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CTV News • Ethan Morneau, Kendra Mangione

WestJet abandons non‑reclining, high‑density cabin plan after viral backlash

WestJet has scrapped its controversial cabin densification and non‑reclining seat plans after viral videos of cramped cabins and widespread criticism. The carrier will restore previous Economy configurations, remove the added row on modified aircraft, and solicit feedback from staff and passengers.

2026-01-16T09:14:23.396398-08:00

Reuters

Air India and Singapore Airlines sign framework to deepen India–Singapore connectivity

2026-01-16T04:32:54.066444-08:00

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

ECJ rules airlines must refund third‑party OTA booking commissions

2026-01-16T09:14:23.985103-08:00

Skift

AI reshapes travel growth and chips away at airline brand loyalty

2026-01-16T04:52:55.455109-08:00

News Timeline

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

ECJ rules airlines must refund third‑party OTA booking commissions The European Court of Justice has ruled that airlines must refund third‑party online travel agency commissions to passengers when reimbursing cancelled or refunded bookings, settling a long dispute prompted by KLM passengers who booked via Opodo. The judgment requires carriers to include OTA commissions in full refund calculations.

2026-01-16T09:14:23.985103-08:00

ECJ rules airlines must refund third‑party OTA booking commissions

CTV News

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WestJet abandons non‑reclining, high‑density cabin plan after viral backlash WestJet has scrapped its controversial cabin densification and non‑reclining seat plans after viral videos of cramped cabins and widespread criticism. The carrier will restore previous Economy configurations, remove the added row on modified aircraft, and solicit feedback from staff and passengers.

2026-01-16T09:14:23.396398-08:00

WestJet abandons non‑reclining, high‑density cabin plan after viral backlash

Skift

AI reshapes travel growth and chips away at airline brand loyalty Artificial intelligence is changing where travel growth originates, how travelers plan trips, and the signals that build loyalty—weakening traditional airline brand power. Carriers face pressure to rework revenue management, distribution and marketing as hyper-personalised offers and planning tools fragment demand and raise customer acquisition costs.

2026-01-16T04:52:55.455109-08:00

AI reshapes travel growth and chips away at airline brand loyalty

Reuters

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Air India and Singapore Airlines sign framework to deepen India–Singapore connectivity Air India and Singapore Airlines have signed a commercial cooperation framework to deepen connectivity between India and Singapore. Subject to regulatory approvals and further contracts, the pact aims to align schedules, enable seamless single‑ticket connections, expand corporate and frequent‑flyer benefits, and pave the way for a potential joint business agreement.

2026-01-16T04:32:54.066444-08:00

Air India and Singapore Airlines sign framework to deepen India–Singapore connectivity

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

Delta passenger sentenced to 18 months for threatening 80‑year‑old flight attendant A federal judge sentenced a Delta passenger to 18 months in prison after he threatened an 80‑year‑old flight attendant and engaged in disruptive behavior aboard a flight. Prosecutors said the conduct endangered crew and passengers and resulted in federal charges for in‑flight assault and interference.

2026-01-15T16:23:55.105897-08:00

Delta passenger sentenced to 18 months for threatening 80‑year‑old flight attendant

Bloomberg

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United overhauls MileagePlus leadership, names Jarad Fisher and taps ex‑American Vasu Raja United is reshaping MileagePlus leadership, naming Apple Card veteran Jarad Fisher as president and temporarily bringing in former American executive Vasu Raja to lead loyalty and inflight-ad monetization. Several senior loyalty leaders, including Richard Nunn and Luc Bondar, are departing as the carrier repositions its revenue strategy.

2026-01-15T15:48:47.586041-08:00

United overhauls MileagePlus leadership, names Jarad Fisher and taps ex‑American Vasu Raja

Airways Magazine

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Air France adds Apple TV to long‑haul IFE — streaming available but limited to three episodes per season Air France has launched an Apple TV partnership across its long‑haul fleet from January, rolling the service into its onboard entertainment catalogue on routes including Brazil. Passengers can stream selected Apple TV series in‑flight, but access is capped at three episodes per season rather than full seasons.

2026-01-15T05:50:11.090510-08:00

Air France adds Apple TV to long‑haul IFE — streaming available but limited to three episodes per season

airindia.com

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Air India to operate newly delivered Boeing 787-9 with refreshed cabin on Mumbai–Frankfurt from Feb. 1, 2026 Air India will deploy a newly delivered Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner—configured with 296 seats, new suites and refreshed cabin interiors—on its Mumbai–Frankfurt service from 1 February 2026. The five‑weekly change standardizes a new or upgraded long‑haul product across the carrier’s Germany services.

2026-01-15T04:16:12.645372-08:00

Air India to operate newly delivered Boeing 787-9 with refreshed cabin on Mumbai–Frankfurt from Feb. 1, 2026

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WestJet abandons non‑reclining, high‑density cabin plan after viral backlash

Air India and Singapore Airlines sign framework to deepen India–Singapore connectivity

ECJ rules airlines must refund third‑party OTA booking commissions

AI reshapes travel growth and chips away at airline brand loyalty

News Timeline