Delta Orders More A321neos

Deliveries are expected to begin in 2029.

Zach Vasile

Monday, March 02, 2026 at 10:10 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Delta Airbus A321neo. (Photo: Shutterstock | Robin Guess)

Delta on Friday exercised options for 34 additional Airbus A321neo aircraft as it looks to accelerate its fleet renewal program.

Deliveries are set to begin in 2029, the carrier said.

With its latest purchase, Delta’s total A321neo subfleet – including aircraft in service and on order – will grow to 189 jets.

Officials credited the type with reducing operating costs while expanding premium capacity in domestic and short-haul international markets.

“The A321neo has proven to be an exceptional aircraft for Delta, delivering industry-leading efficiency while offering the premium experience our customers value,” Kristen Bojko, Delta’s vice president of fleet, said in a news release. “By exercising these options, we’re continuing to invest in a fleet that improves our cost structure, supports our sustainability goals, and gives us powerful flexibility to serve our customers well into the next decade.”

Delta currently has 92 A321neos in service, and another 97 on order. The airline also retains options for an additional 36 A321neos.

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.

Strikes Shut Down Air Traffic in the Persian Gulf Region

Military activity in the Persian Gulf has brought commercial aviation to a grinding halt in the region.

Vanni Gibertini

Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 02:03 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Emirates aircraft in Dubai (Photo: Emirates)

The airstrikes launched by the U.S. and Israeli Armed Forces on strategic targets in Iran and the subsequent retaliation by the Iranian Forces on main cities in the Persian Gulf area have caused widespread disruption to commercial air traffic in the region.

Several countries have closed their airspace indefinitely, leading to thousands of flights canceled or diverted as the major hubs of Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Dubai were forced to suspend operations, wreaking havoc on the travel plans of millions of passengers.

The skies above Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates have been declared closed by the local authorities, and the European Air Safety Agency has advised carriers to avoid the area until at least March 2 due to the possible risk of air strikes.

The “Big 3” of the Middle East Grounded

All airlines operating in the region are modifying their schedules, and flights that were already in the air have been diverted to other destinations or returned to their points of departure.

“Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai,” the carrier posted on social media. “We are actively monitoring the situation and engaging with relevant authorities. We apologise to customers affected by disruptions for any inconvenience caused, and we are assisting them with rebooking, refunds, or alternative travel arrangements.”

Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai.

Emirates urges customers to check https://t.co/Ucm3UswfVh and https://t.co/yehFUeWZQq for the latest updates before proceeding to the airport.

We are actively monitoring… pic.twitter.com/SLDC7iNaUN
— Emirates Support (@EmiratesSupport) February 28, 2026

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has notified that “all departures from Abu Dhabi are suspended until 2 p.m. (U.A.E. time) on Sunday Mar 1, and all arrivals [before that time] are canceled. Services after this time are expected to operate, subject to conditions.”

Operational update:
All departures from Abu Dhabi are suspended until 2pm (UAE time) Sunday 1 March.
Arrivals before 2pm (UAE time) Sunday 1 March are cancelled.
Services after this time are expected to operate, subject to conditions.
Information and updates:…
— Etihad Airways (@etihad) February 28, 2026

Similarly, Qatar Airways has announced the suspension of all its services until 00:00 UTC on Mar 1 due to the closure of the Qatari airspace.

Qatar Airways Flights Remain Temporarily Suspended due to Qatari Airspace Closure

Qatar Airways Group confirms that flight operations to Doha remain temporarily suspended until midnight UTC this evening, due to the closure of Qatari airspace. The airline continues to work…
— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) February 28, 2026

The knock-on effect of all the cancellations and diversions is felt across the globe, especially in airports close to the affected area. The airport in Muscat, Oman, has closed its aerodrome due to the extremely high number of diversions it had to accommodate.

Vanni Gibertini

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.

Eswatini Air to Launch Zambia Service

Flights will start in April.

