Air Canada and ITA Airways Celebrate Significant Partnership Milestone with New Codeshare Agreement Enhancing Connectivity Between Canada, Italy and Beyond

  • Enhanced partnership unlocks more than 30 one-stop itineraries with seamless connections
  • Each airline’s code will be added to 10 routes beyond their respective hubs inย Romeย andย Toronto
  • Activating codeshare is a significant milestone as ITA Airways’ prepares for entry into Star Alliance

MONTREAL and ROME, July 14, 2025 /CNW/ – Air Canada and ITA Airways today announced a significant milestone in their partnership with a codeshare agreement that provides customers more convenient travel options when flying between Canada and Italy, and beyond.

Air Canada and ITA Airways today announced a significant milestone in their partnership with a codeshare agreement. (CNW Group/Air Canada)
Air Canada and ITA Airways today announced a significant milestone in their partnership with a codeshare agreement. (CNW Group/Air Canada)

“We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with ITA Airways through our new codeshare agreement that complements our robust network to Italy. This deepening of ties will allow customers travelling on Air Canada to Rome-Fiumicino to conveniently book and seamlessly connect to ten popular destinations across Italy, Africa, Israel and Albania. Likewise, ITA Airways customers arriving in Toronto will benefit from access to 10 key Canadian and U.S. cities across our network,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and President, Cargo at Air Canada.

“With work underway to facilitate ITA Airways’ entry into Star Alliance, we are developing significant partnership synergies. This will form the foundation for a strong, long-term relationship between our two flag-carrying airlines.”

“The codeshare agreement with Air Canada is a great step forward for our growth strategy,” said Joerg Eberhart, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of ITA Airways. “This partnership improves connectivity for our passengers traveling between Italy and North America, our first market beyond Italy, serving both leisure and business travelers. Moreover, it enables us to offer seamless connections for passengers of Italian origin residing in Canada and the United States, facilitating their journeys to Italy and beyond, while providing them the opportunity to fully experience the excellence of Made in Italy โ€” a heritage that ITA Airways proudly represents as an ambassador worldwide.”

Under the agreement, Air Canada will place its AC code on select routes operated by ITA Airways from Rome-Fiumicino. These include five popular destinations in Italy: Lamezia Terme, Palermo, Catania, Florence and Bari; three points in Africa, including Cairo, and Tunis and Algiers; as well as Tirana and Tel Aviv (the latter temporarily suspended). ITA Airways will place its AZ code on selected routes operated by Air Canada from Toronto Pearson, these include: Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and St. John’s; and selected services from Canada to the United States: Boston, Orlando, Dallas, and Fort Lauderdale.

*Routes to/from Tunis and Algiers are subject to governmental approval

Sales of codeshare tickets are available as of today, for travel starting on July 21st.

The airlines are working towards implementing reciprocal earning and redemption capabilities for their respective loyalty programs. ITA Airways is also in the process of joining the Star Alliance network as a full member, with work underway to facilitate full membership expected in early 2026.

This partnership complements Air Canada’s growing network to Italy. This summer, Air Canada will operate up to 39 weekly flights and over 13,000 weekly seats to Italy. In May, it launched a new route between Montreal and Naples, the gateway to the Amalfi coast. Naples is the airline’s fourth non-stop connection between Canada and Italy in addition to Rome, Milan, and Venice. As well, Air Canada offers intermodal rail connections with Trenitalia, the largest train operator in Italy, with high-speed, regional, overnight and international train routes. Through these intermodal connections, customers will be able to travel to up to 30 onward destinations within Italy.

In the current summer season, ITA Airways operates a total of 59 destinations, including 16 intercontinental, 27 international and 16 domestic routes. During the summer peak, the airline flies to 12 additional seasonal destinations in the Mediterranean โ€” 3 domestic and 9 international โ€” from Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate. These seasonal destinations include the Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Majorca, Menorca), several Greek islands (Rhodes, Heraklion, Corfu, Zakynthos, Kefalonia), as well as the Italian islands of Lampedusa and Pantelleria. Furthermore, in addition to seasonal routes, ITA Airways has recently enhanced its offering to passengers, providing them with connections to over 100 additional destinations โ€” both across Europe and on intercontinental routesโ€”through codeshare agreements with five Lufthansa Group airlines: Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Air Dolomiti.

Alpaca your bags for Peru: Delta launches first-ever SLCโ€“Lima flight

Retired on September 2, 2024
Delta Air Lines Boeing 767-324 ER WL N394DL (msn 27394) SBD (Michael B. Ing). Image: 963954.

Delta announces first-ever nonstop service from Salt Lake City to Lima, connecting the Mountain West to South America starting December 2025.

Delta is expanding its global network with a historic milestone: The launch of its first-ever nonstop service from Salt Lake City (SLC) to South America. From December 4, 2025, through January 25, 2026, Delta will operate daily flights to Lima, Peru (LIM), offering customers in the region direct access to one of South Americaโ€™s most vibrant capital cities. 

โ€œThis new route is a significant milestone for Delta and our customers in Salt Lake City and throughout the Mountain West,โ€ said Paul Baldoni, Senior Vice President of Network Planning. โ€œWith this expanded connectivity through our Salt Lake City hub, weโ€™re proud to offer a faster, more convenient way to reach Lima and other major cities across South America.โ€ 

A new gateway to Peru and throughout South America  

Lima is Salt Lake Cityโ€™s most in-demand South American destination, and this new nonstop Delta service marks the first direct connection between the two cities. The route will also provide convenient one-stop access to Peru for travelers across the Western U.S., including from San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Denver, Las Vegas, Sacramento, and Boise.  

Once in Lima, travelers will enjoy a vibrant mix of world-class cuisine, rich history, and coastal culture. For outdoor enthusiasts, Peru is a gateway to high-altitude treks in the Andes, Machu Picchu, Pacific surfing and Amazon rainforest adventures.   

This route strengthens Deltaโ€™s partnership with LATAM, offering customers convenient one-stop connections from SLC to major South American cities includingโ€ฏ Sรฃo Paulo, Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile and numerous other destinations. Travelers connecting in Lima will now enjoy a dramatically improved airport experience, thanks to Jorge Chรกvez International Airportโ€™s new state-of-the-art terminal, designed to streamline international transfers and elevate the customer journey from arrival to departure.   

