AirConnect News Desk

Industry Overview

Aviation News & Intelligence

Industry-wide aviation news: regulatory changes, IATA updates, global air travel trends, and market intelligence.

aviationmedium

“Deeply Traumatized” Alaska Airlines Passenger Sues After Flight Plunge Left Crew Bleeding

The lawsuit alleges that if the airline knew turbulence was coming, the carrier should have canceled or diverted the flight.

15 May 2026Simple Flying
aviationmedium

Over Two-Thirds Of Ex-Spirit Airlines Jets Are Already In Storage, Flight Tracking Data Shows

The carrier ceased operations just under two weeks ago.

15 May 2026Simple Flying
fleetmedium

This Is Canada's 2nd-Largest Airline In 2026

With over 150 aircraft transporting around 22.6 million passengers on more than 215,000 flights in 2025, WestJet is Canada's second-largest airline.

15 May 2026Simple Flying
aviationmedium

Extreme Day Trips: Climate Costs and a Debate the Travel Industry Can’t Avoid

The extreme daytripping debate has raised fresh concerns about the climate impacts of an industry that largely says it is committed to responsible tourism and reducing emissions.

15 May 2026Skift
aviationmedium

Airbnb and Uber Want to Own More of Your Trip: History Says It Will Be Tough

Both Airbnb and Uber have massive audiences. At first glance, expanding their travel offerings looks like an opportunity there for the taking. They will both need to prove it.

15 May 2026Skift
aviationmedium

American Airlines Board Faces Shareholder Vote To Loosen Management’s Grip After Profits Collapsed 87%

American Airlines shareholders will vote next month on a board reform that could make it easier for outside candidates to break through management’s slate. The proposal is almost certain to fail — but after profits collapsed 87%, executive pay barely budged, and shareholders lagged the S&P 500

15 May 2026View from the Wing
premium-cabinmedium

H World’s Earnings Call: Premium Shift and Southeast Asia Expansion

H World is betting that China’s real estate slump and Southeast Asia’s travel boom can fuel its next phase of growth.

15 May 2026Skift
aviationmedium

How The F-35 Is Taking Place As The 2nd Most Common Fighter Jet In The World

How the F-35 has surpassed the Hornet to become the 2nd most common fighter jet by flyable airframes in the world.

15 May 2026Simple Flying
fleetmedium

Why This Air Force Base Needed A $130 Million Upgrade To Handle This 6th-Generation Combat Aircraft

Ellsworth is requiring at least $1.5 billion in upgrades to host the B-21, with a similar amount needed for Dyess.

15 May 2026Simple Flying
aviationmedium

This Airline Is Winning Big In The Face Of The Middle East Flight Disruptions

The inability to travel via the Middle East has promoted passengers to consider other long-haul options via southeast Asia.

15 May 2026Simple Flying
aviationmedium

Travel Brands Think They Have a Gen Z Problem. Most Have Two.

Reaching Gen Z is a distribution problem, resonating with them is a product problem. Few travel brands have figured out which one they actually have. Those that haven't are already losing ground — they just can't see it in the numbers yet.

15 May 2026Skift
aviationmedium

America’s Travel Problem Is Getting Worse

International travel to the United States dropped another 14%, raising new questions about America’s image abroad just weeks before the World Cup begins.

15 May 2026Skift
aviationmedium

How Much Do Boeing 777 Pilots Make In 2026?

Here is how Boeing 777 pilots can easily earn six-figure salaries.

15 May 2026Simple Flying
premium-cabinmedium

Lufthansa's Airbus A380 Business Class Is Getting A Major Overhaul: Here's What's Changing

The upgrades are carried out as part of a wider maintenance and modernization program.

15 May 2026Simple Flying
aviationmedium

5 Flights Taking Off Every Minute: American Airlines Plans Record-Smashing Summer Schedule

The biggest summer ever at AA.

15 May 2026Simple Flying
aviationmedium

The Anti-Marriott: What You Can Learn From Peregrine’s Asset-Heavy Playbook

Peregrine Hospitality's CEO admits hotels have no competitive moat. His fix is operational discipline. The question is whether that'll be enough to deliver results.

