Jetstar’s first revamped Boeing 787 Dreamliner took to the skies on April 7, 2026, operating its inaugural service from Melbourne to Phuket and giving customers a taste of the new-look cabin and onboard wi-fi on Jetstar’s International 787 network. 

The refurbished Dreamliner arrived in Melbourne from Hong-Kong earlier this week after completing a major multi-million-dollar cabin refit, the most significant transformation in the 787 Dreamliner’s history with Jetstar.

The makeover covers both the business and economy cabins, bringing new seating, in-flight Wi-Fi and expanded crew rest facilities that will allow Jetstar to operate flights of up to 16 hours. All 11 of Jetstar’s 787 Dreamliners will progressively undergo the same refit, with the fleet transformation continuing through to late-2027.

New cabins

The business cabin has more than doubled in size, growing from 21 seats to 44 in response to growing demand for premium travel at low-cost prices. The new business seats feature a 38-inch pitch and seven-inch recline, a six-way adjustable headrest, enhanced cushioning, calf and footrests, bi-fold in-arm tray tables with cocktail table, seat back device holders and dual high-power USB-C charging points.

Economy has also been revamped with all-new RECARO aircraft seating. The new economy seats offer a 30-inch pitch and five-inch recline, two inches more than Jetstar’s A320neo and A321LR aircraft. Customers will also benefit from a six-way adjustable headrest, additional in-seat cushioning, seat back device holders and dual high-power USB-C charging points.

Connectivity

For the first time ever on Jetstar’s 787s, customers can stay connected in the air. Jetstar has partnered with Viasat, the same provider used on Qantas flights, to deliver fast satellite-enabled Wi-Fi across the refreshed fleet. The service supports streaming, messaging, browsing, and everyday internet use throughout flights on the revamped 787 aircraft.

Business Class passengers will receive complimentary access to Jetstar’s premium Streaming-Plus product, providing unlimited in-flight entertainment and browsing. Economy customers can also purchase Wi-Fi on board, with two options available at launch:

·       Streaming-Plus (unlimited access) from $25^

·       Social Plus (basic browsing, social media access & video playback restricted) from $20^

With seatback screens removed, customers are encouraged to bring their own headsets and stream directly to their own devices via the on-board Wi-Fi.

Takeoff further

The installation of six lie-flat crew rest bunks at the rear of the aircraft is one of the most significant changes in this refit, allowing the aircraft to travel further, to new destinations. By giving crew the rest they need for longer operations, Jetstar’s 787s will be capable of flights of up to 16 hours, opening the door to exciting potential new routes.

Jetstar already operates its 787 fleet to destinations across Asia, including Tokyo, Osaka, Singapore, Seoul, Phuket, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and soon, Colombo in Sri Lanka. The extended range capability will give the airline greater flexibility to grow its international network in the years ahead giving customers more choice for international low fares travel. 

Business class upgrades

To coincide with the return of the first refreshed 787, Jetstar recently launched BidCash, a new product that gives customers the chance to place a cash bid for a chance to upgrade to a Business Class seat on Jetstar’s international 787 flights.

Jetstar also plans to extend this new and exciting product to Qantas Frequent Flyer members. Coming soon Qantas Frequent Flyers will be able to bid for Business Class upgrades using Qantas Points, including a Classic Upgrade Reward style product and a Points Plus Pay offering, which combines Qantas Points and cash.

With business capacity on some international routes more than doubling from 21 to 44 seats, customers will have more opportunity than ever to secure an upgrade and takeoff more in style.

^Wi-fi pricing is introductory and subject to change. Pricing may vary route by route.

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Travelers can toast to a new destination and fly a case of wine home “on the house”

DALLAS, April 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) began service in Santa Rosa, California’s Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport today. To celebrate the airline’s wine country expansion, Southwest® will introduce a new Sip and Ship™ program ¹, which will allow Southwest Customers to check one case of wine at no cost from select West Coast locations starting later this month.

“We’re excited to open the door to more of California’s incredible destinations, especially the stunning wine region of Sonoma County, as we add our 14th airport to our already best-in-industry intra-California service,” said Andrew Watterson, Chief Operating Officer at Southwest Airlines®. “By adding service to Sonoma County Airport and launching Sip and Ship, we’re offering our Customers even more convenience and an opportunity to continuing sipping and savoring their time in wine country.”

Plot Your Trip

Southwest’s Santa Rosa (Sonoma County), California service is connecting nonstop to San Diego, Las Vegas, Denver, and Burbank, California. The San Diego and Las Vegas routes are now operating daily, including two San Diego roundtrips on peak days. Burbank will initially operate five days a week, and Denver will operate on Saturdays.

