A Delta A220-300 (Photo: Shutterstock | Logan Hanson)
Delta and hotel chain Hyatt are launching what they termed a “long-term strategic relationship” that will allow elite loyalty members to earn reciprocal miles and points.
In a joint statement, Delta and Hyatt said their partnership will close a “critical” gap in premium travel and help customers coordinate their flights and hotel reservations.
Once the new collaboration is up and running, members with Delta Medallion status – the highest tier within SkyMiles – will be able to earn miles on qualifying Hyatt stays, and elite members of the World of Hyatt program will be able to earn points on qualifying Delta fare classes, and get access to certain SkyMiles benefits.
Delta and Hyatt said other benefits will be rolled out as the initiative comes online, including access to exclusive “once-in-a-lifetime experiences.”
“Flying Delta creates experiences and opportunities that can’t be found anywhere else,” CEO Ed Bastian said in a news release. “Hyatt shares that same premium approach to everything from travel and dining to entertainment and accommodations, and it’s what makes them such a natural fit.”
The new partnership will launch “in the coming months,” Delta said.
The announcement came the same day American Airlines confirmed it is terminating its alliance with Hyatt, which was initially also centered on reciprocal loyalty benefits. American said customers can continue to earn and redeem miles and points for the remainder of AAdvantage and World of Hyatt’s respective earnings years.
AAdvantage members who have linked their AAdvantage and World of Hyatt accounts by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Nov. 15 can continue earning World of Hyatt awards through Loyalty Point Rewards through Feb. 28, 2027. World of Hyatt members who have linked their accounts by Nov. 15 can continue earning AAdvantage rewards through Milestone Rewards through Dec. 31, 2026.
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.
Aviationtag Turns Icelandair’s Northern Lights Livery Into Collectibles
Buyers can own a piece of the Boeing 757 known as “Hekla Aurora.”
An Icelandair Boeing 757-200 in the "Hekla Aurora" northern lights special livery. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Fans of Icelandair’s instantly recognizable “Hekla Aurora” Boeing 757 can now own a piece of the aircraft as a collectible.
Aviationtag this week began selling keychain-style tags made out of the airplane’s richly colored outer skin, which was salvaged in Spain earlier this year. The tags reflect the wide range of colors used in the Hekla Aurora livery, from pale blue and turquoise to dark green and midnight blue.
The tags are now available for purchase at Aviationtag’s website.
Hekla Aurora after pieces of the livery were removed to make keychain-style tags. (Photo: Aviationtag)
Icelandair acquired the 757 that was to become Hekla Aurora in 2004. Ten years later, it applied a dazzling exterior paint job inspired by the Northern Lights, showing the blue-green ribbons of the aurora borealis above an Icelandic winter landscape. LED lights recreated the striking motif inside the airplane’s cabin.
The design was meant to promote tourism in Iceland. The name “Hekla” comes from one of the country’s most active volcanoes.
The tags made from Hekla Aurora. (Photo: Aviationtag)
Icelandair retired Hekla Aurora in 2025. In a final send-off, it flew about 140 passengers on a sightseeing tour of Iceland, cruising over coastlines, glaciers, and mountains.
The limited-time tags are being produced at Aviationtag’s facility in Cologne.
The company sells tags made from a variety of commercial, military, and general aviation aircraft. Among the carriers and air forces it sources from are Emirates, Lufthansa, Aer Lingus, the Royal Air Force, and the U.S. Air Force.
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.
Amazon Suspends Operations With 21 Air
The company operated Flight 7598, which overran the runway in Miami last week.
An Amazon Prime Air 767 touching down in Miami. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Amazon has suspended use of North Carolina-based contractor 21 Air, the operator of a cargo flight that crash landed at Miami International Airport last week.
“After the tragic incident last weekend, we’ve spent time supporting the investigation and reviewing some of the surrounding circumstances, and we’ve decided to pause our operations with 21 Air, the operator of Flight 7598,” Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a statement released Sunday. “We’ll continue working to support the investigation and everyone affected.”
Nantel did not elaborate on why Amazon is pausing its use of the company.
In a statement provided to NBC News, 21 Air said it is continuing to cooperate with investigators and its partners, including Amazon.
“We are confident in our safety policies, procedures, and training,” the company said.
A Boeing 767 operated for Amazon by 21 Air overran the runway at Miami last Sunday and hit two vehicles. Five people on the ground were killed, and five were injured.
The two pilots were briefly hospitalized, then released.
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.
AirBaltic Files for Bankruptcy
Flight operations will continue as normal, the carrier said.
AirBaltic Airbus A220s at Riga Airport. (Photo: Airbaltic)
Latvian flag carrier airBaltic filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. on Monday as it weathers higher jet fuel prices and route disruptions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
The airline said it voluntarily initiated bankruptcy proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The filing will not affect flight operations, officials said, and passengers will not see any disruptions.
