Airline Histories

“Footnotes of Airline Histories” – Interesting stories and photos of unique events in airline histories. Updated daily.

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Airline News...

UPS MD-11F fleet will not return: UPS’s MD‑11 freighter fleet effectively ended its commercial service on November 6, 2025, the date the FAA issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive groun ...
United will operate 750 daily flights from Chicago O’Hare this summer—the largest schedule ever flown by any airline at ORD and roughly 200 more flights than its nearest competitor. Across 2 ...
Jazeera Airways will launch a new direct air service between Kuwait City and Milan Bergamo Airport on May 20, with flights operating three times per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. ...
Gulf Air will begin installing Starlink high‑speed satellite Wi‑Fi across its entire fleet starting in mid‑2026, becoming one of the latest carriers to adopt SpaceX’s low‑Earth‑orbit connect ...
American Airlines closed 2025 with record revenue but only modest profitability, as operational disruptions and a government shutdown weighed on results. The airline generated $14.0 billion ...

Iran’s airspace is open at the moment, following a short‑lived nationwide shutdown earlier this week. The closure began late on January 14, when Iran temporarily halted all civilian overflig ...
Spirit Airlines’ restructuring has reached a decisive and fragile moment, with the airline’s future now resting on whether its bondholders—particularly Citadel—release the remaining financin ...
Lufthansa Group has announced a major collaboration with Starlink to equip its entire fleet of roughly 850 aircraft—across all Lufthansa Group airlines—with high‑speed satellite broadband be ...
PSA Airlines has officially completed its relocation from Dayton, Ohio to Charlotte, North Carolina, with the new corporate headquarters opening on January 12, 2026. The facility, located at ...
When Eastern Airways (UK) ceased trading in late October 2025, the shutdown appeared final. The airline blamed the sudden loss of its KLM Cityhopper contract—a major source of flying and rev ...

Frontier Airlines is ending its service at Seattle Paine Field International Airport in early January, just seven months after launching flights from the Everett airport. The carrier began o ...
Alaska Airlines is strengthening its Portland hub with four new routes launching in 2026, each paired with aircraft specifically matched to the market. Three of the additions—Portland to Bel ...
New airport for North Texas: McKinney National Airport (TKI) in north Texas has secured its first-ever commercial airline partner, marking a turning point in its transformation from a genera ...
Austrian Airlines has moved quickly to secure replacement lift for its regional network after terminating its ATR 72 wet‑lease agreement with BRA Braathens Regional Airlines (Sweden). The AT ...
Arkia Airlines has formally urged Israel’s Minister of Transportation to block Wizz Air’s plan to establish a Tel Aviv operating base, warning that the move would severely distort competitio ...

"Footnotes of Airline Histories" Part 1 (A - I) - Interesting events and stories

Air New Zealand’s “Airline to Middle‑earth” campaign became one of the most ambitious airline–film partnerships of the early 2000s, aligning the carrier with the global success of Peter Jack ...
Air Canada’s pictured Airbus A320 registered as C‑FDSN debuted this striking Toronto Raptors special livery on December 4, 1995, rolled out at Toronto to mark Air Canada’s new role as the of ...
Airberlin’s Airbus A320 D‑ABFO carried one of the airline’s most distinctive promotional designs: the Topbonus “bird” livery, created to highlight the carrier’s loyalty program during a peri ...
Allegiant Air’s pictured Airbus A320‑214 N207NV became one of the most visually striking U.S. airline special liveries of 2025 when it was rolled out in full promotional colors for The Spong ...
Air India Express pictured Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 registered as VT‑BXN carries the “Aipan” tail, explicitly named after the traditional art form from Uttarakhand. Aipan is a ritualistic floor an ...

Air New Zealand’s “Airline to Middle‑earth” campaign became one of the most ambitious airline–film partnerships of the early 2000s, aligning the carrier with the global success of Peter Jack ...
Air Canada’s pictured Airbus A320 registered as C‑FDSN debuted this striking Toronto Raptors special livery on December 4, 1995, rolled out at Toronto to mark Air Canada’s new role as the of ...
Airberlin’s Airbus A320 D‑ABFO carried one of the airline’s most distinctive promotional designs: the Topbonus “bird” livery, created to highlight the carrier’s loyalty program during a peri ...
Allegiant Air’s pictured Airbus A320‑214 N207NV became one of the most visually striking U.S. airline special liveries of 2025 when it was rolled out in full promotional colors for The Spong ...
Air India Express pictured Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 registered as VT‑BXN carries the “Aipan” tail, explicitly named after the traditional art form from Uttarakhand. Aipan is a ritualistic floor an ...

