United Gives First Look at New Houston Concourse

The Terminal B North Concourse will open Thursday.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 11:18 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A rendering of the new Terminal B North Concourse. (Photo: United Airlines)

United is preparing to open its new concourse at Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The three-level, 765,000 square-foot Terminal B North Concourse will debut Thursday, the carrier said. The facility has 22 gates and includes a 54,000-square-foot United Club lounge with seating for 800 people and an outdoor terrace.

The lounge is the largest of any airline in the Americas, United said.

There will also be jet bridges for every United flight at the North Concourse.

“I want our customers to start their vacation the minute they show up at the airport and Terminal B North sets a new standard for facilities across the country,” United CEO Scott Kirby said in a news release. “Houston is great example of our focus on the overall customer experience – yes, we’re investing in new aircraft, products, and technology here, but we’re also focused on improving the infrastructure, building new concourses, baggage systems, and training and maintenance facilities for our employees.”

The new North Concourse was designed to feel spacious and airy, officials said, with high ceilings, large gathering spaces, and expansive views of the air field. It also includes new concession and retail spaces.

The new concourse is part of a broader ongoing $2.6 billion reconstruction of Terminal B, which broke ground in 2024. Similar renovations are taking place in the terminal’s South Concourse, which has 26 gates.

The original structure dates back to 1969.

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 787 Blows Tire Landing at O’Hare

The FAA is investigating after the crew reported a "brake issue."

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 08:58 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

American's first 787-8 at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Greg Linton)

An American Airlines jet blew a tire while landing at Chicago O’Hare on Tuesday, after the crew reported a problem with the aircraft’s brakes.

According to the FAA, the Boeing 787 was arriving from Barcelona around 2:30 p.m. local time when the crew encountered an unspecified “brake issue.” The flight landed safely, the agency said, and passengers deplaned using stairs and were bused to the terminal.

There were 234 passengers and 11 crew on board.

WGN-TV reported that one person was hospitalized after the landing. That individual is in “good condition,” the station said, citing fire officials.

The FAA said it will investigate the incident.

Zach Vasile

FAA Certifies 737 MAX 10

Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 04:50 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Boeing's 737 MAX 10 at Boeing Field. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

After years of delays, Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 has been certified by the FAA.

The U.S. Department of Transportation and FAA announced the approval Tuesday afternoon.

“After extensive safety reviews – including thousands of hours of test flights – the team at the FAA is ready to approve this critical aircraft for sale,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement. “This is a major win for American manufacturing and our nation’s status as a global aviation powerhouse. We invented flight, we pioneered air travel, and we are going to continue leading the way in aviation safety and innovation.”

The MAX 10 is the last of the MAX-family aircraft to be certified. The MAX 7, which also faced years of holdups, received the FAA’s official sign-off in August.

The MAX 10 was initially expected to enter commercial service in 2020 or 2021, but two deadly MAX crashes, an overhaul of the FAA’s certification system, and issues with the variant’s engine anti-ice system caused years of delays.

Canada’s WestJet is the launch customer for the MAX 10. Other confirmed buyers include United, Delta, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Ryanair.

Zach Vasile

Dulles to Open VIP Terminal

The MWAA has selected daa International as the developer and future operator.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 02:26 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A United Boeing 787 at Washington Dulles. (Photo: Shutterstock | Andrew Mauro)

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is moving forward with a plan to develop an upscale “VIP” terminal at Washington Dulles.

The authority said Tuesday that it selected daa International to develop, lease, and operate the facility, which will be the first of its kind in the Washington, D.C., metro area. Separate from a private jet terminal, the VIP facility will be a premium upgrade option for commercial airline passengers.

The 37,000-square-foot terminal will be built near the airports’ cargo buildings, on a 1.2-acre site.

“Adding a VIP terminal at Dulles International reflects our commitment to giving passengers the options to choose an airport experience that fits their needs,” MWAA Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Chryssa Westerlund said in a news release. “By introducing this premium service, Dulles is responding to traveler demand, supporting continued growth, and joining other leading international airports around the world that offer elevated services for business and leisure travelers alike.”

A rendering of the VIP terminal. (Provided by MWAA)

The VIP terminal will have a dedicated parking lot and entrance area, away from the main terminal, as well as private security screening, suites and lounges separate from the airport’s other concourses, and personalized check-in and baggage handling services. There will also be premium vehicle transportation directly to gates and aircraft.

