As part of its efforts to help mitigate the impact of the emergency in Venezuela and maintain travel to and from the country,ย Aviancaย announced that it will operate flights between Colombia and Venezuela through Arturo Michelena International Airport in Valencia.
The operation will include both regularly scheduled service and additional charter flights, operated with Airbus A320 aircraft with capacity for 180 passengers.
These operations will also transport emergency response teams in coordination with the airlineโs humanitarian partners, including the Colombian Red Cross and the Colombian Civil Air Patrol, to support rescue and emergency response efforts.
Passengers with confirmed tickets on the Bogotรก-Caracas-Bogotรก route will receive an email at the address associated with their booking with instructions for scheduling their departure or arrival through Valenciaโs airport.
EVA Air celebrated the launch of its new nonstop service between Washington D.C. and Taipei, marking a significant expansion as the airlineโs 10th North American gateway. As the first airline to offer nonstop service between these two cities, the new route represents a key milestone in strengthening connectivity between Taiwan and the U.S. East Coast. A special inaugural ceremony was held at Washington Dulles International Airport to commemorate the milestone and welcome the inaugural flight.
The event was jointly presided over by EVA Air President Clay Sun alongside distinguished guests including: The Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) Agency Director Gregory W. (Greg) Campbell; Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) President and CEO Jack Potter; MWAA Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Chryssa Westerlund; MWAA Vice President of Airline Business Development Paul Bobson, and Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States Alexander Tah-ray Yui. Additionally, Han Kuo-Yu, President of the Legislative Yuan of Taiwan, led a cross-party congressional delegation on this historic flight back to Taipei and attended the ceremony, participating in the ribbon-cutting.
The Washington, D.C.โTaipei route operates four weekly flights utilizing Boeing 787-9 aircraft configured with Royal Laurel Class, Economy Class, and EVA Airโs Premium Economy Class. This newly introduced fourth iteration of the PE class is designed to elevate the in-flight experience and offers one of the industryโs most generous seat pitches, delivering enhanced comfort and functionality for long-haul travelers. The flight schedule is as follows:
Alaska Airlines is setting a new standard in inflight connectivity with ultra-fast Starlink Wi-Fi everywhere it flies. The carrier is bringing media and guests along on the journey by tracking its rollout of delivering Starlinkโs high-speed, low-latency internet โ already available on Hawaiian Airlinesโ Airbus A330 and A321neo aircraft.
Guests flying with Alaska, Hawaiian and Horizon can stay relaxed and connected while surfing the internet, live gaming, real-time messaging and high-quality streaming across multiple devices, from takeoff to landing. Those traveling for business can also work as effectively in the air as they would on the ground.
Thanks to T-Mobile, Atmosโข Rewards members unlock free, uninterrupted access to Starlink Wi-Fi. Members who are also T-Mobile customers will soon enjoy a seamless, ad-free sign-on experience.
Progress on Starlink connectivity
Percentage of aircraft equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi: 38%
This chart was last updated on June 25, 2026, and will be updated every four weeks.
WestJet today celebrated theย renewal of its long-standing partnership with the Toronto Blue Jaysย by taking it to new heights โ 35,000 feet to be exact. The airline unveiled a specially designed co-branded Toronto Blue Jays Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, connecting fans in communities across Canada and reinforcing WestJet’s position as a leading national airline.
The co-branded livery on WestJet tail #386 (C-GORP) was revealed during a special celebration at the WestJet YYZ hangar. Nearly 1,000 WestJetters, Toronto Blue Jays representatives, and community members gathered to commemorate the long-standing partnership and get an insider look at the aircraft livery. Among the celebrations were Toronto Blue Jays alumni Edwin Encarnaciรณn and Pat Borders, and even an appearance from ACE, the Toronto Blue Jays’ beloved mascot. ย ย
The livery connects the dynamic energy that defines both WestJet and the Toronto Blue Jays. The iconic colours paired with the sweeping design depict the action of an aircraft at takeoff and the arc of a ball soaring off the bat. Guests should keep their eyes to the skies as the aircraft is scheduled to take its first flight from Toronto Pearson International Airport on June 24.
Originally established in 2012, the renewed agreement coincides with a milestone year for both organizations, as the Toronto Blue Jays celebrate their 50thย season and WestJet marks 30 years of connecting Canadians. The new livery and WestJet’s newest player ambassador, Ernie Clement, are just a few of the moments that celebrate the iconic partnership.
