JSX Adding Turboprop Aircraft

According to ATR, the -600 series aircraft will allow JSX to access more than 1,000 additional airports in the U.S. traditionally served by private aircraft.

Ryan Ewing

Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 11:05 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

JSX ATR aircraft rendering (Photo: ATR)

ATR Aircraft announced Tuesday at the Paris Air Show that Dallas-based JSX intends to begin operating ATR 42-600 aircraft by the end of 2025. The move marks ATR’s entry into the U.S. public charter market, with JSX planning to lease two ATR 42-600s to expand its semi-private network across the country.

The aircraft will enable JSX to reach additional private terminals, fixed-base operators (FBOs), and underserved airports throughout the U.S., the carrier said.

JSX’s ATR 42-600s will feature the manufacturer’s HighLine premium cabin configuration. Plans call for the aircraft to be outfitted with 30 business-class-style seats, similar to JSX’s Embraer jets.

A JSX Embraer aircraft (Photo: Shutterstock | Angel DiBilio)

In addition, JSX says it will work to add Starlink Wi-Fi to the ATR fleet.

The announcement also includes a letter of intent (LOI) for a potential future order of up to 25 ATR aircraft, including 15 firm and 10 options. These would consist of either ATR 42-600s or ATR 72-600s, both configured with 30 seats.

More Routes

According to ATR, the -600 series aircraft will allow JSX to access more than 1,000 additional airports in the U.S.

“The ATR-600 series will bring over 1,000 new airports into reach for JSX, expanding access to reliable public charter flights across the great United States. Many of these airports were, until now, reserved only for those who had the means to fly private,” said Alex Wilcox, JSX’s CEO, in a news release. “I am confident that our Customers will love the ATR product, not just for the variety of new routes it allows JSX to operate, but also for its quiet cabin and comfortable seating.”

JSX’s current fleet consists of nearly 50 Embraer E135 and E145 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.

SkyWest Orders 60 E175s, Expands Delta Partnership

In addition to this confirmed order, SkyWest secured slots with Embraer for 44 additional E175 aircraft, with expected delivery dates between 2028 and 2032.

Ryan Ewing

Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 09:29 AM ET

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A SkyWest E175 operating for Delta Connection. (Photo: Shutterstock | Wenjie Zheng)

Regional carrier SkyWest plans to purchase and operate 16 new Embraer E175 aircraft under a multi-year contract with Delta. Deliveries of these aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2027.

The 16 new jets are expected to replace 11 Bombardier CRJ-900 and five CRJ-700 aircraft, the airline said.

In addition to this confirmed order, SkyWest secured slots with Embraer for 44 additional E175 aircraft, with expected delivery dates between 2028 and 2032. These future aircraft deliveries remain contingent on SkyWest finalizing agreements with one or more of its airline partners.

The company also holds purchase rights for 50 more E175 aircraft.

“We’re pleased to strengthen our Delta partnership and to continue to grow our E175 fleet,” said Chip Childs, president and CEO of SkyWest, in a statement. “This aircraft order enables us to advance our long-term fleet strategy, enhance our dual-class footprint, and continue to lead the industry in delivering an exceptional product for Delta and each of our flying partners.”

The deal – valued at $3.6 billion – was announced Monday at the Paris Air Show. Embraer’s commercial chief, Arjan Meijer, described it as a “mega order.”

SkyWest is the largest E-jet operator in the world with 263 aircraft in service and 16 on order. The regional airline operates on behalf of American, Delta, United, and Alaska.

This order comes just weeks after Alaska Air Group said it would defer delivery of two E175s amid tariff concerns.

Ryan Ewing

WestJet Hit by Cyberattack

Canadian airline WestJet said it became aware of a “cybersecurity incident” late last week that affected its website and mobile app.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 06:30 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A WestJet Boeing 737 MAX. (Photo: Shutterstock | Vadim Rodnev)

Canadian airline WestJet said it is dealing with the effects of a “cybersecurity incident” and warned customers about possible service interruptions and errors while using its website and mobile app.

In a series of messages starting last Friday and extending over the weekend, the carrier said it had “activated specialized internal teams” and contacted law enforcement and Transport Canada to “investigate the matter and limit impacts.”

The breach interfered with access to certain services and software systems, WestJet said, but had no effect on its flight operations.

The airline apologized to customers and said it “continues to make progress on safeguarding our digital environment.”

