WestJet introduces a Toronto Blue Jays logo jet on C-GORP

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WestJet today celebrated the renewal of its long-standing partnership with the Toronto Blue Jays by taking it to new heights – 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 Encarnación and Pat Borders, and even an appearance from ACE, the Toronto Blue Jays’ beloved mascot.

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 50^th 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 Takes Delivery of New Twin Otter Classic 300-G Aircraft

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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 Airlines’ efforts to expand domestic connectivity and provide access to remote areas and tourism destinations across Ethiopia.

The Twin Otter Classic 300-G combines the legendary aircraft’s proven short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance and greater payload capability with a modern Garmin G1000 integrated flight deck, new lightweight cabin seats, enhanced electrical 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.

American Airlines Tulsa base maintenance facility celebrates 80 years of excellence

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American Airlines announced:

For eight decades, the American Airlines base maintenance facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma (Tech Ops – Tulsa), has stood at the center of the airline’s technical operations, evolving into the world’s largest commercial aircraft maintenance base and a cornerstone of the airline’s commitment to safety and reliability.

Aerial photo of the surplus military aircraft plant in early 1946.

Tech Ops – 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 American’s leaders who soon negotiated a lease with the City of Tulsa and began relocating its maintenance and engineering operations from New York’s La Guardia airport to the new Tulsa facility. The move reflected American’s growth and Tulsa’s 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. American’s then CEO and industry pioneer Cyrus Rowlett “C.R.” Smith celebrated the facility’s opening with an eye toward the future.

“We plan to become citizens of Tulsa and Oklahoma,” Smith said. “We plan a great expansion and development in this city and this state. Our future is ahead of us. We are looking forward.”

Over the years, almost every aircraft type flown by American passed through Tulsa’s 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 – 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 airline’s 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 base’s success — and the standard set for the industry — 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 – Tulsa moving 24/7. And they’re not just individual team members — 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 – 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 — the alma mater of many current Tech Ops – Tulsa Team members — providing interviews to top students and ongoing engagement opportunities with the airline’s team members, formalizing a decades-long relationship with the school. American also sponsored Tulsa Tech’s adult student team at the 2026 Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition. Tech Ops – Tulsa team members mentored students leading up to the competition, and that partnership paid off — the team took first place among all 47 schools.

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QANTAS reveals its new Airbus A350-1000ULR cabin design

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QANTAS Airways has unveiled the next evolution in the cabin design for Project Sunrise, which will launch with the world’s 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 A350 around the world, giving every customer more space on 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 with Caon Design Office 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 Red’, 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 has launched the Global Aircraft Recovery (GAR) service, delivered in collaboration with specialist partners including Avitrius Air International

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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-Norman’s 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 service’s 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 service’s 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-Norman’s 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-Norman’s 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 launches world’s most comprehensive travel insurance

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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 ‘hold my fare’ 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.

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WestJet taps local craft brewery, Tool Shed as exclusive onboard beer provider

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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 – An easy-drinking, mass appeal beer. Brewed at Tool Shed since day one.
Golden Hour – Tool Shed’s most drinkable premium style beer. It is hazy, refreshing and hoppy with zero bitterness.
Local Legend – 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

Challenge Group strengthens Asia connectivity with Mumbai and Shanghai expansion

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Challenge Group continues its rapid global expansion with two new direct freighter services.

One connecting Liège (LGG) with Mumbai (BOM) and the other Liège (LGG) with Shanghai (PVG), further strengthening its position as a leading provider of end-to-end logistics solutions for complex air cargo.Launching on 02 July 2026 and operated by the Boeing 777-300ERSF,the new services represent a strategic investment in two of the world’s most important economic and logistics hubs.

The BOM service will further strengthen Challenge Group’s presence in India by upgrading its existing operations from three weekly Boeing 767 frequencies to twoweekly Boeing 777-300ERSF flights, offering customers enhanced capacity and connectivity.At the same time, the new Shanghai service expands the Group’s growing China network, complementing its existing ten weekly rotationsbetween Liège and Zhengzhou (CGO) and creating additional opportunities for cargo flows between Asia, Europe, the US,and South America.

The upgraded Mumbai service will operate twice weekly. Whilethe Shanghai service will have three weekly operations.Both routes will be served by Challenge Group’s Boeing 777-300ERSF fleet, providing customers with increased flexibility,enhanced connectivity, and access to one of the industry’s most capable freighterplatforms.