Ethiopian Airlines has announced the delivery of the first of two DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft from De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited. The addition of the aircraft will support Ethiopian Airlinesโ efforts to expand domestic connectivity and provide access to remote areas and tourism destinations across Ethiopia.ย
Photo: Ethiopian Airlines
The Twin Otter Classic 300-G combines the legendary aircraftโs proven short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance and greater payload capability with a modern Garmin G1000 integrated flight deck, new lightweight cabin seats, enhanced electricalย systems, and upgraded cockpit ergonomics. Its versatility delivers greater operational efficiency and mission flexibility while retaining the rugged capabilities required to operate reliably in remote and challenging environments.ย
For eight decades, the American Airlines base maintenance facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma (Tech Ops โ Tulsa), has stood at the center of the airlineโs technical operations, evolving into the worldโs largest commercial aircraft maintenance base and a cornerstone of the airlineโs commitment to safety and reliability.
Aerial photo of the surplus military aircraft plant in early 1946.
Tech Ops โ Tulsa team members working in the propeller shop in 1947.
It all started in 1945 when the U.S. government listed a military aircraft plant as surplus property. The property, with four large hangars anchoring more than 260 acres, caught the eye of Americanโs leaders who soon negotiated a lease with the City of Tulsa and began relocating its maintenance and engineering operations from New Yorkโs La Guardia airport to the new Tulsa facility. The move reflected Americanโs growth and Tulsaโs emergence as a major aviation and aerospace hub, bolstered by a skilled local workforce, which still holds true today.
The maintenance base opened in June 1946, and started overhauling Douglas DC-3 aircraft. Americanโs then CEO and industry pioneer Cyrus Rowlett โC.R.โ Smith celebrated the facilityโs opening with an eye toward the future.
โWe plan to become citizens of Tulsa and Oklahoma,โ Smith said. โWe plan a great expansion and development in this city and this state. Our future is ahead of us. We are looking forward.โ
Over the years, almost every aircraft type flown by American passed through Tulsaโs hangars. Early propeller-powered models such as the DC-3 and Convair 240 soon made way for turbofan engines powering Boeing 707s. Boeing 727s and 747s and the McDonnell-Douglas DC-10s and legendary MD-80s later occupied hangars. Modern Boeing 737 and 787 families of aircraft touch down at the base for scheduled maintenance work today.
Tech Ops โ Tulsa, which is currently undergoing $400 million in improvements, has grown to 3.3 million square feet of hangar and shop space sprawling across 330 acres at Tulsa International Airport. Together with the airlineโs nearby offsite composite repair and wheel and brake facilities, these technical centers of excellence provide maintenance and related support to more than 400 aircraft that visit the base annually.
The source of the baseโs success โ and the standard set for the industry โ is the people. Today, nearly 5,000 team members (including more than 2,300 licensed aviation maintenance technicians) work in aircraft overhaul, component repair, engine overhaul, engineering, supply chain, facilities maintenance and information technology, to keep Tech Ops โ Tulsa moving 24/7. And theyโre not just individual team members โ the base has familial roots with generations of families working at the base over the decades.
The Flagship San Francisco, a Douglas DC-3, leaves the hangar July 17, 1946, after undergoing the first aircraft overhaul at Tech Ops โ Tulsa.
Eighty years after the maintenance base opened, the airline continues looking forward to welcoming the next generation of aviation maintenance professionals through its hangar doors. In 2024, American announced a partnership with Tulsa Tech โ the alma mater of many current Tech Ops โ Tulsa Team members โ providing interviews to top students and ongoing engagement opportunities with the airlineโs team members, formalizing a decades-long relationship with the school. American also sponsored Tulsa Techโs adult student team at the 2026 Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition. Tech Ops โ Tulsa team members mentored students leading up to the competition, and that partnership paid off โ the team took first place among all 47 schools.
QANTAS Airways has unveiled the next evolution in the cabin design for Project Sunrise, which will launch with the worldโs first non-stop services between Sydney and London from October 2027.
