American, Qantas Bolster U.S.-Australia Routes

From Los Angeles, American will debut a new route for around two months next year in conjunction with the Australian flag carrier.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Wednesday, May 07, 2025 at 12:30 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An American Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner departs London Heathrow (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

American and Qantas have partnered to introduce new travel options between the U.S. and the land Down Under.

The U.S. and Australian carriers announced Monday that American will launch three weekly flights connecting Los Angeles with Brisbane, Australia, starting on Dec. 5.

In addition, Qantas will boost its operations to daily services between Dallas/Fort Worth and Melbourne, Australia, starting on Dec. 3.

These new routes will run through the end of January 2026. Qantas will also start operating daily flights between Dallas/Fort Worth and Sydney, Australia, on its A380 aircraft in January.

A Qantas A380 lands at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

The superjumbo aircraft will resume serving this route in August on some days alongside the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

Steve Johnson, American’s vice chair and chief strategy officer, stated in a news release from the airline that it was proud to partner with Qantas to add travel options for passengers to Australia.

“Together, we offer the most comprehensive service connecting the United States with Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific,” he said. “For our customers, this means more ways to plan vacations to visit friends and family or jet off for a new adventure in one of the most picturesque regions of the world.”

Tickets for American’s new service between Los Angeles and Brisbane will go on sale starting May 12. This route will be operated by American and Qantas using Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

American’s flights from Dallas/Fort Worth to Brisbane will also return for winter service starting on Oct. 25 using its new 787s with 51 business class suites.

“The strength of our partnership with American Airlines continues to bring great benefit to our customers around the world,” said Cam Wallace, CEO of international at Qantas Group, in the release. “We know Australia remains very popular with U.S. travelers, and these changes will provide increased connectivity onto our vast domestic network to some of Australia’s most unique destinations.”

Qantas Plans Routes in America, Pacific, and Asia

Qantas stated in its own news release that the daily 787 Dreamliner services between Brisbane and Los Angeles will see four flights operated by Qantas and three flights operated by American per week.

“For this same period, Qantas will increase Boeing 787 flights between Melbourne and Dallas to daily, with its Boeing 787 flights between Brisbane and Los Angeles returning to daily from February 2026,” the release stated.

Qantas Group’s subsidiary low-cost airline Jetstar will stop flying between Sydney and Honolulu after Oct. 24, 2025. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner used for this route will be redeployed to other destinations in Asia, and Qantas will then operate between five and six services per week between Sydney and Honolulu.

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.

American Offers 787 Simulator Experience in Miles-Only Auction

American has announced a new auction opportunity exclusive to members of its AAdvantage frequent flier program: a Boeing 787 simulator experience.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, May 06, 2025 at 05:10 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Inside the cockpit of a WestJet 787-9. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Mateen Kontoravdis)

American Airlines has announced a new auction opportunity exclusive to members of its AAdvantage frequent flier program: a “first-of-its-kind” Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator experience paired with a luxury hotel stay in Dallas.

The offering is available for redemption using AAdvantage miles through Mastercard’s Priceless platform and is open for bidding through May 18 at 11:59 p.m. CT.

The experience is scheduled for July 10-12 and is designed for one winner and a guest. Highlights include a four-hour private simulator session at American’s headquarters in Fort Worth on July 11, where participants will receive a one-on-one preflight briefing and hands-on simulator time with a professional pilot.

Participants get a first-hand look inside a full-motion flight simulator (Photo: Envoy Air)

Attendees will have the chance to select virtual flight paths, including routes over Mount Rainier and Miami, and perform takeoffs and landings in the full-motion simulator.

Participants will be transported from the Thompson Dallas hotel to the simulator facility and back as part of the package. The package includes a two-night stay in a King Premium room with a $100 food and beverage credit. Transportation and air travel to and from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport are not included.

Eligibility requirements include being an AAdvantage Mastercard cardmember, age 18 or older, with a valid World of Hyatt membership at least 14 days before check-in. The second participant must be at least 12 years old. Winners will be notified via email and must sign a waiver and accept terms within 48 hours of notification.

At the time of writing, the current bid was 600,000 miles.

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.

Cancelations at Newark Spike Again

Data from Cirium shows a total of 140 flights were canceled at Newark on Monday as the airport continues to grapple with ATC shortages and outdated equipment.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, May 06, 2025 at 01:56 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

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

Data compiled by aviation analytics firm Cirium shows just how bad the situation at Newark Liberty International Airport has gotten.