WestJet 787 — A WestJet Boeing 787 Dreamliner (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

“As we continue work to determine the extent and overall impact of the cybersecurity incident, some guests may temporarily encounter intermittent interruptions or errors while using the WestJet app and/or WestJet.com and we are working to resolve these issues,” WestJet said in its latest statement, released on Sunday. “Our operations remain safe and stable and are not impacted by the situation. WestJet is grateful to our guests, our people, and our partners for their support and patience. Regular updates will continue to be provided as more details can be shared.”

The cyberattack appeared to coincide with a meeting of the G7 countries in Kananaskis, Alberta. The summit ended on Tuesday.

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 Resuming Route After Six Years

The airport will now offer service to all of United's mainland U.S. hubs, including Chicago O’Hare, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, and Newark.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 05:06 PM ET

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A United 737-700 in Vail, Colorado. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

United plans to revive a route last served by the airline in March 2019.

Beginning on Dec. 20, the carrier will reconnect its Washington Dulles hub and Vail/Eagle County in Colorado with non-stop service. This route will be seasonal, the county announced on Tuesday.

Flights will operate once weekly on Saturdays through April 4, 2026 with a Boeing 737-700.

With this new route, Vail will offer service to all of United’s mainland U.S. hubs, including Chicago O’Hare, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, and Newark, New Jersey. Airport officials said Vail was now part of the airline’s so-called “7-Hub Club.”

“We are thrilled to welcome United Airlines’ new service to Washington Dulles,” said David Reid, director of aviation at Eagle County Regional Airport, in a news release. “This route is a testament to the strong demand for direct access to our incredible mountain communities and significantly strengthens our connectivity to the East Coast. Joining United’s ‘7-Hub Club’ is a major milestone for EGE.”

In addition to Vail, United will also resume flights between Washington Dulles and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, this winter, per Cirium Diio schedule data. This Saturday-only route will also launch on Dec. 20, operated by a Boeing 737-700.

Ryan Ewing

VietJet Places Order With Airbus for Up to 150 A321neos

Low-cost airline VietJet Air has signed an agreement with Airbus for 100 A321neos, with options for up to 50 more, which will grow its network.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 03:43 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A VietJet A321neo (Photo: Airbus)

Low-cost carrier VietJet Air has signed an agreement with Airbus for 100 A321neos, with options for up to 50 more.

The two companies made the announcement Tuesday at the Paris Air Show. The deal is one of the largest orders of the event so far.

“Today’s agreement with Airbus is more than a commercial contract,” said VietJet Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao. “It is a significant milestone that marks the beginning of VietJet’s new journey: a journey of global expansion, new growth drivers, enhanced connectivity, and the development of a sustainable aviation ecosystem powered by ambition and transformation.”

Just last month, the airline upped its order of A330neo widebody aircraft by 20, bringing its total order of A330s to 40. VietJet officials said those airplanes will help strengthen the carrier’s presence in the Asia/Pacific market while supporting future long-haul flights to and from Europe.

VietJet currently operates a fleet of over 120 aircraft, mostly made by Airbus, and has placed orders for over 400 more with both Airbus and Boeing. It serves destinations in East and Southeast Asia, as well as India and Australia.

Zach Vasile

How the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Could Impact D.C. Airports

A Senate version of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act would force the renegotiation of leases for Washington, D.C. airports.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 02:57 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Aircraft at Reagan National Airport (Photo: Shutterstock | Kit Leong)

New language inserted into President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act would force the renegotiation of leases for Washington, D.C. airports, which could raise costs for airlines and, in turn, passengers.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation produced a version of the budget reconciliation plan that would order the federal government to renegotiate leases with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.

MWAA has leased Reagan National and Dulles from the federal government since 1987. The two sides recently signed a new lease agreement that would run through the year 2100, but the proposed legislation would effectively scrap that deal and force renegotiations at 10-year intervals.

Notably, the Big Beautiful Bill raises rates on the MWAA much more sharply than the existing agreement would have. The authority currently pays $7.5 million to lease both airports, and that figure would double starting in 2027 if the Senate version is ultimately passed and signed into law. From then on, the cost for the leases could never be less than $15 million in 2025 dollars.

“That would drive up costs to the airports,” Virginia Sen. Mark Warner told WTOP in Washington this week.

Warner said rates are being raised to make up for deficits created by other sections of the Big Beautiful Bill.

