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Amid Expansion, Iberia Considering Even More U.S. Routes

The airline in March announced plans to link its main hub in Madrid with Orlando, Florida, and earlier this week said it will add Philadelphia to its network.

Zach Vasile
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Iberia A350
An Iberia A350-900 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Spanish flag carrier Iberia is reportedly planning additional routes to the U.S. beyond those already announced.

The airline in March announced plans to link its main hub in Madrid with Orlando, Florida, and earlier this week said it will add Philadelphia to its network. Now, Mexican newspaper El Economista is reporting that Iberia is also considering launching service to and from Atlanta, Detroit, Las Vegas, and Seattle.

The newspaper said those cities are being looked at because of their “high tourism and business potential.”

It is not clear when the airline would aim to launch those flights if they are ultimately confirmed.

The route to Orlando will begin Oct. 26, while the start date for Philadelphia has not been announced. The carrier is also expected to set dates for the launch of service to Toronto and Monterrey, Mexico, later this year.

Outside the U.S., Iberia is also reportedly considering routes to and from Cancún and Guadalajara in Mexico; Puerto Principe, Haiti; Calí and Medellín in Colombia; Belem, Natal, and Salvador de Bahía in Brazil; Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia; Asunción, Paraguay; and Córdoba, Argentina.

If realized, the potential routes would come online as Iberia pursues a five-year, $6.9 billion reinvestment strategy known as Flight Plan 2030. The money will be used to grow Iberia’s fleet of long-haul aircraft from 45 to around 70, refurbish all of its long-haul cabin interiors, and hire an average of 1,000 new workers per year.

The airline also plans to develop its maintenance center near Madrid-Barajas, currently known as La Muñoza, into “Ciudad Iberia,” a cutting-edge aerospace technology and innovation complex. The carrier expects to move its corporate headquarters to the site in the coming years.

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.

Airline Withdraws EAS Proposal Over DOT Delays

The carrier expressed that the “prolonged timeline has impacted our ability to effectively allocate resources and plan our operations..."

Ryan Ewing
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Cessna Caravan
A Cessna Caravan (Photo: Cessna)

Sterling Airways has formally withdrawn its proposal for the Essential Air Service (EAS) program in St. Mary’s, Alaska, citing significant delays in the Department of Transportation’s award process.

The withdrawal was announced in a letter dated June 12, addressed to the Essential Air Service Division of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Sterling Airways operates regional flights throughout Alaska with Saab 2000 aircraft.

In its communication, the carrier expressed that the “prolonged timeline has impacted our ability to effectively allocate resources and plan our operations in a responsible and strategic manner.”

The withdrawal comes amid growing concerns about the efficiency of the EAS award process, with DOT Secretary Sean Duffy saying in a recent hearing that the program may have to do “more with less.”

Wayne Heller, president and CEO of Sterling Airways, personally signed the withdrawal letter, stating: “We appreciate the opportunity to participate in the EAS program and remain committed to supporting regional air service in Alaska. We hope to continue working with the Department on future opportunities that align with our operational capabilities and timelines.”

Sterling has been a significant contributor to Alaska’s regional air transportation network, connecting remote communities to larger transportation hubs. Several of the state’s airports are subsidized under the EAS program.

St. Mary’s is also served by Grant Aviation, Ravn Alaska, and Ryan Air.

This withdrawal occurs as several other Alaska EAS contracts are pending renewal or reassignment. As part of its ‘Skinny Budget,’ the White House has proposed deep cuts to the EAS program across the country.

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.

Aeromexico Adds Two New U.S. Routes

he carrier has added more routes to the U.S. in recent months, including flights to Phoenix, Tampa, and Raleigh, North Carolina. 

Ryan Ewing
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Aeromexico Boeing 737 MAX
An Aeromexico Boeing 737 MAX. (Photo: Shutterstock | Bradley Caslin)

Aeromexico is planning to add more service to the United States later this year. The carrier has added more routes to the U.S. in recent months, including flights to Phoenix, Tampa, and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Starting on Dec. 19, the Mexican airline will bolster its North Carolina presence with new service between Cancun and Raleigh/Durham. Flights are scheduled to operate daily until the end of April.

In addition, Aeromexico plans to link its Mexico City hub and San Juan, Puerto Rico. This route is planned to start on Oct. 29, per Cirium Diio schedule data.

