United States US mid-size airlines: cost pressures outweigh strong revenue in Q1 2026 After our round-up of first quarter financial results for the US Big Four last week, The Engine Cowl takes a look at the highlights from the rest of the publicly-traded United States-based airlines. Key Themes * While operating margins at the Big Four grew compared to last year,
United States Canada-US capacity, load factors tumble in 2025 The data reflected Canadians' shifting travel patterns away from the United States.
Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines’ strong demand challenged by external events in Q1, downgrades quarterly outlook Alaska Airlines expects the per-gallon fuel cost to be $2.90 to $3.00 in Q1 2026, compared to its 2025 average of $2.52.
Frontier Airlines Frontier Airlines downgrades Q1 2026 EPS outlook despite strong revenue performance Frontier Airlines remarked that travel demand has been strong during both peak and off-peak periods.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport FAA wants to slash flights at Chicago-O’Hare by up to 20% this summer Instead of operating at its limit of 2,800 daily movements, the FAA wants Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to cap daily arrivals and departures to 2,400 during the summer season.
Delta Air Lines Delta Air Lines opposes Philippine Airlines’ Chicago service until it gets approval for its Los Angeles-Manila flights Delta Air Lines plans for its Los Angeles to Manila service to begin during the summer 2027 season.
Financial Performance Airlines’ shares suffer double-digit drops as oil prices spike Airlines, in addition to dealing with airspace restrictions around the Middle East, will now have to face higher fuel prices.
American Airlines American Airlines schedules A321XLR flights to Amsterdam, Barcelona, & Lisbon In addition to the new international routes, American Airlines will continue deploying the A321XLR on transcontinental flights.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport American accuses United of dumping capacity at Chicago-O’Hare as FAA looks to limit flights The capacity war between American Airlines and United Airlines at ORD has a new arbitrator: the FAA.
Air Transat Air Transat requests renewal of approval to fly to the US Air Transat's last flight to the United States in 2026 will depart on June 13.
Strategy Canadian and US airlines begin returning to Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta Airlines are resuming flights to Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, following last week's flare-up of violence.
Strategy Frontier and Spirit Airlines’ recovery paths diverge Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines are carving out different recovery paths in the near term.
Philippine Airlines Philippine Airlines looks to expand its US network with flights to Chicago-O’Hare It remains unclear which aircraft Philippine Airlines will use on the MNL-ORD route or how many weekly departures it will operate.
Allegiant Air Allegiant-Viva joint venture seemingly on hold as airlines focus on their own mergers Allegiant Air's chief executive said that it will reassess the JV with Viva at a later date.
Frontier Airlines Following a swift ramp-up at New York-JFK, Frontier Airlines is now retreating Frontier Airlines' New York-JFK schedule is down to a single route.
JetBlue JetBlue to tap into United’s customer pool with JFK-Houston flights JetBlue previously ended the route in June 2025.
Porter Airlines Porter Airlines to challenge Air Canada on two new transborder US routes Porter Airlines' new flights to Austin and Chicago-O'Hare are already or will be served by Air Canada.
Frontier Airlines Frontier Airlines’ growth in Atlanta continues to outpace Denver Frontier Airlines continues to grow at ATL, while two competitors have reduced capacity.
Envoy Air Envoy Air to operate American Airlines’ initial Venezuela flights Following American Airlines' initial announcement, more details are emerging about its planned return to Venezuela.
Delta Air Lines Delta Air Lines adjusts fleet plans, expects 27 Boeing 737 MAX 10s in 2027 At the end of 2024, Delta Air Lines expected to welcome its first 737 MAX 10s and A350-1000s in 2026.
Spirit Airlines Spirit Airlines looks to sell 20 A320ceo aircraft for $533 million Spirit Airlines confirmed its plans to have 28 owned and 66 leased aircraft following the sale.
Frontier Airlines Frontier Airlines: three takeaways from its Q4 2025 results Frontier Airlines is not only deferring 69 aircraft deliveries, but is also prematurely ending leases for 24 aircraft.
Birmingham Airport Birmingham Airport’s transatlantic ambitions: can financial support for NYC service overcome revenue challenges? Birmingham Airport (BHX) is offering financial incentives for airlines willing to fly from the airport to the US, specifically, New York.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport On overlapping routes from Chicago-O’Hare, American and United Airlines share almost equal load factors Even before the recent announcements of additional routes and frequencies from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), American Airlines and United Airlines were significant competitors at the airport.
Frontier Airlines Frontier Airlines taps ex-Toyota NA Chief Accountant as board member Salcido's appointment is connected to Frontier Airlines' expansion of its board from 11 to 12 members.
