Lufthansa takes off for Oktoberfest 2026 in new traditional Bavarian costume

Lufthansa announced:

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” — a special Lufthansa design — 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 — 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 — “O’zapft is”. Alongside typical Bavarian beers, classic dishes and atmospheric décor 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, Disney and Make-A-Wish send Philadelphia-area families on Wish Flight to Walt Disney World Resort

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American Airlines, in collaboration with Make-A-Wish® 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 Resort®.

Originally launched as Best Flight Ever in 2023, Wish Flight transforms travel into part of the wish experience. This year’s 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 life’s journey, and Wish Flight is a powerful example of that purpose in action,” said American’s Director of Partnerships and Community Griffin Gonzalez. “Together with Make-A-Wish, Disney, our team members and generous AAdvantage® 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.

“When a child is living with a critical illness, time together as a family takes on even greater significance,” said Make-A-Wish America’s president and CEO Leslie Motter. “The 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.”

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.

AAdvantage®members 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. AAdvantage® members can log in to their account, navigate to the Donate pageand select the number of AAdvantage® miles they wish to contribute.* Members can select as few as 1,000 miles to help support those who need it most. Not an AAdvantage® member? Joining is easy and free at 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 Teams Up with DISH to Broadcast Professional and College Football Games Live on Starlink-Enabled Seatback Screens

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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 – 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 Express® 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 – up to 1,000 aircraft before the end of 2027 – 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 – 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 Hortons brew up a bold new partnership

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WestJet and Tim Hortons^® 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 Hortons Flight Roast™ – 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 Rewards™ and WestJet Rewards members who link their accounts will be able to earn WestJet points on all eligible Tim Hortons purchases.

A cup from Tims^® 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.

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KlasJet receives FAA approval for ACMI and charter operations in the US

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KlasJet, an ACMI, private jet and charter provider, and part of the world’s 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.

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El Al introduces new in-flight menu by Michelin-starred chef Assaf Granit on U.S. East Coast routes

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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.

“At EL AL, we are constantly raising the bar on the onboard experience to ensure we remain the airline of choice for travel to Israel,” said Lee Ben Hamo, Head of Marcom & CX at EL AL Israel Airlines. “We 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.”

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 za’atar 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 airline’s ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality service across all cabins.

In business class, dinner selections include:

Panko-zaatar salmon with lemon zest, baby potatoes, roasted broccoli, and cherry tomatoes

Spring chicken with a lemon maple glaze, seasonal greens, roasted yams, and white rice

Beef Bourguignon 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.

El Al aircraft photo gallery:

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TransNusa expands into Australia

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TransNusa announced:

In just four short years, TransNusa has transformed from a rising regional player into a definitive trendsetter in the Asia-Pacific aviation landscape, boldly carving out significant new market shares by aggressively energizing the travel market with its highly tactical, formula-driven strategies.

In its latest signature expansion move, the airline, lead by Datuk Bernard Francis, has masterfully synchronized its existing commercial assets to implement a twin launch guaranteeing passengers not only a convenient new flight schedule but also an elevated, next-level travel experience that can be enjoyed with family and friends.

Today, the Premium Service Carrier has officially opened ticket sales for its highly anticipated direct flights between Melbourne and Bali (Denpasar), commencing as a daily service on October 19, onwards.

This landmark launch seamlessly pairs optimized arrival and departure slots with the market debut of TransNusa’s customized Premium Plus seating, offering an intelligent travel solution, designed to maximize passenger comfort and connection efficiency. The travel solution provides TransNusa passengers with connections to 11 island and prime tourism destinations.

Datuk Bernard Francis, Group Chief Executive Officer of TransNusa, in highlighting the strategic importance of the new route, said, “The launch of the Melbourne-Bali route represents a monumental step forward in our international expansion strategy.”

Datuk Bernard Francis…TransNusa unveils twin launch with new Premium Plus service introduction alongside its Melbourne-Bali route announcement

In tandem with the route launch, TransNusa is breaking new ground by unveiling its first-ever Premium Plus service class. Tailored for travellers seeking elevated comfort without the traditional business class price tag, Premium Plus offers priority perks and enhanced baggage allowance.

To celebrate the dual milestone, the airline is rolling out exclusive introductory fares with standard basic seats that starts from just AUD299, while the all-new Premium Plus experience begins at an introductory rate of AUD699, giving travellers the opportunity to experience the new Melbourne–Bali service and TransNusa’s all-new premium offerings at an exceptional value.

The introduction of Premium Plus marks another significant milestone in TransNusa’s evolution as a premium-service airline, reflecting its commitment to giving passengers greater choice, comfort and value across its growing international network.

To ensure an elite journey, the newly developed Premium Plus tier features only 20 limited seats per flight.

Strategic Daily Flight Schedule

To cater to both business travellers and holiday-makers, TransNusa will operate a highly efficient overnight and morning schedule.

TransNusa Flight 8B 18 departs Bali (DPS) at 20:45 from I Gusti Ngurah International Airport and arrives at Melbourne Airport (MEL) at 05:40 the following morning. While the TransNusa Flight 8B 19 departs Melbourne Airport at 06:25, arriving back in Bali (DPS) at 09:40.

Beyond Point-to-Point: A Gateway to Island Paradise and Major Asian Hubs

Moving past conventional point-to-point operations, TransNusa’s new service is strategically engineered to offer passengers the ultimate flexibility for travel Beyond Bali. By positioning Bali as a primary international hub, the airline opens up thrilling, diverse journeys across its extensive network.