โ€œThe creation of this first-ever nonstop gateway between Utah and South America is an exciting opportunity to build upon Utahโ€™s growing importance on the world stage and it underscores Deltaโ€™s commitment to our state,โ€ said Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox. โ€œAs this new global connection to Utah begins, weโ€™ll continue to look for more ways to open new doors for business development, economic trade, tourism and culture exchange for our state.โ€ 

โ€œAs two capital cities both nestled among iconic mountain ranges, it feels especially fitting that Salt Lake City and Lima will now share this direct connection,โ€ said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. โ€œThis nonstop route will strengthen ties across our continents, spark new opportunities for residents and visitors alike, and continue Salt Lake Cityโ€™s emergence as a global destination.โ€ 

Elevated Travel Begins at Salt Lake City 

Salt Lake City is a key Delta hub, with up toโ€ฏ265 peak-day departures to 96 destinations. Delta continues to invest in the airportโ€™s future, including the 2020 opening of theโ€ฏ900,000-square-foot Concourse A, which features 50 Delta gates and 19 new restaurants and shops. By 2027, additional gates will be added to support continued growth.  

โ€œThis nonstop service from Salt Lake City to Lima will be embraced by Utah passengers and the stateโ€™s growing Latin American community,โ€ said Bill Wyatt, executive director, Salt Lake City Department of Airports. โ€œThe route not only connects the state to 30 destinations throughout South America but will be the fourth continent our passengers will have nonstop access to, which further advances Salt Lakeโ€™s position as the crossroads of the world.โ€ 

The flight will be operated on aโ€ฏwidebody Boeing 767-300ER featuring four product experiences:โ€ฏDelta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort and Delta Main.  

Delta One customers can take advantage of lie-flat seats and premium amenities like the luxurious new Missoni-designed bedding, amenity kits, and in-flight accessories that elevate the travel experience with comfort, elegance and signature Missoni style. โ€ฏ 

Eligible customers traveling through SLC can also enjoy theโ€ฏ28,000-square-foot Delta Sky Club on Concourse A, which includes a Sky Deck overlooking panoramic mountain views and a 360-degree fireplace offering a premium experience before embarking on flights to Lima and beyond. Later this year, Delta will welcome a second Delta Sky Club on Concourse B in SLC, further elevating the journey for customers. 

Subject to foreign government approval. 

Air Premia Signs Interline Agreement with Amazon Air Cargo to Expand U.S. Cargo Network

  • Expands reach to 45 U.S. cities in partnership with Amazon Air Cargo
  • Reduces transit time and costs by up to 20% viaย Honoluluย transshipment

SEOUL, South Korea, July 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Air Premia, South Korea’s premier hybrid airline, has announced the signing of an interline agreement with Amazon Air Cargo, the largest cargo carrier in the United States, marking a major step forward in its expansion into the American air cargo market.

On July 9, Air Premiaโ€™s first cargo shipment for the Incheonโ€“Honolulu route is loaded at Incheon International Airport. Pictured (third from right) is Kim Do-gil, Cargo Sales Manager at Air Premia, and (third from left) Kim Young-il, Aviation Logistics Manager at Incheon International Airport Corporation, commemorating the launch of the new service.
On July 9, Air Premiaโ€™s first cargo shipment for the Incheonโ€“Honolulu route is loaded at Incheon International Airport. Pictured (third from right) is Kim Do-gil, Cargo Sales Manager at Air Premia, and (third from left) Kim Young-il, Aviation Logistics Manager at Incheon International Airport Corporation, commemorating the launch of the new service.

Under the agreement, Air Premia will operate cargo services on the Incheonโ€“Honolulu route, with Amazon Air Cargo handling the onward distribution from Honolulu to 45 cities across the U.S., including Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, Houston, and New York (JFK). This newly launched service, branded as “Aloha Express,” officially commenced operations on July 9.

Strategically positioned as a trans-Pacific logistics hub, Honolulu enables more efficient cargo transfers between Asia and the U.S. mainland. The transshipment through Honolulu is expected to reduce both delivery times and logistical costs by as much as 20%, compared to existing direct routes.

Air Premia is utilizing its proprietary Valley Cargo service for the Incheonโ€“Honolulu segment, leveraging Amazon Air’s extensive domestic network for final delivery throughout the U.S. This collaboration significantly enhances Air Premia’s cargo capabilities beyond its current bases at Los Angeles (LAX), Newark (EWR), and San Francisco (SFO), and positions the airline to serve a broader range of logistics needsโ€”from global e-commerce and corporate freight to third-country transshipments.

“This partnership has expanded our cargo network across the Americas,” said an Air Premia official. “Leveraging our strong routes between Asia and the U.S., we are reinforcing our competitiveness in the global logistics market.”

In April, Air Premia demonstrated its capabilities in high-value and specialized cargo by becoming the only South Korean airline outside of the nation’s two flag carriers to handle pharmaceutical shipments. The airline continues to diversify its cargo services, strengthening its presence in the premium logistics sector.

Ethiopian Airlines Begins New Passenger Service to Hanoi, Vietnam

Addis Ababa, 10 July 2025

Ethiopian Airlines, Africaโ€™s largest airline and one of the fastest-growing airline brands
in the world, is pleased to announce the commencement of its new four-times-weekly
passenger service to Hanoi, the vibrant capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
To mark this significant milestone, Ethiopian Airlines hosted an inaugural ceremony at
the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, attended by high-level government officials, diplomatic
representatives, and executives of the airline, including Mr. Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO
of Ethiopian Airlines.
The launch of the Hanoi route marks Ethiopian Airlinesโ€™ first passenger gateway into
Vietnam and its 20th destination in Asia, strengthening the airlineโ€™s strategic expansion
in Southeast Asia and deepening ties between the region and Africa.
Mr. Mesfin Tasew, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, commented on
the new service saying, โ€œWe are truly delighted to start passenger services to Hanoi, a city of great cultural and economic significance. This new route not only supports our vision of connecting Africa to the world but also serves as a bridge for enhanced cooperation between Africa and Southeast Asia. With our modern fleet, award-winning service, and vast global network, we are confident that this route will facilitate growing tourism, business, and people-to-people ties between Vietnam and the African continent.โ€

Currently, Ethiopian Airlines operates flights to 28 passenger and cargo destinations in
Asia, with over 190 weekly frequencies, making it one of the most connected African
carriers in the region. The new Addis Ababaโ€“Hanoi route, operated with a one-stop in
Dhaka, Bangladesh, provides travelers with even greater access between the two
continents.
Hanoi, known for its rich architectural heritage and historical landmarks offers Ethiopian passengers access to one of Asiaโ€™s most culturally significant cities. With the launch of this new service, Ethiopian Airlines further solidifies its position as a key player in intercontinental air travel by bridging continents, cultures, and communities through seamless connectivity.

Guest Contributor: Shea Oakley

TWA (Trans World Airlines) Boeing 747-131 N93107 (msn 19673) CDG (Christian Volpati). Image: 906726.
TWA (Trans World Airlines) Boeing 747-131 N93107 (msn 19673) CDG (Christian Volpati). Image: 906726.

