BA Invests in U.S. Lounges, Breeze Starts 19 Routes, New Biz for JAL’s 787-9s, and More News

In this week’s aviation news from around the world, top stories include a huge network change-up for Breeze Airways, Avelo bringing commercial service to a third airport in Dallas, Portland Airport’s redevelopment reaching completion, and British Airways and Emirates doubling down on their international lounges. Let’s take a look.

Breeze Has Started 19 New Routes

Between July 1 and 3, Breeze Airways started no fewer than 19 routes. The relatively new airline is known for frequent changes to its route network as it aims to connect underserved city pairs. Of the latest additions, the following 4 routes are completely new and not served by any other airline: Akron-Canton (CAK), Ohio, to Portland (PDL), Maine; Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Florida, to Salisbury (SBY), Maryland; FLL to Scranton (AVP), Pennsylvania; and Raleigh-Durham (RDU), North Carolina, to Tallahassee (TLH), Florida.

Japan Airlines’ 787-9 Business Class Will Get Upgraded

Japan Airlines (JAL) stole the headlines in 2024 with its state-of-the-art new business and first class on the Airbus A350-1000. Its launch left the cabins on its 787-9s paling in comparison. A senior JAL executive has now confirmed to Executive Traveller that new suites with doors, similar to those on the A350-1000s, are planned to be installed on the Boeing 787-9s soon.

British Airways Will Continue To Invest in Its U.S. Lounges

As the U.K. flag carrier celebrates 80 years of flying to the U.S., it has confirmed a significant lounge investment, starting with Newark (EWR), New Jersey. The project will include a $15 million new location at EWR, followed by the redevelopment of lounges at Boston (BOS) and San Francisco (SFO) in 2027. We expect the look and feel of the new spaces to be similar to that of its swish Miami lounge that opened last year.

Portland Airport Expansion Is Complete

The 5-year-long, $2 billion renovation and expansion of Portland International Airport (PDX) has concluded. The final part of the project to open was the new arrivals area beneath the airport’s unique new 9-acre timber roof.

Avelo Puts Dallas’ McKinney Airport on the Map With First Flights

Dallas residents will have a third airport to choose from as of November 11, 2026. Ultra-low-cost Avelo will launch 5 new routes from McKinney National Airport (DTX) in McKinney, Texas, to Fort Lauderdale; Fort Myers (RSW), Florida; Las Vegas (LAS); Orlando (MCO), Florida; and Tampa (TPA), Florida. Starting with these popular leisure destinations should give Avelo a good chance at filling its planes.

Noteworthy U.S. New Routes Announcements

Starting this coming winter, American Airlines will start a new route connecting Chicago (ORD) with Ontario (ONT), California. The daily service will start on December 17, 2026.

And down in Texas, Delta is expected to launch its first long-haul international service from Austin (AUS). According to aviation insider JonNYC, service to Paris (CDG) will likely start next summer, ahead of a second potential long-haul route to Seoul (ICN), South Korea.

Additionally, United Airlines has filed plans for a new route between Denver (DEN) and Turks and Caicos. The weekly Saturday service to Providenciales Airport (PLS) will run for the winter season, from December 19, 2026, to April 24, 2027.

Riyadh Air Adds 3 New Destinations

Start-up Riyadh Air launched commercially in June with its first official international service to London (LHR). Just a month later, it has already announced 3 new routes: Dhaka (DAC), Bangladesh; Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Malaysia; and Malaga (AGP), Spain. This brings the total number of destinations in its route network to 9.

Emirates Debuts Refreshed Global Lounges

Passengers checking in to Emirates lounges in Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC) in Germany are the first to enjoy the airline’s new, reimagined spaces. Highlights include more subtle aesthetics, in line with its newest aircraft, baristas and bartenders, and local dishes made fresh by an in-lounge chef.

The next 3 airports where the new lounges will open are Manchester (MAN), U.K., later this month, Mauritius (MRU) in August, and Istanbul (IST), Türkiye, in October.

Final Thoughts

I don’t think there’s a week when Breeze doesn’t make some kind of network change. As for airports, it would be great to see more small- to midsize airports across the U.S. follow Portland’s initiative. We also look forward to BA’s new lounges! And finally, I’d put money on Riyadh Air announcing a U.S. route before the end of the year …