Mark Reif

After a two year process, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has completed the installation of a new seating class, Premium Comfort Class. The rollout is the largest product change for the airline in years, with every Boeing 787 and 777 outfitted with the class. It’s an intermediate seating class available on long haul flights, sitting neatly between Economy Class and World Business Class, offering more luxury and comfort than the former, at a lower price than the latter. Premium Comfort Class is designed for both business and leisure travelers.

Emirates recently debuted its latest Travel Store in Karachi, Pakistan, offering an experiential retail space in West Asia. The store is situated in the noteworthy Sky Tower, Karachi Towers, on Abdul Sattar Edhi Avenue in Clifton. Comprised of 183 square meters of space, the store provides peerless service combined with tech-focused experiences.

Africa’s largest aviation group, Ethiopian Airlines, will partner with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to establish Air Congo. The government of the DRC will hold a 51% controlling interest, while Ethiopian Airlines will own 49% and handle management duties. The project is part of Ethiopian Airlines’ efforts to partner with African governments to enhance air travel throughout the continent. 

At TheDesignAir Awards 2024, Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific took home three honors, including Design Airline of the Year, Asia. It received an overall design score of 81.9, putting it among the top six carriers worldwide. 

The Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) includes American Airlines for the second straight year, recognizing the airline’s sustainability efforts. The U.S. based carrier is one of two domestic airlines on the list. Additionally, American continues on the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (DJSI North America) for the fourth year in a row.

On December 24, Air New Zealand flight N27 took off from San Francisco en route to Auckland,  New Zealand. While that might seem like an ideal way to get home for the holidays, there was one problem: the 12-hour flight would cross the international date line, skipping December 25, and landing on the 26th. That meant passengers would miss Christmas Day. But Air New Zealand had other plans, transforming the aircraft’s interior into a Christmas Day refuge, bringing over 200 travelers a festival of holiday magic. Here’s what happened aboard the 787 Dreamliner.

Lufthansa Group announced the purchase of an additional five Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, increasing its firm orders to 15. The leading-edge long-haul plane will further modernize the airline’s fleet by lowering emissions, reducing costs, and enhancing comfort. The order makes Lufthansa one of the globe’s largest A350 operators, with 15 A350-1000s and 60 A350-900s.

Through the end of 2024, JetBlue TrueBlue and Mosaic members can earn tiles for perks and status by contributing to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). SAF is a biofuel that’s safe for use in existing aircraft and infrastructure and reduces lifecycle emissions by about 80% compared to traditional fuels. Since 2020, JetBlue has doubled SAF use year-over-year, via three producers at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Soon, the airline will bring a steady supply of SAF to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Marriott Bonvoy will deepen their collaboration, providing Privelege Club members even more ways to enjoy global travel experiences. Moving forward, Privilege Club members with a Marriott Bonvoy account can convert their Avios into Marriott Bonvoy points. It’s a first-of-its-kind program for airline loyalty members in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe region, providing member benefits across Marriott Bonvoy’s wide-ranging portfolio, including 30 brands across 10,000 destinations.

Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) will acquire five Airbus A350-900 aircraft, beginning in 2027. That’s in addition to the five already on order, with deliveries occurring between 2025 and 2031. The aircraft will be equipped with “SWISS Senses” interiors, designed for optimal comfort on long-haul flights.

In 2025, Finnair is adding flights to Lapland during Easter weeks and Autumn, providing ski season thrills and gorgeous foliage. There will also be more flights for notable summertime events, providing even more opportunities to explore. That provides easier access to the Nordic country’s northernmost region, including subarctic wilderness, ski resorts, and natural phenomenon like the Northern Lights. 

Air France will again show its culinary expertise, tapping Michelin-starred French Chef, Olivier Chaignon for inflight cuisine on routes from Japan. Starting in January 2025, La Première and Business passengers flying from Osaka-Kansai or Tokyo-Haneda to Paris can enjoy curated, cabin-specific menus. Each seating class gets 12 exclusive dishes.

Texas residents yearning for a taste of New England can now fly nonstop to Portland, Maine, thanks to a new United route. The flight continues United Airlines’ network expansion throughout the U.S., and utilizes a quick and convenient Embraer E175 aircraft. The route will fly between Houston George Bush International Airport (IAH) and Portland International Jetport (PWM).