Pack Your Pinot

Southwest’s new Sip and Ship™ program lets Customers bring home the best souvenir from wine country – vino! Each Customer can check one (1) case of wine at no additional charge. Selections should be placed in a standard wine shipping box or wine suitcase that meets checked bag requirements.

As Southwest continues to expand its network, including recent openings in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands; Knoxville, Tennessee, St. Maarten–which also opened today–and Anchorage scheduled to open in May, the airline remains focused on creating more convenient ways for Customers to explore and enjoy new and exciting places. The introduction of Sip and Ship™ complements this growth by adding a Customer benefit for those visiting wine country ensuring every journey with Southwest delivers reliability, flexibility, and a memorable experience—right down to the very last drop.

Delivered March quarter earnings in line with initial guidance on broad demand strength driving better-than-expected revenue performance

Guiding to low-teens revenue growth in the June quarter on flat capacity growth, reflecting strong demand momentum, meaningful capacity reductions, and rapid actions to recapture higher fuel

Expect June quarter pre-tax profit of around $1 billion, on a more than $2 billion increase
in fuel expense at the forward curve

Continuing to strengthen investment-grade balance sheet, with adjusted net debt below 2019 levels

ATLANTA, April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today reported financial results for the March quarter and provided its outlook for the June quarter.  Highlights of the March quarter, including both GAAP and adjusted metrics, are on page five and incorporated here.

“Delta’s results underscore the power of our brand and the durability of our financial foundation.  We delivered earnings that were more than 40 percent higher than last year, even with a significant increase in fuel costs and operational disruptions across the industry,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief executive officer.  “Our results are powered by the Delta people, who will always be our greatest competitive advantage.  In February, we celebrated $1.3 billion in profit‑sharing payouts, similar to last year and more than the rest of the industry combined.”

“Demand remains strong, and we are taking actions to protect our margins and cash flow.  This includes meaningfully reducing capacity growth, with a downward bias until the fuel environment improves, and moving quickly to recapture higher fuel costs.  Delta is best positioned to navigate this environment, with a leading brand, strong financial foundation, and the benefit of our refinery.  In the June quarter, we expect to lead the industry with $1 billion of profit.  And while the recent fuel spike is currently impacting earnings, I’m confident this environment ultimately reinforces Delta’s leadership and accelerates long-term earnings power.”

March Quarter 2026 GAAP Financial Results

• Operating revenue of $15.9 billion
• Operating income of $501 million with an operating margin of 3.2 percent
• Pre-tax loss of $214 million with a pre-tax margin of (1.4) percent
• Loss per share of ($0.44)
• Operating cash flow of $2.4 billion

March Quarter 2026 Non-GAAP Financial Results

• Operating revenue of $14.2 billion
• Operating income of $652 million with an operating margin of 4.6 percent
• Pre-tax income of $532 million with a pre-tax margin of 3.7 percent
• Earnings per share of $0.64
• Operating cash flow of $2.4 billion

Financial Guidance¹

	2Q26
Total Revenue YoY (%)	Up low-teens
Operating Margin	6% – 8%
Earnings Per Share	$1.00 – $1.50

Guidance assumes fuel at the forward curve as of April 2, 2026, and includes a refinery benefit of approximately $300 million.  This results in a projected all-in fuel price of approximately $4.30 per gallon for the second quarter.

Revenue Environment and Outlook

“Total revenue of $14.2 billion was a March quarter record and nearly 10 percent higher than last year, growing several points above our initial outlook, on broad demand strength across corporate and leisure,” said Joe Esposito, Delta’s chief commercial officer.  “With continued strength in demand, combined with our actions on capacity reductions and fuel recapture, we expect total revenue growth in the June quarter to be up low-teens on flat capacity over prior year.”