A total of 140 flights – 68 departures and 72 arrivals – were canceled on Monday alone, the company found. Cancelations had been trending down over the weekend from a high on May 1, when 183 flights were called off, but that figure rebounded with the start of the business week.

An average of 39 departing flights have been canceled each day since April 26; before that, the average was about four flights per day.

Additionally, on-time departures have plummeted, from 80 percent last month to 63 percent, which is far below industry norms.

The disruptions at Newark stem from a combination of air traffic control staffing shortages, equipment failures, and construction on one of the airport’s three runways used for commercial flights. On April 28, air traffic controllers briefly lost contact with aircraft at and around the airport, triggering the first wave of cancelations and delays and raising serious concerns about the state of the ATC system’s equipment.

A United Boeing 767-300 departs from Newark (Photo: Shutterstock | KMarsh)

The problem has been exacerbated by a shortage of controllers. United CEO Scott Kirby said last week in a letter to customers that over 20 percent of the FAA controllers overseeing Newark “walked off the job,” but the air traffic controllers union disputes this, saying the workers were exercising an option under current regulations to seek psychological help after a traumatizing experience.

Kirby cautioned travelers that the situation at Newark will probably not improve any time soon because there is “no way to resolve the near-term structural FAA staffing issues.”

Ongoing ATC Woes

The meltdown at Newark comes amid increased scrutiny of the nation’s air traffic control system. In January, a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Eagle flight over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., killing 67 people. Reports suggest the air traffic control facility overseeing Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was understaffed at the time. The crash also brought to light other near-misses between commercial jets and military helicopters in the same area.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy last week unveiled a raft of incentives, including cash payments, meant to encourage young people to become air traffic controllers and take on assignments in hard to staff regions. The package also aims to retain experienced air traffic controllers by paying them a bonus each year they continue working after becoming eligible for retirement, up until the mandatory retirement age of 56.

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.

Delta Adding Seasonal Route From Austin

Delta is launching a seasonal service between Austin and Palm Springs, operating only on Saturdays between Nov. 8 and April 26, 2026.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, May 06, 2025 at 12:31 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A SkyWest E175 in Delta colors. (Photo: Shutterstock | Jon Tetzlaff)

Delta is launching a new seasonal service linking Austin and Palm Springs, California.

A statement released by Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Monday said Delta will fly non-stop to Palm Springs starting on Nov. 8, in time for the fall and winter travel seasons, when trips to the desert resort city traditionally peak. The route will run through April 26, 2026.

Flights will depart Austin at 11 a.m. local time each Saturday via regional carrier Delta Connection and arrive in Palm Springs around 1 p.m. local time. Flights from Palm Springs to Austin will take off at 12:07 p.m. local time each Saturday and touch down at 5:07 p.m. local time.

Delta’s website shows the route will be flown with an Embraer E175.

“We’re so grateful to our partners at Delta for supporting our community’s air service needs through another new nonstop route,” said Austin-Bergstrom CEO Ghizlane Badawi. “This new destination expands travel opportunities for both business and leisure travelers and we are excited to offer more convenient options for our passengers.”

American had flown non-stop between Austin and Palm Springs, but that route was scrapped last year, together with non-stop flights from Austin to Las Vegas, New Orleans, Orlando, and Reno, Nevada.

Delta is also launching a series of non-stop flights from Austin during the 2025 college football season on dates when the University of Texas at Austin plays away games. The carrier will fly to Columbus, Ohio on Aug. 30, Gainesville, Florida on Oct. 4, Lexington, Kentucky on Oct. 18, Atlanta on Nov. 15, and Benton County, Arkansas on Nov. 22.

Zach Vasile

Avelo Debuts Premium Seating Options

Avelo announced the addition of two new seating options, aimed at providing customers with increased space, the ultra-low-cost carrier said.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, May 06, 2025 at 10:01 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Avelo 737-800. (Photo: Avelo)

Avelo announced the addition of two new seating options, Stretch and Stretch+, aimed at providing customers with increased comfort and personal space, the ultra-low-cost carrier said.

Stretch seating will offer extra legroom with a pitch ranging from 32 to over 36 inches. Stretch+ will feature an unoccupied middle seat in each row.

The new seating options join Avelo’s existing Standard seats. Customers can now purchase Stretch and Stretch+ seats for travel on or after the launch date.

These options will be available for an additional fee on all Avelo flights starting Sept. 3.

