Breeze Adds Two New Cities, More Routes

Breeze Airways is continuing its network expansion with two new cities and several additional routes launching this winter.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 11:20 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Breeze A220. (Photo: Shutterstock | Wenjie Zheng)

Breeze is continuing its network expansion with two new cities and several additional routes launching this winter. The announcement builds on a recent wave of growth for the carrier, which now serves 78 cities across 35 states.

This December, Breeze will add Lincoln, Nebraska, and Tri-Cities, Tennessee, to its network. Service between Lincoln and Orlando, Florida, will begin Dec. 10, with flights operating on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Tri-Cities will see a new twice-weekly service to both Orlando, beginning Dec. 12, and Washington Dulles, beginning Dec. 15, with both routes scheduled for Fridays and Mondays.

“Breeze continues to outpace other domestic carriers in growth by nearly 50 times the 1% national average,” said David Neeleman, Breeze Airways’ founder and CEO, in a news release. “For more than four years, Breeze has been diligently constructing a diversified network that connects underserved markets across the U.S. while providing millions of travelers with an affordable yet premium travel experience. This unique mixture of flying to nice places on nice planes with nice people has engendered serious brand loyalty and fueled our continued growth and expansion.”

Breeze A220 — A Breeze Airways Airbus A220 (Photo: Shutterstock | Markus Mainka)

In New York, the airline will add a new seasonal route between Albany and Fort Myers, Florida, beginning Dec. 17 with flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Service between Rochester and Fort Myers is set to launch on Jan. 8 and will run seasonally on Thursdays and Sundays.

From Manchester, New Hampshire, Breeze will begin service to Myrtle Beach starting Feb. 6, operating on Fridays and Mondays. The airline will also connect Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with Raleigh-Durham beginning Dec. 11, flying on Thursdays and Sundays.

All new routes will be operated by Breeze’s Airbus A220 aircraft.

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.

Allegiant Adds Seven Routes, New Airport

Allegiant announced Monday the addition of seven new nonstop routes beginning this November, expanding its presence in Florida.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 09:38 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Allegiant Airbus aircraft (Photo: Shutterstock | HMBSoFL Photography)

Allegiant announced Monday the addition of seven new nonstop routes beginning this November, expanding its presence in Florida and marking the introduction of service to a new destination.

Beginning later this year, Fort Myers, Florida, will become the airline’s newest destination.

The new seasonal service will connect Fort Myers to three cities. Flights between Fort Myers and Allentown, Pennsylvania, will begin on Nov. 13. Service to both Appleton, Wisconsin, and Des Moines, Iowa, is scheduled to begin on Nov. 21.

In addition to its Fort Myers debut, the airline will add service between Sarasota-Bradenton in Florida and Toledo, Ohio, starting Nov. 20. On the same day, the airline will begin flying twice weekly between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.

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

“This expansion reflects our commitment to connecting underserved communities with affordable, convenient travel options,” said Drew Wells, Allegiant’s chief commercial officer, in a news release. “By adding Fort Myers and increasing service to multiple beach cities, we’re providing travelers nonstop access to sunny destinations, meaning they spend less time at the airport and more time on vacation.”

More Expansion

Elsewhere in the network, Allegiant will link New Orleans and Punta Gorda, Florida, with new nonstop flights launching Nov. 21. Rounding out the expansion, service between Nashville, Tennessee, and Gulf Shores, Alabama, will begin on the same day.

Ryan Ewing

United-JetBlue Partnership Gets DOT Nod

United and JetBlue announced Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Transportation has completed its review of their Blue Sky partnership.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 09:23 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

United and JetBlue aircraft. (Photo: Shutterstock | Markus Mainka)

United and JetBlue announced Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Transportation has completed its review of their Blue Sky partnership and granted them permission to move forward.

“JetBlue and United appreciate Secretary [Sean] Duffy, Assistant Secretary [Daniel] Edwards, and the entire team at the DOT for their review of Blue Sky,” the carriers said in a statement. “JetBlue and United will share more details in the coming weeks as implementation of the Blue Sky collaboration begins.”

It was not immediately clear if any further review by the DOT or another federal agency would eventually take place.

The United-JetBlue partnership, announced in May, allows members of the airlines’ loyalty programs to earn and redeem points or miles across both networks. Each airline will offer flights on one another’s website and mobile app.

A United A321neo. (Photo: Shutterstock | Robin Guess)

As part of the agreement, United would resume operations at New York-JFK, while JetBlue would expand its presence at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

United last served JFK in October 2022.

