ATR delivers the first ATR 42-600 to PNG Air as the airline accelerates its fleet renewal

ATR announced:

At the end of May, ATR formally delivered the first ATR 42-600 aircraft of a previously undisclosed order of three to PNG Air. Following a purchase agreement initiated late 2024, this first delivery marks the beginning of the airline’s ambitious renewal plan, that places ATR aircraft at the heart of its future network.

PNG Air plays a vital role in Papua New Guinea, by operating scheduled passenger services across one of the world’s most geographically complex countries. With mountaineous terrain, dense rainforest and very limited road infrastructure, aviation is often the only means of connecting communities to essential services, markets, education and healthcare. Reliable regional aircraft are therefore a cornerstone of the country’s social and economic development.

Since 2023, PNG Air has launched a major transformation, focusing on operational performance, punctuality, dependable frequencies and a better travel experience for its passengers. Modernising the fleet is a key part of this strategy. Over the next year, PNG Air plans to transition progressively to an all-ATR fleet, expanding from five to 16 aircraft while retiring its older DHC Q100s.

This accelerated growth combines new ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600 deliveries with the acquisition of several pre-owned aircraft from established lessors. By choosing ATR, PNG Air is investing in the most efficient and capable regional aircraft for the country’s unique environment: turboprop aircraft that can serve short routes, challenging gravel runways, and remote communities with outstanding fuel efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Across Papua New Guinea, this delivery marks a step forward: towards more reliable and more responsible mobility, helping the country stay connected and its communities thrive.

Delta honors WWII heroes with fifth Normandy Legacy Flight

Delta Air Lines announced:

The historic journey with 28 World War II veterans — most of whom are over 100 years old — officially began on Monday, June 1, in Delta’s hometown of Atlanta, marked by a heartfelt welcome and gala dinner at the Delta Flight Museum.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., Delta employees lined the red carpet, eagerly anticipating the arrival of our honored veterans. As they made their way in, they were greeted with enthusiastic cheers and a sea of waving American and French flags — a powerful tribute to the enduring bond between the two nations and the heroes who helped secure their freedom.

Photos from the Sendoff Dinner for the 2027 Return to Normandy trip at the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday June 1, 2026. (Casey Sykes for Rank Studios)

The evening transitioned into a moving gala that brought together WWII veterans, students, Delta employees and leaders and partners including The Best Defense Foundation, Michelin and French Ambassador Laurent Bili. In one of the night’s most memorable moments, Cpl. Jack Myers joined NextGen student Caleb Walker in a heartfelt rendition of “God Bless America”— a powerful reflection of the enduring bond formed through a past program and a symbol of connection and legacy.

But this meaningful evening was just the beginning. These veterans departed for Normandy, retracing the steps of history and returning to the very shores where their courage helped change the course of history.

June 1

HEROES JOURNEY TO ATL

STAFF WRITER

It’s nearly time for takeoff. Over this weekend and on Monday, nearly 30 World War II veterans from around the U.S. traveled to Atlanta ahead of the 5th edition of the Normandy Legacy Flight.

At airports across the country, Delta employees and customers rallied to give these heroes the sendoff they deserve. From heartfelt announcements over the loudspeaker to personal moments of gratitude, people came together to send these veterans off with the celebration they deserve.

As these men travel to Atlanta and soon to Normandy, they carry with them stories that shaped history, now ready to be heard once more.

More airline news:

World’s longest-range aircraft, the Airbus A350-1000ULR takes to the skies

The A350-1000ULR (MSN 707), the first of 12 aircraft ordered by Qantas has completed its first flight in Toulouse, France. The aircraft, fitted with special flight test instrumentation, flew for three hours 43 minutes reaching an altitude of slightly above 41,000 feet. The aircraft was flown by a dedicated Airbus Fli ght Test crew.

