Qantas Adds New One-of-a-Kind Route to U.S.

Seasonal service will start in December.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 08:39 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Qantas Boeing 787 departing LAX. (AirlineGeeks | James Dinsdale)

Australian flag carrier Qantas will add a unique route to the U.S. later this year.

Nonstop flights between Sydney and Las Vegas will launch in December, the airline announced on Thursday. The service will be the first and only in the world to link Las Vegas and Australia, officials said.

Qantas plans to operate the seasonal route three times per week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, between Dec. 29 and March 12, 2027. The airline will use a Boeing 787 Dreamliner for the transpacific connection.

Tickets are now available for purchase.

Qantas leaders estimate the new route will save customers up to five hours of travel time by eliminating connecting flights and layovers in other U.S. cities.

The service was timed to coincide with major events and expos in Las Vegas, including the Consumer Electronics Show and the National Rugby League’s Las Vegas Festival.

Qantas currently provides charter flights to Las Vegas for NRL events.

A Qantas 787-9 Dreamliner. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

“Australians’ appetite for international travel continues to be incredibly strong,” Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said in a news release. “Our historic fleet renewal is giving us the flexibility to deploy aircraft where we see demand, opening up route possibilities that simply weren’t there before. Las Vegas becomes our 101st destination and is a great example of how we’re using that capability.”

Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said Australia consistently ranks as the city’s second-largest overseas market, and its top international market without a nonstop flight.

“More than 250,000 Australians visit each year, drawn by the breadth and depth of experiences Las Vegas offers,” Hill said. “We are grateful to Qantas for their partnership and confidence in our city.”

Las Vegas will be Qantas’ sixth destination in the U.S., after Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York-JFK, and Honolulu, Hawaii. In the Americas, the airline also serves Vancouver, Canada, and Santiago, Chile.

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: White House Charting Future of Washington Dulles

President Donald Trump will hold a meeting to discuss potential renovations.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 04:53 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Mobile lounges at Washington Dulles International Airport. (Photo: Shutterstock | Lokyo Multimedia JP)

President Donald Trump is expected to hold a meeting Wednesday to discuss potentially sweeping renovations at Washington Dulles International Airport, a facility he has long criticized as unsightly and inefficient.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is expected to be in attendance, according to a report from Reuters. Late last year, the Transportation Department began soliciting ideas from the private sector on how to overhaul the airport, which the secretary described as an underwhelming gateway to the nation’s capital.

Separately, The Washington Post reported Wednesday that the administration is weighing proposals calling for a new terminal and the scrapping of Dulles’ “mobile lounges.” The airport has used the bus-like vehicles to connect passengers to their flights for decades, but they are increasingly viewed as outdated, especially since the opening of the underground AeroTrain system in 2010.

A number of well-known architecture and engineering firms have submitted outlines for the overhaul, including AECOM, Zaha Hadid Architects, and Adjaye Associates, according to The Architect’s Newspaper.

Trump has become personally involved in the project, the Post said, and will likely play an important role in shaping the redesign.

The president is reportedly interested in having Dulles renamed after himself.

Earlier this month, Punchbowl News reported that Trump offered to unfreeze billions of dollars for a New York infrastructure project on the condition that both Dulles and Penn Station be renamed to honor him. The deal was offered to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who turned it down, saying he didn’t have the power to change the name of either site.

A group of Republicans in Congress have also proposed renaming Dulles after Trump, though their bill has not gathered much momentum.

Dulles is operated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which also oversees Reagan National. The authority has proposed its own upgrades for Dulles, including the gradual phaseout of the mobile lounges.

Zach Vasile

Azul Emerges from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

United and American have each committed $100 million to recapitalize the airline.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 02:04 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Azul E190 (Photo: Shutterstock | Joao Fachetti)

Brazilian airline Azul has emerged from bankruptcy protection after reducing its debt burden by $2.5 billion.

Azul officials made the announcement Wednesday morning. The carrier, one of the largest in Brazil, filed for bankruptcy in May 2025, citing rising costs and debt accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of its restructuring, Azul reduced its debt and lease liabilities and secured $850 million in new equity investments. That amount includes $100 million each from United and American Airlines.

