Air Canada's Olympic/Paralympic livery on an Airbus A330. (Photo: Air Canada)
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.
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Air Canada this week offered a first look at a special aircraft livery honoring Canadian athletes participating in the upcoming Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The livery has been applied to an Airbus A330 and features images of Team Canada’s athletes, specifically those who have partnered with Air Canada as “athlete ambassadors.” This group includes para-alpine skier Alexis Guimond, ice hockey player Marie-Philip Poulin, freestyle skier Mikaël Kingsbury, wheelchair curler Ina Forrest, speed skater William Dandjinou, freestyle skier Cassie Sharpe, para-ice hockey player Tyler McGregor, and para-alpine skier Mollie Jepsen.
The aircraft’s first flight with the new design took place on Thursday, when it departed Montreal and arrived in Milan, one of two Italian cities co-hosting the winter games.
Air Canada will transport more than 750 athletes and delegation members to and from Italy.
“This special livery is more than a design – it’s a tribute to the strength, resilience, and heart of the athletes representing Team Canada,” Andy Shibata, vice president of brand at Air Canada, said in a news release. “Our partnership with the [Canadian Olympic Committee] and [the Canadian Paralympic Committee] reflects our shared commitment to excellence and to celebrating the power of sport that unites our nation. Bringing Canada’s Olympians and Paralympians to compete on the world’s greatest sporting stage is a point of pride for all of us at Air Canada.”
The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in February. The Paralympics will take place at the same locations in March.
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.
Venezuela Bans Six International Airlines
The carriers had temporarily paused flights to the country as tensions with the U.S. escalate.
A LATAM Brasil A320 taxies in São Paulo/Guarulhos. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | João Machado)
Venezuela’s government on Thursday banned six international airlines from operating in its airspace after the carriers temporarily paused flights to the country amid growing tensions with the U.S.
Spain’s Iberia, Portugal’s TAP, Brazil’s GOL, Chile’s LATAM, Colombia’s Avianca, and Turkish Airlines had their landing and takeoff permissions revoked, effectively ending their access to Caracas and other major markets within Venezuela. The country’s aviation authority accused the airlines of “joining the actions of state terrorism promoted by the United States government,” according to a report from the BBC.
All six carriers suspended flights to Venezuela earlier this week after the FAA issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) warning about increased security risks in the area. Venezuela threatened to cancel their authorizations if they did not resume service within 48 hours, but none of the airlines complied.
Portugal’s foreign minister denounced Venezuela’s decision, calling it “totally disproportionate,” The Guardian reported Thursday. He said Portuguese officials are working with Caracas to reinstate TAP’s operating rights, adding that the airline had no intention of permanently leaving Venezuela and only paused flights over safety concerns.
Since September, the Trump administration has been bombing alleged drug cartel boats operating off the coast of Venezuela and neighboring Colombia. As part of the campaign, about 15,000 troops and the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, are now positioned in the southern Caribbean, within striking distance of Venezuela.
The White House maintains that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his top lieutenants are involved in drug trafficking. Some foreign policy experts believe the Trump administration is considering strikes within Venezuela to undermine support for Maduro and force him from power.
U.S. airlines have not flown nonstop to Venezuela since 2019.
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.
Inside Delta's Operations and Customer Center in Atlanta (Photo: Delta)
While pilots sit at the controls in the cockpit, another group of professionals works hard behind the scenes to make important decisions about each flight. Flight dispatchers play a critical role in making sure that each flight arrives safely, working to plan, monitor, and support each flight.
Understanding what flight dispatchers do is essential to appreciating how airlines maintain safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance in the complex world of aviation.
Flight Planning and Pre-Flight Coordination
Some of a flight dispatcher’s most important work takes place long before the aircraft leaves the gate. Flight dispatchers are responsible for ensuring that each flight is planned to meet regulatory and operational requirements.
Before flights depart, dispatchers look at the aircraft’s route options, weather conditions, airport facilities, and potential hazards. Many factors can affect how an airline will fly a particular flight, ranging from runway closures to air traffic restrictions to turbulence and severe weather.
Dispatchers also have to consider regulatory and safety requirements. For example, they perform weight and balance calculations based on the amount of fuel, passengers, and cargo, to ensure that the aircraft takes off and lands within its weight limits. These calculations also affect fuel burn and aircraft performance. Using all this information, flight dispatchers prepare detailed flight plans for pilots.
Inflight Monitoring and Communication
Once the flight is underway, a dispatcher’s job is far from over. Flight dispatchers maintain communication with the flight crew, providing updates on weather conditions, airport operations, and other relevant information. They also keep a close eye on the aircraft’s fuel consumption, performance, and estimated arrival time, performing and adjusting calculations as needed.
