Service to Dallas-Fort Worth Will Boost Regional Tourism

QUÉBEC CITY, Aug. 9, 2025 /CNW/ – Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB), Destination Québec cité, and the City of Québec are delighted that American Airlines is adding to its service from Québec City, particularly with a new direct route between Québec City and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. Starting today, American will offer a direct flight every Saturday between YQB and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), until November 1, 2025. American will operate non-stop service to DFW with Embraer 175 aircraft that feature premium cabins.

American Airlines is also increasing its non-stop service to Charlotte (CLT), North Carolina, now offering a daily flight to the major hub until October 5, then a weekly flight until November 1, 2025. These services join the daily summer flights to Philadelphia (PHL) and Chicago (ORD), giving Québec City passengers more options for direct flights to the U.S.

Given that Québec City is asserting itself as a leading tourist destination in North America and the United States is its main international market, the new fall route to DFW will be a major boon for American cruise passengers. What’s more, American Airlines expanding its services in Québec City will help develop high-potential markets such as California, the Southeastern U.S., and Florida.

QUOTES
“We’re delighted to have Dallas-Fort Worth added to our selection of destinations, and to see the route between Québec City and Charlotte increase in frequency as well. With four destinations now offered, American Airlines has shown great confidence in us. These additions will also improve connectivity to destinations such as the Caribbean, Europe, and all of the United States, since DFW, Charlotte, Chicago, and Philadelphia are all key hubs for the airline.”
– Stéphane Poirier, President and CEO of YQB

“The addition of a direct link between Québec City and Dallas represents a major strategic driver of development for our destination, both as a port of embarkation for international cruises and as a fall getaway city. By connecting Québec City to one of the largest hub airports in the United States, this flight makes it easier for more American travellers to access the region. It will help increase our visibility on the international market while generating tangible economic benefits for Québec City and the surrounding municipalities.”
– Julie Harvey, Director, International Marketing Section at Destination Québec cité

“The airport is a major driver of tourism development for our city, and I am delighted to see its services expanded even further. The new direct route to Dallas-Fort Worth strengthens our position as a must-visit tourist destination in North America, while opening the door to significant economic benefits. Even more Americans will have the opportunity to come and discover our beautiful city, especially during the fall foliage season.”
– Bruno Marchand, Mayor of Québec City

“We’re excited to be further extending our reach into Canada, adding more flights to Québec City as we further connect the U.S. to the ever-growing tourist destination. Our new seasonal weekly service from Dallas-Fort Worth provides customers with a greater opportunity to explore the scenery, history, and culture Québec City has to offer.”
– José A. Freig, VP International and Inflight Dining Operations, American Airlines 

About Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)
YQB is managed by Aéroport de Québec Inc., a private corporation responsible for the airport’s management, operation, maintenance, and development since November 1, 2000. Around a dozen carriers offer flights from YQB to destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Europe, and daily flights to the main hubs in eastern North America.

About Destination Québec cité
Destination Québec cité has over 825 members spread across a territory that includes Québec City, L’Ancienne-Lorette, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Wendake, and the surrounding areas of Portneuf, La Jacques-Cartier, Île d’Orléans, and Côte-de-Beaupré. In short, Destination Québec cité guides and drives growth in the tourism industry and contributes to its economic prosperity by supporting marketing and development, welcoming tourists, and providing information about the area.

Permanent Installations from the American Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The Museum of Modern Art to Enrich New Terminal’s Arrivals Hall

Unprecedented Cultural Collaboration Will Transform New Terminal’s Arrivals Corridor into a Museum Row, Creating a Uniquely New York Sense of Place for Travelers

Project Renderings and Construction Photos of the New Terminal 6 are Available Here

QUEENS, N.Y., Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JFK Millennium Partners (JMP), the company selected to build and operate the highly anticipated $4.2 billion Terminal 6 (T6) at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), today announced a landmark collaboration with four premier New York City cultural institutions — the American Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art — that will transform the new terminal’s international arrivals corridor into a distinctly New York arts district within the airport. The permanent arts and culture showcase will welcome millions of travelers each year with a curated experience reflecting the creative spirit of New York City through its world-renowned cultural institutions.