The carrier has continued to operate flights, with about 800 scheduled per day.

“This is a defining milestone for Azul,” CEO John Rodgerson said in a news release. “In just under nine months, we completed a comprehensive restructuring that has materially strengthened our balance sheet and positioned Azul for long-term stability. We are emerging from Chapter 11 with the support of some of the most respected financial and strategic partners in global aviation.”

Azul is headquartered near São Paulo and serves dozens of destinations within Brazil. It also offers medium- and long-haul service to Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Curaçao, Western Europe, and the U.S., specifically Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Zach Vasile

American 737 MAX Found With Possible Bullet Hole

Ground crews discovered the damage while the jet was in Medellín, Colombia.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 10:43 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

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

Ground crews discovered a possible bullet hole in the wing of an American Airlines jet after it flew from Miami to Medellín, Colombia, earlier this week.

Puncture damage consistent with a bullet strike was found in the right wing aileron of an American Boeing 737 MAX 8 on Monday. The aircraft had flown to Colombia the day before, as Flight 923.

It was not immediately clear when or where the damage occurred.

The incident was first reported by aviation blogger JonNYC on X. A follow-up report from CBS News confirmed the damage is thought to be a bullet hole. The network cited unnamed sources familiar with the matter, as well as internal documents.

There were no reported injuries or flight-related issues during the service from Miami on Sunday, American said in a statement.

“Following a routine inspection, our teams identified a puncture to the exterior of one of our aircraft in Medellín, Colombia,” the carrier said. “The aircraft was immediately removed from service for further inspection and repair. We will work closely with all relevant authorities to investigate this incident.”

According to CBS News, the aircraft underwent repairs and flew as scheduled to Miami on Monday. It then flew to Dallas and has not been used since.

Civil aviation authorities in Colombia are investigating the incident.

Zach Vasile

A4A Projects Record Spring Travel

The trade group is calling for the full reopening of Global Entry.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 10:08 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

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

Airlines for America, the trade association that represents the major U.S. air carriers, is predicting record traffic for the upcoming spring travel period.

About 171 million passengers are expected to fly on U.S. airlines in March and April, the group said, up 4% over last year. In response, member carriers are set to increase flights and seats by 2% overall.

Some airlines have also added temporary routes to warm weather destinations for the spring break window.

Airlines for America warned that the ongoing partial government shutdown – specifically affecting the Department of Homeland Security – could cause problems for passengers as traffic picks up next month.

“U.S. airlines are ready for the travel rush this spring, but we have grave concerns that millions of travelers are once again being used as a political football by the federal government amid another government shutdown,” A4A President and CEO Chris Sununu said in a news release. “It is past time for Congress to get to the table and strike a deal that ensures TSA and CBP can fully operate and their frontline employees can be paid for the important work they do to keep our skies secure.”

Both TSA and Customs and Border Protection are part of the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats in Congress have blocked funding for the department in a bid to strengthen oversight of CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE.

A Global Entry kiosk at Newark. (Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

The shutdown has not had an immediate effect on DHS operations, as its agencies continue to receive funding from mandatory spending and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. But that could change if the deadlock in Congress persists and funding sources run low.

Essential TSA, CBP, and ICE personnel would have to continue working even without a paycheck.

A4A also called for the full reinstatement of Global Entry, a CBP-administered program that allows pre-approved travelers to clear customs faster than the general public.

DHS leadership announced the suspension of Global Entry and TSA PreCheck on Sunday, citing the partial shutdown, but within hours the department reversed itself and reopened PreCheck. Global Entry, however, remains suspended.

“There is no need and no data that supports the decision to suspend the Global Entry program, and DHS should act with urgency to reverse course and reopen the Global Entry program,” Sununu said. “DHS did an about-face and reopened TSA PreCheck lanes – because it is common sense to have these programs fully functioning, especially ahead of spring break travel.”