14 May 2026Skift
aviationmedium

This CEO Says There’s ‘No Moat’ in Hospitality: Peregrine’s Playbook

Peregrine Hospitality's CEO admits hotels have no competitive moat. His fix is operational discipline. The question is whether that'll be enough to deliver results.

14 May 2026Skift
aviationmedium

Delta CEO Says AI Has No Soul — His Airline Uses It To Price Your Ticket [Roundup]

Delta’s CEO says AI lacks soul and warmth — while his airline uses AI to help price tickets. Plus: Air Force One’s China-trip meal gets roasted, American tells a passenger stuck in the lav to try knocking, and TSA’s SFO screening contract fight heads to court.

14 May 2026View from the Wing
aviationmedium

"Boeing Wanted 150, They Got 200": President Trump Says China Has Agreed To Major Boeing Deal

Trump says China has agreed to buy 200 Boeing jets, ending a nearly decade-long sales freeze.

14 May 2026Simple Flying
fleetmedium

China to Order 200 Boeing Planes, First Order in Nearly a Decade

The order is major win for Boeing, which has been shut out of the Chinese market for nearly decade due to trade tensions between the U.S. and China.

14 May 2026Skift
premium-cabinmedium

What Are The Benefits Of Flying Singapore Airlines’ First Class?

A closer look at the unparalleled luxury and exclusivity of Singapore Airlines' First Class experience.

14 May 2026Simple Flying
aviationmedium

Simple Flying Podcast Episode 290: United Airlines' Flight Attendant Contract, Breeze Airways' 5th Birthday

Join Channing for the latest aviation hot topics.

14 May 2026Simple Flying
aviationmedium

Selling the Unscripted City

NYC still has the thing every other city wants, and no other city can buy: strangers worth talking to, singing with, eating with, arguing with, and falling in love next to.

14 May 2026Skift
aviationmedium

American Airlines Flight Attendant Objects To Her Union’s Left-Wing Politics — But Still Must Pay Dues

An American Airlines flight attendant is objecting to her union’s left-wing political messaging, including May Day posts aimed at Trump and Elon Musk. Unions are obviously - and necessarily - political. That makes it tough for airline workers who have to pay dues to platform ideas they oppose.

14 May 2026View from the Wing
aviationmedium

Spirit Airlines Told Workers To Ignore Shutdown Rumors — Now They’re Suing For 60 Days Pay

Spirit Airlines workers say the company told them to ignore shutdown rumors right up until the end — then terminated nearly everyone without 60 days’ notice. Now they’re suing for WARN Act pay, while Spirit argues its collapse was unforeseeable because last-minute financing and a possible taxpayer b

14 May 2026View from the Wing
aviationmedium

They Love You — But Not Coming Back: What Destinations Get Wrong About Repeat Travelers

Repeat visitation must be actively earned, not assumed as a result of satisfaction.

14 May 2026Skift
fleetmedium

In 2 Seconds, Pilots Must Decide Whether To Abort Takeoff

When an aircraft takes off, pilots must make some of the quickest reactionary decisions anyone can make. Only two seconds can make or break the flight

14 May 2026Simple Flying
routesmedium

American Airlines Launches 4 Exciting New European Routes Next Week

From May 21, the airline will be offering new direct services to Prague, Budapest, Athens, and Zurich, from its hubs in Philadelphia and Dallas.

14 May 2026Simple Flying
premium-cabinmedium

3 Things That Matter Most In Premium Economy Comfort

The seat is the foundation of premium economy comfort. Airlines can add better amenities, but none of those compensate for an uncomfortable seat.

14 May 2026Simple Flying
aviationmedium

Abu Dhabi’s Sphere Has a Home: Yas Island

The location was the easy part. Whether Abu Dhabi can fill a $1.7 billion venue with its own original content is the harder question.

14 May 2026Skift
premium-cabinmedium

Flying Business Class For The 1st Time? Here's What The Crew Is Noticing About You

A flight attendant can always spot a new business class traveler.

14 May 2026Simple Flying
aviationmedium

What Actually Happens After You Win a Skift IDEA Award

The value of a Skift IDEA Award shows up in faster trust, internal momentum, stronger commercial conversations, and industry positioning that competitors notice immediately.

14 May 2026Skift
fleetmedium

Boeing Ordered To Pay $49.5M To 737 MAX Crash Family After 7-Year Battle

The families of those who perished continue to seek justice.

