American Airlines honors veterans with a month of service and support

In recognition of Veterans Day and in celebration of the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes, American Airlines supported a series of events throughout the month of November to honor and celebrate those who served.

These efforts are part of American’s ongoing commitment to the U.S. Armed Forces community, including military veterans and active-duty service members. Events throughout the month of November included:

  • Salute to Service with the Los Angeles Chargers (Nov. 9)
    As the presenting sponsor of the L.A. Chargers’ annual Salute to Service game, American presented the Military Hero of the Game. Bill Dillon, a 101-year-old World War II veteran and the last surviving member of the USS Sailfish, was honored on field. Dillon is a decorated hero, having received two Bronze Stars and contributed to the development of the first GPS system and the launch of the United States’ first space satellite.
  • Faces of Freedom with the Texas Rangers (Nov. 13)
    In partnership with the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, American hosted veterans for a three-day trip to Washington, D.C., as part of the Rangers’ Faces of Freedom program presented by American Airlines. Established in 2022, the Faces of Freedom program seeks to honor past and present members of the U.S. military. This year’s trip included 15 veterans representing four branches of the U.S. military, with recipients of the Purple Heart and Operation Enduring Freedom medals among them.
  • Salute to the Troops in Las Vegas (Nov. 14)
    In partnership with USO and MGM Resorts International, American flew 75 service members from Washington, D.C., to Las Vegas for a weekend filled with sightseeing, dinners, shows and a concert by actor and singer-songwriter Mark Collie, seen in the hit TV show “Landman.”
  • Seats for Heroes with the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles (Nov. 23) 
    American, along with its partners at the Dallas Cowboys, hosted 40 military patients from Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas, for a VIP game day experience. American operated a private charter to transport attendees to Dallas-Fort Worth where they were greeted with a heroes’ welcome upon arrival and enjoyed the game in a private suite.
  • Welcoming Home Vietnam Veterans (Nov. 28)
    American supported a journey of remembrance for 10 veterans returning to Saigon, Vietnam, in collaboration with Veterans United Home Loans and actor/humanitarian Gary Sinise. The 10-day trip allowed the group to retrace their steps and reflect on their experiences more than 50 years after their service. The group, which included one of 61 living recipients of the Medal of Honor, was welcomed home with a celebration at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

Throughout the entire year, American is proud to honor active service members and veterans — including more than 11,000 of its own team members.

More airline news:

AerCap Holdings delivers the first Boeing 777-300ERSF to Fly Meta, to be operated by Air Atlanta Europe

AerCap Holdings on December 1, 2025 announced that it has delivered the first of three Boeing 777-300ERSF (9H-JJB, msn 32788) converted aircraft to Hong Kong-based aviation leasing and ACMI/CMI solutions provider Fly Meta Leasing Co., Ltd (Fly Meta). The first aircraft was delivered on November 21 and the second and third are scheduled for delivery in Q2 and Q4 2026, respectively.

The aircraft will be operated under a Crew Maintenance and Insurance (CMI) contract by Air Atlanta Icelandic under the Hungary Air brand. The Boeing 777-300ERSF, also known as “The Big Twin,” is the first passenger-to-freighter conversion program of the Boeing 777-300ER. It received FAA and CAAI certification on August 31, 2025, and entered service in mid-September.

Air Atlanta’s worldwide network:

Air Atlanta Icelandic was established in 1986, initially operating Boeing 707s for charter projects. Today, the Air Atlanta brand comprises two sister airlines: Air Atlanta Icelandic, headquartered in Iceland, and Air Atlanta Europe, founded in 2021 in Malta.

Britten-Norman BN2T-4S Islander type approved by TCCA in Canada

UK aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman has received Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) type certification for the BN2T-4S Islander, the Rolls-Royce Model 250–powered turboprop variant of the company’s iconic utility aircraft. 

The BN2T-4S, certified under TCCA Type Certificate A-92, also includes a series of additional enhancements that further elevate its operational effectiveness, including an increased Maximum Take-Off Weight of 8,925 lbs.
 

This approval complements existing Type Certificates held with the UK CAA, EASA and FAA, and marks a significant step in Britten-Norman’s global expansion. Certification in Canada opens new opportunities across one of the world’s largest remote and regional aviation markets, where operators rely on proven, rugged and reliable short-field aircraft capable of year-round operation.

New Islander aircraft build slots are now available, as well as pre-owned BN2T-4S models, currently receiving full OEM refurbishment at Britten-Norman’s UK MRO facility. Operators can choose whichever route best fits their needs when joining the Islander fleet.

