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.

Kaizen report marketing content
News / Online
Interactive content most effective marketing tool for travel brands
By Mitra Sorrells | October 19, 2018
Travel brands looking to maximize their search engine optimization strategy should focus on creating interactive content since it ranks higher than all other forms of content for URL ratings, social... Read More
lufthansa-ai-ads
News / Technology
Lufthansa partners with IBM Watson for AI-driven advertising
By Linda Fox | October 19, 2018
Lufthansa is claiming a first with the launch of an advertising campaign using artificial intelligence from IBM Watson Ads. Read More
airasia-google-cloud
News / Technology
AirAsia enlists Google for help in digital transformation
By Linda Fox | October 18, 2018
AirAsia is working with Google Cloud to apply AI and machine learning technology to its data. Read More
ACTE report NDC confusion
News / Distribution
NDC causing confusion, concern for corporate travel managers
By Mitra Sorrells | October 17, 2018
Corporate travel managers do not fully understand IATA’s New Distribution Capability and that lack of knowledge may make them resistant to embracing the data transmission standard. Read More
Tours and activities: the next frontier for airlines?
News / Distribution
Tours and activities: the next frontier for airlines?
By Jill Menze | October 17, 2018
Do airlines want to enter the tours and activities game? On the list of priorities, airlines are interested in selling their core product - flights - first and foremost, says Tamas Hanyi, general... Read More
The metasearch model, part 2: The transition to meta-book
News / Distribution
The metasearch model, part 2: The transition to meta-book
By Mitra Sorrells | October 15, 2018
In the early days of metasearch, roughly the first decade of the 21st century, the model was strictly one of price comparison and referral.    Read More
Phocuswright Conference 2018 preview Fred Lalonde
Interview / Technology
In the green room at Phocuswright with... Fred Lalonde
By PhocusWire | October 11, 2018
Fresh off a $100 million funding round, the CEO of the price prediction and booking app participates in a panel discussion on air travel at The Phocuswright Conference 2018. Read More
ndc-exchange-airlines-sita-atpco
News / Distribution
NDC Exchange boosted by five new airlines
By Linda Fox | October 11, 2018
NDC Exchange, created by ATPCO and SITA, sees five new carriers join. Read More
Overcoming the many challenges to make blockchain work for airline distribution
News / Technology
Overcoming the many challenges to make blockchain work for airline distribution
By Linda Fox | October 11, 2018
Airlines are experimenting with different use cases blockchain and some see real potential for distribution. Read More
VIDEO: iSeatz on its ancillary management system
From Our Partners / Technology
VIDEO: iSeatz on its ancillary management system
By PhocusWire | October 10, 2018
iSeatz, the travel commerce and merchandizing technology company, recently debuted its Ancillary Management System to the industry. Read More
What is next with WeChat marketing for travel brands?
From Our Partners / Online
What is next with WeChat marketing for travel brands?
By Sienna Parulis-Cook - Dragon Trail Interactive | October 9, 2018
Anyone who’s even scratched the surface of marketing to China will know that the mobile app and social media platform WeChat, with its 1+ billion monthly active users, is the place to be. Read More
The metasearch model, part 1: All things Google
News / Online
The metasearch model, part 1: All things Google
By Mitra Sorrells | October 8, 2018
This month we are digging into the topic of metasearch. We begin with perspective from a company that is both one of the newest entrants and also one of the most dominant figures in the travel search... Read More
vpass-volaris-netflix-airlines-2
News / Distribution
Creating a Netflix-for-airlines loyalty model at $30/month
By Kevin May | October 5, 2018
The "X-for-hotels" or "Y-for-airlines" idea, when a modern consumer brand is used as a reference point, has become fairly common in the travel industry. Read More
In the green room at Phocuswright with... Kathy Morgan
Interview / Distribution
In the green room at Phocuswright with... Kathy Morgan
By PhocusWire | October 5, 2018
With responsibility for driving NDC at Sabre, Morgan has witnessed it go from an initiative shadowed by mistrust and confusion to something many in the industry are now getting behind and seeing as a... Read More
online-travel-agency-power-paradox-2
News / Online
Maintaining the power and influence of online travel agencies
By PhocusWire | October 4, 2018
One of the central tenets of the Power Paradox in travel is how some of the biggest brands ever assembled in the industry "have aggregated the content, established the trust and amassed the war chests... Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026