The A350-1000ULR is being developed for Qantas Airways to enable non-stop flights between Sydney and London for the first time ever – a distance of almost 10,000 nautical miles, with flight times of up to 22 hours. This is made possible primarily by the integration into the aircraft structure of an additional rear centre tank (RCT), enhancing further the aircraft performance and increasing the range of the aircraft by 1,000 nautical miles.

During the first flight the crew carried out general aircraft performance checks and tested the new fuel system architecture. This marks the start of a two month flight test campaign to certify the modifications. In addition, a new galley air cooling system will also be certified, which features lighter and more efficient refrigeration units for very long flights. The ventilation and temperature control of the cabin will also be thoroughly tested.

Following the flight test campaign, MSN 707 will be retrofitted to Qantas’ commercial specifications.

The second A350-1000ULR to be produced for Qantas and the first scheduled to be delivered to the airline in April 2027, is now at an advanced stage of final assembly and ready to roll out of the paint shop in the coming days. This will be followed by completion of the premium four class cabin layout and engine installation.

The A350-1000ULR is the fourth passenger variant of the best-selling A350 Family, joining the A350-900, A350-900ULR and the A350-1000. Together, the aircraft have set new standards in long haul air travel, with a step-change reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions, and new levels of passenger comfort.

The passenger line-up will soon be joined by the all-new A350F freighter, also currently under development at Airbus, with first flight planned later this year.

At the end of April 2026, the A350 Family had won 1,579 orders from 68 customers, with over 700 aircraft flying with 41 operators, primarily on long haul services across the globe.

QANTAS has ordered 12 A350-1000ULRs under Project Sunrise, designed to overcome one of the last frontiers in non-stop travel from Australia. In addition the carrier also has 12 standard A350-1000s on order for future operation across its long haul network.

Newark Liberty International Leads All Major Northeast Airports with Most On-Time Flights in 2026

Newark Liberty International (EWR) has led all major northeast airports so far this year with the most on-time flights in 2026. That’s a notable achievement given the airport’s ranking about a year ago.

United Airlines, EWR’s largest carrier, achieved its best-ever on-time rate in April and May at Newark, while flying nearly 5.8 million passengers.

The airline is off to a strong start this summer, flying a record three million passengers across its network over the Memorial Day holiday with nearly 70% of customers arriving on time.

The airline expects more than 53 million travelers this summer and continues to win brand-loyal customers by investing in onboard products and services as well as industry-leading technologies like Starlink and the United Mobile App.

Last Spring, EWR experienced a confluence of challenges – FAA radar and radio outages, Air Traffic Control staffing shortages and existing runway construction – that produced significant delays, diversions and cancellations. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stepped in by improving staffing, upgrading technology at the airport and, importantly, limiting flights to ensure that the schedules out of Newark match the actual capacity of the airport.

United CEO Scott Kirby was at Newark today to celebrate the turnaround story and thank local employees.

“Newark has operated better than it ever has and that’s a direct result of the actions taken by Secretary Duffy and the FAA as well as the professionalism, dedication and care of our nearly 15,000 local employees,” said Kirby. “Newark is the ‘crown jewel’ of our international network serving as a global gateway to dozens of international destinations – I’m proud of the work we’re doing here, and all across the country, to deliver a great experience and get our customers where they want to go safely and on time.”

Gateway for Global Travelers

Thousands of United employees help power the airline’s Newark operation that connects customers to nearly 320 cities across North, South, and Central America and the Caribbean, including 120 destinations with just one stop. Newark serves as a key gateway to United’s global network, offering nonstop service to 42 destinations across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and India – more Transatlantic destinations than any other carrier from the New York City area.

The hub connects United customers to 15 destinations no other U.S. airline serves including recently launched service to Split, Croatia; Bari, Italy; Glasgow, Scotland and Santiago De Compostela, Spain.

In addition to new routes launched this summer, United will become the only U.S. airline offering nonstop flights between Newark/New York and Seoul, South Korea beginning September 4. This October, the airline will also be the only airline in the New York area to offer service to St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands as passengers seek a Caribbean getaway.