BBN Airlines Thailand secures Vietjet Thailand as its first ACMI partner

BBN Airlines Thailand, an ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) specialist operator, and a partner of Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI provider, names Vietjet Thailand as its first partner airline. BBN Airlines Thailand is supporting Vietjet Thailand through an ACMI partnership that begins on 1 December 2025, supplying one Airbus A320 for domestic services between Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) and Chiang Mai and Phuket. 

BBN Airlines Thailand received its Air Operator Certificate in October, becoming Thailand’s first dedicated ACMI carrier. The airline had operated under the name Thai SmartLynx during its development phase before commencing full services as BBN Airlines Thailand.

The ACMI arrangement includes aircraft provision in a 180-seat economy configuration, experienced flight and cabin crew, maintenance, and insurance coverage, allowing Vietjet Thailand focus on network management and customer experience, while leveraging BBN Airlines Thailand’s operational flexibility and reliability. 

airBaltic receives its 51st Airbus A220-300 aircraft

On December 1, 2025, the Latvian national airline airBaltic welcomed its 51st Airbus A220-300 jet, registered as YL-BTA, in Riga. This is the second aircraft of the type delivered to airBaltic in 2025. Thus far, the airline’s A220-300 fleet has carried more than 23 162 000 passengers, completed nearly 241 000 flights and flown 530 000 block hours.

Since May 2020, airBaltic operates all its flights with a single aircraft type – Airbus A220-300, thus minimizing the complexity and benefiting from the additional efficiency provided by the aircraft.

The Airbus A220-300 has performed beyond the company’s expectations, delivering better overall performance, fuel efficiency and convenience for both passengers and the staff. This aircraft offers an excellent flying experience with such benefits for passengers as wider seats, larger windows, more hand luggage space in the cabin, improved lavatories and much more. 

The airline is also gradually equipping its fleet with free high-speed SpaceX Starlink internet, becoming the first European carrier to offer this service.

Hi Fly achieves another first: Airbus A330 lands in Antarctica

Hi Fly has once again made aviation history, successfully landing an Airbus A330 in Antarctica for the first time. The flight marks a new chapter in the airline’s pioneering Antarctic operations, just one month after celebrating five consecutive years of flights to the White Continent.

Hi Fly’s Airbus A330-302, registered 9H-HFI and equipped with General Electric engines, touched down safely on the blue-ice runway at Wolf’s Fang Runway, Antarctica, on December 1st at 11:59 p.m. local time. Commanded by Captain Carlos Mirpuri, Vice-Chairman of Hi Fly, the aircraft connected Cape Town, South Africa, to the remote airfield, continuing Hi Fly’s ongoing partnership with White Desert Antarctica for the 2025/2026 season. Joining the flight was Captain Antonios Efthymiou, Hi Fly’s CEO, who was on board to celebrate this important milestone.

The A330 shares the same fuselage as Hi Fly’s A340 but is powered by two engines instead of four, delivering comparable performance with greater cost efficiency and an improved environmental footprint. Twin-engine operations at Wolf’s Fang runway are now possible thanks to additional ground support equipment that was not in place when Hi Fly began Antarctic flights. Highly reliable, comfortable, and with an excellent safety record, the aircraft performs exceptionally well in extreme polar conditions.

This milestone builds on the airline’s historic 2021 achievement, when Hi Fly became the first to land an Airbus A340 on the frozen continent. The introduction of the A330, renowned for its efficiency, versatility, and environmental credentials, represents a new era in sustainable, flexible operations to one of the world’s most challenging environments.

Emirates celebrates 54th Eid Al Etihad with A380 flypast at Emirates Dubai 7s

Spectators at the Emirates Dubai 7s were treated to a spectacular Emirates A380 low-level flypast over The Sevens Stadium to mark the UAE’s 54th Eid Al Etihad.

Taking off from Dubai International Airport, the aircraft made its approach over the stadium at 4:30pm, gliding past at an altitude of just 500 feet and delighting thousands of fans gathered for the region’s biggest sports and entertainment festival. Commanding the flight was Captain Mubarak Al Mheiri, Deputy Chief Pilot Airbus, supported by Captain Khalid Bin Sultan, Captain Philippe Lombet, and Captain Nabil Al Rustamani.

This year’s flypast continues Emirates’ long-standing tradition of celebrating Eid Al Etihad at the Emirates Dubai 7s, a tournament with more than five decades of history which has become the highlight of Dubai’s annual sporting calendar. The 2025 edition once again brings together world-class rugby action, numerous sports competitions, and vibrant music and family entertainment across an unforgettable Eid Al Etihad weekend.

