Company operations and sales continue as usual, honoring all tickets, loyalty points, travel packages and Customer benefits

Secures approval to access debtor-in-possession financing to bolster liquidity during restructuring

Reaffirms commitment to safely connecting Brazil with Customer service of excellence  

SÃO PAULO, May 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — AZUL S.A. (B3: AZUL4; NYSE: AZUL) (“Azul” or “Company”), the largest airline in Brazil by number of flight departures and destinations, announced today that following a successful First Day Hearing, it received interim court approvals for all of its “First Day” motions related to the Company’s voluntary Chapter 11 petitions filed in the United States on May 28, 2025.

Among other relief, the Court granted approval for the Company to immediately access US$250 million of its US$1.6 billion debtor-in-possession (“DIP”) financing. This financing, combined with other Court approvals and revenue generated from Azul’s ongoing operations, will provide sufficient liquidity to support the continued, uninterrupted operations as the Company works to transform its financial future.

“The Court’s approval of all of our first day motions marks a pivotal milestone in positioning Azul for long-term success,” said John Rodgerson, Chief Executive Officer of Azul. “These approvals, along with the strong support of our key financial stakeholders, including United Airlines, American Airlines, and AerCap, enable us to continue our accelerated transformation plan for the future. This process will allow Azul to significantly reduce its leverage and continue to generate cash, putting it on par with its global partners.”

The “Second Day” hearing to consider the Company’s requested relief on a final basis is currently scheduled for July 9, 2025 at 2:00 pm ET.

Thank you for being part of the WorldAirlineNews.com community. Over the years, your engagement and support have helped us become one of the most trusted sources for global airline industry updates.

We’re excited to share that we’re making significant investments in both the look of the website and the quality and variety of our content. As part of this evolution, we’ll soon be welcoming special guest editors who will contribute fresh, insightful weekly content covering airline strategy, historical fleet trends, policy developments, and more.

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We’re committed to remaining an independent voice in the aviation space—and these changes will help ensure we continue to serve our global readership with greater depth, accuracy, and consistency.

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MileagePlus customers can earn and use miles on JetBlue including hundreds of flights in and out of New York City and Boston while TrueBlue members can earn and use points on United flights including to popular international destinations like Cape Town and Tahiti

Benefits of each airline’s loyalty program like priority boarding, complimentary access to preferred and extra legroom seats, and same-day standby/switch will be available across both airlines

Airlines will also offer flights on one another’s website and app to make booking simple and easy

JetBlue will provide United access to slots at JFK International Airport for up to seven daily round-trip flights beginning in 2027; JetBlue and United will exchange eight flight timings at Newark Liberty International Airport

United will move some of its holiday and travel services to JetBlue’s Paisly platform

New York and Chicago, May 29, 2025 – JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) and United (NASDAQ: UAL) today announced Blue Sky: a new and unique collaboration that gives customers of both airlines even more options to find flights that fit their plans as well as new opportunities to earn and use MileagePlus® miles and TrueBlue points across both airlines.

Blue Sky includes the following components, with some starting as early as this fall, subject to regulatory review:

• United’s MileagePlus customers can earn and use miles on most JetBlue flights. JetBlue offers 90 daily flights between the Northeast and the Caribbean this summer – with regular nonstop direct flights to popular islands like Aruba, Barbados, and Jamaica. JetBlue’s TrueBlue members can earn and use points for flights on United’s extensive domestic and international network, the largest across the Atlantic and Pacific that includes popular destinations like Cape Town and Tahiti.
• Each airline will offer flights on one another’s website and app to make booking across the two airlines’ complementary networks simple and easy. Blue Sky includes an interline agreement, not a codeshare, meaning each airline will continue to publish and market flights independently under its own brand and flight numbers.
• The benefits of each airline’s loyalty program – priority boarding, complimentary access to preferred and extra legroom seats and same-day standby/switch – will be available when customers travel on the other airline’s aircraft.
• As part of the airlines’ agreement, JetBlue will provide United access to slots at JFK International Airport for up to seven daily round-trip flights out of JFK Terminal 6 to begin as early as 2027. And, as part of a net-neutral exchange, JetBlue and United will exchange eight flight timings at Newark.
• United will move its website and mobile app’s ability to sell hotels, rental cars, cruises and travel insurance, on both a stand-alone and package basis, to new technology and services provided by JetBlue’s Paisly platform.

