All Nippon Airways (ANA) unveiled and dispatched its newest custom painted aircraft on September 18, 2026, rolling out a specially liveried green Pokรฉmon Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (JA923A) dedicated to the ongoing Pokรฉmon Air Adventures collaboration. The widebody jet departed Tokyo on its inaugural revenue rotation bound for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii, marking the carrier’s second Pokรฉmon-themed aircraft introduced during 2026 to promote transpacific leisure tourism.
Aircraft Overview
“Green Pokรฉmon Jet” (International routes)
ใปAircraft type: Boeing 787-9 (Registration: JA923A)
ใปInaugural flight date: Friday, September 18, 2026
* All times local
Please note aircraft and route assignments are subject to changeand are confirmed on the day of the flight.
For the safety of our passengers and crew, ANA cabin crew will refrain from signing or writing messages in logbooks. We ask for your understanding and cooperation to ensure safe operations.
Operating Routes
Scheduled to operate on the following routes from September 18, 2026 to March 27, 2027.
Please note that the operating routes may change daily depending on operational status and will not be finalized until the day of the flight.
Pokรฉmon GO Collaboration Phase 2
Starting September 18, specially designed ANA PokรฉStops and Gyms will appear at 14 airports across Japan (Kochi, Matsuyama, Takamatsu, Tokushima, Fukuoka, Saga, Miyazaki, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Oita, Ishigaki, Miyako, and Naha), where players can enjoy Raid Battles and Timed Research. By participating in these events, players will have a chance to encounter Pokรฉmon with a Location Background exclusive to the “Green Pokรฉmon Jet” collaboration.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) on September 21, 2026 announced American Airlines as the primary airline carrier for its future West Terminal, the airport’s first new terminal in nearly 40 years.
The selection reinforces American’s nearly century-long commitment to Phoenix and positions Sky Harbor for its next phase of growth as a global gateway. Together, American and PHX will continue a decades-long partnership that will strengthen global connectivity, enhance the customer experience and support the region’s continued growth.
As Phoenixโs largest airline, American accounts for approximately 40% of Sky Harbor traffic and serves more than 20 million customers annually. The airline operates more than 300 peak daily departures from PHX to more than 100 destinations, connecting Arizona and the broader Southwest to destinations across North America, Hawaii, Europe and beyond.
American and its predecessors have served Phoenix since 1930 and have helped shape Sky Harbor into the aviation hub it is today, including the introduction of the regionโs first scheduled jet service in 1960 with the arrival of the Boeing 707. The West Terminal marks the latest investment in American’s continued confidence in Phoenix as one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities and an increasingly important gateway to the world.
The future West Terminal is part of Phoenix Sky Harborโs Destination PHX 2050, a development program that will guide the airportโs capital investments. For more information, visit Destination PHX 2050.
Electra on September 22, 2026 announced it successfully completed first-of-its-kind flights from a heliport on a commercial airport ramp at the RoanokeโBlacksburg Regional Airport. The operations showcased the breakthrough capabilities of Electra’s fixed-wing Ultra Short aircraft to use vertical flight landing areas and helicopter-style instrument procedures to support reliable, affordable, and safe regional operations without adding traffic to congested airport runways.
Using Electra’s hybrid-electric EL2 Ultra Short aircraft, the flights tested point-in-space procedures and dedicated instrument routings across numerous Virginia airports, including Virginia Tech/Montgomery Regional Airport (KBCB) in Blacksburg, RoanokeโBlacksburg Regional Airport (KROA), and Allan C Perkinson/Blackstone AAF Airport (KBKT).
The flights at each of these locations, plus two additional sites in Newport News and Richmond, all took off and landed on small heliports, vertiports, taxiways, and other novel Ultra Short access points historically only accessible by helicopters. Electra conducted the work in coordination with the FAA eVTOL and AAM Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), the Virginia Smart Airspace Program, Virginia Tech, the Virginia Department of Aviation, and PennDOT, the lead eIPP participant for Virginia operations.
The operational milestones mark a major step toward integrating fixed-wing Ultra Short aircraft into the National Airspace System using low-cost, scalable procedures designed around the unique performance of next-generation electric and hybrid-electric aircraft and will support future operations of Electra’s flagship EL9.