"Footnotes of Airline Histories" Part 2 (J - Z) - Interesting events and stories

MALEV Hungarian Airlines commemorated its role as the Official Carrier of the Hungarian Olympic Team during the 2004 Athens Summer Games by applying this distinctive Olympic emblem to the pi ...
Korean Air introduced the Boeing 747‑400 into its fleet in 1989, marking a turning point in its long‑haul expansion. The first aircraft, HL7477 (MSN 24198/729), rolled out on September 1, 19 ...
Lufthansa operated a total of 31 Boeing 747-400 aircraft, comprising 24 standard passenger 747-430s and 7 combi 747-430Ms. These aircraft bore Boeing’s customer code “30,” and were delivered ...
"Sky Cruiser" - Japan Airlines-JAL introduced the pictured Boeing 747‑400 into its fleet at the start of 1990, marking a new era in its long-haul operations. The first aircraft, JA8071, was ...
"The world is just a click away!" - KLM Royal Dutch Airlines operated a fleet of 22 Boeing 747-400 aircraft, comprising standard passenger models (747-406), combi variants (747-406M), and ex ...

This Day in Airline History:

KLM’s Douglas DC‑3 PH‑TCR was operating a scheduled service from Amsterdam to Stockholm with a stop in Copenhagen on January 26, 1947, when a preventable ground‑handling error led to one of ...
Turkish Airlines fight TK301 was a morning departure from İzmir to Istanbul on January 26, 1974, operated by Fokker F.28‑1000 registered as TC‑JAO. The aircraft had remained parked overnight ...
JAT flight JU367 was operating a routine service from Copenhagen to Belgrade on January 26, 1972, using Douglas DC‑9‑32 registered as YU‑AHT, when it suffered one of the most dramatic mid‑ai ...
Ex Ryanair EI-CSW. Ethiopian Airlines flight ET409 was a scheduled overnight service from Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport to Addis Ababa on January 25, 2010, operated by the pictur ...
American Airlines’ inauguration of jet transcontinental service on January 25, 1959 marked a decisive turning point in U.S. commercial aviation. Flight AA2, operating from Los Angeles to New ...

Airline News...Top Stories

World Airline News Top Stories

STARLUX Airlines and Hajime Sorayama Unveil AIRSORAYAMA on Two Airbus A350-1000 Aircraft
Himalaya Jet has big plans - will it ever fly?
United Expects Biggest Summer Yet at Chicago O'Hare, Growing to Record 750 Flights Per Day
A note to customers from Heather Garboden, American's Chief Customer Officer
Air Karachi is set to start operations in 2026
Lufthansa introduces a new 100th Anniversary "Crane" livery on new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner D-ABPU
Frontier Airlines adds frequencies to Boston and New York
Shaping Africa’s New Aviation Gateway: The Bishoftu International Airport
Southwest Airlines unveils a new "Louisiana One" on N8977G
PRESS RELEASE | FLYADEAL IN 2025: YEAR OF RECORD-BREAKING MILESTONES