Lorne Philipot

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

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Edited By:

Zach Vasile

Underside view of Embraer ERJ 145 airplane. (Shutterstock | Benjamin Clapp)

Eswatini Air will launch scheduled flights between Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) and Lusaka, Zambia.

The airline will add Lusaka to its route network from April 1. The service will operate twice a week, on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Initially, Lusaka will be operated as a tag-on flight to the carrier’s Harare service. The airline will monitor passenger traffic and route performance before Lusaka becomes a standalone route.

“We are delighted to expand our network to Lusaka as part of our ongoing commitment to improving regional connectivity,” Eswatini Air said in a press release. “This route represents an important step towards our growth strategy, and we look forward to serving both business and leisure travelers between Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa.”

Lusaka will be Eswatini Air’s fifth destination, and Zambia the third country served in its route network.

The carrier operates scheduled flights from its hub to three destinations in South Africa and one in Zimbabwe, using its Embraer E145 fleet.

Lorne Philipot

Lorne is a South Africa-based aviation journalist. He was captivated and fascinated by flying from the day he took his first airline flight. With a passion for aviation in his blood, he has flown to destinations in all corners of the globe. Lorne has traveled extensively and lived in various countries. Drawing on his travels and passion for aviation, Lorne enjoys writing about airlines, routes, networks, and new developments.

FAA to Reduce Flights at Chicago O’Hare

The agency plans to hold a meeting on the issue next week.

Zach Vasile

Friday, February 27, 2026 at 05:32 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Chicago O'Hare International Airport. (Photo: Shutterstock | John McAdorey)

The FAA plans to cut back flights at Chicago O’Hare this summer due to over-scheduling by airlines.

Reuters reported Friday that the agency will hold a schedule reduction meeting with the major airlines at O’Hare on March 4. Both United and American Airlines have announced plans to increase flights at the airport this summer as they continue to battle for market share and gates.

Regulators said the published schedule for O’Hare shows over 3,000 takeoffs and landings on peak summer days, which is hundreds more than last year.

The FAA is expected to make a final announcement on reductions after the meeting next week. The cutbacks would take effect during the summer travel season, which runs from March 29 through Oct. 25.

According to a report from CBS News, FAA leadership is attempting to prevent a repeat of the operational disruptions seen at Newark, New Jersey, last year.

A document that the outlet said will be published by the FAA next week mentions the likelihood of increased stress on runways, terminals, and air traffic control systems at O’Hare.

The agency is reportedly looking to cap daily flights at 2,800.

Zach Vasile

Livery of the Week: Gulf Air

A modern interpretation of Bahrain’s national symbol defines the carrier’s contemporary fleet identity.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, February 27, 2026 at 02:36 PM ET

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Edited By:

Zach Vasile

A Gulf Air Boeing 787-9 in a retro livery. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

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.

Gulf Air’s current standard livery centers on a stylized golden falcon that stretches across the tail and rear fuselage, forming the focal point of the Bahraini flag carrier’s visual identity. The falcon, a longstanding national symbol in Bahrain and the broader Gulf region, is rendered in metallic gold tones that contrast sharply against a predominantly white fuselage.

The design was introduced as part of a broader brand refresh during the airline’s fleet modernization program, coinciding with the delivery of new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A321neo aircraft. The updated scheme replaced earlier iterations that featured a darker gold tail and more traditional striping, opting instead for a cleaner, more minimalist presentation.

A Gulf Air Boeing 787 Dreamliner (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

The falcon graphic extends beyond the vertical stabilizer, flowing forward along the rear fuselage in a sweeping motion that creates a sense of movement even when the aircraft is stationary. The remainder of the fuselage remains largely white, with “Gulf Air” titles in gold positioned along the forward section. The Bahraini flag appears near the cockpit windows, reinforcing the airline’s national identity.

Engine nacelles are also finished in metallic gold, complementing the tail design and giving the aircraft a cohesive, premium appearance. The simplified layout aligns with modern airline branding trends, placing greater emphasis on bold tail artwork rather than complex cheatlines or multi-color striping.