These flights build on Electra’s role in the Virginia Smart Airspace Program, a pioneering effort to develop scalable instrument flight procedures and novel access points for Advanced Air Mobility. The program is focused on enabling aircraft with new performance capabilities to operate safely and predictably through point-in-space procedures, dedicated routing, and airport and vertiport integration, all while collecting data.
During flights, Electra and its partners collected operational data to compare aircraft performance against procedure requirements and inform future evaluation of fixed-wing AAM operations using helicopter-style instrument procedures. Through over a year of program development leading up to this month’s testing, Smart Airspace partners and the FAA designed flexible vertiport and heliport approaches to accommodate the Ultra Short, evaluated and tested novel approach and departure instrument procedures for the Ultra Short, and workshopped new air traffic concepts to allow the Ultra Short to land off-runway at airports safely and efficiently.
The EL9 Ultra Short is designed to deliver helicopter-like access with the benefits of fixed-wing flight, advancing Electra’s Rule of Six: the combination of expanded access, quiet operations, meaningful payload, practical range, uncompromising safety, and affordability needed to make Advanced Air Mobility practical at scale.
American Airlines has announced a multiyear partnership with Inter Miami CF, welcoming the premium global airline as the Clubโs first-ever Official Airline Partner, as well as an Official Partner of Inter Miami CF and a Founding Partner of Nu Stadium and Miami Freedom Park. Bringing together two globally recognized brands with deep ties to Miami, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to connecting people, cultures and communities around the world through memorable experiences and a passion for the world’s beautiful game. Together, Inter Miami and American will create new ways for fans worldwide to engage with the Club through premium experiences, travel and exclusive access available through the AAdvantageยฎย program.
As part of the partnership, American will become the entitlement partner of the West Club at Nu Stadium, which will be named the American Lounge. Spanning the entire West Stand of the stadium and featuring more than 1,800 seats, the premium hospitality space will offer fans an elevated matchday experience while reinforcing Americanโs commitment to delivering exceptional travel and lifestyle experiences for customers. This collaboration also includes international rights that will further support both organizationsโ global growth.
Through the airlineโs award-winning AAdvantageยฎ loyalty program, Inter Miami CF Perks will provide AAdvantageยฎ members with exclusive opportunities to experience Inter Miami CF in new and unique ways. From behind-the-scenes access and premium matchday hospitality to once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunities, the partnership will create more opportunities for members to engage with the Club while rewarding their loyalty to American.
Select AAdvantageยฎ member experiences will include:
Pitchside access:ย The opportunity for fans to watch the second half of the match from the pitch side.
Ultimate matchday experiences:ย Including travel to Miami, accommodations and access to the American Lounge.
Fly away trip:ย Exclusive away match travel experiences providing fans with the opportunity to attend an Inter Miami CF away match.
Beyond Inter Miami CF Perks, AAdvantageยฎ members can also redeem miles for access to select matches and experiences, creating even more ways to turn loyalty into memorable moments on and off the pitch.
With Miami serving as one of American’s largest hubs and a key international gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, the airline is uniquely positioned to connect Inter Miami CF fans traveling to and from South Florida. Through its extensive network reaching more destinations across Latin America and the Caribbean than any other U.S. airline, premium travel offerings and industry-leading loyalty program, American will help bring fans closer to the team both at home and on the road.
American will also be integrated across Club content initiatives, including a travel-focused content series highlighting the journeys and experiences surrounding Inter Miami CF throughout the season.
Beyond enhancing the fan experience, Inter Miami CF and American will collaborate on community-focused initiatives throughout the year, including community initiatives designed to positively impact local communities. The partnership will also feature an annual American Theme Night, with the first scheduled for Oct. 14.
American joins a growing roster of strategic partners supporting Inter Miami CF as the Club enters an exciting new chapter in Miami. Anchored by Nu Stadium, the surrounding district is designed to deliver a year-round destination for fรบtbol, live entertainment, dining, retail, community programming and fan experiences. Fans can be part of the excitement by securing tickets and experiencing the passion firsthand.
For Oktoberfest 2026, the crews of the traditional flights will be dressed in a new look for the Octoberfest season. The collection was designed by Lower Bavarian traditional fashion manufacturer Spieth & Wensky and combines Bavarian tradition with elements of Lufthansa’s design for the first time: the crane from the brand logo, for instance, adorns the buttons of the ladies’ and men’s knitwear. The characteristic “Wing Pattern” โ a special Lufthansa design โ has been rewoven into the skirt and waistcoat.
