Stories

MH370 Search Resumes 10 Years Later

The search to find Flight MH370 has been the most expensive and extensive underwater search ever, according to The Associated Press. 

A Malaysia Airlines 777-200 similar to the one involved in MH370 (Photo: Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)

Malaysia has agreed to resume its search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370 more than 10 years after it disappeared.

The country’s transport minister announced the search on Friday. The aircraft disappeared on March 8, 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing. It had 227 passengers and 12 crew members on board. What happened remains a mystery.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the country was currently negotiating the terms and conditions of the renewed search in the Indian Ocean led by Ocean Infinity, which led the last search in 2018.

The search is expected to begin as soon as the contract is signed in early 2025. Loke said at a news conference that the best time to search the area is January through April.

Crews will search about 15,000 square kilometers, equal to more than 5,700 square miles, in the southern Indian Ocean.

The Malaysian government will not be responsible for paying Texas-headquartered Ocean Infinity unless the ocean exploration company finds the aircraft’s wreckage. The firm will receive $70 million if crews locate substantive wreckage.

A Vanished Aircraft

The Boeing 777 vanished without a trace a decade ago, puzzling investigators and devastating loved ones of passengers. No bodies or wreckage have ever been found, although debris from the aircraft has washed ashore.

The aircraft disappeared from radar just 39 minutes after leaving Kuala Lumpur. The last radio message the pilot shared was “Good night, Malaysian three seven zero.”

The pilot did not check in with air traffic controllers when crossing into Vietnam’s airspace. The transponder also shut down.

Military radar observed the aircraft turn around and travel over the Andaman Sea before it vanished. It flew for hours, potentially running out of fuel. Experts believe the flight crashed into a remote part of the Indian Ocean.

The search to find Flight MH370 has been the most expensive and extensive underwater search ever, according to The Associated Press. 

Brinley Hineman

Brinley Hineman covers general assignment news. She previously worked for the USA TODAY Network, Newsday and The Messenger. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and is from West Virginia. She lives in Brooklyn with her poodle Franklin.

Hawaii, Trans-Atlantic Flying in Breeze’s Plan, CEO Says

Now, with over 40 aircraft in its fleet and around 60 destinations, its CEO is looking to take the startup airline even farther.

Breeze A220
A Breeze Airways Airbus A220. (Photo: Shutterstock | Markus Mainka)

Since its 2021 launch, Breeze has expanded rapidly. Now, with over 40 aircraft in its fleet and around 60 destinations, its CEO is looking to take the startup airline even farther.

Serial airline entrepreneur David Neeleman founded Breeze and is the company’s CEO. Breeze is his latest venture, after launching other airlines including JetBlue, Azul, and WestJet.

Neeleman may branch out from its current mainland U.S. market, hinting at service to Hawaii and trans-Atlantic destinations. As of now, the carrier is finalizing approvals to operate internationally.

Breeze Airways CEO David Neeleman at West Palm Beach International Airport (Photo: Airlinegeeks – Vanni Gibertini)

First International Flights Planned for 2025

The airline is eyeing a fall 2025 start for international operations, Neeleman said, pending the approval of its flag carrier status.

“Unfortunately when you do international, you need a longer booking window,” he added during an interview with AirlineGeeks. “It’d be great to get our flag [status] at the end of the first quarter and then start flying the summer, but maybe that’s a little bit tight.”

“So maybe the fall. Announcing flights for late fall next year would probably be the most prudent way to do it because we do have a lot of routes that are doing well,” he continued. “With the new airplanes coming, we have lots of demand for them. So, I would guess it’d be late fall or maybe in the next winter before, and we’ll be flying international then, obviously subject to government approval.”

Avelo – which started operations around the same time as Breeze – has already kicked off scheduled international flights from Bradley/Hartford in Connecticut, including Cancun, Mexico, and Montego Bay, Jamaica. It will also fly internationally from Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina, in the coming months.

