For winter 2025/2026, SAS is expanding its traffic program with six new destinations from its Copenhagen hub: Vienna, Tel Aviv, Marrakech, Madeira, Fuerteventura, and Kittilä. The winter schedule will also feature increased frequencies on existing routes, contributing to a total seat capacity growth of 40%.

The enhanced winter schedule also includes the continuation of 22 popular summer routes. With increased frequencies on key connections, travelers will enjoy more options and greater flexibility — contributing to a 75% improvement in overall connectivity. These additions strengthen travel to and from Scandinavia and reinforce Copenhagen’s role as a leading hub in Northern Europe.

“It’s exciting to unveil these new destinations for the winter season, providing our customers with even more opportunities to explore and enjoy unique experiences. With an expanded network and increased seat capacity, connectivity throughout Scandinavia will be significantly enhanced — ensuring greater flexibility, convenience, and more options for travelers to reach their favorite locations,” says Henrik Winell, Vice President Network at SAS.

The new services are designed to connect seamlessly not only with SAS’ hubs in Stockholm and Oslo but also with cities such as Gothenburg, Billund, Aarhus, Aalborg, Bergen, Stavanger, Tallinn, and Gdansk, as well as the rest of the network across the Nordics and Europe.
 

New and diverse routes
Vienna, Austria – a historic capital renowned for its classical music, art, architecture, and imperial heritage. SAS will offer daily morning flights.

Tel Aviv, Israel–a major financial center of the Middle East and global high-tech hub, often referred to as “Silicon Wadi”. Served with three weekly frequencies, allowing connections to key European cities and the US.

Marrakech, Morocco – a cultural blend, known for its rich cuisine, and colorful souks, and access to the Atlas Mountains. With two weekly flights, visitors can enjoy an interesting cultural experience, whether staying in luxurious resorts or traditional riads.

Madeira, Portugal – a lush island home to an abundance of flowers, diverse landscapes, scenic hiking trails, good food, and a mild year-round climate. A weekly flight from Copenhagen will complement existing services from Stockholm.

Fuerteventura, Spain – this Canary Island is ideal for sun-seekers and water sports enthusiasts such as windsurfing and kiteboarding, famous for its golden beaches, clear waters, and warm temperatures. Served once weekly.

Kittilä, Finland – set in the heart of Finnish Lapland, home to the Levi and Ylläs ski resorts, offers a wide variety of winter experiences — from skiing and snowmobiling to the magical opportunity to witness the Northern Lights. Flights operate twice weekly from January to March. 

Popular summer destinations remain in SAS’ winter program
Following SAS’ expansion for the summer season 2025, 22 seasonal routes will continue into winter, providing travelers with year-round access to both major cities and leisure getaways.

Among the highlights is Toronto, Canada — a dynamic city known for its mix of cultures, thriving food scene, and well-known sights such as the CN Tower. Its proximity to popular destinations like Niagara Falls also makes it a strong travel option. With four weekly departures, SAS will be the only airline offering direct service between Scandinavia and Canada during the winter season, while ensuring smooth connections to the broader SAS network across Europe.

SAS’ new direct service to Seoul, Korea, launching on 12 September 2025, will continue through the winter season with three weekly departures.

In Europe, cities like Krakow, Wroclaw, Budapest, Lyon, Madrid, Venice, Beirut, and Lisbon will remain part of the traffic throughout the colder months.

“Whether traveling between Copenhagen and any of these European cities, or connecting onward to Northern Europe and beyond, SAS offers convenient schedules, and a wide range of travel options designed to make the journey as smooth and flexible as possible,” says Henrik Winell.

Six new routes winter 25/26, operated by the fuel-efficient Airbus A320NEO

Route	Destination	Frequency	Operating period
CPH-VIE	Copenhagen – Vienna	6 weekly (Daily except Sat)	26 OCT – Year-round
CPH-TLV	Copenhagen – Tel Aviv	3 weekly (Tue, Thu & Sun)	26 OCT – Year-round
CPH-RAK	Copenhagen – Marrakech	2 weekly(Tue & Sat)	26 OCT – 04 APR
CPH-FNC	Copenhagen – Madeira	1 weekly (Saturdays)	11 OCT – 11 APR
CPH-FUE	Copenhagen – Fuerteventura	1 weekly (Saturdays)	01 NOV – 04 APR
CPH-KTT	Copenhagen – Kittilä	2 weekly (Tue & Sat)	10 JAN – 28 MAR