The initiative supports the Port Authority’s vision to create a world-class passenger experience at JFK, as it has done at the award-winning, internationally recognized terminals at the new LaGuardia Airport and the new Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport, through inspirational public art and local concessions to create a unique sense of place, operational excellence, 21^st century technology and world-class functionality.

The overall JFK T6 art program, of which the cultural collaboration is just one component, ranges from sculptural installations to immersive visual art. The terminal’s dedicated art collection aims to capture the diversity, energy, and identity of New York City while creating moments of connection and inspiration for travelers. The effort is led by architect Stanis Smith in collaboration with JMP and will also include 19 major site-specific permanent installations curated by Public Art Fund and rotating local artworks curated by Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning. The artworks will be unveiled in 2026, when the first phase of T6 is expected to open.

The new Terminal 6 is a key component of the Port Authority’s $19 billion transformation of JFK into a world-class gateway, with two new terminals, two expanded and modernized terminals, a new ground transportation center, and an entirely new and simplified roadway network.

“Thanks to the collaboration with four of New York’s premier cultural institutions, Terminal 6 will offer arriving visitors from around the world a unique New York experience before they leave the terminal,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “Along with an extraordinary public art program, state-of-the-art architecture, cutting edge technology and iconic, locally inspired dining and shopping, we are creating a world-class passenger experience at Terminal 6 that will be among the best in the world.”

“For a region that is renowned for its museums and performing arts centers, it is more than fitting that visitors arriving at Terminal 6 will be greeted by vibrant displays from four of our most popular cultural institutions,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “Just as we’ve done at Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A and at LaGuardia Airport, stunning public art and inspiring cultural icons will elevate our new terminals at JFK International into destinations in themselves.”

“We’re honored to collaborate with such prestigious institutions — icons in the global arts community and deeply rooted in the spirit of New York City,” said Steve Thody, CEO, JFK Millennium Partners. “Each installation will reflect and celebrate the vibrant cultural heartbeat of New York as we welcome the world to JFK and beyond.”

Lincoln Center’s contribution is a 140-foot mural — a vibrant visual symphony that captures the energy, artistry, and dynamism of the performing arts on the iconic campus. The mural will weave together scenes from across Lincoln Center’s campus, showcasing artists from music, theater, dance, and opera. Set against the backdrop of Lincoln Center’s architecture, inside its legendary venues, and on the streets of New York, the piece offers international travelers a striking first impression: a celebration of the city as a global stage where culture, creativity, and community converge. Details on the unprecedented collaboration across the Lincoln Center campus will be announced in the coming months.

As a champion of contemporary art and a creative cornerstone of New York City, MoMA is joining forces with visionary artist Yoko Ono to deliver a special installation. This new project, inspired by Ono’s work PEACE is POWER commissioned by MoMA in 2019, will invite travelers to engage with the depth and urgency of her voice.

The American Museum of Natural History will present a lively tapestry of images from its halls, from familiar faces like the museum’s Tyrannosaurus rex specimen and Rapa Nui figure, to storied exhibitions such as the Hall of North American Mammals and new destinations like the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation. This dynamic installation represents the museum’s research divisions and scientific collections.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s installation celebrates its mission to present 5,000 years of art from around the world. Images of objects from each of the museum’s 17 curatorial collections — from The Cloisters’ beloved medieval Unicorn Tapestry to the Costume Institute’s Dior bar suit — will welcome travelers. The colorful and energizing display will evoke New York’s status as the cultural capital of the world, and the museum’s role as a New York City institution and cultural destination.

Transforming JFK Into a World-Class Global Gateway
In January 2017, the JFK Vision Plan was announced to transform JFK into the world-class airport that New Yorkers deserve. The vision plan provides a strategic framework for the Port Authority and its partners to completely redevelop, modify and expand existing facilities and infrastructure. The $9.5 billion new Terminal One broke ground in September 2022. A new $4.2 billion Terminal 6, which will connect seamlessly with Terminal 5 to create an anchor terminal on the airport’s north side, broke ground in February 2023. The $1.5 billion expansion of Terminal 4, led by Delta Air Lines and JFK International Air Terminal (JFKIAT), is substantially complete. Additionally, the $400 million expansion of Terminal 8, led by American Airlines, which operates the terminal, was completed in November 2022.