Trans-Atlantic and Hawaii a Possibility

Neeleman alluded to possible trans-Atlantic expansion down the road. Last year, Breeze asked the FAA for permission to deploy its A220s across the pond.

“ It could be … to the Isles to kind of Ireland or the British Isles, secondary cities, seasonal. So maybe you fly Cancun all winter and you fly Ireland all summer,” he said, noting JetBlue’s push toward trans-Altantic flying.

A Breeze A220 in Phoenix (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

“ We have to go to work on ETOPS … because I’d like to go to Hawaii from secondary and tertiary cities, but obviously we need to get that ETOPS done as well,” Neeleman continued. “And when you’re halfway between the West Coast and Hawaii, you’re as far from land as anyone else in the world.”

Premium Push

Unlike some of its low-cost peers, Breeze already has a designated premium product. This could expand too, Neeleman said.

Breeze’s A220-300 aircraft have 12 premium seats in two-by-two configurations. Some of the airline’s early A220s had up to 36 premium seats.

“We could actually go from 24 first-class seats, like we had when we started, to 12 overnight. Now we’re looking at going back to 16 because there’s so much demand for it,” he shared.

Some of the airline’s longer routes see stronger demand for the premium product, Neeleman added.

“ I think … adding some first-class seats and maybe shrinking a little bit the extra-legroom section, maybe 16 [and] 35 would be kind of a better complement for that,” he continued.

Neeleman noted that “things are going well right now” and the company may not immediately “mess too much” with the model as a result.

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.

How to Become a Flight Attendant

The journey to becoming a flight attendant involves understanding the job and gaining the necessary skills and experience.

Flight attendants pose with a model of a new 787-9 and the real aircraft behind them at the 2019 Paris Air Show. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Being a flight attendant is often seen as a glamorous career and lifestyle. The job offers the opportunity to travel the world and stay in hotels on the company’s dime. On top of that, flight attendants get to meet new people while working in a dynamic and exciting environment.

These advantages draw many people towards becoming a flight attendant. Like any job, the role of a flight attendant also comes with some challenges. The journey to becoming a flight attendant can also be a difficult and competitive one. Here is what you need to know about becoming a flight attendant.

Understand the Job of a Flight Attendant

Working as a flight attendant involves traveling and performing customer-facing tasks like serving food and beverages and greeting passengers. However, there are many parts of the job that the public does not see, and it is important for prospective flight attendants to fully understand what the role entails.

A flight attendant’s primary responsibility is the safety of passengers. Accordingly, a significant portion of flight attendant training is dedicated to safety procedures. New flight attendants spend time learning and practicing important tasks like first aid, cabin firefighting, as well as land and water evacuation procedures.

The role of a flight attendant also includes many customer service functions. From helping passengers with their bags to delivering the airline’s food and beverage offerings, flight attendants work with travelers and colleagues in confined spaces. This can come with challenging situations ranging from upset passengers to medical emergencies.

Be Willing to Adopt the Lifestyle

The lifestyle that comes with being a flight attendant is unlike that of most other career paths. Flight attendants work long hours, including shifts in the evening and overnight. Since the air travel industry is a 24/7 operation, flight attendants also work on weekends and holidays.

At most airlines, flight attendants will also have to spend nights away from home, as trips can span multiple days. Although this allows flight attendants to explore new destinations, it also means time away from friends and family outside of working hours. Flight attendants may also need to relocate for their new job.

If you are interested in becoming a flight attendant, it is important that you understand the lifestyle of a flight attendant. While there are many benefits of the job, prospective flight attendants should also understand the challenges and required sacrifices.

Develop the Desired Skills

Airlines value particular skills when looking for future flight attendants. Since the job involves a significant amount of interaction with travelers, customer service experience and skills are major assets for candidates.

The work of a flight attendant can be stressful and dynamic. As such, it is important that flight attendants can work well under stress. Flight attendants need to perform their duties in the case of an emergency. Similarly, they should be flexible and adaptable, in order to adjust to changing work conditions.

On-time performance is a key goal for airlines, and companies expect their employees to strive for punctuality and reliability. They are therefore looking for flight attendant candidates who are reliable and dependable.