Premiere on Flights to Beijing, Bangalore and Singapore
The new traditional costume makes its airborne debut at the very start of the Wiesn on 19 September: from Munich, the traditional costume crew takes off on two international routes โ to Bangalore, India (LH764) and to Beijing (LH722). One week later, on 27 September, LH768 brings the Wiesn atmosphere to Singapore.
Bavarian Delicacies On Board and in Lufthansa Lounges
The Oktoberfest spirit extends well beyond the three traditional costume flights:
From 1 to 30 September, Lufthansa is bringing Bavarian cuisine to the skies on selected intercontinental flights from Munich and Frankfurt. Across all travel classes, guests can look forward to a specially created menu. The selection ranges from traditional starters including white sausage terrine and pretzel tree, through hearty Oktoberfest classics such as Wiesn roast duck and fried chicken, to sweet highlights like apple strudel. Passengers on continental routes are also catered for: in Business Class, Lufthansa will serve an Oktoberfest menu from 17 September to 6 October.
All German Lufthansa Lounges will also be tapping the barrel right on time for the festival’s opening โ “O’zapft is”. Alongside typical Bavarian beers, classic dishes and atmospheric dรฉcor create the perfect ambience.
The popular Lufthansa Wiesn amenity kits are also appearing in new designs for Oktoberfest 2026. Until the end of September, guests on all long-haul flights departing Germany in First, Business and Premium Economy Class will receive hygiene and travel items in modern felt pouches that double as stylish Oktoberfest accessories.
American Airlines, in collaboration with Make-A-Wishยฎย and Disney, recently hosted 14 Philadelphia-area families for Wish Flight, a one-of-a-kind travel experience for children fighting critical illnesses to fulfill their wishes to visit Walt Disney World Resortยฎ.
Originally launched as Best Flight Ever in 2023, Wish Flight transforms travel into part of the wish experience. This yearโs celebration began at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), where American team members and Make-A-Wish volunteers gathered to give wish families a memorable sendoff before departing for Orlando, Florida.From themed decorations and special surprises to gifted Disney ear headbands and a charter aircraft staffed by volunteer pilots and flight attendants, every detail was designed to make the sendoff extra special. The children enjoyed a slime station, face-painting, balloon art and even a dance floor with a special appearance by SWOOP, the mascot of the Philadelphia Eagles.
“For 100 years, American has been committed to caring for people on lifeโs journey, and Wish Flight is a powerful example of that purpose in action,” said Americanโs Director of Partnerships and Community Griffin Gonzalez. “Together with Make-A-Wish, Disney, our team members and generous AAdvantageยฎย members, we’re helping create unforgettable memories for children and families when they need them most.”
Make-A-Wish children and their families receive a warm welcome from American Airlines team members and Make-A-Wish volunteers upon arrival at Orlando International Airport (MCO).
All of the children’s wishes are to visit Walt Disney World Resort, and together with Make-A-Wish, Disney has granted more than 175,000 life-changing wishes like these since 1980. The families will also enjoy a welcome reception at Give Kids The World Village, a whimsical nonprofit resort, where they will stay for six days and five nights while experiencing the magic of Disney.
โWhen a child is living with a critical illness, time together as a family takes on even greater significance,โ said Make-A-Wish America’s president and CEO Leslie Motter. โThe dedication of American Airlines team members, volunteers and partners helps create experiences that allow wish children and their families to set aside treatment schedules for a moment and focus instead on joy, connection and possibility.โ
American Airlines team members celebrate with Make-A-Wish families at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) before their Wish Flight departs for Walt Disney World Resort.
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AAdvantageยฎmembers looking to support Make-A-Wish can donate miles through American’s Let Good Take Flight platform. Throughout September, all donated miles will benefit Make-A-Wish and its mission to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.Donating is simple. AAdvantageยฎย members can log in to their account, navigate to theย Donate pageand select the number of AAdvantageยฎย miles they wish to contribute.*ย Members can select as few as 1,000 miles to help support those who need it most. Not an AAdvantageยฎย member? Joining is easy and free atย aa.com/aadvantage.*Minimum donation is 1,000 miles, except for members who have an available balance of less than 1,000 miles, who may donate their entire balance. Donations are not tax deductible. Processing can take up to 48 hours. American Airlines reserves the right to determine the final use of miles within the guidelines of the Miles for Social Good, Miles for Global Health and Well-Being, Miles for Heroes and Miles for Our Planet programs.