The carrier’s Mexico City-to-San Juan flights will operate four times per week.

A Boeing 737 MAX 8 will operate both of the airline’s new routes.

Editor’s Note: Data referenced in this article was provided by aviation analytics company Cirium. 

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.

JetBlue Axes Six Routes, Closes Station

In its latest network shake-up, JetBlue is making sweeping cuts to several routes. The New York-based airline will also close one of its stations.

Ryan Ewing
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

JetBlue A321
A JetBlue A321 (Photo: Shutterstock | Avi Johnson)

In its latest network shake-up, JetBlue is making sweeping cuts to several routes. The New York-based airline will also close one of its stations.

On Friday, the carrier told employees that it would end all service to Miami. JetBlue began serving the South Florida airport in 2021.

The airline’s last flight to Miami from its Boston hub is currently slated for Sept. 2, according to Cirium Diio schedule data. JetBlue told employees in a memo viewed by AirlineGeeks that this route was not meeting financial expectations.

“Without the American Airlines partnership to support those 1-2 daily flights, our South Florida focus will be on Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach – and we have a new partnership with Brightline to make connections within that market,” the carrier said.

More Cuts

JetBlue will also suspend flights on a handful of other routes.

“We are also tweaking flying on a handful of routes that we were flying less than daily service (think 1-3 times a week), that were already seasonal, highly unprofitable, or that we had added to support the operation,” the company stated.

Flights between San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Cancun will end in August. During the summer, this route operated once per week, but increases in the winter.

A JetBlue Airbus A320 on the ground in Boston.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

In addition, the carrier’s brand-new route between New York-JFK and Manchester, New Hampshire, will cease for the season in September, one month ahead of schedule, and is not currently planned to resume next year.

The carrier’s daily transcontinental service from Boston to Seattle will now operate seasonally, ending in October and resuming in April 2026.

Seasonal flights between Boston and Grenada were slated to resume in November. However, they’ve now been removed from the airline’s schedule.

Along the same lines, flights from Buffalo, New York, to West Palm Beach, Florida, were scheduled to resume in October. They’ve also been removed from JetBlue’s schedule.

Despite these cuts, the airline teased new routes in its memo, including more Mint service. An announcement on these changes is planned for later this month, the carrier said.

Editor’s Note: Data referenced in this article was provided by aviation analytics company Cirium. 

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.

United Boosts Ireland-U.S. Service

United is set to expand its transatlantic operations from Ireland, announcing increased capacity and flight frequency to the U.S. starting this year.

Ryan Ewing
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

United 787-8
A United 787-8 Dreamliner (Photo: Noah Escobar)

United is set to expand its transatlantic operations from Dublin, announcing increased capacity and flight frequency to the U.S. starting this year.

The carrier will extend its second daily Dublin-to-Newark service to operate “nearly year-round,” the airline said, while also upgrading its Dublin-Chicago O’Hare route to a full-year operation.

With these adjustments, United will offer more seats and flights from Dublin than any other U.S. airline on a year-round basis, it stated. The move follows the airline’s recent summer 2025 growth, which includes doubling its seasonal service to Washington Dulles from once to twice daily and introducing a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on its seasonal Chicago route.

The Chicago-based airline projects a 50 percent increase in its overall seat offering between Dublin and the U.S. by 2026 compared to 2024 levels.

Expanded Dublin Schedule Details

Between Dublin and its Newark hub, United will operate two daily flights. One flight will use a Boeing 777-200ER, while the other will use a 757-200.

Service to Chicago O’Hare will also run daily throughout the year. Aircraft types on this route will alternate between the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner during peak periods and the Boeing 767-300ER in winter months.

A Boeing 757 for United
A United Boeing 757-200 aircraft (Photo: Shutterstock | Robin Guess)

On the Dublin-Washington Dulles route, United will maintain two daily summer departures using 757-200 aircraft.

The airline has operated from Ireland since 1998 and also serves Shannon with seasonal nonstop flights to Newark and Chicago.

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.

Avelo in Talks to Serve New Texas Airport

This airport will be the third major commercial airport in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area, behind DFW and Dallas Love Field.

Zach Vasile
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Avelo Boeing 737
An Avelo Boeing 737 aircraft. (Photo: Shutterstock | photojohn830)

Low-cost airline Avelo is in talks to offer service at a north Texas airport undergoing expansion to accommodate commercial flights.