Meet the Basic Job Requirements

The exact requirements to become a flight attendant vary between airlines. However, there are some universal requirements:

Education: All airlines in the United States require their flight attendants to have a high school diploma or equivalent (such as a foreign degree or GED).

Height and Weight: There are typically minimums and maximums for both height and weight. Flight attendants must be able to perform certain safety-related tasks, such as moving through the cabin, operating aircraft doors, and reaching overhead bins.

Age: Most airlines in the United States require flight attendant applicants to be a minimum of 20 or 21 years old.

Ability to Travel: Airlines generally require their flight attendants to have a passport and have the ability to travel to (or obtain the necessary travel authorizations for) all destinations in the company’s network.

Search for Flight Attendant Jobs

There are many places to look for flight attendant jobs, but the most common and direct sources are the airline’s own websites. On these sites, you will find up-to-date information about job postings, requirements, and the hiring process.

Choosing which airline or airlines to apply to is also an important part of the process. Different airlines operate different route networks and aircraft types. When it comes to your work-life balance, companies also have different work cultures, benefits, and crew bases.

A United 787-9 in Los Angeles (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Prepare for the Selection Process

In addition to gaining work experience and developing the desired skills, you can research the selection process to help you prepare and become a more competitive candidate.

Learning about the company and the job will show that you are motivated and committed. There are also many resources online about the flight attendant hiring processes of specific airlines. These include the airline websites themselves, third-party sites, and social media resources.

Get Hired

If you are offered a job after the selection process, you will begin your new career as a flight attendant. New flight attendants start by going through an intensive training course before stepping foot onto their first flight.

Being a flight attendant can be an exciting and rewarding experience. At many companies, there are opportunities to move between bases, fly to different destinations, and move to other parts of the airline.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get hired as a flight attendant?

It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to get through the application and hiring process. The length of the process depends on the airline, your timing, and your situation.

How much do flight attendants get paid?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median flight attendant salary in the United States in 2023 was $68,370. However, your pay will depend on your airline and seniority.

How much does it cost to become a flight attendant?      

Unless you pay for third-party preparation resources, there are little to no costs to become a flight attendant. Airlines typically cover any travel costs throughout the recruitment process.

Andrew Chen

Andrew is a lifelong lover of aviation and travel. He has flown all over the world and is fascinated by the workings of the air travel industry. As a private pilot and glider pilot who has worked with airlines, airports and other industry stakeholders, he is always excited to share his passion for aviation with others. In addition to being a writer, he also hosts Flying Smarter, an educational travel podcast that explores the complex world of air travel to help listeners become better-informed and savvier travelers.

NTSB: ‘Cognitive Impairment’ Caused 2022 Engine Ingestion

The deceased ramp agent’s toxicology results indicated they may have used cannabis before the incident, the NTSB said Thursday.

Envoy E175
An American Eagle Embraer jet (Photo: Shutterstock | LJ Jones)

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final investigation report finding that a ramp agent’s cognitive impairment resulted in their death from being ingested into an aircraft engine on Dec. 31, 2022.

The report, published on Thursday, cites illicit drug use, neurological issues, and low vigilance in leading to the worker being killed at the Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama.

“The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The ramp agent’s cognitive impairment, which resulted in her (1) inconsistent behavior with trained procedures and pre-landing briefings, (2) presence on the left side of the airplane while the left engine was still operating, and (3) subsequent ingestion into the engine,” the report stated.

American Eagle flight 3408 was parked at its gate when a ramp agent walked directly in front of the left engine and was ingested. A subsequent NBC report covering the incident cited the NTSB as saying the worker was too close to the engine.

The NTSB shared new toxicology results in Thursday’s final report saying the agent had relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis – which the agency notes “can adversely affect cognition including executive functioning, information processing and working memory.”

Although no cognitive impairment was documented at the ramp agent’s most recent neurology visits, the report stated she had a substantial risk of such impairment because of her condition.

