Breeze said the connection is seasonal, but did not provide an end date.
Breeze currently connects Charleston, South Carolina, and West Palm Beach; officials said the new route will help Upstate South Carolina residents reach the Florida coast.
The airline currently serves four destinations in Florida from Greenville-Spartanburg – Tampa, Orlando, Fort Myers, and Fort Lauderdale.
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.
Delta Adds New Routes, Flights
The carrier is growing its network on the West Coast.
Starting Dec. 19, the carrier will offer twice-daily service between Los Angeles and Monterey, California. Flights will be operated by Delta Connection using Embraer E175 aircraft.
The carrier last served Monterey in 2008, according to Cirium Diio schedule data.
A mainline connection linking Los Angeles and Philadelphia will come online June 7, 2027, for the summer travel season. Flights will operate daily using Airbus A321neos.
Also on Dec. 19 of this year, Delta will start daily service between Salt Lake City and Monterey.
“We’re continuing to invest in more ways for customers to experience everything California has to offer,” Amy Martin, vice president of network planning at Delta, said in a news release. “With new service to Monterey from both Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, alongside our continued growth at LAX, we’re creating more opportunities for customers to connect to the places they want to go while building on our long-term commitment to Los Angeles and the West.”
The carrier will also add frequencies on several existing routes from Los Angeles. Service from Los Angeles to Boston will increase to five times daily; Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, to twice daily; San Diego to five times daily; Seattle to eight times daily; Houston to three times daily; Cincinnati, Ohio, to twice daily; and San Antonio to three times daily.
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 CEO: Higher Fuel Prices May Mean Capacity Cuts
Demand remains strong, Robert Isom said, but adjustments could be required if fuel costs do not moderate.
American Airlines may look at cutting flights if jet fuel prices remain as high as they are right now, the carrier’s CEO said this week.
Speaking at the Morgan Stanley Laguna Conference in California on Wednesday, Robert Isom said American is doing a good job of “recapturing” much of the extra expense tied to fuel but may have to reevaluate its capacity planning in the coming months.
“If fuel prices remain as high as they are right now, I think that that’s going to require some adjustments in terms of our capacity planning as we take a look into the future,” he said.
But Isom was quick to stress that demand remains strong, unit revenue is up, and premium is continuing its outstanding run, placing American on solid financial ground.
Jet fuel prices doubled earlier this year during the war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The global price of crude oil, from which jet fuel is refined, has climbed even higher in recent weeks as Iran clamps down on traffic in the strait and fighting intensifies in Yemen. Militants in Iraq recently bombed the East-West Crude Oil Pipeline in Saudi Arabia, a critical bypass for the strait, forcing Saudi Aramco to temporarily shut it down.
‘Race to the Top’
Isom also spoke at length about ongoing and planned efforts to improve the customer experience. He referenced investments in Flagship suites, the expansion of Starlink wireless internet, the return of seatback entertainment screens, and new airport lounges.
In the coming years, American will debut new lounges at a rate not seen in decades, Isom said. He did not give any hints about where those lounges will be.
The CEO also touched on American embrace of premium products, noting that 30% of the airline’s seats are now generating 50% of its revenue. The share of premium seats will only grow as the airline takes delivery of new airplanes, such as the Airbus A321XLR, and works out new configurations, he said.
When asked how American will fare in a “race to the top” environment where almost all carriers, even budget airlines, are adding and expanding premium offerings, Isom said the company’s advantages, including the scale of its North American network and the size of its fleet, give him confidence.
“I kind of like the set-up for the industry,” he said. “I think we have a head start and we’ve got the most growth, we have the most opportunity ahead of us.”
American trails behind competitors United and Delta in profitability, and that gap has become a source of friction between the airline’s leadership and certain work groups. Isom and other executives maintain that critical investments – some years in the making – are starting to bear fruit, though they acknowledge that fuel costs have slowed progress.
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 Places Its First Order for 737 MAX 10
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the early 2030s.
The airline group said Thursday that it has exercised options for 20 MAX 10 jets. The options were included in a 2023 order for 40 MAX 8s.
The 20 aircraft have a combined list value of approximately $3.4 billion, Lufthansa officials said. The company’s order book for the 737 MAX family now totals 60 aircraft.
Deliveries of the MAX 10s are expected to begin in the early 2030s.
Lufthansa Group said the new jets will gradually replace older Airbus A320-family aircraft across its subsidiary airlines.
The long-delayed MAX 10 recently completed its final test flight and is believed to be very close to FAA certification. Boeing initially planned to have the variant certified by 2020, but the global grounding of all MAX variants in 2019, heightened regulatory scrutiny, and persistent problems with the model’s anti-ice system caused repeated delays. Progress toward certification has picked up over the last two years.
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.
A Frontier Airbus A320neo (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Frontier is launching a new nonstop route from Detroit.
Starting Nov. 20, the ultra-low-cost airline will connect Detroit and New York-LaGuardia. Flights will operate daily during the holiday season, then switch to three times weekly.