Just in time for the holidays, low-cost Icelandic airline PLAY is offering 35% off fares from the U.S. to Iceland and sought after European destinations. It’s a limited time deal only available on December 22 and 23, so travelers have to act fast to score big savings. 

Guinness World Records has officially awarded Turkish Airlines the title of “Most Countries Flown to by an Airline”. Though the airline has flown to the most countries in the world since 2012, the new title cements its place among carriers. The award was handed out at Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport after the airline's first flight to Chile.  Guinness World Records officials and Turkish Airlines Executives were in attendance.

Icelandair has announced a new codeshare agreement with ITA Airways of Italy. The partnership will allow seamless connections between the two airlines’ networks. Travel dates begin January 20, 2025, with fares currently available for sale.

Beginning in May 2025, United Airlines will add eight direct flights from Denver International Airport (DEN), including Rome, Italy; Saskatchewan, Canada; and routes across the US. The flights include new destinations as well as increased service to underserved locations. Once Rome is added, United will offer service to over 20 international cities via Denver.

JSX offers a private jet experience for prices comparable to first-class domestic flights. Its small regional jets operate out of private hangars, with no security lines, and all seats are first-class, with free snacks, drinks, and alcoholic beverages. The air carrier's Embraer ERJ-135 and ERJ-145 jets also look pretty cool, with sleek graphics, including prominent red X’s on the fuselage and tail.  Soon, the Dallas-based company will offer even more flights, with additional departures from Oakland, CA to the Western US. The expansion demonstrates the air carrier's concept taking hold, as more customers enjoy a private jet-like experience.

Following approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Alaska Airlines will offer direct flights between San Diego and Washington, D.C. The DOT green-lighted the route as part of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024. The airline has been serving San Diego for almost 40 years and Washington, D.C., since 2001.

Each day, as thousands of Delta Air Lines flights cross the sky, the airline’s Operations & Customer Center (OCC) functions behind the scenes, ensuring smooth travels. That can be especially challenging during winter, one of Delta’s busiest travel seasons. From weather events to deicing procedures, six OCC Duty Directors make adjustments as conditions change. One of the Duty Directors, Pete Sansom, shared what it’s like to work at the OCC.

During the holiday season, millions of travelers take to the skies, on the way to see family and friends or enjoy a winter getaway. Because of that, delays can occur, as terminals crowd and runways face congestion. But which flights should you avoid? To find out, travel eSim provider Holafly performed a study, zeroing in on the best and worst routes during Christmas and New Year’s. Here's what the data showed.

Hawaiian Airlines just opened its second Premier Club at Kahului Airport (OGG) in Maui, with 1,175 square feet of lounge and dining space. The club provides a luxury sanctuary for Premier Club, Pualani Gold and Platinum Members, First-Class passengers, and Priority Pass Members. The space takes inspiration from Maui’s stunning surroundings, like expansive geography, purple sunsets, volcanos, and forests.

JetBlue, Puerto Rico’s largest airline, has opened a new crew base at San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU). It’s the carrier’s first-ever base outside the continental U.S., bringing more than 400 crewmember jobs. The opening occurs alongside JetBlue’s new flight from Puerto Rico to St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, enhancing the airline’s presence in the Caribbean. 

Avid travelers can look forward to 2025-2026 with Frontier Airlines offering GoWild! all-you-can-fly passes for only $299 during a limited-time pre-sale. The special price is only offered to the first 5,000 customers, and after the pre-sale, goes to $499. 

Ghanaian passengers can feel close to home on flights between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport (ACC), with locally inspired recipes full of flavor. In designing the menus, Delta partnered with Ghanaian chefs and catering stations for a truly authentic culinary experience. Additionally, Delta speaks the local languages […]

United Airlines passengers with a sweet tooth have plenty to look forward to, with the airline offering Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding on select flights. It’ll be the first time the bakery’s treats are served in the sky, owing to its new frozen-to-thaw recipe. The pudding will be available on First Class flights of 901 miles or more. 