All of the privately financed terminal projects combined with the Port Authority’s roadway, parking and infrastructure projects represent a $19 billion transformation of JFK and an extraordinary series of public-private partnerships. The Port Authority’s capital investment of $3.9 billion is leveraging private investment at a rate of nearly four to one when taking into account the full private investment of more than $15 billion that has been committed to the four projects comprising the full redevelopment of JFK.

About the new Terminal 6
Currently under construction, JFK’s T6 is being developed in two phases, with the first six gates opening in 2026 and construction completion expected by 2028. Over a dozen domestic and international airlines will operate from the new terminal, including ANA, Avianca, Cathay Pacific, JetBlue, Lufthansa and SWISS. The new terminal will include:

• 10 gates, of which nine will accommodate widebody aircraft
• State-of-the-art automated baggage system, customs/border control facilities, and the latest TSA screening technologies
• One of the longest departures curbs at JFK, with airline-branded passenger drop-off zones
• Multiple airline lounges, in addition to a new arrivals lounge
• A new ground transportation center
• A curated collection of New York City-inspired permanent artwork featuring local and international artists, curated by Public Art Fund and programmed by Stanis Smith in partnership with JMP and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
• Sustainably sourced building materials, rooftop solar power, and energy efficient systems and operating practices throughout the terminal
• Sustainability certifications for LEED (silver or gold), Envision and SITES currently underway 

About JFK Millennium Partners
Terminal 6 is an award-winning public-private partnership between the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JFK Millennium Partners — a consortium that is led by Vantage Group, an industry leading investor, developer and manager of award-winning global airport projects, including LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B; American Triple I, a certified minority-owned investor, owner, developer and manager of infrastructure assets; RXR, an innovative New York real estate investor and developer; and JetBlue Airways, New York’s hometown airline. When complete, Terminal 6 will connect seamlessly with Terminal 5 to create an anchor terminal on JFK International Airport’s north side. For more information, visit https://www.anewjfk.com/jmp-terminal6/

A perennial “crowd favorite,” especially in the United Kingdom, are Court Line’s two Lockheed L-1011 TriStars. G-BAAA “Halcyon Days” is seen here taxiing at London-Gatwick sometime in 1973 or 1974. Sadly, these were the only two years G-BAAA and her sistership “G-BAAB” (also known as “Halcyon Breeze”) operated before the worldwide slowdown in world air travel in the aftermath of the 1973/74 OPEC Oil Embargo put Court under for good. For some reason the multi-shaded pink hues of -BAAA seem to show up in the few good color photographs of these ships quite a bit more often than -the yellow/oranges of -BAAB. That is what makes this gorgeously well-lit shot of “Halcyon Days” so special, in my opinion. Court was also famously known for its single-class, nine-across seating, L-1011 charters, making the 400-passenger TriStars the most densely configured of this era. As for the gloriously colorful liveries the only thing that came close on an L-1011 were found in the mid-1970’s livery of Pacific Southwest Airline’s (PSA’s) two examples, which wore multiple pinks and reds with a white crown.

• American continues to grow its comprehensive global network by adding six new routes to Europe and expanding service to South America for summer 2026.
• For travelers awed by stunning architecture or wanting to dip into a thermal bath, American will be the only carrier offering nonstop service from the U.S. to Budapest, Hungary.
• Across other destinations in Europe, American will add new service to Prague, and offer new routes to Athens, Greece; Milan; and Zurich.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Keep the bags packed for summer vacation as American Airlines announces six new routes to Europe and South America for travelers to experience in summer 2026. American will debut new service to Prague (PRG) and the only nonstop service from the U.S. to Budapest, Hungary (BUD). The airline will also add new routes to popular destinations including Athens, Greece (ATH); Milan (MXP); and Zurich (ZRH), while expanding service in summer to Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE).