AirBaltic signaled earlier this summer that it was facing serious financial headwinds when it canceled plans to expand its Airbus A220 fleet, adopted a new business plan, and made arrangements for new interim financing. It blamed higher fuel prices, changing demand patterns, and route disruptions stemming from the conflicts in Ukraine and the Gulf region.
AirBaltic also disclosed Monday that it has secured a commitment for €350 million, or about $403.6 million, in new debtor-in-possession financing arranged by the investment firm Strategic Value Partners and funded by Barclays, Hayfin Capital Management, Morgan Stanley, Oaktree Capital Management, and Strategic Value Partners.
The airline said it will seek the court’s permission to access this funding, which should be enough to support continued operations during the bankruptcy process.
“Our focus is on continuing to run the airline while implementing the changes set out in our new business plan,” Erno Hildén, president and CEO of airBaltic, said in a news release. “For our passengers, our operations continue as normal – the process does not affect their travel experience and is not noticeable to them – we are flying, selling tickets, and planning our future schedule, with the same focus on safety and operational reliability. At the same time, we are taking the necessary steps to make airBaltic a more efficient and financially sustainable airline.”
AirBaltic said it expects to complete the Chapter 11 process by June 2027.
The carrier is majority owned by the Latvian government, with Lufthansa Group holding a 10% stake.
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.
Livery of the Week: Airbus A350F Rollout
The cargo aircraft's inaugural livery draws inspiration from cardboard shipping boxes, complete with stickers, labels, and tape.
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.
The newest Airbus cargo freighter, the A350F, is now approaching its maiden flight planned for October, but earlier this month the prototype MSN 700 debuted its inaugural livery.
Starting in October 2022, over 4,000 people started submitting their proposals for an original aircraft livery, and the winners of this contest were revealed during the 2023 Paris Air Show.
The theme selected for the two inaugural liveries was a cardboard box design in two different variants, conveying the mission of a cargo freighter in an original way.
The design sees the aircraft almost entirely painted in the classic cardboard-box brown color, with the typical logos, stickers, and tape that can be found on shipping boxes.
Airbus A350F prototype. (Photo | Airbus)
“The concepts were similar but focused on slightly different elements, so they complemented each other perfectly,” said Airbus Corporate Design Manager Cassian Koshorst, who spearheaded the integration of both designs. “We were able to place graphics from both designs – including adhesive tape, stickers, and stamps – exactly where we wanted on the aircraft, even adding extra details to the cargo doors to make them stand out.”
With the A350F composed of more than 90% composite material, the realization of these specific liveries required the “development of a new, more flexible external primer that is specifically designed to absorb thermal stress,” said Monica Asuad Ferrer, head of external paints and coatings at Airbus, as different layers react differently to changes in temperature.
The final livery was the result of several layers: an intermediate coat, then a base coat (when color is added), before the final clear coat layer.
The A350F cargo freighter is the newest aircraft produced by Airbus, due to enter into commercial service during the second half of 2027. It currently has an orderbook of 115 aircraft, with the biggest order being placed by Atlas Air, with 20 aircraft.
It will be capable of carrying a payload of 111 tons a maximum distance of 4,700 nautical miles.
Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.
Vanni fell in love with commercial aviation during his undergraduate studies in Statistics at the University of Bologna, when he prepared his thesis on the effects of deregulation on the U.S. and European aviation markets. Then he pursued his passion further by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Air Transport Management at Cranfield University in the U.K. followed by holding several management positions at various start-up carriers in Europe (Jet2, SkyEurope, Silverjet). After moving to Canada, he was Business Development Manager for IATA for nine years before turning to his other passion: sports writing.
New Bill Would Scale Back Traffic at DCA
The senators behind the legislation said overcrowding at Reagan National continues to undermine safety.
The “DCA Air Safety Act” would cap hourly arrivals at the airport, space out takeoffs and landings, and do away with 30 slots over five years. It would also require regular reports to Congress on traffic and overall safety at Reagan National.
The legislation was announced by Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner on Thursday. Both cited the fatal midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National last year as a motivating factor.
“In the wake of the midair collision that killed 67 people last year near DCA, Congress must do more to ensure that the highest level of safety regulations is in place to prevent future tragedies,” Kaine said in a statement. “While I support various proposals to help do that, it’s obvious that any set of reforms that doesn’t address overcrowding at this airport, which sits along restricted airspace and is already operating beyond capacity, is dangerously insufficient.”
The bill as written would require the FAA to reduce DCA’s airport arrival rate to no more than 28 aircraft per consecutive 60-minute period. It would also set up binding interval caps to reduce clustering of takeoffs and arrivals and cut six slots per year between 2028 and 2032.
