A WestJet Boeing 787 enters the runway at Paine Field in Washington. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)
Canadian airline WestJet is adding service to a new destination in South America.
Starting Nov. 8, the carrier will connect Calgary and São Paulo. Flights will operate three times per week using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
The route will be WestJet’s first linking Western Canada and South America. São Paulo will also be the airline’s 100th destination from Calgary International Airport, officials said.
“Our first flight between Western Canada and South America is the beginning of an exciting chapter in WestJet’s Calgary story,” WestJet Group CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said in a news release. “We’re deeply grateful to our Calgary partners and the millions of guests who have trusted us over the years.”
WestJet currently serves numerous destinations in Central America and the Caribbean but only one in South America proper – Medellín, Colombia. The route is flown from Toronto.
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.
Service will start Nov. 3 and operate four times a week, using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
The Abu Dhabi-to-Calgary route will be the only one in the world linking the Middle East and Western Canada, Etihad leaders said.
“The launch of our Abu Dhabi-Calgary service is both a significant and historic step in Etihad’s global expansion,” CEO Antonoaldo Neves said in a news release. “By creating the only nonstop link between the Middle East and Western Canada, we are opening new opportunities for trade, tourism, and investment, while giving travelers direct access to two distinctive and globally important destinations.”
Currently, Etihad flies to New York, Chicago, and Toronto. Service to Charlotte, North Carolina, will start in March.
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.
The overhaul, described by Lufthansa as its most extensive ever, will replace all seats in all cabins on the airline’s Boeing 747-8s and A350-900s.
On the A380, all business class seats will be replaced by new seats from manufacturer Thompson Aero. Each seat will have direct aisle access, width of 58 centimeters (or 22.8 inches), a bed length of at least two meters (or 6.5 feet), Bluetooth connectivity, and flexible partitions, Lufthansa officials said.
Retrofit work is set to start in February in Dresden.
Because the A380 cabin upgrade is covered by an existing certification, there is no extra approval process, the carrier said, and business class passengers will be able to access the new seats within a few weeks.
A Lufthansa A380. (Photo: Lufthansa)
“The retrofit underscores our commitment to providing a top flight experience on the long-haul aircraft that is so popular with our customers,” Heiko Reitz, Lufthansa’s hub manager for Munich, said in a news release. “The new premium seats offer more privacy and significantly more comfort than before.”
The first fully retrofitted A380 is expected to return to Munich in April to reenter commercial service. Work on all eight of Lufthansa’s A380s is expected to be complete by mid-2027.
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: Starlux Unveils Metallic Gold and Silver Designs
The Taiwan-based airline is partnering with artist Hajime Sorayama to realize the liquid metal concept.
A Starlux A350 in Seattle (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.
The airline is partnering with Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama on the project, dubbed “AIRSORAYAMA” by Starlux. Sorayama is known for his highly detailed and sometimes erotic illustrations, which prominently feature metallic elements.
The effort, about three years in the making, was formally announced in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Two Airbus A350-1000 aircraft will be coated with high-concentration mica color shades, one gold with silver accents, and the other silver with gold accents. Multi-coating techniques will give the airplanes the layered, fluid appearance of liquid metal, officials said.
The mainly gold AIRSORAYAMA livery. (Credit: Starlux)
The off-color accents will be on the belly of the aircraft, and are meant to give the jets a shark-like appearance, in keeping with a famous Sorayama motif.
The two aircraft are named Starlux AIRSORAYAMA Silver (B-58553) and Starlux AIRSORAYAMA Gold (B-58554). They are expected to enter service in the third quarter of this year.
“What we sought was to bring warmth and beauty into the flying experience,” Starlux Chairman K.W. Chang said in a news release. “Sorayama-sensei’s creations embody futurism and breathe emotion into the metal, mirroring the precision and care behind aviation itself.”
The mainly silver AIRSORAYAMA livery. (Credit: Starlux)
The coating was developed in collaboration with Airbus and coatings manufacturer Mankiewicz.
Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.
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.
JetBlue Braces for a Post-Spirit South Florida
Executives say several contingency plans are ready, with Fort Lauderdale at the center.
A JetBlue A321 aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
JetBlue has several plans in place in the event of a Spirit shutdown, executives said earlier this week. These plans are particularly focused on the carrier’s Fort Lauderdale, Florida, hub, but could include other markets.
Spirit is currently the largest airline in Fort Lauderdale with a nearly 30% market share, while JetBlue is the airport’s No. 2 carrier at 19%.
“… We do have multiple plans in place depending on the outcome of Fort Lauderdale and Spirit,” JetBlue’s CEO, Joanna Geraghty, said during an earnings call on Tuesday. “So we’re ready for a number of scenarios to ensure that customers are protected and that we bring the JetBlue product and the offering to more folks in South Florida and beyond.”
Spirit’s second-quarter capacity in Fort Lauderdale is expected to be down 15% compared to the same period in 2024, according to data from Cirium Diio.
Other airlines have added capacity in the South Florida market as the bankrupt ultra-low-cost carrier has scaled back, though JetBlue doesn’t expect any meaningful upsides.
“I mean, obviously, the rumors are out there. I think that there’s certainly probably more rumors than they have airplanes, but I don’t think there’s any upside for us to try to make any assumptions on that,” added Marty St. George, JetBlue’s president, during the call.
Second Bankruptcy Continues
In August, Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in less than a year. Its back-to-back bankruptcy filings followed a slew of failed merger attempts, including with JetBlue.
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.
LIFT Airlines Airbus A320 aircraft (Photo: AirplaneNiner, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)
South Africa’s Lift has obtained membership in the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The airline announced on social media this week that it is now an IATA member. Lift’s official IATA code is GE.
