Southwest 737 Returns to Airport After Windshield Crack

The FAA said it is investigating the incident.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 10:10 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Southwest Boeing 737-700. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

A Southwest flight was forced to return to Orlando International Airport after its crew reported a cracked windshield.

Southwest Flight 2414 took off for Austin, Texas, shortly after 6 a.m. local time Thursday but turned around and landed back at Orlando around 7:15 a.m, according to a statement from the FAA. A Boeing 737-700 was operating the route.

The aircraft landed safely in Orlando and there were no reports of any injuries to passengers or crew.

It was not immediately clear what caused the crack in the windshield.

The FAA said it is investigating the incident.

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.

Report: JetBlue Explores Sale

The carrier has identified three potential partners.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 02:40 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A JetBlue A320. (Photo: Shutterstock | Markus Mainka)

JetBlue is considering selling itself to a rival airline and has mapped out how a merger with three potential partners could be received by regulators in Washington, according to a report from Semafor.

Citing unnamed sources with knowledge of the matter, the outlet said JetBlue’s planning is “preliminary” and may not result in talks with competitors. Still, mounting financial pressure could move the low-cost carrier toward negotiations in the near future.

The three carriers under consideration for a merger are United, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest, according to Semafor.

JetBlue declined to comment on the discussions but told Semafor that it is focused on its recovery strategy.

“We’ve made meaningful progress on our multi-year JetForward strategy and are focused on executing the plan,” the airline said. “We’re confident JetForward is the right strategy to restore profitability and create value for our shareholders and opportunities for our crewmembers.”

United and Southwest declined to comment, and Alaska did not respond to a request for comment.

United has forged an especially close bond with JetBlue over the last year, though there are currently no plans for it to acquire the smaller airline. The carriers’ “Blue Sky” partnership includes reciprocal points and benefits for loyalty members, an interline deal with revenue booking, integration of JetBlue’s booking platform into United’s website and app, and slot sharing at airports.

A JetBlue A321 aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Industry opponents of the Blue Sky deal, including budget airline Spirit, have complained to regulators that the alliance is a de facto merger.

JetBlue, which has its headquarters in New York, has not recorded a full-year net profit since 2019.

The carrier attempted to buy Spirit in 2022, but the prospective deal was blocked by a judge on antitrust grounds and terminated in 2024.

It is not clear how a merger involving two of the country’s largest airlines would fare in the Washington of 2026. The Trump administration has generally taken a more relaxed view on corporate consolidation than the Biden administration, but such an enormous linkup could still raise alarms in the U.S. Justice Department’s Antitrust Division.

Zach Vasile

American Unveils Centennial-Themed Amenity Kits, Pajamas

The collections reference different periods in the airline’s history.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 01:00 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

American Airlines pajamas. (Photo: American Airlines)

American Airlines this week gave a first look at new, limited-edition amenity kits and pajamas designed to celebrate the carrier’s 100th anniversary.

The kits and pajamas will debut across American’s premium cabins starting in April, officials said.

It was not immediately clear how long the new products will be available.

The amenity kits come in three different styles – Astrojet, Silverbird, and Forward – that call back to distinct eras in the airline’s history.

The Astrojet design – dark blue with an orange lightning bolt – is meant to evoke the optimism of the early jet age. The Silverbird sports a silver finish with a tribar stripe, in a callback to the glamor of air travel in the 1950s and 1960s. Forward comes in rich red with angled stitching, inspired by American’s newest seat designs, and is meant to embody the present day.

American's new centennial-inspired amenity kits. (Photo: American Airlines) — American’s new centennial-inspired amenity kits. (Photo: American Airlines)

The contents of the kits will vary based on cabin. The highest-end lineup, available in Flagship First and Flagship Suite Preferred seats, includes an eye mask, socks, cosmetic under-eye patches, a foldable comb, mouthwash, toothpaste, and a bamboo toothbrush.

The commemorative pajamas all come in dark blue, though there are differences in the logo reflecting the Astrojet-Silverjet-Forward periodization. Sets will be made available to Flagship First and Flagship Suite Preferred passengers.

A First Class Forward-era amenity kit and its contents. (Photo: American Airlines)

American also announced a refresh of its in-flight slippers, which have been redesigned with a closed toe. The change was based on customer feedback, the airline said.

