Avelo Begins Flights for ICE

In a statement to AirlineGeeks on Monday, a spokesperson from Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Avelo did begin charter flights for the agency on Monday.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 12:36 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Avelo Boeing 737-800. (Photo: Shutterstock | Edgardo M Moya)

Despite a boycott of the airline that collected nearly 40,000 signatures, Avelo began deportation flights this week. The ultra-low-cost carrier – which began operations in 2021 – announced a new contract with the Department of Homeland Security last month.

In a statement to AirlineGeeks on Monday, a spokesperson from Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Avelo did begin charter flights for the agency on Monday. An Avelo spokesperson referred questions to DHS.

“We realize this is a sensitive and complicated topic. After significant deliberations, we determined this charter flying will provide us with the stability to continue expanding our core scheduled passenger service and keep our more than 1,100 crewmembers employed for years to come,” Avelo founder and CEO Andrew Levy said in an April statement.

He noted: “We also flew these charters under the Biden administration. Regardless of the administration or party affiliation, as a U.S. flag carrier, when our country calls and requests assistance, our practice is to say ‘yes.’ We follow all protocols from DHS and FAA, honoring our core value of Safety Always.”

Phoenix Base

As part of its ICE contract, Avelo has opened a crew base at Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport. Three Boeing 737-800s will be stationed at the airport, along with pilots, flight attendants, and mechanics.

According to Flightradar24 tracking data, the first aircraft to begin flights for ICE is registered as N801XT. It flew a round-trip from Phoenix/Mesa to Alexandria, Louisiana, on Monday, which is a staging facility for the agency.

An airport spokesperson told the Arizona Republic that the 737s were painted white rather than Avelo’s usual livery.

An Avelo Boeing 737 aircraft (Photo: Avelo Airlines)

Avelo’s decision to operate departure flights has triggered backlash. Not only have thousands vowed to boycott the airline, but lawmakers have called the decision unethical.

New Haven, Connecticut, is one of Avelo’s largest stations. The city’s Democratic Mayor Justin Elicker recently pushed Levy to reconsider the contract.

“Avelo Airlines’ decision to charter deportation flights from Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona is deeply disappointing and disturbing. For a company that champions themselves as ‘New Haven’s hometown airline,’ this business decision in antithetical to New Haven’s values,” Elicker said in a statement to ABC 15.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

United Gives First Look at ‘Elevated’ Dreamliner Interiors

The airline revealed details of its cabins, which comes with new offerings, including privacy doors, larger IFE screens, and even branded trading cards.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 11:23 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Snack bar in United's new premium cabin (Photo: United Airlines)

United on Tuesday unveiled details of the cabin design for its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, including a total of 99 premium seats and a new, amenity-rich business class offering known as Polaris Studio.

Airline officials said the “United Elevated” interiors being installed on the new aircraft will provide “a more premium experience” for customers and help the carrier stand out from its competition.

Most of the new amenities are concentrated in the Polaris Studio suites, eight of which are positioned at the front of the business section. They are 25 percent larger than United’s current Polaris seats and come with lie-flat seating, privacy doors, an ottoman for companions, Bluetooth connectivity, 27-inch 4K television screens, midflight meals, luxury skincare kits, and a service pairing Ossetra caviar and champagne.

A United Elevated interior in a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. (Photo: United Airlines)

Also thrown in are hoodie pajamas and slippers, noise-canceling headphones, United-branded playing cards, a velvet throw pillow, and bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue.

More Upgrades

Behind the Polaris Studio suites are 14 rows of Polaris seats, which are getting an upgrade of their own in the form of sliding doors, larger 19-inch seatback screens, and a regionally influenced tapas service. Both Polaris Studio and Polaris customers will get access to a “grab and go snack bar” featuring treats from brands like Garretts, Community, and Joe & Seph’s.

Completing the layout are 35 United Premium Plus seats, 33 United Economy Plus seats, and 90 United Economy seats.