It had previously been reported that an unnamed budget airline was considering expanding operations to McKinney National Airport, just north of Dallas, but Avelo was only identified Thursday through a public records request from local station WFAA. 

Avelo already flies out of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, but the carrier is now looking to offer service at smaller and “more convenient” airports, according to the documents obtained by the station.

Avelo is headquartered in Houston and has its largest hub at Tweed-New Haven Airport in Connecticut. It flies to destinations in the continental U.S., Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Mexico.

McKinney Airport renderings
Renderings of McKinney Airport terminal (Photo: City of McKinney)

McKinney is a general aviation airport located in Collin County. In 2023, the city of McKinney proposed issuing $200 million in bond funds to pay for an expansion that would accommodate commercial air traffic, but residents voted it down. Still, the city government has moved forward with the project, gathering funds from other sources, including federal loans and state economic development incentives. A general contractor was named in February.

Third Commercial Airport

McKinney residents, meanwhile, have continued to raise concerns about traffic, noise, and possible environmental harm.

According to WFAA, the director of McKinney airport said talks with potential airline partners were ongoing and suggested a letter of intent had been signed, but would not make it public. The station filed a Public Information Act request to get it, and the Texas attorney general’s office later ruled in WFAA’s favor. The airport responded by releasing a document naming Avelo, though it still has not released the letter of intent, the station reported.

When asked for comment, Avelo said it had “nothing additional to add beyond the publicly disclosed agreements.”

Once the buildout at McKinney is complete, it will be the third major airport with scheduled passenger flights in the DFW Metroplex, behind Dallas/Fort Worth and Dallas Love Field.

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.

Air India Cutting Flights as It Inspects 787s, 777s

Air India is temporarily suspending some routes and reducing service on others as it carries out inspections of Boeing’s 787s and 777s in the wake of a deadly crash.

Zach Vasile
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Air India Boeing 777-300ER (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Air India is temporarily dropping some international flights in the aftermath of a Boeing 787 crash last week that killed at least 270 people.

The airline said Thursday that it is carrying out “enhanced pre-flight safety checks” on its Dreamliners and 777s, which will reduce their availability for service. As a result, some routes are being suspended, while others will operate with reduced frequency.

India’s Economic Times reported that the cuts will scale back Air India’s international widebody service by 15%.

The changes will begin Saturday and remain in place until at least July 15, the carrier said.

Three routes will be completely suspended: Delhi to Nairobi, Kenya, currently flown four times a week; Amritsar, India, to London Gatwick, flown three times weekly; and Goa to London Gatwick, also flown three times weekly.

Many more routes will see a reduction in frequency. This includes service between Air India’s hub in Delhi and major airports like London Heathrow, Paris, Sydney, Seoul, and Tokyo.

Air India 787-8
An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

North America Cuts

For North America, service between Delhi and Toronto will be reduced from 13 times a week to seven times a week; Delhi and Vancouver from seven times weekly to five times weekly; Delhi and San Francisco from 10 times weekly to seven times weekly; Delhi and Chicago from seven times weekly to three times weekly; and Delhi and Washington Dulles from five times weekly to three times weekly.

“Air India apologises to the passengers affected by these curtailments, and is proactively contacting affected passengers to offer re-accommodation on alternative flights, complimentary rescheduling, or full refunds as per their preference,” the airline said.

Air India and India’s national civil aviation authority are investigating the cause of the June 12 crash with the assistance of experts from the U.S. and the U.K. All but one of the 242 people on board the flight, which was bound for London Gatwick, were killed when the 787 lost altitude and hit the campus of a medical college in Ahmedabad. Dozens of people on the ground were also killed.

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.

Livery of the Week: Starlux

Starlux Airlines, a Taiwanese carrier, has rapidly established a reputation for its premium service and cohesive brand aesthetic since its launch in 2020.

Ryan Ewing
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Starlux A350 in Seattle
A Starlux A350 in Seattle (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is proud to present our ‘Livery of the Week’ series. Every Friday, a team member will share an airline livery, which can be from the past, present, or even a special scheme. Some airline liveries are works of art. The complexity associated with painting around critical flight components and the added weight requires outside-the-box thinking from designers. The average airliner can cost upwards of $200,000 to repaint, creating a separate aircraft repainting industry as a result. 

