This Day in Airline History – December Events

This Day in Airline History – December Events:

December Events as a Slide Show:

Remembering December 21, 1988: Pan Am flight PA103 (click photo for the details):

December Events:

Makani Kai Air flight 1121 was a scheduled commuter service operating from Kalaupapa Airport (LUP) on Molokaʻi to Honolulu International Airport (HNL). On December 11, 2013, the flight was o …
EgyptAir flight MS864, operated by a Boeing 707‑366C registered as SU‑AXA, was flying the Bombay (now Mumbai) – Bangkok sector of a multi‑stop service from Rome to Tokyo on December 25, 1976 …
Air France flight AF8969 was preparing to depart Algiers for Paris on December 24, 1994 when four militants from the Armed Islamic Group of Algeria (GIA) boarded the aircraft disguised as pr …
Flying Tiger Line flight FT282 was an all‑cargo service departing San Francisco International Airport just after midnight on December 24, 1964, bound for New York–JFK. The aircraft, a Lockhe …
Allegheny Airlines flight AL736 was operating a multi‑stop service from Detroit to Washington, D.C., with intermediate stops at Erie, Bradford, and Harrisburg, when it crashed on approach to …

Alaska Airlines bolsters service from Anchorage and Portland with seven new routes, including nonstop flights to Boston, Jackson Hole and four Washington state cities

Alaska Airlines continues to strengthen our network with new nonstop routes from our key hubs in Anchorage and Portland to destinations across the country – offering our guests convenient travel options and improved connectivity.

Beginning in spring next year, we’ll fly three additional routes from Anchorage to Boise, Boston and Spokane, and four additional routes from Portland to Bellingham, Everett/Paine Field and Pasco in Washington state, and Jackson Hole in Wyoming.

New Anchorage Routes

Flights between Anchorage and Boise, Boston and Spokane begin in mid-June for service through mid-August – just in time for summertime adventures in the Land of the Midnight Sun, when the days are long and the air is warm. Those new flights add up to 17 nonstop destinations to the Lower 48 and Hawai‘i, the most we’ve ever served in the summer.

The twice-weekly service connecting Anchorage to Boise is an all-new route for us, with roundtrips offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Our weekly flight between Anchorage and Boston will welcome guests from New England heading west to Alaska’s largest city for exploration, culture, food and maybe even a cruise.
We’ll also serve Anchorage-Spokane twice a week. It has been 10 years since we last flew this route, so we’re excited to reconnect Eastern Washington to Alaska with a nonstop flight, along with convenient flight times.
Due to strong demand, we’ve added a second weekly nonstop between Anchorage and both Sacramento and San Diego for the summer season.

New Portland routes

With four new routes next spring and summer, we’ll offer our guests convenient connections at PDX to more than 65 nonstop destinations, including Hawai‘i and Mexico.

New flights begin as early as mid-March with all-new daily, year-round service between Portland and Bellingham, Washington.
In mid-June, we’ll start flying twice daily between Portland and Pasco, Washington. The flights will be offered year-round.
We’ll resume daily, year-round flights on June 10 between Portland and Everett, Washington, home of Paine Field Airport – the Seattle region’s second airport.
For a long summer stretch, we’ll fly nonstop between Portland and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, twice a week starting June 10.
Also of note: As we resume our daily Portland-Fairbanks service in the summer, it’ll be served by a larger 737 aircraft.

New routes from Anchorage and Portland

City pair	Start	End	Frequency	Aircraft
Anchorage – Boise, ID	June 10, 2026	Aug. 15, 2026	Wed/Sat	737
Anchorage – Boston, MA	June 13, 2026	Aug. 15, 2026	Saturday	737
Anchorage – Spokane, WA	June 10, 2026	Aug. 15, 2026	Wed/Sat	E175
Portland – Bellingham, WA	March 18, 2026	Year-round	Daily	E175
Portland – Everett, WA	June 10, 2026	Year-round	Daily	E175
Portland – Jackson Hole, WY	June 10, 2026	Sept. 30, 2026	Wed/Sat	E175
Portland – Pasco, WA	June 10, 2026	Year-round	2x Daily	E175

SATENA expands in Colombia with new ATR 72-600s

Boston Brand Research & Media Reports on Colombian State Airline’s Transformative Year with Fleet Modernization, New Routes, and Strategic Social Partnerships:

SATENA has announced an ambitious northern expansion initiative set to launch in December 2025, introducing four strategic routes from Barranquilla: Barranquilla-Montería-Barranquilla, Barranquilla-Valledupar-Barranquilla, Barranquilla-Bucaramanga-Barranquilla, and Barranquilla-Aguachica-Barranquilla. This expansion will transform regional connectivity in Colombia’s Caribbean and northeastern regions, facilitating air connections between municipalities facing geographic isolation.