22 new summer routes extended into winter 25/26

Route	Destination	Frequency
CPH-BEY	Copenhagen – Beirut	3 weekly
CPH-BLL	Copenhagen – Billund	4 daily
CPH-BIO	Copenhagen – Bilbao	2 weekly
CPH-BUD	Copenhagen – Budapest	daily
CPH-FLR	Copenhagen – Florence	3 weekly
CPH-ICN	Copenhagen – Seoul	3 weekly
CPH-KRK	Copenhagen – Krakow	Daily
CPH-KRS	Copenhagen – Kristiansand	2 daily
CPH-LIS	Copenhagen – Lisbon	4 weekly
CPH-LYS	Copenhagen – Lyon	Up to daily
CPH-MAD	Copenhagen – Madrid	Daily
CPH-MLA	Copenhagen – Malta	2 weekly
CPH-NAP	Copenhagen – Naples	2 weekly
CPH-OPO	Copenhagen – Porto	2 weekly
CPH-OTP	Copenhagen – Bucharest	2 weekly
CPH-PRN	Copenhagen – Pristina	2 weekly
CPH-TKU	Copenhagen – Turku	6 weekly
CPH-SJJ	Copenhagen – Sarajevo	2 weekly
CPH-SVQ	Copenhagen – Seville	2 weekly
CPH-VCE	Copenhagen – Venice	4 weekly
CPH-YYZ	Copenhagen – Toronto	4 weekly
CPH-WRO	Copenhagen – Wroclaw	6 weekly

Cutting-edge technology introduced as part of British Airways’ £7bn transformation investment programme has seen the airline boost its operational performance to record levels. 

The airline’s Chairman and CEO, Sean Doyle, told the Future Travel Experience World Innovation Summit in Pittsburgh that AI, forecasting, optimisation and machine learning have transformed the airline’s operational performance and become an integral part of getting customers to where they need to be with minimal delay to their travel plans. 

Every part of British Airways now uses this latest technology, which has significantly increased the number of flights departing on time or ahead of their scheduled take-off times. 

The airline has invested £100m in improving operational resilience and the first quarter of 2025 saw 86 per cent of its flights on time from its London Heathrow base, the highest D-15 punctuality performance on record. This is compared to 46% in 2008. 

Throughout the quarter, British Airways flights achieved 90+ per cent on-time departures on 38 of the 89 operational days. 

And last month (April), two thirds of all of the airline’s flights departing from Heathrow left ahead of their departure time. This is more than double the number that achieved this for the same period in 2023 and almost 20 per cent more than those that did in 2024.  

Sean Doyle, British Airways Chairman and Chief Executive, said: 

“Improving operational performance is a key part of our investment programme because we know the impact delays and disruption can have on our customers. 

“Whilst disruption to our flights is often outside of our control, our focus has been on improving the factors we can directly influence and putting in place the best possible solutions for our customers when it does happen. That’s why we’ve invested £100m in our own operational resilience, putting funding into technology and tools, and devising a better way of working on the ground at Heathrow as well as creating an additional 600 operational roles into the airport. 

“The tech colleagues have at their fingertips has been a real gamechanger for performance, giving them the confidence to make informed decisions for our customers based on a rapid assessment of vast amounts of data. It’s exciting that our industry is able to harness this capability, which will develop even further in the months years to come.” 

In 2023, British Airways announced a major £7bn investment programme designed to deliver a world-class customer experience and better on-time performance. 

A fundamental part of the strategy has been a £100m investment that has seen the development of a range of digital tools and apps designed to boost operational performance. More than 100 data scientists are now employed by the airline, working on projects across the business. In total, around 830 change projects have been rolled out. 

The foundation of this work has been improving the performance and resilience of the airline’s systems, including the migration of data centres to the Cloud to bring increased digital stability. This work is now 90 per cent complete.  

Across the operation, technical experts have developed an application that means the airline can now allocate aircraft landing at Heathrow to stands based on a live analysis of the onward travel plans of customers on any given flight, cutting missed connections and disruption to onward journeys. This has saved 160,000 minutes of delays. 

A real-time weather program that proactively reroutes aircraft to avoid areas of poor weather has also been deployed. It is capable of communicating directly with Air Traffic Control flow management centres across Europe to find and generate more efficient routings and has prevented a total of 243,000 minutes of delays. 

The airline is also using a new tool that uses predictive technology to bring together and assess vast amounts of live real-time operational data to highlight routes that could face delays, allowing teams to put in place additional measures to reduce that risk. 

Tech-based programmes to help operational colleagues make the best possible decisions during periods of disruption have also been shown to have had a significantly positive impact. 

For example, our Runway support tool that calculates the most appropriate schedule intervention when disruption occurs. It uses data from the planned schedule, passengers and crew to determine the most appropriate response to disruption such as cancellations, arrival delays or aircraft changes. It has been used to model 163 disruption event scenarios across 2024 and 2025 to minimise the impact of air traffic control rates and bad weather for customers. 

Over the coming months, additional tools and programmes are also being deployed to further improve operational performance. These include new apps for pilots, cabin crew teams and aircraft dispatch teams to help speed-up aircraft departures. 

MONTREAL, May 13, 2025 – Air Canada (TSX: AC) today announced the terms of its previously announced substantial issuer bid (the “Offer”) pursuant to which Air Canada will offer to purchase for cancellation up to $500 million of its Class A Variable Voting Shares and Class B Voting Shares (collectively, the “Shares”). All dollar amounts are in Canadian dollars. The Offer is expected to commence on May 16, 2025 and expire at 11:59 pm (Eastern time) on June 20, 2025, unless extended, varied or withdrawn by Air Canada.