“This collaboration with United is a bold step forward for the industry — one that brings together two customer-focused airlines to deliver more choices for travelers and value across our networks,” said Joanna Geraghty, CEO of JetBlue. “United’s global reach perfectly complements JetBlue’s East Coast leisure network, and significantly expands the options and benefits for TrueBlue members, no matter where in the world they are traveling. This is a clear win for our customers and crewmembers, and supports our JetForward strategy.”

“Blue Sky reflects our airlines’ shared focus on innovation and the customer experience,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “The JetBlue brand is tied to a great product and under Joanna’s leadership the airline continues to deliver for customers. We’re always looking for ways to give our MileagePlus members even more value and benefits and this collaboration gives them new, unique ways to use their hard-earned miles and find options that fit their schedule. Plus, our employees are really excited about United’s return to JFK for the longer-term and we’re all looking forward to starting up flights very soon.”

JetBlue and United will continue to manage and price their networks independently, including the launch of new routes, frequencies and promotions.

Two Award-Winning Loyalty Programs

As part of Blue Sky, members of each airline’s loyalty program will find similar benefits over time – as well as reciprocal revenue-based miles and points accrual and reciprocal miles and points redemption – when they use and earn miles or points on the partner airline.

Timing for reciprocal benefits for customers will be announced later this year. Whether customers are flying on United or JetBlue in the future, they will receive benefits in line with what they receive today, including:

• Priority treatment for check-in, boarding, security and baggage
• Access to preferred and extra leg room seats
• Free first checked bag
• Same-day changes and switches

This infographic summarizes some of the benefits customers will enjoy over time*. JetBlue and United will share more details about the timing of these features later this year:

TrueBlue, JetBlue’s award-winning loyalty program, is one of the most popular airline loyalty programs in the Northeast, with nearly 3 out of 5 people in New York City and Boston holding TrueBlue membership. This generous program includes the following features:

• Free to join, free to earn points and with points that never expire – for all customers;
• JetBlue allows loyalty members to pool their points into a joint account, bringing family and friends closer with this feature;
• No blackout dates for award seats – JetBlue offers last-seat availability with points, even for its Mint premium experience;
• The ability for customers to unlock benefits after just a few flights with Perks You Pick®

MileagePlus was recently rated the world’s best airline loyalty program and includes the following features:

• Free to join, for all customers;
• Miles never expire;
• No blackout dates for award seats – if there’s a seat open you can buy it with miles;
• Just about anything you can pay for with cash at United, you can buy with miles (seats, wifi, snacks, etc.);
• United allows members to pool their miles with family and friends into a joint account;
• And membership includes free access to United’s new Starlink internet service – in 2024, United signed the industry’s largest agreement of its kind with SpaceX to bring Starlink to its fleet. The onboard internet service features the same high-speed, low-latency internet service in the air that people enjoy on the ground.

MileagePlus members took more than 42 million reward flights between 2020 and 2024; and over the last year, close to 40,000 United seats per day were filled by MileagePlus customers using their miles – that’s the same as filling about 128 Boeing 777 aircraft. During last year’s November and December holidays alone, almost two million MileagePlus customers flew on award tickets.

United Customers Benefit From More Options in Boston & New York

JetBlue offers 90 daily flights between the Northeast and the Caribbean this summer – with regular nonstop direct flights to popular islands like Aruba, Barbados, and Jamaica. The airline operates approximately 180 daily flights out of JFK and 130 daily flights out of Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS), including to sought-after Florida markets like Fort Lauderdale and Orlando. JetBlue’s focus cities also include Fort Lauderdale, where it operates more international flights than any other airline; San Juan, where it is the largest airline; Orlando, and Los Angeles. Additionally, JetBlue flies to 15 destinations that United does not serve including Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.; Cartagena, Colombia; Kingston, Jamaica; and Ponce, Puerto Rico.