Zach Vasile

United Gives First Look at Lie-Flat Economy ‘Relax Row’

The three-seat rows will be introduced next year.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 11:30 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A United Relax Row. (Photo: United Airlines)

United this week unveiled a new Economy offering that will turn a row of three seats into a couch for resting on long-haul flights.

In a United “Relax Row,” three seats will come with individually adjustable leg rests that fold up to 90 degrees, creating more room for passengers to stretch out or sleep. The airline released a video and animation through its social media channels showing how the configuration will work.

Officials said the setup is ideal for families with small children, as well as solo travelers and couples.

Relax Row customers will receive additional amenities to make the seats more comfortable, including a custom-fitted mattress pad, a plush blanket, and two additional pillows, as well as a plush toy and children’s travel kit for families.

The rows are set to debut in 2027, and will be added to over 200 Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft by 2030. They will be positioned between Economy and Premium Plus.

The carrier plans to offer up to 12 Relax Row sections on each airplane.

“Customers traveling in United Economy on long-haul flights deserve an option for more space and comfort, and this is one way we can deliver that for them,” Andrew Nocella, United’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said in a news release. “United is the only North American airline offering a product like the United Relax Row and is one of the many reasons why we’re continuing to win brand loyal customers.”

Earlier this week, United announced plans to expand its premium Polaris seats to domestic transcontinental flights. It will also roll out a luxury version of Bombardier’s CRJ-200 with a United First cabin.

Zach Vasile

Delta Adds New Route, Expands Two Others

The changes will come into effect in November.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Delta A321neo. (Photo: Delta)

Delta is strengthening ties between Los Angeles and Florida.

The carrier announced Tuesday that it will launch a new route from LAX to Florida and increase the number of flights per day on two existing routes.

Nonstop service between Los Angeles and Palm Beach will launch Nov. 20, officials said.

The only airline currently connecting the two cities is JetBlue, which operates seasonal service.

That same month, an existing Delta route to Tampa will expand to three flights per day year-round, and existing service to Orlando will increase to five per day.

The Tampa route will begin its new schedule on Nov. 9, and the additional flights to Orlando will commence Nov. 20.

All flights will operate with Airbus A321neo aircraft.

“Los Angeles is one of our most important global gateways, and these additions give our customers more choice and flexibility across the network,” Amy Martin, Delta’s vice president of network planning, said in a news release. “With expanded Florida service and new routes to Hong Kong and Chicago coming this summer, we’re continuing to build a network at LAX that meets our customers’ needs and reflects Delta’s momentum in the region.”

With the new flights factored in, Delta will offer 12 departures per day from Los Angeles to Florida.

The carrier is also preparing to launch previously announced routes from LAX to Hong Kong and Chicago O’Hare. Service to Hong Kong will operate daily starting June 6, and three times daily flights to Chicago will begin June 7.

Zach Vasile

FAA Clears Higher Takeoff Weights for 787-9 and 787-10

The optional heavier models can carry more payload or fly longer routes, Boeing said.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 03:20 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Sections of the enhanced 787-9 are loaded into Final Assembly. (Photo: Boeing)

The FAA has approved higher takeoff weights for Boeing’s 787-9 and -10, steps the manufacturer said will improve the variants’ payload and range.

Boeing said Tuesday that slightly heavier Dreamliners will preserve the type’s fuel efficiency while enabling carriers to support new routes that were not possible or economical before.

“We started this effort after airlines sent Boeing a clear message: they wanted greater flexibility,” 787 chief project engineer John Murphy said in a news release. “Some wanted the 787-10 to fly longer missions; others wanted the 787-9 to carry additional payload with range trade-offs. Boeing designed a solution that delivers both.”

All 787-9s and 787-10s assembled as of December 2025 are structurally capable of the higher weights. Airline customers can choose to activate that capability at delivery or later, Boeing officials said, allowing them to match performance needs with route economics.

For the 787-9, a roughly 10,000-pound increase in weight enables about three metric tons of extra payload, or more than 300 nautical miles of additional range. For the -10, a 14,000-pound increase translates to five metric tons of extra payload or over 400 nautical miles of additional range.

The first jets built with the increased maximum takeoff weight (iMTOW) capability are progressing through ticketing and delivery. Boeing said Air New Zealand will be among the first carriers to use the option.