United Premium Plus customers are getting privacy dividers and wireless device charging, while United Economy passengers will get access to expanded meal options.

United Polaris Suites — United Polaris Studio Suites (Photo: United Airlines)

The Elevated cabin will also come with free Starlink connectivity for United MileagePlus members. Starlink provides internet connection from a network of satellites, helping users get online even over oceans, polar regions, and areas unreachable for traditional Wi-Fi.

Airlines are rushing to upgrade their premium offerings. Earlier this month, American announced the debut of its Flagship Suite seats for its 787-9s, which also come with privacy doors, more personal storage space, and wireless charging.

United said the first 787-9s with Elevated interiors should be delivered by the end of the year. They will enter service in 2026, flying inaugural routes from San Francisco to London and Singapore.

All future United 787 deliveries will get the Elevated interior and Polaris Studio suites. The airline expects to add 30 of these aircraft to its fleet by 2037.

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.

FAA Plans Temporary Flight Reductions in Newark

Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the Federal Aviation Administration would be temporarily reducing flights at the airport.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 09:34 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A United Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in Newark. (Photo: Shutterstock | GingChen)

Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the Federal Aviation Administration would be temporarily reducing flights at Newark Liberty International Airport during a press conference on Monday afternoon.

Hours before the conference, the FAA published a statement saying it would slow arrivals and departures at the airport due to runway construction, staffing, and technology issues at the Philadelphia TRACON facility.

Placing Blame

During the conference, Duffy blamed the prior administration for “bungled” telecommunications technology used to manage Newark’s airspace. Duffy said that this radar was moved from New York to Philadelphia by President Joe Biden and former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg without first upgrading necessary lines and infrastructure.

The Philadelphia TRACON radar brought to focus a list of compounding issues at the airport after it briefly went offline Friday for the second time this month.

On Friday, the FAA submitted a notice to the Federal Register announcing a delay reduction meeting for Newark. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday morning and is open to all scheduled carriers – even those not operating at the airport.

United Express CRJ aircraft in Newark. (Photo: Shutterstock } Bui Le Manh Hung)

It is currently unknown specifically how many flights will be limited at the airport, and this will likely be determined at the meeting.

This comes as a massive FAA air traffic control system overhaul is in the works, which has drawn backing from industry stakeholders and major airlines to fix aging ATC technology and infrastructure across the country. If this system is approved by Congress, Duffy said that Newark will be prioritized for infrastructure upgrades first.

“We’re in a situation where telecom is going down,” he said during Monday’s press conference. “It’s taken some time to isolate the problem, and we believe we’ve done that, but I don’t think we’re out of the woods yet. We actually have to spend the time now to build the network that should have been built before the [radar] was moved [by the last administration].”

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

AirlineGeeks.com was founded in February 2013 as a one-person blog in Washington D.C. Since then, we’ve grown to have 25+ active team members scattered across the globe. We are all here for the same reason: we love deep-diving into the fascinating realm of the airline industry.

Spirit Tells SEC It Will Miss Earnings Deadline

Spirit has notified the SEC that it will need more time to prepare its first quarter financial statement because of its recent emergence from bankruptcy.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 09:20 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Spirit A320 aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Spirit filed notice with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday that it will miss the deadline to file its first quarter earnings report.

The airline said that, because it just recently emerged from bankruptcy protection in March, it needs to apply “fresh start” accounting to its financial statements and disclosures, which means establishing a successor reporting entity and determining new fair values for its assets, liabilities, and equity. There is no way to complete that work by the deadline, the filing said, “without unreasonable effort or expense.”

According to law firm DLA Piper, the SEC deadline for filing quarterly earnings, known as the Form 10-Q, is 40 days after the end of the quarter for accelerated filers and 45 days after the end of the quarter for non-accelerated filers. For the quarter that ended on March 31, this translates to May 12 and 15.

Spirit’s filing said it expects to file its Form 10-Q at or before the end of May.