Economy seating on Avelo (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ryan Ewing)

In a statement, Avelo’s chief commercial officer, Brian Davis, said the new options are designed to enhance customer comfort while maintaining the airline’s focus on affordability and convenience.

Families traveling with children age 14 or under will continue to receive automatic seat assignments next to an accompanying adult at no extra charge, the carrier said.

Ryan Ewing

U.S. Offers Free Flights to Voluntary Deportees

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced Monday that illegal immigrants who use software to self-deport will also be paid a stipend.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Tuesday, May 06, 2025 at 09:00 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

American and Delta aircraft in Los Angeles. (Photo: Shutterstock)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced Monday that illegal immigrants who use software to self-deport will also be paid a stipend of $1,000 after returning to their home country, in addition to free airfare.

According to a DHS news release, illegal immigrants will have the opportunity to receive both financial and travel assistance to facilitate travel back to their home country using the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s CBP Home App.

Illegal immigrants who return to their home country will then be able to receive the stipend after the app has confirmed their relocation.

“Self-deportation is a dignified way to leave the U.S. and will allow illegal aliens to avoid being encountered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the release stated. “Even with the cost of the stipend, it is projected that the use of CBP Home will decrease the costs of a deportation by around 70 percent. Currently the average cost to arrest, detain, and remove an illegal alien is $17,121.”

The release cited the case of an unnamed illegal immigrant who recently used the program to receive a ticket for a flight from Chicago to Honduras, with more tickets already booked over the next two weeks.

“If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. “DHS is now offering illegal aliens financial travel assistance and a stipend to return to their home country through the CBP Home App. This is the safest option for our law enforcement, aliens and is a 70% savings for US taxpayers. Download the CBP Home App TODAY and self-deport.”

DHS stated that illegal immigrants who submit their intent to voluntarily self-deport with CBP Home will also be “deprioritized for detention and removal” ahead of their departure.

“Participation in CBP Home Self-Deportation may help preserve the option for an illegal alien to re-enter the United States legally in the future,” the release stated.

The move by DHS to facilitate more deportations comes after some U.S. airlines have accepted government contracts to fly illegal immigrants back to their home countries. In February, the Transportation Security Administration began blocking some illegal immigrants from flying.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

White House Wants to Reduce TSA Staffing Levels

After ending collective bargaining for 50,000 transportation security officers, the Trump administration is now looking to make more cuts at the agency.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, May 06, 2025 at 06:30 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

TSA PreCheck lanes. (Photo: Joni Hanebutt/Shutterstock)

After ending collective bargaining for roughly 50,000 transportation security officers (TSOs) in March, the Trump administration is now looking to make more cuts at the agency.

Its 2026 discretionary budget request – dubbed the “skinny” budget – “reduces Transportation Security Officer levels,” the administration states. If enacted by Congress, this change would create around $247 million in savings.

“Despite constant budget increases since their inception, TSA has consistently failed audits while implementing intrusive screening measures that violate Americans’ privacy and dignity,” the budget proposal states. “During the previous administration, the agency was also abused to facilitate mass illegal migration by allowing illegal migrants to fly into the interior without proper documentation.”

‘Hypocrisy’

A spokesperson from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) – which represents TSA officers – called this move hypocritical and deceitful.

“ One word might be hypocrisy, but deceit is a better word behind the administration’s argument that national security required the administration to take away collective bargaining rights from transportation security officers,” the spokesperson told AirlineGeeks on Monday.

The AFGE is currently suing the Trump administration over the end to collective bargaining rights for TSOs.

This budget proposal, the spokesperson continued, is “a prelude to privatization as laid out in Project 2025.” A broader effort to privatize parts of the TSA has already been floated in the Senate.

”They’ll just be going back to pre-9/11 private contractors,” the spokesperson added.

The TSA directed questions to the White House.

Ryan Ewing

Report: Wizz Air Cancels Planned Milan-Abu Dhabi Route

Low-cost carrier Wizz Air has reportedly scrapped plans for a Milan-Abu Dhabi route, which would have operated using an Airbus A321XLR.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, May 06, 2025 at 05:30 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Wizz Air Airbus A321. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Low-cost carrier Wizz Air has reportedly scrapped plans for a Milan-Abu Dhabi route, which would have operated using an Airbus A321XLR.

According to a report from Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, the Hungarian airline suspended the launch of the route over “unforeseen changes in market conditions and operational considerations.”

Wizz provided a brief statement to Corriere confirming the cancellation, but that message has not been posted to the company’s website or been made public through other means. The carrier did not reply to a separate inquiry from AirlineGeeks by press time.