JetBlue Loyalty Members Gain Access to a New World of Flying

United is the world’s largest airline and its vast network gives TrueBlue members hundreds of additional domestic and international options to use their points – 165 across the U.S., eight in Canada, two in the Caribbean, 31 in Latin America, 27 in Europe, five in Africa, two in the Middle East, 15 in Asia, and 14 in the South Pacific.

Additional Blue Sky Benefits

• In a move that will make planning and booking travel and holiday packages easier for United’s customers and MileagePlus members, United and JetBlue also announced today that United will move its website and mobile app’s ability to sell hotels, rental cars, cruises and travel insurance to JetBlue’s Paisly platform.

Today, United customers are sent to different services known as United Hotels, United Cars, United Cruises and United Packages® to book hotels, rental cars, cruises and holiday packages. This move will streamline these services and put them all on united.com and the airline’s mobile app, powered by the Paisly tech stack, and leveraging Paisly’s proven, human-first model and advanced technology to its leisure travel customers.

Unlike most airline ancillary travel platforms that rely heavily on automation and third-party services, Paisly has invested in developing every part of its service in-house. From hotel contracting and holiday curation to marketing and customer care, Paisly operates a fully integrated white-glove service model with increasing personalized offers and messaging, including customer care, and loyalty earning and redemption. Its standout feature, the “Helpful Humans” – a dedicated, highly trained customer service team – sets it apart in an industry known for impersonal, transactional experiences.

• Additionally, business travelers and their employers will see benefits from the collaboration as well. While United and JetBlue will continue to manage their commercial relationship independently, both airlines may extend the terms of parts of their corporate programs to the flights operated by the other airline. This includes the discounts each airline has independently negotiated.
• Finally, JetBlue is expected to be the first partner airline to deploy and syndicate the technology Kinective Media^SM by United Airlines has built to connect airline customers to personalized, real-time advertising, content, experiences and offers from leading advertising brands. The Kinective Media technology platform, launched in June 2024, is a global first traveler media network that uses insights from travel behaviors to enable marketers to deliver relevant messaging to audiences across various touchpoints in the journey, and beyond. Kinective Media’s focus is on premium brand relationships across key verticals such as retail, luxury goods, financial services, automotive, media & entertainment and travel, and the collaboration will bring those capabilities to highly engaged audiences across JetBlue’s digital channels.

Toulouse, France, 28 May 2025 – Air Niugini, the national carrier of Papua New Guinea, has signed a firm order with Airbus for two more latest generation single-aisle A220-100s. This follows an initial order in 2023 for six aircraft. In addition, the carrier has lease agreements signed for three A220-300s from US-based lessor Azorra.

The new order was disclosed as the first A220 for the airline entered final assembly at Airbus facilities in Mirabel in Canada.

Gary Seddon, Chief Executive Officer of Air Niugini said: “The A220 is set to form the backbone of our domestic and regional fleet and will support economic development  in Papua New Guinea. As we continue to forecast strong growth we have made the decision to increase our orders for this fuel efficient type, bringing a whole new level of efficiency and comfort for our operations.”

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP Sales of Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft business said: “This is Air Niugini’s second order for the A220. We are committed to working closely with the airline as we support its fleet renewal programme. The A220 is quite simply the most efficient aircraft in its size category, with a wider and spacious cabin and the range to fly non-stop to any destination on the carrier’s network.”

Combining the longest range, lowest fuel consumption, the A220 is the most modern airliner in its size category, carrying between 100 to 160 passengers on flights of up to 3,600 nautical miles (6,700 km). Depending on cabin configuration, the A220-100 serves the 100-135 seat market, while the larger A220-300 is perfectly tailored for the 120-160 seat market. 

The A220 is powered by Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation GTF™ engines and offers a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions per seat compared to previous generation aircraft. As with all Airbus aircraft, the A220 is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus aims for all its aircraft to be capable of operating with up to 100% SAF by 2030. 

As at the end of April 2025, Airbus had received over 900 orders from more than 30 customers for the A220, of which over 410 have been delivered. The A220 is already in successful service with 24 operators worldwide. The fleet is currently flying on more than 1,600 routes and more than 470 destinations across the globe, confirming its leading position in the small single-aisle market.