The ultra-low-cost carrier filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2024, citing high losses, increased competition, and growing debt. Some of those issues were linked to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain difficulties, and a mass recall of Pratt & Whitney-made geared turbofan engines, some of which were susceptible to cracking due to metal contamination.

Spirit was also dealing with the fallout of a failed $3.8 billion acquisition by JetBlue. The Justice Department’s antitrust division sued to block the buyout, arguing it would harm competition, and after a trial in 2023, a federal judge ruled against the JetBlue-Spirit partnership. Spirit’s stock price fell by 47 percent the day the decision was announced.

Spirit emerged from bankruptcy on March 13 after finalizing a debt restructuring plan. Company officials have said they want to move away from the airline’s no-frills reputation and rebrand as a premium option among budget carriers. As part of the proceedings, Spirit’s common stock was canceled, and newly issued shares will trade in the over-the-counter market.

Zach Vasile

EgyptAir and AerCap Deepen Partnership

EgyptAir and AerCap have announced a deepened strategic partnership to advance EgyptAir’s fleet modernization and expansion.

Victor Shalton

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 05:30 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An EgyptAir Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner preparing to depart for Cairo using sustainable aviation fuel. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

EgyptAir and AerCap have announced a deepened strategic partnership to advance EgyptAir’s fleet modernization and expansion. The collaboration, solidified during a high-level meeting in Cairo on May 8, signals a robust commitment to innovation, sustainability, and global competitiveness in a rapidly evolving aviation landscape.

The meeting brought together AerCap CEO Aengus Kelly and Captain Ahmed Adel, Chairman of EgyptAir Holding Company, to explore new avenues for cooperation. With AerCap already financing 28 aircraft in EgyptAir’s fleet—comprising of Boeing 777-300ERs, Airbus A320/321neos, and Boeing 787-9s—the partnership is a cornerstone of EgyptAir’s operational strategy. Nearly 40% of EgyptAir’s fleet operates under leasing agreements with AerCap, underscoring the lessor’s critical role in the airline’s growth.

“This partnership enables us to integrate cutting-edge aircraft, supporting our goals of operational efficiency, environmental sustainability, and an elevated customer experience,” Captain Adel said. The discussions focused on aligning EgyptAir’s fleet with global aviation trends, particularly the rising demand for fuel-efficient aircraft amid ongoing supply chain challenges and delivery delays from manufacturers.

AerCap, which reported 112 lease agreements and 49 asset purchases in Q1 2025 alone, says it is well-positioned to support EgyptAir’s ambitions. “EgyptAir is a key partner in Africa and the Middle East, and we are proud to support their ambitious growth strategy,” Kelly stated. “Our collaboration reflects a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability, ensuring EgyptAir remains a leader in global aviation.”

A core focus of the partnership is sustainability, with both companies prioritizing modern, fuel-efficient aircraft to reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption. This aligns with EgyptAir’s broader strategy to expand its network while meeting growing travel demand across Africa, the Middle East, and beyond.

EgyptAir’s fleet includes a long-haul portfolio of four A330-200s, four A330-300s, five 777-300ERs, eight 787 Dreamliners, and three A330 Freighters, with ten Airbus A350-900s on order to further modernize its operations. The carrier recently bolstered its long-haul capabilities with a 17-year-old Airbus A330-200 (MSN 874), which arrived in Cairo on April 25, 2025, after storage and prior operation with Hi Fly Malta and GullivAir.

Victor Shalton

Victor Shalton's love for aviation can be traced to when he was 11-years-old. As a seasoned aviation writer, he takes pride in providing the best aviation coverage around the globe and is passionate about advancing his skills in the aviation space. In addition, he loves travelling, writing, arts and while his speaking engagements have taken him around the world, he is proud to call Nairobi home.

American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights

American is testing out technology meant to help late-arriving passengers make their connecting flights at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

Zach Vasile

Monday, May 12, 2025 at 04:48 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Overlooking DFW Airport's Terminal B. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Summer travelers scrambling to make their connecting flights may soon be getting some help from American Airlines.