As of Monday afternoon, it was not possible to book a flight from Milan Malpensa Airport to Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport using Wizz’s website.

Making Adjustments

Wizz announced in September 2024 that it would begin flying the Milan-Abu Dhabi route once daily starting June 2, 2025. Wizz officials said the new service was the beginning of a push to reach more non-European destinations enabled by the cost efficiency and expanded range of the A321XLR. At the time, the airline was advertising tickets for the Milan-Abu Dhabi route at €99.99.

According to Corriere, however, Wizz sold less than 6,000 seats for the flight, making its launch financially untenable.

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, is the sole operator of a Milan-Abu Dhabi route. It reportedly dropped its price for the service in recent weeks, leaving potential customers with the choice of flying on the single-aisle A321XLR or Etihad’s more spacious twin-aisle A350s and Boeing 777s.

Etihad also offered luggage, food, and amenities rolled into its ticket price, while on Wizz those would have cost extra. Corriere estimated that, with those add-ons in place, a Wizz flight would have cost €180-€200, while tickets on Etihad would cost about €130.

Sources who spoke to Corriere said Etihad deliberately reduced its prices to force Wizz to drop the route.

If the service had launched as expected, Wizz would have been the first carrier to operate an A321XLR based in Italy.

Wizz still plans to use the A321XLR to fly between London’s Gatwick Airport and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, though that route has been postponed due to a delay in the aircraft’s delivery.

Zach Vasile

Delta Ending Three Routes

Delta is planning to cut three routes later this year. These changes include some flights to Canada and a recently resumed route.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, May 05, 2025 at 01:25 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Delta Boeing 757-200 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Delta is planning to cut three routes later this year. These changes include some flights to Canada and a recently resumed route.

In early September, the airline will suspend service between its Atlanta hub and Fresno, California. The last flight on this route is scheduled for Sept. 7.

On the same day, Delta will also halt its nonstop flights from Detroit to San Jose, California. This was one of the carrier’s newest domestic routes, which is scheduled to resume in July.

Previously, the carrier planned to end this seasonal route in November, though it will now stop two months earlier.

Canada Cuts

As airlines continue to see a downward trend in demand between the U.S. and Canada, Delta will also cut its route between Salt Lake City and Toronto.

This year-round service is scheduled to end on Nov. 5, per Cirium Diio schedule data.

Commenting on these network changes, a Delta spokesperson said the carrier “routinely adjusts its network to meet demand.”

“We deeply apologize for any inconvenience that schedule changes may cause,” the spokesperson added.

Last week, the airline added 14 new and returning domestic routes, including additional flights from New York-JFK and Orlando, Florida.

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

Ryan Ewing

Spirit Sets Sights on Underserved Communities

Contour and Spirit announced on Monday a strategic partnership aimed at increasing air service options for underserved communities.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, May 05, 2025 at 11:56 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Spirit A320neo in Los Angeles. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Contour Airlines and Spirit Airlines announced on Monday a strategic partnership aimed at increasing air service options for underserved communities across the United States. The collaboration is intended to enhance connectivity to the national air transportation system and offer more affordable travel options, the two companies shared.

Contour Airlines, currently one of the largest carriers in the Department of Transportation’s Essential Air Service (EAS) program, operates flights to 22 cities under the initiative. Under the new agreement, Contour will continue its EAS operations and maintain connections to major airline hubs through its interline partners, including American, United, and Alaska.

A Contour Embraer E135 nicknamed “Pride of Contour” (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)

Leisure Market Additions

As part of the partnership, Spirit will introduce new services to major leisure destinations from select EAS markets served by Contour. Additionally, Contour will provide ground handling support to Spirit at these locations and assist with cross-marketing efforts through its established community networks, the carrier said in a news release.

Officials from both airlines emphasized the benefits the partnership will bring to smaller communities. Ben Munson, president of Contour, said the agreement means EAS communities “no longer need to choose between national connectivity and low fares.”

John Kirby, vice president of network planning at Spirit Airlines, stated that the partnership will allow the ultra-low-cost carrier to explore entry into markets with limited current service.

Details on the markets to be served under the partnership are expected to be announced later this summer.

This partnership comes just days after the White House outlined a proposed plan to slash subsidies for the EAS program. If enacted by Congress, the program could see a $308 million cut.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated on Monday, May 5, 2025 at 2:45 p.m. ET to clarify that Spirit will operate in these markets unsubsidized.

Ryan Ewing