Delta to Double First Class Seats on Certain A321neos

The configuration is temporary as the carrier waits on flatbed suites.

Zach Vasile

Friday, February 13, 2026 at 04:50 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Delta A321neo domestic first class cabin. (Photo: Delta)

Certain Delta Airbus A321neo aircraft are entering service with significantly more first class seats than normal.

The airline said Friday that its seven newest A321neos will have 44 Delta First seats, more than double the standard 20 for the type. This is not necessarily by design, officials said, but because flatbed suite-style seats meant for the aircraft have not yet been delivered.

“Sometimes the supply chain throws us a curve,” Mauricio Parise, Delta’s vice president of customer experience design, said in a news release. “Rather than wait, we chose to implement a creative solution to ensure our customers had access to some of our newest aircraft in time for the summer travel season.”

The aircraft are scheduled to fly on routes between Atlanta and Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and San Diego. They are expected to enter service in May and June.

Delta said it does not know how long the expanded first-class cabin will be used but emphasized that its teams, including flight attendants, are working to ensure Delta First customers get the same experience as they would in the A321neo’s current configuration.

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.

American Adds Flights for Kentucky Derby

The carrier will expand service on existing routes to Louisville and temporarily operate new ones.

Zach Vasile

Friday, February 13, 2026 at 03:20 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An American Boeing 737-800. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

American Airlines plans to ramp up service to and from Louisville, Kentucky, to accommodate traffic from the country’s most famous horse race.

The carrier announced Friday that it will temporarily expand service from seven airports that already connect to Louisville and add special flights from 13 other cities that ordinarily do not.

This year, the Kentucky Derby falls on May 2. Most of American’s added flights to Louisville are scheduled for April 30 and May 1, with return flights set for May 3.

Travelers departing Boston; Charlotte, North Carolina; Chicago O’Hare; Dallas/Fort Worth; Miami; Philadelphia; and Washington National will have access to more flights and larger aircraft during Derby week, officials said. All seven of those airports have regular scheduled service to Louisville via American year-round.

The 13 markets with temporary service leading up to and after the race are Austin, Texas; Houston; Jacksonville, Florida; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; New Orleans; New York-JFK; New York-LaGuardia; Phoenix; Pittsburgh; Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; Santa Ana, California; and West Palm Beach, Florida.

American said it will more than double the number of flights it normally operates at Louisville on peak days before and after the race, with 41 arriving flights on April 30 and 46 departing flights on May 3.

Zach Vasile

Spirit to Recall 500 Furloughed Flight Attendants

The AFA-CWA said members are being brought back to help resolve “operational issues.”

Zach Vasile

Friday, February 13, 2026 at 02:02 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Spirit Airbus A319 pushing back at LAX. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | James Dinsdale)

Spirit will recall hundreds of flight attendants who were furloughed as part of its bankruptcy restructuring.

In a post on X, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents flight attendants at Spirit, said the airline’s management “just announced the recall of 500 flight attendants back to the line to help the operation.”

“This is good news for 500 flight attendants and their families and critical to those of us on the line that have faced a grueling operation over the last two months,” the union said. “The company’s goal in recalling flight attendants is to ease some of the operational issues since the furloughs.”

The flight attendants will be recalled in order of system seniority, with the involuntarily furloughed brought back first.

Spirit furloughed approximately 1,800 flight attendants in December in an attempt to reduce costs and bring staffing levels in line with its reduced fleet size and pared-back flying schedule. Since declaring bankruptcy for a second time in August, the ultra-low-cost carrier has also furloughed pilots and cut some corporate and operations staff.

Another round of pilot furloughs, set to take effect in January, was preemptively canceled in December.

In addition to furloughs and job cuts, Spirit has rejected aircraft leases, sold airport gates, slashed routes, and withdrawn from certain markets. It is currently seeking permission from the court overseeing its bankruptcy to auction off 20 Airbus jets, which could generate over half a billion dollars before taxes.

Zach Vasile

American Starts Service to New Florida Destination

The route was first announced in September and came online Thursday.

Zach Vasile

Friday, February 13, 2026 at 10:25 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An American CRJ-900. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

American Airlines touched down in Vero Beach, Florida, for the first time on Thursday, officially launching the carrier’s newest route from Charlotte, North Carolina.

According to VeroNews.com, an American Eagle commuter flight carrying 61 passengers landed at Vero Beach Regional Airport at 11:21 a.m., slightly ahead of schedule. The return flight to Charlotte took off at 12:43 p.m.

American announced in September that it would begin daily nonstop service between Vero Beach and North Carolina. The carrier operates the route with a CRJ-900.

Vero Beach is now served by three commercial airlines – American, Breeze, and JetBlue.

WPTV-TV reported that American and Vero Beach Regional Airport have a month-to-month contract, meaning the carrier could exit the market on relatively short notice. The airport’s director told the station that if American were to leave, operations would revert back to normal without issue.

American is the largest airline in Florida by seat capacity. It serves 17 airports in the state, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Orlando.

