Airline News

The move is an interesting play for United — most airlines phased out debit reward cards after the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. But now, United thinks it can attract a wider customer base with the offering.

This isn’t Tony Fernandes’ first attempt to connect far-flung destinations – but with new aircraft, digital tools, and a multi-hub strategy, he’s betting AirAsia can finally crack a market that eluded him a decade ago.

They say when the U.S. sneezes, Mexico catches a cold. That’s certainly true for Mexican low-cost carrier Volaris. Its earnings were in poor health throughout the first half of 2025, largely due to U.S. policies on tariffs and immigration. Those symptoms now appear to be fading. Volaris reports that demand recovered in recent months, with continued momentum into the final months of the year. In this week's feature story, we take a deep-dive look at one of the region's most interesting operators and ask what could come next. 

Airline industry leaders are now amping up the pressure on Congress to pass a short-term spending bill to reopen the government as air traffic controllers miss their first paychecks and delays caused by staffing shortages continue to pile up at airports across the U.S.

Oman Air would like to prove that smaller carriers can punch above their weight—if they stay focused. Its CEO is betting on Oman’s natural strengths, smarter distribution, and a full-scale digital reboot to turn the airline into a leaner, more profitable global player.

Etihad’s strategy is clear: grow fast, but only if you grow smart. Under Neves, the airline isn’t chasing scale for its own sake. Profitability, premium experiences, and AI-powered precision are now central to the playbook.

Abu Dhabi’s airport is trying to get smarter as it gets bigger. Elena Sorlini hopes that with the right tech, partnerships, and passenger-first mindset, even a transit hub can deliver a destination-worthy experience.

Delta is adding more routes to Israel as it sees strong demand and a more stable environment following the ceasefire agreement to the Israel-Gaza war.

Oman Air is going all-in on its home market and its digital strategy is paying off faster than expected. But the road to broader transformation still depends on infrastructure and realism about climate goals.

JetBlue is placing a big bet that it can grow its network and cultivate a premium customer base out of the Florida city.