The expansion strategy reflects SATENA’s core mission of territorial integration across the 28 departments of Colombia. This comprehensive network currently encompasses more than 172 regular routes, many linking departmental capitals with difficult-to-access municipalities where commercial airlines do not operate. Critical regions including Amazonas, Chocó, Guaviare, Putumayo, Vaupés, and Arauca depend on SATENA’s consistent service.

The airline successfully launched the Bogotá-Nuquí-Bogotá route, opening Colombia’s Pacific coast to increased tourism. The newly established Ipiales-Puerto Asís-Ipiales connection provides critical air service linking the southwestern border region with interior communities, while the reopening of the Bogotá-Girardot-Bogotá route restores vital connectivity to central Colombia.

SATENA has incorporated three state-of-the-art ATR 72-600 aircraft into its fleet during October and November 2025. Each aircraft offers seating capacity for approximately 70 passengers and represents a substantial technological advancement, positioning SATENA at the forefront of regional aviation modernization in Colombia.

SATENA currently operates 172 active domestic routes plus one international connection. This growth reflects sustained progress: in 2022 the airline had 88 one-way routes; in 2023, 108; in 2024 it reached 144, and in 2025 it reached 172. This increase demonstrates SATENA’s strategic focus and commitment to fulfilling its constitutional mandate to integrate and connect the country.

SATENA (Servicio de Aeronavegación a Territorios Nacionales) is Colombia’s state-owned airline, founded with the mission of connecting and integrating the nation’s most remote territories with departmental capitals and major urban centers. Operating since 1962, SATENA serves all 28 departments across Colombia through a comprehensive network of more than 172 routes, many reaching communities where no other airline operates. The airline strategically combines commercial operations on high-demand routes with essential social service flights to isolated regions, fulfilling a constitutional mandate of territorial integration while maintaining economic sustainability.

Route Map:

Rise Air takes delivery of its first ATR 72-600

Rise Air has just welcomed the first ATR 72-600 in Canada, marking a bold step toward modern, reliable air travel for Saskatchewan’s communities and the workforce that powers its economy.

Rise Air employs over 280 personnel in locations ranging from Saskatoon to Fond-du-Lac, serving the north and working and living alongside our valued customers and community partners. With a varied and ever-expanding fleet of fixed-wing aircraft, including wheels, floats, and skis, Rise Air is the only air operator in Saskatchewan with the capability of moving people and goods to and from virtually any location in the province and beyond. By taking advantage of the efficiencies unique to our broad spectrum of expertise and experience, Rise Air continues to offer high-quality tailored aviation solutions, which serve, support, and promote the growth and success of Saskatchewan.

Scheduled commercial flights, with larger aircraft equipped with washrooms and flight attendants, serve the communities of Saskatoon, Prince Albert, La Ronge, Stony Rapids, Fond-du-Lac, Uranium City and Wollaston Lake. Rise Air also has decades of experience providing contract charter flights, including mine personnel shift changes and provincial court party transportation. Numerous accredited maintenance bases across the province means that MEDEVAC transportation, corporate and charter travel, and freight hauling are just a few of the many services Rise Air can provide safely, efficiently, and reliably, 365 days a year.

Rise Air is a 100 per cent Indigenous-owned company. We work hard to deliver long-term value to our shareholders — the First Nation communities who share ownership of Rise Air through Athabasca Basin Development (ABD) and Prince Albert Development Corporation (PADC). Shareholder Benefits Our profits are re-invested into the communities we serve through payments made to ABD and PADC.

Route Map:

The ATR 72-600 will join a diverse fleet including ATR 42s.

