Brussels Airlines is planning a significant increase in capacity in long-haul traffic to Africa for the summer of 2025. With an additional long-haul aircraft, the Belgian airline will offer 56 weekly connections to destinations in sub-Saharan Africa - an increase of 10 percent compared to 2024. Routes such as Kinshasa (DR Congo) and Nairobi (Kenya) will be increased to daily flights. At the same time, the connection to Luanda (Angola) will be discontinued and taken over by Lufthansa in the future. The connections to North America will also be continued.

British Airways plans to equip its A380 wide-body jets with a new First Class by 2026. The redesigned seat will be more than 90 centimeters wide, convertible into a bed over two meters long and equipped with a 32-inch screen, mood-dependent lighting and personal luggage space. A curved partition provides privacy, which can be opened into a lounge area in double seats. The new cabin is intended to further increase comfort and exclusivity for First Class passengers.

Brussels Airport is testing a self-driving, electrically powered shuttle for the first time in Belgium. As part of a three-month pilot project, the vehicle will transport airport employees exclusively on the tarmac. Equipped with cameras and sensors, the shuttle monitors traffic and obstacles. With a capacity of eight people and a maximum speed of 25 km/h, it is accompanied by a steward. The project, part of the EU "Stargate" program, is intended to evaluate the safety and acceptance of autonomous mobility in airport operations.

The airline Easyjet has expanded its cooperation with the aviation company CAE. As part of this partnership, the training facilities in London-Gatwick will be supplemented by two full-flight simulators and one in Milan. In addition, Easyjet will start pilot training at the CAE school in Amsterdam. The investment in training capacity is intended to increase Easyjet's training capacity and improve the efficiency of pilot training.

The Taiwanese airline China Airlines has been awarded the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) Five-Star Global Airline award for the ninth year in a row. It also received awards for the best food and drink and the best Wi-Fi offering. The airline impressed with innovative onboard catering, inspired by Michelin-star chefs, and modern entertainment technology. The continuous expansion of its fleet, including the A321neo and soon the 787, underlines its commitment to offering a first-class flight experience.

Avianca has upgraded its business class on flights between Colombia and Europe with the launch of the new "Insignia" brand. Passengers on routes from Bogotá, Cali and Medellín to London, Paris, Madrid and Barcelona will be able to fly in the modern Boeing 787 Dreamliners with 180-degree flatbed seats and an exclusive service. The seats offer more privacy and entertainment is offered on 16-inch screens. There is also a new amenity kit designed in collaboration with the indigenous Gunadule community and includes sustainable products. The culinary offer highlights Colombian cuisine. The menu was created by well-known Colombian chefs Álvaro Clavijo and Catalina Vélez and combines haute cuisine with local flavors. This innovation is intended to further adapt the business class experience to the needs of travelers seeking comfort, luxury and culture.

The Canary Islands airline Binter has expanded its fleet with two new Embraer E195-E2s. The two aircraft, named "Vigo" and "Baleares", were introduced specifically for the connection between the Canary Islands and mainland Spain. With the expansion, Binter's fleet will grow to a total of 40 aircraft, consisting of 28 ATRs and 12 Embraer E195-E2s. A further four aircraft of this type have already been ordered. The new jets will improve the islands' connectivity and increase the number of direct destinations to 28. Particularly noteworthy is the possibility of both increasing the frequency of existing routes and adding new connections. The Embraer E195-E2 has space for 132 passengers and impresses with increased fuel efficiency and reduced noise. This expansion strengthens Binter as a regional carrier and underlines its commitment to further developing the Canary Islands as a hub for international air traffic.

United Airlines is seeing a significant increase in bookings for trips to Europe in the run-up to Christmas in its home market of the USA. Demand from the USA is currently ten percent higher than last year and even 30 percent higher than 2019 figures, which is a record high. Destinations with Christmas markets, such as in Dresden, Cologne, Lucerne, Nuremberg, Strasbourg and Vienna, are particularly in demand. According to a recent study by Deloitte, US consumers are also willing to spend 16 percent more money on holiday experiences this year, while spending on physical gifts remains almost the same. United Airlines benefits from an extensive range of flights to Europe, with almost 60 nonstop flights a day from its hubs in the USA. In addition, the cooperation with Lufthansa and Deutsche Bahn ensures easy onward travel to around 130 cities on the continent. United Airlines also expects record booking volumes worldwide over the 2024 Christmas holidays, with around 25 million passengers, an increase of six percent over the previous year.