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.

Offline part 1 agencies
News / Distribution
Back in the offline world, part 1: Travel agency endurance
By Mitra Sorrells | September 4, 2018
First up in this month’s series on the offline travel market, we look at the traditional agency model to understand the audience it still serves and how it has continued to stay relevant. Read More
virgin-atlantic-sita-augmented-reality
News / Technology
Virgin Atlantic crew get Dreamliner lessons via augmented reality
By Linda Fox | September 4, 2018
Virgin Atlantic uses augmented reality to help crew familarize themselves with the Boeing 787. Read More
How purchasing trends, trip motivations and booking behaviors differ across four markets
News / Online
How purchasing trends, trip motivations and booking behaviors differ across four markets
By Phocuswright Research | August 31, 2018
It's critical for travel companies to understand the consumer behaviors and preferences that influence purchase decisions. Commissioned by Google, Phocuswright recently published a series of reports on... Read More
air-canada-app-breach
News / Technology
Air Canada admits app security breach could hit thousands of passenger profiles
By Linda Fox | August 30, 2018
Air Canada says about 1% of its 1.7 million app users may be affected by last week's data breach Read More
STARTUP STAGE: xCheck gives airlines tech to better showcase web fares
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: xCheck gives airlines tech to better showcase web fares
By Kevin May | August 30, 2018
U.S.-based xCheck is a tool for airlines to manage and optimize their fares when pushing prices to online marketing channels. Read More
Online travel bookings booming in China, India, driven by millennials
News / Online
Online travel bookings booming in China, India, driven by millennials
By Mitra Sorrells | August 29, 2018
Digital travel sales in China and India are far outpacing the rest of the world and that is expected to continue for the next several years.   Read More
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
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