The Offer will proceed by way of a modified “Dutch auction”, pursuant to which shareholders wishing to tender their Shares will be entitled to do so by making (i) an auction tender for a specified number of Shares at a price not less than $18.50 per Share and not more than $21.00 per Share (an “Auction Tender”) or (ii) a purchase price tender without specifying a price per Share, but rather agreeing to have a specified number of Shares purchased at the purchase price to be determined by the Auction Tenders (a “Purchase Price Tender”). For the purpose of determining the purchase price, shareholders who tender Shares in Purchase Price Tenders will be deemed to have tendered such Shares at the minimum price of $18.50 per Share. Shareholders who tender Shares without making a valid Auction Tender or Purchase Price Tender will be deemed to have made a Purchase Price Tender. The purchase price of all Shares under the Offer will be the lowest price that enables Air Canada to purchase up to the maximum number of Shares pursuant to valid Auction Tenders and Purchase Price Tenders having an aggregate purchase price not to exceed $500 million.

The Offer will be for approximately up to 7.4% to 8.4% of the total number of issued and outstanding Shares (based on the maximum and minimum prices per Share thereunder, being $21.00 and $18.50 per Share, and 322,726,980 Shares issued and outstanding as of the date hereof). The Offer will be optional for all shareholders, who will be free to choose whether to participate, how many Shares to tender and, in the case of Auction Tenders, at what price to tender within the specified range. All Shares purchased under the Offer will be cancelled.

The purchase price to be paid by Air Canada for each validly deposited Share will be determined upon the expiry of the Offer and will be based on the number of Shares deposited pursuant to Auction Tenders and Purchase Price Tenders, and the prices specified by shareholders making Auction Tenders. As a result, shareholders who tender their Shares will help determine the purchase price for the Offer. Shares deposited at or below the purchase price as finally determined by Air Canada will be purchased at such purchase price, subject to proration (if applicable, as described below). Shares that will not be taken up and purchased in connection with the Offer, including Shares deposited pursuant to Auction Tenders at prices above the purchase price, Shares not purchased due to proration, or Shares properly withdrawn before the expiration of the Offer, will be returned to shareholders.

If the aggregate purchase price for Shares validly deposited and not withdrawn in accordance with the Offer is greater than $500 million, Air Canada will purchase a portion of the Shares so deposited from shareholders who made Auction Tenders at or below the purchase price, as finally determined by Air Canada, and Purchase Price Tenders on a pro rata basis, except that “odd lot” holders (holders of less than 100 Shares) will not be subject to proration.

Air Canada is making the Offer as it believes that the recent trading price of its Shares is not fully reflective of the value of its business and future prospects. In such circumstances, Air Canada and its Board of Directors believe that the purchase of Shares is an attractive and appropriate use of its available cash on hand, consistent with Air Canada’s priority of investing in its growth, maintaining balance sheet strength and generating shareholder value through a balanced capital allocation strategy.

Air Canada expects to fund any purchases of Shares pursuant to the Offer with available cash on hand. Air Canada and its Board of Directors believe that the Offer represents an equitable and efficient means for the Air Canada to return up to $500 million to shareholders who elect to tender their Shares while at the same time proportionately increasing the equity ownership in relation to Shares not tendered. In addition, as the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer will reduce the number of outstanding Shares, the Offer, if completed, is expected to allow Air Canada to further address some of the shareholder dilution experienced from financing decisions necessary during the COVID pandemic.

As part of its long-term plan, Air Canada and its Board of Directors establish capital allocation objectives with disciplined balance sheet management and responsible risk profile and continually evaluate opportunities to create value for shareholders and to return value to them.

The Offer will not be conditional upon any minimum number of Shares being tendered, but will be subject to various other conditions as detailed in the offer to purchase, its accompanying issuer bid circular, the related letter of transmittal and notice of guaranteed delivery and other related documents containing the terms and conditions of the Offer, instructions for shareholders wishing to tender their Shares pursuant to the Offer, and the factors considered by Air Canada and its Board of Directors in making its decision to approve the Offer (collectively, “Offer Documents”). Air Canada expects to mail the Offer Documents on or about May 16, 2025 and will file the Offer Documents with the applicable securities regulators on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca (where they will be available free of charge). Air Canada reserves the right, in its sole discretion, subject to applicable laws, to waive any condition, and to withdraw, extend, vary or cancel the Offer, if, at any time prior to the payment of deposited Shares, certain events occur.