The first Airbus A350-1000ULR has been configured with just 238 seats, the lowest seat density of any A350โฏaround the world, giving every customer more spaceโฏon board. Every element has been designed to help customers arrive at their destination feeling their best, drawing on a decade of research with the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre and close collaboration withย Caonย Design Officeย and technology partners.
VH-OJA is named ‘Vega’ after the historic Catalina’s that flew Double Sunrise flights in the 1940s.
Across the A350-1000ULR, seating, lighting, dining and wellbeing have been designed to work as one, helping customers rest when they want to, stretch out and arrive feeling refreshed.
First
The A350-1000ULR will feature six enclosed First suites in a 1-1-1 configuration, each designed using innovations and ergonomic research to deliver the ultimate long-haul experience. Each suite features an 80-inch flat bed and a separate reclining armchair, with a large flexible work and dining space for one or two people, a full-length wardrobe, and multiple personal storage areas.
The new First suites have undergone months of testing to map peak pressure points, resulting in a multi-layer memory foam mattress engineered for optimal pressure distribution. Lighting in each suite can be programmed to support a customer’s circadian rhythm. Supporting both privacy and service, a digital exterior suite panel will enable customers to discreetly communicate with crew throughout the flight.
Business
The 52 Business suites are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. For the first time, Qantas Business suites will feature a sliding door for additional privacy, as well as an adjustable divider between the alternating centre seats. Each suite includes an 80-inch flat bed, a large dining table and work surface, and increased storage options.
Flexible dining is being planned for Business, letting customers choose to time their meals with scientifically optimised windows, in line with the circadian research that has informed every aspect of the Sunrise cabin design. Luminescent lighting will dim at optimised intervals to ease customers towards sleep.
Premium Economy
The 40-seat Premium Economy cabin is arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration and has been redesigned from the ground up for ultra long-haul travel. Every seat features an ergonomic leg and calf rest system for full leg cradling, an 8-inch winged privacy headrest, dedicated amenity and personal storage pockets, and what will be the most generous seat pitch of any Qantas aircraft. A custom multi-layer memory foam system, tested across ergonomic modelling, lumbar support and pressure mapping, has been developed specifically for this cabin.
Economy and Economy Plus
The 140-seat Economy cabin, configured in a 3-3-3, offers more generous seat pitch overall than any current Qantas aircraft. The new Economy seat also features a custom-designed multi-layer memory foam system which has undergone the same testing as Premium Economy, with woven wool upholstery in an earthy Australian ‘Pilbara Redโ, improving breathability and temperature on long-haul journeys.
Customers will also have a new way to add comfort to the Economy experience through Qantas Economy Plus. Positioned at the front of the A350-1000ULR cabin, the 42 Economy Plus seats offer a 34-inch pitch, priority boarding, and priority access to overhead baggage space. More than 70 per cent of seats on the aircraft will offer a pitch of 33 inches or more, the most generous of any Qantas aircraft. Qantas Platinum One and Platinum Frequent Flyers receive complimentary access to Economy Plus seating at the time of booking, and Gold Frequent Flyers from 24 hours before departure, subject to availability.
Across all cabins, customers will have the option to pre-select meals before they fly.
Wellbeing Zone
Qantas will be the first airline in the world to offer a purpose-built inflight Wellbeing Zone, located between the Premium Economy and Economy cabins. Designed by Caon Design Office, the zone features sculpted wall panels and integrated stretch handles, a guided on-screen movement program, a hydration station, and a range of premium refreshments.
Inflight Entertainment
A new inflight entertainment system, the airline’s most significant upgrade in over a decade, has been designed to be as intuitive as the technology customers use every day.
The on screen ‘journey planner’, synced with the cabin lighting, shows when meals are served and when the cabin dims for rest, so customers can plan their flight across the full journey. The system is available in 15 languages, remembers viewing history, and allows customers to share a movie with up to three others through a ‘watch together’ feature. Fast inflight Wi-Fi and Bluetooth pairing are available across all cabins.
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Britten-Norman, manufacturer of the iconic Islander aircraft, has launched the Global Aircraft Recovery (GAR) service, delivered in collaboration with specialist partners including Avitrius Air International. The service has already proven its capability in the field: its first mission saw a stranded Islander successfully recovered from Saudi Arabia, navigating complex airspace restrictions and the operational challenges of a region experiencing active conflict, before being returned over 2,500 miles to Britten-Normanโs MRO facility in the UK.