14 May 2026Simple Flying
aviationmedium

Bali Airport in Indonesia Expands Big Connectivity in 2026, Enhancing Domestic and International Travel Options for Passengers - Travel And Tour World

Bali Airport in Indonesia Expands Big Connectivity in 2026, Enhancing Domestic and International Travel Options for Passengers Travel And Tour World

14 May 2026Google News: Asia Travel
aviationmedium

How An F/A-18 Pilot Can Command The Navy's New MQ-25 Stingray Drone From Their Own Cockpit

The paradigm change coming to the flight deck.

14 May 2026Simple Flying
aviationmedium

Allegiant and Sun Country are officially one, large leisure airline

Allegiant Air and Sun Country merge to create eighth largest airline in the U.S.

13 May 2026The Points Guy
aviationmedium

U.S. Waives $15,000 Visa Bond for World Cup Ticket Holders

Waiving the visa bond is a relief for World Cup fans — assuming they can afford the ticket prices.

13 May 2026Skift
routesmedium

Only 52% Full: Delta Air Lines' 10 Emptiest International Routes [Updated]

Many of them had fewer than half of the seats filled. See which were the worst here!

13 May 2026Simple Flying
aviationmedium

Game-Day energy goes global with Delta’s added Europe flights

Delta Air Lines is expanding its trans-Atlantic schedule this fall with the addition of special flights to support customers traveling to Madrid and Munich for two major international professional football games taking place in November. The airline will operate four additional round-trip flights be

13 May 2026Delta Air Lines
aviationmedium

The F-35's Safety Record Nobody Talks About When Comparing It To The F-16

How safe is the American stealth fighter?

13 May 2026Simple Flying
aviationmedium

American Airlines 777 Cockpit Windshield Shatters Over The Atlantic, Forcing JFK Diversion

An American Airlines Boeing 777 bound for Munich turned back over the Atlantic after the first officer’s cockpit windshield shattered, forcing a diversion to New York JFK. The photo looks terrifying, but 777 windshields are built in layers and so there's no penetration, depressurization, or immediat

13 May 2026View from the Wing
aviationmedium

31% Raises & $741 Million In Back Pay: United Airlines Flight Attendants Ratify Landmark Deal

The newly approved contract significantly boosts pay for United's flight attendants, with overall wage growth estimated at around 31%.

13 May 2026Simple Flying
aviationmedium

100 Million Visitors and One Very Loud Pitchman: Inside Trump’s Tourism Push

Nick Adams is the loudest tourism pitchman the U.S. has ever had, but is the world hearing what he wants it to hear?

13 May 2026Skift
aviationmedium

It’s Not Just Airfare: Travel Costs Are Running Double the Inflation Rate

Travelers are feeling pain at the pump and in the air after an April surge in travel costs.

13 May 2026Skift
aviationmedium

Airline baggage fees: How much it costs to check a bag on major US airlines

Many airlines now charge a checked bag fee, and some even charge for carry-on luggage. Here are the best airlines for baggage fees.

13 May 2026The Points Guy
aviationmedium

HBX Group to Buy Bridgify as Part of Broader AI Push

HBX has been trying to diversify from reselling hotel rooms since before it went public. Each time, the answer is new inventory and better tech for selling. Experiences and AI are the latest pitch.

13 May 2026Skift
routesmedium

Flight Alerts: 7 Exciting New Long-Haul Nonstop Routes Launching This Week

See which notable examples made the list this week...

13 May 2026Simple Flying
aviationmedium

At Skift Global Forum, the Room Is the Advantage

Skift Global Forum is built for senior travel leaders making decisions in a market that no longer rewards passive observation. The agenda sets the frame. The room tests the assumptions. The value comes from hearing what leaders are willing to say before the market has settled on a consensus.

13 May 2026Skift
fleetmedium

Boeing's 737 MAX Orders Surge: Shaping Future Airline Fleets For Travelers

In April alone, the 737 MAX accounted for 57 of the 136 aircraft the manufacturer delivered during the month.

13 May 2026Simple Flying
aviationmedium

Bargain era over: Airfares up a whopping 27% as fuel costs soar (See our booking tips)

If you waited until now to book summer flights, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise when you head to the airline’s website.

13 May 2026The Points Guy