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Hot New Photos – Top 100

JSX has begun deploying its new ATR 42‑600 fleet, marking a major expansion into short‑runway and noise‑restricted airports that its Embraer jets cannot serve. The first aircraft, N400JX, of ... January 27, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)JSX has begun deploying its new ATR 42‑600 fleet, marking a major expansion into short‑runway and noise‑restricted airports that its Embraer jets cannot serve. The first aircraft, N400JX, officially entered revenue service on December 19, 2025, becoming the launch platform for JSX’s new turboprop network. Configured with 30 premium seats and ATR’s HighLine […]
AirZeta was created as a direct outcome of the Korean Air–Asiana merger, which required Asiana’s cargo division to be separated and sold to preserve competition in South Korea’s long‑haul fr ... January 25, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)AirZeta was created as a direct outcome of the Korean Air–Asiana merger, which required Asiana’s cargo division to be separated and sold to preserve competition in South Korea’s long‑haul freight market. Air Incheon, previously a small regional freighter operator, acquired the unit and rebranded the combined business as AirZeta, instantly transforming itself from […]
"Berlin". Lufthansa’s centennial celebrations began in earnest on September 26, 2025, when the airline unveiled the striking 100 Years – 1926 | 2026 anniversary livery that would debut on it ... January 23, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)"Berlin". Lufthansa’s centennial celebrations began in earnest on September 26, 2025, when the airline unveiled the striking 100 Years – 1926 | 2026 anniversary livery that would debut on its newest Boeing 787‑9. The design—built around a deep blue fuselage and an oversized white XXL crane whose wings visually merge with the aircraft’s own—was introduced […]
Special 2025 "100 Years" Livery - A320 edition, arrived at Frankfurt January 19, 2026 January 23, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)Special 2025 "100 Years" Livery - A320 edition, arrived at Frankfurt January 19, 2026
GlobalX and Top Flight Air Charters maintain a focused, business‑to‑business partnership built specifically around the collegiate sports travel market. Under this arrangement, Top Flight act ... January 18, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)GlobalX and Top Flight Air Charters maintain a focused, business‑to‑business partnership built specifically around the collegiate sports travel market. Under this arrangement, Top Flight acts as GlobalX’s exclusive broker for college‑athletics charters, handling sales, client relationships, and trip coordination for universities and athletic departments. GlobalX, in turn, provides the aircraft, crews, maintenance, and […]
Qatar Airways used the Qatar Grand Prix weekend to unveil its new Formula 1‑themed livery on the pictured Boeing 777-300 ER A7‑BEG, created in collaboration with artist Swizz Beatz. The airl ... January 17, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)Qatar Airways used the Qatar Grand Prix weekend to unveil its new Formula 1‑themed livery on the pictured Boeing 777-300 ER A7‑BEG, created in collaboration with artist Swizz Beatz. The airline staged a high‑profile introduction that blended aviation, sport, and entertainment, beginning with a flypast over the Lusail International Circuit ahead of the […]
QANTAS Airways introduced this special “Pride is in the Air” livery on the pictured Boeing 737‑838 VH‑VYK as part of its long‑running support for LGBTQ+ visibility and Sydney’s Mardi Gras ce ... January 15, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)QANTAS Airways introduced this special “Pride is in the Air” livery on the pictured Boeing 737‑838 VH‑VYK as part of its long‑running support for LGBTQ+ visibility and Sydney’s Mardi Gras celebrations. The aircraft features rainbow‑colored QANTAS titles, a Pride‑themed flying kangaroo on the tail, and full rainbow accents integrated into the standard Silver […]
Night arrival at Heathrow: Cathay Pacific’s pictured 80th Anniversary 1971 retrojet livery on Airbus A350‑900 B‑LRJ is a faithful revival of the airline’s 1971–1994 green‑and‑white livery, p ... January 14, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)Night arrival at Heathrow: Cathay Pacific’s pictured 80th Anniversary 1971 retrojet livery on Airbus A350‑900 B‑LRJ is a faithful revival of the airline’s 1971–1994 green‑and‑white livery, presented as part of the “80 Years Together” celebration. Cathay Pacific itself refers to it simply as its classic green‑striped livery. The scheme restores the broad green […]
AnguillAir is the seasonal leisure brand created and operated by BermudAir to take advantage of winter demand for Caribbean travel while Bermuda enters its low season. The concept centers on ... January 14, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)AnguillAir is the seasonal leisure brand created and operated by BermudAir to take advantage of winter demand for Caribbean travel while Bermuda enters its low season. The concept centers on providing nonstop service from major Northeast U.S. cities directly to Anguilla, a market that previously required connections through San Juan, St. Maarten, or […]
Alaska's first painted 2025 "aurora borealis" livery goes into revenue service. N784HA entered service on January 8, 2026 as flight HA823 from Seattle-Tacoma to Tokyo Narita. It is pictured ... January 10, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)Alaska's first painted 2025 "aurora borealis" livery goes into revenue service. N784HA entered service on January 8, 2026 as flight HA823 from Seattle-Tacoma to Tokyo Narita. It is pictured on January 9, 2026 departing from SEA to Seoul (Incheon) as flight HA871. Hawaiian Airlines’ historic “HA” flight code and all Hawaiian‑branded flight numbers […]
