Problematic Mergers, Exclusive New Routes, and Other Airline News This Week

It’s not just the weather that’s been heating up this week. Tensions have arisen between Spirit and JetBlue regarding the latter’s new partnership with United, we’ve had some interesting new routes announced and launched, and there have been some noteworthy developments on the other side of the Atlantic.

In case you missed it, here’s a roundup of some of the stories that didn’t get their own coverage this week.

Spirit Objects To JetBlue and United Partnership

It’s all getting a bit high school drama among the airlines.

Spirit Airlines has filed a complaint with the Department of Transportation (DoT) over the recently announced partnership between JetBlue and United.

The ultra-low-cost carrier argues that the relationaship between JetBlue and United should be deemed as anti-competitive in a similar way to the so-called Northeast Alliance between JetBlue and American Airlines. The Northeast Alliance was ordered to end on May 19, 2023.

The irony that underpins the whole fiasco is that it was only last year that Spirit itself had its hopes of merging with JetBlue dashed.

After breaking up with American and cutting ties with Spirit before it even started, JetBlue’s new partnership with United now has the potential to be unlucky for a third time.

JSX Adds Another Unique New Route

In more positive news for U.S. aviation, JSX has announced a new service connecting Dallas’ Love Field (DAL) with Hobbs, New Mexico (HOB). In true JSX style, the carrier will be the only one operating the route between the 2 airports.

“We take great pride in creating access to growing airports primed for expansion, and our new service to Hobbs exemplifies the value that public charter flying can bring to communities around the nation,” said David Drabinsky, chief commercial officer at JSX.

The first flight will take to the skies on August 1, 2025, after which flights will continue 3x weekly on Mondays, Fridays, and Sundays.

For those unfamiliar, JSX is a semiprivate airline that allows passengers to arrive at the airport just 20 minutes before departure, as well as other benefits you might only associate with flying private. These exclusive offerings eliminate the headache of general airport chaos — a valuable benefit for the carrier.

LAX Proves To Be an Important Destination for TAP and JAL

TAP Air Portugal and Japan Airlines have confirmed the importance of Los Angeles (LAX) as a destination in their respective networks.

TAP only recently started its seasonal service to LAX in May of this year, which was set to end on October 25, 2025. The route must already be proving a success as the Portuguese flag carrier has confirmed it will now fly to LAX on a year-round basis.

The confirmation of LA service takes TAP’s total of year-round, nonstop routes to Canada and the U.S. to 11.

LAX is also high up on JAL’s list of priorities. As of June 30, it will start sending its brand-new flagship A350-1000 planes to LAX. This is particularly exciting for passengers flying in first and business class, as these cabins on the A350 rank among the best in the world.

At the time of writing, JAL still hasn’t received its full order of 13 Airbus A350-1000s. Until deliveries are completed, the airline is only operating the aircraft to a select number of destinations that include Dallas (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), and New York (JFK) in the U.S.

Montréal Gets 2 New Nonstop Routes to Europe

Across the border in Canada, it was a big week at Montréal (YUL). Thanks to Air Canada and Air Transat, the airport now boasts nonstop flights to 2 new European cities.

The first, and most remarkable, route to launch was Air Transat’s new service to Valencia, Spain (VLC) on June 20.

The seasonal route marks the only nonstop service from North America to the Spanish city. Air Transat’s fleet of narrow-body Airbus A321neo aircraft will operate the route once per week on Fridays.

On Thursday, June 26, Air Canada launched a new route from Montréal to Edinburgh in Scotland (EDI). The seasonal service will operate until September 7 on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays (returning the following day).

“This new connection between Canada and Scotland deepens our ties and commitment to the U.K. market,” said Mark Galardo, executive vice president at Air Canada.

Air Canada also opted for a narrow-body aircraft for its new European route: this time, a Boeing 737 MAX 8. Using smaller, single-aisle aircraft on lower-demand transatlantic routes has become a growing trend among airlines.

Lufthansa and ITA Reciprocal Benefits

After being acquired by Lufthansa Group, the Italian flag carrier ITA officially left the SkyTeam alliance in April to begin its transition to Star Alliance — the airline alliance that Lufthansa belongs to.

The process is finally picking up speed, as Lufthansa confirmed this week that, starting July 1, 2025, reciprocal perks and benefits for frequent flyers of both ITA and Lufthansa will be introduced.

Elite status holders with existing Lufthansa Group airlines (Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, and Swiss) will have access to ITA’s business class lounges. This will be reciprocated for ITA status holders, who will have access to Lufthansa Group airline lounges.

Passengers with Lufthansa Group airline status will also enjoy the perks associated with their level of status when flying ITA. This includes priority check-in, additional luggage allowance, priority boarding, fast track access, priority baggage handling, and free seat selection.

Qatar Airways’ CEO’s Open Letter

The escalation of unrest in the Middle East this week caused havoc for airlines and airports. At 6 p.m. local time on June 23, Qatari airspace was closed, leading to the complete suspension of Qatar Airways‘ global operations. The airspaces of neighboring Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE were also temporarily closed.

Events escalated soon after as Iranian missiles entered Qatari airspace. Thankfully, the crisis was averted, but the events left around 20,000 Qatar Airways passengers stranded and displaced around the world.

In a letter to the public, Badr Mohammad Al-Meer, CEO at Qatar Airways, thanked all those affected for their patience while the airline’s teams worked tirelessly to get passengers to their original destinations.

“Faced with an extraordinary challenge, we came together to support our passengers, recover our network, and return our operations to normal,” said Al-Meer.

Final Thoughts

It seems JetBlue cannot catch a break with its partnership attempts. We’ll keep you updated on that one. As for Air Canada, Air Transat, and JSX, it’s full speed ahead with exciting new routes, and passengers are finally enjoying more benefits of ITA’s integration into the Lufthansa Group.

Wherever you’re traveling next, here’s to a safe and comfortable journey.