A summer packed with global events is giving air travel a boost, with United Airlines seeing double-digit increases in demand to destinations tied to once-in-a-lifetime moments – from a total solar eclipse in Europe to international soccer matches and major global concert tours. More than 53 million people are expected to fly United this summer from June to August – about 3 million more than last year - and many are headed to destinations tied to unique can't-miss moments

Qatar Airways is expanding its African network, with flight resumptions and frequency increases launching from 16 June 2026. Boosting connectivity across Africa, the airline will restart four weekly flights to Seychelles (SEZ) and two weekly flights to Kigali (KGL) from 16 June, and daily flight to Marrakesh (RAK) from 1 July.

United have announced it is expanding its service to Japan with new flights to Sapporo and Tokyo-Narita this winter. The airline will launch the first nonstop service from the continental U.S. to Sapporo, Japan and will be the only U.S. airline offering nonstop service between Chicago and Tokyo-Narita*. As the leading carrier between the U.S. and Japan, these new flights give travelers from across North America more ways to explore Japan and connect across Asia.

Jamaica will host the second annual Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Air Connectivity Summit in Kingston on Feb. 23, 2027, building on the success of this year’s inaugural event in Bermuda and aiming to advance regional air travel amid ongoing global challenges. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett made the announcement while speaking at the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Antigua on Thursday.

Virgin Atlantic is celebrating a major milestone for its home in the North, as the airline marks thirty years of flying from Manchester Airport this week. Since Sir Richard Branson launched operations from Manchester on 17th May 1996 with services to Orlando, the Northern base has remained a key part of Virgin Atlantic’s UK network and to mark the occasion, the airline is excited to welcome a new A330-neo aircraft to its fleet. The aircraft, named Champagne Supernova after the iconic Oasis track, is set to carry the registration G-VMAN in a nod to the airline’s longstanding connection to the region. To celebrate the milestone, Virgin Atlantic will also host a customer activation at Manchester Airport on Monday 18th May, inviting travellers to join in the celebrations with a dedicated photo opportunity, signature treats and a themed gift giveaway.

The Virgin Atlantic board announced today that Peter Norris will step down as Chair on 31 May 2026, after 14 years in the role. He will be succeeded at Virgin Atlantic by Josh Bayliss, CEO of Virgin Group. Peter has served as Chair of Virgin Atlantic since 2012, guiding Virgin Atlantic through one of its most important defining periods. He has worked with successive management teams to shape the airline’s strategy, strengthening its partnerships and championing its distinctive brand, service and people.