JetSMART celebrated its “Triple 50” in Chile

JetSMART commemorated its “Triple 50”: A ceremony was held on November 25 at the Aviasur apron located in SCL airport of Santiago Chile, officially presenting the 50th aircraft of JetSMART, commemorating the passenger number 50 million of the airline and its 50 routes in South America.

The aircraft is the Airbus A321-271NX registered CC-DIY (msn 12777), the 14th of the type in the Ultra Low Cost Carrier fleet; the remaining aircraft are of the Airbus A320ceo and A320neo.

JetSMART belongs to Indigo Partners, initiating its operations with the brand in Chile nine years ago; with subsidiaries in Argentina, Colombia and Perú.

All images: JetSMART.

Erno Hildén assumes role as CEO of airBaltic

The Latvian airline airBaltic informs that as of today, December 1, 2025, Erno Hildén starts his dutiesas Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company.

Erno Hildén, CEO of airBaltic: “I am honored to join the airBaltic team. Together with the Executive Board and our teams, I will focus on ensuring continuity, strengthening day-to-day operations, and supporting the airline’s strategic development and long-term sustainability. airBaltic plays a vital role in the connectivity and economic development of the Baltic region, and I look forward to applying my extensive experience to support its next phase.”

Mr. Hildén, a Finnish national, brings more than 25 years of international experience in aviation and finance. Until June 2025 he served as Executive Vice President and Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of SAS Scandinavian Airlines, where he has been a key member of the leadership team during the company’s transformation and capital raise. Before joining SAS, he held senior roles at Saudi Arabian Airlines Group and at Finnair Plc, where he served as Group CFO, Chief Operating Officer (COO), and a member of the Executive Board.

The Interim CEO Pauls Cālītis, who led airBaltic until this date, will now fully return to his duties as COO and a member of the Executive Board.

More airline news:

American delivers on Thanksgiving with 80,759 flights to be operated during the holiday period

American Airlines and its regional partners will operate 80,759 scheduled flights this Thanksgiving travel period, larger than 2024 and the biggest schedule of any airline worldwide.

American Airlines looks forward to delivering a reliable Thanksgiving operation this year as it moves past the industrywide flight disruptions caused by the government shutdown. Despite this disruption, the airline has continued to deliver for its customers and has staged a strong recovery.

“The Thanksgiving holiday period is one of the most condensed and most important for our customers — the stakes are high, and the American team is ready to deliver,” said David Seymour, American’s Chief Operating Officer. “Customers making last-minute holiday plans — and those who booked months ago — can rest assured that our operation will run smoothly and safely. In the spirit of giving thanks: We’re thankful for everyone who worked hard to get us through several difficult weeks, especially our team members and federal aviation workers.”

American’s operation stood out, delivering industry-leading on-time departure and arrival performance among the three major network carriers from Sunday, Nov. 9 through Saturday, Nov. 15. With the termination of the FAA’s flight reduction order, customers can expect all flights to operate as scheduled. The airline fully expects this resilient streak of strong operational performance to continue into its Thanksgiving travel period. The airline and its regional partners will operate nearly 81,000 flights during this period, which runs from Nov. 20 through Dec. 2.

“As American approaches the busy holiday season, our operation is delivering an on-time and reliable operation,” said Heather Garboden, American’s Chief Customer Officer. “Our customers can count on American to get them to the Thanksgiving table, giving them the certainty they deserve in their travel plans this holiday.”

American’s 2025 Thanksgiving operation

A larger schedule: American and its regional partners will operate 80,759 scheduled flights this Thanksgiving travel period, larger than 2024 and the biggest schedule of any airline worldwide.

Peak travel days: Sunday, Nov. 30, will be the most traveled day, followed by Monday, Dec. 1.

Extra capacity: Special late-night flights have been added at Phoenix (PHX) and Chicago (ORD) on Nov. 30 to help customers return from the holiday.

Keeping bags moving: American expects to handle nearly 5.6 million checked bags during the holiday period, continuing its record-breaking baggage handling performance.

Peak operations: At 11:10 a.m. CT on Dec. 1, 1,077 mainline and regional aircraft will be enroute, the highest number during the travel period.

Fun fact: The Boeing 777-300ER, American’s largest aircraft, has a maximum takeoff weight of 775,000 lbs., equal to about52,000 15-lb turkeys.