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Aviation Week • Christine Boynton

American Airlines launches widebody procurement bid—RFP to Boeing and Airbus while dismissing a United merger

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said the carrier is shopping for its next long-haul widebody fleet and has an RFP out to Boeing and Airbus, following retirements that reduced its long-haul fleet by 40% and a pivot back toward premium international flying. Isom also described a potential combination with United as a “non-starter.”

2026-06-10T10:46:57.060182-07:00

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

United Airlines reportedly developing new Economy cabin concept for A321neo “Coastliner” featuring blocked middle seat to reduce

2026-06-10T13:56:29.036481-07:00

View from the Wing

Southwest reverses “flight-attendant-only” jumpseat access, reopening seats to non-cabin employees after union challenge and add

2026-06-10T03:56:14.295235-07:00

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TAP Air Portugal: fuel-price shock not expected to derail privatization timetable; new investor targeted by October 2026

2026-06-10T08:27:59.299873-07:00

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Paddle Your Own Kanoo

United Airlines reportedly developing new Economy cabin concept for A321neo “Coastliner” featuring blocked middle seat to reduce United Airlines is reportedly working on a new Economy product that uses a fixed tray table to block the middle seat in each three-seat row. The concept is being designed for United’s soon-to-debut “Coastliner” Airbus A321neo aircraft, aiming to cut the number of flight attendants needed per cabin.

2026-06-10T13:56:29.036481-07:00

United Airlines reportedly developing new Economy cabin concept for A321neo “Coastliner” featuring blocked middle seat to reduce

Aviation Week

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American Airlines launches widebody procurement bid—RFP to Boeing and Airbus while dismissing a United merger American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said the carrier is shopping for its next long-haul widebody fleet and has an RFP out to Boeing and Airbus, following retirements that reduced its long-haul fleet by 40% and a pivot back toward premium international flying. Isom also described a potential combination with United as a “non-starter.”

2026-06-10T10:46:57.060182-07:00

American Airlines launches widebody procurement bid—RFP to Boeing and Airbus while dismissing a United merger

ch-aviation

St Barth Executive plans Terre-de-Haut operations in 4Q26 St Barth Executive says it will launch operations serving Terre-de-Haut in 4Q26 as it extends its short-hop flying model in the Caribbean. The move builds on the carrier’s recently announced Sint Maarten–St Barth premium connection, positioning additional point-to-point capacity for the region.

2026-06-10T09:57:00.643468-07:00

St Barth Executive plans Terre-de-Haut operations in 4Q26

APEX

APEX FTE EMEA 2026: Virgin Atlantic’s Juha Jaervinen charts how AI will reshape airline retailing Virgin Atlantic’s Juha Jaervinen told delegates at APEX FTE EMEA 2026 that AI will transform airline retailing by enabling more personalized, “truly cared for” customer experiences. The keynote framed AI as a lever for differentiation in how airlines engage customers across the retail journey.

2026-06-10T09:56:58.825117-07:00

APEX FTE EMEA 2026: Virgin Atlantic’s Juha Jaervinen charts how AI will reshape airline retailing

ch-aviation

TAP Air Portugal: fuel-price shock not expected to derail privatization timetable; new investor targeted by October 2026 TAP Air Portugal does not expect today’s elevated fuel prices to derail its privatization process, with chairman Carlos Oliveira and CEO Luis Rodrigues saying both the airline and the Portuguese state are still targeting selection of a new investor by October 2026.

2026-06-10T08:27:59.299873-07:00

TAP Air Portugal: fuel-price shock not expected to derail privatization timetable; new investor targeted by October 2026

AeroTime

Emirates seeks German approval to add daily widebody services to Berlin and Stuttgart Emirates says it is prepared to launch daily widebody flights to both Berlin and Stuttgart, contingent on German government approval. The carrier estimates the move at more than €100 million (US$112 million) per year in operational expenses, including staffing, airport charges and fuel.

2026-06-10T07:12:07.856078-07:00

Emirates seeks German approval to add daily widebody services to Berlin and Stuttgart

AeroTime

Etihad adds second daily Abu Dhabi–Kabul flight from 15 July 2026, doubling capacity on the UAE–Afghanistan route Etihad Airways will double its Abu Dhabi (AUH)–Kabul (KBL) service starting 15 July 2026, adding a second daily flight in each direction. The timetable change increases UAE–Afghanistan connectivity and signals continued demand growth on the market as Etihad scales up frequency between the two hubs.

2026-06-10T06:58:24.571223-07:00

Etihad adds second daily Abu Dhabi–Kabul flight from 15 July 2026, doubling capacity on the UAE–Afghanistan route

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

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Delta diverts to Atlanta after passenger allegedly slaps flight attendant; U.S. federal charges filed A Delta Air Lines flight diverted to Atlanta after a passenger allegedly slapped a flight attendant on the buttocks during beverage service. Federal charges are pending in the incident, which led to an unscheduled diversion and law-enforcement involvement.

2026-06-10T06:58:02.622158-07:00

Delta diverts to Atlanta after passenger allegedly slaps flight attendant; U.S. federal charges filed

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Airlines News

American Airlines launches widebody procurement bid—RFP to Boeing and Airbus while dismissing a United merger

United Airlines reportedly developing new Economy cabin concept for A321neo “Coastliner” featuring blocked middle seat to reduce

Southwest reverses “flight-attendant-only” jumpseat access, reopening seats to non-cabin employees after union challenge and add

TAP Air Portugal: fuel-price shock not expected to derail privatization timetable; new investor targeted by October 2026

News Timeline