The airline said it is testing new technology at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport that identifies departing flights and checks for passengers who may not make it to the gate in time. American employees will use the experimental system to determine if flights with late-arriving passengers can be delayed without disrupting the airline’s schedule, and if they can, a short hold will be put in place to give travelers more time to board.

The company said the new technology helps automate and enhance processes that are already in place for helping passengers make their connecting flights.

American said it will next test the technology at Charlotte Douglas International Airport hub in North Carolina, then expand its use to several other hubs over the summer.

American is not the only airline using novel technology to reduce the number of missed connections. United operates a similar program called Connection Saver that detects when travelers are late arriving at the airport from a prior flight and weighs the impact of delaying a connection.

United has said Connection Saver uses elements of artificial intelligence to make its calculations. American did not say if its experimental system uses AI.

American has over 715,000 flights scheduled between May 16 and Sept. 2, the height of the summer travel season, with 38,000 alone over the Memorial Day weekend.

Zach Vasile

Alaska CEO Says Airline Adding Non-Stop Flight to Europe

Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci says the carrier will fly non-stop from Seattle to Europe by 2026, part of an effort to add global routes.

Zach Vasile

Monday, May 12, 2025 at 02:11 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Hawaiian A330-200 in Seattle. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Alaska Airlines plans to add a non-stop flight connecting Seattle and Europe, according to its CEO.

Ben Minicucci, who took the top job at Alaska in 2021, told The Seattle Times the route will be operating by 2026, though he did not say where in Europe the carrier will be flying to and from.

Neither Alaska nor its sister airline, Hawaiian, which is also owned by Alaska Air Group, have a presence in Europe, but Minicucci said the calculated risk is necessary for the company to stay competitive and expand its global network.

“I want to give our people the ability not to be afraid,” he told the Times. “I want you to be bold, aggressive, try things. Because nobody ever does great things if you’re always safe. Sometimes you have to put yourself out there and take a little bit of a chance, and feel a little bit that nervousness in your stomach and say ‘Wow, is this going to work?’”

Kirsten Amrine, vice president of revenue management and network planning, told the newspaper that Alaska made a similar gamble by starting non-stop service to Belize in 2021. The data didn’t necessarily support the decision, she said, but the company knew its customers liked adventurous destinations and a non-stop flight to nearby Costa Rica was performing well. That bet paid off, and the number of people flying from Seattle to Belize has tripled.

Global Expansion

Alaska is working to add a total of 12 non-stop flights from Seattle to international destinations by 2030. Two have been announced so far: a flight between Seattle and Tokyo, which launched on Monday, and a flight between Seattle and Seoul, which will start Sept. 12.

The Seattle-Tokyo flight is being operated by Hawaiian using Airbus A330s, which were part of Hawaiian’s fleet before its acquisition by Alaska between 2023 and 2024. Hawaiian already operates flights to both cities from its base in Honolulu.

Alaska said demand from customers for the Seattle-Tokyo service has been strong since it was announced late last year.

Tokyo is the second-largest intercontinental market in Seattle for both business and leisure, the company said, and in 2024 about 400 passengers traveled between Seattle and Tokyo in each direction every day, not including connecting flights.

Alaska envisions building its 12 new global routes around its growing fleet of Boeing 787-9s. The airline became an “all Boeing” carrier in 2023, but that description could soon be challenged by the integration of Hawaiian’s Airbus fleet.

A Hawaiian Boeing 787 Dreamliner (Photo: Hawaiian Airlines)

Alaska said it plans to keep Hawaiian’s A330s, refurbish them, and use them mainly for flights traveling to and from Hawaii.

Minicucci has said that while Hawaiian will operate under Alaska, he reiterated that the two carriers will maintain their separate identities.

“That brand is just too special,” he told the Times. “It has a lot of equity and value, especially in the state of Hawaii. I am convicted and resolute that brand is there forever.”

