American Airlines announced a limited expansion of its long-haul routes for summer 2026, including one new route from Dallas-Fort Worth to Athens, Greece, and several resuming routes to European cities like Zurich, Milan, Budapest, and Prague, along with increased capacity to Tokyo. The airline is focusing on market demand and connecting secondary European cities, with plans to expand further in 2027 with new aircraft.
JetBlue is set to make further route cuts in April, potentially affecting its transatlantic flights and partnership with Hawaiian Airlines, following recent setbacks including the government's blockage of its partnership with American Airlines and its failed acquisition of Spirit Airlines. The airline's executives have acknowledged the underperformance of its transatlantic operations and are considering transitioning some year-round transatlantic services to seasonal in an effort to mitigate losses. With a focus on cost-cutting and revenue generation, JetBlue is facing financial challenges and may need to make significant adjustments to its operations.
Virgin Atlantic successfully completed the first transatlantic flight powered solely by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), highlighting the potential of eco-friendly and low-carbon options for air travel. The flight, operated by a Virgin Boeing 787, demonstrated that SAF can be a safe and compatible replacement for fossil-derived jet fuel. SAF, made from waste products, can save up to 70% of carbon dioxide emissions but currently only accounts for 0.1% of global jet fuel usage. Virgin Atlantic emphasized the need for policy and investment to scale up SAF production and meet the aviation industry's emissions reduction goals by 2030.
Global Airlines and American Express have announced a partnership for payments processing and exclusive cardmember offers. American Express Cardmembers will have access to bespoke offers on Global Airlines' inaugural services between London Gatwick and New York's JFK, as well as exclusive fly-drive offers, hotel stays, and restaurant bookings. Cardmembers will also be among the first to purchase tickets across all three cabins on Global Airlines' A380 aircraft. However, skepticism remains about the airline's viability, with concerns raised about its previous false claims and lack of transparency.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Cranky Flier
American Airlines' transatlantic operation at JFK Airport in New York City, bolstered by its partnership with JetBlue through the Northeast Alliance (NEA), has faced challenges in filling seats during the winter season. Data from January to March 2023 shows that around 6 percent of passengers flying on American's transatlantic flights had at least one connecting segment on JetBlue, with varying percentages across different destinations. The article suggests that without the JetBlue feed, it may become harder for American to fill seats, potentially leading to the discontinuation of some long-haul flights as the connecting feed dwindles.