Final commercial Sunwing flight on May 28 begins new chapter of Canadian air travel

CALGARY, AB, May 28, 2025 /CNW/ – Today marks a significant milestone for the WestJet Group, as the airline officially completes its integration of Sunwing Airlines. This achievement represents two years (to the month) of dedicated work, strategic coordination and consultation, and a commitment to delivering greater value and connectivity for Canadian travellers.

“Completing two airline consolidations in just two years—the first with Swoop in 2024 and now Sunwing—was complex and required coordination across every aspect of our business, from operational, labour, and regulatory areas to experiential and cultural elements,” says Alexis von Hoensbroech, Chief Executive Officer of the WestJet Group. “Achieving this milestone is proof of the incredible way our unified team works together and is a clear win for WestJet and our guests; it’s also a story of transformation in Canadian aviation. A huge thanks to everyone who contributed!”

WestJet acquired Sunwing in May 2023, the first step of many in bringing together two distinctly Canadian travel and tourism success stories, as part of WestJet’s ambition to be the leader in providing affordable and accessible sun and leisure travel for Canadians.

The vision to integrate Sunwing Airlines, realized on May 29, 2025, is part of the airline’s strategy to deliver new and competitive travel options, and greater overall value for Canadians in sun and leisure market, while strengthening Canada’s travel industry at a critical time.

WestJet has now integrated all jet aircraft under a single Air Operator Certificate (AOC), including 16 former Swoop aircraft, another nine former Lynx Air aircraft which were secured after that airline went out of business, and now 18 more from Sunwing Airlines. WestJet’s unified narrowbody operation will begin to realize efficiencies once it transforms these aircraft with cabin reconfigurations to the WestJet standard interior being completed through 2025.

The result of this integration will be a consistent onboard experience for guests, with a more diverse range of onboard product offerings, including Premium, Economy, Extended Comfort, and UltraBasic seating available on all 150 Boeing 737 aircraft across the airline. WestJet’s concept for expanding cabin optionality will serve the evolving needs of Canadian travellers who appreciate the ability to choose between a range of products and price points, without compromising on network.

Additionally, guests flying on WestJet with reservations through the Sunwing Vacations brand, which continues to exist as Canada’s post popular vacations provider, or its wholly owned tour operator businesses, can expect an improved end-to-end travel experience, as Canada’s leading vacations provider continues to streamline processes and booking flows with guests in mind.

“The final Sunwing-operated flight this week is a time to reflect,” von Hoensbroech notes, recognizing that Sunwing has played an important and influential role in the Canadian leisure travel market. “I know every Sunwing employee, past and present feels their contributions have mattered to advancing the experience of air travel. To all WestJetters and former Sunwing team members: thank you. This milestone is your achievement, and a proud moment for us all.”

DANIA BEACH, Fla., May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Spirit Airlines (NYSE American: FLYY) is taking new flavors to the skies with the launch of its updated inflight menu. Guests can now savor an assortment of new snack and beverage options served alongside a bold new look. The refreshed menu introduces 12 new items and combos, including sweet and savory snacks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

“We know our Guests have great taste when they choose to fly Spirit, and now we’re giving them delicious new choices to add more flavor and value to their adventure,” said Dana Shapir Alviene, Senior Vice President of Inflight and Airport Experience at Spirit Airlines. “Plus, Guests who choose a premium experience with Go Big can enjoy complimentary options to sip and snack on.”

New Inflight Menu Items & Creative Design
Spirit is bringing its “More Fly” brand campaign to the inflight menu while introducing exciting new menu items. Guests can browse tasty selections including more combo options, which offer better selections for savings. Travelers looking for a sweet treat or something savory will have new options to choose from including Quaker® Instant Oatmeal Maple & Brown Sugar, Twisted Noodles® Veggie Ramen, Grandma’s® Mini Sandwich Cremes Vanilla, Stash® English Breakfast tea, Coca-Cola® Zero Sugar, Samuel Adams® American Light, Voodoo Ranger® IPA and Buzzbox® Cuban Mojito.

Additionally, Guests who Go Big can enjoy new complimentary snacks and drinks, including alcoholic beverages, while Guests who Go Comfy can enjoy Spirit’s complimentary More Fly snack mix and a non-alcoholic drink.

