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.

Most voice assistants "unskilled" for travel planning and booking
News / Technology
Most voice assistants "unskilled" for travel planning and booking
By Michael Coletta | July 20, 2018
For all the skills in Amazon's Alexa voice marketplace (30,000 and counting), the majority can still be described as "unskilled" for travel planning and booking tasks. The same can be said for Google... Read More
NDC is coming to the industry... are you ready?
From Our Partners / Distribution
NDC is coming to the industry... are you ready?
By Erika Moore - Travelport | July 20, 2018
Do you remember how Global Distribution Systems began 40 years ago? Sometimes it's worth a quick reminder... Read More
Sabre-Travel-Solutions
News / Distribution
Sabre creates Travel Solutions division, rejigs team, hires ex-Google engineering chief
By Linda Fox | July 18, 2018
Sabre has created a Travel Solutions division spanning airline solutions as well as data and analytics across its business units. Read More
expedia package bookings
News / Distribution
Package bookings drive higher ADR, have longer booking windows
By Jill Menze | July 18, 2018
Analyzing data on package bookings vs. standalone hotel bookings, Expedia Group found that for full year 2017, package bookings delivered higher average daily rates and had longer booking windows,... Read More
Startup Stage TransferTravel generic
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: TransferTravel.com wants to be the "eBay" of travel
By Mitra Sorrells | July 18, 2018
TransferTravel.com is a peer-to-peer marketplace designed to help people sell their unwanted tickets and reservations to travelers looking for bargains.  Read More
Utrip claims new tool brings travel planning closer to Netflix and Amazon models
News / Technology
Utrip claims new tool brings travel planning closer to Netflix and Amazon models
By Linda Fox | July 17, 2018
Utrip, a personalization platform for travel, has been testing a destination discovery experience driven by artificial intelligence. Read More
In The Big Chair - Jane Sun of Ctrip
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair - Jane Sun of Ctrip
By Jill Menze | July 17, 2018
Jane Sun joined Ctrip in 2005 and took the reins as CEO in 2016. As Ctrip grows globally, Sun sees opportunities in tours and activities for Chinese travelers and hopes to see international business... Read More
Reimagining customer experience, part 2: Brian Solis on iteration vs. innovation
News / Online
Reimagining customer experience, part 2: Brian Solis on iteration vs. innovation
By Mitra Sorrells | July 16, 2018
What we really should be talking about is how are you designing experiences that people are willing to find and pay more for and love and recommend. Read More
Journera, brainchild of Orbitz founder Jeff Katz, secures $9M capital
News / Technology
Journera, brainchild of Orbitz founder Jeff Katz, secures $9M capital
By Linda Fox | July 13, 2018
Journera, the data and analytics platform launched by former Orbitz boss Jeff Katz, has raised Series A funding of $9 million. Read More
QOTW: Something about embracing the mess
News / Online
QOTW: Something about embracing the mess
By PhocusWire | July 13, 2018
Quote from James Ferguson, senior design manager at Skyscanner, in an article on PhocusWire this week. Read More
edreams-odigeo-dana-dunne-1
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair - Dana Dunne of eDreams Odigeo
By Kevin May | July 13, 2018
The former EasyJet and AOL executive is steering the company through a critical time for online travel agencies, with a mixture of frenemy-type partnerships and focus on markets that work. Read More
Travel.jp LINE partnership
News / Online
Japan’s Travel.jp to provide content for LINE app’s new travel service
By Mitra Sorrells | July 13, 2018
Japan’s largest travel metasearch and content platform, Travel.jp, has inked a deal with LINE, the largest communication app in Japan, to power the price comparison and travel guide content for the... Read More
Artificial intelligence and the drive for an emotional connection with travelers
News / Technology
Artificial intelligence and the drive for an emotional connection with travelers
By Linda Fox | July 12, 2018
Amadeus is experimenting with a branch of artificial intelligence called "reinforcement learning." Read More
Seatfrog grabs $6 million round to bolster upgrade bidding app
News / Online
Seatfrog grabs $6 million round to bolster upgrade bidding app
By Kevin May | July 12, 2018
Rail and air upgrade platform Seatfrog has secured a Series A investment to the tune of $6 million. Read More
Startup Stage Avionero
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Avionero aims to bring flexibility to flight search
By Mitra Sorrells | July 11, 2018
Avionero is a flight search and price comparison site that uses artificial intelligence to help users find flights they might not have been directly searching for. Read More
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