• Record March quarter revenue with broad strength across customer segments, geographies, and products: March quarter total revenue increased 9.4 percent over the same period last year to a record $14.2 billion, led by premium, corporate, and loyalty.  Adjusted total unit revenue (TRASM) grew 8.2 percent over prior year, with a 1.6 point contribution from robust MRO growth.
• Continued momentum in diverse, high-margin revenue streams: Delta’s diversified revenue base represented 62 percent of total revenue and grew mid-teens over prior year.  Premium revenue grew 14 percent compared to the March quarter of 2025.  Loyalty and related revenue increased 13 percent, primarily driven by continued double-digit growth in card spend and an expanding cardholder base.  American Express remuneration of over $2 billion grew 10 percent over prior year.  MRO revenue increased by more than $200 million year-over-year, reflecting significant growth and strong execution by the Delta TechOps team.  Cargo revenue increased 9 percent.
• Healthy unit revenue improvement across all geographies, with positive inflection in main cabin growth: Domestic unit revenue grew 6 percent year-over-year with strength across all cabins.  International unit revenue grew 5 percent led by Transatlantic, our largest and most profitable international entity.  The March quarter was the first full quarter of positive unit revenue growth in main cabin since the end of 2024, reflecting strong demand and continued supply rationalization.  Delta’s main cabin capacity contracted by 3 percent compared to the same period last year, as continued investment in fleet renewal drove premium seat mix higher.
• Record quarterly corporate sales² with growth in all sectors: Corporate sales increased double-digits year-over-year in the March quarter, with performance strengthening as the quarter progressed.  All sectors saw positive revenue growth in the quarter, led by Banking, Aerospace & Defense, and Tech.  Corporate demand for premium products was particularly strong.  Recent corporate survey results indicate 85 percent of respondents expect their corporate travel spend will increase or stay the same in the June quarter. 

Cost Performance and Outlook

“Delta delivered record March quarter revenue, with an operating margin of 4.6 percent and earnings of $0.64 per share, within our initial guidance range even with a sharp run up in March fuel prices.  Non‑fuel unit costs grew 6 percent over prior year, reflecting lower than planned capacity growth and higher recovery costs.  For the June quarter, we expect non-fuel unit costs to grow at a rate similar to the March quarter, reflecting the impact of our capacity actions and a continuation of higher crew costs,” said Dan Janki, Delta’s chief operating officer³.  “Improving operational resilience is a top focus and we are confident in delivering improvement in both operational and cost performance in the second half of the year.”

1 Non-GAAP measures; Refer to Non-GAAP reconciliations for historical comparison figures

2 Corporate travel sales represent the revenue from tickets sold to corporate contracted customers, including tickets for travel during and beyond the referenced time period

3 Dan Janki served as Delta’s chief financial officer through March 31, 2026

March Quarter 2026 Cost Performance

• Operating expense of $15.4 billion and adjusted operating expense of $13.5 billion
• Adjusted non-fuel costs¹ of $10.5 billion
• Non-fuel CASM was 15.13¢, an increase of 6 percent year-over-year
• Adjusted fuel expense of $2.6 billion was up 8 percent year-over-year
• Adjusted fuel price of $2.62 per gallon increased 7 percent year-over-year with a refinery benefit of 6¢ per gallon

Balance Sheet, Cash and Liquidity

“Delta’s financial strength transcends the industry and positions us to extend our leadership through times of volatility, reinforcing our advantages and improving the long-term earnings power of the business.  Our balance sheet is the best in our history, underpinned by our investment-grade rating at all three credit rating agencies, adjusted net debt below 2019 levels, and a well-laddered maturity profile alongside a substantial base of unencumbered assets and secured borrowing capacity.  In addition, our integrated fuel strategy is a unique differentiator, with the economics of our refinery partially offsetting higher crack spreads.  The refinery is expected to provide a $300 million benefit to the June quarter at current prices.” Janki said.

• Adjusted net debt of $13.5 billion at March quarter end, a reduction of $760 million from the end of 2025
• Payments on debt and finance lease obligations for the March quarter of $1.6 billion
• Weighted average interest rate of 4.6 percent with 86 percent fixed rate debt and 14 percent variable rate debt
• Adjusted operating cash flow in the March quarter of $2.4 billion, and with gross capital expenditures of $1.2 billion, free cash flow was $1.2 billion
• Air Traffic Liability ended the quarter at $10.7 billion
• Liquidity* of $8.1 billion at quarter-end, including $3.1 billion in undrawn revolver capacity

*Includes cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and undrawn revolving credit facilities

1 Updated definition excludes aircraft fuel and related taxes, third-party refinery sales, MRO expense, and Profit Sharing

March Quarter 2026 Highlights

Operations, Network and Fleet

• Named North America’s most on‑time airline by Cirium for the fifth consecutive year
• Advancing fleet modernization with 95 new aircraft orders, including Airbus narrowbody and widebody aircraft, as well as the Boeing 787, supporting aircraft replacement, efficient growth, and margin expansion
• Took delivery of eight aircraft in the March quarter, including A321neo and A220-300 aircraft
• Delta TechOps became the first and only North American airline MRO with full overhaul capability across both the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines
• Announced new daily service between Austin (AUS) and Phoenix (PHX) and expanded service from Austin to Bozeman (BZN) beginning next winter, bringing total destinations serviced from Austin to 30 by December 2026
• Announced expanded service from Los Angeles (LAX) to Florida starting next winter including Palm Beach (PBI), Tampa (TPA), and Orlando (MCO), all operated on the state-of-the-art A321neo
• Announced new nonstop service between New York-JFK and John Wayne Orange County (SNA) starting May 7, 2026, operated by aircraft equipped with Delta One