American Airlines announces winter lounge menu updates and new culinary active stations for the new year

American Airlines is ushering in the new year with exciting culinary updates across its premium lounges. Travelers can now enjoy refreshed winter menus in lounges, followed by new experiential offerings in select Admirals Club^® lounge locations nationwide starting January 2026.

Seasonal menus in Flagship and premium lounges

The below chef‑crafted winter plates provide just a sampling of the refreshed menus and showcase seasonal produce, warm spices and inviting flavors. From sweet to savory, these highlights offer a taste of what’s new, with additional dishes available across the lounge network.

Los Angeles (LAX) Flagship^® lounge:

Apricot and ginger pork loin with baby spinach, kale and micro cilantro
Cinnamon matcha pancakes with mandarin orange syrup, raspberries and mint
Grapefruit and fennel goat cheese salad with baby arugula, heirloom radish, farro, glazed pecans, sultanas, mint and white balsamic grapefruit vinaigrette

Chicago (ORD) Flagship^® lounge:

Curried artichoke orange salad with shave fennel, mint and curry vinaigrette
Honey mascarpone and fig parfait with roasted pistachios and almonds
Coconut lemongrass salmon with fried eggplant and chickpeas

Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) Flagship^®lounge:

Beef bulgogi and poached egg with sticky rice, butternut squash, kimchi, sauteed mushrooms, garlic chili oil, seaweed flakes, scallions and toasted sesame
Mediterranean couscous salad with mixed olives, baby artichokes, red onions, feta and lemon oregano dressing
Beet and farro salad with goat cheese and vinaigrette

Above: Mediterranean couscous salad (DFW)

Philadelphia (PHL) Flagship^® lounge:

Farro and squash salad with butternut squash, imported farro, pomegranate arils and citrus vinaigrette
Mini pretzels with Dijon mustard and Yards beer cheese sauce
Custom pho bar with pho broth, tofu, lemongrass chicken soy, vermicelli noodles, sliced yellow onion, bean sprouts, lime wedges, mint, Thai basil, scallions, cilantro, jalapeño, sweet chili, tamari, hoisin and sambal

Above: Mini pretzels with Dijon mustard and Yards beer cheese sauce (PHL)

Above: Farro and squash salad with butternut squash (PHL)

Miami (MIA) Flagship^® lounge:

Blistered shishito peppers with sesame chimichurri and pearl onions
Ghirardelli cocoa bar with butterscotch sticks, white and dark chocolate chips, marshmallows, Andes Mints, whipped topping and caramel and chocolate sauce
Peruvian chaufa bowls action station with brown rice, chorizo, fried tofu, hoisin sauce, carrots, napa cabbage, charred corn, scallions, cilantro, red peppers, tamari and broccoli

New York (JFK) joint premium lounges (The Chelsea Lounge™, Soho Lounge™ and Greenwich Lounge™ experiences):

Pulled short rib sliders (Greenwich)
Avocado tartine with smashed avocado, toasted sourdough, mache salad, heart of palm, pickled shallot, fresno pepper and radish (Chelsea)
Signature burgers (The Soho, Bushwick and East Village burgers): A trio of chef‑crafted options, including a house‑made veggie patty with vegan aioli, and two Pat LaFrieda smash‑patty creations featuring toppings such as English cheddar, caramelized onions, smoky aioli and artisanal buns (Soho)

New culinary action stations in Admirals Club lounges

American is expanding its experiential culinary program in select Admirals Club^® lounges nationwide. Beginning in January 2026, eligible Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Mastercard^® cardmembers and Admirals Club^® members will enjoy freshly prepared bagel and waffle bars, designed to add comfort and variety to the preflight routine.

Above: Bagel bars — locations include Nashville (BNA), DFW, LAX, ORD, Phoenix (PHX) and San Francisco (SFO)

Toppings: avocado, tomato, arugula, red pepper, red onion, prosciutto, smoked salmon, fresh dill and capers
Condiments: cream cheeses, hot sauces, olive oil, honey, everything seasoning and lemon

Above: Waffle bars — locations include Boston (BOS), Charlotte (CLT), Washington Reagan (DCA), JFK, New York (LGA), MIA and PHL

Spreads: maple syrup, chocolate sauce, whipped cream and almond butter
Toppings: powdered sugar, walnuts, cinnamon, coconut, fresh fruit and sprinkles

Gluten-free options will be available upon request

Looking ahead

These winter menu updates represent only a sneak peek of the refreshed offerings debuting in lounges beginning Dec. 10. Even more culinary experiences will be available across the network. In February, Flagship^® lounges will transition to a spring lineup, followed by Admirals Club^® lounge locations in March.