“This investigation was unable to determine whether she was experiencing a multiple sclerosis flare at the time of the accident,” the report stated.

The ramp agent also had diabetes that was treated with medications, including insulin, though their postmortem urine glucose result was normal and did not indicate a major metabolic disturbance from extreme high blood sugar at the time of the incident, the report added.

“The investigation was unable to determine, from the available evidence, whether the ramp agent was experiencing milder high blood sugar effects (such as fatigue) or low blood sugar effects (such as diminished concentration),” the agency stated.

The ramp agent’s toxicology testing detected delta-9-THC and its metabolites, indicating that she had used a cannabis product. The report stated that cannabis has the potential to cause cognitive impairment and can worsen these effects in individuals with multiple sclerosis. It also stated that a person’s blood concentration of delta-9-THC does not directly predict that person’s impairment.

Toxicology testing also detected carboxy-delta-8-THC, a non-psychoactive metabolite of delta-8-THC – which was not detected.

“This result indicated that the ramp agent had likely used a product containing chemically synthesized delta-8-THC given that very little delta-8-THC occurs naturally in the cannabis plant,” the report stated. “However, because no delta-8-THC or psychoactive metabolite of delta-9-THC was detected in the ramp agent’s blood, she was not likely impaired by delta-8-THC effects at the time of the accident.”

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.

A Look Back at the Busiest Routes of 2024

Global travel industry data platform OAG has released its analysis on the busiest worldwide flight routes of 2024. Some might be surprising.

Delta 767-300ER
A Delta 767-300. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Global travel industry data platform OAG has released its analysis on the busiest flight routes of 2024.

The busiest air routes are defined by OAG as those with the largest volume of scheduled airline seats in 2024. OAG’s data measures flights in both directions on each route and is sourced by the company in the first week of each month.

OAG’s full data presentation can be read here.

Busiest U.S. Routes

Atlanta to Orlando was number one in OAG’s top 10 busiest domestic airline routes list, according to a Tuesday news release by the company. This route included 3.5 million seats, a similar capacity to last year and in 2019.

Honolulu to Kahului, last year’s busiest domestic route, ranked second this year with 3.4 million seats. Las Vegas to Los Angeles followed in third with just 14,941 seats less. Coming in fourth and fifth were Denver to Phoenix and Los Angeles to San Francisco.

A Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 717 in Kahului (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)

New York LaGuardia to Chicago O’Hare moved into the top 10 this year at number 7. These airports saw the highest increase in capacity year on year growing by 17% in 2024 compared to 2023.

“Although American Airlines and United maintained similar route capacity from New York La Guardia to Chicago, the addition of 700 flights from Spirit Airlines helped position it as one of the busiest U.S. routes this year, pointing to an evolving competitive landscape,” said John Grant, chief analyst at OAG, in the release. “Additionally, travelers are flying more with TSA recording its busiest travel day in history over the Thanksgiving holiday. Airlines in the U.S. who strategically use real-time aviation insights will best adapt to these market changes and win over traveler expectations.”

Busiest Routes Outside the U.S.

After ranking third in 2023, Hong Kong to Taipei reclaimed its number one spot as the busiest global international airline route in the world with 6.8 million seats. Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Changi dropped from first last year to fourth on the list in 2024.

In second place is Cairo to Jeddah with 5.5 million seats – a 14% increase in capacity from 2023 and 62% increase from 2019. Seoul Incheon to Tokyo Narita took third place with just 58,818 less seats than second place, though capacity on this route increased by a whopping 30% compared to 2023 and is 68% higher than 2019.

Bangkok to Hong Kong has moved up into the top 10 busiest international routes in 2024 in seventh place with 4.2 million seats.

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.

Qatar Airways Wants to Serve Colombia

If approved by regulators, flights would operate twice weekly with a mix of Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A350-1000 aircraft.

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

Qatar Airways recently applied to serve Bogota, Colombia, via Caracas. The carrier does not currently serve either market.

