Delta Again Pushes Back Restart of Tel Aviv Flights

The carrier also said it will delay the launch of a new route to Israel indefinitely.

Zach Vasile

Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Delta A330-300 aircraft. (Photo: Shutterstock | Santi Rodriguez)

Delta is again extending its pause on flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel.

The carrier said this week that it has suspended service from New York-JFK and Atlanta to Tel Aviv through Sept. 5.

In a prior update, Delta canceled JFK-Tel Aviv flights through May 31, and paused the restart of the Atlanta connection through Aug. 4.

Additionally, the launch of service between Boston and Tel Aviv, originally planned for late October, has been “delayed until further notice,” officials said.

The changes will be processed in Delta’s systems on Saturday, and customers will receive cancellation notifications through the carrier’s app and the contact information included in their reservation.

Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport has been operating on an extremely restricted schedule since the start of hostilities between the U.S., Israel, and Iran in February.

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.

Senate Passes Bill to Fund Most of DHS, Restore TSA Pay

The end may be in sight for frustrated travelers facing long security lines.

Zach Vasile

Friday, March 27, 2026 at 02:46 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A terminal in Miami. (Photo: Shutterstock | Khairil Azhar Junos)

Developments in the ongoing struggle to fund the TSA came fast Thursday and early Friday as President Donald Trump pledged to unilaterally authorize pay for agents and the U.S. Senate passed a bill funding most of the Department of Homeland Security.

Though neither action on its own ends the 41-day-long partial government shutdown, they represent the most substantial progress on the issue in weeks, and could lay the groundwork for a final compromise that would fully fund the TSA and return security operations at U.S. airports to something resembling normalcy.

Long lines at security checkpoints, some exceeding four hours, have become a source of national frustration, and there is growing pressure on Congress to find a solution. Democrats and some Republicans have held up funding to DHS in an attempt to push through reforms of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies, which they characterize as heavy-handed and possibly illegal.

Trump took to Truth Social on Thursday to again blame Democrats for the situation and announce a new strategy to break the impasse.

“I am going to sign an Order instructing the Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, to immediately pay our TSA Agents in order to address this Emergency Situation, and to quickly stop the Democrat Chaos at the Airports,” the president wrote. “It is not an easy thing to do, but I am going to do it!”

Trump did not explain how his plan will work, though it is possible that DHS could reallocate money or draw on some type of emergency funding.

Hours later, the Senate unanimously passed a bill that would restore funding for all of DHS, including the TSA, except for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and part of Customs and Border Protection.

Congress already set aside funding for ICE and CBP through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last year, and as a result employees with those agencies have continued to be paid despite the partial shutdown.

The funding battle now moves to the House of Representatives. The chamber could pass a version of the Senate’s legislation, or come up with its own proposed solution.

It was not clear if a vote in the House would take place at some point on Friday.

According to NBC News, some House Republicans are strongly opposed to the compromise worked out by the Senate. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is expected to present a short-term bill that would fund all of DHS, including ICE and CBP, for 60 days.

Zach Vasile

American Considers Bringing Back Seatback Screens on Narrowbody Aircraft

The carrier is also reportedly in talks with Starlink and Amazon for high-speed in-flight wireless internet.

Zach Vasile

Friday, March 27, 2026 at 12:30 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8. (Photo: Shutterstock | Wenjie Zheng)

Almost a decade after ditching seatback screens on its narrowbody aircraft, American Airlines could be close to bringing them back.

Citing a source with knowledge of the matter, CNBC reported Thursday that American could make a final decision on returning screens to narrowbody cabins as early as April. The carrier is reportedly feeling pressure from new premium products being rolled out by rivals United and Delta, which include screens and access to streaming content.

Both United and Delta already have seatback screens on many of their single-aisle aircraft. American went a different direction and began removing screens from its narrowbody jets in 2017, reasoning that customers would rather use their own phones, laptop computers, or tablets for entertainment. Foregoing screens also reduced the weight of the aircraft, which translated to savings over time.

It was not clear how many American narrowbody aircraft could get new seatback screens, or how long installations would take.

American did not immediately reply to a request for comment on its plans.

Wi-Fi Discussions

CNBC also reported that American is in talks with Starlink and Amazon for high-speed wireless internet.

CEO Robert Isom confirmed in December that American was considering partnering with Amazon Leo, which is building a network of thousands of low Earth orbit satellites to provide internet for subscribers, but he declined to comment further, and the matter has not been raised for the past couple of months.

Additionally, American is reportedly looking at partnering with Amazon for in-flight content, which could include access to Amazon Prime, Amazon Music, and the company’s online shopping platform.

The airline already has an agreement with Apple that provides access to Apple TV+ and Apple Music.

Zach Vasile

FAA Investigating Close Call Between United Jet, Black Hawk

The United aircraft was approaching Santa Ana, California, when the helicopter crossed its flight path.