Culture and People

• Celebrated $1.3 billion in profit sharing in February for 2025 performance, more than the rest of the U.S. industry combined, recognizing the outstanding performance of Delta’s 100,000+ employees and underpinning Delta’s culture of sharing our success with our people
• Ranked No. 9 on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list, up from No. 15 in 2025 and the only ranked airline
• Named as one of Glassdoor’s 2026 top 100 Best Places to Work, making the list for the ninth time, and the only airline recognized
• Ranked No. 11 on Fortune’s list of World’s Most Admired Companies for leadership in innovation, resilient leadership and global impact

Customer Experience and Loyalty

• Delta will launch Amazon Leo’s low Earth orbit satellite technology starting with an initial installation on 500 aircraft beginning in 2028, bringing faster, more personalized digital experiences to customers through the Delta Sync Wi-Fi and seatback
• Expanded Delta Sync partnerships, including a new collaboration with The New York Times, enhancing the onboard experience with premium, high-engagement digital content for customers
• Delta SkyMiles was ranked the world’s most valuable airline loyalty program, ahead of all other U.S. airlines, in On Point Loyalty’s Top 100 Most Valuable Airline Loyalty Programs 2026 report
• Announced a multi-year partnership as the Official Airline of Sphere, including the Delta SKY360° Club, Sphere’s first branded hospitality space, providing premium experiences to SkyMiles members
• Opened a new 13,000 square foot Delta Sky Club at Denver International Airport and reopened newly renovated clubs in Philadelphia and three locations in Atlanta

March Quarter 2026 Results

March quarter results have been adjusted primarily for third-party refinery sales and gains/losses on investments as described in the reconciliations in Note A.

	GAAP		$ Change	% Change
($ in millions except per share and unit costs)	1Q26	1Q25
Operating income	501	569	(68)	(12) %
Operating margin	3.2 %	4.0 %	(0.8) pts	(20) %
Pre-tax (loss)/income	(214)	320	(534)	NM
Pre-tax margin	(1.4) %	2.3 %	(3.7) pts	NM
Net (loss)/income	(289)	240	(529)	NM
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share	(0.44)	0.37	(0.81)	NM
Operating revenue	15,854	14,040	1,814	13 %
Total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) (cents)	22.92	20.53	2.39	12 %
Operating expense	15,353	13,471	1,882	14 %
Cost per available seat mile (CASM) (cents)	22.20	19.69	2.51	13 %
Fuel expense	2,742	2,410	332	14 %
Average fuel price per gallon	2.78	2.47	0.31	12 %
Operating cash flow	2,432	2,378	54	2 %
Capital expenditures	1,200	1,224	(24)	(2) %
Total debt and finance lease obligations	14,164	15,823	(1,659)	(10) %
	Adjusted		$ Change	% Change
($ in millions except per share and unit costs)	1Q26	1Q25
Operating income	652	584	68	12 %
Operating margin	4.6 %	4.5 %	0.1 pts	2 %
Pre-tax income	532	375	157	42 %
Pre-tax margin	3.7 %	2.9 %	0.8  pts	28 %
Net income	423	291	132	45 %
Diluted earnings per share	0.64	0.45	0.19	44 %
Operating revenue	14,200	12,978	1,222	9.4 %
TRASM (cents)	20.53	18.97	1.56	8.2 %
Operating expense	13,549	12,394	1,155	9 %
Non-fuel cost1	10,464	9,735	729	7 %
Non-fuel unit cost (CASM-Ex) (cents)	15.13	14.23	0.90	6 %
Fuel expense	2,591	2,395	196	8 %
Average fuel price per gallon	2.62	2.45	0.17	7 %
Operating cash flow	2,414	2,444	(30)	(1) %
Free cash flow	1,227	1,280	(53)	(4) %
Gross capital expenditures	1,179	1,174	5	— %
Adjusted net debt	13,540	16,876	(3,336)	(20) %

1 Updated definition excludes Aircraft fuel and related taxes, Third-party refinery sales, MRO expense, and Profit Sharing

About Delta Air Lines  Through exceptional service and the power of innovation, Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) never stops looking for ways to make every trip feel tailored to every customer.   