The livery is applied consistently across Gulf Air’s widebody and narrowbody fleet, ensuring uniform brand recognition whether operating regional services within the Middle East or long-haul routes to Europe and Asia.

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.

White House Official Vows ‘New Interest in the Airline Industry’

Deputy chief of staff James Blair said he faced a nearly three-hour delay with American Airlines.

Zach Vasile

Friday, February 27, 2026 at 12:49 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An American A319 in Phoenix. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

A high-ranking White House official said he’s “going to take a new interest in the airline industry” after he and his wife experienced difficulties with American Airlines.

James Blair, a political advisor who serves as deputy chief of staff, voiced his frustration with the carrier in a post on X.

“Today, American Airlines delays me 2.5 hours because someone failed to notice empty hydraulic fluid before it was time to go down the runway,” he wrote Thursday. “Yesterday, they apparently forgot to BOOK A PILOT for my wife’s flight.”

“I’m going to take a new interest in the airline industry,” he continued.

Today, American Airlines delays me 2.5 hours because someone failed to notice empty hydraulic fluid before it was time to go down the runway.

Yesterday, they apparently forgot to BOOK A PILOT for my wife’s flight.

I’m going to take a new interest in the airline industry.
— James Blair (@JamesBlairUSA) February 26, 2026

Blair did not elaborate on that point, and it is not clear if the White House will take any action based on his complaints.

So far, the second Trump administration has been mostly friendly to U.S. airlines. Over the last year it has voluntarily canceled a number of proposed consumer protection rules put forward by the Biden administration, which the carriers were fighting in court.

Among them was an order creating a compensation structure for passengers whose flights are delayed by issues within their airline’s control.

Other proposed regulations, including one that required airlines to disclose all of their ancillary fees up front, were struck down in court, and the White House has made no attempt to revive them.

The federal government has taken a harder line when the nation’s broader economic interests appear to be threatened, however. Last summer, the U.S. Department of Transportation moved to cancel Delta’s joint venture with Aeroméxico. The administration accused the Mexican government and regulators of illegally intervening to help Delta and Aeroméxico while pushing other U.S. carriers out of Benito Juárez-Mexico City International Airport.

Zach Vasile

TAP Air Portugal Adds New U.S. Route

Service will start in October.

Zach Vasile

Friday, February 27, 2026 at 10:39 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A TAP Air Portugal Airbus A330-900neo (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

TAP Air Portugal is set to launch a new nonstop route to the U.S.

In a social media post, the carrier said it will connect Lisbon and Orlando, Florida, starting Oct. 29. Flights will operate three times per week.

No further information about the service was disclosed.

TAP Air Portugal is headquartered in Lisbon and has its primary hub there, at Humberto Delgado Airport.

The airline currently flies to eight destinations in the U.S. – New York-JFK, Boston, Miami, Washington Dulles, Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Newark, New Jersey. In North America, it also serves Toronto, Montreal, and Cancún.

Zach Vasile

Report: Convicted Stowaway Arrested Again

Svetlana Dali allegedly snuck onto a United flight to Milan.

Zach Vasile

Friday, February 27, 2026 at 09:10 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A United Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in Newark. (Photo: Shutterstock | GingChen)

A convicted airline stowaway is reportedly under arrest again, this time after sneaking onto a United flight from Newark, New Jersey, to Italy.

Law enforcement sources told ABC News that Svetlana Dali, a Russian national and U.S. permanent resident, was detained in Milan after the flight from Newark on Wednesday.

Dali was previously convicted of being a stowaway on a Delta flight from New York-JFK to Paris in 2024.

It was not immediately clear what charges, if any, Dali is facing, or when she will be brought back to the U.S.

According to an account from WNBC-TV, also based on unnamed sources, Dali somehow got by ticket agents at Newark and wasn’t noticed by flight attendants until the flight was over the Atlantic. When questioned about her ticket, or lack thereof, she pretended not to be able to hear, they said.