Low-cost carrier Spirit came out against the Blue Sky alliance in June, arguing in a regulatory complaint that it will create “anti-competitive incentives” and turn JetBlue into “a de facto vassal of United.” Some lawmakers in Congress have also questioned the deal and want guarantees that the partnership will not reduce choices for travelers in the New York City metro area.

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’s First A321XLR Grounded By Supply Chain Issue

American Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR, but the aircraft will remain in Europe for the time being due to a shortage of seats.

Zach Vasile

Monday, July 28, 2025 at 04:05 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

American's first A321XLR taxiing in Hamburg. (Photo: Tobias Gudat)

American Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR, but the aircraft will remain in Europe for the time being due to a shortage of seats.

Bloomberg reported Friday that the seat problem is linked to broader supply chain issues. The business news outlet said the airplane will be moved from Airbus’ facility in Hamburg, Germany, to a site in the Czech Republic, where the seat installation work will eventually take place.

American has ordered a total of 50 A321XLRs, which it plans to use on long-haul transatlantic routes. The first of those aircraft are supposed to enter service by the end of this year.

American’s A321XLR cabin is expected to have 20 business-class seats, 12 premium economy seats, and 123 economy seats.

Supply chain problems have held up deliveries from both Airbus and Boeing in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The eventual transport of Americans’ first A321XLR could also be complicated by U.S. tariffs on European products, currently set at 15%. Some airlines have delayed deliveries to avoid paying the extra tax, or have found ways to get around it.

Zach Vasile

Spirit to Furlough Over 250 Pilots

“We are taking necessary steps to ensure we operate as efficiently as possible as part of our efforts to return to profitability,” the carrier said.

Zach Vasile

Monday, July 28, 2025 at 12:08 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Spirit Airbus A321neo aircraft. (Photo: Shutterstock | Kevin Hackert)

Low-cost carrier Spirit plans to furlough hundreds of pilots later this year.

“We are taking necessary steps to ensure we operate as efficiently as possible as part of our efforts to return to profitability,” the carrier said in a statement to AirlineGeeks.

“Among these steps, we have made the difficult decision to furlough approximately 270 pilots, effective Nov. 1, 2025, to better align staffing with our flight schedule. We recognize the weight of this decision and are committed to treating all affected team members with compassion and respect during this process.”

Spirit did not say how long the furloughs are expected to last. It is not clear if the move was brought about by a recent change in the airline’s financial outlook, as it has not yet released its second-quarter earnings.

Spirit emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March after four months of restructuring meant to alleviate its debt load. The carrier has struggled in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly due to increased operating expenses. In 2024, it reported a net loss of over $1 billion.

The carrier previously furloughed over 500 pilots. It has also been working to sell over 20 A320-series aircraft.

The airline has recently sought to roll back its no-frills reputation with new extra legroom seats, expanded benefits from its customer loyalty program, and a Spirit-branded debit card. Officials have said they want to make Spirit the “premium” option among its low-cost U.S. competitors.

Zach Vasile

American Relaunching Route After Five Years

American will offer 10% more seats from Phoenix in December 2025 compared to the same period last year, per Cirium’s data.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, July 28, 2025 at 10:59 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

American aircraft in Phoenix. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

American is slated to resume a mainline route from its Phoenix hub later this year. The Fort Worth, Texas-based airline last regularly linked these two cities in January 2020.

Beginning on Dec. 18, the carrier will add flights from Phoenix to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This service will operate once per day on an Airbus A321, according to last week’s Cirium Diio schedule update.

The airline will go head-to-head with Southwest and JetBlue, which also regularly service the route.

American will offer 10% more seats from Phoenix in December 2025 compared to the same period last year, per Cirium’s data.

Ryan Ewing

Pilot Arrested After Police, Federal Agents ‘Storm’ Delta Cockpit

A Delta pilot was arrested Saturday night shortly after his flight from Minneapolis landed at San Francisco International Airport.

Zach Vasile

Monday, July 28, 2025 at 10:37 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Delta 757-300 aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

A Delta pilot was arrested Saturday night shortly after his flight from Minneapolis landed at San Francisco International Airport.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that law enforcement officers with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security agents confronted and detained the pilot and seized his belongings. The newspaper cited the account of an unnamed first-class passenger, who said she saw at least 10 officers with badges, guns, and various agency vests and insignia “storm” the cockpit and hustle the pilot onto the jet bridge.

It was not clear from the Chronicle’s account if the officers were passengers on the aircraft and waited for it to land before springing into action, or if they boarded the flight through the airport terminal once it arrived.

