PHOENIX – Mayor Kate Gallego today announced that STARLUX Airlines intends to begin new nonstop flights between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Taipei’s Taoyuan Airport.

The service, pending final government approvals, would begin early next year, with three to four flights a week.

This is the first nonstop air service to Asia for Phoenix and Arizona. Gallego shared the news in her annual State of the City Address. This announcement comes on the heels of the United States largest foreign direct investment ever with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s plans to invest $165 billion into its Phoenix facilities.

“Phoenix’s first non-stop flight to Asia reflects the incredible strides we’ve made with our local economy, and our emergence as an international city,” Gallego said. “TSMC’s historic investment in Phoenix has brought thousands of high wage jobs and boosted our reputation as a semiconductor hub, and now it’s helping increase air service demand.”

STARLUX Airlines was founded by legendary visionary Captain Kuo-Wei (K.W.) Chang who was the former chairman of EVA Air. In 2018, he launched STARLUX Airlines, his ultimate vision of a five-star airline rivaling the best in the world. With handpicked aircraft and a relentless focus on luxury, STARLUX took off in 2020 and has been redefining premium air travel ever since.

“I knew from the moment I set foot in Phoenix that STARLUX should make the investment to fly here. Not only is the growth of business between Taipei and Phoenix staggering, it’s a perfect match for our level of service. We are proud and honored to be the first carrier to provide nonstop Asia service for the Phoenix community,” Chairman K.W. Chang said.

Phoenix international flights add more than $3 billion to the local economy each year per the Airport’s most recent economic impact study. This service alone is estimated to have a $100 million plus economic impact each year.

“I am thrilled that STARLUX Airlines has chosen Phoenix Sky Harbor as its newest destination,” Aviation Director Chad Makovsky said. “This significant win for Phoenix and our entire region is a testament to the vision and dedication of Mayor Gallego and our City Council as they support the continued growth and modernization of our airport to serve as a top-tier international gateway.”

Service will initially begin with an A350-900 aircraft that has 306 seats. Tickets will go on sale once government approval is formalized

Hamburg, Germany, 20 May 2025 – Wizz Air has taken delivery of its first of 47 A321XLR aircraft. The airline becomes the first in the world to operate the A321XLR powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, and the first European low cost operator of the type. 

Wizz Air’s A321XLRs have 239 seats in a single class configuration featuring the newly designed Airspace cabin with an innovative lighting system and multiple settings to create a perfect environment at different phases of the flight, including boarding, dining, relaxing, sleeping and waking up. With the A321XLR joining its fleet, Wizz Air is enhancing its capacity to connect Europe and the Middle East.

Wizz Air is an all Airbus operator with a fleet of over 230 A320 Family aircraft in operation and 295 left to be delivered.

The A321XLR is the next evolutionary step of the A320neo Family, responding to market needs for more range and payload, creating even more flexibility and value for the airlines. It will deliver an unprecedented Xtra Long Range of up to 4,700nm, 30% lower fuel burn per seat compared with previous generation competitor aircraft, as well as reduced NOx emissions and noise. So far, Airbus has secured more than 500 orders for the type. 

As with all Airbus aircraft, the A321XLR aircraft is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus is targeting to have its aircraft capable of flying with  up to 100% SAF by 2030.

The top redeemed flights include summer getaways across the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean

DANIA BEACH, Fla., May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Spirit Airlines’ (NYSE American: FLYY) Guests are soaring into summer by exchanging their Free Spirit points for a warm getaway to enjoy tropical beaches and major attractions. Just in time for the summer travel season, the Free Spirit loyalty program today revealed the top destinations redeemed by members for June 1 through Aug. 31, 2025, including destinations with beautiful coastlines, rich culture and world-class entertainment across Florida, Nevada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Colombia. Free Spirit makes it easy for travelers to redeem points for flights, with redemptions available on every flight starting as low as 2,500 points.