Frontier operates at all three major New York-area airports, but does not currently connect New York and Detroit.
Like several other routes added by Frontier in recent weeks, Detroit-LaGuardia was formerly operated by the now-defunct Spirit Airlines. Frontier has made a point of reactivation former Spirit routes to capture market share.
“Frontier’s continuing growth at DTW means more affordable flight options to more destinations, which is a win for cost-conscious consumers looking for their new value airline of choice,” Josh Flyr, vice president of network and operations design at Frontier, said in a news release.
Frontier will also increase frequencies on existing routes from Detroit to Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa. The airline did not say exactly how many new flights will be added, or when they will commence.
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.
Cape Air Selects Cessna Grand Caravan EX for Montana Operations
The turboprop aircraft will be introduced in 2027, the carrier said.
Cessna Grand Caravan EX. (Photo: Textron Aviation)
Massachusetts-based Cape Air has ordered eight Cessna turboprop aircraft to support its regional operations in Montana.
The carrier said it selected the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX to replace the Tecnam P2012 Traveller, which currently serves Cape Air’s Montana network. The first of the new Grand Caravans will enter service in Montana in 2027, the airline said, and the fleet transition should be complete by the end of that year.
The airplanes will be equipped with a belly cargo pod, providing significantly increased baggage and storage capacity.
“The communities we serve in Eastern Montana are unique, and we’re proud to continue investing in air service that meets their needs,” Mike Migliore, Cape Air’s president and CEO, said in a news release. “The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is a proven, dependable aircraft that will provide additional flexibility for passengers traveling with baggage, sporting equipment, work gear, and other essential items. It is a great fit for our Montana operation and reinforces our long-term commitment to the communities we serve.”
A rendering of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX with Cape Air livery. (Credit: Cape Air)
The new aircraft will fly Cape Air’s routes connecting Billings with Havre, Glasgow, Glendive, Sidney, and Wolf Point.
The P2012 Travellers will remain in service as the Grand Caravan is phased in, officials said.
Cape Air is headquartered in Hyannis, Massachusetts, and operates short-haul flights in the Northeast, eastern Montana, and the eastern Caribbean.
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, Condor Sign Interline Deal
The partners will use four U.S. airports as gateways.
A Condor A330neo in Seattle. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)
American Airlines and German airline Condor are now interline partners.
The carriers announced Wednesday that customers will be able to book connecting American-Condor flights with a single ticket, and with through-checked baggage.
The agreement will make it easier for European travelers to access American’s North American network, officials said, while helping U.S. passengers reach popular destinations such as Paris, Rome, Vienna, Barcelona, and Zurich via Condor’s hub in Frankfurt.
The partners will initially use New York-JFK, Boston, and Los Angeles as gateways. Chicago O’Hare will join that list when Condor’s nonstop service from Frankfurt begins in May 2027.
“Combining our extensive North American network with Condor’s presence in Germany and Europe creates a winning proposition for our mutual customers,” Jeff Ogar, American’s managing director of alliances, said in a news release.
American and Condor said new joint itineraries will be available for booking on their websites and through travel agencies “soon.”
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.
Airports Enlist AI Holograms as Guides
“Amelia,” a wayfinding avatar, is helping travelers navigate Boston Logan.
"Amelia" on a Proto display at Boston Logan. (Photo: Proto)
Travelers navigating unfamiliar airports are getting a futuristic new resource – artificial intelligence-powered holograms that can point them to a gate, advise them on parking, and even call up TSA wait times.
Hologram displays developed by Los Angeles company Proto Hologram have been installed at numerous U.S. airports in recent years, and just recently landed at Boston Logan. From nine separate display boxes positioned across Logan, a lifesize AI character named Amelia interacts with travelers and answers their questions. She can respond to and answer questions in several languages, and her current repertoire of airport knowledge includes 400 points of interest, set to increase to 1,000 by the end of the year.
“It’s like an all-knowing person is giving you this information, even after work hours when there aren’t humans immediately available to talk to,” Proto founder and chairman David Nussbaum told AirlineGeeks. “If you have ever been lost in a strange city, salvation is finding someone to help you.”
The version of Proto installed at Logan is the closest representation of the technology’s actual abilities, Nussbaum said. While other airports have used the holograms mainly for marketing, advertisements, and entertainment, Amelia is a “wayfinding avatar” designed to answer questions and act as a guide. The nine displays at Logan recognize their own location within the airport, and will give directions tailored to the traveler directly in front of them.
A Proto display at LaGuardia. (Photo: Proto)
To reduce the likelihood of a wrong turn, users can scan a QR code on the display screen and get a map with directions to their destination sent to their phone. And if a conversation reaches a point where the technology cannot produce an answer, it will contact a human agent, and have the agent call the passenger on their phone.
Feedback from travelers has been positive. Nussbaum said he was concerned that usage would start strong when the displays were first introduced and then decline, but so far passenger engagement has remained robust, with members of the public interacting with Proto holograms “every hour of every day” since launch.
