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.

Report: Travelers want AI personalization, not unchecked autonomy
From Our Partners / Technology
Report: Travelers want AI personalization, not unchecked autonomy
By Amadeus | August 3, 2026
Amadeus’ Tailored Horizons report explores how U.S. travelers want AI to personalize trips, where they trust the technology and why control and transparency matter. Read More
How Nikhil Ravishankar is navigating Air New Zealand’s 'perfect storm'
News / Online
How Nikhil Ravishankar is navigating Air New Zealand’s 'perfect storm'
By WiT | August 3, 2026
Air New Zealand has rebuilt its team since the pandemic, with 70% of its 12,000 staff members joining since COVID. Read More
Amadeus adjusts 2026 guidance, air distribution hit by Middle East conflict
News / Finance
Amadeus adjusts 2026 guidance, air distribution hit by Middle East conflict
By Linda Fox | July 31, 2026
Amadeus reported a booking evolution decrease of 7.6% in Q2 2026 because of the conflict in the Middle East. Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Katanox, Airbnb, Amex GBT and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Katanox, Airbnb, Amex GBT and more...
By PhocusWire | July 31, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
CEO Spotlight: Filip Filipov of OAG
News / Technology
CEO Spotlight: Filip Filipov of OAG
By Abby Crotty | July 30, 2026
Filip Filipov reflected on his first six months as CEO of OAG during an interview at Phocuswright Europe. Read More
The travel startup funding deals and acquisitions that stood out in Q2
News / Finance
The travel startup funding deals and acquisitions that stood out in Q2
By Linda Fox | July 28, 2026
The appetite for travel startup funding was limited in Q2, with more activity in mergers and acquisitions. Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: American Airlines, Spotnana, Hostaway and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: American Airlines, Spotnana, Hostaway and more...
By PhocusWire | July 24, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Aer Lingus employee wins AI challenge with hotel concierge for standby flyers
News / Technology
Aer Lingus employee wins AI challenge with hotel concierge for standby flyers
By PhocusWire | July 23, 2026
An Aer Lingus digital product manager won RouteStack’s AI build challenge with StandByStay, a hotel concierge for airline employees flying standby. Read More
13% is the number that explains why OTAs need hotels to keep working
News / Online
13% is the number that explains why OTAs need hotels to keep working
By Phocuswright Research | July 23, 2026
This report is part of the U.S. Travel Market Report 2026 series, which includes matching essentials on airlines, hotels, car rental, cruise and packaged travel. Read More
Research suggests tours are the most prepared for AI search
News / Technology
Research suggests tours are the most prepared for AI search
By Abby Crotty | July 21, 2026
An audit performed by Obvlo found that only 23 out of 100 travel brands were AI ready. Read More
EU digital ID initiatives gather momentum, user familiarity lags
News / Technology
EU digital ID initiatives gather momentum, user familiarity lags
By Linda Fox | July 20, 2026
By the end of 2026, countries in Europe must provide an EUDI Wallet to citizens. Are consumers and the travel industry ready? Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Expedia Group, Apaleo, Klook and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Expedia Group, Apaleo, Klook and more...
By PhocusWire | July 17, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Split payments and the future of checkout in travel
News / Technology
Split payments and the future of checkout in travel
By Abby Crotty | July 15, 2026
Samuel Flynn, co-founder of Hands In, outlines use cases for split payments and how he anticipates people will purchase travel in the future. Read More
The U.S. government's split signals on fee disclosure for travel sellers
News / Online
The U.S. government's split signals on fee disclosure for travel sellers
By Morgan Hines | July 15, 2026
While the FTC and Hopper reach a settlement on hidden fees, the DOT is loosening fee disclosure rules for airlines. Read More
Can AI ease the pain of flight delays? The FAA says yes, and soon
News / Technology
Can AI ease the pain of flight delays? The FAA says yes, and soon
By Robert Silk - Travel Weekly | July 14, 2026
The FAA is promising that a pair of AI-supported solutions will mitigate delays in the next couple of years. Analysts caution it might be overly optimistic. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026