Zach Vasile

Friday, March 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A United Boeing 737-800. (Photo: Shutterstock)

The FAA is investigating a recent close call involving a United Boeing 737-800 and a military helicopter.

The agency said United Flight 589 was approaching John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California, around 8:40 p.m. local time Tuesday when a California National Guard Black Hawk crossed in front of its flight path. The aircraft’s collision avoidance alarm went off, and the pilots stopped their descent and leveled off until they passed the helicopter, according to United.

Flight data reported by Reuters showed the aircraft were at one point about 525 feet apart vertically.

Recordings of air traffic control communications captured one controller saying, “We’re going to be addressing that, because that was not good.”

The pilots had been advised by air traffic control to “watch out for a military helicopter” operating near the airport, but it was not clear if controllers were actively coordinating with the two aircraft to keep them separated.

The United flight, which was traveling from San Francisco, landed safely at the airport. There were no reports of any injuries.

The California National Guard said the Black Hawk was completing a routine training mission.

“At the time, the aircraft was returning to Los Alamitos airfield along an established Visual Flight Rules (VFR) route at an assigned altitude while in communication with air traffic control,” the reserve force said. “Both aircraft landed safely. A thorough review will be conducted in coordination with the appropriate agencies.”

Separately, the Army said it is aware of the incident and is coordinating with the FAA.

The FAA said it will investigate whether a new rule suspending the use of visual separation between airplanes and helicopters near airports was applied. The order, released earlier this month, was developed in response to the fatal collision of an American Airlines jet and a Black Hawk over Washington, D.C., last year. The American CRJ-700 was approaching Reagan National in Virginia when it collided with the helicopter over the Potomac River, killing 67 people.

Zach Vasile

Livery of the Week: airBaltic

A single bold color has become one of the most recognizable identities in European aviation.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, March 27, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET

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Edited By:

Zach Vasile

An airBaltic Airbus A220 (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.

airBaltic’s standard livery is defined by its bright lime green color, applied prominently across the vertical stabilizer and engine nacelles. The Latvian carrier pairs the vibrant shade with a clean white fuselage, creating a high-contrast design that stands out across European airports.

The tail features a solid lime green finish with “Baltic” titles in black. The same green is carried onto the engine nacelles, giving the aircraft a cohesive look that remains consistent across the fleet.

Along the fuselage, the aircraft retains a largely white base with minimal embellishment. “airBaltic” titles appear in a dark gray tone on the forward section, keeping the overall design simple while allowing the tail and engines to serve as the primary visual identifiers.

airBaltic Airbus A220s at Riga Airport (Photo: airBaltic)

The livery is applied uniformly across airBaltic’s all-Airbus A220-300 fleet. The airline was one of the launch customers for the type and has since built its entire operation around the aircraft, making the lime green design a consistent presence across every aircraft in service.

Unlike many carriers that rely on heritage symbols or complex striping, airBaltic’s livery takes a minimalist approach centered on color recognition. The bright green palette is uncommon in commercial aviation, helping the airline establish a strong visual identity despite operating in a highly competitive European market.

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 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.

LaGuardia Runway Reopens After Fatal Collision

The airport has been operating at reduced capacity since Monday.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 04:30 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Regional aircraft at New York LaGuardia Airport. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

The runway at LaGuardia Airport where an Air Canada jet crashed into a fire truck earlier this week reopened Thursday morning after being cleared of wreckage.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates LaGuardia, said the runway was repaired, inspected, and brought back up to FAA standards. It officially reopened around 10 a.m.

LaGuardia has been operating at reduced capacity since Monday afternoon. With its second runway now back online, cancellations are expected to drop, though officials are still encouraging travelers to check the status of their flight before they arrive at the airport.

Late Sunday night, an Air Canada Bombardier CRJ-900 hit an airport firefighting truck while landing at LaGuardia. The flight’s two pilots were killed, and around 40 other people were injured.

Port Authority officials have not said where the aircraft and the truck were taken.

The NTSB is leading the investigation into the collision.

Zach Vasile

United, Flight Attendants Reach Tentative Labor Deal

The proposed contract would give flight attendants their first raises in close to six years.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 03:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A United 737 MAX 8. (Photo: Shutterstock | lorenzatx)

United this week reached a tentative labor agreement with its flight attendants that it said will raise wages and improve scheduling.

The deal includes immediate raises upon ratification, boarding pay, new pay for long gaps between flights, and a signing bonus for every flight attendant. By the end of the contract’s term, top wage rates would reach $100 per hour, making United flight attendants the best paid in the industry, airline officials said.

The contract is worth a total of $740 million. It would become amendable after five years.

Further details were not immediately available.

United’s flight attendants have not had a contractual pay increase in almost six years. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA reached a prior agreement with the carrier last year, but the membership voted it down.

