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.

Google offers hotel discounts to cloud users, upgrades search tools
News / Online
Google offers hotel discounts to cloud users, upgrades search tools
By Christina Jelski - Travel Weekly | August 28, 2018
Google has enhanced its flight and hotel search capabilities ahead of the U.S. holiday travel season, while concurrently announcing that it has started offering exclusive hotel discounts to paying users... Read More
Fareportal Routehappy integration
News / Online
Fareportal sites add seat photos and descriptions with Routehappy integration
By Mitra Sorrells | August 28, 2018
Fareportal has become the first consumer booking channel to integrate Routehappy’s Universal Product Attributes into its flight seat maps.   Read More
Surveying the travel startup landscape, part 4: Exit strategy
News / Startups
Surveying the travel startup landscape, part 4: Exit strategy
By Mitra Sorrells | August 28, 2018
For the final piece in our month-long series on startups, we gathered learnings from three companies that have been purchased in recent years. Read More
ota hotel profitability
Opinion / Online
Online travel agency moves harming profitability: What hotels need to know
By Max Starkov - HEBS Digital | August 24, 2018
Two recent events in hotel distribution created a mild media buzz, but unfortunately were ignored by some hoteliers and quickly forgotten by the industry: Expedia’s Add‐On Advantage and Booking.Basic. Read More
Research Spotlight: How call centers are vital to the customer experience
News / Online
Research Spotlight: How call centers are vital to the customer experience
By Jill Menze | August 23, 2018
Operating a call center is often a costly - but necessary - endeavor for many travel companies. For one, to customers, the call center represents the face of suppliers and informs their first... Read More
STARTUP STAGE: SpareFare creates a sharing economy for travel refunds
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: SpareFare creates a sharing economy for travel refunds
By Kevin May | August 22, 2018
London-based SpareFare has developed a mechanism and platform so that travelers can get their money back on non-refundable ticket reservations on hotels or airlines. Read More
bonny-simi-jetblue-technology-ventures-profile-4
Interview / Startups
In The Big Chair - Bonny Simi of JetBlue Technology Ventures
By Mitra Sorrells | August 22, 2018
Founded in 2016, JetBlue Technology Ventures invests in and works with early stage travel technology startups with the goal of improving the travel experience across the whole travel ecosystem - not... Read More
ATPCO gets real-time air ticket filing go-ahead
News / Technology
ATPCO gets real-time air ticket filing go-ahead
By Kevin May | August 20, 2018
Global aviation fare registration platform ATPCO will use the recent award of a technology patent to redevelop its pricing calculation system. Read More
Google on travel marketing
Opinion / Online
Google: Time to rethink fairy tale loyalty strategies in travel
By Jenna Hovel - Google | August 16, 2018
Today, people have more booking options than ever at their fingertips. And marketers must evolve their strategies to meet customers where they are.  Read More
On The Beach takes offline chance with £20M Classic Collection deal
News / Online
On The Beach takes offline chance with £20M Classic Collection deal
By Kevin May | August 16, 2018
Proof that online travel brands are still have an eye on opportunities in the physical world, with On The Beach buying luxury travel brand for travel agents, Classic Collection. Read More
GBTA exhibitor news
News / Technology
Egencia, Yapta, Traxo and more product news from GBTA
By Mitra Sorrells | August 15, 2018
The Global Business Travel Association’s annual convention wraps up today at the San Diego Convention Center.  Read More
How the flywheel of innovation is propelling business travel forward
Opinion / Technology
How the flywheel of innovation is propelling business travel forward
By Rob Greyber - Egencia | August 15, 2018
We are on the cusp of a new era in business travel. Advances in technology are driving us forward at breakneck speed. The industry is rife with new - but lately struggling - startups: online booking... Read More
Expedia Group pays $60M to buy out AirAsia from AirAsiaGo platform
News / Online
Expedia Group pays $60M to buy out AirAsia from AirAsiaGo platform
By Kevin May | August 14, 2018
An investment of $60 million has brought to an end a seven-year joint venture between Expedia Group and AirAsia to sell the airline's tickets alongside hotels. Read More
The most influential names in travel are coming - will you be there?
News / Technology
The most influential names in travel are coming - will you be there?
By PhocusWire | August 9, 2018
Join nearly 2,000 decision makers and C-level executives from global travel, tourism and hospitality companies at this year’s Phocuswright Conference, Nov. 13 to 15 in Los Angeles. Register now to save... Read More
As travel distribution evolves, Amadeus looks at its own approach
News / Distribution
As travel distribution evolves, Amadeus looks at its own approach
By Linda Fox | August 9, 2018
Amadeus is building out its Live Travel Space platform to keep itself and its customers at pace with the evolving consumer landscape. Read More
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