American Airlines AAdvantage members will enjoy the same requirements and rewards for 2025, with the airline providing an upfront way to obtain or keep status and benefits. That marks the second year in a row of level qualifications for status and rewards, making it simple for members to maintain their memberships.

In 2026, JetBlue will add a first-class cabin below its top-of-the-line Mint class. The move is designed to drive revenue via higher-paying customers and help the airline return to profitability. It follows an industry trend to add premium seating as more fliers are willing to upgrade.

This week, The Points Guy awarded JetBlue a TPG Award for Best Economy Class across U.S. airlines, including transatlantic flights. It marks the fifth occasion the airline has received the award and its eighth award from TPG since 2018. JetBlue’s economy class offers more for less, giving everyone a comfortable, entertaining flight.

This week, launched its longest-ever route, with direct service between Dallas Fort Worth, Texas, and Nadi, Fiji. For the moment, the flight will operate three times weekly: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The flight is aboard a state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 XWB, with premium accommodations for 334 passengers, including 33 lie-flat, aisle-access seats in business class. The […]

JetBlue will expand its transatlantic flights from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) with seasonal direct routes to Madrid, Spain’s Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), and Edinburgh, Scotland’s Edinburgh Airport (EDI). Both flights debut on May 22, 2025, and offer daily service. Together, they’ll help position JetBlue as the East Coast’s finest leisure airline.

The latest Delta One lounge opened at Boston Logan International Airport, offering a premium experience with New England flair. It’s the airline’s third Delta One lounge, comprised of 6,700 square feet of upscale surroundings and offering fine seafood and local favorites.

Qantas is tapping into the holiday spirit with festive airplane liveries, special inflight menus, and a refreshed beer offering. The airline is set for one of its busiest seasons ever, with millions taking to the skies aboard Australia’s national carrier. Each flight will be a veritable Christmas party, with unique offerings throughout.

Alaska Air Group continues to build upon the merger of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines by making Seattle a new global hub. As part of that, Hawaiian Airlines will offer direct flights from the Pacific Northwest city to Tokyo Narita, Japan (NRT) and Seoul Incheon, South Korea (ICN) beginning in 2025. 

Sometimes, airplane passengers get incorrectly identified as travel threats and must undergo extra screening. Here's how a redress number prevents that.

Building on strong passenger growth, Air India has ordered 100 Airbus aircraft. The order includes 10 widebody A350s and 90 narrowbody A320s, which include the A321neo. The planes will join Air India’s firm orders of 470 aircraft in the past year, including models from Boeing and Airbus. Previously, Air India had ordered 250 Airbus planes in 2023, comprised of 210 A320s and 40 A350s. The new order will put 350 Airbus aircraft in the Air India fleet.

Southwest Airlines is offering Rapid Rewards members 10X points for donating to select charities. The promotion runs through Monday, December 16, and is part of the airline’s Points for a Purpose program, which provides air travel to charitable organizations. The offer is a win-win for charities and travelers. Here are the details.

Airline pilots blend knowledge and skills to safely transport passengers across the globe. Flying state-of-the-art aircraft requires training and experience, whether negotiating turbulent skies or gliding to a smooth landing. To that end, Delta Air Lines has unveiled a high-tech pilot training center in Salt Lake City. 

Thanks to a partnership between Hilton and Delta, select Hilton Honors members are being offered Delta Silver Medallion Status or Delta Gold Medallion Status. Here’s what to know.

Solo travel lets you pick destinations without making compromises. Some travel agencies make it even better, with trips designed to take you further.

The flights visit coastal towns known for culture, cuisine, and history.

The flights will take children and their families to a holiday wonderland, complete with Santa, elves, and decorations.

The redesign sought to blend the building with the mountain surroundings, while providing a home-like gathering place.

The offerings include a traditional turkey dinner, winter-themed drinks, and unique gifts.

United Airlines will begin construction on a new concourse, with a United Club and modern amenities.

Customers spoke, and Frontier Airlines listened, adding upscale offerings to its affordable fares.

With turbulence-related incidents occurring regularly, Southwest Airlines is implementing a new safety protocol.

According to the TSA, this year's Thanksgiving travel period set new records, with one day standing out.

The new aircraft features a comfort-focused interior, increased range, and more seating capacity.