In my opinion, perhaps no other aircraft type wore Trans World Airline’s (TWA’s) classic 1961-75 “double-globe” livery better than the Boeing 747-131. The look just seemed perfect on the original “Queen of the Skies” and from the first TWA 747 roll-out in late 1969 until 1979/80 when the last aircraft received the completely redesigned 1975 paint scheme it was always a pleasure to see one of these airplanes, whether at rest or in motion. Such views were readily available as TWA was a major operator of Boeing’s “Jumbo Jet,” with the airline being second only to launch customer Pan American World Airways in putting the type into service, inaugurating the first U.S. transcontinental 747 flights beginning in February of 1970 (the company actually flew 747’s from that year until retiring the last aircraft in 1998). One of those original -131’s, “N93107” is seen here at Paris-Charles De Gaulle Airport, apparently just after a rainstorm, sometime in the 1970’s. The airline flew a total of 36 747’s during 28 years including the Special Performance (SP) model and a number of “second-hand” -200 variants. Also included among the -100 series aircraft were four 747-125’s originally ordered by Eastern Air Lines in 1967. These aircraft were under construction in Seattle in early 1970 when EAL decided to go exclusively with the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar as its widebody flagship for the 1970s. All four aircraft were sold to Trans World instead.

"Ann"
National Airlines (1st) Boeing 727-35 N4614 (msn 18815) MIA (Jacques Guillem Collection). Image: 966039.

National Airlines possessed one of the more striking and expessive liveries of the late 1960’s and 1970’s. The orange and yellow stripes and “Sun King” logo (in my opinion one of the best ever designed for an airline) made it crystal clear that NAL was very much “Florida’s Own Airline,” based in Miami for many years before arch-competitor Eastern moved its corporate headquarters there in 1975. Late in 1971 National launched its famous (or, for some, infamous) “Fly Me” advertising campaign which included virtually every NAL aircraft receiving a female name painted somewhere near their jet’s forward passenger loading doors. Boeing 727-25 “N4614” was no exception, being christened “Ann.” This practice continued until 1977 when “Fly Me” was finally replaced by “Watch us Shine” as the offical corporate slogan and by 1979 most, if not all, of the names had been removed. This photograph depicts Ann at Miami, possibly undergoing some line maintenance, and looking like she has just received a repaint. Time is unknown, but it is quite possible this image dates to the period shortly after “Fly Me” ads began appearing in October of 1971. N4614 continued to fly National’s domestic routes until the airline’s ill-fated merger with Pan American in January of 1980. At that time the Boeing trijet received a new name: “Clipper Reporter.” After passing through periods of ownership by several other operators the 727 was reported as being scrapped in Ottawa, Ontario in 1995.

Court Line operated two Lockheed L-1011 TriStar aircraft, which were introduced in the early 1970s. These aircraft were specially configured for high-density seating, accommodating around 400 passengers to cater to the booming package holiday market. The two TriStars were named Halcyon Days and Halcyon Breeze, and they featured Court Lineโ€™s signature pastel-colored liveries, designed by Peter Murdoch - Best Seller
Court Line Aviation (Eastern Airlines) Lockheed L-1011-385-1 TriStar 1 G-BAAA (msn 1024) “Halcyon Days” LGW (Jacques Guillem Collection). Image: 921678.

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.

4-star "DC-10 Friend Ship"
United Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 N1825U (msn 46624) SFO (Jacques Guillem Collection). Image: 944419.

While undated, this photograph of United Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 Friend Ship “N1825U” at San Francisco likely was shot in the mid- to late-1970’s. Many people know and love United’s “pre-Saul Bass” four-star livery. What many do not know is that there are actually two distinct versions of the “Star’s and Bar’s” color scheme. Starting in late 1973, just a year before United introduced the also very popular “Tulip” design, a decision was made to change all the “United” titles on the company’s aircraft from black to a thicker blue lettering style. Print advertising featuring the new font began to appear in the spring of 1973, but it appears the modification on existing aircraft in the fleet (several new aircraft were delivered this way) did not appear until very late that year. One thing this livery wasn’t was subtle. Like many 1970’s-era colors on U.S. carriers the “Blue Friend Ship” look really jumped out at you and was quite distinctive. When a United aircraft flew over your head or taxied by your gate there was no way you were not going to know what airline that airplane belonged to! Even after the Saul Bass-designed “Tulip” look was introduced with great fanfare in 1974 the sheer size of United’s fleet (it was the largest airline in the “Free World” at the time) meant that it took several years for the “Friend Ships” to disappear. Several were still carrying this old livery well into the late 1970’s.

"DC-8 Jetliner" - Accepted on October 10, 1959 - Delta holds the distinction of operating the world's first scheduled DC-8 flight, which was operated on September 18, 1959, with a flight from New York (Idlewild, now JFK) to Atlanta.
Delta Air Limes Douglas DC-8-11 N803E (msn 45410) ATL (Christian Volpati Collection). Image: 965968.

Photographs of Delta Air Lines Douglas DC-8-11’s in the 1959 “pre-widget” delivery livery, particularly in color, are almost non-existent. That is what makes this shot of “N803E” at Atlanta truly a rare gem. Delta beat United Air Lines by just a few hours in inaugurating the world’s first service with this pioneering first generation jetliner on 9/18/59 from NY-Idlewild to Atlanta (where the aircraft used the one and only “Jetway” in use at the destination airport at the time). Delta would go on to fly not only these very early -11’s, but also the DC-8-33/-51/-61/-71 variants (with the last stretched, re-engined DC-8-71 not being retired until 1989, thirty years after service start with the aircraft type). The original JT3C powered -11’s, such as N803E, were eventually converted to JT3D turbofan equipped -51’s during the early 1960’s, at which time the earliest version of the still in use triangular “widget” logo was applied to the aircraft.

Leased from American Airlines on March 1, 1978
Braniff International Airways (1st) (American Airlines) Boeing 747-123 N9666 (msn 20105) DFW (Christian Volpati Collection). Image: 961128.

While Braniff International Airways (BI) awaited the factory delivery of several Boeing 747-227’s and 747SP-27’s for their rapidly expanding international route system (including new services across both the Atlantic and Pacific), they needed more than just their single owned “Jumbo Jet” 747-127 “N601BN.” So, ironically, they leased one in the early spring of 1978 from American Airlines (AA), the company that would be most responsible for BI’s demise four short years later. Needing to press 747-123 “N9666” into operation as quickly as possible upon delivery, Braniff decided to forego the usual solid color covering the entire fuselage and simply painted a single wide orange stripe over American’s triple stripe of red, white, and blue. They also left AA’s overall bare metal fuselage and simply added their “BI” tail logo and “Braniff international” fuselage titles to create a one-off design never seen on any other Braniff aircraft in the company’s history. Chances are the American interior was left untouched as well (although BN had installed leather seats in both coach and first class sections of N601BN by this time). BTW, N601BN was known informally inside the company as “Big Orange” since 1971. What was the nickname for partially bare-aluminum N9666, seen here at DFW, during her two-year stint with Braniff? “Big Alcoa,” of course!