Zach Vasile

Delta Adding Two Routes in 2026

Delta is slated to bolster its network early next year with the addition of more routes. These flights will begin in late December and early January.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, May 12, 2025 at 12:50 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Delta 737-800 in Los Angeles. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Delta is slated to bolster its network early next year with the addition of more routes.

According to Cirium Diio schedule data, the airline will resume flights between New York-JFK and Grand Cayman, along with Detroit and Liberia, Costa Rica. These routes will begin in December and January, respectively.

Service from New York to Grand Cayman will start on Dec. 3, operating once per week on Saturdays. The airline will deploy a Boeing 737-800 in this market.

Starting on Jan. 10, Delta will link Detroit and Liberia with once-weekly flights on Saturdays. This service will be operated by a Boeing 737-900ER.

The airline last served the New York-to-Grand Cayman route in 2016. Detroit to Liberia was last flown by the airline in 2002, per Enilria.

Ryan Ewing

American Pilots Make Another Move Toward ALPA Merger

Currently, the group is represented by the Allied Pilots Association (APA), though a majority of members voted earlier this year to explore a merger.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, May 12, 2025 at 11:22 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An American 737-800 aircraft in Charlotte (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Roughly 15,000 pilots at American Airlines may be one step closer to new union representation. Currently, the group is represented by the Allied Pilots Association (APA), though a majority of members voted earlier this year to explore a merger with the larger Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).

ALPA represents nearly 80,000 pilots at several major carriers, including Delta and United.

Last week, the APA’s board of directors signed off on plans to form a negotiating committee between the APA and APLA. This comes after 58% of pilots recently polled at the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier say they “strongly” or “somewhat favor” a committee to explore a merger.

The union will hold a special board meeting in late June to elect members for the merger committee. About 25% of APA-represented pilots polled said they were “firmly opposed to an ALPA merger, don’t want a committee or want to fund a committee …”

This push for a tie-up between the two labor groups is nothing new. Last year, a group called AA Pilots for ALPA told Forbes it collected 8,219 cards in support of the merger, roughly half of the airline’s total pilot group.

Ryan Ewing

JetBlue Debuts New Special Livery

JetBlue has unveiled a new special livery on one of its Airbus A320 aircraft, celebrating its nearly two-decade partnership with Dunkin’.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, May 12, 2025 at 10:01 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

New special livery recognizes JetBlue's long-standing partnership with Dunkin'. (Photo: JetBlue)

JetBlue has unveiled a new special livery on one of its Airbus A320 aircraft, celebrating its nearly two-decade partnership with Dunkin’. The aircraft, named “Brewing Altitude,” features Dunkin’s signature pink and orange colors, adorned with playful doughnut and coffee motifs. The livery was revealed at a celebration in Boston, a city significant to both brands.

The collaboration between JetBlue and Dunkin’ began in 2006, with JetBlue serving Dunkin’s Original Blend coffee on board. In 2011, Dunkin’ became the airline’s exclusive onboard coffee provider. The new livery marks a continuation of this partnership, the airline shared.

“Dunkin’ has been part of the JetBlue journey for nearly two decades, and we’re proud to showcase this partnership with a livery that’s as fun and bold as the brands behind it,” said Marty St. George, president of JetBlue, in a news release. “With our shared Boston heritage and focus on delighting loyal customers, this collaboration brings together two fan-favorite brands in a way only JetBlue and Dunkin’ can.”

JetBlue special livery in partnership with Dunkin’ (Photo: JetBlue)

To commemorate the launch, JetBlue and Dunkin’ are offering a promotion titled “Monday Pick-Me-Up.” May 19 through Sept. 1, customers flying on the Brewing Altitude aircraft on Mondays will receive special rewards.

JetBlue’s TrueBlue members will attain Mosaic 1 status, while Dunkin’ Rewards members will earn Boosted status for three months. Existing Mosaic members will receive 20 bonus tiles, and current Boosted Status members will earn double points on qualifying purchases during this period.

The aircraft is registered as N643JB.

Ryan Ewing