That deal included immediate raises of at least 26% and some quality of life improvements.

Union leaders said at the time that they planned to survey members about their wants and priorities.

The new provisional agreement is subject to approval by the AFA’s Master Executive Council, including all local presidents. If given the green light, it would proceed to a ratification vote by the flight attendants.

Zach Vasile

Frontier Axes Three International Routes

Service is scheduled to end in April.

Ryan Ewing

Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 02:19 PM ET

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Edited By:

Zach Vasile

A Frontier Airbus A321neo (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Frontier will cut three international routes as part of its latest network shake-up, an airline spokesperson confirmed this week.

According to schedule data from Cirium, the ultra-low-cost carrier will no longer link Atlanta with Nassau, Providenciales, and St. Maarten. All of these routes are slated to end next month.

The airline initially planned to resume these routes in June. Delta will continue to serve all of the affected markets from its hub in Atlanta.

Frontier’s flights from Atlanta to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta will follow a “typical seasonal pause,” the spokesperson added, and are expected to resume later this year.

Ryan Ewing

TSA Resignations Climb As Agency Consolidates Lanes, Looks at Closing Airports

Over 480 officers have quit since the start of the partial government shutdown in February.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 12:45 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A TSA checkpoint. (Photo: Shutterstock | Jim Lambert)

TSA resignations and call-outs show no signs of letting up, the agency’s interim leader said on Wednesday.

Ha Nguyen McNeill, acting administrator of the TSA, told the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security that over 480 officers have quit since the partial government shutdown began last month. Absence rates, she said, have shot up from a nationwide average of 4% to between 40% and 50% at some major airports because agents there “simply cannot afford to report to work.”

“We are being forced to consolidate lanes and may have to close smaller airports if we do not have enough officers,” McNeill said. “It is a fluid, challenging, and unpredictable situation.”

McNeill did not name any specific airports that could be targeted for temporary closure. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a similar warning about airport closures last week.

TSA workers missed a partial paycheck in February and a full paycheck earlier this month. They are set to miss another by the end of this week unless Congress can work out a deal that restores funding to the Department of Homeland Security, which TSA operates under.

Travelers at some airports have faced security wait times of over four and a half hours, which McNeill said are the highest in the TSA’s history. Among the hardest hit are Atlanta, Houston Bush, Houston Hobby, New York-JFK, and New Orleans.

Wait times tend to surge before and over the weekend, as spring break travel picks up, before easing somewhat midweek.

The White House ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents into at least 14 major airports around the country starting Monday to assist TSA staff. McNeill said Wednesday that ICE agents are helping direct crowds, giving passengers instructions on how to load their bins, and operating document checking machines.

Rep. LaMonica McIver of New Jersey asked McNeill how ICE agents could have been trained so quickly, noting that the standard training time for a new TSA agent is about six months. She said she made calls to Newark Liberty International Airport and was told that ICE agents were simply “standing in the lobby area” with airport police.

McNeill said it takes some time to get new people “embedded into our operations” but that in general the process was going “extremely well.”

Zach Vasile

JetBlue Adds New Route, Expands Nine Others

The changes will come into effect in July.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A JetBlue Airways Airbus A220 prepares for landing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

JetBlue is once again growing capacity at its hub in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The carrier announced Wednesday that it will add a new route from Fort Lauderdale and increase frequencies on nine existing routes from the city.

Starting July 8, JetBlue will connect Fort Lauderdale and Cleveland, Ohio, with daily service. The route is expected to operate year-round.

Tickets for the connection are now available for purchase.

Also starting in July, JetBlue will expand service to Atlanta; Newark, New Jersey; Jacksonville, Florida; Las Vegas; Norfolk, Virginia; Philadelphia; Aruba; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; and St. Maarten.

The frequency changes are:

Atlanta, one new daily flight for a total of four flights per day
Aruba, four new weekly flights for a total of one flight per day
Newark, one new daily flight for a total of four flights per day
Jacksonville, one new daily flight for a total of two flights per day
Las Vegas, one new daily flight for a total of three flights per day
Norfolk, two more weekly flights for a total of one flight per day
Philadelphia, one new daily flight for a total of three flights per day
Santo Domingo, one new daily flight for a total of two flights per day
St. Maarten, three more weekly flights for a total of one flight per day

The changes come into effect on July 9 for all routes except Norfolk, which begins its new schedule one day earlier, on July 8.

“These latest additions reflect our ongoing strategy to build an undeniably strong and relevant network in Fort Lauderdale by adding both new destinations and more frequencies where our customers want to fly,” Daniel Shurz, JetBlue’s senior vice president of revenue, network, and enterprise planning, said in a news release. “As we continue to grow in Fort Lauderdale, we’re offering customers more choice, more flexibility, and a more connected network.”

Zach Vasile