United delays 2 high-profile routes just weeks before their inaugurals

Capital A—the parent of budget carrier AirAsia that’s owned by tycoons Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Meranun—is merging its various airline affiliates across Southeast Asia in a deal valued at 6.8 billion ringgit ($1.4 billion).

Southwest Airlines is shrinking its route map.

Lufthansa is taking off with its all-new first and business class seats ahead of the busy summer season. On May 1, the first Allegris premium cabins will start flying in the sky on select Lufthansa long-haul routes. The German airline confirmed that its first route with the Allegris product will fly between Munich and Vancouver on an Airbus A350-900 aircraft.  As more Airbus A350s get delivered soon to Lufthansa’s fleet, travelers will be able to experience Allegris on the carrier’s routes from Germany to Toronto, Chicago, and Montreal throughout the summer. The new Allegris seat was first announced in 2017, which promised a sleek new experience for passengers sitting up front. Onboard this Airbus A350, there will be three first-class suites equipped with separate bed and dining areas, marking Lufthansa’s first-ever double bed option designed for two passengers. “Every guest has their own understanding of premium, which is why we focus on maximum individuality and exclusivity,” CEO of Lufthansa, Jens Ritter, said in a statement about the new cabin. “The First Class Suite Plus conveys the feeling of privacy and individuality similar to a hotel room – only at an altitude of eleven kilometers.”

After Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines, hinted the carrier would reconsider its Boeing 737 Max 10 on order earlier this year, the airline has now confirmed that it will adjust its fleet strategy.

Southwest Airlines is making some changes to its route map for travel over the coming months.

International travel is back. In 2023, the number of global air passengers reached nearly 8.5 billion, or 27 percent above 2022 levels, and 94 percent when compared to 2019 figures, according to Airports Council International (ACI).

For the 25th time in 26 years, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) was named the world's busiest airport.

Southwest Airlines is expanding out of Cincinnati with more flights to Music City. On June 4, the airline will introduce nonstop flights to Nashville, which will be offered 5x/weekly on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) shared on X. When the new route begins, Southwest will be the only carrier to offer nonstop service, making it easier than ever for travelers to reach the beloved destination. Along with the announcement, Southwest will bring more flights from Cincinnati to Orlando, competing with Frontier and Delta. In early June, the airline will introduce two additional flights to its existing route, bringing a total of 5x/weekly service on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Southwest will fly its Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 175 seats on both routes this summer. Travelers can book these flights from Cincinnati on Southwest’s website, its mobile app, or even through the airline’s major credit card partner, Chase, by redeeming Ultimate Rewards points. By the summer, Southwest will fly to six destinations out of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. In addition to Nashville and Orlando, the airline offers nonstop service between Cincinnati and Baltimore, Chicago-Midway, Denver, and Phoenix. 

Over the past 100 years of shuttling people around the globe in metal flying machines, the world's aviation network has grown into a vast web of intersecting routes that connect nearly every corner of the globe.

United Airlines has postponed a pair of inaugural flights, citing delays by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following a series of recent safety incidents.

United Airlines has scrapped plans for a new transatlantic route this summer, just weeks ahead of its maiden flight. The highly unusual decision to cancel the service comes amid an audit of the company by U.S. regulators.

United Airlines is growing its international route network once again.