An American 777-300ER aircraft (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
American plans to add a new Boeing 777-300ER route next summer. The carrier’s largest jet can seat up to 304 passengers and includes a Flagship First cabin with eight seats.
As first flagged by Ishrion Aviation on Twitter/X, the 777-300ER will operate daily flights from New York-JFK to Madrid. The aircraft is scheduled to serve the route between June 5 and Sept. 3.
The aircraft will replace the Boeing 777-200, adding just over 30 more seats to the route per day. From New York, American’s 777-300ERs also fly to London Heathrow and Barcelona during some days in the summer.
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.
American Plans Long-Distance Routes From LaGuardia
American plans to add more service from New York's LaGuardia Airport next year. The Fort Worth, Texas-based airline will add three long-distance routes.
An American Airlines 737 MAX taxis at LaGuardia.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
American plans to add more service from New York’s LaGuardia Airport next year. The Fort Worth, Texas-based airline will add three long-distance routes.
According to the latest Cirium Diio schedule update, the carrier will add service from LaGuardia to Calgary, Canada, Kalispell, Montana, and Bozeman, Montana. All of these routes are slated to begin on June 7, 2025, with Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
Perimeter Exceptions
LaGuardia Airport has a perimeter rule that bans nonstop flights over 1,500 miles. Saturdays are exempt from this rule.
Accordingly, American’s newly added routes will operate on Saturdays only. LaGuardia to Kalispell is the longest at 2,035 miles.
From New York, Calgary is a new destination for the airline. Both Bozeman and Kalispell were last served in 2021 and 2022.
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.
737 MAX aircraft in Renton. (Photo: Shutterstock | Thiago B Trevisan)
Boeing aims to dial up production of its 737 MAX jets to 38 per month by May 2025, according to reporting by The Air Current.
On Dec. 10, Reuters reported that the jet builder had only delivered 13 commercial jets in November following machinist strikes that rattled the company for 53 days. Nine of November’s jets were 737s, Boeing’s top-selling aircraft.
Increasing its 737 production four-fold by next May was called “incredibly aggressive” and “probably unrealistic,” by an unnamed Boeing supplier quoted in The Air Current report. Analysts from Jefferies investment firm had previously told Reuters in another report they expect Boeing to produce an average of 29 737 MAXs per month in 2025.
737s aren’t the only aircraft Boeing is setting high production targets for. Last week, Boeing announced a $1 billion investment into its South Carolina facilities to boost 787 Dreamliner production. The company plans to build 10 787s per month by 2026.
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 Spirit A319 in Las Vegas. [AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson]
Spirit is slated to retire its small fleet of Airbus A319 aircraft in early 2025. The ultra-low-cost airline has rapidly scaled down its fleet in recent months, which included the sale of 23 Airbus jets.
The carrier has two A319s in active service, according to Cirium Fleet Analyzer data. The aircraft have an average age of just over 14 years old.
The aircraft type is set to continue operating through Jan. 8, 2025, per Cirium Diio schedule data. At the time of writing, no further flights are scheduled after this date.
On that date, just one A319 flight will operate between Medellin, Colombia, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, arriving early in the morning. On Jan. 7, the type is set to operate six flights between Fort Lauderdale; Houston; Newark, New Jersey; and Medellin.
Earlier schedule iterations had the A319s planned to fly up to eight flights on Jan. 8. A spokesperson from Spirit did not reply to AirlineGeeks’ request for comment on the aircraft retirements.
The carrier’s published fleet plan — which was last updated on Aug. 1 – has the fleet planned for retirement in Q2 2025.
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.
Low-cost Dominican airline Arajet announced Friday that it plans to begin offering flights to the U.S. in the second quarter of 2025.
The airline shared plans to offer flights to New York, Miami, and Puerto Rico. The carrier has received approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation under the Open Skies agreement between the Dominican Republic and the United States.
Arajet flies more passengers than any other Dominican airline, the company said. It surpassed 1 million passengers in 2024, making up more than 7% of passengers flying to and from the Dominican Republic.
“ Because of our geographical position, we can connect people to and from different places in the Americas,” Arajet CEO Victor Pacheco told AirlineGeeks during a recent interview.
The airline operates two hubs with connecting flights to 23 destinations. It offers flights to and from more than a dozen countries, including Canada, Aruba, Colombia, and Argentina.
“With Open Skies coming into effect today, Arajet’s routes to the U.S. are now approved to move forward,” Dominican Republic Minister of Tourism David Collado said in the announcement. “This is a huge victory and realizes our vision to enable all Dominican airlines to fly to more destinations and increase competitiveness with the most important market for the country.”
