charged with fraud over $5,000, two counts of uttering forged documents, three counts of possession of counterfeit mark, and public mischief.

The investigation into Wall and his alleged crimes played out “like a movie script,” Peel Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich told reporters at a press conference. He said Wall worked for Air Canada for 27 years, between 1998 and 2025, and started misrepresenting his qualifications in 2009, when he was promoted to captain.

Wall had a valid commercial pilot license throughout his career at Air Canada but allegedly lacked an airline transport pilot license (ATPL), which is required to captain certain large aircraft operated by Canadian airlines.

Between 2009 and 2025, Wall flew Boeing 767s, 777s, and 787s, Milinovich said. He earned over $2.9 million in salary during that time.

Transport Canada, the nation’s transportation regulator, began looking into Wall in 2025 after a routine review of his credentials and performance. Anomalies were found in his pilot license documentation, according to Detective Sgt. Chad Mitchell, and a full-scale investigation was launched, involving the execution of a search warrant at Wall’s home and interviews with witnesses. Transport Canada notified Peel police of their findings in January, setting off the criminal probe.

Authorities also said Wall filed a false police report about an alleged theft of his pilot licenses and related documents.

Air Canada said Monday that a former captain was facing monetary penalties for flying without an ATPL but did not name Wall or say how much he was fined. Airlines officials said that passenger safety was not jeopardized because all pilots undergo mandatory recurrent training every six months to validate their flying competency.

Wall retired from Air Canada in 2025, before Transport Canada’s investigation began.

He is due back in court on June 29.

Zach Vasile

Start-Up Riyadh Air Reveals Next Four Destinations

The carrier is readying for the launch of full commercial operations next month.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, June 09, 2026 at 04:25 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

The fuselage of a Riyadh Air Boeing 787 Dreamliner. (Photo: Riyadh Air)

Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air on Monday announced four new destinations as it prepares to open its flagship route to London Heathrow to the general public.

In an interview with Al Arabiya English, CEO Tony Douglas said the carrier will soon serve Cairo, Dubai, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Madrid. All four cities had been floated as likely destinations, but the airline did not confirm them until this week.

Another six routes will be announced shortly, Douglas said. The carrier’s near-term goal is to have 22 destinations online by March 2027.

The airline operates from King Khalid International Airport, near Riyadh. It is being positioned as the country’s second flag carrier, behind Jeddah-based Saudia.

Riyadh Air launched its inaugural route to London Heathrow in October, but so far only airline officials and their families have been able to book flights. That will change July 1, when the first fully public service to London takes place.

Riyadh Air has ordered up to 72 Boeing 787-9s, and took delivery of its first three within the last few days. Another three will be delivered this month, Douglas said, with two more arriving in July. From August, deliveries will continue at a rate of one aircraft per month.

The carrier’s first Airbus aircraft is expected to arrive by the end of the year, Douglas added. Riyadh Air has ordered 60 Airbus A321neos and up to 50 A350-1000s.

Zach Vasile

DFW Opens Nine New Gates

The gates will be used exclusively by American.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, June 09, 2026 at 03:00 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

The new gate area at DFW's Terminal C. (Photo: American Airlines)

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport has opened nine new gates as part of its ongoing renovation and expansion of Terminal C.

Airport officials said the new gates were built in a pier configuration that adds operational capacity. Five were fully rebuilt from older terminal infrastructure, and four are entirely new.

Terminal C is used exclusively by American Airlines.

“DFW is central to our global operation and the historic investments we are making to modernize and expand our terminal facilities in partnership with DFW Airport will continue to enhance the customer experience and make way for future growth,” Jim Moses, American’s senior vice president of operations at Dallas/Fort Worth, said in a statement.

Terminal C under construction. (Photo: American Airlines)

All nine boarding gates are electronic, using Dormakaba technology. American said it is the first U.S.-based airline to deploy the systems at scale.