There are 100,000 Delta people leading the way to deliver a world-class customer experience on up to 5,500 daily Delta and Delta Connection flights to more than 300 destinations on six continents, connecting people to places and to each other. 

Delta served more than 200 million customers in 2025 – safely, reliably and with industry-leading customer service innovation – and was recognized by Cirium for being the top on-time airline in North America for the fifth consecutive year.

We remain committed to ensuring that the future of travel is connected, personalized and enjoyable. Our people’s genuine, enduring motivation is to make every customer feel welcomed and cared for across every point of their journey with us.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta operates significant hubs and key markets in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Bogota, Boston, Detroit, Lima, London-Heathrow, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK and LaGuardia, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City, Santiago (Chile), Sao Paulo, Seattle, Seoul-Incheon and Tokyo.

As the leading global airline, Delta’s mission to connect the world creates opportunities, fosters understanding and expands horizons by connecting people and communities to each other and to their own potential. 

A founding member of the SkyTeam alliance and powered by innovative and strategic partnerships throughout the world with Aeromexico, Air France-KLM, China Eastern, Korean Air, LATAM, Virgin Atlantic and WestJet, Delta brings more choice and competition to customers worldwide. Delta’s premium product line is elevated by its unique partnership with Wheels Up Experience.

Delta is America’s most-awarded airline thanks to the dedication, passion and professionalism of its people. In addition to the award from Cirium, Delta has been recognized as the World’s Most Admired Airline and one of the Best 100 Companies to Work For according to Fortune; the top carrier for business travelers by Business Travel News; and best U.S. airline by Forbes Travel Guide’s Verified Air Travel Awards. In addition, Delta has been named to the Civic 50 by Points of Light as one of the most community minded companies in the U.S.

The Port of Seattle welcomed Cathay Pacific’s nonstop service to Hong Kong with their inaugural flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

Coinciding with the airline’s 80th anniversary celebrations, the arriving Airbus A350 aircraft — wearing Cathay Pacific’s classic “lettuce leaf sandwich” livery — was welcomed with a ceremonious lion dance and ribbon cutting at the gate.

This marks the last pre-pandemic carrier to return to SEA and will kick-start several new international offerings from SEA this year, boosting such services to more than 60.

DUBLIN, March 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AerCap Holdings N.V. (“AerCap” or the “Company”) (NYSE: AER) today announced it has signed lease agreements with Ethiopian Airlines for two Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters. The aircraft, also known as “The Big Twin,” will be the first of its type to operate in Africa, with the deliveries scheduled for Q2 2028.

“We are delighted to deepen our long-standing partnership with Ethiopian Airlines – the first customer to operate this aircraft type in Africa – through this important transaction,” said Aengus Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of AerCap. “With 25% more capacity than today’s smaller twin-engine long-haul freighters, the 777-300ERSF delivers significant cost efficiencies and will position Ethiopian Airlines to further expand its growing cargo platform. We are proud to support Ethiopian Airlines and wish them continued success as they scale and strengthen their operations.”

Commenting on the lease agreements, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said, “We are delighted to partner with AerCap to bring the first Boeing 777-300ERSF to Africa. These aircraft will significantly enhance our cargo capacity and efficiency, boosting trade in the region. As demand for air freight continues to grow, Ethiopian Airlines remains committed to investing in modern, sustainable solutions that cement our position in the global cargo market.”

About AerCap

AerCap is the global leader in aviation leasing with one of the most attractive order books in the industry. AerCap serves approximately 300 customers around the world with comprehensive fleet solutions. AerCap is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (AER) and is headquartered in Dublin with offices in Shannon, Memphis, Miami, Singapore, London, Dubai, Shanghai, Amsterdam and other locations around the world.

About Ethiopian Airlines Group

Ethiopian Airlines Group (Ethiopian) is a true African success story, transforming a visionary dream into a globally renowned reality for nearly eight decades. Operating flights to more than 160 domestic and international passenger, and cargo destinations across five continents, Ethiopian bridges the gaps between Africa and the world. Emphasizing passenger comfort and environmental sustainability, Ethiopian utilizes ultra-modern aircraft such as Boeing 737s, 777s, 787s, Airbus A350-900, A350-1000 and De Havilland Q400.

Ethiopian, the Star Alliance member airline, champions in various coveted awards including Skytrax’s ‘Best Airline in Africa Award’ for eight consecutive years, APEX ‘Best Overall in Africa’ award and ‘Leadership in Connecting Africa through Transport’ Award among others. Ethiopian aims to further excel in its success through a strategic plan dubbed ‘Vision 2035’ and become one of the top 20 most competitive and leading aviation groups in the world. Embracing a Pan-African spirit, Ethiopian is pursuing multi-hub strategy through hubs in Lomé, Togo with ASKY, in Lilongwe, Malawi with Malawi Airlines, in Lusaka, Zambia with Zambia Airways, and in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with Air Congo.