Hundreds of Islander aircraft operate daily across more than 70 countries worldwide, many in locations where environmental conditions, logistics, infrastructure and, at times, geopolitical instability make recovery exceptionally complex. The service is designed to provide operators with a coordinated, reliable response when aircraft are grounded due to operational damage, environmental factors or deteriorating conditions on the ground.
The serviceโs first recovery mission centred on a Britten-Norman BN2A-21 Islander that had been stranded in Saudi Arabia. Working alongside Avitrius Air International, the team secured the necessary permits, navigated airspace restrictions subject to rapid change due to ongoing regional tensions, and coordinated the logistics required to complete the 2,500-mile ferry flight back to the UK, a mission that demonstrates the serviceโs ability to operate where it is needed most.
Through GAR, Britten-Norman works with a network of specialist partners to deploy experienced engineering teams for on-site assessment, logistics coordination, and the implementation of repair or ferry solutions. These activities are underpinned by Britten-Normanโs OEM knowledge and parts supply, helping to ensure aircraft can be safely returned to service. Where more extensive work is required, aircraft can be returned to Britten-Normanโs MRO facility in the UK for full refurbishment.
The service also supports operators considering fleet renewal. Recovered aircraft may be eligible for trade-in against new Islander orders, providing owners with a clear commercial pathway alongside the operational recovery.
Drawing on an international network of engineers, pilots and maintenance organisations, the service supports Britten-Norman aircraft globally while operating in compliance with the requirements of relevant aviation authorities.
Emirates has become the first airline in the world to offer Comprehensive Travel Cover, an industry-first travel insurance product that handles it all, including medical cover for conflict-related incidents, backed by airline-managed hotel accommodation and extended-stay support across a range of disruption scenarios.
When itineraries include connecting on other airlines or Emirates services are unavailable, Emirates will also rebook disrupted customers to their destination at no additional cost, including where flights have been cancelled due to conflict-related disruption.
Customers can now plan and travel with even greater peace of mind from the moment they book their journey, with expanded medical cover in the insurance product, supported by Travel Guard, and additional disruption support by Emirates on top of the existing travel insurance offering.
Emirates’ new Comprehensive Travel Cover includes trip cancellation cover, compensation for baggage delay or loss, unlimited medical expense and emergency evacuation cover worldwide, among other generous benefits. Newly added conflict cover provides reimbursement for medical expenses of up to US$ 25,000 and a free trip extension of up to 30 days. The cover is not restricted by government travel advice.
Rooted in Emirates’ ‘fly better’ brand promise and its duty of care to customers is airline-managed hotel accommodation during disruptions, including airspace closures**. This is in addition to existing customer-first benefits such as a free date change for tickets booked from 2 April, and the option to โhold my fareโ for 24 hours free of charge, giving travellers flexibility, reassurance, and support at every step.
Emirates Comprehensive Travel Cover is available at an accessible premium and delivers exceptional value.
WestJet is deepening its routes in Calgary by adding Tool Shed Brewing Company’s true craft beer on board all WestJet flights offering buy on board food and beverage service. Beginning July 15, guests will be able to choose between three of Tool Shed’s most iconic sips: People Skills blonde ale, Golden Hour hazy pale ale and Local Legend light craft lager.
From farm to tap to tarmac
Calgary’s Tool Shed beers are true craft beers; made with malted grains from Canadian Prairies and free of adjuncts like corn and rice syrups. They also support Canadian farmers four times more than macro breweries, helping guests feel good about every sip.
Beer available for sale on applicable WestJet flights beginning July 15:
People Skills โ An easy-drinking, mass appeal beer. Brewed at Tool Shed since day one.
Golden Hour โ Tool Shed’s most drinkable premium style beer. It is hazy, refreshing and hoppy with zero bitterness.
Local Legend โ A new low-alcohol craft lager crafted to deliver a taste so good, guests won’t know it has just 3.5 per cent alcohol content.
For travellers that want to explore Tool Shed’s full suite of craft beer, WestJet guests are eligible to receive a 15 per cent discount on all food, beverages and merchandise at the Tool Shed taproom when they show their WestJet boarding pass 24 hours before departure or after arrival. For taproom details and to learn more about Tool Shed Brewing, visit toolshedbrewing.com