“This upgrade gives us greater ability to carry additional payload on our ultra long-haul routes – an important enabler for our network ambitions, supporting trade, tourism, and better connectivity for New Zealand,” said Baden Smith, Air New Zealand’s general manager of strategy, networks, and fleet. “We’re looking forward to bringing this new airplane into our fleet.”

Zach Vasile

Delta Cancels Perks for Members of Congress

The carrier cited the impact of the partial government shutdown.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 01:50 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Delta aircraft takes off from Washington DCA. (Photo: Shutterstock | Andrew Mauro)

Delta is reportedly suspending its flight assistance service for members of Congress.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Tuesday that the carrier will no longer offer special benefits to lawmakers through its congressional desk service. Those perks included escorts through airports and highly specialized red coat customer assistance.

“Due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta,” a spokesperson told the newspaper. “Next to safety, Delta’s no. 1 priority is taking care of our people and customers, which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment.”

Members of Congress and their staff can still make reservations through the congressional desk, but they will be treated like any other passenger, with benefits limited to their standing in Delta’s loyalty program.

The airline did not immediately reply to a request from AirlineGeeks seeking additional information.

The change in policy comes only days after the U.S. Senate passed a bill that would end special treatment for members of Congress at airports, including their ability to skip security lines and receive expedited screening.

Due to the partial government shutdown, TSA employees are working without pay, and a growing number are quitting or calling out of work. As a result, security lines at several major airports are moving much slower than usual, and on especially busy travel days, wait times have shot up to two, three, and even four hours.

Among the hardest hit is Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, where Delta has its headquarters and a base.

U.S. airlines have repeatedly pressed Congress to reach a deal that would restore funding to the Department of Homeland Security and, by extension, the TSA. Democrats and some Republicans are holding out for reforms of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies and stronger oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, which are also part of DHS.

Zach Vasile

United Gives the CRJ-200 a Second Life

Reimagined CRJ-450 adds premium flair to small-market routes

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 12:37 PM ET

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Zach Vasile

A United CRJ-200 (Photo: Shutterstock | photojohn830)

United is introducing a new regional aircraft built from an existing platform as it continues to reshape its small-jet fleet.

The airline announced the CRJ-450, a “reimagined and redesigned” version of the aging CRJ-200, which will be operated by SkyWest. The 41-seat aircraft is expected to enter service this fall, connecting smaller cities with United’s hubs in Denver and Chicago O’Hare.

United said the CRJ-450 is designed to deliver a more premium onboard experience than traditional regional jets of similar size. While standard CRJ-200s typically feature an all-economy configuration, the aircraft will feature a United First cabin with a large luggage closet in place of overhead bins.

United CRJ-450 rendering (Photo: United)

In the Economy cabin, passengers will have access to overhead bins large enough to accommodate rollaboard bags — a feature that is uncommon on regional aircraft in this category. The cabin will also include updated trim and finishes aligned with United’s larger mainline fleet.

The CRJ-450 will also be equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi, which will be available free to MileagePlus members.

Rendering of United's CRJ-450 — Rendering of United’s CRJ-450 (Photo: United)

United described the aircraft as a first-of-its-kind regional jet designed to “evoke a feeling of a private jet experience.” The type builds on the airline’s earlier introduction of the CRJ-550, which entered service in 2019 as a modified CRJ-700 with just 50 seats.

By 2028, United expects to operate more than 50 CRJ-450s alongside nearly 120 CRJ-550s. SkyWest currently operates 74 CRJ-200s under the United Express banner, according to Cirium Fleet Analyzer data.

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 Details Sweeping Fleet Upgrade, Premium Expansion

The carrier plans to add over 250 new airplanes in the next two years.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 10:30 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A rendering of a United Coastliner. (Photo: United Airlines)

United on Tuesday announced a large-scale fleet and cabin upgrade strategy that will put new jets on certain foreign and domestic routes and bring its Polaris business-class product to narrowbody aircraft.

The airline plans to take delivery of more than 250 new aircraft by April 2028, including 47 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, 119 737 MAX jets, 58 Airbus A321neos, and 28 A321XLRs.

In probably the most significant consumer-facing development made public this week, United said it will install “Elevated” interiors with lie-flat Polaris seats on certain A321neos, dubbed “Coastliners,” and new -XLRs. The Polaris product was initially intended only for widebody international operations.