According to MWAA, daa International will develop the terminal over a 30-month period. The airport management and investment company will then operate and manage the facility for an initial 20-year term.

Zach Vasile

Hawaiian Adds Two International Routes from Seattle

The Alaska-owned carrier is expanding its presence in Asia and the South Pacific.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 11:08 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Alaska and Hawaiian aircraft. (Photo: Alaska Airlines)

Hawaiian Airlines will add two new long-haul connections from Seattle next year.

The carrier – which now operates as a brand of Alaska Air Group – will serve Osaka, Japan, and Papeete, Tahiti, from the Emerald City. Hawaiian already flies to both locations from Honolulu.

Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines have flown under a single operating certificate since 2025.

Seattle-Osaka service will commence May 14, 2027, and operate four times weekly year-round. Flights from Seattle to Osaka will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, while service from Osaka to Seattle will run on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Seattle-Papeete will launch on June 11, 2027. Flights are scheduled three times weekly; on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays for service from Seattle, and Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays for the return service from Tahiti.

Both routes will operate using Hawaiian’s Airbus A330s.

“We are building an airline that connects the Pacific Northwest to more of the world and we know our guests will be excited to have convenient access to Osaka and Papeete from Seattle,” Alaska Air Group President and CEO Ben Minicucci said in a news release. “We’re just getting started, with more international destinations on the horizon as we grow as the leading global airline on the West Coast.”

Tickets for both connections are now available for purchase.

Hawaiian operates most of its flights from Honolulu, with a smaller number from Kahului on Maui. It has taken on a larger role at Seattle, however, as it integrates operations with Alaska.

Alaska officials said the two new routes advance their goal of serving at least 15 long-haul intercontinental destinations from Seattle by 2030.

Zach Vasile

Lufthansa Adds Another U.S. City to Its Network

The German carrier will launch three weekly flights to another U.S. destination in August 2027.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 10:39 AM ET

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Zach Vasile

A Lufthansa A350-900 (Photo: Shutterstock | Just dance)

Lufthansa will expand its U.S. network next summer with a new year-round route from its Munich hub, adding another transatlantic option as Lufthansa Group rolls out its largest network expansion since 2020.

The airline will begin nonstop service to Phoenix on Aug. 3, 2027. Flights will operate on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays aboard Airbus A350-900 aircraft, marking the first nonstop connection between Phoenix and Munich.

Flights will depart Munich at 1:20 p.m. and arrive in Phoenix at 4 p.m. The eastbound service will leave Phoenix at 5:50 p.m. and reach Munich at 1:25 p.m. the following day. All times are local.

Phoenix currently sees long-haul service from Air France, China Airlines, STARLUX, and British Airways. Condor previously connected the city and Frankfurt.

“The U.S. is the most important market for Lufthansa, outside of our home markets,” said Dirk Janzen, Lufthansa Group’s vice president of passenger sales for the Americas, in a news release.

More Long-Haul Growth

The Phoenix addition is part of Lufthansa Group’s largest network expansion since 2020, with 10 new intercontinental connections announced for its summer 2027 schedule. Lufthansa will also launch Frankfurt–Columbus, Ohio, service on May 5, operating three weekly flights aboard Boeing 787-9s.

In addition, the carrier plans to increase frequencies between Munich and Chicago, while fellow group airline Edelweiss will add flights to Tampa, Florida.

Elsewhere in North America, Discover Airlines will launch Frankfurt–Edmonton service on June 1, with three weekly flights. The broader expansion also includes daily Lufthansa service between Frankfurt and Tokyo Narita, the seasonal resumption of Frankfurt–Nagoya flights, and a new ITA Airways route between Rome and Caracas, Venezuela.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

United, Air Canada Add Transborder Routes After Renewing Partnership

The carriers will launch six new connections in 2027.

Zach Vasile

Monday, October 19, 2026 at 02:29 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Air Canada Airbus A220 aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

United and Air Canada will strengthen connectivity between their home countries next year with six new routes and more flights on some existing city-pairs.

Air Canada said Friday that it has renewed its Transborder Joint Business Agreement with United, which currently supports more than 1,200 connecting itineraries. Since 2022, the pact has added 20 routes between the U.S. and Canada; the new connections would also operate under that agreement.

Air Canada said it will launch service between Toronto and Louisville, Kentucky; between Montreal and Indianapolis; and between Edmonton and Newark, New Jersey.