Mahan Air has begun a major long‑haul fleet transition with the quiet introduction of five ex‑Singapore Airlines Boeing 777‑212 ERs, marking the first time an Iranian carrier has operated th ... January 9, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)Mahan Air has begun a major long‑haul fleet transition with the quiet introduction of five ex‑Singapore Airlines Boeing 777‑212 ERs, marking the first time an Iranian carrier has operated the Boeing 777. The first aircraft, the pictured EP‑MTC, was formally accepted on December 10, 2025. These aircraft were previously stored in Alice Springs […]
The “Grand Slam Tennis” special livery unveiled on Emirates Airbus A380‑861 A6‑EUH in late December 2025 represents the airline’s latest visual celebration of its long‑standing global tennis ... January 8, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)The “Grand Slam Tennis” special livery unveiled on Emirates Airbus A380‑861 A6‑EUH in late December 2025 represents the airline’s latest visual celebration of its long‑standing global tennis partnerships. The aircraft features imagery representing all four Grand Slam tournaments—the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open—reflecting Emirates’ status as an official partner […]
Greater Bay Airlines’ pictured Boeing 737‑8FH B‑KJD carries one of the carrier’s most distinctive promotional paint schemes, a special livery celebrating the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macau Greate ... January 8, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)Greater Bay Airlines’ pictured Boeing 737‑8FH B‑KJD carries one of the carrier’s most distinctive promotional paint schemes, a special livery celebrating the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macau Greater Bay Area initiative. The aircraft, originally delivered to China Airlines in 2014 and later sold to Greater Bay Airlines in 2023, was repainted in 2025 to highlight the […]
Thai VietJet has begun a major fleet expansion with the introduction of the Boeing 737‑8200, a high‑density 200‑seat variant of the MAX family tailored to its low‑cost, high‑utilization mode ... December 31, 2025
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)Thai VietJet has begun a major fleet expansion with the introduction of the Boeing 737‑8200, a high‑density 200‑seat variant of the MAX family tailored to its low‑cost, high‑utilization model. The airline is receiving 50 aircraft as part of the VietJet Group’s broader 200‑aircraft MAX order, positioning the 737‑8200 as the future backbone of […]
Kalitta Air’s operation of the pictured Boeing 777‑300ERSF N769CK for JAL Cargo is part of a broader cargo‑capacity partnership that Japan Airlines expanded in 2025. According to JAL’s offic ... December 24, 2025
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)Kalitta Air’s operation of the pictured Boeing 777‑300ERSF N769CK for JAL Cargo is part of a broader cargo‑capacity partnership that Japan Airlines expanded in 2025. According to JAL’s official press release, the airline and Kalitta Air launched a new cargo codeshare on the Narita–Chicago (NRT–ORD) route beginning May 10, 2025, using Kalitta‑operated freighters. […]
Sum Air is positioning itself as South Korea’s first airline dedicated specifically to underserved and remote regions, with a mission centered on improving air access to islands and smaller ... December 20, 2025
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)Sum Air is positioning itself as South Korea’s first airline dedicated specifically to underserved and remote regions, with a mission centered on improving air access to islands and smaller inland cities. The carrier has ordered eight ATR 72‑600s, becoming the first operator of the ATR family in Korea. Its first ATR 72‑600 will […]
First A350-1000 for Air India: Air India has ordered 20 Airbus A350‑1000s as part of its landmark 470‑aircraft fleet renewal program, the largest aircraft purchase ever placed by an Indian c ... December 20, 2025
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)First A350-1000 for Air India: Air India has ordered 20 Airbus A350‑1000s as part of its landmark 470‑aircraft fleet renewal program, the largest aircraft purchase ever placed by an Indian carrier. The A350‑1000 will become the airline’s new long‑haul flagship, replacing older 777-300s and enabling nonstop expansion to the U.S. West Coast, Canada, […]
SunExpress introduced this striking new special livery on Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 TC‑SOI in December 2025, branded as the “VfB Express” and carrying the bold slogan “Stuttgart kommt”, which trans ... December 20, 2025
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)SunExpress introduced this striking new special livery on Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 TC‑SOI in December 2025, branded as the “VfB Express” and carrying the bold slogan “Stuttgart kommt”, which translates to “Stuttgart is coming” in English. The aircraft made its public debut at Stuttgart Airport on December 15, 2025 where it was welcomed […]
Thai Airways International Airbus A321-251NX WL D-AZWJ (HS-TOA) (msn 12846) (First A321neo) XFW (Gerd Beilfuss). Image: 967383. December 15, 2025
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)Thai Airways International Airbus A321-251NX WL D-AZWJ (HS-TOA) (msn 12846) (First A321neo) XFW (Gerd Beilfuss). Image: 967383.
The pictured Boeing 777‑300 ER freighter registered as 9H‑JJB is a newly converted freighter that entered service in December 2025. The aircraft is owned and operated by Air Atlanta Europe ( ... December 15, 2025
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)The pictured Boeing 777‑300 ER freighter registered as 9H‑JJB is a newly converted freighter that entered service in December 2025. The aircraft is owned and operated by Air Atlanta Europe (Malta), which holds the Air Operator Certificate and provides the crew, maintenance, and insurance. However, it carries the Fly Meta branding on its […]