Guest Experience Enhancements
Spirit Airlines recently unveiled its brand new, extra-legroom seating option as part of its ongoing commitment to elevate the Guest experience. The new preferred seating offers travelers even more comfort across four additional inches of legroom in Go Comfy with a new total pitch of 32 inches. The extra-legroom seats are available for booking now for travel beginning July 9, 2025.

Recognition 
Spirit was recently named Best Airline Overall for 2025 and earned top recognition for safety and affordability for the second consecutive year by WalletHub. The carrier was also recognized by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) as a 2025  Four Star Low Cost Carrier. Additionally, the airline’s Fit Fleet® was ranked one of the world’s youngest for 2025 by ch-aviation, and Spirit received the FAA’s Aviation Maintenance Technician Diamond Award of Excellence for the seventh consecutive year. 

WestJet Cargo has announced the expansion of its trans-Pacific capacity with the launch of daily year-round service between Calgary and Tokyo Narita International Airport. Operated by WestJet’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, each flight offers 22 tons and 80 cubic meters of cargo capacity, providing consistent and reliable lift between North America and Asia.

“Expanding our cargo capacity to Japan through daily Dreamliner service is a pivotal step forward for WestJet Cargo,” said Julius Mooney, Director of Commercial at WestJet Cargo. “This route enables Canadian exporters and global shippers to move high-value and time-sensitive goods with speed and reliability, while also strengthening Western Canada’s role as a key gateway to Asia.”

This enhanced service supports strong bilateral trade. Japan is exporting industrial, automotive, electronic, high-tech, and manufacturing goods through WestJet Cargo’s growing network across Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and Europe. In return, Canadian perishables, meat, seafood, and general freight are reaching Japan faster and more efficiently than ever before.

Bookings on this route are available through WestJet Cargo’s digital partners—CargoAi, WebCargo, and Cargo.one—ensuring seamless access and real-time management for freight forwarders and logistics providers worldwide.

The cargo expansion complements WestJet’s daily year-round passenger service to Tokyo and its broadened codeshare with Japan Airlines, providing smooth onward connectivity to Osaka and Nagoya, and reinforcing Calgary’s growing role in global trade and logistics.

Yesterday, on May 22, 2025, the Latvian airline airBaltic launched direct flights between Vilnius, Lithuania, and Prague, the Czech Republic. The new service between the two cities takes nearly two hours, with flights operating twice a week – on Thursdays and Saturdays – from May 22 until September 27, 2025.

Mantas Vrubliauskas, VP Network Management at airBaltic: “For more than 20 years, Vilnius has been one of our bases, and we remain committed to strengthening connectivity from Lithuania. By expanding to more destinations, we aim to offer more convenient travel options for our passengers and continue growing our market share in the country. The launch of direct flights between Vilnius and Prague restores a long-unserved route, making travel significantly easier for the approximately 20 000 passengers annually who previously relied on connecting flights. This new service will support both leisure and business travel, while also contributing to inbound tourism and the broader economic development of Lithuania and the entire Baltic region.”

This new route marks airBaltic’s second connection to the Czech Republic, complementing the long-standing service between the airline’s home base in Riga and Prague. During this summer season (from late March to late October), airBaltic will operate 16 direct routes from the Lithuanian capital to various destinations across Europe and beyond, while also continuing to offer direct flights from Palanga, Lithuania, to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Riga, Latvia.

On flights between Vilnius and Prague, airBaltic will offer both Economy and Business Class. Business Class passengers can enjoy a comprehensive full-service package, including priority check-in and boarding, a front-of-cabin seat with a free seat for added privacy, a gourmet meal perfectly paired with a curated selection of premium beverages, and quicker disembarking upon arrival. Throughout the flight, a dedicated Business Class cabin crew ensures exceptional service. 

The airBaltic fleet, one of the youngest in Europe, consists of a single aircraft type – Airbus A220-300. The airline currently operates 50 of such aircraft and aims to double in size. The aircraft offers an excellent flying experience, with benefits for passengers such as wider seats, larger windows, more hand luggage space in the cabin and improved lavatories, as well as better overall performance. Furthermore, the airline offers free high-speed SpaceX Starlink internet, making it the first European airline to provide this service. The entire fleet is planned to be equipped with this service.