The pilot’s name has not been released, and it is not clear if he has been charged with a crime.

“This is an ongoing local investigation with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office,” a spokesperson told the newspaper.

The crew reportedly did not tell passengers what occurred, and the remaining pilot said he had “no idea what just happened.”

Delta referred press inquiries to law enforcement.

A video shared by travel website View from the Wing showed plainclothes agents with badges walking down the center aisle of the airplane after the pilot was removed.

Zach Vasile

American 737 MAX Evacuated in Denver

Passengers were forced to evacuate an American Airlines flight at Denver International Airport on Saturday as fire and smoke billowed up.

Zach Vasile

Monday, July 28, 2025 at 09:30 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An American Airlines 737 MAX taxis at LaGuardia. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Passengers were forced to evacuate an American Airlines flight at Denver International Airport on Saturday as fire and smoke billowed up from under their aircraft after an aborted takeoff.

American Airlines Flight 3023 was set to depart Denver for Miami on Saturday afternoon, but the aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, encountered a “mechanical issue” as it accelerated, the airline said in a statement. The pilots canceled the takeoff and brought the airplane to a stop, and crew and passengers exited using an emergency chute.

A video recorded at the scene and shared by NBC News showed passengers sliding down the chute to the runway, some with small children and luggage in hand. One person could be seen stumbling and falling to the ground as they tried to climb off the chute.

The video shows what appears to be a piece of the MAX’s landing gear on fire.

WATCH: People evacuate American Airlines plane at Denver International Airport (DEN) after left main wheels caught fire. Everyone accounted for. pic.twitter.com/CeGL24PRvf

— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) July 26, 2025

The New York Times reported Sunday that the aircraft’s brake system was the source of the flames and smoke.

American said all 173 passengers and six crew members evacuated the airplane safely. One of the passengers was taken to a hospital for a minor injury. Five others were checked for injuries at the scene but did not require hospitalization.

The Denver Fire Department extinguished the fire under the aircraft. American said the airplane has been taken out of service and will be inspected by its maintenance team.

The FAA released a short statement on the incident and said it is investigating.

Zach Vasile

Fastjet Zimbabwe Expands Reach With Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Route

Fastjet currently operates flights from its Harare hub to both Bulawayo and Victoria Falls but has not previously flown between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls.

Lorne Philipot

Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 07:30 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Fastjet aircraft. (Photo: Fastjet)

Fastjet Zimbabwe will introduce flights between the country’s second-largest city, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls.

Zimbabwe’s independent carrier will launch scheduled flights between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls on Aug. 8.

The airline will operate four rotations a week with an Embraer ERJ-135 aircraft. The narrowbody jet is well suited to the route, providing a comfortable flight for up to 37 passengers.

The service is set to benefit both business travelers and tourists since it connects the country’s second-largest urban center with the iconic Victoria Falls.

“The new Bulawayo to Victoria Falls flight strengthens our presence in Bulawayo and underscores our commitment to the development of tourism,” Fastjet Zimbabwe spokesperson Nunurai Ndawana said.

Expanded Flight Schedule

Fastjet currently operates flights from its Harare hub to both Bulawayo and Victoria Falls but has not previously flown between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls.

The airline is building a significant presence both inside and outside of Zimbabwe. Fastjet flies from the country’s largest urban hubs – Harare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls – as well as from each of these destinations to Johannesburg, South Africa. It also connects Victoria Falls with the iconic Kruger Park in South Africa.

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.

American Pursuing Codeshare Deal With Porter

American Airlines and Canada’s Porter Airlines are seeking permission from the U.S. Department of Transportation to finalize a new codeshare agreement.

Zach Vasile

Friday, July 25, 2025 at 03:48 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Porter Airlines Embraer jet. (Photo: Shutterstock | Robin Guess)

American Airlines and Canada’s Porter Airlines are seeking permission from the U.S. Department of Transportation to finalize a new codeshare agreement.

In an application filed on Friday, American asked the department to grant all approvals necessary to close the deal and requested Porter be added to the list of foreign carriers it is authorized to codeshare with.

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

“The flights will be between the United States and Canada, via intermediate points, between gateways in each country and points within, and points beyond, thus extending the range of American’s and PACL’s services to the mutual benefit of the traveling and shipping public and the Joint Applicants,” the airline wrote.

American said the codeshare deal complies with the terms of the U.S. and Canada’s 2007 Open Skies agreement.

Porter is headquartered in Toronto and serves destinations across the U.S. and Canada, as well as Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Zach Vasile