“Customers continue to tell us that Europe is where they want to go each summer and these new routes make it even easier to cross the Atlantic in 2026,” said Brian Znotins, American’s Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning. “We are excited to grow our network to new destinations like Prague and Budapest and offer even more premium travel experiences on our flights to Tokyo.”

Tickets will be available for purchase on these summer 2026 routes starting Aug. 11 at aa.com or through American’s mobile app.

Central Europe is calling

Next May, American will launch service from Philadelphia (PHL) to BUD and PRG, demonstrating the airline’s commitment to offering customers convenient access from American’s industry-leading domestic network to two new and exciting European destinations. With charming medieval architecture, delightful thermal baths and dinner cruises on the Danube and Vltava rivers, these two new destinations complement American’s robust trans-Atlantic network as the airline will serve 20 trans-Atlantic destinations from its PHL hub in 2026.

• Customers connecting to Europe at PHL can enjoy the newly opened Flagship^® and Admirals Club^® lounges in PHL — two stylish, calm and comfortable sanctuaries designed for travelers to relax during their journey. Flagship^® lounge customers can sip on complimentary champagne and dine on unique-to-Philadelphia dishes while taking in the panoramic runway views while those in the Admirals Club^® lounge can enjoy specialty coffee, curated self-serve offerings and a full-service bar.

New routes to European favorites

American is expanding its international service to ATH and MXP next year. Daily service from DFW to ATH will take off starting next May. One of Europe’s most popular destinations, Athens provides travelers looking to take in history and delectable cuisine the chance to do both while tagging on a quick trip to a must-see Greek island. DFW will be American’s fifth nonstop destination to Athens, providing nonstop flights from more U.S. cities to Greece than any other airline.

Known for incredible fashion, art and architecture, Milan is a traveler favorite. Next March, American will launch daily service from MIA to MXP, providing the only nonstop link connecting two vibrant cities. American is MIA’s largest airline, and this new service will complement flights to Rome that began in summer 2025.

Soccer fans get ready to cheer

Special for global soccer fans, American will launch limited-time service between DFW and ZRH and offer expanded summer service from DFW and MIA to EZE. Flights from Argentina and Switzerland will connect soccer fans to Dallas-Fort Worth for the world’s premier sporting event.

Between May 21 and Aug. 4, 2026, American will offer the only nonstop service connecting DFW and ZRH. Currently offered as winter-seasonal service, American will operate four weekly summer services from DFW to EZE and up to three daily flights in summer between MIA and EZE.

Expanded premium options to Tokyo

Travelers who have their eyes on a summer getaway to Asia next year will have more options to enhance their journey with increased premium cabin offerings. Compared to summer 2025, American will increase premium seating capacity to Tokyo (HND) from DFW and Los Angeles (LAX) by more than 45% next summer.

American continues to enhance the customer experience in Business with the introduction of pajamas and mattress pads on all widebody flights to East Asia, the Middle East, India, Australia and New Zealand. Travelers can also experience inflight service that includes multicourse chef-inspired meals paired with award-winning wines, and delectable snacks to fulfill those midflight munchies.

About American Airlines Group
As a leading global airline, American Airlines offers thousands of flights per day to more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries. The airline is a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members serve more than 900 destinations around the globe. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL. Learn more about what’s happening at American by visiting news.aa.com and connect with American @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines. To Care for People on Life’s Journey^®.

Iconic travel brands team up to get travelers to their happy places for a happy price

NORWALK, Conn. and DALLAS, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Priceline, the OG of online travel deals, is adding even more reasons to go to your happy place with the arrival of Southwest Airlines^®. Starting today, travelers can search and book Southwest’s inventory directly on Priceline, unlocking more ways to compare, customize and save on flights. Customers booking their Southwest flights through Priceline are still eligible to earn Rapid Rewards.

Through the partnership, Southwest flights are also now bookable across the Booking Holdings portfolio of brands, including Booking.com and Agoda.