“That number in cost savings would mean that the airports authority would have to eat those costs that would simply be then passed on to the airlines, that would then be passed on to the passengers,” he said.

In a statement, MWAA told WTOP that it doesn’t make a profit from running the airports and uses extra revenue to contain costs and support maintenance and infrastructure projects.

The version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last month includes billions in spending for defense and border security, including earmarks for uncrewed aircraft systems and kamikaze-style drones. The act also imposes work requirements on Medicaid recipients, increases the child tax credit, and limits the ability of states to impose restrictions on the development of artificial intelligence.

Senate Republicans have said they hope to pass their version of the bill by July 4.

Zach Vasile

JetBlue Scales Back Network and Fleet to Curb Costs

The airline's CEO says it will park some older Airbus A320 aircraft and suspend more routes as travel demand continues to lag.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 10:35 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

JetBlue A320 aircraft parked in Marana, Arizona, in 2020. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

JetBlue is pushing for more internal cost-cutting measures amid an ongoing slowdown in demand.

In a Monday memo to employees viewed by AirlineGeeks, CEO Joanna Geraghty said the New York-based airline is unlikely to become profitable this year, despite previous plans to break even. JetBlue last posted an annual profit in 2019.

“Over the past few months, we’ve discussed how economic uncertainty has shaken consumer confidence and softened travel demand – hurting our plans for the year,” she said. “While most airlines are feeling the impact, it’s especially frustrating for us, as we had hoped to reach break-even operating margin this year, which now seems unlikely.”

JetBlue reported a net loss of $208 million in the first quarter. Over the last year, the carrier has offered some pilots early buyouts, with 67 leaving the airline before their mandated retirement age.

Geraghty continued, “even a recovery won’t fully offset the ground we’ve lost this year and our path back to profitability will take longer than we’d hoped.” She said the airline continues to rely on borrowed cash.

Network Cuts

More “near-term” steps are needed to “rein in spending and preserve cash,” she said.

In recent weeks, the airline has already axed some routes, including planned service to Halifax, Nova Scotia, this summer. JetBlue has also reduced capacity on non-peak days, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays, she said.

A JetBlue Embraer E190 in Boston (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Additional network changes – including service suspensions – are on the way, Geraghty shared in her memo, with an announcement expected in the coming weeks. “We continue to look for opportunities to wind down underperforming routes and shift flying to places with profit potential,” she said.

JetBlue’s planned third-quarter capacity is up 2% year-over-year, according to Cirium Diio schedule data.

Parking Aircraft

The airline also plans to park four of its older Airbus A320s later this summer, Geraghty stated. These aircraft are in JetBlue’s older configuration.

Initially, the airline had planned to retrofit 10 of these A320s with refreshed interiors. Now, only six will receive these retrofits in early 2026.

In her memo, Geraghty detailed more cost cuts, including the restructuring of certain higher-level positions, reductions in optional trainings, and a more stringent travel policy.

“We recognize these cost-reducing measures have real impacts on crewmembers across JetBlue,” she added.

She remains hopeful that demand will rebound, while also expressing optimism over JetBlue’s new agreement with United, adding that it will “unlock new benefits for our customers.”

Ryan Ewing

Pan Am-Branded Flight Taking Off This Week

A Pan Am-branded charter flight will bring 50 passengers first to Bermuda and then to Europe as part of a 12-day transatlantic luxury tour.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 06:30 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Pan Am-branded 757 (Photo: Andrew Pearce/@ap_planespotting on Instagram)

Pan Am’s famous logo is returning to the skies this week as part of a transatlantic luxury tour.

The journey, known as “Tracing the Transatlantic,” will take travelers in a circuit from New York to Europe and back on board a privately chartered, all-business-class Boeing 757-200 bearing Pan Am’s blue and white insignia. The tour departs from New York-JFK on Tuesday and makes stops in Bermuda; Lisbon, Portugal; Marseille, France; London; and Foynes, Ireland, before returning to New York.

The trip is limited to just 50 participants.

“Tracing the Transatlantic” is a collaboration between tour operator Criterion Travel and private jet touring business Bartelings in an official licensed partnership with Pan Am.

On Monday, the Pan Am Museum Foundation wrote on social media that the 757 was close to landing at JFK after a flight from Florida. It is registered as TF-FIC and will be operated by Icelandair.