Shareholders holding Shares through an investment dealer, stock broker, bank, trust company or other nominee should contact such investment dealer, stock broker, bank, trust company or other nominee if they wish to tender Shares pursuant to the Offer. Such shareholders should check with such broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to determine whether any fees will be charged in relation to tendering Shares on behalf of such shareholders. Such shareholders should also confirm with their investment dealer, stock broker, bank, trust company or other nominee any deadlines by which they must provide tender or deposit instructions, as the relevant deadlines set by such nominee may be earlier than the deadlines set forth in the Offer Documents.

TSX Trust Company has been engaged by Air Canada to act as depositary for the Offer (the “Depositary”). TD Securities Inc. (the “Dealer Manager”) has been retained to act as financial advisor to Air Canada and dealer manager in connection with the Offer. Shareholders who have questions with respect to the Offer, or require any assistance with respect to the Offer, including how to tender or deposit Shares pursuant to the Offer, may contact the Depositary by telephone at +1-800-387-0825 (toll-free in North America) or at (416) 682-3860 or by email at: shareholderinquiries@tmx.com, or the Dealer Manager by email at AirCanadaSIB@tdsecurities.com.

Air Canada’s Board of Directors has approved the Offer. However, none of Air Canada, its Board of Directors, the Dealer Manager or the Depositary makes any recommendation to any shareholder as to whether to tender or refrain from tendering Shares under the Offer. Shareholders are urged to evaluate carefully all information in the Offer, consult their own financial, legal, investment and tax advisors, and make their own decisions as to whether to tender Shares under the Offer, and, if so, how many Shares to tender and the price or prices at which to tender. Shareholders should carefully consider the income tax consequences of accepting the Offer and tendering Shares to the Offer.

This news release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell Shares or any other securities of Air Canada. The Offer referred to in this news release has not yet commenced. The solicitation and the offer to buy Shares will only be made pursuant to Offer Documents to be filed with the applicable securities regulators in Canada.

• With the launch of the new routes from San José – Guatemala City – Miami and San Salvador – Managua – Fort Lauderdale, the airline aims to further strengthen connectivity options between South Florida and Central America for travelers.
• Tickets can be purchased through avianca.com, the mobile app, and travel agencies.

Miami, May 14, 2024– Avianca announces operations on two new routes in Florida, connecting Miami with Guatemala City and San José, Costa Rica, and Fort Lauderdale with Managua and San Salvador, respectively. These two new routes will enhance connectivity between South Florida and Central America, offering travelers more opportunities to explore the region.

“The United States and Latin America are closely connected through tourism and business. In 2024 alone, we transported more than 4 million passengers to and from the U.S.,” said Otto Gergye, chief commercial officer at Avianca. “With these new nonstop routes, we aim to further strengthen these ties by expanding our network to more than 40 direct routes between the U.S. and Latin America,” he added.

** The San José – Guatemala – Miami route and return are operated by Avianca Costa Rica S.A. under fifth freedom rights. 

In addition to these two new routes, avianca will launch other connections from Chicago to San Salvador, Dallas to Bogotá and from Bogotá to Córdoba, Argentina.

• Strategic realignment introduces dedicated regional leadership for enhanced market engagement and expanded network connectivity

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – 13 May 2025: Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, has announced a strategic restructure of its European commercial team into five areas to drive deeper customer alignment, streamline regional support and reinforce its position across key markets. These changes come in response to sustained growth and the expansion of Etihad Airways network and capacity offering across Europe.

The five new European regions led by Rainer Krammer, Regional Manager Europe and Americas, include a Southwest Europe region covering France, Spain and Portugal led by Eric Lamare, the newly appointed Area Manager based in Paris, UK and Ireland led by Michael Mackenzie, Northwest Europe covering Belgium, Netherlands and Denmark led by Karim Grinate, Central Europe covering Germany, Austria and Switzerland led by Karim Rakkrouki and Southeast Europe covering Italy, Poland, Czech Republic and Greece led by Lorenzo Donato. The new regional split ensures market leadership for both online and offline stations and direct customer engagement in key markets.

Commenting on the restructure, Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer, said: “Etihad Cargo’s European network is experiencing strong and sustained growth. This restructure allows us to scale our operations in line with market demand, while reinforcing our commitment to customer-centricity and operational excellence. By bringing our teams closer to the markets they serve, we are positioned to deliver faster, smarter, and more agile logistics solutions.”

The new European regional organisation reflects Etihad Cargo’s commitment to agility, customer-centricity and operational excellence across its global network. Etihad Cargo has recently introduced additional capacity to Europe with its summer schedule with 660 tonnes of weekly widebody capacity and 200 tonnes of additional weekly freighter capacity.