The FAA would be in charge of determining which slots would be eliminated. The process would be public, the bill states, and interested parties would have a 60-day window to submit comments.
DCA is one of only three fully slot-controlled airports in the U.S., the others being New York-JFK and LaGuardia.
The senators said findings from the NTSB show overcrowding and strain on air traffic controllers contributed to the 2025 midair collision. On the night of the accident, they said, there was an 18-minute period in which one controller was responsible for managing 29 separate aircraft, including a five-minute span with six takeoffs or landings.
They also pointed out that, since 2000, DCA has added 64 daily slots.
“For years, Senator Kaine and I have been warning that DCA is overcrowded and have fought to reduce the number of slot exemptions at the airport,” Warner said in a statement. “The risks are now painfully clear, and Congress cannot wait for another tragedy to act.”
Following the NTSB’s final report on the collision, a problematic helicopter route near Reagan National was eliminated, and new policies and flight requirements were put in place for military helicopters flying in and around the area. But the airport continues to see close calls, and the airspace around Washington, D.C., remains among the busiest in the nation.
DCA is located in Arlington County, Virginia, and is one of three major airports serving the greater Washington metro area, the others being Washington Dulles, also in Virginia, and Baltimore/Washington in Maryland.
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.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport announced the upcoming connection on Thursday.
Raleigh-Durham will be Volaris’ second destination in North Carolina, after Charlotte.
“The nonstop service to Guadalajara on Volaris will link two dynamic and innovative regions and create new opportunities for business, collaboration, and growth,” Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, said in a news release. “It will also strengthen connections between our vibrant communities by making it easier for Triangle-area travelers to visit family and friends.”
Volaris currently serves over 20 destinations in the U.S., including Atlanta, Denver, Los Angeles, and Dallas/Fort Worth.
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.
Air Cairo Orders 15 Airbus A320neo Aircraft
The new jets will expand capacity while improving flexibility and operational efficiency, the carrier said, setting the stage for network growth.
An Air Cairo Airbus A320 in Dusseldorf.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr)
Egypt’s Air Cairo this week signed a firm order for 15 more Airbus A320neo aircraft as it works to more than double its current total fleet size.
Airbus announced the deal at the El Alamein International Airshow on Tuesday. The new jets will advance Air Cairo’s goal of growing its fleet from 45 aircraft to over 130 by 2034, the manufacturer said.
Financial terms were not disclosed, and Airbus did not say when the first of the new A320neos will be delivered.
“This agreement represents a natural next step in Air Cairo’s growth,” Air Cairo CEO and Chairman Hussein Sherif said in a news release. “Combining owned aircraft with our leased fleet gives us greater operational flexibility and financial efficiency as we scale up. The A320neo will provide the capacity needed to expand our network, serve the growing demand for travel to and from Egypt, and support the country’s aviation and tourism sectors in close partnership with Airbus.”
Air Cairo’s fleet consists of the A320neo, A320ceo, Embraer E190 LR, and ATR 72-600. The airline connects Egyptian destinations such as Cairo, Hurghada, and Sharm El Sheikh with cities in Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and East Africa.
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.
Avianca Adds New Business-Class Suites
The new Insignia suites will be rolled out in 2027.
New Insignia suites on Avianca Boeing 787. (Photo: Avianca)
The world’s second-oldest airline is rolling out enhancements to its premium offerings, including a new suite for its Boeing 787s.
Avianca is introducing new Insignia business-class suites for its 15 Dreamliners, which fly to New York and Europe.
Insignia
The new suites will have sliding doors, more privacy, and a more comfortable, fully lie-flat seat, the carrier said. There will be 20 of these Insignia suites on the 787.
“The passenger will have an experience that is more comfortable, more private,” said Francisco Raddatz, chief procurement officer for Abra Group, which owns Avianca, GOL, and Wamos.
Avianca offers Insignia suites on flights from Colombia to Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, London, and now New York-JFK.
There will also be a new in-flight entertainment system with 4K screens, allowing passengers to connect their own Bluetooth headsets, and new Meridian noise-cancelling headphones.
New in-flight entertainment system in the Insignia suites (Photo: Avianca)
In addition, Insignia passengers will get new pajamas designed by Maaji, a Mola Sasa amenity kit, and dishes inspired by Latin American flavors, on redesigned tableware.
AirlineGeeks was invited to Bogotá, Colombia, where Avianca announced the updated suites on Tuesday.
“These initiatives are part of our ongoing work to transform the travel experience for our customers,” Avianca President Gabriel Oliva said in a news release. “Beyond specific elements, they reflect our commitment to offering a differentiated experience through service excellence, greater personalization, and consistent standards across our network.”
New Insignia suites (Photo: Avianca)
The airline is also offering priority check-in in Bogotá for Insignia passengers, Magno members, and LifeMiles Diamond members.
