Breeze Airways, a U.S. startup airline founded by JetBlue's former CEO, is planning its first international flights starting in January 2024, with routes to Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic, aiming to attract sun-seeking travelers with fares as low as $99 and a focus on underserved routes.
American Airlines announced six new international routes for summer 2026, including nonstop flights to Budapest and Prague, expanded service to Athens, Milan, Zurich, and Buenos Aires, and increased premium options to Tokyo, enhancing its global network and customer experience.
Due to economic and geopolitical factors, fall travel has become more affordable with significantly lower airfares and hotel prices, making it an ideal time to book international trips, but travelers should act quickly to secure these deals before prices rise again during the busy holiday season.
Air India is temporarily reducing its international flights by 15% until mid-July following a deadly crash that killed at least 270 people, prompting safety inspections, operational improvements, and passenger complaints about cancellations and communication issues.
Alaska Airlines is integrating with Hawaiian Airlines, transforming Seattle into an international gateway with new long-haul flights to Tokyo and Seoul. The merger will enhance premium offerings, including a new premium credit card and upgraded lounges. Alaska plans to expand its fleet and routes, aiming for 12 long-haul routes from Seattle by 2030. The airline will also introduce a premium economy class and increase the use of Hawaiian's aircraft. These changes are part of the "Alaska Accelerate" growth strategy.
Major US airlines are not committing to enhancing military travel benefits, according to the USDOT. Meanwhile, Air Canada is expanding its service to India with new non-stop flights from Toronto to Mumbai and increased flights from Montreal and Calgary to Delhi.
United Airlines is adding new international destinations to its network, including Marrakech, Morocco; Cebu, Philippines; and Medellin, Colombia. The airline is also increasing frequencies on existing routes to Europe and Asia. The new flights will be operated on swanky planes and are expected to cater to deep-pocketed leisure travelers. United's expansion further solidifies its position as a leading international carrier, with plans to offer unique travel experiences and curated destinations for its passengers.
United Airlines is set to launch flights to Marrakesh, Morocco, and Medellin, Colombia, while also increasing its service to Asia, aiming to capitalize on premium leisure travel demand. The airline's international revenue has outpaced domestic sales, prompting the expansion of its international routes. Additionally, United will offer more flights between Shanghai and Los Angeles, as well as additional daily flights to Hong Kong, Seoul, and Porto, Portugal.
Near record wind speeds propelled multiple international flights to exceed 800 miles per hour, resulting in early arrivals at their destinations. The powerful 265 mile-per-hour winds allowed planes to travel far faster than the typical 500-600 mph speeds. This phenomenon was attributed to the jet stream, with flights such as Virgin Atlantic Flight 22 and United Airlines Flight 64 reaching speeds of 802 and 838 miles per hour, respectively. The effects of climate change are expected to cause more turbulence in air travel, potentially leading to widespread delays and cancellations across airlines in the future.
American Airlines is set to launch its longest nonstop flight from Dallas to Brisbane, Australia, starting on Oct. 27, along with new flights to Rio de Janeiro, Kona, and Veracruz. The airline will operate daily flights on a Boeing 787-9 aircraft with premium seating options. This expansion is part of American's efforts to grow its international network and provide more travel options for customers, including partnerships with Qantas for access to additional destinations in Australia and New Zealand.
Delta Airlines is expanding its international presence in Seattle with the launch of daily nonstop service from Seattle to Taipei, Taiwan, starting in June 2024, pending government approval. This marks Delta's first nonstop flight to Taipei from the U.S. and the first Delta aircraft operation to Taiwan since 2017. The new route aims to enhance Seattle's global connectivity and provide increased business and leisure travel opportunities. Delta currently operates over 160 daily departures from Seattle to 50 destinations worldwide and sees Seattle as a key gateway for its operations across the Pacific.
Delta Airlines is set to launch a new route from Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MSP) to Dublin, Ireland (DUB), operating five times a week starting May 9, 2024. This addition will make Delta the only carrier providing nonstop service from MSP to Asia, with daily service to Seoul, South Korea, and Tokyo-Haneda. The airline continues to invest in modernizing its Minneapolis hub, including the unveiling of its third and largest Delta Sky Club at MSP. The MSP-DUB flight will be operated on a Boeing 767-300, offering various cabin options and amenities.
Air New Zealand is requiring passengers departing on international flights from Auckland International Airport to participate in a passenger weight survey through July 2, 2023, in order to gather data on weight load and distribution for planes. Travelers will be asked to stand on a digital scale when they check in for their flight, and the information about their weight will be submitted to the survey but will not be viewable on the agent’s screen. The airline says it has made the data anonymous to protect individuals’ privacy.
Flights within the U.S. are nearly 20% cheaper this summer than last, but international airfare is the highest it has been in over five years, with flights to Europe and Asia costing 36% and 62% more than last year, respectively. The surge in demand, high jet fuel prices, and limited capacity are causing the increase in airfare prices. While travel disruptions are expected, they are not anticipated to be as severe as in previous years.
Airfares for summer travel are mostly up due to high demand and limited airline capacity, especially for international flights. Flights to Europe are averaging 34% more than they cost last year, while flights to Asia and Oceania are even more expensive. Domestic flights are seeing slightly lower fares but remain higher than pre-pandemic pricing. Limited airline capacity, staffing issues, and high jet fuel prices are driving prices up.