More airline news:

Has Prime Air become Amazon Air Cargo?

A new Boeing 767-300F (N496MM) is now being operated for Amazon by AmeriJet International.

Instead of the usual Prime Air titles the aircraft now sports “Amazon Air Cargo” titles.

Amazon Air Cargo describes itself:

100+ aircraft. 250+ flights daily. 7 days per week. And now, self-service access to instant quotes, express booking, and real-time tracking—all backed by Amazon’s reliable air network. We have the tools, the team, and the tech to get your air cargo where it needs to go swiftly and securely, from takeoff to touchdown. Guaranteed.

Our fleet of 737, 767, and A330 aircraft services networks within North America, Latin America, EMEA, and Asia. We can also provide international charter services.

Amazon.com (http://amazon.com/) Services LLC (d/b/a Amazon Air Cargo) is an Indirect Air Carrier. All flights are operated by our direct air carrier partners, including ATI, ABX, 21 Air, Sun Country, Hawaiian Airlines, Cargojet, ASL, and Quickjet.

Summary of what we think is happening:

Amazon has introduced an “Amazon Air Cargo” livery on an Amerijet-operated Boeing 767-300F, signaling a strategic shift to sell excess capacity to third-party clients, rather than just moving company packages.

While the operational identity remains “Amazon Air,” this new branding on N496MM highlights the company’s expansion into a commercial logistics business alongside its existing Prime Air services.

Any further information is welcome.

LATAM Boeing 787 CC-BBD is damaged at Easter Island

On May 29, 2026, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner registered CC-BBD of LATAM Airlines of Chile was damaged on the tarmac of Easter Island Airport, Mataveri (IPC/SCIP) after the flight LA841 had arrived.

The second door (L2) was torn off by the airstairs truck.

Report and photos by Alvaro Romero reporting from Chile.

It is uncertain at this time when repairs can be performed at the remote airport in the South Pacific Ocean.

Emirates reveals a celebratory A380 livery dedicated to Arsenal FC on A6-EOE

Emirates has revealed a celebratory A380 livery dedicated to Arsenal FC, following the club’s triumphant Premier League winning season. Unveiled as part of the airline’s longstanding partnership with Arsenal, the bespoke livery reflects Emirates’ continued commitment to connecting fans with the world’s biggest sporting moments.

Applied in-house by Emirates Engineering, the decal stretches from the iconic tail fin flag to the middle of the fuselage and features four first-team players: Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard and Viktor Gyökeres. The Arsenal Crest is proudly emblazoned above glistening gold ‘Champions’ lettering, celebrating the efforts of the entire squad.

2026 marks a major milestone for Emirates and Arsenal, as they celebrate 20 years of partnership. Emirates serves as Official Airline partner, and holds naming rights to Arsenal’s home ground, Emirates Stadium in North London. The Fly Better logo is also featured prominently on the front of the Men’s, Women’s and Academy team shirts, marking the longest-running front-of-shirt sponsorship in Premier League history.

This new livery is yet another accolade to add to Arsenal’s trophy cabinet, after a remarkable season, which saw the club crowned champions of the Premier League last week. Today, the Arsenal and Emirates A380 will take to the skies for its victory lap, heading to London Heathrow as EK001. Planespotters and football fans alike can catch a glimpse of the airline’s newest livery, which pays homage to Emirates’ longstanding commitment to the game, the club and the supporters.

Alaska Airlines brings spirit of friendship and adventure to the skies with new ‘Toy Story 5’ livery on Horizon Air’s N659QX

Alaska Airlines announced:

For over 30 years, audiences around the world have followed the beloved toy crew of Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie, who taught generations that friendship, magic and imagination never go out of style. Now, as Disney and Pixar’s highly anticipated “Toy Story 5” prepares to soar into theaters June 19, Horizon Air, the regional carrier of Alaska Airlines, is bringing the next chapter of the iconic franchise to the skies with a new livery inspired by the film’s latest adventure.