Zach Vasile

Oneworld Alliance Names New CEO

A former leader at member Finnair will take the reins in April.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 04:45 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER in a oneworld alliance livery. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Oneworld, the Fort Worth, Texas-based alliance that includes American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, has named its next CEO.

Ole Orvér, who formerly served as chief commercial officer of alliance member Finnair, will take the helm at oneworld on April 1, officials said Monday. Orvér is a Swedish national.

Prior to Finnair, Orvér served as senior vice president of network management at another member carrier, Qatar Airways. He also held leadership roles at Air Berlin, LOT Polish Airlines, and SAS Scandinavian Airlines.

“We are pleased to welcome Ole as CEO of oneworld as the alliance leads the world in redefining the full breadth of value it provides to member airlines and their customers,” American CEO and oneworld board Chairman Robert Isom said in a news release. “With his proven track record of driving commercial performance, deep knowledge of airline partnerships, and extensive international experience, he will continue to deliver on the slate of forthcoming customer-first initiatives that further strengthen oneworld’s position as the world’s premium airline alliance.”

Orvér will replace outgoing CEO Nathaniel Pieper, who recently joined American.

“I am honored to be joining oneworld at a pivotal moment for global travel,” Orvér said in a statement. “Together with our member airlines, we will continue the work to showcase the world’s premium alliance, elevate the customer journey, and unlock new tools and technology.”

Other oneworld members include British Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Iberia, and Royal Jordanian.

Zach Vasile

Breeze Adds New Destinations, Routes

Flights will start in early July.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 02:00 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Breeze Airways Airbus A220 aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Breeze is adding two new cities to its network.

The Utah-based low-cost airline said Tuesday that it will connect Tallahassee, Florida, and Birmingham, Alabama, starting in July. Service between Tallahassee and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, will commence July 2, officials said, while flights between Birmingham and Fort Lauderdale and Raleigh-Durham will launch one day later, on July 3.

The carrier is also adding routes beyond its two new locations, with a focus on building connectivity to and within Florida. The additional routes are:

Akron-Canton, Ohio, to Portland, Maine, seasonal, starting July 2
Atlantic City, New Jersey, to Tampa, Florida, starting July 1
Charleston, South Carolina, to Fort Lauderdale, starting July 2
Cincinnati, Ohio, to Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, seasonal, starting July 3
Cincinnati to Portland, seasonal, starting July 3
Columbus, Ohio, to Savannah, Georgia, starting July 1
Columbus to Tampa, starting July 3
Fort Lauderdale to Charleston, starting July 2
Fort Lauderdale to Greenville-Spartanburg, starting July 2
Fort Lauderdale to Jacksonville, Florida, starting July 1
Fort Lauderdale to Salisbury, Maryland, starting July 1
Fort Lauderdale to Tampa, starting July 1
Fort Lauderdale to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pennsylvania, starting July 1
Myrtle Beach to Pittsburgh, starting July 3
Myrtle Beach to Portland, starting July 2
Portland to Savannah, starting July 1

The carrier is also set to expand frequencies on certain existing routes.

“For nearly five years, Breeze has been filling a long-overlooked gap in the industry by connecting underserved markets with affordable, nonstop service,” Breeze founder and CEO David Neeleman said in a news release. “The addition of these new cities and routes will give even more travelers the opportunity to save precious hours that would otherwise be spent flying through hubs or driving.”

Customers can book tickets for the new and expanded routes starting Tuesday.

Zach Vasile

Spirit Reaches Deal to Exit Second Bankruptcy

The ultra-low-cost carrier laid out some broad next steps as it plans for the future.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 12:30 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Spirit Airbus A321. (Photo: Shutterstock | Skycolors)

Spirit has reached a tentative agreement with its creditors that will allow the budget airline to emerge from bankruptcy by the late spring or early summer, officials announced Tuesday.

The deal provides Spirit with the “financial support needed to finalize its restructuring and complete the remaining changes necessary to optimize the company’s fleet, network and cost structure,” according to a statement.

The “new Spirit” will exit bankruptcy in a much stronger position, Spirit leaders said, with lower costs, a right-sized fleet, increased aircraft utilization rates, less off-peak flying, and expanded premium products, such as Spirit First and Premium Economy.