The carrier does not currently serve Louisville. The connection to Toronto will be Louisville’s only international service.

Toronto-Louisville will run from April to October, Montreal-Indianapolis from June to September, and Edmonton-Newark from June to October.

The airline will also increase capacity between Edmonton and San Francisco by deploying the larger Airbus A220 on the route.

United will launch new seasonal service to St. John’s, Newfoundland, from Newark, and add connections from Denver to Ottawa and Quebec City. It will also increase flights between Washington, D.C., and Quebec City, and increase daily seats between Denver and Winnipeg by 65%.

Start dates for the United routes were not immediately available.

“Canada is an incredibly important part of United’s international network, and our partnership with Air Canada has made it easier for families and friends to stay connected, supported economic growth, and created new opportunities to explore unique destinations,” United Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances Patrick Quayle said in a news release. “Our schedule has grown every year since our transborder agreement was signed in 2022, and the new routes and flights we’re announcing today further underscore our commitment to investing in Canada and making travel between our two countries easier.”

Zach Vasile

Lufthansa Adds New U.S. Destination

Service will start in May 2027.

Zach Vasile

Monday, October 19, 2026 at 12:32 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Lufthansa 787. (Photo: Lufthansa)

Lufthansa will launch the only nonstop connection between Germany and Ohio next year.

Starting May 5, 2027, the German flag carrier will link Frankfurt and Columbus, Ohio. Service will operate three times weekly using Boeing 787-9 aircraft with 287 passenger seats.

The flight will be the first and so far only service between Columbus and Europe; the only intercontinental service at Columbus; and the only service between the state of Ohio and Germany.

“The new service will provide both business and leisure travelers with a convenient nonstop connection to Germany, as well as onward destinations across our Lufthansa Group network,” Dirk Janzen, Lufthansa Group’s vice president of passenger sales for the Americas, said in a news release. “The launch of this route is an important step in our continued expansion in the United States, our most important market outside the Lufthansa Group’s home markets.”

Columbus and Ohio officials said Lufthansa’s new route will benefit the 38 German companies operating in the Columbus area and promote investment and job creation. Germany is the third-largest source of international investment in Ohio, behind only Japan and Canada, and more than 750 German-owned business establishments operate in the state.

Lufthansa said its Columbus-Frankfurt flights will have 28 lie-flat business class seats, 28 premium economy seats, and 231 economy seats.

The airline will serve 27 destinations in the U.S. next year.

Zach Vasile

JetBlue Launches New International Route

The connection operates daily, using Airbus A320 aircraft.

Zach Vasile

Monday, October 19, 2026 at 11:08 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A JetBlue Airbus A320 preparing for departure. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

JetBlue on Thursday started nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Cali, Colombia.

The connection, announced earlier this year, operates daily using Airbus A320 aircraft. Cali is JetBlue’s fourth destination in Colombia, after Cartagena, Medellín, and Barranquilla. Service to Barranquilla launched earlier this month, on Oct. 1.

The carrier said Cali service will strengthen connectivity in Latin America and the Caribbean and give more travelers from Colombia access to its North American network.

Cali is the most populous city in southwest Colombia.

Zach Vasile

Lufthansa Retires A340-600

The carrier's final -600 flew from Washington Dulles to Frankfurt.

Zach Vasile

Monday, October 19, 2026 at 09:04 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Lufthansa A340-600 in Munich. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr)

Lufthansa this week retired the Airbus A340-600 after 23 years of operation.

The carrier’s final A340-600 departed Washington Dulles on Sunday and landed at Frankfurt on Monday. There were 267 passengers and 15 crew on board; many purchased tickets specifically to be a part of the final flight, the airline said.

“We will never forget this last flight with the A340-600,” said Lufthansa Frankfurt hub manager Francesco Sciortino, who also served as captain of the flight. “I am grateful that this aircraft has safely carried more than 40 million guests across the globe in 23 years.”

Lufthansa took delivery of its first A340-600 in 2003. At about 247 feet, it was the longest passenger aircraft in the world at the time. Its first destinations in Lufthansa’s network were Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile.

The airline operated a total of 24 A340-600s over the years.

Lufthansa will replace the A340-600 with the A350-1000, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and 777-9.

The carrier still operates the A340-300; that aircraft will be retired in 2027.

Zach Vasile