New United Polaris Studio℠ suites are 25% larger than United Polaris® with privacy doors, extra ottoman for companions, 27-inch screens, luxury skincare amenities and exclusive caviar and wine pairing

New Boeing 787-9s with the United Elevated interior get a nose-to-tail transformation with the highest number of total premium seats in United’s fleet, new United Polaris Studio suites, new United Polaris suites, updated United Premium Plus® seats with privacy dividers and wireless charging, and largest economy seatback screens in the world

Delivery of first United 787-9 with the Elevated interior expected before the end of 2025 and first international passenger flights planned in 2026 from San Francisco to Singapore and San Francisco to London

All of United’s future Boeing 787 deliveries will receive United Polaris Studio suites and Elevated interiors – airline expects at least 30 aircraft to join the fleet by 2027

NEW YORK, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — United Airlines today unveiled the United Elevated interior for new Boeing 787-9 aircraft that raises the standard of international premium travel among U.S. carriers and will include two, new business class suites, the greatest number of total premium seats in United’s fleet, an Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche service, Starlink connectivity and even larger 4K OLED seatback screens.

The airline’s new United Polaris Studio suites are positioned in the first row of each business class section and total eight, lie-flat, all-aisle-access seats that are 25% larger than standard United Polaris with privacy doors, an extra ottoman seat for companions, exclusive entrée options, an Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche service, new amenity kits with luxury skincare offerings, wireless charging, Bluetooth connectivity, and a huge 27-inch, 4K OLED seatback screen – the largest among U.S. carriers.

Standard United Polaris seats also get upgraded to suites with the addition of sliding doors and larger, 19-inch 4K OLED screens And all customers flying United Polaris business class have access to the airline’s six award-winning United Polaris lounges across the system.

“We already deliver a superior international experience and fly to the most places across the Atlantic and Pacific – these new innovations provide a more premium experience overall, give customers even more reasons to choose United, and set our airline up to grow into the next decade and beyond,” said Andrew Nocella, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer at United. “We never stand still and are always looking for more ways to set ourselves apart from other carriers. And we’re confident this elevated experience will take international flying to new heights.”

The reimagined Elevated interior on the 787-9 includes a nose-to-tail transformation – refined finishes and a fresher, brighter and warmer feel throughout – with something for everyone: 99 total premium seats – the highest percentage among U.S. carriers, United Premium Plus seats with privacy dividers and wireless charging, and a United Economy® cabin with Bluetooth connectivity and the largest Economy class seatback screens in the world.

United has invested more than $150 million in total food and beverage improvements this year alone, and planes with the United Elevated interior will include access to a new, onboard grab-and-go snack bar for United Polaris business class customers that offers treats from brands like Garretts, Community, and Joe & Seph’s, as well as United Polaris Studio-specific options like an amuse-bouche of Ossetra caviar paired with Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé. The airline also will introduce mid-flight meal options that include a regionally influenced tapas service. And customers in United Economy® will see expanded dining options with three entrée choices, new desserts, and an appetizer course.

United expects to take delivery of the first United 787-9 with the Elevated interior before the end of 2025 with the first international passenger flights planned in 2026 from San Francisco to Singapore and San Francisco to London. United is the largest carrier across the Atlantic and Pacific* and flies to 147 total international destinations. All of United’s future 787 deliveries will get United Polaris Studio suites and Elevated interiors, and the airline expects about 30 of these planes to join its fleet by 2027.

Aircraft with the Elevated interior will also be among the first United widebody planes to have free Starlink connectivity for United MileagePlus members. The service is ideal for international travel as it delivers fast, reliable internet access around the world, including over oceans, polar regions, and other remote locations previously unreachable by traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals.

The first deliveries of 787-9 aircraft with the Elevated interior will include:

• Eight United Polaris business class Studio suites
  • Two rows across two sections, 1-2-1 configuration
• 56 United Polaris business class suites
  • 14 rows, across two sections, in a 1-2-1 configuration
  • Customers can choose between seats that face the window or center of the aircraft (ideal for individual travelers) and seats where all the suites face the aisle (perfect for those flying together)
• 35 United Premium Plus seats, the most in United’s fleet
  • 5 rows in a 2-3-2 configuration
• 33 United Economy Plus seats and 90 United Economy seats
  • 15 total rows in a 3-3-3 configuration

The carrier’s 787-9s currently have 48 United Polaris seats, 21 United Premium Plus seats, 39 United Economy Plus seats and 149 United Economy seats.

United Polaris Studio

Located in the first row of each business class section, United Polaris Studio will be priced differently than standard United Polaris and includes superior features and design elements. United Polaris Studio suites are larger and include an ottoman with a seatbelt for companions in six of the eight seats. Each United Polaris Studio suite also has a huge, 27-inch, 4K OLED touchscreen – the largest among U.S. carriers, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging as well as separate USB-C and electrical outlets. The suite also includes digital seat control options, quartzite tables, a soft, wool-blend seat and wood grain trim.

United Polaris Studio amenities are also upgraded, and include exclusive hoodie-pajamas and slippers on all flights, new noise-cancelling headphones powered by Meridian technology, amenity kits featuring clinically formulated Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ luxury skincare products, United-branded playing cards (ideal for passing the time with someone in the ottoman seat), a plush velvet throw pillow on the ottoman as well as Saks Fifth Avenue bedding that includes a duvet, day blanket, large pillow and cooling gel pillow.