“This agreement in principle is the result of months of hard work and allows Spirit to move toward completing its transformation,” said Spirit President and CEO Dave Davis. “Spirit will emerge as a strong, leaner competitor that is positioned to profitably deliver the value American consumers expect at a price they want to pay.”

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier Tuesday that Spirit will present further details to the court overseeing its bankruptcy. The airline is expected to shrink to a much smaller version of its former self, with considerably fewer aircraft and routes, the newspaper said.

Spirit’s statement did not mention a merger or sale. The carrier is believed to have discussed the prospect of a sale with fellow discount carrier Frontier and investment company Castlelake, but no agreements were ever announced.

Spirit filed for bankruptcy protection in August in the face of climbing costs and ballooning debt. It has laid off corporate staff, furloughed pilots and flight attendants, canceled routes, pulled out of certain markets, and sold off aircraft in a bid to reduce expenses and show viability to its lenders, who have provided millions of dollars in support through a revolving credit facility.

This is the airline’s second stint in bankruptcy. It emerged from its first restructuring in March 2025.

Some U.S. airlines reportedly planned to redeploy resources in and around Florida if Spirit ultimately collapsed. Its critics maintained that multiple ultra-low-cost carriers could not survive in a post-COVID environment of higher costs and supply chain complications.

Zach Vasile

Contour Sets Start Date For New EAS Route

The airline will reconnect a regional airport that has been without commercial service for months.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 10:10 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Contour aircraft in Oakland. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)

Independent regional carrier Contour will officially begin Essential Air Service flights at a new airport in Arkansas next month.

Starting March 16, the airline will connect South Arkansas Regional Airport in El Dorado with Dallas/Fort Worth. The airport has been without scheduled commercial service since November, when a previous EAS contract with Southern Airways Express expired.

The U.S. Department of Transportation selected Contour as the airport’s new service provider last year after a bidding process.

Flights will operate up to three times daily, officials said.

From El Dorado, morning and evening flights will operate each day, with additional early afternoon flights available on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. From Dallas, afternoon and evening flights will run daily, with expanded morning service on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

“This new service highlights Contour’s commitment to connecting underserved communities with major markets,” Contour President Ben Munson said in a news release. “By launching nonstop flights from South Arkansas Regional Airport to Dallas/Fort Worth, we’re giving travelers a convenient, reliable option while maintaining the high level of comfort and service our customers expect.”

Passengers from Arkansas will also be able to book interline flights with partners such as United, American, Alaska, and JetBlue, Contour leaders said.

Contour flies primarily in the South, Midwest, and Southwest, as well as in the eastern Caribbean.

Zach Vasile

Frontier Axes Nine Routes

The carrier will significantly reduce its presence in New York.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, February 23, 2026 at 03:51 PM ET

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Zach Vasile

An A321 in Frontier's "Spot the Jaguar" livery on approach into Las Vegas. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Frontier plans to substantially scale down service at New York-JFK later this year as part of its latest schedule adjustment. The ultra-low-cost carrier began serving the airport in 2024.

During the peak summer months, the airline initially planned to connect New York-JFK and San Juan, Puerto Rico; Atlanta; Chicago O’Hare, Las Vegas; along with Atlanta. Frontier has also linked the New York airport with other markets in the past, including Dallas/Fort Worth; Tampa, Florida; Miami; Denver; and Los Angeles.

Starting in mid-April, the carrier’s New York-JFK will be reduced to a single route to Atlanta, according to schedule data from Cirium. This service is slated to operate once per day.

A Frontier A320neo aircraft. (Photo: Shutterstock | Omar F Martinez)

“We periodically review and update routes based on market demand, seasonality, costs associated with operating from a particular airport, and other factors,” an airline spokesperson said as part of a statement to AirlineGeeks. Frontier will continue to service New York via LaGuardia and Newark.

With these cuts, Frontier’s capacity in New York will be down nearly 33% year-over-year in May.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026 at 4:47 p.m. ET to correct an error with the airline’s capacity change figure.

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.