“Our goal is to be the best travel dealmaker in the world. Collaborating with Southwest, one of the most trusted names in air travel, is a natural next step in our mission to do so,” said Brigit Zimmerman, Chief Commercial Officer at Priceline. “Adding their fares to our lineup means more choice and more value for the millions of Priceline customers planning their next trip.”

“We’re happy to partner with Priceline to broaden our distribution network and offer even more Customers the opportunity to experience our Southwest Hospitality,” said Tony Roach, Executive Vice President Customer & Brand at Southwest Airlines. “We look forward to making it easier for Customers to access our extensive flight offerings to book their next trip.”

The partnership between Southwest^®, the airline known for their legendary Hospitality, and Priceline, the online travel leader known for its unbeatable deals and effortless booking platform, gives customers access to all of Southwest’s fare types, allowing them to:

• Compare fare bundles side by side
• Know exactly what’s included
• Book with confidence
• Earn both Rapid Rewards and Priceline VIP status

With more than 4,000 daily flights and service to over 100 destinations across the U.S., Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, Southwest opens the door to more spontaneous getaways and wallet-friendly escapes—perfect for Priceline’s mission to get travelers to their happy place for a happy price.

A strengthened 2025-2026 winter program including a total of 14 new routes

MONTREAL, Aug. 7, 2025 /CNW/ – Air Transat, voted World’s Best Leisure Airline at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, today announces new non-stop service to Rio de Janeiro* from both Toronto and Montreal. These flights will be operated with the Airbus A330 aircraft; twice weekly from Toronto (on Wednesdays and Saturdays) and once weekly from Montreal (on Thursdays), where Air Transat will be the only carrier offering a non-stop service. This addition is part of a broader set of recent announcements that reinforce the company’s winter offering.

This winter, Air Transat will operate a total of 14 new routes from its Canadian gateways, including several new destinations and the extension of certain transatlantic services. From Montreal, travellers will enjoy non-stop access to Rio de Janeiro, Guadalajara, Valencia, Bordeaux and Madrid. From Toronto, they will be able to fly to Georgetown (Guyana), Medellín, and Istanbul in partnership with Turkish Airlines, in addition to Rio de Janeiro.

“This enriched winter schedule marks an important milestone in the evolution of our network,” said Sebastian Ponce, Transat’s Chief Revenue Officer. “By targeting markets we have never served before, we are pursuing a clear diversification strategy toward destinations that Canadians are eager to explore, supported by growing connectivity through our expanding network of partners.”

Air Transat’s winter program to the South also continues to diversify, with departures not only from major hubs, but also from Quebec City and new Canadian cities such as Windsor, Fredericton and Charlottetown. 

New for Winter 2025-2026:

Air Transat is also strengthening its overall winter offering by increasing capacity and adding frequencies on several existing routes to the South and across the Atlantic, giving even more flexibility to its clients. Compared to last winter, this year’s schedule represents a capacity increase of approximately 6%.

Expanded transatlantic program:

Expanded South program:

Connectivity within the Air Transat network also continues to improve, particularly through its growing complementarity with Porter Airlines’ flights, which facilitate connections from Montreal, Toronto and Quebec City.

*The flights have been planned in coordination with Brazilian and Canadian authorities and remain subject to the required regulatory approvals.

About Air Transat
Founded in Montreal 37 years ago, Air Transat is a leading travel brand voted 2025 World’s Best Leisure Airline by passengers at the Skytrax World Airline Awards. Its program offers access to international destinations, mainly in Europe, the Caribbean, the east coast of the United States, South America and North Africa. Air Transat is recognized for its excellent customer service. Its fleet includes some of the most energy-efficient aircraft in their category. Based in Montreal with major hubs in YUL Montréal-Trudeau International Airport and Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ), it has 5,000 employees with a common purpose to bring people closer together. Air Transat is a business unit of Transat A.T. Inc. (TSX: TRZ). www.airtransat.com

SOUTHLAKE, Texas, Aug. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sabre Corporation (“Sabre”) (NASDAQ: SABR) today announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025. Sabre has posted its second quarter 2025 earnings release and earnings presentation to its Investor Relations webpage at investors.sabre.com/financial-information/quarterly results. The earnings release is also available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

As previously announced, Sabre will host a live webcast of its first quarter 2025 earnings conference call today at 9:00 a.m. ET. Management will discuss the financial results, as well as comment on the forward outlook. The webcast is expected to last approximately one hour and will be accessible by visiting the Investor Relations section of Sabre’s website at investors.sabre.com.