Pan Am 757-200 — Icelandair 757 in Pan Am colors (Photo: Andrew Pearce/@ap_planespotting on Instagram)

“As we are becoming more accustomed to travel being a commodity, usually a way to get from point A to point B at the most economical price, we offer a reminder of the Golden Age of travel,” Criterion wrote in its description of the travel package. “A time when the travel itself was a glamorous experience, and when the journey was as important and special as the destination.”

According to Criterion’s website, double occupancy tickets were priced at $59,950, while solo travelers were charged $65,500. The tickets cover flights, accommodations, meals, beverages, and an exclusive branded bag.

While Pan American World Airways ceased operations over 30 years ago, Pan Am Global Holdings continues to manage the defunct airline’s intellectual property and licenses the Pan Am name and logo.

Earlier this month, the company announced it is partnering with aviation merchant bank and consulting firm AVi8 Air Capital to explore Pan Am’s potential comeback as a scheduled commercial airline. AVi8 said it will assist Pan Am Global Holdings in analyzing various aspects of the airline industry, including market dynamics, fleet strategy, and operational infrastructure.

More information is expected to be released in the coming months.

Zach Vasile

Delta, United Halt Flights to Israel

The renewed suspensions follow the June 2025 escalation in regional conflict, including missile and drone attacks between Israel and Iran.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, June 16, 2025 at 02:49 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Delta Airbus A330 in Tel Aviv. (Photo: Shutterstock | Felix Tchvertkin)

Delta and United have suspended their flights to Israel, citing ongoing security concerns in the region.

Delta confirmed that its service between New York-JFK and Tel Aviv has been paused until at least Aug. 31. The airline noted security concerns in the region and said it continues to monitor the situation.

Customers impacted by the suspension have been offered options including refunds and rebooking on alternate dates or routes, the carrier stated.

The Atlanta-based airline resumed flights to Tel Aviv on May 20. Earlier this month, the carrier shared plans to add a second daily JFK-to-Tel Aviv flight during the winter season.

United Pauses Flights

United also announced the suspension of its Newark to Tel Aviv flights. The carrier said it would not operate its scheduled service until conditions allow for safe travel. It noted that affected customers can receive a travel credit or a full refund, depending on their preferences.

United 787-10 — A United 787 Dreamliner descends into Amsterdam.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr)

The airline resumed flights to Tel Aviv just over a week ago, on June 5. United paused service to the city multiple times over the last two years, but most recently in May.

American has not resumed service to Tel Aviv since the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023.

The renewed suspensions follow the June escalation in regional conflict, including missile and drone attacks between Israel and Iran.

Ryan Ewing

ANA Orders 27 A321neos and A321XLRs

ANA Holdings, the parent company of All Nippon Airways, has placed an order for 24 Airbus A321neo and three A321XLR aircraft.

Zach Vasile

Monday, June 16, 2025 at 01:27 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An All Nippon Airways Airbus A321neo. (Photo: Shutterstock | viper-zero)

The parent company of Japan’s All Nippon Airways has finalized an order for 27 Airbus A321neos and A321XLRs.

In an announcement at the Paris Air Show, ANA Holdings said it will take delivery of 24 A321neos and three A321XLRs. Fourteen of the A321neos will go to All Nippon, while the other 10 A321neos and the three A321XLRs will be used by low-cost subsidiary Peach Aviation.

Peach will be the first Japanese airline to operate the A321XLR, ANA Holdings said.

“We are delighted to have signed the firm order for the introduction of additional A321neo and first A321XLR into our group airlines,” said Koji Shibata, who serves as ANA Holdings’ representative director, president, and CEO, in a news release. “We believe that this additional introduction of Airbus aircraft will further deepen our relationship. We will accelerate the introduction of state-of-the-art and fuel-efficient aircraft to provide our passengers with excellent service and to reduce CO2 emissions.”

All Nippon currently operates 33 A320-family aircraft, while Peach operates 36. All Nippon uses a mix of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, while Peach’s fleet is all Airbus.

“From its first order in 1987 to an order book now approaching 100 aircraft, ANA has been a long-standing customer for the A320 family,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus’ executive vice president of sales for commercial aircraft. “The exciting addition of the A321XLR for Peach Aviation further underscores ANA’s innovative spirit and trust in the A320 family’s unrivaled capabilities.”

Zach Vasile