American Airlines remains committed to delivering distinctive flavors and thoughtful hospitality at every stage of the journey, ensuring travelers enjoy memorable experiences both in the air and on the ground.

More airline news:

JetBlue unveils “Wicked Blue,” a Boston-inspired livery on A320 N537JT celebrating two decades as the city’s favorite airline

JetBlue Airways on December 19, 2025 celebrated Wicked Blue, the airline’s newest specially painted aircraft, featuring a Boston-themed livery as a tribute to the city that JetBlue has proudly served for more than 20 years.

Named after the New England slang for “extremely,” Wicked Blue is a nod to JetBlue’s Boston roots. The newly painted Airbus A320’s (N537JT) tail features a postcard-style stamp with the date of JetBlue’s first-ever revenue flight from Boston. Spanning its blue fuselage is a bold “BOSTON” postcard design with fun, city-inspired illustrations tucked into every letter:

An ode to Boston’s iconic transportation system
The Paul Revere statue in the North End
The Zakim Bridge, anchoring the skyline
A classic Boston lobster
The Massachusetts State House and its golden dome
The National Grid tank along the Dorchester waterfront, featuring the iconic “Rainbow Swash” mural

JetBlue launched service at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) in 2004 and today remains the city’s leading leisure airline with more mainline seats and flights from Boston than any other carrier. JetBlue takes customers from Boston to their favorite warm-weather destinations with the most flights to California, Florida and the Caribbean.

Service out of Logan continues to expand with the most transatlantic service of JetBlue’s focus cities, including newly announced nonstop service to Barcelona beginning April 16, 2026, and Milan beginning May 11, 2026. JetBlue is also deepening its local service with new routes from Boston to Daytona Beach and Vero Beach this month.

Boston is home to many of JetBlue’s TrueBlue Mosaic™ members, which is why the airline’s second BlueHouse™ lounge location will open at Logan Airport in 2026. BlueHouse in Logan’s Terminal C will give Boston customers a warm, homey retreat to work, relax or enjoy locally inspired food and drinks before takeoff.

Wicked Blue (N537JT) joins JetBlue’s growing family of Boston-related aircraft, including special liveries honoring its official sponsorship of the Bruins, Celtics and Red Sox, and long-standing partnership with Dunkin’. Together, they celebrate every corner of a city central to JetBlue’s identity.

Take the news, the latest photos and airline histories with you with the AG App:

Qanot Sharq takes delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR aircraft

Qanot Sharq Airlines, one of Uzbekistan’s leading private passenger airlines, has taken delivery of its first of four Airbus A321XLR aircraft via a long-term lease agreement with Air Lease.

With this delivery, Qanot Sharq becomes the first A321XLR operator in Central Asia and the CIS, reinforcing the airline’s ambition to modernise its fleet and expand its international route network and operate new routes to key markets across Asia, including Sanya and Busan, and New York City (via Budapest), while significantly enhancing Qanot Sharq’s connectivity across Asia-Pacific and Europe.

Powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines, the aircraft is configured with 190 seats in a two-class layout featuring 16 full-flat Business Class and 174 Economy Class seats. It offers passengers and cabin crew the enhanced comfort of Airbus’ Airspace Cabin, featuring XL overhead bins with 60% more storage space compared to previous generation aircraft. In addition, in-seat connectivity is available to all passengers while the latest lighting system enhances the overall passenger experience.

Despite a reorganization cutting costs, Spirit Airlines spends money for a special holiday sweater livery on A320 N628NK

Spirit Airlines announced:

Spirit Airlines Guests will unwrap a great value on travel this holiday season as the carrier prepares to connect family and friends across more than 8,900 flights during the peak holiday travel period. Travelers looking to fly in style can treat themselves or a loved one to a decked-out experience with Spirit offering more premium seats this holiday season than ever before. Beyond offering unmatched value on travel, the airline is spreading the magic of the holidays across the communities it serves with its first-ever holiday livery, festive concerts, activations and more.

