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.

despegar-q4-2022
News / Online
Despegar sees Latin America market recovery by year end
By Linda Fox | March 16, 2023
Despegar has launched packages functionality and redesigned its mobile app, which currently accounts for about half of bookings. Read More
Southwest updates on action plan for disruption
News
Southwest updates on action plan for disruption
By Linda Fox | March 16, 2023
Bob Jordan, the carrier’s president and CEO, talks of the severe weather event that turned into a crew-related event resulting in a “three-day reset of our aircraft and crew networks.” Read More
Tripadvisor CMO talks travel marketing, membership, video
News / Online
Tripadvisor CMO talks travel marketing, membership, video
By Linda Fox | March 16, 2023
Tripadvisor's chief marketing officer John Boris, who joined the company in late 2022, shares more on the company's strategy as well as his thoughts on the state of travel marketing. Read More
SITA Lufthansa partnership
News / Online
SITA and Lufthansa digitize lost luggage solution
By Kathryn Walson | March 16, 2023
When passengers land at an airport, SITA’s WorldTracer Auto Reflight notifies them of any luggage delay and gathers delivery details. The companies say it saves time and money for the industry. Read More
Tryp.com seed funding
News / Online
Tryp.com secures seed round to enhance tech, expand reach
By Kathryn Walson | March 14, 2023
The Denmark-based startup says its search engine “accesses thousands of flights, trains, buses and hotels in real-time, comparing prices, locations and schedules.” Read More
Awai Startup Stage
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Awai seeks to simplify travel booking with one-stop shop
By Kathryn Walson | March 13, 2023
The Melbourne-based startup says it saves consumers time, money and headaches during trip planning, while removing the need for travel agents. Read More
female-led-travel-startups
News / Startups
Women-led travel startups talk challenges, change, funding
By Linda Fox | March 8, 2023
The pandemic has not helped close the workplace gender gap, but there are gradual improvements. On International Women's Day, PhocusWire discusses some of the issues with three female travel startup... Read More
trip-com-q4-2022
News / Online
Trip.com Group sees outbound travel demand surge
By Mitra Sorrells | March 7, 2023
The company says demand for outbound travel is continuing to accelerate in the first months of this year, with bookings up more than 300% compared with the same period last year.   Read More
Travelsoft acqusition
News / Online
Travelsoft aquires Travel Compositor to expand software-as-a-service
By Kathryn Walson | March 7, 2023
Travelsoft says that with this acquisition it will now transact bookings worth €5 billion annually through more than 300 tour operators connected to 600 suppliers in about 40 countries.  Read More
Sabre CEO Sean Menke hands baton to president Kurt Ekert
News / Distribution
Sabre CEO Sean Menke hands baton to president Kurt Ekert
By Linda Fox | March 1, 2023
Sabre announced Sean Menke would be relinquishing the CEO role to Kurt Ekert effective April 27. Read More
Hurricane hotel damage
News / Online
As travel trends up, so do climate goal challenges
By Derek Catron | March 1, 2023
 A new report from the Travel Foundation charts a course for a growing travel sector to meet climate change goals – but it won’t be painless. Read More
Digital divid pymnts
News / Online
Digital divide grows in travel industry, study finds
By Kathryn Walson | March 1, 2023
A new report shows that high-income and mid-income consumers are 1.5 times as likely as low-income consumers to go online to plan vacations and book travel and accommodations. Read More
In The Big Chair - Caesar Indra of Traveloka
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair - Caesar Indra of Traveloka
By Linda Fox | February 28, 2023
Caesar Indra joined Indonesia-based Traveloka in 2012 to develop the flights product at a time when the company offered only domestic routes with 10 carriers. Read More
jetblue-chooose
News / Startups
JetBlue adds climate platform powered by Chooose
By Mitra Sorrells | February 28, 2023
 JetBlue customers can use the platform to estimate the CO2 emissions of their flights and then contribute to a fund to cover the difference in cost between SAF and conventional jet fuel. Read More
Expedia, Microsoft and travel experts on ChatGPT
News / Technology
Expedia, Microsoft and travel experts on ChatGPT
By Mitra Sorrells | February 27, 2023
Listen to PhocusWire's first LinkedIn Audio event, with executives from Expedia and Microsoft and Kayak co-founder Paul English discussing the potential use of ChatGPT in travel.     Read More