A replay of the event will be available on the website for at least 90 days following the event.

About Sabre 
Sabre Corporation is a leading technology company that takes on the biggest opportunities and solves the most complex challenges in travel. Sabre harnesses speed, scale and insights to build tomorrow’s technology today – empowering airlines, hoteliers, agencies and other partners to retail, distribute and fulfill travel worldwide. Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, USA, with employees across the world, Sabre serves customers in more than 160 countries globally. For more information visit www.sabre.com. 

Website Information
We routinely post important information for investors on the Investor Relations section of our website, investors.sabre.com, on our LinkedIn account, and on our X account, @Sabre_Corp. We intend to use the Investor Relations section of our website, our LinkedIn account, and our X account as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investor Relations section of our website, our LinkedIn account, and our X account, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website, our LinkedIn account, or our X account is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

– Long-time 777 operator to expand and renew fleet with fuel-efficient 777-9 widebody jets

– Order makes Cathay Pacific the largest 777-9 operator in Asia Pacific

HONG KONG, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Cathay Pacific today announced the Hong Kong-based carrier is ordering 14 more 777-9 passenger jets, bringing its order book to 35 of the world’s largest twin-engine airplane.

Designed to reduce fuel use and emissions on average by 20% and noise by 40% compared to the airplanes it replaces, the 777-9 will enable Cathay Pacific to efficiently meet growing air travel demand across key global markets.

“We plan to expand and renew our fleet with the additional 777-9 aircraft, enabling us to continue our rich history of connecting the world with our Hong Kong hub,” said Ronald Lam, Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer. “Cathay Pacific aims to further strengthen our ongoing partnership with Boeing and leverage the world-class features of the new 777-9 as we strive to become the world’s best premium airline.”

Cathay Pacific has grown its global network with the Boeing 777 family over the past 30 years. The addition of the latest model, the 777-9, will further reduce the airline’s operating costs as it modernizes its fleet and expands passenger and cargo operations on long- and ultra long-haul routes.

“We are proud to support Cathay Pacific’s continued leadership as one of the world’s top airlines, and introduce the 777-9 as their future flagship airplane,” said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. “This latest order demonstrates the value of the 777-9 and further strengthens the airline’s tradition of delivering superb comfort, convenience and connectivity to passengers for years to come.”

With a range of 7,295 nautical miles (13,510 km), the 777-9 will allow Cathay Pacific to connect passengers directly between Hong Kong and its global long-haul destinations. Customers around the world have ordered more than 550 777X airplanes, sustaining thousands of jobs at Boeing’s Everett, Wash., site and across the supply chain.

A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.  

Airline’s corporate venture capital fund – United Airlines Ventures (UAV) – facilitates new relationship that leverages Dfinitiv’s proprietary technology for potential MileagePlus and Kinective Media applications

CHICAGO, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — United Airlines Ventures (UAV), United Airlines’ corporate venture capital fund dedicated to the future of air travel, today announced a strategic relationship with Dfinitiv Inc., an innovative technology company developing next-generation infrastructure for loyalty commerce and media integration. 

The airline is exploring potential use cases for Dfinitiv’s technology across its MileagePlus and Kinective Media platforms. 

Dfinitiv’s SmartCXP™ is an innovative Commerce Experience Platform that combines customer-focused personalization, intelligent loyalty offers and content aggregation, and SmartLink™ — a proprietary deep-linking engine that connects user context and intent to optimized in-app, web, and on-screen experiences. SmartCXP™ enables brands to provide personalized, shoppable content and offers throughout the customer journey, empowering loyalty members to engage in everyday commerce and seamlessly earn and redeem loyalty points. 