Zach Vasile

Delta Expands Hawaii Flying

The carrier adds new service and increases capacity across multiple hubs.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, February 13, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

A Delta A330-300. (Photo: Shutterstock | Minh K Tran)

Delta announced an expansion of its winter 2026 schedule to Hawaii, growing capacity and adding new long-haul flying as part of what the airline says will be its largest seasonal Hawaii operation to date.

The carrier will introduce new service and restore a previously operated long-haul route beginning Dec. 19, 2026, while also increasing frequencies and adjusting aircraft on several existing Hawaii markets.

Delta will launch new nonstop service between its Minneapolis–St. Paul hub and Maui. The route will operate daily during peak holiday and spring break periods, with five weekly flights through the core winter season. The service will be operated with Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

The airline will also resume nonstop service between Boston and Honolulu, the longest domestic flight in the U.S. Flights will operate daily during peak late-December travel before transitioning to four weekly frequencies for the remainder of the winter season. The route will also be flown with an Airbus A330-300.

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

In addition to the new and returning routes, Delta will expand flying on several existing Hawaii routes during the winter schedule.

Expanded Service

Atlanta to Honolulu will see a second frequency operating three times weekly from January through March on Airbus A330-300 aircraft. Detroit to Honolulu will increase from three weekly flights to daily service beginning Nov. 9, 2026, also operated by Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

Service between New York-JFK and Honolulu will expand from up to five weekly flights to daily service beginning April 1, 2026, using Boeing 767-300 aircraft. Salt Lake City to Kona will begin daily service on Nov. 9, 2026, earlier than in the prior winter season, operated by Boeing 767-300 aircraft.

Delta will also upgauge Los Angeles to Kona service to Boeing 767-300 aircraft for the winter season.

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.

DAE to Lease 13 Boeing 737 MAX Jets to Royal Air Maroc

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2027.

Victor Shalton

Friday, February 13, 2026 at 06:30 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Royal Air Maroc Boeing 737 MAX on approach. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) said last Thursday it had reached an agreement with Royal Air Maroc (RAM) for the long-term lease of 13 new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027.

The deal expands an existing partnership between the aircraft lessor and Morocco’s flag carrier. DAE previously leased two 737 MAX aircraft to Royal Air Maroc, which were delivered in 2025 as part of the airline’s near-term fleet growth strategy.

“We would like to thank Royal Air Maroc for choosing DAE as a partner for this significant fleet expansion project,” DAE Chief Executive Officer Firoz Tarapore said in a statement. He added that Morocco was emerging as a fast-growing tourism and business hub in Africa, supported by the expansion of Royal Air Maroc’s air connectivity.

Royal Air Maroc Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Abdelhamid Addou said the agreement aligned with the airline’s ambition to develop Casablanca into a global connecting hub.

“The Boeing 737-8 aircraft will strengthen our network development capabilities, enabling new route launches and increased frequencies, while improving operational efficiency,” Addou said.

Royal Air Maroc currently operates 13 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Ten were delivered in 2025, with an additional aircraft received in January 2026. The airline has leased aircraft from DAE, Air Lease Corporation and Avolon to support short-term capacity growth.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 58th General Assembly of the Organization of Arab Air Carriers (OAAC) in Rabat on November 4, 2025, the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Abdelhamid Addou, confirmed that the fleet expansion tender launched in April 2024 is now in its final stages.

The carrier plans to take delivery of up to 15 new aircraft per year from 2028 under a broader fleet renewal program covering nearly 200 aircraft through 2037, up from a current fleet of about 60 aircraft. Leasing remains a key pillar of its interim expansion strategy. RAM’s expansion forms part of the 2023–2037 program contract signed in July 2023 between CEO Addou and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.

DAE said it owns, manages or has commitments to own or manage around 750 aircraft, including 237 Boeing aircraft, and plans to continue expanding its portfolio to meet rising global demand.

Victor Shalton

Victor Shalton's love for aviation can be traced to when he was 11-years-old. As a seasoned aviation writer, he takes pride in providing the best aviation coverage around the globe and is passionate about advancing his skills in the aviation space. In addition, he loves travelling, writing, arts and while his speaking engagements have taken him around the world, he is proud to call Nairobi home.

Anti-Drone Laser Linked to Surprise El Paso Shutdown

Border agents reportedly used the weapon to target suspected foreign UAVs.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 05:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

El Paso International Airport (Photo: El Paso International Airport)

While there is little new official information about the FAA order that briefly closed the airspace over El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, anonymous figures inside the federal government are blaming the episode on confusion over the testing of a new anti-drone laser at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Sources cited by NBC News said the Defense Department has been experimenting with a high-powered laser that can disable enemy drones. The department trained Customs and Border Protection personnel on how to use the weapon, and the agency apparently used it against what it thought were foreign UAVs earlier this week. The objects turned out to be party balloons, NBC News reported.

CBP allegedly used the laser without coordinating with the FAA.

The new details follow reports from earlier Wednesday that some kind of counter-drone system was being used in the El Paso area, presumably by the military at nearby Fort Bliss. That information also came from unnamed federal officials who were not authorized to speak publicly.

Shortly after the temporary flight restriction was canceled Wednesday morning, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the FAA was reacting to a “cartel drone incursion.” He did not mention the anti-drone laser or CBP.