And customers who book a United Polaris Studio suite have access to the airline’s Global Reception® area, receive preferred boarding alongside United Global Services® customers and are eligible for United’s tarmac transfer program.

United Polaris

The new standard United Polaris suites on aircraft with the Elevated interior are also upgraded with the addition of sliding doors, a 19-inch 4K OLED touchscreen with Bluetooth, four ways to charge devices including wireless, and digital seat controls. Each United Polaris suite offers all-aisle access, and breathable, wool-blend covered seats. And in a first among U.S. airlines, customers can choose between seats that face the window or the center of the aircraft, more suited for individual travelers who want even more privacy, or seats that face the aisle that have a divider that lowers all the way down to bed height – perfect for people flying together.

The famous United Polaris sundae cart also gets an upgrade with a rotation of limited time featured Tillamook ice cream flavors coupled with new toppings that will run throughout the year, alongside the customer favorite staple – classic vanilla bean.

United Premium Plus and United Economy

The United Premium Plus seats on aircraft with the Elevated interior also get a major upgrade by adding elements normally reserved for United Polaris customers including soft-touch materials, quartzite cocktail tables and a 16-inch 4K OLED screen. Customers also will enjoy Bluetooth and three ways to charge their personal devices, including wireless – the first time offered in United Premium Plus. The seats also include a dedicated water bottle and headphone holders, as well as a privacy divider with a built-in reading light – also a first for United Premium Plus.

United Economy Plus and United Economy customers on aircraft with the Elevated interior will all enjoy 13-inch, 4K OLED screens – the largest Economy class screens in the world. These cabins also include Bluetooth connectivity in every seat and six power outlets per row. Bringing in the same refreshed looks and feel from United’s UPP cabin, customers in United Economy will be able to relax thanks to the seat’s cradling seat bottom that moves as the seat reclines.

Investments in Food & Beverage

United’s investments in its food and beverage program are paying off: customer satisfaction scores were up 12% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to last year. The team remains focused on creating high-quality onboard dining experiences with signature touches across all cabins, and the upgrades onboard Elevated aircraft are no different: in addition to the Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche service, United Polaris Studio customers will get a post-dessert, curated specialty snack box delivered to their seat that includes a mix of premium salty, sweet and savory treats, access to exclusive entrée options and Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé.

The special food and beverage offerings that will be onboard Elevated aircraft build on the work already underway to enhance the dining experience for all United customers. United Polaris wine offerings are currently among the most premium of any U.S. airline, featuring exclusive relationships with brands like Heitz Cellar, Shafer Vineyards, Stony Hill Vineyard and Champagne Laurent-Perrier and rotating offerings from Domaine Serene, Chateau Beaucastel, VIK and The Mascot. United Polaris customers will also soon see more regional menus that rotate monthly as well as new breakfast breads, bottled salad dressings, updated mid-flight snack baskets and the addition of an Aperol Spritz to the drink menu. And international economy customers will soon enjoy enhancements like fresh salads with premium dressing, more entrée choices, new desserts and a coursed appetizer that’s served before full lunch/dinner.

Finally, United has launched new menus and completely overhauled onboard dishware with new dishes, glassware, cutlery, linens and seasonings – including red pepper flakes.

Delta to fly its largest-ever trans-Atlantic summer schedule, with new routes to Catania, Sicily; Naples, Rome, Milan, Barcelona, Dublin, Brussels and more  

Delta is gearing up for an unforgettable summer in 2025, offering more opportunities than ever to explore Europe’s most captivating destinations, from the sun-soaked beaches of Catania, Sicily, to the historic charm of Rome. Highlights include Delta’s most expansive trans-Atlantic schedule from key hubs such as New York-JFK, Atlanta, Boston, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Detroit, along with an enhanced travel experience featuring the debut of Delta One Lounges, free international Wi-Fi, and increased premium seating on the A330-900 and A350-900 aircraft. 

“With over 700 weekly flights to 33 European destinations and beyond, we’re expanding access to key cities like Barcelona and Dublin with new routes, while introducing our first-ever nonstop service to Catania, Sicily,” said Joe Esposito, Delta’s Senior Vice President – Network Planning. “We’ve also recently opened a stunning Delta One Lounge at JFK, with more to come at LAX, BOS, and SEA. Alongside the rollout of free international Wi-Fi and increased premium seating across our fleet, we’re ensuring our customers enjoy the best in connectivity and comfort from the moment they arrive at the airport to when they touch down.” 

A spotlight on Italy   

With Delta’s enhanced Summer 2025 schedule, Italy—a land of timeless beauty and rich cultural history—has never been more accessible. As the largest U.S. carrier in the Italy market, Delta is boosting its service by over 10% year-over-year, providing even more ways for customers to experience la dolce vita.  

Additionally, Delta Vacations offers a wide selection of accommodations across the Amalfi Coast, Rome, Milan, and Venice, from top international hotel chains to boutique properties. Travelers can also book private tours of historical sites like the Duomo in Milan and Pompeii near Naples, as well as experiences like chef-guided cooking lessons and private drivers for local exploration. 