Regarding U.S. expansion, Pacheco expressed optimism: “ I wouldn’t say [we are] bullish, but I would say that it’s definitely part of our [plan to] make us whole because of the north and south connectivity that we’re aiming to offer.”
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.
Livery of the Week: Vietnam Airlines
The national carrier of Vietnam utilizes a distinctive livery that reflects both the country's cultural heritage and its aspirations for the future.
A Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner on approach into London's Heathrow Airport.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is proud to present our ‘Livery of the Week’ series. Every Friday, a team member will share an airline livery, which can be from the past, present, or even a special scheme. Some airline liveries are works of art. The complexity associated with painting around critical flight components and the added weight requires outside-the-box thinking from designers. The average airliner can cost upwards of $200,000 to repaint, creating a separate aircraft repainting industry as a result.
Have an idea for a livery that we should highlight? Drop us a line.
Vietnam Airlines, the flag carrier of Vietnam, utilizes a distinctive livery that reflects both the country’s cultural heritage and its aspirations for the future. The current livery is a modern and elegant design that has become a familiar sight at airports around the world.
A predominantly green fuselage provides a clean and bright backdrop, allowing the other design elements to stand out. A prominent gold stripe runs along the aircraft’s fuselage, from the nose to the tail.
A Vietnam Airlines A350-900 in Seoul (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ben Suskind)
The tail of the aircraft features a stylized lotus flower, a national symbol of Vietnam. The lotus is revered for its beauty, purity, and resilience, and it holds a special place in Vietnamese art and culture.
Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.
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.
After a long awarding process, selected airlines are now able to schedule their new, highly coveted long-distance flights from D.C.'s Reagan National Airport.
American, Alaska, Delta, United, and Southwest were selected to add service to new and existing markets outside of the airport’s 1,250-mile perimeter rule. The carriers have 90 days to start the new flights from the date of the final order.
American
Reagan National’s largest airline – American – was selected to serve San Antonio. Flights will begin on March 2, 2025.
The carrier plans to operate the following schedule on the new route:
Dep. Airport
Dep. Time
Arr. Airport
Arr. Time
Aircraft
SAT
6:35 a.m.
DCA
10:41 a.m.
Airbus A321
DCA
7:45 p.m.
SAT
10:43 p.m.
Airbus A321
American says the flight numbers recognize the Texas city’s history. 1718 was the year San Antonio was founded while 1947 was the year the U.S. Air Force was established. San Antonio has a large military presence.
The new flights will be available for sale on Dec. 23, the carrier said.
Alaska
Alaska was awarded a route from Reagan National to San Diego, one of the airport’s largest unserved markets. The Seattle-based airline also serves San Diego from Washington’s Dulles airport.
At the time of writing, Alaska’s Washington to San Diego flights are not yet for sale and no start date is available. In its July application, the airline detailed its schedule for the route:
Dep. Airport
Dep. Time
Arr. Airport
Arr. Time
Aircraft
SAN
8:30 a.m.
DCA
4:30 p.m.
Boeing 737 MAX 8 or 737-800
DCA
5:30 p.m.
SAN
7:50 p.m.
Boeing 737 MAX 8 or 737-800
Delta
In its application, Delta eyed new service between Reagan National and its Seattle hub, which was awarded by the DOT. Flights are slated to begin on March 9, 2025.
The carrier will compete directly with Alaska, which also serves the market. In its application, Delta detailed the route’s schedule:
Dep. Airport
Dep. Time
Arr. Airport
Arr. Time
Aircraft
SEA
8 a.m.
DCA
4 p.m.
A321neo
DCA
5 p.m.
SEA
8 p.m.
A321neo
The new route is not yet for sale on the airline’s website.
United
The DOT awarded United a second daily flight between Reagan National and its San Francisco hub. The new flight is set to begin on Feb. 13, 2025.
Dep. Airport
Dep. Time
Arr. Airport
Arr. Time
Aircraft
SFO
12:50 p.m.
DCA
8:58 p.m.
737 MAX 8
DCA
7 a.m.
SFO
10:21 a.m.
737 MAX 8
The additional flight is available for sale on United’s website.
Southwest
Southwest also won a new nonperimeter route from the airport. Starting on Feb. 13, the carrier will connect Washington and Las Vegas.
The new route also includes a one-stop connection to Sacramento, California, with no aircraft change. Southwest will compete with American between Reagan National and Las Vegas.
Dep. Airport
Dep. Time
Arr. Airport
Arr. Time
Aircraft
LAS
8:30 a.m.
DCA
3:50 p.m.
Boeing 737
DCA
4:30 p.m.
LAS
6:55 p.m.
Boeing 737
All the new routes will operate on a daily, year-round basis.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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 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.
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 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.
