Airline Industry News

PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of the airline sector, featuring news, analysis, interviews, research and more on network carriers, low-cost airlines and package charters.

The airline sector continues to evolve rapidly, driven by technological innovation, shifting traveler expectations, and a dynamic global marketplace. PhocusWire delivers up-to-the-minute airline industry news with a focus on distribution strategies, operational advancements, customer experience, and sustainability in aviation.

Latest airline updates, trends, and aviation insights

Get a comprehensive view of what’s shaping the global airline landscape—from new fleet technologies and route expansions to loyalty program shifts and retailing transformations. Our coverage highlights how carriers are adapting to economic pressures, regulatory changes, and emerging consumer trends through digital tools, automation, and enhanced service models.

Q&A: Collinson's Phil Seward on co-brand cards, travel subscriptions and empowering consumers
News / Online
Q&A: Collinson's Phil Seward on co-brand cards, travel subscriptions and empowering consumers
By Jill Menze | February 27, 2020
Phil Seward, senior vice president of loyalty strategy, Americas, at Collinson, explains the evolution of the co-branded credit card, if subscription models in travel are viable and how brands can put... Read More
Sabre to invest $150M in technology as operating income drops 35% for full-year 2019
News / Distribution
Sabre to invest $150M in technology as operating income drops 35% for full-year 2019
By Steven Lerner | February 26, 2020
 To reverse its disappointing financial results, Sabre outlined a strategic priorities plan, which includes an incremental spend of $150 million on technology in 2020.   Read More
Golden shots and wild cards - how IAG brings startups through Hangar 51
News / Startups
Golden shots and wild cards - how IAG brings startups through Hangar 51
By Linda Fox | February 26, 2020
In the coming weeks, British Airways parent company IAG will enter the fifth year of its Hangar 51 accelerator program. Read More
IATA forecasts coronavirus will reduce airline revenue by nearly $30B
News / Distribution
IATA forecasts coronavirus will reduce airline revenue by nearly $30B
By Robert Silk - Travel Weekly  | February 25, 2020
Of the $29.3 billion in lost revenue that IATA forecasts, $27.8 billion would be lost by Asia Pacific carriers. Read More
Debunking the myths of the Next Generation Storefront for airlines
From Our Partners / Distribution
Debunking the myths of the Next Generation Storefront for airlines
By Anne Kolodziej - ATPCO | February 24, 2020
As with any industry-disrupting innovation, good news travels fast but misinformation flies at Mach speed. Such is the case with the Next-Generation Storefront, or NGS.  Read More
aviasales-op-ed-loyalty
Opinion / Online
It’s time to skip loyalty and start chasing retention in travel
By Max Kraynov - Aviasales | February 21, 2020
Rather than loyalty, travel brands should pursue retention by capitalizing on unusual patterns in travel research and booking. Read More
bacarai act II cover
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE - ACT II: Bacarai reflects on past year's challenges, new funding expedition
By Steven Lerner | February 21, 2020
Bacarai discusses its new vice president of technology, the launch of new funding rounds and future goals. Read More
hopper-lufthansa-innovation-hub-sustainability
News / Distribution
Talk is cheap as report finds travelers lukewarm on sustainable travel action
By Linda Fox | February 20, 2020
A study by Lufthansa Innovation Hub and Hopper shows that travelers say they want to go greener but are not prepared to pay for it. Read More
Lessons learned from a failed travel loyalty startup
News / Startups
Lessons learned from a failed travel loyalty startup
By Steven Lerner | February 20, 2020
Without the cooperation or support of hotels, airlines, banks or credit card companies, developing a loyalty startup is challenging. Read More
airline-add-ons-revenue-2019
News / Distribution
European airlines emerge top in ancillary add-ons revenue
By Linda Fox | February 19, 2020
European carriers followed by their Asia counterparts make the most revenue from ancillary add-ons in the 2019 CarTrawler-IdeaWorksCompany report. Read More
How a travel club can better connect brands to their users
Opinion / Online
How a travel club can better connect brands to their users
By Mike Putman - Custom Travel Solutions | February 19, 2020
In order to improve a brand’s loyal base and increase engagement, it needs to key in on the valuable offers from which users feel the most benefit or improve their connection to your brand. Read More
Chinese airline industry could take years to recover from coronavirus
News / Distribution
Chinese airline industry could take years to recover from coronavirus
By Robert Silk - Travel Weekly  | February 19, 2020
Passenger traffic at China's airports will fall by 30% this year due to the COVID-19 coronavirus, which will likely lead to a restructuring of the Chinese airline industry Read More
travel-brands-super-apps
News / Distribution
Where travel brand loyalty sits in a super app world
By Linda Fox | February 18, 2020
It’s hard for major travel brands to ignore super apps given the huge volume of consumers that they attract and their high-frequency usage. Read More
Loyalty goes the extra mile in travel
Opinion / Online
Loyalty goes the extra mile in travel
By Dana Rosenberg - Mastercard | February 18, 2020
Travel brands are going beyond simple rewards to redefine loyalty programs around customer service, customer journeys and customer trust. Read More
lufthansa-amadeus
News / Distribution
Lufthansa Group renews IT partnership with Amadeus, adds digital services
By Linda Fox | February 18, 2020
While the deal was agreed in principle about a year ago, Amadeus says it has taken time to negotiate various elements included in it. Read More
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