Airlines Changes this week: This week brought a mix of fresh route news and airport upgrades. Alaska Airlines started a daily nonstop flight from Honolulu to Burbank on Wednesday. It is a seasonal service on the Boeing 737 MAX, and Alaska says it will run through August 18, not just for a short summer stretch. The airline also says Burbank is now its ninth California airport with nonstop service to Hawaii.
New Nashville Lounge
Nashville airport also got some good news. A new credit-card access lounge is being planned for a 20,600 square-foot space in the North Mezzanine area. Airport documents say American Express, Chase, and likely Capital One have shown interest. Once it opens, it would be the airport’s first bank-run lounge.
American and Delta add new premium touches
American Airlines also made a change for premium travelers in Miami. Passengers in the Flagship Lounge at Miami can now order a small menu of dishes to be brought to their table. The service is already available at American’s new Philadelphia location and at the Soho Lounge at JFK. The dishes mentioned include ahi tuna tostada, moho pork cubano, and croquetas.
Alaska Airlines Plans Premium Economy and Luxury Seattle Lounge as International Expansion Grows
American is also rolling out limited-edition amenity kits in June and July. The kits are for Flagship First, Flagship Suite Preferred, Flagship Business, Flagship Suite, and premium economy passengers. They are clear, so they meet stadium rules. American’s new FIFA World Cup-themed kits are part of that push.
Delta is answering with its own new Delta One kits. The airline says its Missoni-designed kits now come in five seasonal colors and include destination-inspired names plus Grown Alchemist skincare items. They are meant for Delta One passengers only and are tied to Delta’s spring and summer travel season.
Air France-KLM
Air France-KLM is thinking about a new name as it grows beyond just Air France and KLM. Reuters reports that after its move to take a majority stake in SAS, the group may rebrand, and “The Blue Group” has been floated as the most likely name. The change would make sense if SAS joins more fully and if a future stake in TAP Air Portugal happens too.
Air Europa
Air Europa is also moving in the New York market. The Spanish airline has said it will shift to JFK’s New Terminal One when the new terminal opens in phases starting in 2026. Other airlines linked to the project include Air France, Etihad Airways, and Viva Aerobus.
Air India
Air India, meanwhile, is trimming parts of its long-haul schedule between June and August because of airspace closures and high fuel costs. Reuters reports that routes such as Delhi-Chicago, Delhi-Newark, and Mumbai-New York are among the services affected, along with cuts on several Europe and Asia routes. The airline says the changes are meant to reduce disruption and keep the network steadier.
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Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways is also bringing back more flying. The airline says it will resume flights to Helsinki and Tokyo Haneda on July 15, and it has already returned to Abu Dhabi with double daily service. That gives the carrier another boost in its summer network.