Spirit Airlines Takes Holiday Cheer to the Skies with New, Special-Edition Livery and More Festive Fun

Spreading Unmatched Value and Cheer
Highlights of Spirit’s peak holiday travel period, which runs Dec. 19, 2025, through Jan. 5, 2026, include:

More than 8,900 Spirit flights are scheduled to operate.
Top five busiest Spirit travel days are Dec. 19, Dec. 22, Dec. 26, Jan. 2 and Jan. 5.
More than 3,000 cups of hot chocolate will be available on board.
Spirit flights are scheduled to travel over 8.9 million miles, enough to wrap holiday lights around the Earth more than 350 times.

New Holiday Sweater Livery
Spirit aircraft N628NK is getting cozy this season with a new limited-time holiday livery. The new livery is styling a holiday sweater with snowman and gingerbread man designs and will take to the skies throughout the winter season.

Rocking Into the Holidays with iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball
Spirit is proud to be the official airline sponsor of iHeartRadio Y100.7’s Jingle Ball in Miami and sponsor of the iHeartRadio 103.5 KISS FM’s Jingle Ball in Chicago and iHeartRadio Channel 95.5’s Jingle Ball Detroit this year. The airline’s partnership with Jingle Ball helps bring festive performances to the communities it serves this holiday season and strengthens its engagement in key markets.

All photos by Spirit Airlines.

American’s new Airbus A321XLR debuts on transcontinental route

American has elevated transcontinental travel today with the inaugural flight of its Airbus A321XLR, carrying more than 150 passengers between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). As the only U.S.-based airline to operate the A321XLR, the aircraft is a class above the rest, offering customers a Flagship Suite^®, Premium Economy and Main Cabin experience.

Customers on the inaugural received a gift bag that included a specially designed flight tag to commemorate the aircraft’s first transcontinental flight.

As American takes delivery of additional A321XLR aircraft, the airline will schedule the aircraft on its transcontinental routes between Boston (BOS)-LAX and JFK-San Francisco (SFO) for service starting early next year. This additional transcontinental service will complement new service between JFK and Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI), that will launch on the XLR on March 8, 2026.

Departure airport	Arrival airport	Service start date
Boston (BOS)	Los Angeles (LAX)	July 2, 2026
New York (JFK)	San Francisco (SFO)	May 7, 2026

Featuring the luxurious 20 Flagship Suite^® seats, a dozen relaxing Premium Economy seats and 123 reimagined Main Cabin seats, American is offering customers a refined premium transcontinental journey with high-speed Wi-Fi and complimentary seatback entertainment featuring Bluetooth connectivity.

Customers traveling in the Flagship Suite^® seat have direct aisle access, lie-flat seating, more storage space and wireless charging. Premium Economy seats feature enhanced winged headrests, calf and footrests and wireless charging.

American Airlines sets the stage for summer with 15 new routes

While the holiday season is underway, American Airlines is looking ahead to next summer with 15 new routes for those looking to gift the perfect trip next year. American’s network already provides more one-stop connections than any other airline. Now, travelers will have more reasons to fly American when traveling across the country and the world next summer.