Passengers from Australia can effortlessly transition to travel Beyond Bali to discover the sun, sea, and holistic healing benefits offered by Indonesia’s hidden tropical gems, including the world-class marine ecosystems of Wakatobi and the breath-taking volcanic landscapes of Manado, Bima, and Lombok.

Furthermore, TransNusa has synchronized its flight schedules to provide timely, hassle-free transits to leading global tourism and commercial destinations, including Guangzhou (China), Singapore, and the sun-drenched beaches of Phuket, Thailand.

TransNusa transitioned to its globally recognized Premium Service Carrier model to stand out from traditional low-cost competitors, ensuring that even standard tickets include generous baggage provisions with standard comfort features such as water and snacks and extended legroom. The new Melbourne service builds upon the success of the airline’s existing international networks, establishing a robust link between Australia and the rest of TransNusa’s rapidly growing Asia Pacific network.

About TransNusa

TransNusa Airline, is a Premium Service Carrier. In February 2024, the airline rebranded itself to a Premium Service Carrier in line with its upgraded aircrafts that offers better comfort as well as based on the flexibility and quality of the services offered. TransNusa, which received its AOC certification on 9th September 2022, launch its first three A320 operations on 6th October, 14th October and 12th December, 2022.

In 2023, TransNusa introduced a new business model making it the first Premium Service Carrier in the Asia Pacific region. TransNusa introduced its first international flight on 14th April, 2023. The airline is currently based in Jakarta and Bali.

On the international front, TransNusa flies to Singapore, Guangzhou, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Perth, and Bangkok. The airline became the second Indonesian airline to fly to China and the first Indonesian airline to launch a Premium Service Carrier business model.

Hekla Aurora: The Northern Lights live on – own a piece of TF-FIU

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Aviationtag announced:

Hekla Aurora was a Boeing 757-200 registered as TF-FIU. It made its first flight on April 8, 1994, before being delivered to Iberia on July 29 of the same year. After further chapters in its career, it joined the Icelandair Group in 2004 and subsequently became a familiar part of the airline’s fleet.

Aviationtag x Icelandair - Close up of plane on runway

In late 2014, the aircraft received its extraordinary special livery as part of the #MyStopover campaign. A team of specialist artists recreated the Northern Lights across the fuselage using elaborate airbrushing techniques, with an Icelandic winter landscape painted below. Shades of green, turquoise, blue, and deep midnight flowed into one another. Inside the cabin, specially programmed LED lighting brought the aurora experience on board. Its name also tells an Icelandic story: Hekla is both a traditional Icelandic girl’s name and the name of a well-known volcano, while Aurora refers to the Northern Lights.

Shades of green, turquoise, blue and deep night-time hues blended seamlessly into one another. A specially programmed LED lighting system even brought the aurora into the passenger cabin. Its name, too, evokes Iceland: Hekla is a traditional Icelandic girl’s name and also the name of a well-known volcano, whilst ‘Aurora’ refers to the Northern Lights.

On October 12, 2025, Icelandair bid farewell to Hekla Aurora with a special sightseeing flight from Reykjavík over Iceland. Around 140 passengers were on board, including aviation enthusiasts who had travelled from abroad especially for the occasion. The route passed coastlines, mountains, glaciers, and some of the landscapes the aircraft’s livery had carried around the world for more than a decade. After landing, the Boeing 757 was welcomed back with a water salute.

Delivered: July 29, 1994

Flight hours: 80,622:18

Flight cycles: 29,356 landings

In an official collaboration with Icelandair , Aviationtag is preserving a part of this extraordinary aircraft. In July 2026, our team personally recovered sections of the original outer skin in Lleida, Spain, in temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius.

At our Cologne workshop, the material is handcrafted into limited-edition Aviationtags, whose colours and patterns depend on where they were originally located on the fuselage. Discover the entire Hekla Aurora collection and choose your own personal piece of its history.

Our Hekla Aurora Aviationtags are currently sold out, but production continues every day, with new tags added to the shop daily. A lot of hands-on work goes into each Aviationtag, so preparing new stock takes time. We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your patience.

Sign up for restock notifications on the relevant product page to receive an email as soon as your preferred variant is available again. That way, you won’t need to keep checking the shop.

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Statement from American Airlines on 25th anniversary of 9/11

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American Airlines announced:

We remember and mourn those who were lost in the tragic events of 9/11, including 23 members of the American Airlines family. Our airline, industry, country and world were forever changed. We will never forget the events of that day.

We honor the extraordinary courage, compassion and selflessness demonstrated in the face of unimaginable tragedy. From team members who remained steadfast in their commitment to care for others on that morning, to those who supported families and communities in the days that followed, we’re thankful to our team for showing remarkable care for others in a time of great grief.

In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, several team members who played a role in helping American move forward reflected on the lessons that continue to guide us, particularly the importance of coming together to care for our customers and team members.

Vietravel Airlines signs a LOI for 50 Airbus aircraft

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In Vietnam, leisure carrier Vietravel Airlines signed a major Letter of Intent with Airbus on September 10, 2026, outlining its intention to purchase 50 new narrowbody airliners to power a fleet transformation.

The preliminary commitment includes 20 Airbus A220 aircraft alongside 30 aircraft from the Airbus A321 family, comprising both A321neo and ultra-long-range A321XLR variants, with deliveries targeted to begin in 2029. The high-level signing ceremony took place at the Élysée Palace in Paris in the presence of Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron during an official bilateral state visit.

Under the carrier’s network development strategy, the smaller A220 fleet will focus on point-to-point regional expansion to unserved and secondary domestic and international routes, while the A321neo and A321XLR variants will handle high-density domestic trunk sectors and mid- to long-haul international markets across the Asia-Pacific region.