Planes
American is set to add 10 former Alaska A321neos to its fleet in the coming months. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Ex-Alaska A321neos Find New Life in American Fleet

Alaska’s former Airbus A321neos are slowly getting a new life as they join American’s fleet. In September 2023, Alaska retired its last Airbus aircraft, once again becoming an all-Boeing operator. A month later, American announced its plan to acquire the 10 A321neos from the Seattle-based airline. With the oldest aircraft having been delivered to then Virgin America in January 2018, the sub-fleet is relatively young. [caption id="attachment_70932" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] N925VA - a former Alaska A321neo destined for American - in…

When the Airport Duty Free Stores Make Sense

I was recently in Qatar for a couple of days right before Valentine's Day. This unexpected trip messed up my plans to wait until the last minute to buy a Valentine's Day present for my wife. She had very casually mentioned wanting a new necklace a few weeks prior which…

A Decade of Mystery: MH370 Anniversary Renews Search Hopes

This Friday, March 8, 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. The Boeing 777-200 - registered as 9M-MRO - vanished from radar shortly after takeoff from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, en route to Beijing, China, with 239 people on board. Despite extensive underwater searches spanning…

United to Slow Pilot Hiring, Blames Boeing Delivery Delays

United is the latest U.S. carrier to slow pilot hiring this year. According to a CNBC report, the Chicago-based carrier will pause new hire classes in May and June, citing delivery delays at Boeing. The airline expects to receive 21 fewer 737 MAX aircraft this year than its original forecast.…

United Expanding International Network This Year

United Airlines will expand flights across the globe this year, adding new routes and additional service to a handful of destinations.  The airline on Thursday announced it would add new flights to Morocco, the Philippines, Japan, and Colombia. United will also operate more flights to China, South Korea and Portugal. …

Qatar Airways Says Goodbye to Boeing 747 Freighter

The 747 jumbo jet era is over at Qatar Airways. The company’s cargo subsidiary announced that its lone remaining Boeing 747-8 freighter finished its last flight on Friday, arriving at its base in Doha from Barcelona, Spain. Qatar Airways Cargo acquired two 747-8s in 2017 and recently agreed to sell…

Virgin Australia Plans for First Domestic In-Cabin Pet Policy

Virgin Australia has unveiled plans to make history as the first domestic airline in the country to permit small cats and dogs to travel alongside their owners in the cabin. This eagerly anticipated pet-friendly policy, slated for launch within the next 12 months, will specifically cater to select domestic flights,…

British Airways to Return to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur

British Airways is adding two major cities in southeast Asia back to its route network. Later this year, the British flag carrier is slated to re-introduce flights to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. British Airways’ Shifting Bangkok Service Flights between London Gatwick Airport and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport will begin on Oct.…

Boeing Witholding Numerous Door Plug Documents From NTSB

In a Senate hearing on Wednesday, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said that Boeing has failed to hand over key records on work done to Alaska 1282’s now-infamous door plug before it was delivered. Homendy says that the NTSB has requested certain documents and information “numerous times over the last few…

12 Years Ago: A Look Back at the United-Continental Merger

The airline industry is well-known for being cutthroat and competitive, where there are turbulent times and moments of success and profitability. Air carriers have come and gone as those transitions transformed the physical nature of the business, and new trends arise. The merger of United and Continental — cemented on…