Coastliners will operate transcontinental routes between Newark, New Jersey, and San Francisco and Los Angeles. Each will have 20 Polaris seats, 12 Premium Plus seats, and 129 Economy seats.

Polaris seating on an A321XLR. (Photo: United Airlines)

The subfleet is also getting a special livery, with bright shades of blue wrapping the back third of the aircraft and United’s name spelled out on its belly.

A321XLRs with Polaris seats will replace 757s on existing routes to smaller cities in Europe and South America starting this summer.

United also unveiled what it called the “CRJ-450,” a modified, luxury version of Bombardier’s CRJ-200 meant to evoke a “private jet experience.” The 41-seat regional aircraft will include a United First cabin with a large luggage closet instead of overhead bins, opening up more space for passengers. SkyWest will operate the CRJ-450 between smaller U.S. cities and United’s hubs in Denver and Chicago, officials said.

By 2028, the carrier expects to have more than 50 CRJ450s flying.

United previously announced that its Elevated Dreamliners were nearly ready to enter service. The widebody aircraft feature Polaris Studio suites, which come with fully lie-flat seats, privacy doors, an ottoman with a seatbelt for a visiting companion, a 27-inch 4K screen, Saks Fifth Avenue bedding and pillows, hoodie pajamas, slippers, and other amenities.

Premium Plus seats on a 787-9. (Photo: United Airlines)

The upgraded 787s will start flying internationally on April 22.

“These new planes and products not only complement our fleet and network plans, but they also give our customers more premium amenity and seat choices – whether they bought a basic economy ticket to fly from Chicago to Ft. Wayne or are flying Polaris between San Francisco and Singapore,” United Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella said in a news release.

Premium has become a major profit engine for United over the last several years. Last week, executives said that, while main cabin performance is improving, premium continues to lead in profitability.

Zach Vasile

LaGuardia Reopens Following Deadly Collision

NTSB personnel are on the scene and beginning their investigation.

Zach Vasile

Monday, March 23, 2026 at 04:40 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

NTSB investigators walk the scene of the March 22 collision between an Air Canada Express plane and a firefighting vehicle on Runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport. (Photo: NTSB)

LaGuardia Airport is open but operating at reduced capacity following a collision late Sunday night that killed two Air Canada pilots.

At a press conference at the airport Monday afternoon, officials acknowledged what they called a “traumatizing” event for New York and U.S. and Canadian travelers and said an NTSB-led investigation is now underway.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani offered condolences to the families of the two pilots. Bedford remarked that the pilots were “two young men at the start of their career.”

“It’s an absolute tragedy we’re standing here with their loss,” he said.

An Air Canada Bombardier CRJ-900 hit a LaGuardia firefighting truck around 11:40 p.m. Sunday while attempting to land on Runway 4. The pilot and co-pilot were killed, and around 40 people, including two inside the truck, were hospitalized. Most have been released, a spokesperson for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said.

The airport was shut down until 2 p.m. Monday.

“It’s incredibly sad, it is troubling,” Duffy said. “We are working our hearts out to make sure when people travel by car, by rail, by air, they travel safely.”

NTSB teams are now on the scene, Duffy said, and staff from Transport Canada are on their way.

Without going into specifics, the secretary said the crash illustrated the importance of wearing a seatbelt on an airplane.

“As you saw from last night, they do save lives,” he said.

Duffy may have been referencing reports rescuers found a flight attendant strapped in her jumpseat outside the aircraft. She was injured and hospitalized but is expected to survive.

Mamdani noted that Sunday’s crash is the first fatal incident at LaGuardia in over 30 years.

Pressed for Details

Duffy declined to answer certain questions from reporters about the exact chain of events leading up to the crash, saying he did not want to “frontrun” the NTSB.

He did say that reports suggesting there was only one air traffic controller in the tower overseeing LaGuardia were wrong.

The airport has a target of 37 controllers, and there are currently 33, with seven in training, making LaGuardia a “very well staffed airport,” Duffy said.

He also noted that the FAA is in the process of training more controllers to fill gaps throughout the country.

Bedford offered more details about the night of the crash, saying there was moderate wind, mist, and fog. Visibility was about four miles.

The fire truck was responding to a United flight that experienced an aborted takeoff, he said.

Duffy said he expects LaGuardia to continue to operate at reduced capacity “for some time,” as the wreckage from the collision is still on the runway.

Zach Vasile