Catania  

Whether savoring a cappuccino in a Sicilian piazza or exploring the stunning vistas of Mount Etna, Catania promises an unforgettable experience.  

Now, starting in May 2025, Delta customers can experience it firsthand with the launch of new daily service from New York-JFK to Catania. As the first U.S. airline to offer direct flights to Catania, Delta is opening this long-unserved market, providing travelers unparalleled access to Sicily’s rich heritage and breathtaking landscapes. 

Naples  

Beginning in May 2025, Delta will launch four-times-weekly service from Atlanta to Naples, connecting travelers to the world-famous Amalfi Coast and the ancient city of Pompeii. This route will complement Delta’s existing New York-JFK to Naples service, launched in summer 2024, adding more opportunities for customers to explore southern Italy’s picturesque charm.

Rome

Delta is adding four weekly flights from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Rome starting in May 2025, linking its second-largest hub to one of the most sought-after European destinations. With MSP joining Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, and New York-JFK, Delta will offer direct service to Rome from five U.S. hubs, further enhancing access to the Eternal City.

Milan

For travelers drawn to Milan’s elegance, Delta will launch four weekly flights from Boston to Milan in May 2025, filling a crucial gap as Boston’s largest unserved European market. This route complements Delta’s existing Milan service from New York-JFK and Atlanta.

Two Delta Network Planning team members provide an inside look at some of the decisions that shape where and when customers can fly. 

Expanding beyond Italy: New European connections

Delta is also boosting its global network with new services across Europe, providing customers with more opportunities to experience everything from the artistic streets of Barcelona to Dublin’s lively pubs.

Barcelona

Starting May 2025, Delta will introduce three-times-weekly service from Boston to Barcelona, offering customers the chance to discover the city’s iconic architecture, vibrant arts scene, and beautiful coastal views. This service complements Delta’s current routes from Atlanta and New York-JFK.  

Delta Vacations provides a robust portfolio of hotels in Barcelona, along with unique activities like wine tours, guided Sagrada Familia tours, and day trips to Girona and Figueres.

Dublin

In May 2025, Delta will begin four-times-weekly service from Detroit to Dublin, unlocking even more opportunities for customers to explore Ireland’s scenic landscapes and vibrant culture. This new route will complement existing Dublin service from Atlanta, Boston, New York-JFK, and Minneapolis St. Paul.  

Delta Vacations offers hotel options throughout Dublin and the Wild Atlantic Way, with packages that can include Railtours to the Cliffs of Moher and excursions to Belfast and the Titanic Visitors Centre, in addition to local Dublin activities.

Brussels 

Delta is introducing new three-times-weekly nonstop service from Atlanta to Brussels, providing a convenient connection between the U.S. and Belgium’s vibrant capital. Known for its rich history, world-class museums, and role as the center of the European Union, Brussels is now even more accessible. This route complements Delta’s existing service from New York-JFK, further enhancing access to this important European city.

More routes from Atlanta and Detroit

Delta continues to expand its trans-Atlantic offerings from Atlanta, adding more options for travelers to explore Europe. With four additional weekly flights to Athens, bringing the total to 11, Delta strengthens its position as the leading U.S. airline to Greece. Travelers can also enjoy three extra weekly flights to both Barcelona and Rome, for a total of 10 and 17 respectively, or opt for daily service to Zurich for the ultimate Swiss escape.  

In Detroit, Delta is increasing its service to Munich to daily flights, making it easier for travelers to explore the heart of Bavaria.

A new era of comfort while flying across the Atlantic

An increased number of trans-Atlantic flights will be operated by Delta’s state-of-the-art A330-900 and A350-900 aircraft, featuring Delta One suites, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+, and Main Cabin options.  

Delta One customers can enjoy lie-flat seats with premium bedding made from recycled materials, along with a seasonal, chef-curated four-course dining experience. Additionally, thanks to a recently announced partnership with Italian luxury fashion house Missoni, Delta One customers can look forward to a new customer amenity kit and top-of-the-line details woven into key touchpoints throughout the Delta One travel experience.      

Missoni will design the airline’s Delta One amenity kits and deliver customized elements to the new Delta One Lounge at New York-JFK. 

Delta Premium Select offers extra room to relax with wider seats, deeper recline, and enhanced service. Passengers in all cabins will enjoy curated food and beverage options and access to over 1,000 hours of entertainment through Delta Studio.   

Plus, Delta is bringing fast, free Wi-Fi presented by T-Mobile to international flights. Available on 90% of domestic routes today, the airline has started rolling out streaming-quality connectivity to SkyMiles Members on select long-haul international routes. Transatlantic flights are coming online on a route-by-route basis as service is available, and the entire global fleet is expected to be retrofitted with free Wi-Fi by the end of next year.   
 