United Airlines customers won’t miss a play this football season, thanks to a new agreement between the airline and DISH. Starting this week, travelers can catch live professional and college football games right on their Starlink-enabled seatback screen.
Starlink is the fastest, most reliable Wi-Fi in the sky and United is installing Starlink at a rapid rate – and, fans can now watch live broadcasts from ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, FS1, ESPN, ESPN2, NFL Network and TNF on Prime Video on more than 200 Starlink-equipped airplanes โ about 700 of flights per day. The service will be available on domestic flights through the big game in February, and United expects to have Starlink on nearly 700 airplanes by then.
Starlink is free for MileagePlus members in every class of service, and the airline expects to complete installations before the end of 2027.
This new entertainment offering builds on the airline’s long history of supporting professional football, sponsoring nine professional football teams in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Washington D.C., Denver, Kansas City, Cleveland and Nashville and operating more than 200 team charter flights for 11 teams this season.
United’s new agreement represents a collaborative effort with DISH, utilizing its OnStream platform, to deliver content to next-generation aviation environments.
Starlink Sets a New Standard for Live Entertainment in Flight
This new service is just the latest example of how United is using Starlink to redefine the inflight entertainment experience. Last month, United partnered with ESPN to host a first-of-its kind live Fantasy Football Draft from 30,000 feet where ESPN analyst Tyler Fulghum made his picks live from the sky during the two-hour broadcast. And earlier this summer, United customers could stream the biggest soccer tournament in the world onboard Starlink-powered domestic flights.
Starlink is now active on more than 560 United mainline and United Expressยฎ aircraft and the airline has already flown more than 31 million passengers on Starlink-powered aircraft across more than 464,000 flights, powering 14.2 million devices.
Starlink is just one way United is investing nose to tail in its customer experience. The airline continues to install seatback screens across its fleet โ up to 1,000 aircraft before the end of 2027 โ and is rolling out new airplanes with 27-inch, 4K OLED seatback screens, the largest among U.S. carriers. Passengers can now access more than 2,500 hours of premium entertainment content including Apple TV, HBO Max, A24 and Spotify.
Football Flies United
Separately, for the second year in a row, United is celebrating the intersection of football, fashion and travel for its Football Flies United advertising campaign. Featuring New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh, Giants players Abdul Carter and Arvell Reese, and Chicago Bears players Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland, the campaign is built around a simple idea: how you arrive matters. Whether stepping off a plane for game day or arriving for an important business meeting, traveling well can help people feel refreshed, confident and ready to work โ no matter what comes next.
The campaign is featured across prominent out-of-home locations in Chicago and New York, including Wrigleyville and Penn Station, with additional content rolling out across social media throughout the NFL season. The teams and locations were chosen to highlight United’s roots as Chicago’s hometown airline, and its global reach with Newark as a gateway to more than 90 international destinations.
The airline will also charter flights for the Washington Commanders, New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers for their international games in London, Paris and Mexico City.
WestJet and Tim Hortonsยฎ have announced a new partnership that unites two iconic Canadian brands in their mission to enhance the travel and coffee drinking experience in the sky. Starting on November 30, 2026 WestJet guests can enjoy an all-new signature coffee experience onboard with the custom-crafted Tim Hortonsย Flight Roastโขย – a unique blend specifically designed to taste its best at 35,000 feet and created exclusively for this partnership. To make this partnership even more brew-tiful, in 2027, Tims Rewardsโข and WestJet Rewards members who link their accounts will be able to earn WestJet points on all eligible Tim Hortons purchases.
A cup from Timsยฎ above the clouds
Beginning on November 30, WestJet will proudly serve Tim Hortons Flight Roast, an expertly crafted blend developed by the in-house coffee experts at Tim Hortons. Flight Roast builds off Canadians’ love for their favourite Tims coffee, but is roasted and brewed specifically to be enjoyed at 35,000 feet. Flight Roast is a 100 per cent Premium Arabica blend of carefully selected origins, roasted to a full medium for a smooth, rich, balanced cup with hints of toasted nuts, cocoa and red fruit. Tim Hortons coffee and tea will be served on WestJet flights that currently offer in-flight refreshments.