The Trump administration continues to maintain that a cartel drone was downed.

The FAA’s sudden flight ban and its cancellation only hours later left local officials and emergency services in El Paso scrambling for information. The city’s mayor slammed the FAA for failing to coordinate with El Paso’s airport, police, and hospitals, since the closure could have affected emergency response operations and medical flights.

Members of Congress who represent the El Paso area and Texas generally said they are working to get more information from the FAA and the military.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford was on Capitol Hill on Wednesday for a scheduled, closed-door meeting and did not answer questions from reporters about the incident in El Paso, NBC News said.

Zach Vasile

American Flight Attendants Picket at Headquarters

The APFA issued a vote of no confidence in CEO Robert Isom earlier this week.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 03:50 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

The protest outside American Airlines' headquarters. (Photo: Matt Ryan)

The union representing flight attendants at American Airlines held a protest outside the carrier’s headquarters on Thursday as it continues its push for new corporate leadership.

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which earlier this week issued a vote of no confidence in CEO Robert Isom, led a rally on the street outside American’s campus in Fort Worth, Texas.

“This airline is headed down a path that puts our careers at risk,” the union said in a message to members before the protest. “Now is the time for flight attendants to stand together and show up in protest. American Airlines needs real accountability, decisive action, and leadership that will put this airline back on a competitive path.”

American executives have faced increased pressure from unionized workers since the release of a comparatively weak fourth-quarter and full-year earnings report late last month. The APFA and the Allied Pilots Association released separate statements criticizing Isom and other officers for not doing enough to close the widening profitability gap between American and its chief competitors, United and Delta.

On Monday, the board of the APFA issued its no confidence vote and called for a change in direction. The APA, which is reportedly seeking a meeting with American’s board of directors, has not issued a no confidence vote of its own.

CNBC reported Thursday that Isom released a video message for employees highlighting planned improvements for 2026, including better scheduling and new cabins.

“We look forward to working with all of you to make it happen,” he said.

Isom and other American leaders have acknowledged disappointment in the latest earnings figures but maintain that long-term investments made by the airline over the years will facilitate growth in the coming months.

Zach Vasile

Southwest Adds New Routes to 2026 Schedule

The carrier is expanding service at certain hub locations.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 03:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Southwest Boeing 737 MAX 8 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Southwest on Thursday announced a significant expansion of its 2026 schedule, with a focus on hub locations in Southern markets.

The carrier is adding routes and flights to and from Austin, Texas, Las Vegas, Nashville, Tennessee, San Diego, and Orlando, Florida.

Bookings are now available through Oct. 31. Exact start dates were not provided for most of the new routes.

“We are continuing to add more Southwest service for our customers in the places where we’re already strong,” Adam Decaire, Southwest’s senior vice president of network planning and network operations control, said in a news release. “We will meet our customers where they are with an enhanced product that complements our best-in-class reliability and service.”

From Austin, Southwest is adding year-round service to Memphis, Tennessee, and Saturday seasonal service to Santa Rosa, California, and Knoxville, Tennessee.

The carrier’s first international redeye flight, between Las Vegas and San Jose, Costa Rica, will operate daily. Southwest does not currently serve the Costa Rican capital.

From Nashville, the airline will offer new connections to Reno, Nevada, and Burbank, California.

On Oct. 1, service between San Diego and Los Cabos, Mexico, is scheduled to expand from once daily to twice daily, based on seasonal demand.

In Orlando, Florida, Southwest will increase service to Albuquerque, New Mexico, Cleveland, Ohio, El Paso, Texas, Memphis, and Louisville, Kentucky. The additions are seasonal and based on expected demand, the carrier said.

Separately, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in New Hampshire announced that Southwest will begin flights to Nashville on Oct. 1. The route will operate five days per week, on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

With the addition of Nashville, Southwest will serve five destinations nonstop from Manchester, the others being Orlando, Baltimore-Washington, Chicago Midway, and Tampa, Florida.

Zach Vasile

Spirit Seeks Approval to Auction Off 20 More Jets

The carrier said it received an initial offer of $533 million.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Spirit Airbus A320. (Photo: Shutterstock | Jomica8)

Spirit this week asked the court overseeing its bankruptcy to approve the bidding process for a planned auction of 20 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft.

The Florida-based ultra-low-cost airline made the request in a filing on Wednesday, according to Reuters, and indicated that a potential sale could generate over half a billion dollars. Spirit proposed selling off the aircraft late last year but needs the bankruptcy court’s permission before moving forward.

Spirit is in the process of shrinking its fleet to reduce costs. It has already been authorized by the court to reject leases for certain aircraft.

CSDS Asset Management has agreed to buy all 20 aircraft for $533.5 million, the airline said in its filing. If the court signs off on the auction, Spirit will solicit competing offers starting at $554 million under an agreement with CSDS.

The auction and sale would take place in April.

Spirit filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in August. In addition to offloading aircraft, it has cut routes, withdrawn from certain markets, furloughed workers, and signed a new labor agreement with its pilots that includes a temporary pay cut.

Zach Vasile