For more information, visit our website at  www.ethiopianairlines.com.

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“Coastliner” Airbus A321neo will fly between West Coast hubs in Los Angeles and San Francisco and Newark/New York starting later this summer – includes all-aisle access lie-flat United Polaris® business class seat and United Polaris lounge access, a first for United’s domestic travelers

Airbus A321XLR with United Polaris seats will replace Boeing 757s on existing routes to smaller cities in Europe and South America starting this summer

New CRJ450 connects smaller cities to Denver and Chicago hubs starting this fall – premium regional jet features spacious United First® cabin with a luggage closet instead of overhead bins

New 787-9 with the Elevated interior will fly internationally starting on April 22 – featuring new United Polaris Studio℠ suites and the most total premium seats in United’s fleet

Since 2021, United has added 22 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 237 Boeing 737 MAX and 67 Airbus A321neos, completed 70% of its plan to retrofit its mainline narrow-body fleet, replaced more than 100 regional jets with larger aircraft; increased premium seats per North American departure by 40%, and hired more than 60,000 people

New fleet and product offerings reflect United’s focus on delivering a premium experience and offering something new for every customer

CHICAGO and LOS ANGELES, March 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — United Airlines today announced the next phase of its long-term plan to win brand loyal customers and further differentiate itself from competitors.

The airline expects to take delivery of more than 250 new aircraft by April 2028 – the most by any airline in a two-year period – to further modernize its fleet, add new aircraft variants, create a new experience for transcontinental travelers and introduce new onboard products for every customer, reinforcing United’s position as a leading premium airline.

• United is adding widebody experiences to its new, narrowbody aircraft: the new “Coastliner” Airbus A321 subfleet and A321XLR are United’s first narrowbodies with the Elevated interior and feature a new, all-aisle access lie-flat seat in United Polaris with a patented design that offers more elbow and shoulder room and lower suite walls that protect privacy while maintaining an open feel in the cabin. United has 100 of these new airplanes coming into its fleet, and they’ll replace 40 older, less efficient Boeing 757s.
  
  • The Coastliner will have a specially designed livery and fly exclusively between United’s west coast hubs in San Francisco and Los Angeles and Newark/New York and will introduce the United Polaris cabin experience to domestic travelers. For the first time, customers traveling in United Polaris on these routes can also get access to the United Polaris lounge.
    
  • United’s A321XLR gives travelers access to 32 premium seats – 16 more than the 757 it replaces – and will start flying later this year.
    
• The CRJ450 – a reimagined and redesigned version of the CRJ200 will be operated by SkyWest and will connect smaller cities to the airline’s Denver and Chicago hubs starting this fall. This will be one of United’s most premium regional jets, boasting a spacious United First cabin with a large luggage closet instead of overhead bins, creating an open, luxurious environment unlike any other commercial regional aircraft.
  
• United’s new 787-9 with the Elevated interior will fly internationally starting on April 22. These planes include the airline’s new United Polaris Studio: lie-flat, all-aisle-access seats that are 25% larger than standard United Polaris seats and include privacy doors*, an ottoman for companions on some seats, exclusive meal service with wine pairings and caviar, new amenity kits with retail-size offerings, wireless charging, Bluetooth connectivity and a huge 27-inch, 4K OLED seatback screen – the largest among U.S. carriers.

Today’s announcement expands on the successful and ambitious ‘United Next’ growth strategy announced in 2021. Since that time, United has added 22 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 237 Boeing 737 MAX and 67 Airbus A321neos, completed 70% of its plan to retrofit its mainline, narrow-body fleet, replaced more than 100 regional jets with larger mainline aircraft; increased premium seats per North American departure by 40% and hired more than 60,000 people.

“For more than a decade, we’ve invested billions of dollars in our product, service, and technology as part of our plan to be the best brand loyal airline in the world, and the result is that more and more customers are choosing to fly us every day,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “Today we accelerate our plans and elevate our offerings to the next level, creating an even more consistent, premium onboard experience for every customer and delivering value across every cabin of service.”

“These new planes and products not only complement our fleet and network plans, but they also give our customers more premium amenity and seat choices – whether they bought a basic economy ticket to fly from Chicago to Ft. Wayne or are flying Polaris between San Francisco and Singapore,” said United Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella. “United is setting the pace and innovating for our customers at a scope and scale unheard of in aviation history – and we’re not taking our foot off the gas.”