Have an idea for a livery that we should highlight? Drop us a line. 

Starlux Airlines, a Taiwanese carrier, has rapidly established a reputation for its premium service and cohesive brand aesthetic since its launch in 2020. Starlux operates an all-Airbus fleet, currently comprising A321neos, A330neos, and A350-900s, with additional A350-1000s on order.

The Starlux livery features a sophisticated and understated design that emphasizes natural tones and subtle metallic accents. The dominant color on the fuselage is a clean, bright white, providing a crisp canvas for the airline’s branding.

Starlux Airlines’ first Airbus A321neo at Airbus’ facility. The airline has placed an order for the A330neo. (Photo: Starlux Airlines)

A key element of the livery is the tail, which is finished in “Obsidian Grey,” described by the airline as representing the color of evening, circumspection, and safety. This dark grey provides a strong contrast to the white fuselage.

The overall impression of the Starlux livery is one of modern elegance and refinement.

Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.

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.

American, United Halt Middle East Flights

These suspensions add to a growing list of airlines adjusting operations amid airspace restrictions and security advisories in the Middle East.

Ryan Ewing
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

United 777-300ER
A United Boeing 777-300ER. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

American and United are suspending flights to the Middle East, citing ongoing regional instability and safety concerns.

American Halts Doha Route

American has confirmed the temporary suspension of its daily nonstop service between Philadelphia and Doha, Qatar. The final flight before the suspension operated earlier this week.

The airline stated that the route is expected to remain suspended until at least June 22, pending further evaluation of the situation in the region.

“We will continue to monitor the situation with safety and security top of mind and will adjust our operation further as needed,” an airline spokesperson told Bloomberg.

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

The decision comes amid heightened tensions following recent military activity involving Iran and Israel, which has prompted airlines globally to reassess operations in and near the Middle East. American began its Philadelphia–Doha service in 2023, replacing its flights from New York-JFK.

United Suspends Newark–Dubai

United has also temporarily halted its flights between Newark, New Jersey, and Dubai. The airline did not provide a projected resumption date.

A spokesperson said the last scheduled flight – United 163 – operated from Dubai to Newark on Thursday morning.

United launched the Newark–Dubai route in 2023.

These suspensions by American and United add to a growing list of airlines adjusting operations amid airspace restrictions and security advisories in the Middle East. Several European and Middle Eastern carriers, including Lufthansa, Emirates, and Etihad, have modified or suspended select services in recent days.

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.

Hawaiian Returns to Alaska After Two-Decade Hiatus

Now owned by the Alaska Air Group, the carrier is connecting Seattle and Anchorage during the summer months with Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

Ryan Ewing
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330-200
A Hawaiian A330 in Anchorage. (Photo: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport)

Hawaiian Airlines landed in Alaska again for the first time in roughly 20 years earlier this month. Now owned by the Alaska Air Group, the carrier is connecting Seattle and Anchorage during the summer months.

Alaska finalized its acquisition of Hawaiian in September 2024. While the two carriers are not yet under a single operating certificate, Alaska has already begun using Hawaiian’s widebody aircraft in key markets.

These include the airline’s new long-haul routes from Seattle to Tokyo Narita and Seoul, along with Seattle-to-Anchorage. The latter started operating with Hawaiian Airbus A330-200 aircraft on June 12.

The aircraft will operate twice daily in each direction, linking Seattle and Anchorage, replacing Alaska’s Boeing 737s. Alaska offers nearly 20 peak-day flights between the two cities during the summer.

Currently, Hawaiian’s A330s are scheduled to continue serving Seattle-Anchorage through Sept. 11, per Cirium Diio schedule data.

A Former L-1011 Market

In the mid-1980s, Hawaiian added Lockheed L-1011 TriStar aircraft to its fleet, which allowed it to reach more mainland markets from its namesake state. Around the same time, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland, Oregon, were added to its route map.

Service between Honolulu and Anchorage was also added. This route is now regularly served by Alaska with 737 aircraft.

Hawaiian continued to connect Honolulu and Anchorage through 1997, according to Department of Transportation data, with a mix of DC-8, DC-10, and L-1011 aircraft.

In 2004, the airline briefly revived the route with Boeing 767-300 aircraft, though it only continued until 2005.

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.
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