Inside American’s Integrated Operations Center (IOC) in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo: American Airlines)
When conditions change throughout the flight, pilots and dispatchers work together to evaluate the situation and make decisions on how to proceed. In the case of an emergency, dispatchers help pilots assess diversion options and contingency plans. They also coordinate with airports and other departments within the airline to facilitate a diversion if needed.
Shared Legal Responsibility with Pilots
Although it is widely understood that pilots have legal responsibility, it is a lesser-known fact that they share this responsibility with flight dispatchers. For airlines in the United States operating under Part 121 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, the pilot in command and the dispatcher of a flight are jointly responsible for the preflight planning, delay, and release of a flight.
Under sections 121.533 and 121.535 of the regulations, dispatchers are also legally responsible for monitoring the progress of each flight, issuing necessary information for the safety of the flight, and cancelling or re-dispatching a flight if they believe that the flight cannot operate or continue to operate safely.
On the other hand, pilots are in command of the aircraft and crew and are responsible for the safety of the airplane. While pilots and dispatchers share operational responsibility for the flight, the pilot has full control and authority over the operation of the aircraft itself.
A Mesa Airlines E-175 dispatcher. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Tom Pallini)
Working as a Flight Dispatcher
Flight dispatchers typically monitor multiple flights at a time and work at a centralized airline facility. New flight dispatchers typically start their careers at a commuter or regional airline and can apply for a job at a major airline after they gain a few years of experience.
A typical shift for a flight dispatcher consists of taking over the work of another dispatcher, communicating with flight crews, and planning for future flights. The job involves communicating with other departments within the airline as well, such as maintenance and scheduling teams. Depending on what is going on across the airline’s network, the workload can vary from day to day, with each shift offering unique challenges.
Becoming a Flight Dispatcher
In the United States, prospective flight dispatchers must be at least 23 years old and have a high school diploma or a GED. There is also a background check conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and a pre-employment drug test.
Dispatchers must complete at least 200 hours of training before they can be certified. Most candidates do this through an FAA-approved training program at a college or aviation school. To become certified, dispatchers then have to complete a written test and an oral practical exam.
Key Players in Aviation Safety
Flight dispatchers are integral to the safe and efficient operations of an airline. By ensuring that every flight is safe, legally compliant, and properly planned, they work in tandem with pilots in a framework of shared responsibility for each flight.
This partnership in operational control highlights the complexity of aviation, where different teams come together to make a flight happen. The behind-the-scenes work of flight dispatchers makes modern air travel reliable and safe from long before a flight departs until its safe arrival at the gate.
Andrew is a lifelong lover of aviation and travel. He has flown all over the world and is fascinated by the workings of the air travel industry. As a private pilot and glider pilot who has worked with airlines, airports and other industry stakeholders, he is always excited to share his passion for aviation with others. In addition to being a writer, he also hosts Flying Smarter, an educational travel podcast that explores the complex world of air travel to help listeners become better-informed and savvier travelers.
Emirates is introducing a Thanksgiving-themed menu across its U.S. network, adding seasonal items onboard and in lounges between Nov. 24 and Nov. 30. The carrier’s offerings span all cabin classes and extend to airport lounges and the onboard bar of the Airbus A380.
Onboard, breakfast for all cabins will feature cinnamon pancakes with apple and cranberry compote and whipped ricotta pumpkin cream. Business class travelers will also see options such as blueberry muffins and cinnamon rolls. Lunch and dinner items vary by cabin.
First and Business Class
In first class, starters include creamy celeriac and pear soup with leek julienne, sweet potato soup with poached lobster and chives, smoked salmon with chives and cucumber, or a seafood platter with prawn, smoked salmon, crab cocktail, and salmon gravadlax. Caviar is also available.
Main course options include a turkey leg roulade with roasted butternut squash, mashed potatoes with carrot, buttered Brussels sprouts, roasted pecans, cranberry sauce, and thyme and garlic potatoes.
Emirates A380 first class seat (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Hemal Gosai)
Another option features lemon, za’atar, and buttermilk roasted turkey with celeriac apple purée, maple-roasted pumpkin and beetroot, kale with cranberries, and pecan and cornbread stuffing. Desserts range from an apple fritter with mascarpone cream to a key lime tart with raspberry coulis, a toffee apple and pecan cake with salted caramel, or a chocolate marble cheesecake with berry compote.
Business class will offer similar starters and main courses to first class, with desserts including a key lime tart or cheesecake with strawberry basil confit.
Premium Economy
Premium economy passengers will see dishes such as grilled artichoke antipasti with butternut squash, broad beans, kale, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries, or a shrimp cocktail with fennel salad. Main courses include a turkey roulade or a buttermilk and herb roasted turkey with cranberry sauce, mashed sweet potato, broccolini, paprika potato wedges, and honey-glazed pumpkin with pecans. Dessert options include a key lime tart with Chantilly cream and raspberries or a berry cheesecake with red berry coulis.