In the JFK case, Dali hid in an airplane bathroom for hours and, when discovered by the flight’s crew, pretended to be sick. She was ultimately sentenced to time served for that incident, ABC News reported.

Court documents point to other episodes involving improper access to airplanes and airport facilities that Dali was not arrested or tried for. In 2024, she was allegedly discovered in a bathroom at Miami International Airport in an area for international arrivals. She claimed to have just arrived via Air France, but there was no record of her having been on a flight that day.

Dali also allegedly entered a secure area of the departures terminal at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut. That incident occurred just before her flight from JFK.

Zach Vasile

American to Invest $1 Billion in Miami Airport Expansion

The project will upgrade 17 gates and enlarge waiting areas.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 02:10 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A rendering of the completed Gate D60 project. (Credit: American Airlines)

Miami-Dade County officials and American Airlines CEO Robert Isom on Wednesday unveiled plans to reconstruct and expand Miami International Airport’s Concourse D.

The $1 billion, three-story extension will convert the existing gate D60 area, which has one common boarding space and 17 ground-level gates for smaller regional jets, into 17 traditional gates for larger regional and narrowbody aircraft, each with individual passenger hold rooms.

All 17 gate areas will provide third-level connections to Concourse D’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility for international arrivals.

A rendering of the completed Gate D60 project. (Credit: American Airlines)

The plan also calls for an enhanced baggage handling system.

American officials said the new concourse will be more spacious, comfortable, and brighter, with added dining and shopping areas and indoor palm trees.

Work is set to begin in 2027 and conclude by 2030.

“The D60 expansion is one of the most monumental customer service improvements within our unprecedented airport-wide modernization plan, which will transform the passenger experience at MIA from the cabin to the curb over the next five years,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said in a statement.

American is the largest airline at Miami, accounting for more than 60% of traffic there. It operates around 400 departures at the airport per day.

“Miami is an important hub and gateway for American, and it’s an essential part of our history and our future,” Isom said in a news release. “The brand new, reimagined D60 is a transformational project that will  provide a much-improved experience for our customers and our team. This investment — alongside new premium lounges and new routes — reflects our shared commitment with Miami-Dade County and the airport to deliver a consistent, elevated customer experience.”

Miami is American’s main gateway to Central and South America and the Caribbean. It also supports routes to Europe.

The expanded Concourse D is one of more than 200 projects in Miami International Airport’s $9 billion master plan. Other major projects in that framework include redevelopment of the airport’s oldest terminal, renovations of public restrooms, an expansion of Concourse K, a new garage, and preventive maintenance for elevators, escalators, and moving walkways.

Zach Vasile

Lufthansa Unveils Anniversary Livery on A380

The aircraft is the fourth so far to sport the design, which celebrates Deutsche Luft Hansa's founding in 1926.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 11:13 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

The Lufthansa A380 with the anniversary livery. (Photo: Lufthansa)

Lufthansa is set to debut its special 100th anniversary livery on yet another aircraft, this time the largest in its fleet.

One of the airline’s Airbus A380s was recently painted dark blue with a large white crane – the carrier’s longtime logo. It received the paint job in Shannon, Ireland, and flew back to Munich this week, officials said.

It took 35 workers in Shannon 34 days to apply the design, which covers an area of over 4,000 square meters. The crane is 47 meters, or about 154 feet, in length.

The A380, registered as D-AIMH, will start regular service in March.

The aircraft is the fourth so far to sport the livery, which celebrates Lufthansa predecessor Deutsche Luft Hansa’s founding in 1926. An A350-900 received the “anniversary colors” earlier this month, and a Boeing 787-9 and an A320neo, both based in Frankfurt, have reentered service with the design.

Besides the oversized white crane, the livery also incorporates the numbering “1926 | 2026” and “100.”

A 747-8 and an A350-1000 will receive the anniversary livery in the coming weeks, officials said.

Zach Vasile