IATA membership offers airlines global recognition, cost savings, and operational efficiencies. It also signifies participation in the global air transport sector, enabling carriers to effectively sell, transport, and settle transactions.
Membership in IATA is important for airlines that wish to expand as well as to grow their market share, and Lift has expansion plans on the horizon.
Last year, Global Airways, the company that operates Lift, applied to South Africa’s International Air Services Licensing Council for air service rights to operate flights to Mauritius and Reunion. These routes will become the airline’s first beyond South Africa’s borders.
Its business model has proven popular locally. The carrier offers complimentary coffee (or wine) and snacks on flights, and permits passengers to change or cancel their flights right up to the day of departure, with credits going into a wallet for future use.
Lift’s first scheduled service was between Johannesburg and Cape Town. Then, in October 2022, it started flying between Johannesburg and Durban. In November 2022, the airline connected the country’s three major cities when it launched service between Durban and Cape Town, effectively completing what is known locally as the golden triangle.
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.
Delta Adds Flights for Super Bowl
The carrier is expanding capacity on routes to and from the Bay Area.
In a statement, the airline said it will add flights from Boston and Seattle – the hometowns of the two teams competing in Super Bowl LX – and operate temporary service between New York and San Jose, California.
The game is being played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Delta plans to increase the number of daily nonstop flights between Boston and San Francisco from two to three on Feb. 6. Four return flights will operate on Feb. 9, the day after the game.
A one-off flight from New York to San Jose will depart JFK on Feb. 6, with return service on Feb. 9. These flights will use an Airbus A321neo aircraft, officials said.
Delta will also add an extra flight from San Francisco to Seattle on Feb. 9. The carrier currently connects Seattle and San Francisco five times daily, and Seattle and San Jose four times daily.
“From additional departure options to multiple Bay Area gateways, Delta’s expanded schedule builds off our existing robust domestic network that is designed to meet increased demand and keep customers moving forward,” Amy Martin, Delta’s vice president of network planning, said in a news release.
Delta is the official airline of the Seattle Seahawks.
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.
Porter Adds New U.S. Destination
The carrier is also adding routes between cities already in its network and increasing frequencies on existing routes.
Porter is also adding routes linking Boston with Toronto Pearson and Montreal, starting May 14. The airline currently serves Boston from Toronto City Airport and Ottawa.
Toronto-to-Boston will operate 14 times weekly, while Montreal-to-Boston will operate seven times weekly.
Also in May, Porter will launch service between Ottawa and Windsor; Ottawa and Sudbury; Toronto Pearson and Quebec City; Ottawa and Kelowna; Hamilton and St. John’s; and Hamilton and Winnipeg.
“We are making a substantial increase in flights for Porter this summer, touching on every region we fly to,” Andrew Pierce, Porter’s vice president of network planning and reporting, said in a news release. “Our overall network is growing by 20%, the fastest rate for any airline in North America, as we continue providing service for more passengers.”
Porter is also increasing the frequency of three routes within Canada – Ottawa to Winnipeg, Toronto Pearson to Deer Lake, and Hamilton to Halifax – and extending seasonal routes through the summer.
Only one of these routes connects to the U.S. – Hamilton to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. That service will operate twice a week through the summer.
The others are Toronto Pearson to Cancun (up to six times per week), Toronto Pearson to Costa Rica (twice weekly), Toronto Pearson to Nassau (twice weekly), and Ottawa to Cancun (three times weekly).
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 to Resume Service to Venezuela
The carrier is the first U.S. airline to signal a return to the country.
The carrier said it is in close contact with federal authorities and is ready to restart service pending “government approval and security assessments.”
American last served Venezuela in 2019. At the time, it was the largest U.S. carrier operating in the country.
“We have a more than 30-year history connecting Venezolanos to the U.S., and we are ready to renew that incredible relationship,” American COO Nat Pieper said in a statement. “By restarting service to Venezuela, American will offer customers the opportunity to reunite with families and create new business and commerce with the United States.”
Relations between the U.S. and Venezuela have been especially fraught over the last several years. The U.S. Department of Transportation and Department of Homeland Security suspended passenger and cargo flights to the country in May 2019, citing risks to customers, air crews, and aircraft.
Earlier this month, U.S. military and law enforcement personnel entered Caracas and captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and wife, who had been indicted in the Southern District of New York for alleged drug trafficking and “narcoterrorism.” They remain detained in New York, awaiting trial.
While tensions remain high, the Trump administration has signaled that it may take limited steps to normalize relations with Venezuela now that Maduro is gone, including possibly reopening an embassy.
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.
Wizz Air Eyes Limited U.S. Flights
The ultra-low-cost carrier may look to operate charter flights this summer.
A Wizz Air A321 aircraft in the airline's new livery. (Photo: Wizz Air)
Hungarian discount carrier Wizz Air is laying the groundwork for potential flights to the U.S. during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Late last week the airline filed a request with the U.S. Department of Transportation to begin flights between the U.S. and U.K. The petition was submitted by Wizz’s U.K. subsidiary, and aims to start service “as soon as possible.”
The filing set off speculation that Wizz was looking to enter the U.S. market with regular scheduled service. On Thursday, however, Wizz CFO Ian Malin clarified that scheduled service to the U.S. is not in the cards, and that the filing was merely a procedural step in arranging potential charter flights to North America during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The World Cup will be jointly hosted by 16 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Several airlines have already announced special flights to and from the host cities to accommodate increased demand.
Wizz operates mainly within Europe but also offers flights to North Africa and the Middle East. Plans to expand in the Middle East were curtailed last year when the carrier shut down its Emirati subsidiary, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi.
Some aviation industry commentators have speculated that, following its retreat from the Middle East, Wizz will turn toward North America and transatlantic service, though no new routes have been announced.
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.
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