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British Airways ARC opens its doors at Olympia, marking London’s newest live entertainment venue in over a decade

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British Airways on June 16, 2026 celebrates the opening of British Airways ARC at Olympia, welcoming customers to London’s newest entertainment and music venue.

The 3,800-capacity venue is set to become a major new cultural hub for the capital and forms part of the £1.3 billion transformation of Olympia. The state-of-the-art venue will bring together live music and entertainment delivering a world-class experience for both fans and artists.

British Airways ARC doors are now open

The venue opens tonight (16 June) with a performance from Self Esteem, followed by an exciting line-up of global artists including McFly, Van Morrison and Khalid, as British Airways ARC begins its opening season of shows.

As the Founding Partner of Olympia, British Airways is connecting customers with world-class entertainment. Members of The British Airways Club have already taken advantage of exclusive, ringfenced ticket allocations, with access to a range of additional benefits across the destination, including the opportunity to collect Avios at select restaurants and bars*.

To celebrate the opening, British Airways has unveiled its latest campaign, Cloudscapes, appearing across outdoor sites around British Airways ARC and inside the venue. The campaign features alumni talent from The BRIT School, continuing the airline’s long-standing commitment to championing British creativity and showcasing unique perspectives inspired by views from the skies.

Hamish Mcvey, Director of Marketing at British Airways, said: “British Airways ARC represents an exciting new chapter in our partnership with Olympia and AEG, and a step forward in how we connect our customers with unforgettable experiences, both in the air and on the ground.

‘We’re proud to be a Founding Partner of a destination that celebrates British creativity and world-class entertainment, and we can’t wait for our customers and Club members to step inside, take their seats and experience it for themselves.”

Bringing Olympia to the skies

Marking the launch, the airline has partnered with one of Olympia’s most exciting new restaurants, Wolves of Tokyo, to create an exclusive onboard menu for customers in Club World (long-haul business class), delivered in collaboration with its catering partner, Do&Co.

Located within Olympia’s Canopy, Wolves of Tokyo offers a bold take on contemporary Japanese cuisine, inspired by Tokyo’s vibrant nightlife and rooted in high-quality produce and authentic techniques.

British Airways and Wolves of Tokyo have created a selection of signature dishes, offered alongside the airline’s onboard menu offering, showcasing some of the restaurant’s standout creations, each carefully developed to enhance flavour profiles in the air.

From 1 July, the dishes will be available across every long-haul flight departing from Heathrow to Tokyo (Haneda)**, including:

Crab maki with avocado, cucumber, lime mayonnaise and orange tobiko
Black cod with plum miso, pickled vegetables and sticky rice
Kaiso seaweed salad with white goma dressing
Matcha cheesecake with fresh berries

JetBlue Announces Kent Hospitality Group and Four Clovers Hospitality Group as New Mint® Culinary Partners

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JetBlue Airways on June 16, 2026 announced the next evolution of its award-winning Mint^® experience with the introduction of Kent Hospitality Group and its strategic partner, Four Clovers Hospitality Group, as JetBlue’s new onboard culinary partners. The collaboration brings a fresh, sophisticated and distinctly New York approach to inflight dining, elevating JetBlue’s premium business class experience with the creative forces behind some of the city’s most coveted restaurant reservations.

Photo courtesy of JetBlue.

Bringing the ‘New’ New York to Mint
Beginning July 31, JetBlue will start introducing new menus across its domestic and transatlantic Mint experience, featuring dishes inspired by Kent Hospitality Group’s acclaimed restaurants, Birdee and Crown Shy. Offerings from Four Clovers Hospitality Group’s iconic Red Hook Tavern and Hometown Bar-B-Que are to follow in early 2027.

Together, the partnerships reflect the energy, creativity and cultural relevance of New York City’s outstanding dining scene today—bringing restaurant-quality hospitality and bold, contemporary flavors to customers traveling in Mint.

“Mint has always been about redefining what customers can expect from premium travel, so we are very thoughtful about the partners we work with,” said Stephanie Evans Greene, senior vice president of marketing and brand, JetBlue. “We look for brands that create experiences people genuinely want to be a part of, where the hospitality, the energy and the attention to detail are just that special. Partnering with Kent and Four Clovers allows us to bring that same excitement and exploratory spirit onboard Mint in a way only JetBlue can.”

“New York has always been a city shaped by movement, culture, and great hospitality. As a hospitality group born and built here, we’re excited to partner with JetBlue, New York’s hometown airline, to bring a taste of the city’s dining scene to travelers around the world. It’s a natural partnership between two brands that are proud to call New York home,” said Kelly Kent, Partner, Kent Hospitality Group.