New airplanes joining United’s fleet between now and April of 2028 include:

• 47 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners with the Elevated interior
  • 33 will be configured with additional premium seats
• 40 Airbus A321neo Coastliners out of 50 total on order
• 28 Airbus A321XLR out of 50 total on order
• 119 Boeing 737 MAX
• 18 Airbus A321neos

A Widebody Experience on a Narrowbody Jet

The new A321neo Coastliner and A321XLR feature a custom-designed, all-aisle access lie-flat seat in United Polaris that brings the same feeling of spaciousness and comfort that customers enjoy on widebody airplanes to these new narrowbody jets. This new suite is wider at the shoulder and elbow than similar competitor products and has semi-translucent suite dividers that create an open feeling in the cabin while still maintaining passenger privacy. The patented design is the result of more than five years of research and development – including two rounds of customer sleep trials – to ensure it has ample space for customers to relax comfortably, an intuitive layout and easy-to-access features.

The addition of the A321neo Coastliner and A321XLR – combined with airline’s existing fleet – means United will soon offer nearly double the number of lie-flat seats than its next closest competitor.

“Coastliner” Airbus A321neo

The Airbus A321neo Coastliner was custom designed to give transcontinental customers an even better experience – the interior of the plane is all-new from nose-to-tail, with 20 new, all-aisle access lie-flat seats in United Polaris, 12 United Premium Plus® seats – a first for narrowbody domestic flights – and 129 United Economy® seats. United removed three seats from the standard configuration of this plane to make room for a snack bar in the rear of the plane, so customers traveling in Economy can grab their favorite snack or non-alcoholic beverage anytime during their flight.

United Polaris customers traveling on the Coastliner will receive the similar amenities enjoyed by customers on international flights, including Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, Perricone MD skincare in the amenity kits, and premium headphones with Meridian technology. And – for the first time – customers flying in United Polaris on this aircraft can get access to the United Polaris lounge.

The Coastliner will be easy to spot in the sky thanks to a new livery that pays homage to the coastal destinations it serves. Distinctive bands in bright shades of blue wrap around the back third of the airplane, and United’s name is painted proudly on the aircraft belly for those lucky enough to spot it from below – particularly from the iconic plane spotting locations near Los Angeles International Airport.

The routes the Coastliner will fly are some of United’s busiest – on average, more than 10,000 passengers fly between the airline’s West Coast hubs in San Francisco and Los Angeles and Newark/New York every day – and connect from there to the airline’s leading global route network, with Hong Kong, Melbourne, Shanghai, Sydney and Taipei being the most popular onward destinations. United serves 17 destinations across the Pacific from its west coast hubs and 42 destinations across the Atlantic from Newark/New York – more than any other U.S. airline. The first of United’s 50 planned Coastliners will start flying this summer, and the airline expects 40 of them to be flying by early 2028.

Airbus A321XLR

The Airbus A321XLR was also designed from the ground up to be the airline’s most premium narrowbody airplane, capable of providing a new level of comfort and style for those traveling on international short-to medium-haul routes. This airplane has 32 premium seats – 16 more than the 757s it replaces – including a new all-aisle access lie-flat United Polaris suite with a privacy door. Every seat has a large, 4K OLED screen with Bluetooth connectivity, ranging in size from 19 inches in Polaris, 16 inches in United Premium Plus and 13 inches in United Economy and everyone has access to larger overhead bins with room for rollaboard bags. Just like the Coastliner, the A321XLR features a snack bar in the rear of the Economy cabin.

The A321XLR will replace United’s Boeing 757 fleet on some existing international routes starting this summer, and in the future, will open new destinations for the airline in Europe and South America. United will launch this new plane with a special “Born to Explore” decal, in celebration of the new flying this airplane makes possible. 50 A321XLRs are expected to join United’s fleet and more than half of them are expected to be in service by 2028.

CRJ450

The 41-seat CRJ450 is a first-of-its kind regional aircraft designed to evoke a feeling of a private jet experience for travelers in the United First cabin. In a first for a U.S. commercial airline, the overhead bins in United First have been removed in favor of a large luggage closet, creating a spacious, airy environment. The Economy cabin features overhead bins large enough to fit rollaboard bags – uncommon on regional jets of this size – and all new trim and finish that’s consistent with United’s larger aircraft. Every passenger onboard can enjoy free Starlink Wi-Fi if they’re a member of MileagePlus, keeping them connected to work and entertainment just like they are at home.