Rare 1964 experimental livery - ex Trans Caribbean N8781R wore this experimental livery for Eastern Air Lines in 1964. It was part of a series of trial paint schemes developed during the airlineโ€™s transition to the iconic โ€œNew Markโ€ (or โ€œHockeystickโ€) livery. N8781Rโ€™s version featured a distinctive curved lower cheatline that dipped beneath the noseโ€”an unusual design element not seen in the final version. This livery was short-lived and later modified as Eastern refined its branding direction. The aircraft itself remained in service with Eastern until 1972, after which it was sold to Air Jamaica.
Eastern Airlines (1st) McDonnell Douglas DC-8-51 N8781R (msn 45648) NAS (Christian Volpati). Image: 966215

Eastern Air Lines tried out a number of experimental schemes in 1964 before settling on the famous “hockey-stick” livery which endured, in one form or another, until the shut-down in 1991. This, however, is the ONLY color photograph I have ever encountered showing this design, where the lower “Ionosphere Blue” stripe diverges from the lighter “Caribbean Blue” stripe towards the front of the aircraft. When I recently discovered this Nassau, Bahamas-shot of DC-8-51 “N8781R” I actually paid to have a print made up for my own EAL collection. I suspect she was the only one of the legendary carrier’s aircraft painted up this way and this look wasn’t around for long. Eastern’s factory-delivered DC-8’s, by the way, were mostly the -21/-61/-63 variants. Four of the company’s five -51’s were second-hand aircraft. In this rare photo please also notice the lack of painted outlines for doors and emergency exits. These outlines on U.S. transport aircraft would not be mandated by the FAA until July of 1966.

Christmas in July: American Airlines gives sunseekers more options to get away this winter

  • American Airlines will launch service this winter on three new routes to Mexico City (MEX); Queretaro, Mexico (QRO); and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ).
  • The airline will also add more flights to popular destinations including Dominica (DOM); St. Maarten (SXM); Tortola, British Virgin Islands (EIS); and more.
  • American offers more flights from the U.S. to Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America than any airline, giving travelers more ways to catch some sun or head to the beach.
American Airlines Boeing 737-823 WL N875NN (msn 33220) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 105920.
American Airlines Boeing 737-823 WL N875NN (msn 33220) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 105920.

FORT WORTH, Texas โ€” American Airlines is giving travelers the perfect gift for Christmas in July with new routes and more flights to popular destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America this winter. Starting later this year, American will launch service from Chicago (ORD) to Mexico City (MEX) and Queretaro (QRO) in Mexico and will also begin service from Philadelphia (PHL) to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ).

โ€œAs the leading U.S. airline in Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America, at American weโ€™re focused on growing our network, giving our customers access to their favorite destinations in the region โ€” from the tropical paradise of Puerto Rico to the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Mexico City, and beyond,โ€ said Josรฉ A. Freig, Vice President of International and Inflight Dining Operations. โ€œWith these new routes and additional flying, next winter weโ€™ll operate 10% more seats than the previous year, a testament to our commitment to the region and our customers.โ€

American will operate more than 430 peak daily departures to 97 destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America this winter. During the December holiday season, American will offer more than 2.3 million roundtrip seats to the region from the U.S., nearly one million more seats than the closest competitor airline.*

โ€œSummer travel is in full swing, but American is giving travelers a head start on planning winter vacations,โ€ said Philippe Puech, Americanโ€™s Director of International Network Planning. โ€œAmerican is giving travelers more options to get away this winter, and we are thrilled to offer customers more new routes and flights to popular destinations.โ€

Tickets for the new service will be available for sale starting July 14 at aa.com or on Americanโ€™s mobile app.

From the Windy City to fun-in-the-sun

Chicagoans looking for sun this winter will have two new options on American. Starting Oct. 26, American will launch new daily service from ORD to MEX. Travelers can immerse themselves in the vibrant capital of Mexico with world-renowned restaurants, a rich history, outdoor parks and shopping.

Jetsetters can also fly from ORD to QRO beginning Dec. 18. In addition to the cityโ€™s historic center and unique experiences for travelers, a visit to Queretaro also offers travelers convenient access to nearby attractions, including one of Mexicoโ€™s best wine regions and the charming town of San Miguel de Allende.

Earlier this year, American called โ€œdibsโ€ on the beach from ORD with five new international destinations and more flights to Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Now, the airline is expanding that schedule, giving Chicagoans a network for sunseekers featuring more than 20 destinations.

Americanโ€™s new routes from Chicago
DestinationService notes
Mexico City (MEX)Daily service from Oct. 26
Queretaro, Mexico (QRO)Daily holiday service from Dec. 18 to Jan. 5

Providing more choices for Philadelphia

American serves more destinations from PHL than any other airline, and this winter, the airline is adding one new destination and expanding frequencies on three other routes. During the holiday season from Dec. 18 through Jan. 5, American will offer service to 14 destinations to Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America from PHL with more than 20 peak-day departures.

New service from PHL to SDQ will begin Dec. 18. This tropical city provides visitors the chance to relax on nearby beaches, enjoy new cultural experiences and learn about the Dominican Republicโ€™s history.

Americanโ€™s expanded holiday service from Philadelphia
DestinationService notes
Aruba (AUA)Increase to two daily flights
San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU)Increase to three daily flights
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ)New daily service
St. Maarten (SXM)Increase from one weekly to one daily flight

More, more, more from Miami

Miami (MIA) is Americanโ€™s gateway to Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America. This winter, American will grow the hub to a record 415 peak daily departures and expanded holiday service to popular beach destinations.

From Dec. 18 to Jan. 5, American will increase its operations from MIA on eight routes. In total, American will offer more than 170 daily departures from MIA to 73 destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America during the holiday season.