In economy, passengers will receive a welcome drink of orange, pomegranate, apple, and cinnamon, followed by either a quinoa salad with kale, butternut squash, and pecans or a Waldorf salad. The main course is roasted chicken with cranberry sauce, chestnut roulade with turkey bacon, maple-baked parsnips, carrot mash, peas, and potato wedges. Dessert is a choice of salted caramel milk cake or sticky toffee pudding, along with a warm Snickerdoodle cookie.
Emirates’ lounges in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are also serving Thanksgiving selections through the end of the month. Items include roasted mushroom bisque with crème fraîche and truffles and a main course of cider-brined turkey breast with roasted apples, traditional gravy, cranberry compote, brioche stuffing with apricots and dates, mashed potatoes, and Brussels sprouts. Desserts include pumpkin-spiced olive oil cake with maple mascarpone and caramel sauce.
A380 Service
In Dubai, lounges will feature roasted turkey breast with cranberry sauce, rosemary potatoes, glazed chestnuts, roasted root vegetables, and seasonal desserts such as pumpkin cranberry cheesecake. On Airbus A380 flights to the U.S., the onboard bar will offer pecan cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and other holiday treats.
Hemal took his first flight at four years old and has been an avgeek since then. When he isn't working as an analyst he's frequently found outside watching planes fly overhead or flying in them. His favorite plane is the 747-8i which Lufthansa thankfully flies to EWR allowing for some great spotting. He firmly believes that the best way to fly between JFK and BOS is via DFW and is always willing to go for that extra elite qualifying mile. Hemal's opinions are his own and do not reflect those of his employer.
Delta Tests AI For Baggage Handling
The airline is using a new artificial intelligence-powered platform, Baggage AI, at its hub in Atlanta.
A Delta A350-900. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Delta is using a new artificial intelligence-powered platform to manage the flow of passenger baggage at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
The tool, known as Baggage AI, assigns luggage to ramp workers and tells them the most efficient driving path through the airport’s grounds. The handlers and drivers access the system through their phones.
“AI puts everything in order for me, and it gives me the opportunity to prioritize which bags get delivered first to the plane,” Delta ramp agent Michael Davis told NBC News in a recent segment.
The airline said Baggage AI has already improved the efficiency of its luggage operations by 30%.
“Think of it as a rideshare-like app that optimizes routes for our baggage transfer drivers,” Richard Cox, Delta’s senior vice president of airport customer service, told NBC News. “We make sure our customers can travel with peace of mind.”
Delta is testing AI in a number of different areas. In October, the carrier announced it was rolling out a beta version of its AI-powered personal assistant, Delta Concierge. The tool is being made available through the Fly Delta app for select SkyMiles members, and the aim is to gather feedback before eventually expanding access to all SkyMiles customers.
Delta said it expects to carry about 6.5 million passengers during the Thanksgiving holiday period.
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.
Transportation Secretary Calls For Healthier Airline Snacks
While speaking about his push for renewed civility in airports and on flights, Sean Duffy said carriers should offer more nutritious food options.
Snacks on a commercial flight. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Mateen Kontoravdis)
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said this week that he would like to see healthier snacks on flights, tying the issue to his broader push for civility and formality in air travel.
“I would love some better snacks,” he said. “I would love a little healthier snack on the airplane… Maybe that could change it all. If I didn’t get the really fattening cookie full of butter and sugar and crap, or that little snack pack of pretzels. Can we do something else?”
“I think airlines should embrace a little [Make America Healthy Again] as well,” he added. “Can we get a healthy choice on the airplane?”
Many airlines around the world offer cookies, pretzels, crackers, nuts, and other snacks to passengers free of charge. Among the most popular and widely distributed are Biscoff cookies, Daelmans Stroopwafels, Cheez-Its, Sun Chips, and Quaker granola bars.
The secretary did not name any specific foods that he would like to see offered.
Since the start of the Thanksgiving travel season, Duffy has asked Americans to dress better and be more aware and polite while taking flights and navigating airports. More widely-practiced courteousness and respect, he argues, can help create a better travel experience while also tamping down some of the more disruptive and even confrontational behavior that seems to have surged since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I want to have a conversation with America that says, ‘Listen, let’s call on our better angels,’” he told BlazeTV. “‘Let’s all be better when we travel together. Let’s dress more respectfully. Let’s be nicer to one another. Let’s say please and thank you.’”
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.
Delta Flight Turns Back Over ‘Indication of A Mechanical Issue’
The airline cited a possible problem with the aircraft’s flaps.
