The World of Aviation

American Airlines has named three industry experts to its newly formed Customer Experience Advisory Board as the carrier seeks to improve passenger services. The board is an evolution of the airline’s Operational Excellence Advisory Board, adding hospitality veterans who bring more than 90 years of combined experience in customer insights to the company. Craig Reid

American Airlines launched its newest premium aircraft on its first flight from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport on 5 June, carrying more than 200 passengers. The Boeing 787-9 features the airline’s Flagship Suite seats, a reimagined Premium Economy cabin and redesigned Main Cabin. The flight marked the beginning of summer travel

Cathay Pacific has launched its non-stop flight service between Hong Kong and Rome, marking the airline’s return to Italy’s capital as the Cathay Group approaches 100 passenger destinations worldwide. The new summer seasonal service is the fourth new destination to join Cathay Pacific’s global network in 2025, following launches to Hyderabad, Dallas-Fort Worth and Urumqi.

Frontier Airlines has commenced operations at Seattle Paine Field International Airport with the launch of nonstop services to Denver, Las Vegas and Phoenix. The ultra-low fare carrier began twice-weekly flights to each destination on June 2, offering introductory fares from US$69. The new routes complement Frontier’s existing services to seven destinations from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

The International Air Transport Association has announced that the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 2026, hosted by LATAM Airlines Group. The last time the IATA AGM was held in South America was in 1999, also in Rio de Janeiro. IATA director general Willie Walsh said

Vietjet has placed a new order with Airbus for 20 widebody A330-900 aircraft to support strategic expansion over the next decade. The agreement was signed in Hanoi by Vietjet chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao and Wouter van Wersch, president Airbus International. The documents were exchanged in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron and Vietnamese