Americanโ€™s expanded holiday service from Miami
DestinationService notes
Dominica (DOM)Increase to two daily flights
Kingston, Jamaica (KIN)Increase to four daily flights
Marsh Harbour, Bahamas (MHH)Increase to three daily flights
North Eleuthera, Bahamas (ELH)Increase to three daily flights
Ocho Rios, Jamaica (OCJ)Increase to two daily flights
San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU)Increase to seven daily flights
Santiago, Dominican Republic (STI)Increase to three daily flights
Tortola, British Virgin Islands (EIS)Increase to five daily flights

*Based on current published schedules

Delta Air Lines announces June quarter 2025 financial results

Delta Air Lines today reported financial results for the June quarter and provided its outlook for the September quarter and full year 2025.ย ย 


Delivered June quarter results in line with April guidance, with continued strength in diverse revenue streams driving double-digit margins

Expect September quarter earnings per share of $1.25 to $1.75 with a 9 to 11 percent operating margin

Restoring full year guidance with expectation for earnings per share of $5.25 to $6.25 and free cash flow of $3 to $4 billion

Announced a 25 percent increase to dividend payment beginning in September quarter

2024 version of Team USA logo jet for Paris 2024 Olympics
Delta Air Lines Airbus A350-941 N521DN (msn 661) (Team USA) AMS (Arnd Wolf). Image: 963894.

ATLANTA, July 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today reported financial results for the June quarter and provided its outlook for the September quarter and full year 2025.  Highlights of the June quarter, including both GAAP and adjusted metrics, are on page five and incorporated here.

“In the June quarter, Delta delivered record revenue on a 13 percent operating margin, generating $1.8 billion in pre-tax profit and leading network peers across key operational metrics.  This strong performance is a direct reflection of the outstanding contributions of our people, who continue to set the bar for industry performance,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief executive officer.

“As we look to the second half of our centennial year, we remain focused on executing our strategic priorities and managing the levers within our control to deliver strong earnings and cash flow.  Reflecting our confidence in the business, we are restoring financial guidance with an expectation for earnings per share of $5.25 to $6.25 and free cash flow of $3 to $4 billion, consistent with our long-term free cash flow targets.”

June Quarter 2025 GAAP Financial Results

  • Operating revenue ofย $16.6 billion
  • Operating income ofย $2.1 billionย with an operating margin of 12.6 percent
  • Pre-tax income ofย $2.6 billionย with a pre-tax margin of 15.5 percent
  • Earnings per share ofย $3.27
  • Operating cash flow ofย $1.9 billion
  • Payments on debt and finance lease obligations ofย $2.9 billion
  • Total debt and finance lease obligations ofย $15.1 billionย at quarter end

June Quarter 2025 Non-GAAP Financial Results

  • Operating revenue ofย $15.5 billion
  • Operating income ofย $2.0 billionย with an operating margin of 13.2 percent
  • Pre-tax income ofย $1.8 billionย with a pre-tax margin of 11.6 percent
  • Earnings per share ofย $2.10
  • Operating cash flow ofย $1.8 billion

Financial Guidance1

FY 2025
Earnings Per Share$5.25 – $6.25
Free Cash Flow ($B)$3 – $4
Gross Leverage2Less than 2.5x
3Q25
Total Revenue YoY0% – 4%
Operating Margin9% – 11%
Earnings Per Share$1.25 – $1.75
1Non-GAAP measures; Refer to Non-GAAP reconciliations for historical comparison figures
2Adjusted debt to EBITDAR

Revenue Environment and Outlook

“Delta generated record June quarter revenue of $15.5 billion, approximately 1 percent higher than prior year.  Through the quarter, demand trends stabilized at levels that are flat to last year and we continued to see resilience in our diverse, high-margin revenue streams.  The team did a great job leveraging Delta’s structural advantages to optimize performance in this environment,” said Glen Hauenstein, Delta’s president.

“For the September quarter, we expect total revenue to be flat to up 4 percent compared to the prior year, with unit revenue trends expected to improve through the second half of the year as we continue to adjust capacity and the industry further rationalizes supply.”

  • Record quarterly revenue:ย Delta’s total revenue was a recordย $15.5 billion, approximately 1 percent higher than the June quarter of 2024 on 4 percent capacity growth. Adjusted total unit revenue (TRASM) was down 3 percent compared to prior year, consistent with expectations.
  • Diversified revenue streams remain resilient:ย Diverse, high margin revenue streams contributed 59 percent of total revenue, underpinning Delta’s differentiated business model. Premium revenue continued to outpace main cabin, growing 5 percent on a year-over-year basis. Loyalty revenue was up 8 percent, driven by co-brand spend growth and card acquisitions. American Express remuneration wasย $2 billion, up 10 percent year-over-year. Cargo and MRO revenue grew 7 percent and 29 percent, respectively.
  • International performed well through peak summer period:ย International revenue grew 2 percent during the quarter. Continued restoration of the Transpacific network supported by double-digit capacity growth in the region drove record Pacific revenue, up 11 percent compared to the second quarter of 2024. Strong demand for Transatlantic travel continued as Delta expanded service to European destinations for the peak summer period with revenue growing 2 percent above record 2024 levels.
  • Corporate demand environment remains steady:ย Corporate sales* in the June quarter were up low-single digits over the prior year, led by Domestic.
*Corporate sales represent the revenue from tickets sold to corporate contracted customers, including tickets for travel during and beyond the referenced time period

Cost Performance and Outlook

“Cost execution continues to be an important focus across the enterprise.  June quarter non-fuel unit cost growth of 2.7 percent was similar to the March quarter and in line with expectations,” said Dan Janki, Delta’s chief financial officer.  “We expect the September quarter will be our best non-fuel unit cost performance of the year, with non-fuel unit costs flat to down compared to 2024.  For the full year, we remain on track to deliver non-fuel unit cost growth in the low-single digits year-over-year, consistent with our long-term target.”

June Quarter 2025 Cost Performance

  • Operating expense ofย $14.5 billionย and adjusted operating expense ofย $13.5 billion
  • Adjusted non-fuel costs ofย $10.5 billion
  • Non-fuel CASM was 13.49ยข, an increase of 2.7 percent year-over-year
  • Adjusted fuel expense ofย $2.5 billionย was down 11 percent year-over-year
  • Adjusted fuel price ofย $2.26ย per gallon decreased 14 percent year-over-year with a refinery loss of 1ยข per gallon

Balance Sheet, Cash and Liquidity

“During the first half of the year, we generated free cash flow of $2 billion, supporting our full year expectation for $3 to $4 billion of free cash flow,” Janki said.  “With strong cash generation, we are well-positioned to deliver on our capital allocation priorities as we reinvest in the business, pay down $3 billion of debt this year, and return cash to shareholders, including a 25 percent increase to our quarterly dividend beginning in the September quarter.”

