Airlines News Page 35
airBaltic becomes first Starlink-connected airline to implement AirMall by InterLnkd
Latvian airline airBaltic has partnered with InterLnkd to integrate AirMall into its Skynet onboard Wi-Fi portal, becoming the first Starlink-connected airline to launch a global, dynamic inflight shopping mall experience for its passengers. AirMall by InterLnkd turns the carrier’s Wi-Fi portal into an airline-branded retail channel on passengers’ own devices, connecting travellers to 20,000+ brands in the air with zero onboard stock or crew involvement. The provider-agnostic solution offers tailored recommendations, loyalty integration, and flexible post-flight delivery options.
EGYPTAIR’S NEW A350-900 TO FEATURE IN-FLIGHT ENGAGEMENT & DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FROM PANASONIC AVIONICS
Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics), the world’s leading supplier of in-flight engagement and connectivity (IFEC) solutions, today announced that EgyptAir’s new A350-900 has entered service featuring award winning in-flight engagement and connectivity (IFEC) systems and a suite of digital apps and services from Panasonic Avionics.
SINGAPORE AIRLINES’ INCREASES LONDON GATWICK SERVICE
Singapore Airlines (SIA) is increasing flights from London Gatwick to Singapore from 31 March 2026, with the introduction of flight SQ313. The current daily service from London Gatwick to Singapore will increase to a double -daily service from 3 July until 29 August 2026, offering even more choice and connectivity to customers. This includes seamless connections to popular holiday destinations such as Bali, Thailand, and seven gateways in Australia.
Tickets on Sale for United’s First Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with Elevated Interior Flights
Travelers can now book seats on United’s most premium international aircraft yet – the 787-9 Dreamliner with the United Elevated interior. Unveiled last May, this new aircraft has been redesigned from nose-to-tail with 99 total premium seats – the highest of percentage among U.S. carriers – and marks the introduction of the airline’s new United Polaris Studio℠ suites: eight, lie-flat, all-aisle-access seats that are 25% larger than standard United Polaris® seats with privacy doors*, an extra ottoman seat, exclusive entrée options, an Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche service, new amenity kits with elevated skincare offerings, wireless charging, Bluetooth connectivity, and a huge 27-inch, 4K OLED seatback screen – the largest among U.S. carriers.
Air Travel Demand Will More Than Double by 2050
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its Long‑Term Demand Projections (LTDP) for air travel, showing that global air passenger demand is expected to more than double by 2050. Under the mid‑range scenario, demand is forecast to reach 20.8 trillion revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), based on a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1% (2024-2050) from the 9 trillion RPKs seen in 2024. A higher growth scenario would see a 3.3% CAGR with passenger demand reaching 21.9 trillion RPKs in 2050. A lower growth scenario would see 2.9% CAGR with passenger demand reaching 19.5 trillion RPKs by 2050.
British Airways announces major winter 2026 expansion
British Airways has announced a significant planned expansion to its network for winter 2026, increasing its long-haul flying by nine per cent* as the airline continues to invest in new destinations and increased services for customers worldwide. The expanded schedule includes two new long-haul destinations - Melbourne, Australia and Colombo, Sri Lanka - alongside additional flights from several U.S. cities and increased service across key leisure destinations in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.
AFCAC presents the First African Air Transport Convention and Exhibition 2026
From June 15 to 19, 2026, the first African Air Transport Convention and Exhibition 2026 will take place in Lomé, Togo. Hosted by the African Civil Aviation Commission, in collaboration with the African Union Commission and under the patronage of the Government of the Republic of Togo, this 5-day event offers a high-level platform to interact with decision-makers shaping the future of African aviation.
H55 Battery Technology Helps Power Progress of RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator
H55 today announced continued progress developing the 200 kWh Energy Storage System (ESS) for the RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator, since the project achieved the significant milestone of its first full-power system test conducted in June 2025.
WIZZ AIR IGNITES SPRING WITH A NETWORK‑WIDE MEGA SALE OVER 1 MILLION SEATS UP TO 20% OFF
Spring is in full swing at Wizz Air, and the airline is celebrating with one of its biggest sales of the year. For just 48 hours, travellers can grab up to 20% off selected routes across Wizz Air’s entire network*, unlocking more than 1 million discounted seats between 17–18 March.
Allegris Business Class seats on the Boeing 787-9 have received certification
Lufthansa has received certification for 25 Allegris Business Class seats on the Boeing 787-9. Sunday, March 15, 2026, the Dreamliner with registration number D-ABPM and the name “Potsdam” flew from Frankfurt to Toronto with 25 certified seats in Business Class. The remaining eight 787-9s equipped with Allegris are also already in service with approved seats as of today or will take off by Wednesday at the latest. Last-minute bookings for these seats on flights departing from March 18 are therefore available immediately.
United Airlines, Currensea and Mastercard launch UK-first loyalty debit card for frequent flyers
United Airlines, in partnership with Currensea, the market-leading payments technology platform for co-branded multi-bank debit cards, and Mastercard, today announced the launch of the United AirlinesSM Debit Card, the first ever rewards debit card offered to UK travellers by a U.S. airline. Available now, the United Airlines Debit Card can be linked to any existing UK bank account and allows customers to earn miles and exclusive travel benefits from United on all their day-to-day spending, at home and abroad, making it easier than ever to earn United MileagePlusSM miles, access exclusive travel rewards and enjoy outstanding exchange rates when spending abroad.
Almost 7 million Lufthansa Group passengers opted for more sustainable flying in 2025
The Lufthansa Group is seeing growing demand for more sustainable travel options. The Group enables its customers to contribute to reducing the climate impact of future flights with various offers for private and business air travel. With success: more than five percent of Lufthansa Group passengers have chosen a more sustainable travel option in 2025 – for example, the Green Fares flight fares. Four years ago, this share was below 0.1 percent. Last year, the volume of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) sold across various offerings more than doubled. Passengers’ active commitment to more sustainable flying is an important pillar of the Lufthansa Group’s sustainability strategy.