“Since 1964, Tim Hortons has been serving great tasting coffee that Canadians love and we’re excited to bring Tims to the sky. We can’t wait for Flight Roast, a custom blend developed to be enjoyed exclusively for WestJet guests during their flights, to take off,” says Hope Bagozzi, Chief Marketing Officer for Tim Hortons. “This is just the first sip of something bigger. We’re thrilled to expand our loyalty ecosystem with our WestJet partnership to give Canadians even more value on their Tims runs starting next year.”
Coming next year: More travel rewards from everyday Tims runs
In 2027, WestJet Rewards and Tims Rewards members will be able to link their accounts to earn points from both programs when they make eligible purchases at Tim Hortons. Account linking will also unlock exclusive offers and promotions.
The partnership reflects two Canadian brands focused on strengthening guest loyalty through meaningful member benefits and enhanced everyday experiences. Additional details regarding the loyalty partnership and member benefits will be announced closer to rollout in 2027.
KlasJet, an ACMI, private jet and charter provider, and part of the worldโs largest ACMI provider, Avia Solutions Group, has received Part 129 Operations Specifications (OpSpecs) approval from the FAA. With Department of Transport (DOT) and other relevant approvals already in place, receiving FAA approval opens the US market to KlasJet for charter and ACMI operations within the scope of its approved OpSpecs and DOT conditions, including approval for its Boeing 737NG fleet.
The OpSpecs approval applies to foreign air carrier flights to and from the USA, or through US territory, and confirms that KlasJet meets strict FAA safety and operational requirements.
El Al Israel Airlines officially launched a new signature menu onboard flights to Tel Aviv from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Developed by head chef Assaf Granit, the new menu offers fresh and authentic Israeli and Mediterraneanflavors and further elevates the experience aboard EL AL. The new menu presents an assortment of unique options prepared to highest quality standards.
Known for his bold combinations, market-driven cooking, and focus on fresh, seasonal produce, Granit is widely regarded as one of the leading figures in modern Israeli cuisine. He is the co-founder of Machneyuda in Jerusalem and the force behind acclaimed restaurants in London, and Paris, including Shabour, which earned a Michelin star. With this new menu, Granit brings his signature Jerusalem-inspired sensibility to the skies, creating distinct culinary experiences tailored to each cabin, allowing passengers to experience the flavors, energy, andwarmth of Israel from the moment they board.
โAt EL AL, we are constantly raising the bar on the onboard experience to ensure we remain the airline of choice for travel to Israel,โ said Lee Ben Hamo, Head of Marcom & CX at EL AL Israel Airlines. โWe have long been leaders in innovation, and this new menu builds on our commitment to bringing the flavors and spirit of Israel onboard, inviting passengers to feel connected to the destination from the moment they step on board.โ
Shortly after takeoff, the experience begins with a warm, inviting bread assortment, made for tearing and sharing. Then comes the salmon tataki, silky, fresh and bright, lifted by cilantro, crisp radish and a punchy ponzu that wakes up the palate. A vibrant salad follows, with sun-dried tomatoes, briny Kalamata olives, cool cucumber, hearty chickpeas, yellow pepper and cherry tomatoes, all brought together with a zesty lemon olive oil drizzle that keeps things light, fresh and crave-worthy.
For the main course, passengers may choose between zaโatar and panko-crusted salmon with lemon zest, roasted broccoli, cherry tomatoes and baby potatoes, maple-lemon glazed spring chicken served with white rice, roasted yams and greens or a classic beef bourguignon prepared with mushrooms, carrots, celery root and potatoes.
The introduction of this new menu marks another milestone in the airlineโs ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality service across all cabins.
In business class, dinner selections include:
Panko-zaatar salmonย with lemon zest, baby potatoes, roasted broccoli, and cherry tomatoes
Spring chickenย with a lemon maple glaze, seasonal greens, roasted yams, and white rice
Beef Bourguignonย with mushrooms, potatoes, celery root, and carrots
On flights departing after 9:30 p.m., a lighter option is offered in place of the Beef Bourguignon: Squash ravioli with tomato sauce and steamed spinach.
For breakfast, business class passengers enjoy an assortment of freshly baked breads, andpastries, served with a vegetable salad, cream cheese, smoked salmon, Jibneh cheese, and a deconstructed muesli. Guests may also choose between an omelet with roasted cherry tomatoes, and potatoes, or pancakes served with maple syrup, cinnamon, and blueberries.
Thoughtfully curated variations of this menu are available in premium economy and economy class, ensuring a quality dining experience and excellent value for all passengers.
