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.

Using tech to improve claims processing, servicing in travel insurance
From Our Partners / Online
Using tech to improve claims processing, servicing in travel insurance
By PhocusWire | December 13, 2024
And as the industry grows, so does demand for travel insurance, according to Robert Gallagher, chief operating officer and head of the Americas at Travel Guard, the portfolio of travel insurance and... Read More
AI, algorithms and Uber's potential acquisitions: PhocusWire's top opinion stories of 2024
News / Online
AI, algorithms and Uber's potential acquisitions: PhocusWire's top opinion stories of 2024
By PhocusWire | December 13, 2024
This year's most popular op-eds were heavy on AI and also covered algorithms, the possible acquisition of Expedia and major incidences like the CrowdStrike outage. Read More
Travel M&A activity heating up as experts see readiness in buyers, sellers
News / Startups
Travel M&A activity heating up as experts see readiness in buyers, sellers
By Morgan Hines | December 13, 2024
In comparison to last year, Matt Zito and Min Liu said the travel investment and acquisition environment has been more active, in part due to better macroeconomic conditions.  Read More
Sabre CEO Kurt Ekert talks intermediary opportunity and company growth
News / Distribution
Sabre CEO Kurt Ekert talks intermediary opportunity and company growth
By Mark Frary | December 12, 2024
Sabre CEO and president Kurt Ekert doesn't believe AI is a threat to the global distribution system and can't see the demise of traditional airline distribution any time soon. Read More
Booking expects $450M in savings through "transformation"
News / Online
Booking expects $450M in savings through "transformation"
By Linda Fox | December 11, 2024
Booking Holdings CFO Ewout Steenbergen said the cost savings would help the company grow its top line, reduce complexity and reinvest in growth initiatives. Read More
Arena - Launch pitch at The Phocuswright Conference 2024
Interview / Startups
Arena - Launch pitch at The Phocuswright Conference 2024
By PhocusWire | December 11, 2024
Partnering with NEOM in Saudi Arabia, Arena has deployed two products: Trainer, a gamified platform for employee onboarding and upskilling in tourism and hospitality, and Plan It, a travel assistant for... Read More
Phocuswright turns 30: Industry veterans look back and ahead
News / Technology
Phocuswright turns 30: Industry veterans look back and ahead
By Morgan Hines | December 11, 2024
Much of how we search, book and experience travel has changed since Phocuswright was founded in 1994, and three industry veterans reflect on that evolution and offer ideas on what's to come.  Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: SITA, Sabre, Amadeus and more
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: SITA, Sabre, Amadeus and more
By PhocusWire | December 6, 2024
Keep up with all the latest people, product and partner news from around the global travel industry in PhocusWire's weekly roundup. Read More
Snowflake/Hightouch - Travel Innovator of the Year award winner at The Phocuswright Conference 2024
Interview / Technology
Snowflake/Hightouch - Travel Innovator of the Year award winner at The Phocuswright Conference 2024
By PhocusWire | December 6, 2024
Snowflake offers a cloud-based data platform that enables companies to share data, build applications and effectively use AI. Hightouch is a platform to sync data into tools for marketing, advertising,... Read More
Air France-KLM partners with Google Cloud to boost data capabilities
News / Technology
Air France-KLM partners with Google Cloud to boost data capabilities
By Linda Fox | December 4, 2024
The partnership also enables Air France-KLM to take advantage of Google Cloud generative AI expertise as the airlines build a “common, joint and unique data lakehouse.” Read More
Garner on the continuing evolution of airline distribution
News / Distribution
Garner on the continuing evolution of airline distribution
By Morgan Hines | December 4, 2024
In a keynote at The Beat Live, Cory Garner explained why airlines' interest in customer loyalty will help to boost their efforts to grow distribution through direct channels.   Read More
How continuous improvement in travel insurance services creates loyalty and peace-of-mind
News / Online
How continuous improvement in travel insurance services creates loyalty and peace-of-mind
By PhocusWire | December 4, 2024
Allianz Partners general manager for the USA, Emily Hartman, discusses how the company uses the latest technology and a focus on the customer to give travelers support and assistance when they need it. Read More
Airline tech experts on retailing and distribution trends
News / Distribution
Airline tech experts on retailing and distribution trends
By Linda Fox | December 4, 2024
Airline technology executives from CitizenPlane and Dohop discuss the adoption of NDC as airlines look to the next phase of their retailing journeys and ongoing challenges. Read More
Oojo's CEO on the challenges of an end-to-end travel platform
News / Online
Oojo's CEO on the challenges of an end-to-end travel platform
By Linda Fox | December 2, 2024
Gulce Karsli Rozenveld believes only three travel companies are capable of creating a one-stop travel shop because of the huge time, investment and other resources it requires. Read More
Breeze Airways' David Neeleman talks culture, technology and communication
News / Distribution
Breeze Airways' David Neeleman talks culture, technology and communication
By Matthew Parsons | December 2, 2024
Neeleman launched Breeze Airways in May 2021, making it his fifth commercial airline startup along with Morris Air, WestJet, JetBlue and Azul. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026