Delta is also enhancing the pre-flight experience with the opening of its new Delta One Lounges. Following the launch of the JFK lounge, new lounges at LAX, BOS, and SEA will offer an exclusive and luxurious setting for Delta One and other eligible customers before embarking on their next summer adventure.

Photos courtesy of Delta

The Delta One Lounge at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport – the first of its kind, and larger than any Delta Sky Club – offers a variety of experiences and amenities for the premium traveler.

Explore Europe with ease

Customers ready to book their summer vacation can make planning seamless with Delta Vacations, with flights, and expert recommended hotels, rides and activities booked all-in-one place. With Delta Vacations, SkyMiles Members enjoy exclusive benefits, such as earning Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) toward Medallion Status not only on their flight but also on the hotel, car rental, and activity portions of their trip. Plus, Members can earn up to 10,000 bonus miles per person on top of flight miles and even use miles to cover part or all their vacation costs.  
 
For those who have already booked a Delta flight, SkyMiles Members can still take advantage of earning 2x miles per $1 spent (excluding taxes and fees, additional terms apply) when booking hotels, vacation rentals, or car rentals through Delta Stays and Car Rentals.  

Local Official Quotes

Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson said, “Georgia’s position as the No. 1 state for business is supported by our globally recognized aviation industry and the connectivity that comes with being home to both the world’s busiest airport and Delta Air Lines. Italy is a top trading partner with significant investments in the Peach State. Building from our recent economic development mission to Italy, this new direct service between Atlanta and Naples is a welcome addition that will further strengthen Georgia’s longstanding bilateral partnerships.” 

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Aviation Director Charles R. Everett Jr., said, “We are thrilled to welcome Delta Air Lines’ new service to Catania, unlocking another exciting, in-demand destination while further cementing John F. Kennedy International Airport’s status as the premier international gateway in the United States. As we continue our unprecedented $19 billion redevelopment of JFK, Delta’s expansion is another key step in our commitment to offer passengers world-class travel options alongside a world-class airport experience.” 

Massport’s Director of Aviation Ed Freni said, “Delta has been an excellent partner to Logan for many years and we are thrilled about their new routes to Milan and Barcelona as part of their trans-Atlantic expansion in summer 2025. These new services will provide our passengers with more travel opportunities and further strengthen our ties between New England and the many regions of Europe.” 

Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Chad Newton said, “We’re always looking to take Detroit to the world and Delta’s 2025 summer schedule will provide our passengers with even more opportunities for international travel. More than one million people with Irish heritage call Michigan home and we expect this first-ever DTW to Dublin route will be in high-demand.” 

Metropolitan Airports Commission CEO and Executive Director Brian Ryks said, “We appreciate Delta’s continued commitment to MSP with the newest international non-stop route to Rome. Rome has been our top unserved European market, and this addition complements Delta’s robust existing service to Europe from MSP. It also provides Minnesota travelers with another prominent in-demand destination during the peak travel season.”   

Paving the Way for Stronger Governance and Global Expansion of Korea’s Leading Hybrid Airline

SEOUL, South Korea, May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Tire Bank Group has officially acquired a controlling stake in Air Premia(CEO Kim Jae-hyun, Yoo Myung-sub), Korea’s first long-haul hybrid airline, reinforcing its commitment to advancing the country’s aviation industry on a global scale.

On April 30, 2025, Tire Bank Group signed a definitive agreement to acquire an additional 22% equity stake in Air Premia from JC SPC and Sono International. This acquisition raises the Group’s total ownership to over 70%, solidifying its position as the airline’s majority shareholder.

Since Air Premia’s launch in 2018, Tire Bank Group has played a pivotal role in supporting the airline’s development through strategic investments. Despite global headwinds and the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Air Premia has demonstrated remarkable operational resilience and adaptability.

Tire Bank Group maintained unwavering confidence in the airline’s potential, steadily increasing its ownership to 48% during turbulent times. Now, with a controlling interest, the Group is positioned to drive responsible management practices and long-term growth strategies.

Fleet and Route Expansion Underway

Air Premia is actively expanding its fleet and route network as part of its mid- to long-term growth plan. The airline currently operates seven Boeing 787-9 aircraft, with two additional aircraft set to be introduced later this year. Beginning July 2, the carrier will launch a new route to Honolulu, Hawaii – its fourth scheduled destination in the USA. To bolster operational stability, additional spare engines have also been secured.

Executive Statement

“Airlines are more than businesses—they represent the dignity and global standing of a nation,” said Kim Jeong-kyu, Chairman of Tire Bank Group. “We are committed to building Air Premia into a premium hybrid airline that proudly represents Korea and elevates its presence in the global aviation market.”

About Tire Bank Group

Founded in 1991, Tire Bank is Korea’s first and only dedicated tire distribution company, operating 501 stores across the country. With a customer-first philosophy, the company has introduced a range of industry-first services, including a tire warranty program, tire hotel premium storage service, and an emergency response program for tire-related issues. Tire Bank also actively contributes to local communities through various charitable and donation initiatives.