A Delta A330-300 aircraft. (Photo: Shutterstock | Santi Rodriguez)
A Delta flight out of Paris was forced to return to Charles de Gaulle Airport on Wednesday after encountering an “indication of a mechanical issue.”
In a statement, the airline said the crew of an Airbus A330-300 operating as Delta Flight 153 to Minneapolis declared an emergency after becoming aware of a problem with the aircraft’s flaps. The flight was given priority by air traffic controllers and landed safely back at Charles de Gaulle.
There were 177 passengers on board. According to a report from Business Insider, the A330 was in the air for less than 20 minutes.
“Customers were reaccommodated on same-day flights out of CDG,” Delta said. “We apologize to our customers for their delay in travel.”
Delta technicians are now evaluating the aircraft.
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.
The airline said Tuesday that it will connect Montreal and Berlin; Montreal and Nantes, France; Toronto and Ponta Delgada in the Azores; and Halifax and Brussels during the summer of 2026. Air Canada is also resuming its Montreal-Tel Aviv route next summer.
The start and end dates and frequencies of the upcoming flights are:
Montreal to Berlin: July 2 to Oct. 11, 2026; three times weekly
Montreal to Nantes: June 10 to Oct. 12, 2026; three times weekly
Toronto to Ponta Delgada: June 11 to Sept. 6, 2026; three times weekly
Halifax to Brussels: June 18 to Sept. 6, 2026; three times weekly
Montreal to Tel Aviv: June 5 to Oct. 24; twice weekly
An Air Canada Boeing 737 MAX 8. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Air Canada will operate the Montreal-Berlin route with an Airbus A321XLR and the Montreal-Tel Aviv service with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The other routes will use unspecified narrowbody jets, the carrier said.
All five flights are available for booking now.
“From Canada to Berlin, Ponta Delgada, Nantes, and Brussels, we are strategically increasing new non-stop routes across Europe to bring convenient access to key destinations, while strengthening economic ties and supporting tourism,” Mark Galardo, Air Canada’s executive vice president, COO, and president of cargo, said in a statement. “With these additions, Air Canada will offer North America’s second largest transatlantic network by destinations next summer.”
Air Canada previously announced new summertime routes from Montreal to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and Catania, Italy, and from Toronto to Shanghai and Budapest.
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.
Caterers Protest at LAX Amid Holiday Rush
The labor union representing the workers said they face unsafe conditions on the job.
An Aeroméxico Boeing 787 in Los Angeles.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Protesting airline caterers temporarily blocked a main street into Los Angeles International Airport late Tuesday as they called for higher pay and better working conditions.
According to KABC-TV, the caterers are employees of Flying Food Group and members of the UNITE HERE Local 11 labor union, which represents hospitality workers in California and Arizona. Flying Food Group supplies food and beverages for carriers such as Hawaiian Airlines, Air France, and Lufthansa.
At one point in the evening, the protests spilled out onto Century Boulevard and blocked cars from entering the airport. Police then intervened to move the workers back onto the sidewalk, KABC reported.
Tuesday was expected to be the busiest travel day of the Thanksgiving holiday period, and could turn out to be the busiest single day of 2025.
The caterers told local media that they face unsafe working conditions, including burst pipes, blocked exits, malfunctioning fire alarms, and exposure to chemical burns.
“Despite the growing number of problems – and despite workers repeatedly raising these concerns – the leadership of Los Angeles World Airports has failed to take meaningful action to hold Flying Food Group accountable to the city’s own requirements for its licensees,” Susan Minato, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11, said in a statement. “We need accountability from the city.”
The workers have also filed complaints with California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health.
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.
JSX's first ATR aircraft arrives at Dallas Love Field. (Photo: Adam Baker)
JSX announced this week that it will start service between Santa Monica, California, and Las Vegas before the end of the year.
The public charter carrier will fly once daily between the two cities using its new 30-seat ATR 42-600 turboprop aircraft, which it ordered earlier this year to help reach small and underserved airports. Flights will start on Dec. 19.
JSX currently operates flights from Las Vegas but has not served Santa Monica before.
“With demand for efficient regional travel at an all-time high, our operations at Santa Monica Airport will deliver joyful, attainable air travel while supporting local families and businesses,” JSX CEO Alex Wilcox said in a statement. “We are committed to being a responsible, respectful community partner for as long as Santa Monica chooses to keep its airport open.”
Santa Monica Airport is expected to shut down in 2028. The facility has been the focus of resident complaints about noise and air pollution for years, and in 2017 the city and the FAA reached an agreement to wind down operations there.
JSX expects to take delivery of four ATR 42-600 aircraft, with options for up to 25 more. Company officials have said the turboprop airplanes will allow access to smaller airports with shorter runways that JSX’s main fleet, consisting of Embraer E135s and E145s, cannot use.
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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