If approved, flights would operate twice weekly with a mix of Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. The routing would be Doha-to-Bogota-to-Caracas, then a return to Doha.

The carrier notes that Caracas would be a “technical stop,” so it’s unclear if Qatar plans to sell tickets from Bogota to Caracas or Caracas to Doha.

According to Aviacion al dia, the route is subject to approval by the Colombian civil aviation authority. The carrier has previously expressed interest in serving Bogota, joining fellow Middle East giant Emirates, which flies to Dubai via Miami.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

United Adds New Long-Haul Route

United is planning to add yet another brand-new long-haul route starting next summer, this time from its hub in Denver.

United Dreamliner
A United 787-9 Dreamliner. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

United is planning to add yet another new long-haul route next summer, this time from its Denver hub. The carrier announced several new routes earlier this year.

Beginning on May 1, 2025, the Chicago-based airline will link its Denver hub and Rome. The new service will operate daily with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

This route will be seasonal, operating through Sept. 24. From its Denver hub, United serves a handful of long-haul markets, including Frankfurt and Munich, Germany; London Heathrow; and Tokyo Narita.

More Service From Denver

Besides the new Denver-to-Rome flight, United will add several short- and medium-haul routes.

Daily service to Buffalo, New York, begins on May 22, operating year-round. The carrier will also add daily seasonal flights from Denver to Pensacola, Florida, and North Bend, Oregon, starting on May 22.

Flights between Denver and Peoria, Illinois, will operate year-round starting on March 30. United is also adding daily, year-round flights to Redding, California, and Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, beginning on May 22 and May 15, respectively.

Finally, the airline will connect Denver and Wilmington, North Carolina, with seasonal Saturday-only service from May 24 to Aug. 16.

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.

JSX Adds California, Arizona Routes

The semiprivate operator currently serves several airports in the state, including Napa, Oakland, Monterey, Burbank, Los Angeles, Orange County, and Carlsbad.

JSX Embraer jet
A JSX E-145 in Austin. The airline exclusively operates the Embraer jet. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Mateen Kontoravdis)

JSX is expanding its California route network next year. The semiprivate operator currently serves several airports in the state, including Napa, Oakland, Monterey, Burbank, Los Angeles, Orange County, and Carlsbad.

More nonstop routes are slated to begin next year. From Oakland, the carrier will add flights to Carlsbad and Scottsdale, Arizona.

Both routes will begin on March 2, 2025, operating four times per week.

On Thursday, the carrier began flights to Salt Lake City. The Dallas-based company will serve Burbank, Scottsdale, Denver, and Las Vegas from its newest city.

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.

Neeleman: Spirit, Frontier Will Survive by Merging

Spirit and Frontier’s survival may very well depend on another merger attempt, says longtime airline founder David Neeleman.

Spirit and Frontier aircraft
Frontier and Spirit aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Spirit and Frontier’s survival may depend on another merger attempt, says longtime airline founder David Neeleman. The two airlines’ first merger attempt was sidelined thanks to a juicer JetBlue deal.

Of course, the Biden administration, on antitrust grounds, quashed JetBlue’s $3.8 billion plan to purchase Spirit. In October, Spirit and Frontier resumed last-ditch merger talks, eventually failing.

Spirit has since filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and company executives have less optimism about the company’s ability to continue operations. Frontier – while not nearly in the same dire straits – has not made a full-year profit since 2019.

The Premium Push

Some airline CEOs have said the ultra-low-cost model is essentially dead, including United boss Scott Kirby. But Neeleman isn’t convinced yet.

“ I know why Scott said it because it makes logical sense and he’s a very smart guy …,” he told AirlineGeeks during an interview. “ If these guys rationalize their growth and rationalize the competition with each other, I do think there’s a market for them.”

With premium revenue becoming a hot topic in the industry, ultra-low-cost carriers have been forced to adapt. Spirit has beefed up its “premium” offerings, including snacks and drinks in its Big Front Seats and free Wi-Fi coming soon.

Both Frontier and JetBlue have debuted domestic first-class products, something that Breeze has had from its inception.