The CRJ450 joins the popular CRJ550 – an airplane that marked the start of United’s reimagining of its regional fleet when it launched in 2019. The CRJ550 has among the highest customer satisfaction scores of any regional aircraft. By 2028, United expects to have more than 50 CRJ450s and nearly 120 CRJ550s in service, giving travelers a stylish, premium option to connect primarily from smaller cities to United’s hubs and global network.  

Boeing 787-9 Elevated

In less than a year from when it was first announced, United has taken delivery of its first three Boeing 787-9 aircraft with the all-new Elevated interior – a nose-to-tail transformation across every cabin. With 99 premium seats, this aircraft is United’s most premium international aircraft yet and marks the debut of United Polaris Studio – a new seat that’s 25% larger than the standard United Polaris seat and includes privacy doors, an extra ottoman for companions, exclusive meal service with wine pairings and caviar, new amenity kits with retail-size offerings, wireless charging, Bluetooth connectivity, and a huge 27-inch, 4K OLED seatback screen, the largest among U.S. carriers. Every seat on this airplane has gotten an upgrade – from the new suites in United Polaris with sliding doors and a 19-inch, 4K OLED screen, to freshly designed seats in United Premium Plus and United Economy with 16-inch and 13-inch 4K OLED screens respectively.

The inaugural international flight for the 787-9 with the Elevated interior is set for April 22 from San Francisco to Singapore, and a few lucky customers might catch it on select domestic routes between San Francisco and Houston over the next few weeks while it prepares for international service. United plans to have 33 787-9 airplanes with the Elevated interior flying by 2028.

New Amenities for Every Traveler

United is making investments for all its customers like:

• Starlink Wi-Fi – free for MileagePlus members – bringing an at-home internet experience to the sky and expected to be onboard all United dual-cabin planes by the end of 2027.
• A softer, more stylish blanket for economy travelers on longer routes.
• New, higher quality earbuds with improved audio for economy travelers.
• A continued investment in food and wine across every cabin, including a new partnership with Chef’s Table that will bring new menu options designed by some of the world’s leading chefs onboard this summer.
• Screens at every seat – within two years United expects to have more than 227,000 screens on more than 1,200 aircraft.
• An industry-leading library of in-flight entertainment content, featuring award winning movies, such as Sinners and One Battle After Another from Warner Bros. Pictures, and premium content from Apple TV, HBO Max, A24 and Spotify.
• Bins large enough to fit everyone’s rollaboard bag – now on board nearly 570 United planes
• An award-winning app that updates regularly with new features like turn-by-turn wayfinding for connecting customers, a virtual gate that alerts you when it’s time to board, real-time weather updates, bag tracking with Apple AirTag integration, real-time United Club capacity information and more.

For more information about how United is creating an industry-leading, premium experience for its customers visit United.com/Elevated.

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HALIFAX, NS, March 24, 2026 /CNW/ – WestJet and Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) have expanded their codeshare partnership for the second time in three months, providing guests on both sides of the Atlantic with more seamless travel options to explore all of Scandinavia and Canada this summer.

WestJet guests can book travel to Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland via the airline’s non-stop service between Halifax and Copenhagen with the convenience of a single ticket, baggage transfers and the ability to earn WestJet Rewards throughout. The addition is particularly exciting for guests based in Atlantic Canada, that will now have single-stop connections to:

• Stockholm, Sweden
• Goteborg, Sweden
• Oslo, Norway
• Bergen, Norway
• Stavanger, Norway
• Trondheim, Norway
• Aalborg, Denmark
• Helsinki, Finland

“This partnership enhancement strengthens WestJet and SAS’ joint effort to strategically connect our networks and make travel planning easy for our shared guests,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Group Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. “Whether they are travelling for business or leisure, adding new codeshare connections with our five-star APEX awarded partner, SAS, via our all-new service between Halifax and Copenhagen provides even more choice for Europeans and Canadians alike.”

SAS codeshare boost opens new tourism doors in Atlantic Canada

SAS has also placed its SK code on WestJet’s seasonal nonstop service between Halifax and Copenhagen, allowing guests across Scandinavia and throughout SAS’ comprehensive network to seamlessly connect to Halifax and Atlantic Canada. This means East Coast Canadians can welcome even more guests from across Europe throughout the busy summer travel season, strengthening tourism, supporting local businesses and making it easier for friends and family to connect seaside.

WestJet’s service between Copenhagen and Halifax operates four days per week during the summer months and complements WestJet’s ongoing codeshare connections to Scandinavia. The airline currently offers codeshare access beyond WestJet’s transatlantic flights between Calgary and Paris, and Calgary and London, as previously announced late last year.

New codeshare bookings are now available through travel agents, WestJet.com or the WestJet app.