Amelia was developed specifically for the Massachusetts Port Authority, which operates Logan. Nussbaum said other airports opting for a wayfinding avatar would likely want their own AI ambassador, which Proto would help them plan and design.
‘Right In Our Wheelhouse’
Proto’s technology has found a wide range of applications. Its displays now beam AI characters and real people, including musicians and comedians, into shopping malls, stadiums, and event venues. Celebrities and corporate executives use Proto holograms to appear before audiences they cannot reach in person. The company is also expanding into healthcare and education settings.
A Proto display at Boston Logan. (Photo: Matt Leighton)
But Nussbaum said airports and other travel industry customers have been and will remain a critical part of Proto’s business.
“I don’t think there’s going to be a bigger area than travel and hospitality,” he said. “That’s right in our wheelhouse.”
Besides Boston Logan, Proto displays have been installed at New York-JFK, LaGuardia, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Dayton, Ohio, Jacksonville, Florida, Louisville, Kentucky, and Nashville, Tennessee, as well as the Delta Flight Museum in Georgia. The company expects to announce partnerships with more airports “very soon.”
Nussbaum said the company’s biggest business opportunity at present is the software that powers the holograms. Proto recently decoupled the software from the hardware of the display box, meaning clients can now get Proto holograms on their existing screens, though they would lack the depth and visual texture of the 3-D versions. Nussbaum said this separation could one day allow AI helpers to appear across many screens within an airport.
A musician performs via hologram at Pittsburgh International Airport. (Photo: Proto)
Other avenues for growth include the development of AI brand ambassadors and applications that help travelers hundreds or thousands of miles apart communicate with each other face-to-face.
“I think talking to each other is a lost art,” Nussbaum said. “I love the idea that you can have real people engaging in real time regardless of where they are in the world.”
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.
New Airline to Land at Kentucky Airport
With the change in operators comes a new destination on the East Coast.
United Express flights operated by SkyWest will commence Oct. 13, taking over from Contour Airlines. SkyWest will connect Owensboro with Chicago O’Hare and Washington Dulles.
Contour currently offers service to O’Hare and Charlotte, North Carolina. It is the only airline at Owensboro.
The U.S. Department of Transportation selected SkyWest to take over EAS at the airport in June. The carrier’s service term runs through July 31, 2030.
According to DOT filings, SkyWest has agreed to operate 12 round trips per week between Owensboro and O’Hare. The airline plans to serve Washington, D.C., twice daily through Oct. 24, then switch to daily.
Regulators said there will be no gap in service between Contour ending operations at Owensboro and SkyWest starting its own.
Owensboro is located in western Kentucky along the Ohio River, which forms the state line with Indiana.
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.
Breeze Pilots Request Federal Mediation in Contract Negotiations
Breeze Airways Embraer 190 at Palm Beach International Airport. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Vanni Gibertini)
Pilots at low-cost carrier Breeze Airways are asking the federal government to step in amid apparently stalled negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement.
ALPA, which represents the pilots, said this week that it has filed a request with the National Mediation Board asking the agency to appoint a federal mediator to assist in the bargaining process.
“Serving notice to the NMB is a necessary next step for our pilot group,” Alex Kluge, chair of the Breeze ALPA Master Executive Council, said in a news release. “After nearly four years in negotiations, Breeze management has shown that it is either unwilling or unable to bargain in good faith on its own. Federal mediation gives our pilots a structured, enforceable path toward the industry-standard contract they have earned.”
In a statement, Breeze acknowledged that ALPA is seeking outside mediation but disputed the union’s characterization of their talks, saying progress has been made.
“We respect the union’s decision to request mediation; however, we do not agree with ALPA’s claims that Breeze has been unwilling or unable to bargain in good faith,” the airline said.
“ALPA and Breeze have made meaningful progress at the bargaining table and have successfully reached tentative agreements on many sections of the contract, including exchanging passes on additional outstanding sections the same week that ALPA indicated they would be seeking the intervention of a mediator,” the statement continued. “Breeze remains committed to building on this progress and bargaining in good faith to reach a fair agreement that recognizes the important contributions of our pilots while supporting the long-term success and sustainability of Breeze.”
Breeze’s pilots voted to join ALPA in 2022. Negotiations for their first collective bargaining agreement have been underway since early 2023.
ALPA said that, in the years since, only a “small fraction” of contract sections have reached tentative agreements. Only two sections have been tentatively agreed upon since January 2025, the union said.
ALPA sued Breeze earlier this year over alleged violations of the Railway Labor Act, which governs labor relations in the airline sector. The union accused Breeze of bargaining in bad faith and working to undermine ALPA’s position as the legitimate representative of its pilots.
The carrier’s ultimate aim, ALPA said, is to get their pilots to decertify.
Breeze told AirlineGeeks at the time that ALPA’s claims do not reflect the reality of the negotiations.
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.
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