Free Spirit’s Top U.S. Summer Redemptions*

1. Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
2. Orlando (MCO)
3. Las Vegas (LAS)

Free Spirit’s Top LATAM and Caribbean Summer Redemptions*

1. Cancun (CUN)
2. San Juan (SJU)
3. Medellin (MDE)

“Nothing says summer like taking a vacation, and our savvy Guests know the best way to make those PTO plans is by redeeming flights to beautiful destinations with their Free Spirit points,” said Rana Ghosh, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Spirit Airlines. “We just launched our expanded redemption options, making it easier for Free Spirit members to redeem their points for a premium experience, including our new, extra-legroom seating option.”

With Free Spirit loyalty point redemptions booked between January and May of 2025 up 25 percent for summer getaways compared to the same time frame in 2024, more travelers are using their loyalty perks for vacations to exciting destinations across Spirit’s network.

Revamped Free Spirit Loyalty Program
Spirit recently upgraded its Free Spirit program and offers Guests more benefits with new ways to earn and redeem points.

• Expanded Redemption Options: Guests can now redeem all four travel options**, including premium options like Go Big and Go Comfy using Free Spirit points, excluding taxes and fees. Spirit plans to add even more exciting redemptions in the coming months, including personalized experiences and elevated perks that cater to every type of traveler.
• Complimentary Upgrades: Free Spirit Status members and Free Spirit credit card holders will enjoy complimentary upgrades to a Big Front Seat and Comfy Seat at boarding, based on availability and status level, with benefits extending to one Guest on the member’s reservation beginning in June.
• New Checked Bags Benefit for Free Spirit Travel More Mastercard Cardholders: Beginning later in 2025, Spirit and Bank of America will roll-out two free checked bags as an exciting new benefit for Free Spirit Travel More Mastercard Cardholders, with more details to be announced.
• Earn on Everyday Purchases with the New Free Spirit Debit Card: The new Free Spirit Debit Card, scheduled to launch this Fall, will allow anyone to earn Free Spirit points on their everyday spending and redeem those points for travel on Spirit while receiving Group 2 Priority Boarding and a 25 percent rebate on inflight purchases.

To get a full overview of the enhanced Free Spirit program and benefits of Free Spirit Status or to sign up, visit: spirit.com/free-spirit.

Spirit Vacations^®
Travelers seeking to save on every part of their journey this summer can save with Spirit Vacations, which offers complete vacation packages to amazing destinations, including the airlines’ top redeemed summer hotspots. Guests looking to jet away this summer can save up to 30 percent*** when they purchase their flight plus hotel and car by booking them together and land 500 Free Spirit points.

Recognition
Spirit was recently named Best Airline Overall for 2025 and earned top recognition for safety and affordability for the second consecutive year by WalletHub. The carrier was also recognized by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) as a 2025 Four Star Low Cost Carrier. Additionally, the airline’s Fit Fleet^® was ranked one of the world’s youngest for 2025 by ch-aviation. Spirit also received the FAA’s Aviation Maintenance Technician Diamond Award of Excellence for the seventh consecutive year.

FORT WORTH, Texas — In time for the busy summer travel season, passengers traveling through Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) now have a 25,000-square-foot oasis awaiting them in the A-West Terminal, as American Airlines opens the doors to its highly anticipated Flagship^® and Admirals Club^® lounges on May 22.

Eligible AAdvantage^® members, qualifying oneworld^® members and customers traveling in premium cabins on qualifying same-day flights can access the Flagship^® and Admirals Club^® lounges in Terminal A-West, located between gates A15 and A16. The new lounges will replace the Admirals Club^® lounge in the A-East Terminal.

“We are excited to welcome our customers into American’s newest preflight experience with the opening of our brand-new Flagship^® and Admirals Club^® lounges in the A-West terminal,” said Heather Garboden, American’s Chief Customer Officer. “With more than 19 million travelers passing through Philadelphia last year, our passionate team worked zealously to create a calm, comfortable sanctuary away from the terminal hustle where customers can relax, recharge and feel taken care of before their journey takes off.”

With PHL being American’s trans-Atlantic gateway and one of its most important hubs, American had more than 355 peak-day departures out of PHL in 2024 to more than 120 destinations in 26 countries. This summer, American will continue to serve customers from the tristate area and launch five inaugural routes, including flights to Milan (MXP) and Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI), both of which begin flying on May 23.

Designed with intention

Every element of the Flagship^® and Admirals Club^® lounges has been thoughtfully curated to balance style, comfort and function, creating spaces that feel less like an airport and more like a modern hospitality destination.

Natural materials, warm woods and organic textures reflect the surrounding environment, while zoned lighting and ambient music set the tone for relaxation or focus. A variety of seating options — from café chairs and bar stools to soft lounge seating and private work pods — allow customers to choose how they spend their time.

High-speed Wi-Fi, ample power outlets and clearly displayed flight information screens support productivity and peace of mind for business travelers. Curated artwork adds local and cultural character, while spa-style shower suites, tranquil restrooms with high-end finishes and family-friendly spaces ensure every kind of traveler is considered.

Neighborhood-inspired design for every traveler

Both lounges are organized into thoughtfully designed areas that create a versatile experience for every kind of traveler. Whether looking to sip, savor, socialize or retreat to a quiet corner, there is the perfect space for all:

• Lounge neighborhood: Plush seating and a cozy fireplace create an inviting space to decompress and relax between flights.
• Dining and bar neighborhoods: A mix of self-serve stations and full-service bars encourage social connection and culinary exploration.
• Villas: Restrooms and spa-style showers for customers to refresh between flights.
• Kids room: A playful space for families traveling with children to relax before takeoff.

Two lounges. One seamless welcome.

Guests enter through a shared reception lobby with multiple guest service stations and sleek eGates. Inside, two premium lounge experiences await:

The Flagship^® lounge (nearly 12,500 sq. ft.) offers an elevated experience for customers traveling in Business on qualifying international, transcontinental or select domestic flights. Customers are greeted with a complimentary glass of champagne and can enjoy panoramic runway views, six spa-style showers and a variety of seating options. Customers looking for a culinary experience can enjoy specially created dishes by renowned local chef and James Beard Award Semifinalist^®, Chef Randy Rucker, and can also indulge in a unique-to-Philadelphia a la carte dining experience, which customers can order via QR code.

The Admirals Club^® lounge (nearly 11,000 sq. ft.) offers a refreshed take on the classic lounge experience with curated self-serve offerings, specialty Don Francisco coffee and a full-service bar, while families will appreciate the dedicated kids’ area. The design follows American’s latest Admirals Club^® lounge design found at Washington Reagan National (DCA), Denver (DEN) and Newark (EWR), combining elevated finishes with zones dedicated to comfort, productivity and well-being.

The AAdvantage in

Looking to access the lounges? With the AAdvantage^® program, it’s never been easier to enhance the travel-day experience.

AAdvantage^® members with Platinum status or higher and non-AAdvantage oneworld^® Emerald℠ and Sapphire℠ members on qualifying itineraries, can enhance their travel day by visiting the Flagship^® lounge when traveling internationally in a Flagship^® cabin. Single Visit Passes are also available for $150 or 15,000 AAdvantage^® miles.

Traveling domestically? Access to the Admirals Club^® lounge is available through an Admirals Club^® membership, qualifying oneworld^® status or the Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive credit card. Customers can also purchase a One Day Pass, eligible for 24-hours, for $79 or 7,900 AAdvantage^® miles.

Whether customers are stopping in for a quick coffee or spending a few hours recharging before a long-haul flight, the lounges deliver a calm, intuitive experience, designed with today’s travelers in mind.

BermudAir is excited to announce the delivery of its third aircraft, “Niel Jones,” which arrived at L.F. Wade International Airport in Bermuda on Saturday, May 16, 2025. This new addition to BermudAir’s fleet represents a significant step forward in BermudAir’s commitment to providing dependable, high-quality service to passengers.

Named in memory of the late Niel Jones, a great friend, proud Bermudian, and pivotal figure in the establishment of BermudAir, this aircraft will ensure that BermudAir continues to operate with greater efficiency, improving its ability to maintain flight schedules and enhance the overall travel experience for valued customers.

Furthermore, BermudAir will receive its fourth aircraft next month.

“We are very proud to be doubling our fleet size to enhance our operational capabilities and providing the greatest level of operational resiliency of any airline with a dedicated spare aircraft always on standby,” said Adam Scott, Founder & CEO BermudAir. “The addition of both our third and fourth aircraft is not only a key step in mitigating operational challenges and enabling continued operational excellence, but this growth enables us to bolster our flight frequencies and to provide increased flexibility in our flight scheduling.”

Having spare aircraft ensures BermudAir is exceptionally well-equipped to respond to any unforeseen circumstances and to minimise disruption. With an expanded fleet, BermudAir continues to prioritise safety and its dedication to maintaining exceptional service and reliability, making travel to and from Bermuda even more seamless for travellers.

These latest aircraft deliveries come at an exciting time as BermudAir continues to grow its services, with a strategic focus on the growth of key routes for 2025, including new direct connections to Providence, RI, Richmond, VA and Montreal, QC in the coming weeks.

Next winter, Finnair will offer a record amount of capacity to Finnish Lapland and will increase weekly frequencies to the popular winter destinations Rovaniemi, Ivalo and Kittilä. The additional services are concentrated on the busiest travel days around the weekend, when most of the rental cottages have their changeover day, for example. 

“We are happy to be able to offer our customers even more comprehensive connections to all our Lapland destinations throughout the winter. The additional flights will be focused especially on the high season from December to February, but we have also added flights in March, thus supporting the whole winter travel season”, says Perttu Jolma, Vice President, Network, Finnair. 

Finnair, also known as Santa’s official airline, will have up to 72 weekly flights to Rovaniemi next winter, 10 flights more than last winter. During the busiest season, the airline will fly to Rovaniemi up to 16 times a day on Saturdays and 14 times a day on Sundays.  

Kittilä, which is popular among travellers heading to, for example, Levi and Ylläs, will have up to 41 weekly flights this winter, seven flights more than last winter. During the busiest weeks, Finnair flies to Kittilä up to eight times a day on Saturdays and Sundays. Finnair’s northernmost Finnish destination, Ivalo, will be operated up to 33 times a week, with additional flights on Saturdays and Sundays.  

In addition to Lapland, Finnair will also add two additional frequencies for Saturday and one for Sunday to Kuusamo, a popular winter destination in Northern Finland. 

Airline also increases capacity to Vancouver Island and Northwest Territories

EDMONTON, AB, May 19, 2025 /CNW/ – WestJet today announced the return of non-stop service between Edmonton International Airport (YEG) and Kamloops, B.C. as well as the introduction of all-new service to Prince George, B.C. Beginning the first week of July, WestJet Encore will operate the routes twice per week throughout the peak summer travel season onboard the De Havilland Dash 8-400 (Q400) aircraft.

“Restoring service to Kamloops and introducing service to Prince George is a direct reflection of Canadians’ interest in exploring their own backyard this summer,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer. “With more flights and more seats in key Western Canadian markets, we’re giving Canadians better access to the destinations they rely on for business, leisure and visiting loved ones.”

In addition to the new seasonal routes, WestJet has increased capacity on two key domestic routes from Edmonton. This summer, WestJet will offer service to Nanaimo, B.C. on the Boeing 737, more than doubling seat capacity. The airline is also offering service between Yellowknife and Edmonton on the Boeing 737 twice per week. Historically, both routes only operated on the Q400.

Additional quotes

“YEG welcomes more flights to more places, celebrating WestJet’s dedication to regional connectivity and additional options for Canadians to explore our beautiful country,” said James Jackson, Vice President, Air Service & Business Development, Edmonton International Airport (YEG). “Non-stop flights between Edmonton and Kamloops and Prince George offers travellers from British Columbia convenient access to world-class experiences and attractions in the Edmonton region, and connectivity to YEG’s vast network of global destinations. Likewise, people from Edmonton and surrounding communities can seamlessly reach more of British Columbia’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture without the lengthy road trip.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome this new route connecting Prince George to Edmonton, expanding travel options for our community and strengthening our region’s accessibility,” said Sabrina Angus, Interim President and CEO of the Prince George Airport Authority. “This service not only opens the door for more business and leisure travel but also reinforces our commitment to connecting Northern BC to key hubs across Canada.”

“As a gateway to the City of Kamloops and the Thompson Nicola region, Kamloops Airport is very pleased to welcome back WestJet’s service to Edmonton,” said Jim Moroz, Managing Director, Kamloops Airport. “Edmonton has long been a popular destination for our community, and the service comes just in time for travelers on both ends of the route to reconnect with family and friends during the summer months. We look forward to working with WestJet and our tourism partners to make this service a success.”

“We’re pleased to see this increased investment in connectivity between Yellowknife and Edmonton. The move to add additional capacity reflects growing demand in our region and strengthens an essential link for business, tourism, and northern communities. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership and welcoming more travellers to and from YZF,” said Randy Straker, Regional Airport Manager, Yellowknife Airport.

“We are very excited that WestJet is increasing the capacity for its route between YCD – Nanaimo and YEG – Edmonton this summer providing our customers with enhanced services on a 737 aircraft to Vancouver Island and Edmonton during the popular tourism season,” said Dave Devana, President & CEO Nanaimo Airport Commission.

About WestJet     

WestJet took to the skies in 1996 with just over 200 employees and three aircraft operating service to five destinations. Since then, WestJet has pioneered low-cost travel in Canada, cutting airfares in half, and increasing the flying population in Canada by more than 50 per cent. Following integration with Sunwing in 2025, more than 14,000 WestJetters support nearly 200 aircraft and connect guests to more than 100 destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.   

As a major Canadian employer that includes WestJet Airlines, Sunwing Vacations Group and WestJet Cargo, the WestJet Group is Canada’s leading low-cost airline and largest vacation provider, with a united purpose of providing affordable and accessible air and vacation travel to Canadians.   

Qatar Airways Group profit grows by more than 28% to over QAR7.85bn (US$2.15bn)
Renewed ‘Qatar Airways 2.0’ strategy credited with driving record-breaking performance

Qatar Airways Group has announced the strongest set of financial results in its history. Profits for the Group, which includes cargo, catering and Qatar Duty Free, reached QAR7.85bn (US$2.15bn) in the 24/25 fiscal year – an increase of more than QAR1.7bn (US$0.5bn) on the year before.

Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s leading cargo carrier, has delivered a remarkable financial performance, recording a 17% growth in revenue and achieving the best financial results since the COVID period. This is attributed to its agility in adapting to shifting market conditions, a focus on investing in digitalisation, deeper data-driven analyses, and its best-in-class reliability.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “These record-breaking results are a testament to the hard work, skill and dedication of teams across all of Qatar Airways Group. I know that none of the outstanding results we’re announcing today would be possible without our people – more than 55,000 of them across the globe – and it’s our focus on fostering that talent, which has been a core focus of our Qatar Airways 2.0 strategy.

“We have also successfully implemented strategic partnerships throughout the industry, in order for the Group to remain agile in the face of ever-shifting world events, whether political, economic or environmental.

“All of this means we continue to offer and develop exceptional service in the skies, whether it’s the award-winning Qsuite, fine dining, or super-fast complimentary Starlink internet connectivity for all passengers.”

Key achievements of Qatar Airways Group over the last financial year include:

• Record-breaking 28% increase in profit in 24/25 financial year.
• Expansion of Hamad International Airport, enabling it to cater for 65m passengers annually.
• First global airline, and first in MENA region, to install Starlink super-fast WiFi on its Boeing 777 fleet.
• 25% minority stake in Virgin Australia.
• 25% acquisition of South African premier regional airline, Airlink.
• Introduction of conversational AI into its world-first digital cabin crew, Sama.
• A range of technical MoUs future-proofing and diversifying the business across the sector, as well as working to fulfil the ambitions of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Looking ahead, Qatar Airways also recently made historic aircraft and engine orders, ensuring that its already modern and technologically-advanced fleet remains at the forefront of commercial aviation, providing world-leading service to passengers across the globe.