American’s new domestic routes

Departure airport	Arrival airport	Aircraft type	Service start date	Service end date	Frequency
Boston (BOS)	Madison, Wisconsin (MSN)	Embraer 175	June 18, 2026	Year-round	Once daily
BOS	Nantucket, Massachusetts (ACK)	E175	June 18, 2026	Sep. 8, 2026	Once daily
Charlotte (CLT)	Columbia, Missouri (COU)	E175	June 4, 2026	Year-round	Once daily
Chicago (ORD)	Erie, Pennsylvania (ERI)	Bombardier CRJ-700	May 21, 2026	Year-round	Once daily
ORD	Lincoln, Nebraska (LNK)	CRJ-700	June 4, 2026	Year-round	Once daily
ORD	Tri-Cities, Tennessee (TRI)	Embraer 170	May 21, 2026	Year-round	Once daily
Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)	LNK	CRJ-700	June 4, 2026	Year-round	Twice daily
DFW	Roanoke, Virginia (ROA)	Bombardier CRJ-900	June 4, 2026	Year-round	Once daily
Miami (MIA)	Jackson, Mississippi (JAN)	E175	March 14, 2026	Aug. 1, 2026	Once weekly on Saturdays
Phoenix (PHX)	Abilene, Texas (ABI)	E175	June 4, 2026	Year-round	Once daily
PHX	Anchorage, Alaska (ANC)	Airbus A321neo	May 21, 2026	Sept. 8, 2026	Once daily
PHX	Bozeman, Montana (BZN)	E175	June 4, 2026	Sept. 8, 2026	Once daily
PHX	Kalispell, Montana (FCA)	CRJ-700	June 19, 2026	Sept. 6, 2026	Twice weekly
PHX	LNK	CRJ-700	Winter 2026	Seasonal	Once daily
PHX	McAllen, Texas (MFE)	E175	June 4, 2026	Year-round	Once daily
PHX	Rapid City, South Dakota (RAP)	E175	June 4, 2026	Oct. 4, 2026	Once daily

American’s growing Chicago hub

American will offer more than 500 daily departures from Chicago (ORD) next summer as part of its continued commitment to the hub. The airline has added new service to more than 25 destinations from ORD and added frequencies in other markets this year, making the airport one of the fastest-growing hubs in the country. With this momentum, American is focused on thoughtfully growing its ORD network to more than 180 destinations and adding more flights in popular markets.

This growth will continue in 2026 with the addition of service to Erie, Pennsylvania (ERI); Lincoln, Nebraska (LNK); and Tri-Cities, Tennessee (TRI). And, as customers have positively responded to American’s winter network, the airline will extend winter-only offerings to Santa Fe, New Mexico (SAF) and Key West, Florida (EYW) into the summer between May 21 and Sept. 8.

Separately, American will also expand summer service from ORD to Hilton Head, South Carolina (HHH), and to Pensacola (PNS) and Panama City (ECP) in Florida. Previously operated only on the weekends, flights to these cities will operate daily between Feb. 12 and Sept. 8.

American will continue to grow options for Chicagoans to travel with increased frequencies across the airline’s network. In the spring, American will increase departures by more than 30% compared to 2025, offering more than 480 peak daily departures from ORD just in time for spring break.

All destinations served from ORD this spring will return next year, making American the only hub carrier at the airport to achieve this feat. As part of its demonstrated investment in Chicago, the airline will offer more than 25 additional destinations next spring versus 2025, including a mix of new destinations and seasonal routes that will start earlier.

All of American’s flights from ORD operate with dual-class aircraft, giving customers the opportunity to enhance their travel experience with the selection of a premium cabin. In addition, American’s ORD to London (LHR) route will continue to offer Flagship Suite^® seats for customers. Chicago was the first city in American’s network to receive this elevated premium offering.

Connecting smaller cities with the world

Traveling across the country and around the world will be easier than before on American’s global network. Starting June 4, American will add service to its 240th destination in the U.S.: Lincoln, Nebraska (LNK). No other airline serves as many domestic destinations as American, and now residents from LNK will have competitive one-stop service to international destinations such as Athens, Greece (ATH); Cancun, Mexico (CUN); Rome (FCO) and Sao Paulo (GRU).

In the Western U.S., American will grow its Phoenix (PHX) hub with seven new routes. New service to Bozeman, Montana (BZN); Kalispell, Montana (FCA); and Rapid City, South Dakota (RAP) will make it easier for travelers from states including California, Nevada and Arizona to get to national parks, monuments and more. Meanwhile, new flights to Abilene (ABI) and McAllen (MFE) in Texas will provide travelers one-stop access to destinations across the Western U.S. and Mexico.

This growth is part of American’s consistent commitment to powering global access through its hubs. Recently, the airline launched service to cities including Carlsbad, California (CLD); Golden Triangle, Mississippi (GTR); Santa Maria, California (SMX); and Sun Valley, Idaho (SUN). In 2026, the airline will also be the only airline connecting the U.S. with Bimini, Bahamas (BIM), and will add service to Vero Beach, Florida (VRB).

Collectively, American’s hub airports power global access to more than 350 destinations around the world served by the airline. Together with American’s airline partners, customers can access more than 1,000 destinations.