  • Adjusted net debt ofย $16.3 billionย at June quarter end, a reduction ofย $1.7 billionย from the end of 2024
  • Payments on debt and finance lease obligations for the June quarter ofย $2.9 billion
  • Weighted average interest rate of 4.6 percent with 95 percent fixed rate debt and 5 percent variable rate debt
  • Adjusted operating cash flow in the June quarter ofย $1.8 billion, and with gross capital expenditures ofย $1.2 billion, free cash flow wasย $733 million
  • Air Traffic Liability ended the quarter atย $8.9 billion
  • Liquidity* ofย $6.4 billionย at quarter-end, includingย $3.1 billionย in undrawn revolver capacity

June Quarter 2025 Highlights

Operations, Network and Fleet

  • Recognized as the Best U.S. Airline by The Points Guy for the seventh consecutive year based on operational reliability, customer experience, cost, reach and loyalty
  • Operated the most on-time airline in the June quarter, leading competitive set in on-time departures and arrivals and network peers in completion factor1
  • Took delivery of 10 aircraft during the June quarter, bringing the total year-to-date to 19, including the A350-900, A330-900, A321neo and A220-300
  • Retired 10 aircraft during the June quarter, bringing the total to 14 retirements year-to-date
  • Announced strengthened partnership with WestJet through a minority equity stake, supporting future benefits for travelers, including an elevated, more seamless travel experience for customers worldwide, subject to regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions
  • Announced plans to build global partnership with IndiGo, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic, connectingย Indiaย withย Europeย andย North Americaย in the future, subject to regulatory approvals
  • Expanded joint venture with LATAM toย Argentina, enhancing connectivity with the U.S. andย Canada
  • Launched nonstop flights from SLC to Seoul-Incheon, opening a new gateway between the U.S. andย Asia
  • Announced nonstop service from SEA toย Barcelonaย andย Romeย beginning May of 2026
  • Began operating Delta’s most expansive Transatlantic schedule ever, including new and increased service toย Barcelona,ย Sicily,ย Copenhagen,ย Dublin,ย Milan,ย Naplesย and more European destinations

Culture and People

  • Accruedย $470 millionย toward profit sharing in the June quarter, resulting inย $594 millionย accrued year-to-date
  • Provided a 4 percent base pay increase for eligible employees worldwide, the fourth consecutive annual increase since 2022, reflecting Delta’s commitment to industry-leading pay for industry-leading performance
  • Named No. 3 in the Fortune ReturnOnLeadershipยฎ ranking of the top 100 companies in the Fortune 500 based on strong leadership, strategic alignment and clear vision for the future, the highest-ranked airline
  • Recognized as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the U.S. for the eighth consecutive year by Points of Light
  • Partnered with the Best Defense Foundation for the Normandy Legacy Flight for the fourth year, chartering over 20 WWII veterans to Normandy,ย Franceย to commemorate the 81st anniversary of D-Day
  • Recognized as the No. 1 corporate blood drive sponsor with the American Red Cross for the eighth consecutive year with a record 16,178 units of blood collected at 386 blood drives in the last 12 months
  • Over 4,400 Delta volunteers completed 155 community service events and contributed over 8,600 hours of service across 8 countries during Global Volunteer Month in April

Customer Experience and Loyalty

  • Ranked No. 1 in J.D. Power’s Premium Economy Satisfaction survey for the third consecutive year
  • Awarded Best Airline Staff inย North Americaย for fourth consecutive year at the Skytrax World Airline Awards
  • Launched Fly Delta app 7.0, enhancing the customer experience with real-time updates and seamless upgrade redemptions
  • Opened the Delta One Lounge in SEA with seating for over 200 customers, complementing the new Delta Sky Club one level below with the two spaces totaling 24,000 square feet
  • Opened eighth and largest Delta Sky Club in ATL located in Concourse D, with seating for over 500 guests
  • Empowering customers with choice through the announcement of new product experiences tailored to individual budgets and priorities on flights startingย October 1
  • Named Best Global Airline for the Americas by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), further strengthening Delta’s position as a global leader in premium travel
  • Launched Uber partnership enabling SkyMiles members to earn miles on select rides and deliveries; expanded to offer 6-12 months of complimentary Uber One for select Delta American Express cardholders
  • Expanded partnership with Missoni to include a Delta One bedding set and a refreshed amenity kit
  • Continued the roll out of fast, free Wi-Fi for SkyMiles Members with 925 aircraft equipped and 95 percent of the mainline fleet expected to be equipped by the end of 2025

Environmental Sustainability

  • Issued the 2024ย Delta Difference Report, highlighting Delta’s continued commitment to a more sustainable future of travel while investing in its people and supporting local communities
  • Achieved 1 percent fuel burn savings from operational improvements, equating to 45 million gallons2ย of jet fuel savings, as a part of Delta’s decarbonization journey
1FlightStats preliminary data for Delta flights system wide, Delta’s competitive set (AA, UA, B6, AS, WN, and DL) and Delta’s network peers (AA, UA, and DL) from April 1 – June 30, 2025.  On-time is defined as A0
2Compared to 2019, and relative to what we would have used if Delta had not undertaken any fuel efficiency efforts, not including fleet renewal

June Quarter 2025 Results

June quarter results have been adjusted primarily for third-party refinery sales and gains/losses on investments as described in the reconciliations in Note A.

GAAP$
Change
%
Change
($ in millions except per share and unit costs)2Q252Q24
Operating income2,1022,267(165)(7) %
Operating margin12.6 %13.6 %       (1.0) pts(7) %
Pre-tax income2,5741,77380145 %
Pre-tax margin15.5 %10.6 %      4.9 pts46 %
Net income2,1301,30582563 %
Diluted earnings per share3.272.011.2663 %
Operating revenue16,64816,658(10)โ€” %
Total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) (cents)21.4422.31(0.87)(4) %
Operating expense14,54614,3911551 %
Cost per available seat mile (CASM) (cents)18.7319.28(0.55)(3) %
Fuel expense2,4582,813(355)(13) %
Average fuel price per gallon2.212.64(0.43)(16) %
Operating cash flow1,8562,450(594)(24) %
Capital expenditures1,2091,308(99)(8) %
Total debt and finance lease obligations15,05617,983(2,927)(16) %
Adjusted$
Change
% Change
($ in millions except per share and unit costs)2Q252Q24
Operating income2,0482,269(221)(10) %
Operating margin13.2 %14.7 %       (1.5) pts(10) %
Pre-tax income1,8052,002(197)(10) %
Pre-tax margin11.6 %13.0 %       (1.4) pts(11) %
Net income1,3701,528(158)(10) %
Diluted earnings per share2.102.36(0.26)(11) %
Operating revenue15,50715,4071001 %
TRASM (cents)19.9720.64(0.67)(3) %
Operating expense13,45813,1383202 %
Non-fuel cost10,4769,8086687 %
Non-fuel unit cost (CASM-Ex) (cents)13.4913.140.352.7 %
Fuel expense2,5122,811(299)(11) %
Average fuel price per gallon2.262.64(0.38)(14) %
Operating cash flow1,8442,458(614)(25) %
Free cash flow7331,274(541)(42) %
Gross capital expenditures1,1681,216(48)(4) %
Adjusted net debt16,31618,803(2,487)(13) %

About Delta Air Lines  Through exceptional service and the power of innovation, Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) never stops looking for ways to make every trip feel tailored to every customer.   