The Embraer 175 (N659QX) showcases original fan favorites Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie, alongside new “Toy Story 5” tech toy characters, including Lilypad, Snappy, Atlas and Smarty Pants. Adding to the fun, the livery features floating clouds throughout the fuselage and playful, Toy Story-inspired callouts like “Saddle Up, It’s Takeoff Time!” and “Ready for Takeoff, Partner.” Forky and Karen Beverly also make surprise appearances on the winglets, extending the spirit of “Toy Story” as it reaches for the sky from every angle of the aircraft.

Alaska unveiled Horizon’s new, larger-than-life livery for guests and employees earlier today at Portland International Airport. Named “To 45 and Beyond”, a nod to Buzz Lightyear’s famous interstellar mantra, the special Toy Story aircraft also commemorates Horizon’s upcoming 45th anniversary of providing safe, caring service across Alaska Airlines’ regional network and reminds guests of all ages that adventure, imagination and a little play are always ready for takeoff.

I couldn’t think of a more special way to celebrate Horizon’s history with our guests than to bring out the kid in all of us. Forty-five years of service is a meaningful milestone, and I couldn’t be prouder of our people who, each and every day, put their best foot forward to deliver the industry’s best and most caring travel experience.”

Andy Schneider

President and CEO Horizon Air

Horizon’s “To 45 and Beyond” joins Alaska’s nine other Disney-themed aircraft, including “Friendship and Beyond at the Disneyland® Resort,” its first “Toy Story” livery, “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Flyer,” “Mickey’s Toontown Express” and the “Star Wars Transport to the Disneyland Resort,” recently updated with Mandalorian and Anzellan characters in celebration of Disney’s newest movie, “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” now playing in theaters.

More airline news:

Lufthansa’s confirmation of nonstop Frankfurt–Kuala Lumpur service beginning October 25, 2026 is one of the most strategically significant long‑haul additions in its Winter 2026/27 schedule, …
May 31, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)Lufthansa’s confirmation of nonstop Frankfurt–Kuala Lumpur service beginning October 25, 2026 is one of the most strategically significant long‑haul additions in its Winter 2026/27 schedule, and the full story ties together network strategy, aircraft deployment, and the global rollout of the Allegris cabin. The new route restores Lufthansa’s presence in Malaysia after more […]
KLM’s retirement of its Airbus A330‑200 fleet reached a symbolic turning point on May 31, 2026, when the airline’s very first example—the pictured PH‑AOA “Dam Amsterdam”—operated its final c …
May 31, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)KLM’s retirement of its Airbus A330‑200 fleet reached a symbolic turning point on May 31, 2026, when the airline’s very first example—the pictured PH‑AOA “Dam Amsterdam”—operated its final commercial flight and returned to Schiphol Airport for the last time. The aircraft arrived as flight KL765 from Bonaire, closing out nearly 21 years of […]
Southwest CEO Bob Jordan: Southwest Airlines’ leadership is now openly describing a transformation that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. At the Bernstein 42nd Annual Strateg …
May 31, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)Southwest CEO Bob Jordan: Southwest Airlines’ leadership is now openly describing a transformation that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. At the Bernstein 42nd Annual Strategic Decisions Conference, CEO Bob Jordan laid out a roadmap that includes true first‑class seating, airport lounges, and even long‑haul international flying—all major departures from […]
American Airlines’ latest round of fuel‑driven schedule cuts removes six routes from its network, all tied directly to the spike in global jet‑fuel prices that began in early 2026. These sus …
May 31, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)American Airlines’ latest round of fuel‑driven schedule cuts removes six routes from its network, all tied directly to the spike in global jet‑fuel prices that began in early 2026. These suspensions target long‑thin transcontinental routes from Los Angeles (LAX) and two medium‑length West Coast links from Charlotte (CLT)—all markets where fuel burn is […]
The nearly eight‑month closure of Aspen–Pitkin County Airport (ASE) from April 4 to November 19, 2027 will temporarily halt all commercial and general‑aviation traffic so the county can rebu …
May 30, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)The nearly eight‑month closure of Aspen–Pitkin County Airport (ASE) from April 4 to November 19, 2027 will temporarily halt all commercial and general‑aviation traffic so the county can rebuild the runway to a wider, modernized layout. The project is the largest airfield reconstruction in the airport’s history and requires a full shutdown because […]