“We’re proud to support United Airlines and United Airlines Ventures as they explore new technologies to elevate customer engagement — not just in travel, but across the broader loyalty ecosystem,” said Joseph Fitzgerald, CEO and co-founder of Dfinitiv. “SmartCXP™ is built to deliver the personalization, flexibility, and scale needed to turn loyalty into a connected, everyday engagement platform.” 

“United Airlines Ventures values innovative companies that can enhance the customer travel experience and help airlines unlock new opportunities for growth,” said Andrew Chang, Head of United Airlines Ventures. “We look for differentiated technologies, thoughtful user experience design, and strong management teams that can scale. We believe Dfinitiv checks every box — and the versatility of their platform across multiple industries, including loyalty programs like MileagePlus, financial services, connected media platforms like Kinective Media, and travel only enhances potential revenue streams.” 

Dfinitiv’s technology is built for cross-industry applicability — enabling travel companies, financial institutions, hospitality brands, credit card issuers, and other non-retail enterprises to better engage their large loyalty audiences and unlock customer touchpoints. United Airlines Ventures recognizes Dfinitiv’s broad potential in sectors where commerce media networks are emerging as a powerful new digital revenue model. 

About United Airlines Ventures  
United Airlines Ventures (UAV) was established in 2021 to invest in early-stage start-up companies focused on innovative technologies with the potential to shape the future of aviation and travel. To date, UAV has made more than 30 investments in companies developing technologies across aerospace, technology, energy transition, and more. 

About Dfinitiv 
Dfinitiv is a commerce technology company purpose-built to power loyalty-led commerce media networks. Its SmartCXP™ platform unifies affiliate offers, curated content, branded experiences, and customer-focused personalization across mobile and digital channels. Headquartered in Englewood, NJ, Dfinitiv empowers leading loyalty, travel, and financial services organizations to unlock new engagement models and revenue streams. Learn more at www.dfinitiv.io.

Riga. Latvian airline airBaltic has begun naming its Airbus A220-300 fleet after cities across the Baltics, based on the results of a public voting contest held in August 2024. The first three aircraft, featuring special Baltic State liveries, now proudly bear the names of the capital cities – Riga for the Latvian flag livery, Tallinn for the Estonian flag livery, and Vilnius for the Lithuanian flag livery – with registration numbers YL-ABN, YL-CSJ, and YL-CSK, respectively.

The naming contest, held last year to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Baltic Way, invited the public to vote for their most beloved cities across Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. A total of over one million votes were cast during the voting period from August 5 to August 22, resulting in a shortlist of 48 cities – 16 from each Baltic country – reflecting the airline’s fleet size at the time of the contest. This initiative celebrates the unity and cultural heritage of the Baltic States. This symbolic meaning also strengthens the recognition of the Baltic States region worldwide and encourages tourism, making these cities attractive to both local and international travellers.

Elīna Prāve, VP Marketing at airBaltic: “We are grateful to everyone who participated in this contest and showed support for their favourite cities. By naming airBaltic aircraft after Baltic cities, we not only inspire travellers to explore these places but also promote their international recognition. We are proud to be a part of the region’s growth and strengthen its connectivity with the rest of the world.”

The airline plans to gradually name the remaining 45 of its 48 Airbus A220-300 aircraft after the most beloved Baltic cities, as determined by a public vote, with the names announced in random order. More information about the contest and its results is available here: https://vote.airbaltic.com.

Riga, the capital of Latvia, is known for its distinctive Art Nouveau architecture, well-preserved historic center, and active cultural scene. Tallinn, the capital of Estonia uniquely blends medieval heritage with modern innovation, featuring a UNESCO-listed Old Town and a thriving digital economy. Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, stands out for its baroque architecture, open public spaces, and a cultural atmosphere shaped by diverse historical influences. Together, these cities embody the unity, diversity, and forward-looking spirit of the Baltics.

airBaltic operates nearly 130 routes from Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius, Tampere and, seasonally, Gran Canaria, offering connections to a wide range of destinations in the airline’s route network in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus region. A complete schedule of airBaltic flights and tickets are available on the company’s homepage at www.airbaltic.com.