There are 100,000 Delta people leading the way to deliver a world-class customer experience on up to 5,000 peak day Delta and Delta Connection flights to more than 290 destinations on six continents, connecting people to places and to each other.โ€ฏ

Delta served more than 200 million customers in 2024 โ€“ safely, reliably and with industry-leading customer service innovation โ€“ and was recognized by J.D. Power this year for being No. 1 in First/Business and Premium Economy Passenger Satisfaction. The airline also was recognized as the top U.S. airline by the Wall Street Journal and as North America’s most on-timeโ€ฏairlineโ€ฏin 2024 and our people earned the Platinum Award for Operational Excellence from Cirium.

We remain committed to ensuring that the future of travel is connected, personalized and enjoyable. Our people’s genuine, enduring motivation is to make every customer feel welcomed and cared for across every point of their journey with us.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta operates significant hubs and key markets in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Bogota, Boston, Detroit, Lima, London-Heathrow, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK and LaGuardia, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City, Santiago (Chile), Sao Paulo, Seattle, Seoul-Incheon and Tokyo.

As the leading global airline, Delta’s mission to connect the world creates opportunities, fosters understanding and expands horizons by connecting people and communities to each other and to their own potential. 

A founding member of the SkyTeam alliance and powered by innovative and strategic partnerships throughout the world with Aeromexico, Air France-KLM, China Eastern, Korean Air, LATAM, Virgin Atlantic and WestJet, Delta brings more choice and competition to customers worldwide. Delta’s premium product line is elevated by its unique partnership with Wheels Up Experience.

Delta is America’s most-awarded airline thanks to the dedication, passion and professionalism of its people. In addition to the awards from J.D. Power and Cirium, Delta has been recognized among Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies; the World’s Most Admired Airline and one of the Best 100 Companies to Work For according to Fortune; one ofโ€ฏGlassdoor’s Best Places to Work; the top carrier for business travelers by Business Travel News; and topped 5 categories, including the Best U.S. Airline award, in Forbes Travel Guide’s Verified Air Travel Awards. In addition, Delta has been named to the Civic 50 by Points of Light as one of the most community minded companies in the U.S. and the best U.S. airline by the Points Guy for the past seven years.

American Airlines supports relief partners in response to Texas flooding

FORT WORTH, Texas โ€” In response to the catastrophic flooding that has devastated communities across central Texas, American Airlines is joining forces with its disaster response partners โ€” the American Red Cross, Airlink and Team Rubicon โ€” to aid relief efforts and support families affected by this heartbreaking disaster.

The flooding in Texas is just one of more than 65,000 disasters the Red Cross responds to each year across the United States. American stands with the Red Cross as they mobilize to offer safe shelter, warm meals and emotional support to those impacted.

How you can help

While Americanโ€™s partners are on the ground providing aid in Texas, American team members will assemble more than 2,000 care packages for first responders, National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard deployed across the flood zone. Customers can also take action now to support disaster relief efforts and other weather events by donating to the Red Cross. Through July 18, AAdvantageยฎ members who donate a minimum of $25 to the Red Cross will receive 10 AAdvantageยฎ miles for every dollar donated.

Donated AAdvantageยฎ miles enable critical aid missions for Team Rubicon, Airlink and the Red Cross. Members can also donate AAdvantageยฎ miles through Miles for Social Good to help organizations like these expand their recovery efforts in the aftermath of disasters both big and small.

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 theโ€ฏoneworld 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 whatโ€™s happening at American by visitingโ€ฏnews.aa.comโ€ฏand connect with Americanโ€ฏ@AmericanAirโ€ฏand atโ€ฏFacebook.com/AmericanAirlines. To Care for People on Lifeโ€™s Journeyยฎ.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nationโ€™s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.

About Airlink, Inc.
Airlink is a global humanitarian nonprofit organization delivering critical aid to communities in crisis by providing free or discounted airlift and logistical solutions to vetted nonprofit partners, changing how the humanitarian community responds to disasters worldwide. Its network includes over 250 aid organizations and over 50 commercial and charter airlines. Since its inception in 2010, Airlink has flown 14,000 relief workers and transported 18 million pounds of humanitarian cargo, directly helping 63 million people impacted by natural and man-made disasters. In 2025 Airlink celebrates its 15th anniversary. For more information, visit airlinkflight.org and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

About Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises. Founded following the Haiti earthquake in 2010, the organization has grown to more than 200,000 volunteers across the United States and has launched over 1,200 operations domestically and internationally. To drive equity across disaster and humanitarian services, Team Rubicon focuses on three areas of impact: disaster response โ€“ from mitigation to immediate response to recovery; long term recovery & workforce development โ€”maintaining the fabric of communities through resilient building methods; and medical services โ€“ providing emergent and surge health care, WASH, and disaster risk reduction. The organization is featured in the Roku original series titled Team Rubicon, which highlights the work of Greyshirt volunteers assisting communities across the country. Visit http://www.teamrubiconusa.org for more information.

A Message of Thanks, a New Partnership, and a Very Special Guest Contributor

On display at the Paris Air Show 2025
Riyadh Air Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner HZ-RXX (N8572C) (msn 38892) LBG (Michael Kelly). Image: 966177.

To our valued readers,

At World Airline News, our mission has always been to bring you the most engaging, accurate, and timely stories in the world of commercial aviation. Whether it’s breaking route news, fleet updates, or the deeper historical context behind todayโ€™s headlines, all driven with the power of AirlinersGallery.com Color Photo Library, your enthusiasm and support have fueled our growth and kept this platform soaring.

Today, we’re excited to share a few important updates that mark another exciting chapter in our journey.

First, a heartfelt thank you to our global community of readers, contributors, and industry professionals. Your continued engagementโ€”through every story share, tip submission, and insightful commentโ€”helps us remain a trusted source for aviation news worldwide. Weโ€™re honored to be part of your daily routine, whether you’re on the tarmac or reading from your flight deck at home.

