Airline News Digest: 24-30 January 2026
Our weekly rundown of the biggest airline stories from the past seven days.
Southwest not ‘copying’ rival US airlines with assigned seating and baggage fees: CEO Jordan
Southwest is rejecting suggestions that recent product changes have stripped away the carrier’s identity, insisting the moves reflect evolving customer preferences rather than mimicking competitors.
American expects profit jump in 2026 despite early weather-related setback
Despite sharing a poor earnings outlook for the first quarter – thanks in no small part to a major winter storm that pummelled much of the USA over the weekend – American Airlines still expects to be profitable for the full year of 2026.
Week 4 2026: Will positive outlooks abound as European and US earnings ramp up?
Ryanair this week became the first major European carrier to report its October-December earnings and its outlook for 2026, providing an upbeat assessment on what lies ahead.
Airline news digest: 17-23 January 2026
Our weekly rundown of the biggest airline stories from the past seven days.
Alaska Air Group sticks to long-range goals after choppy 2025
Alaska Air Group has committed to purchasing 105 Boeing 737 Max 10s and five 787s as part of its strategy to establish itself as the USA’s fourth major international carrier, despite reporting reduced profits following operational disruptions in 2025.
United targets revenue leadership as Delta’s commercial architect prepares to retire
United chief Scott Kirby has suggested his carrier could overtake Delta Air Lines as the world’s top airline by revenue, citing the imminent retirement of Delta’s president Glen Hauenstein as a potential tipping point in the rivalry between the USA’s two dominant carriers.
Week 3 2026: IndiGo’s operational woes to come into focus as airline reports earnings
Earnings season continues this week, with United Airlines and IndiGo reporting their financial results.
Delta forecasts strong 2026 as demand for air travel rebounds
Delta Air Lines is gaining momentum alongside much-improved demand trends in early 2026, with company executives forecasting 5-7% year-on-year revenue growth in the first quarter.
Allegiant and Sun Country’s proposed combination builds off shared DNA
After years of separately developing similar business models, Allegiant and Sun Country have revealed intentions to combine under the Allegiant brand name.
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