A Taste of What’s to Come
The new Mint menus are inspired by the signature styles and hospitality philosophies that have made these restaurants standout, must-try destinations in New York City. Customers can expect thoughtfully crafted dishes that feel fresh, vibrant and full of memorable flavors, reflecting both the creativity of the restaurant teams and JetBlue’s approach to hospitality and comfort.

At launch, Mint customers will experience menu selections by Crown Shy and Birdee, including elevated breakfast selections inspired by Birdee’s beloved Bacon, Egg and Cheese, alongside lunch and dinner dishes drawing from Crown Shy favorites like its Signature Citrus-Marinated Chicken and Pork Katsu. The menus channel the restaurants’ bold flavors and distinctly modern New York perspective while being thoughtfully designed for the onboard experience.

Additional concepts from Four Clovers Hospitality Group, including the popular Red Hook Tavern and Hometown Bar-B-Que, will join the Mint dining lineup in future menu rotations.

Thoughtfully Designed, Distinctly Mint
Since its debut in 2014, JetBlue’s Mint experience has consistently redefined what premium travel can look like—first by disrupting traditional business class with a more accessible, high-quality experience featuring all lie-flat seats, then again with the launch of transatlantic service featuring all-suite seating, introducing a new standard for flying between the U.S. and Europe.

Brought to life by hospitality-trained crewmembers delivering thoughtful, personalized service at every touchpoint, Mint continues to set itself apart. After earning the JD Power Award again in 2026 for ranking #1 in Customer Satisfaction among First/Business Class Passengers¹, Mint is evolving once more, building on JetBlue’s legacy of innovation with enhancements designed to offer customers even more comfort, convenience and care in the air.

More About the Restaurant Partners
Birdee, located on the Williamsburg waterfront in Brooklyn’s landmark The Refinery at Domino, is a bakery and all-day café from Executive Pastry Chef & Partner at Birdee Renata Ameni and Kent Hospitality Group.

Led by Ameni, whose pastry work helped earn acclaim at Crown Shy and Saga, Birdee blends Michelin-level technique with nostalgic, approachable flavors inspired by her Brazilian heritage.
The menu features a rotating selection of pastries, breakfast sandwiches, lunch offerings, specialty coffee and seasonal sweets, creating a destination that feels equally suited for a quick morning coffee or a leisurely afternoon gathering.
Designed as a warm, community-focused neighborhood café, Birdee brings together exceptional craftsmanship and everyday hospitality in one of Brooklyn’s most vibrant waterfront neighborhoods.

Crown Shy, nestled at the base of the iconic Art Deco tower at 70 Pine Street in Manhattan’s Financial District and led by Executive Chef Jassimran Singh, is a Michelin-starred restaurant known for combining fine dining technique with the energy of New York City.

Since opening in 2019, Crown Shy has earned and maintained a Michelin star for its contemporary American menu, which draws inspiration from global flavors while remaining approachable and ingredient-driven.
The restaurant’s soaring ceilings, expansive windows, lively bar and upbeat atmosphere have made it one of New York’s most celebrated dining destinations, attracting both local regulars and visitors from around the world.
Founded by the late Chef Jamal James Kent, Crown Shy helped redefine modern New York dining by pairing world-class cooking with warm, welcoming hospitality.

Hometown Bar-B-Que, founded by acclaimed pitmaster and restaurateur Billy Durney, is a Brooklyn-based brand with national recognition for blending traditional American barbecue techniques with global flavors and influences.

With locations in Brooklyn and Miami, the menu features Texas-style brisket, house-made sausages, spare ribs and inventive specials that reflect a wide range of culinary traditions while remaining rooted in the craft of live-fire cooking.
Serving up favorites since 2013, Hometown Bar-B-Que has become a destination for barbecue enthusiasts from around the world and is known best for its authentic hospitality and dedication to quality and craftsmanship.

Red Hook Tavern, opened in 2019, serves as Durney’s tribute to the neighborhood where his family put down roots after immigrating to Brooklyn, inspired by the food, hospitality and community that shaped his upbringing.

The restaurant is home to the acclaimed Red Hook Tavern Burger, which has become one of New York City’s most sought-after burgers.
Recognized by the Michelin Guide, Red Hook Tavern serves a seasonal menu focused on responsibly sourced meats, seafood and produce, complemented by a thoughtfully curated wine, cocktail and beverage program.
Combining the spirit of a classic American tavern with a commitment to quality and hospitality, Red Hook Tavern has become a favorite among both neighborhood regulars and visitors.