Avianca also announced this week that it will renovate its International Gold Lounge at El Salvador International Airport. Raddatz said the work will be complete by early next year.
The carrier currently operates 12 lounges across its network in Colombia, the U.S., and El Salvador.
“We are looking at lounge opportunities,” Raddatz added.
Business Class Americas
Avianca offers a premium product, Business Class Americas, on routes across the Americas, including international flights and domestic routes in Guatemala, Colombia, and Ecuador. It is located in the first three rows of the aircraft.
This experience includes a wider seat, onboard dining, amenity kits on international flights longer than four hours, access to Star Alliance and Avianca lounges, two checked bags, a blanket, and a pillow.
Business Class Americas (Photo: Avianca)
“We’re very happy with the reception of Business Class Americas because it’s a product that clearly is superior to the standard that you can find on narrowbodies in the region,” Raddatz said.
The airline is continuing to roll out Wi-Fi on its Airbus A320 fleet. It is now available on 25% of the fleet, according to Otto Gergye, Chief Commercial Officer at Avianca. In addition, the carrier has Avianca on Air, the onboard connectivity and entertainment experience.
The airline is continuing to roll out Wi-Fi on its A320 fleet (Credit: Avianca)
Even in Economy, Avianca has invested in its offering, with a carry-on included and complimentary meals and beverages.
“On all flights above three and a half hours, we offer an onboard meal in Economy Class,” Gergye said. “So, not a cracker – something appropriate for that stage length.”
U.S. Presence
Avianca currently serves 14 U.S. cities – Washington Dulles, Miami, New York-JFK, Boston, Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, and Ontario, California.
Avianca said they are the largest international airline at JFK, with more than 80 weekly flights and nine routes to Central America, Ecuador and Colombia.
Avianca routes from the U.S. (Photo: Great Circle Mapper)
More than 4.9 million passengers were carried in 2025 to and from the U.S. across more than 34,200 flights, the airline said.
“We’re one of the biggest foreign airlines in the U.S., [and] to North America we have somewhere between 450 and close to 500 flights a week depending on the season,” Gergye said. “So North America, [and] I’m including Canada in there, is extremely important for us and always, always will be.”
The new Insignia suites will be rolled out starting in 2027.
Matt is the Social Media Editor for aviation brands. Previously, Matt worked in television news and spent the last decade working and interning in newsrooms across New England. He is excited to bridge his two passions of aviation and storytelling in this role.
United Cancels Planned 9/11 Flyover in Denver
City officials said the event was called off after residents raised concerns.
A United 777-200 in San Francisco. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ben Suskind)
United has canceled a planned 9/11 memorial aircraft flyover in Denver that would have seen a Boeing 777 flanked by fighter jets.
The carrier confirmed to AirlineGeeks that the flyover – originally scheduled for Friday morning at the same time as United-organized commemorative events at Denver International Airport and United’s Flight Training Center – will not take place.
“As part of these events, the airline had also planned an aircraft flyover, a meaningful gesture to honor the memory of those lost within the pilot community, but will suspend those plans due to concerns in the community and instead carry on with the other events of the day,” the airline said in a statement.
According to the OEM, the flyover would have featured a 777 accompanied by F-16s from Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora. The aircraft would have become visible to much of Denver around 9:03 a.m., and would be louder and more noticeable than typical passenger jets flying overhead.
“There is no emergency,” the office said. “This is a planned memorial event. Join us in taking a moment to remember and honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001.”
On Wednesday, the OEM said the flyover was called off “following concerns raised by members of the community.”
“There will be no aircraft flyover associated with the memorial events on Friday, Sept. 11,” it said.
Denver officials did not describe the nature of the concerns raised by community members, but numerous comments left on the OEM’s Facebook page suggested the sight of a commercial aircraft flanked by fighter jets on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 could be highly upsetting to some. Other commenters defended the flyover and said they originally planned to stand outside their homes and workplaces to watch it.
Jon Ewing, a spokesperson for Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, told KUSA that the city was doing what it could to make sure the flyover did not come as a surprise to residents. He confirmed that the mayor’s office was not consulted ahead of time.
“We were informed by United they were doing this, not asked,” Ewing said.
Other parts of the city government were joining in the effort to notify residents of the flyover before it was canceled. KUSA reported that officials had planned to place a banner on Denver’s municipal website to help get the word out.
United said it expects hundreds of employees to attend its memorial events at Denver International and the Flight Training Center.
At the training complex, United will unveil a monument built of steel recovered from the World Trade Center to honor the crews of United Flight 175 and Flight 93. Flight 175 was hijacked and deliberately crashed into the South Tower of the WTC; Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, following a struggle between hijackers and passengers.
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.
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!
Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox
