Avelo Airlines Opens Wilmington, N.C. Base of Operations, Inaugurates 7 New Nonstop Routes and Adds Chicago O’Hare
Affordable one-way fares start atย $39
Avelo currently servesย 55 cities spanning 23 states,ย Puerto Ricoย and four international destinations:ย Bahamas,ย Jamaica,ย Mexicoย andย Dominican Republic
HOUSTON,ย April 3, 2025ย —ย Avelo Airlines today opened its eighth base of operations at Coastal North Carolina’sย Wilmingtonย International Airport (ILM), inaugurated seven new nonstop routes and adds Chicago O’Hare to its East Coast network. Affordable one-way fares start atย $39*.ย
Avelo also announced it will begin serving Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) with exclusive nonstop service to Southern Connecticut’s most convenient airport โ Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN). This route will start on May 15, 2025, with twice-week service on Thursdays and Sundays.
Avelo operates these routes utilizing Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. These exclusive routes expand Avelo’s affordable, convenient and industry-leading reliable air service introduced when the airline took flight in April 2021. Travelers can book at AveloAir.com.
Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO Andrew Levy said, “We continue to fulfill our purpose to Inspire Travel with the opening of Avelo’s Wilmington base and growing our network in these popular markets. These new routes enable Avelo to significantly expand the affordable, convenient and reliable air service our Customers value. Our investment in Wilmington and these additional routes exemplify our continued growth as we approach the 4th anniversary of Avelo’s inaugural flight.”
From Wilmington International Airport (ILM):
Boston / Manchester, N.H. (MHT)
- Beginsย April 3, with twice weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays
Nashville, Tenn. (BNA)
- Beginsย April 3, with twice weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays
Rochester, N.Y. (ROC)
- Beginsย April 4, with twice weekly service on Fridays and Mondays
Additional Routes:
From Nashville International Airport (BNA)
- Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC)ย beginsย April 3, 2025, with twice weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays
- Charlotte’sย Concord-Padgett Regional Airport (USA)ย beginsย April 4, 2025, with twice weekly service on Mondays and Fridays
From Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT)
- Myrtle Beachย International Airport (MYR)ย beginsย April 4, 2025, with twice weekly service on Mondays and Fridays
From Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN)
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)ย beginsย April 4, 2025, with twice weekly service on Mondays and Fridays
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)ย beginsย May 15, 2025, with twice weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays
America’s Most Reliable and Convenient Airline
Since taking flight on April 28, 2021, Avelo has flown more than 6.6 million Customers on over 53,000 flights. Today Avelo serves 55 cities spanning 23 states and Puerto Rico, as well as four international destinations: Bahamas, Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
Avelo has unlocked a new era of convenience, choice, and competition by flying unserved routes to primarily underserved communities across the country. Most Avelo routes have at least one small, easy to use airport. This makes traveling with Avelo a smoother, easier and more enjoyable experience than contending with the crowds, congestion and long walks at larger airports.
Avelo is distinguished by its industry-leading reliability. In 2024, Avelo ranked #1 in on-time performance and achieved the lowest flight cancellation rate in the U.S. airline industry. These results are provided by Anuvu, a leading aviation data services company also utilized by The Wall Street Journal for the publication’s annual airline ranking. Anuvu’s complete industry results and rankings are available at AveloAir.com. Avelo also delivers world-class customer satisfaction, exemplified by our Net Promoter Scores (NPS), which consistently rank among the best airlines and most admired brands in the world.
Avelo offers an abundance of advanced seating options. One third of its aircraft seats (Avelo Premium and Premium Economy) offer extra leg room โ ranging from 32 inches to more than 36 inches of pitch. These seats offer a more comfortable experience for Customers who value more space. Customers can also purchase window and aisle seats in advance of their flight. In addition to advance seat assignments, Avelo offers several unbundled travel-enhancing options that give Customers the flexibility to pay only for what they value, including priority boarding, checked bags, carry-on overhead bags, and bringing a pet in the cabin.
Additionally, families can travel with ease knowing every child 14 and under will be automatically seated with an accompanying adult at no additional cost.
British Airways welcomes summer schedule, including the addition of Kuala Lumpur and Tbilisi to its route map
- British Airways touched down in two new destinations this week, including the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, after a 12-year hiatus and in Kuala Lumpur for the first time in five yearsย
- Both routes will operate from London Heathrow this summer and have been carefully timed so customers can take advantage of onward connections across the two continents and further afield
- The flag carrier will operate daily flights to the Malaysian capital with return fares starting from ยฃ574, and flights to Tbilisi will operate four times per week this summer, starting from ยฃ244 return
- Elsewhere, the airline is also increasing its daily flights to Tokyo to twice a day and launching three new Italian routes next month
3 April 2025: British Airways has launched its Kuala Lumpur and Tbilisi routes this week, marking a significant milestone in reconnecting the UK with both regions and expanding its network for customers across both sides of the globe.
The Malaysian capital returns
The flag carrier touched down in the Garden City of Lights this week for the first time in five years. The aircraft departed London Heathrow at 21:10 local time on April 1, landing at Kuala Lumpur International Airport the following day at 17:20 local time. Customers on the first flight were greeted on arrival with goodie bags and special gifts.
British Airways will operate daily from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur, served by the airlineโs Boeing 787-900 fleet. Customers have a choice of four cabins – World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy), Club World (business class) and First (first class) – with return fares from ยฃ574.
The airline also recently expanded its codeshare partnership with Malaysia Airlines, giving customers more travel options and seamless onward connections to more than 17 routes from Kuala Lumpur. This includes travel to key destinations available to book as part of a single ticket, such as Australia, New Zealand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam*.
This flight resumption underpins British Airwaysโ continued investment in Asia Pacific, expanding travel options between the UK and Malaysia while strengthening business, tourism and cultural ties. The airline also recently resumed flights from London Gatwick to Bangkok as well as broadened its codeshare agreement with Bangkok Airways, enabling seamless connections from Bangkok to the six popular holiday destinations of Koh Samui, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Touch down in Tbilisi
British Airways has also welcomed Tbilisi back into its route network, after its last scheduled service in 2013. The service to the Georgian capital departed London Heathrow at 21:25 local time on 30 March, landing at Tbilisi International Airport the next day at 05:30 local time.
Located at the crossroads where Europe meets Asia, Georgia is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, traditional cuisine and picturesque scenery. The country proudly lays claim to being the birthplace of wine, with an 8,000-year-old history of winemaking that remains an important part of its culture today.
As part of its short-haul network, customers travelling to Tbilisi have the choice of two cabins – Club Europe (business class) and Euro Traveller (economy) – with return fares starting from ยฃ244. Euro Traveller customers enjoy a complimentary drink and snack, while Club Europe customers have lounge access, a full meal service, priority boarding and additional baggage allowance included in their ticket.
British Airwaysโ Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, Neil Chernoff, said: โWeโre delighted to welcome Malaysia and Georgia back to our network, both of which are two key destinations that our customers know and love.
โOur teams have worked hard to bring these routes firmly back on our route map, meaning customers have more choice when it comes to travel for work or pleasure across Europe, Asia and beyond. From the birthplace of wine to one of the most connected cities in Asia, we hope our customers take advantage of exploring somewhere new and we look forward to welcoming them on board.โ
Elsewhere across its network
British Airways is increasing its London Heathrow (LHR) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) service to twice daily from 30 March 2025**, marking a significant boost in capacity and connectivity between the UK and Japan ahead of the summer season.
British Airways will now operate 14 flights a week to Tokyo, including flights operated by the airlineโs A350 fleet once a day. This fuel-efficient aircraft features a three-class cabin including World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and Club World (business class). The aircraft also features British Airwaysโ Club Suite, which is the airlineโs latest business class seat, offering an elevated experience designed for comfort and privacy at 35,000ft.
Next month, the airline is adding three new Italian routes to its network, including Rimini on the Adriatic Coast from London Heathrow launching on 15 May, and Salerno on the Amalfi Coast from London Gatwick on 22 May. A new service from London City to Olbia launches on 25 May that will complement existing flights from Heathrow. The new routes will bring the total number of Italian destinations served by the flag carrier to 19, more than any other European country on the airlineโs network.
The airline has also increased flights to Riyadh, boosting travel and trade connections between the UK and Saudi Arabia. Customers will now be able to take advantage of nearly double the number of flights with more than 80,000 additional seats versus last year. The new flight additions will operate nearly every day of the week (excluding Tuesdays), strategically timed to offer customers more flexibility for onward connections within British Airwaysโ extensive global network from London Heathrow to more than 200 destinations.
ENDS
*Key destinations for the codeshare include – Australia (Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth) New Zealand (Aukland), Cambodia (Phnom Penh), Indonesia (Jakarta, Denpasar – Bali), Malaysia (Alor Setar, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Kuantan, Langkawi, Penang), Thailand (Bangkok), and Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh).
** The flight departs London Heathrow on 30 March 2025, and from Tokyo Haneda on 31 March 2025.
Notes to Editors
- Both flight frequencies and timings can be viewed below:
| London Heathrow (LHR) – Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) route All times are local | |||||
| Flight Number | Frequency | Departure Airport | Departure Time | Arrival Airport | Arrival Time |
| BA33 | Daily | LHR | 21:10 | KUL | 17:20 (+1) |
| BA34 | Daily | KUL | 22:50 | LHR | 05:35 (+1) |
| London Heathrow (LHR) – Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) route All times are local | ||||||
| Flight Number | Day | Departure Airport | Departure Time | Arrival Airport | Arrival Time | |
| BA890 | Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | LHR | 21:25 | TBS | 05:30 (+1) | |
| BA891 | Wed | TBS | 07:10 | LHR | 09:40 | |
| BA891 | Fri, Sun, Mon | TBS | 07:30 | LHR | 10:00 | |
Avianca Launches Operations for Routes Bogotรก – Tampa, Fort Lauderdale – Medellรญn, San Juan โ San Josรฉ, and Miami – San Josรฉย
- The first flights for the Tampa-Bogotรก route took off with four weekly frequencies, San Juan-San Josรฉ with three weekly operations, and Fort Lauderdale-Medellรญn and Miami-San Josรฉ with a daily flight per week.
- These flights are operated on Airbus A320 fleet aircraft, with a capacity for 180 passengers, totaling 1,400 seats on the Bogotรก-Tampa route, 1,080 seats on the San Juan-San Josรฉ route, and 2,520 seats on the Fort Lauderdale-Medellรญn and Miami-San Josรฉ routes.
Customers who wish to purchase their tickets can do so via avianca.com, mobile app, Contact Center, and travel agencies.
Tampa, April 1, 2025 โ Avianca continues to expand its network to provide more connection alternatives and accessibility for travelers. With the launch of operations for four new direct routesโTampa-Bogotรก, Fort Lauderdale-Medellรญn, Miami-San Josรฉ (Costa Rica), and San Juan-San Josรฉ (Costa Rica)โtravelers can enjoy a broad range of options to connect with the United States and the Caribbean.
With the addition of Tampa as a new destination in the U.S. and the expansion of connectivity in Puerto Rico and Latin America, Avianca offers strategic frequencies to facilitate business, tourism, and international travel connections.
The new routes are operated on Airbus A320 family aircraft with a capacity of 180 passengers and will offer a total of 8,000 weekly seats, distributed as follows: Tampa – Bogotรก with 1,440 available weekly seats; Fort Lauderdale – Medellรญn with more than 2,520 weekly seats; Miami – San Josรฉ with 2,520 weekly seats and; San Juan – San Josรฉ with three weekly flights, directly connecting Puerto Rico with Costa Rica.
โIn the past year, we transported more than 38 million passengers to domestic and international destinations while consolidating the largest route network in our history. Now, in 2025, we want to continue providing greater access and connectivity to our customers. Thatโs why, with the launch of our new routes from Tampa to Bogotรก, Fort Lauderdale to Medellรญn, and Miami to San Josรฉ, we now have 43 direct routes connecting the United States with the rest of the Americas, enabling millions of passengers to travel across diverse geographies and millions of tourists to visit the U.S.,” said Frederico Pedreira, CEO of Avianca.
New Route Schedules:
| Flight | Route | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Frequency | Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AV629 | San Juan – San Josรฉ | 2:10 p.m. | 3:25 p.m. | Monday, Thursday, Friday | March 31, 2025 |
| AV628 | San Josรฉ – San Juan | 7:30 a.m. | 12:40 p.m. | ||
| AV194 | Bogotรก – Tampa | 07:15 a.m. | 12:15 p.m. | Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday | March 30 |
| AV195 | Tampa – Bogotรก | 02:15 p.m. | 05:10 p.m. | ||
| AV190 | Medellรญn – Fort Lauderdale | 10:20 a.m. | 02:45 p.m. | Daily | |
| AV191 | Fort Lauderdale – Medellรญn | 04:30 p.m. | 06:50 p.m. | ||
| AV604 | San Josรฉ – Miami | 08:25 a.m. | 01:15 p.m. | Daily | |
| AV605 | Miami – San Josรฉ | 09:40 p.m. | 10:40 p.m. |
Tampa: A New Gateway to Latin America
Tampa is one of Floridaโs main cities, and this historic connection, which Avianca is operating for the first time, will offer travelers on both ends more opportunities for direct travel. Passengers in Tampa will be able to connect via Bogotรก to over 80 destinations across the Americas and Europe.
โTampa International Airport has achieved a major milestone in connecting Tampa Bay to Bogota,โ TPA CEO Joe Lopano said. “With our new airline partner Avianca, TPA now has nonstop flights to South America for the very first time, giving our residents unparalleled access to Colombia and beyond. Iโm grateful to Avianca, as well as the efforts of our community partners throughout Tampa Bay, for helping us make this longtime goal a reality.โ
โThe launch of Aviancaโs TampaโBogotรก route strengthens the bridge between Colombia and the United States, fostering deeper business, tourism, and cultural ties. With record-breaking tourism growth and expanding connectivity, this new route is more than just a flight, itโs an invitation for Floridaโs west coast to discover Colombia, The Country of Beautyโ, said Carmen Caballero, President of ProColombia, the countryโs promotion agency.
Through Bogotรก, travelers will be able to connect with 25 domestic destinations in Colombia, gaining access to all regions of the country and conveniently enjoying cities such as Medellรญn, Cartagena, Cali, Quibdรณ, San Andrรฉs, Leticia, and more.
United Grows its Leading Pacific Network with New Flights to Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Adelaide and Manila
United will become the only U.S. airline to offer flights to Bangkok, Thailand and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; daily service launches this October from Hong Kong with one-stop connections from Los Angeles and San Francisco
United will offer the first nonstop service to Adelaide, Australia from the U.S.; the three-times weekly flights begin in December from San Francisco
The airline also adds a second daily flight between San Francisco and Manila starting in October, giving customers daytime and evening travel options in both directions
With these additions, United will offer flights to 32 destinations across the Pacific, reinforcing its status as the world’s largest airline** with the greatest breadth of destinations for customers
CHICAGO,ย April 2, 2025 —ย United today announced it intends to be the only U.S. airline to offer flights toย Bangkok, Thailand, andย Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with new daily service fromย Hong Kongย planned to start this fall*. These new flights will be scheduled to offer easier connections for travelers from acrossย North Americaย to help meet the growing demand for travel to these destinations.

Starting December 11, United will launch the first nonstop flights between the U.S. and Adelaide, Australia โ just in time for the Australian summer. With the addition of this three times weekly seasonal service, United is now the leading carrier to Australia from the continental U.S., also offering flights to Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne.
In addition, United is also adding a second daily flight between San Francisco and Manila. Starting on October 25, travelers from both cities will have the option of a daytime or evening flight for greater convenience. United is the only U.S. airline to serve the Philippines, with service to both Manila and Cebu.
With these new routes, United will now offer flights from the U.S. to 32 different cities in the Pacific region โ four times that of any other U.S. carrier โ further cementing its status as the world’s largest airline** with the most extensive international network.
“At United, we’re changing the way people think about where they travel โ by offering the greatest access to see and explore the world, whether it’s for relaxation, adventure or business,” said Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President, Global Network Planning and Alliances at United. “We offer more than the best schedule and travel options โ we connect customers to sought after destinations and opportunities to explore new, vibrant cities.”
United is the world’s leading carrier across the Pacific**; in the past year alone, the airline served more than six million business and leisure passengers in the Pacific region.
Tickets for the Adelaide and the new Manila flights are on sale now on United.com and on the United app. Tickets for Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City flights will be available for sale at a later date.
Bangkok, Thailand
United will be the only U.S. airline to offer daily flights to Bangkok starting October 26. The flights will operate on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and allow a mix of local and international travelers to explore the city’s deep history.
Known for mixing vibrancy and tradition, there is plenty to explore in Bangkok. Customers can see hundreds of ancient temples like Wat Phra Kaew (The Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn), check out Lumpini Park โ a green oasis amid the bustling cityscape, ride in a tuk-tuk around the city, sample street food like mango sticky rice, boat noodles, and gai tod, and finish the evening walking through Srinagarindra Train Night Market filled with local eats, lights, live bands and bars.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Beginning October 26, United will be the only U.S. airline to offer daily flights to Ho Chi Minh City. The flights will operate on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and allow a mix of local and international travelers to explore the city’s deep history.
Customers visiting can enjoy notable sites like The Saigon Opera House and Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, scooter through rice field paths, try amazing Vietnamese flavors from open-air pho stalls and local street vendors, enjoy the bursting microbrewery scene, and much more.
Adelaide, Australia
United will become the first carrier to offer nonstop service between the U.S. and Adelaide* with its nonstop three-times weekly seasonal service from San Francisco starting on December 11. The flight will operate on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and builds on United’s leading network coverage, making United the only airline to offer nonstop service between the U.S. and four major cities in Australia. These routes, combined with the airline’s partnership with Virgin Australia, offer travelers more choice and access across the country.
Adelaide offers U.S. travelers the chance to escape the cold and visit renowned wine regions like Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, experience the stunning natural beauty of Kangaroo Island, and taste the region’s impeccable produce while exploring stands from more than 70 local traders at the Adelaide Central Markets โ one of the largest fresh produce markets in the Southern Hemisphere.
Manila, Philippines
On October 25, United will begin flying its second flight between San Francisco and Manila*, bringing U.S. travelers more flexibility between day and evening flights when traveling to the Philippines. The flight will be operated on a Boeing 777-300ER.
Customers can visit historic sites like San Agustin and Fort Santiago, try local Filipino foods like kwek-kwek, turon, and halo-halo from street vendors , shop at one of the largest malls in Asia โ the Mall of Asia, take in art and history at some of the country’s national museums housed in Manila, or make a day trip to Tagaytay and cruise by boat to see the stunning Taal Volcano โ a natural wonder set on its own island.
United’s Growing Global Reach
United has the largest network in the world**, including the largest international network from North America, which it continues to expand at an industry-leading pace. The airline offers approximately 500 daily flights to and from 150 international destinations for travelers around the world. This expansion reinforces United’s commitment to growing its network and bringing travelers to new destinations. The airline is also gearing up to kick off its highly anticipated Summer 2025 schedule that was announced last October.
Historical Delivery – “Quintana Roo”, first DC-8, delivered April 1, 1979
When Should You Book a Flight Last-Minute? Upgraded Points Reveals Best Airlines and Routes for Spontaneous Travelers
Study finds many last-minute fares can be significantly cheaper.
AUSTIN, Texas,ย April 1, 2025 —ย Upgraded Points’ newest studyย challenges conventional airfare booking strategies by analyzing thousands of flights across some of the busiest domestic routes. The data reveals that while some airlines increase prices as departure time nears, other carriers actually reward last-minute bookings with lower fares. Waiting until the last minute to book a flight can be a savvy money-saving strategy or an expensive misstep, depending on routes and airlines.
“When it comes to buying tickets at the last minute, precise timing does matter โ but not in the way that most travelers think,” said Keri Stooksbury, editor-in-chief at Upgraded Points. “Knowledge is key, and by understanding which airlines and routes offer genuine last-minute savings, consumers can make smarter booking decisions and potentially save a significant amount on airfare.”
Study Methodology
To identify the best airlines for last-minute bookings, the study gathered daily Google Flights airfare data for 10 of the busiest U.S. domestic routes over a two-week period, analyzing over 21,000 flights. All “last-minute” fares reflect tickets booked exactly one week before departure. These fares were then compared to established averages from previous airline cost studies to determine how prices shift when booking at the last minute.
Top Budget-Friendly Airlines for Last-Minute One-Way Travel
- Spirit Airlines โย $151.53
Spirit consistently offers rock-bottom base fares for last-minute one-way flights, making it the go-to choice for budget travelers, though extras like carry-ons and seat selection come at an additional cost. - Frontier Airlines โย $160.89
Frontier maintains its reputation for affordability, delivering some of the cheapest fares available, even on last-minute bookings. - Hawaiian Airlines โย $190.19
A surprising entry, Hawaiian Airlines stands out with competitive pricing, particularly on short routes such asย Honoluluย toย Maui, offering excellent value for island hopping. - Southwest Airlines โย $212.43
Southwest combines cost-effectiveness with dependable service, offering transparent pricing that positions it as a reliable option for travelers who need a last-minute flight without compromising quality. - Alaska Airlines โย $229.73
Alaska Airlines rounds out the list by providing reasonably priced last-minute fares, making it an attractive choice for those who value affordability and a quality travel experience.
Where Last-Minute One-Way Tickets Cost Less
- Alaska Airlines: 22.6% less than the average booking
- Southwest Airlines: 8.2% less
- Frontier Airlines: 3.6% less
- Spirit Airlines: 3.1% less
- American Airlines: 0.8% less
Leading Carriers for Expensive Last-Minute One-Way Fares
- JetBlue โย $310.15
JetBlue leads the flock with the highest last-minute fares, reflecting its premium features such as extra legroom and inflight entertainment, all of which command a higher price when time is short. - American Airlines โย $288.26
This full-service carrier is renowned for its extensive route network and premium amenities, though its last-minute ticket prices remain steep for spontaneous travelers. - United Airlines โย $274.33
United Airlines offers reliability and comprehensive service, yet its short-notice bookings come with a price premium. - Delta Air Lines โย $236.36
Delta, known for consistent quality and a wide-reaching network, rounds out the list with high last-minute fares that reflect the added cost of premium travel benefits.
Airlines Where Last-Minute One-Way Tickets Cost More
- JetBlue: 29.9% more than the average booking
- Hawaiian Airlines: 19.3% more
- United Airlines: 15.6% more
- Delta Air Lines: 1.2% more
Check out the full results, including the cheapest and most expensive flight routes by visiting the complete study online.
About Upgraded Points LLC
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Upgraded Points is a travel company that helps to demystify the complex world of travel and credit cards. Launched in 2016 by Alex Miller, Upgraded Points uses targeted research efforts and in-depth studies to help travelers maximize their travel, points, and experiences. Learn more at: www.UpgradedPoints.com.
Joined on this day – Alaska Airlines – Joined oneworld on March 31, 2021
BOC Aviation Orders 50 Boeing 737 MAX Jets to Support Global Airlines
Latest 737-8 purchase to help meet increasing narrowbody demand as global air travel continues to soar
SEATTLE, March 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and BOC Aviation have announced a new, firm order for 50 737-8 jets, expanding the lessor’s 737 MAX portfolio to 215 737-8s and 737-9s.
- BOC Aviation will increase its Boeing order book to 139 unfilled orders.
- BOC Aviation currently has 69 737 MAX airplanes on operating leases to more than 15 airlines worldwide.
“Our strong partnership with Boeing has led to this 50-aircraft order for the fuel-efficient Boeing 737-8 aircraft. With this transaction, we have commitments to purchase over 140 of these aircraft, which is the largest Boeing orderbook position in our history,” said Steven Townend, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, BOC Aviation. “This order will enable us to continue providing our airline customers with technologically advanced aircraft for their future fleet growth.”
With single-aisle jets projected to account for 75% of global deliveries over the next 20 years, lessors are looking to build their order books to support airlines’ fleet growth plans and replace less-efficient older jets. To date, lessors have ordered more than 1,200 737 MAX jets as they seek to replace up to 300 Next-Generation 737s per year that are set to retire from passenger operations by the end of the decade.
“BOC Aviation’s latest investment in the 737-8 demonstrates the confidence lessors have in this airplane to meet continued air travel demand and improve fuel efficiency,” said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. “The 737-8 is much sought after by airlines due to its unmatched versatility, generating significant operational savings because of lower fuel consumption.”
The 737-8, seating 162 to 210 passengers depending on configuration and with a range of up to 3,500 nautical miles (6,480 km), is the market’s most versatile single-aisle airplane, capable of operating profitably on short- and medium-haul routes.
A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.
United Receives FAA Certification on Starlink Aircraft and Schedules First Commercial Flight for May 2025
Airline expects first customer flight to operate on a United Express Embraer 175 aircraft โ less than eight months after signing SpaceX deal for Starlink
United’s roll-out of this new connectivity continues with plans to install approximately 40 regional jets each month and entire two-cabin regional fleet by end of year
CHICAGO,ย March 31, 2025 — United today announced the FAA has approved its firstย Starlink-equipped aircraft type and that the first commercial flight is planned for May, less than eight months after the deal was first announced.
The FAA issued a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Embraer 175 and the airline expects the first commercial flight to be onboard a United Express Embraer 175. United’s roll-out of this new technology continues to accelerate with approximately 40 regional jet installs planned monthly and the expectation that the entire two-cabin regional fleet โ more than 300 planes โ will be completed by end of year.
In addition to securing the STC, United will also run a beta test of the new technology on select flights between now and the first customer flight in May to ensure all aspects deliver an incredible onboard experience for passengers.
“We know customers are going to love this experience, and we think it will give them yet another reason to choose United,” said Grant Milstead, United’s Vice President of Digital Technology. “We’re working closely with Starlink and the FAA to finish installs on our regional fleet this year and bring the best inflight experience in the sky to more and more people.”
United will work with Starlink to secure an FAA STC to install Starlink on every United aircraft type getting the new equipment (e.g. Embraer 175) โ more than 16 total regional and mainline aircraft models. According to the FAA, the process to secure each STC can include design, installation, testing and submitting the package for FAA approval.
Earlier this month United unveiled the Starlink install process, underscoring the technical operations benefits associated with the equipment, including size and weight as well as the ease of install and maintenance. The Starlink system, when compared to non-Starlink equipment, allows for a faster and simpler install, is lighter requiring less fuel to operate and is more reliable and weather-proofed.
Starlink access will be free for all MileagePlusยฎ customers and include game-changing inflight entertainment experiences like streaming services, shopping, gaming and more, thanks to Wi-Fi speeds up to 250 megabits per second (Mbps), which is 50 times faster than current regional aircraft speeds. Membership to MileagePlus is also free and people can sign-up now at united.com/starlink.














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