QANTAS adds an Airbus A321XLR in a “Great Barrier Reef” special livery

Qantas’ newest Airbus A321XLR has rolled out of Airbus’ paint shop in Hamburg, Germany, showcasing a livery inspired by one of the seven natural wonders of the world; the Great Barrier Reef. Named Coral Sea, the aircraft is the seventh of 48 next generation A321XLRs Qantas has on order and will be flown home to Australia by Qantas pilots next month.

The A321XLR is the newest addition to Qantas’ fleet and can fly more than 3,000 kilometres further than the Boeing 737 aircraft it replaces. Qantas became the first airline in Asia Pacific to operate the aircraft type when its first aircraft, Great Ocean Road, entered service in September 2025.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s most iconic tourism destinations, welcoming more than 2.3 million visitors last year and benefitting businesses and communities across Queensland. The Qantas Group plays an important role in connecting visitors to the reef and wider Queensland, operating more than 1,600 domestic and international return services in and out of the state every week. Last year, total visitor expenditure in Queensland topped more than $44 billion – or $121 million a day.

The eye-catching livery on Qantas’ Coral Sea A321XLR spans both sides of the 44 metre-long aircraft, with the design a collaborative effort that celebrates Qantas’ long-term partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. It features sea turtles, clownfish and coral from the reef, rendered in bold, bright colours across the fuselage.

Qantas has partnered with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation since 2009 and has committed $10 million over 10 years, through the Reef Restoration Fund, to help support scientists, Traditional Owners and local tourism operators seeking to restore corals across the Great Barrier Reef and other Australian coral reefs.

The Group continues to expand its connections in and out of the sunshine state. In 2025, Qantas and Jetstar added 10 new routes to Queensland, including Qantas international services from Brisbane to Vanuatu, Manila and Palau, along with domestic routes from Cairns to Sunshine Coast and Darwin to the Gold Coast.

Qantas is also adding more of its next generation aircraft to Queensland routes, with its A321XLR recently commencing flying between Brisbane and Perth and A220 flights between Brisbane and Cairns launching earlier this month. The airline’s first A321XLR international service will commence in October, connecting Brisbane and Manila.

ANA adds “Pokémon Jet Red” and “Pokémon Jet Green”

Special event commemorating the 30th anniversary of the birth of Pokémon and the 40th anniversary of ANA International flights

It is the 30th anniversary of the release of Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green in 1996, and the 40th anniversary of the launch of ANA International flights. To celebrate this momentous double anniversary, ANA is launching a new project centered around the key concept of “experience the excitement and fun of the journey with Pokémon.”

Since the launch of the world’s first Pokémon Jet in 1998, ANA has a long record of surprising and delighting air travelers. 2026 is a year of milestones, so the decision was made to launch three specially painted aircraft with the Pokémon Jet name, one after the other!

ANA is providing the next generation of children and fans around the world with a new brand experience to express our gratitude for their support over the years.

Introduction Video

Pokémon Jet Red

Based on the key concept of “experience the excitement and fun of the journey with Pokémon,” we show Pikachu and first partner Pokémon going on an exciting adventure. Pokémon Jet Red features Fire-type Pokémon.

A journey that will be familiar to anyone who has played the Pokémon game series. Come join us to find your Pokémon partners.