This phase of the terminal’s reconstruction also added seating, new passenger amenities, and concession space, the airport said.

Once the project is complete, Terminal C will have 32 gates, and a footprint of more than 1 million square feet.

Terminal C is American’s busiest terminal at Dallas/Fort Worth, with an average of nearly 200 departures per day.

Zach Vasile

Royal Air Maroc Starts Service to New U.S. Destination

Flights will operate three times weekly using Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, June 09, 2026 at 01:30 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Royal Air Maroc Boeing 787 Dreamliner. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Royal Air Maroc on Sunday launched nonstop service to a new destination on the U.S. West Coast.

The carrier is now offering three times weekly flights between Casablanca and Los Angeles. Flights will operate on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Royal Air Maroc has never served a destination on the West Coast before.

The airline said the new route will strengthen its North American network just in time for the FIFA World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The tournament begins on Thursday.

Los Angeles is Royal Air Maroc’s fourth destination in the U.S. and sixth in North America; it currently serves New York-JFK, Washington Dulles, and Miami, and Toronto and Montreal in Canada.

Zach Vasile

Frontier Adds Two New Routes

The budget carrier is returning to an airport it last served in 2023.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, June 09, 2026 at 11:53 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Frontier A321 in Las Vegas. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Frontier this summer will add two new domestic routes while making its return to an airport in the Bay Area.

On Aug. 20, the ultra-low-cost carrier will return to Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, with service from Las Vegas. Flights will operate 11 times per week.

The following month, on Sept. 10, Frontier will launch service between Las Vegas and Boise, Idaho. The connection will run four times per week.

“We are delighted to announce these new routes and our return to OAK, offering high-value travel options to Nevada, Idaho, and California,” Josh Flyr, Frontier’s vice president of network and operations design, said in a news release. “We are laser-focused on redefining what consumers can expect from low-fare travel – from our expansive network map to the premium upgrades we offer – and we look forward to providing consumers with affordable flight options on these new routes starting this summer.”

Frontier currently connects Boise to Denver, and Las Vegas to over 30 destinations, including Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago O’Hare, Seattle, and Los Angeles.

In the Bay Area, the carrier already serves San Francisco and San Jose.

Zach Vasile

Ex-Air Canada Pilot Accused of Flying Without Required License

The former captain allegedly lacked an airline transport pilot license.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, June 09, 2026 at 10:10 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Air Canada Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at London Heathrow Airport. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

A former Air Canada senior pilot is facing fines and criminal charges after allegedly flying without a required license.

In a statement released Monday, Air Canada confirmed that Transport Canada had imposed a monetary penalty on a former captain because they did not have an airline transport pilot license (ATPL). The credential is required for captains of large aircraft operated by airlines in Canada.

Air Canada emphasized that the individual was fully trained and held a valid commercial pilot license throughout their employment.

“Safety was not compromised by this incident because all pilots at Air Canada undergo mandatory recurrent training every six months to validate their flying competency, including a flight check with a certified Transport Canada check-pilot every 12 months,” the carrier said. “However, appropriate licensing is an essential layer of the airline industry’s multi-layered approach to safety, so Air Canada takes this matter with utmost seriousness.”

Air Canada said it immediately removed the pilot from duty after discovering that they did not have an ATPL. The carrier also reported the matter to Transport Canada.

The pilot is no longer employed by Air Canada.

The former captain’s name has not been made public, and Air Canada said that it could not provide more information due to privacy laws and “an active criminal investigation.”

It was also not immediately clear how much the pilot was fined.

A recent instance of an individual “exercising the privileges of a flight crew permit, license, or rating” without the proper qualifications, reported by Transport Canada this month, incurred a total fine of $67,500. There was no way to establish if this case was the same one referred to by Air Canada.

ABC News reported Monday that the pilot was arrested and charged with fraud. Police in the Peel region of Ontario are expected to hold a news conference Tuesday to share more details.

Zach Vasile