Second, weโ€™re thrilled to announce a new partnership with Kore Aviation, a company committed to elevating the in-flight experience for aviators everywhere. At Kore Aviation, they specialize in premium yet affordable aviation headsets designed to deliver both comfort and performance. Whether youโ€™re a seasoned commercial pilot or an aspiring private flyer, Koreโ€™s headsets are engineered to bring clarity and focus to every journey. Weโ€™re proud to align with a brand that reflects our own commitment to quality and value in aviation.

Finally, weโ€™re beyond excited to welcome Shea Oakley as a special guest contributor to World Airline News. Shea will be contributing historical posts on Fridays for the remainder of the summer.

Shea has been immersed in the world of commercial aviation history for decades, having joined the World Airline Historical Society at just 15 years old. He later co-founded the Tri-State Airline Historical Society and launched โ€œAirliners Northeast,โ€ the first airline collectibles show in the New York area, held at Newark Airport.

With a prolific writing career that spans print and digital outlets, Shea has been a central figure in preserving and interpreting the legacy of American commercial flight. As former Executive Director of the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey, and now founder of The Commercial Aviation History Consultancy, Shea brings unmatched insight and historical expertise to his writing. He is regularly interviewed for his knowledge, including in high-profile pieces like this recent feature for Travel Weekly: 100 years of airline survival: Delta, American, United.

Please join us in giving Shea a warm welcome to the World Airline News family. His contributions will not only inform but inspire, connecting past to present in ways that deepen our understanding of this ever-evolving industry.

Thank you again for flying with us. The best is yet to come.

โ€“ The World Airline News Team

Air Canada Further Expands its Latin America Network; Resumes Flights to Lima, Adds Three New Hotspot Destinations

ยท       Four non-stop flights weekly to Lima, two each from Montreal and Toronto

ยท       First Canadian carrier offering non-stop service- to Mexicoโ€™s buzzworthy Puerto Escondido from Toronto and a new route to Tepic, Riviera Nayarit from Vancouver

ยท       Weekly non-stop flights from Montreal to Belize

MONTREAL, July 9, 2025 – Air Canada today announced it is further expanding its winter 2025-26 network by resuming non-stop service to Lima, Peru with twice weekly flights from both Montreal and Toronto. The airline is also adding three new routes to Central America and Mexico including, Montreal-Belize, Toronto-Puerto Escondido*, and Vancouver-Tepic, Riviera Nayarit*, building on its recent Latin America expansion announcement.  Flights are now available for sale at aircanada.com, through Air Canada Contact Centres, and via travel agents.

โ€œAir Canada is further diversifying its global network this winter under its New Frontiers Strategy by capitalizing on strong leisure demand to sought-after vacation destinations in South and Central America and in Mexicoโ€™s Oaxaca and Pacific coast areas. Our new flights are designed to provide easy connections for both Canadian and European travellers, as well as to take advantage of cargo opportunities in the region,โ€ said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, and President, Cargo at Air Canada.

โ€œCustomers will have even more compelling choices when planning vacation travel this winter. From Peruโ€™s rich history and archaeological ruins, the legendary Belize Barrier Reef, or Mexicoโ€™s vibrant and rapidly emerging hidden gem vacation spots, Air Canada is proud to bring new and exciting destinations for our customers to explore. We look forward to welcoming you onboard our award-winning airline soon,โ€ concluded Mr. Galardo.

Air Canada’s newest Mexico routes are opening doors to some of the countryโ€™s buzzworthy and under the radar vacation destinations. Puerto Escondido, nestled along Oaxacaโ€™s stunning Pacific coast, is a laid-back surf haven renowned for its golden beaches and extraordinary waves. With new direct flights from Toronto, this bohemian paradise will now be within easy reach for Canadian travellers seeking off-the-beaten-path charm.

On Mexicoโ€™s western coast, Air Canadaโ€™s new Vancouver-Tepic, Riviera Nayarit service opens a fresh gateway to the Riviera Nayaritโ€”timed perfectly with the completion of a new highway linking Tepic to Puerto Vallarta in October 2025. Oceanfront gems such as artistic San Pancho, surf-friendly Sayulita, and upscale Punta Mita will be within a convenient 30-minute to one-hour drive from Tepicโ€™s airport. This new route offers travellers an alternative point of access to explore the vibrant landscapes, pristine beaches, and rich cultural tapestry that make Nayarit one of Mexicoโ€™s most captivating regions.

This winter, Air Canada will offer over 80,000 weekly seats on more than 55 daily flights to 52 destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean, representing the greatest number of sun destinations the airline has served.

Air Canadaโ€™s flights to Peru:

FlightFromToDepartArriveDays of OperationSeason
AC 88Montreal (YUL)Lima (LIM)18:0002:15 (+1 day)Wed, SatDec. 6, 2025 โ€“ Mar. 25, 2026
AC 89Lima (LIM)Montreal (YUL)08:0016:20Wed, SatDec. 6, 2025 โ€“ Mar. 28, 2026
AC 86Toronto (YYZ)Lima (LIM)22:1006:10 (+1 day)Tue, FriDec. 5, 2025 โ€“ Mar. 27, 2026
AC 87Lima (LIM)Toronto (YYZ)08:0015:55Thu, SunDec. 7, 2025 โ€“ Mar. 26, 2026

Air Canadaโ€™s new Central America and Mexico winter routes:

FlightFromToDepartArriveDays of OperationSeason
AC1876Montreal (YUL)Belize (BZE)17:4522:05MonDec. 8, 2025-Apr. 6, 2026
AC1877Belize (BZE)Montreal (YUL)11:0016:40TueDec. 9, 2025-Apr. 7, 2026
AC1895Toronto (YYZ)Puerto Escondido (PXM)*10:1013:43WedDec.17, 2025 -Apr. 8, 2026
AC1894Puerto Escondido (PXM)Toronto (YYZ)14:4521:24WedDec.17, 2025 -Apr. 8, 2026
AC1350Vancouver (YVR)Tepic, Riviera Nayarit (TPQ)*09:4515:45WedDec.17, 2025 -Apr. 8, 2026
AC1351Tepic, Riviera Nayarit (TPQ)Vancouver (YVR)16:4520:55WedDec.17, 2025 -Apr. 8, 2026

*The sale of air tickets in these routes is subject and condition to the prior authorization of the government of Mexico.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the countryโ€™s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canadaโ€™s Aeroplan program is Canadaโ€™s premier travel loyalty program, where members can earn or redeem points on the worldโ€™s largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers more travel choices than any other Canadian tour operator to hundreds of destinations worldwide, with a wide selection of hotels, flights, cruises, day tours, and car rentals. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canadaโ€™s passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canadaโ€™s climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. For additional information, please see Air Canadaโ€™s TCFD disclosure. Air Canada shares are publicly traded on the TSX in Canada and the OTCQX in the US.