A rendering of Frontier’s new first-class product (Photo: Frontier Airlines)

“ You had these ULCCs growing indiscriminately, [with] bigger airplanes, stuffing more and more seats in them, thinking no one can ever stop us because United can’t offer $29 or $39 fares,” he continued.

Neeleman has founded multiple airlines, including JetBlue, WestJet, Morris Air, and Azul. His latest venture – Breeze – began operations in 2021 and now operates a fleet of Airbus A220 and Embraer aircraft to over 60 U.S. cities.

”It’s good to be able to not have to be scrambling to deal with that,” Neeleman added. “It’s great that we have first class, and it’s great that we have ‘extra legroom seats.’”

Breeze has seen strong demand for its premium product, he notes, especially on the airline’s longer routes.

The carrier’s A220-300s have 137 seats, including 12 in its premium class. In the future, Neeleman hinted at a potential increase in premium seating at Breeze.

First class seats on Breeze’s Airbus A220. (Photo: Breeze Airways)

More M&A

During the Wednesday interview, Neeleman added that Spirit and Frontier’s survival may very well depend on another merger attempt.

“ I think Spirit and Frontier will survive and the way they’ll do it, I think, is by merging. That’s my guess. If they were to merge, they have 40% overlap on the routes that they serve,” he said.  They also have dual station operations and dual headquarters. If they can work on getting the revenue synergies and the cost synergies in line, then I think there’s certainly a market for that in the U.S.”

Neeleman continued: “I think that’s probably the most effective way … as opposed to adding eight first-class seats.”

JetBlue swooped in to buy Spirit in 2022, essentially outbidding Frontier. Neeleman adds that JetBlue “kind of derailed” Frontier’s plan to build an ultra-low-cost conglomerate.

He also gave accolades to recently appointed JetBlue President Marty St. George.

“[He’s been]  doing a good job trying to reorient it there, and I think the first class will really help them a lot because they have a lot of customers that will be willing to pay for that,” Neeleman shared. “And that will attract a lot of people back to them.”

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.

Boeing 767s and 777s Are Back in Production

A LinkedIn post by Stephanie Pope, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, confirmed Tuesday that Boeing had resumed building its 767 and 777/777X aircraft.

A Boeing 777 in Everett, Washington (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Boeing has confirmed its 767 and 777 airplane programs are back in production.

A LinkedIn post by Stephanie Pope, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, confirmed Tuesday that Boeing had resumed building its 767 and 777/777X aircraft.

“Our teammates have worked methodically to warm up our factories in the Pacific Northwest, using Boeing’s Safety Management System to identify and address potential issues and ensure a safe and orderly restart,” Pope said in the post. “In particular, we have taken time to ensure all manufacturing teammates are current on training and certifications, while positioning inventory at the optimal levels for smooth production.”

“As we move forward, we will closely track our production health performance indicators and focus on delivering safe, high-quality airplanes on time to our customers,” she continued.

The continuation of 767 and 777 production comes a little over a week after Boeing resumed production of its best-selling 737 jetliner – which was stalled for months due to a machinists strike in the Pacific Northwest.

The 777X static model being rolled out in Everett, Wash. (Photo: Boeing)

According to a recent Reuters report, Boeing commercial jet deliveries had slumped to 13 in November following the strike.

Boeing aimed to build 38 of its 737 MAX jets per month before the strikes. Analysts from the Jefferies investment firm told Reuters in another report they expect Boeing to produce an average of 29 737 MAX jets per month in 2025.

The company delivered 92 737s in Q3 2024, bringing the total to 229 year to date. Its competitor, Airbus, announced in its Q3 earnings report that it aims to produce 75 A320-series jets per month by October 2027.

Amid cost cuts and layoff announcements for 10% of the company’s workforce, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said the company was also phasing out its 767 production in 2027 after fulfilling current freighter orders.

Last week Boeing invested $1 billion in its South Carolina facilities to boost 787 production – which wasn’t affected by the strikes.

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.
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