Robot Baggage Handlers, AA Rejects United Merger, Inflight Service Changes, and More Airline News

In the week where May appeared out of nowhere, we’ve got some interesting updates for you.

They include confirmation of United’s merger request with American, changes to American and Delta’s inflight food and beverage offerings, robot baggage handlers in Japan, and more news from around the world.

United’s CEO Wants To Merge With American

In what would be the biggest shakeup of the U.S. aviation industry in decades, United‘s CEO Scott Kirby confirmed this week that he had approached American about a merger. Despite being rejected by AA, Kirby is certain the merger would “create a new, thriving U.S. airline that would be the very best in the world for customers.”

United Kicked Off Some Fun New Routes

United has kicked off the first of many new seasonal summer routes this week. The inaugural flight from Newark (EWR) to Split (SPU) in Croatia took to the skies on Thursday, April 30, and was followed closely by the first flight to Bari, Italy (BRI), on Friday, May 1 — also from Newark.

American and Delta Make Changes to Inflight Service

Starting May 1, American Airlines introduced a wider range of snacks for its Main Cabin passengers, including a new Inflight Bites box for $10 or 1,000 miles. And from June 1, American will add new items for purchase on select flights within the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico.

Delta, on the other hand, will completely remove its economy express beverage service from flights up to 349 miles. The good news is that the express beverage service flights over 350 miles will upgrade to a full drinks service.

Fiji Airways Will No Longer Fly to Dallas (DFW)

As of September 7, 2026, Fiji Airways will no longer connect Dallas (DFW) with the Fijian capital of Nadi (NAN). The airline cites changes in passenger demand and rising jet fuel costs as the reasons for axing the 12-hour flight.

Fiji Airways will continue to fly to Honolulu (HNL), Los Angeles (LAX), and San Francisco (SFO).

Japanese Robotic Ground Handlers

Don’t be alarmed if you see a robot loading bags onto your plane at at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND). From May 1, Japan Airlines started a 2-year experiment using humanoid robots. The airline hopes they will help reduce the workload of human baggage handlers, who are struggling to cope with increased flights due to a surge in tourism.

Emirates A380 Gets Starlink Wi-Fi

Starlink has finally been installed on the first of Emirates‘ huge fleet of Superjumbo Airbus A380s. The Dubai-based airline plans to expedite the installation of Starlink antennas on more A380s. At the time of writing, 25 of its Boeing 777-300ERs also feature Starlink connectivity.

Porter’s Expands Winter Sun Route Network for Canadians

To help Canadians escape their harsh winters, Porter is adding 15 new routes for the 2026-2027 season. The network update includes 4 new destinations for the airline: Aruba (AUA; Los Cabos, Mexico (SJD); Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ); and San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO).

Porter also connects 19 U.S. airports with destinations across Canada.

easyJet Announces Longest Route in Network

The bright orange British low-cost carrier easyJet has made some fun additions to its winter schedule. With a focus on taking Europeans to warmer locations during the coldest months, new routes to destinations like Adagir, Morocco (AGA); Cairo, Egypt (CAI); and Malaga, Spain (AGP) will be welcome by those looking for a cheap winter getaway.

However, at over 2,500 nautical miles, it’s the new route from Amsterdam (AMS) to Sal (SID) in the Cape Verde islands that’s getting most attention. It will be easyJet’s new longest route.

Final Thoughts

Robots on an airport apron were certainly not on my 2026 bingo card. I cannot wait to see that for real next month in Japan. Also unexpected: an attempted merger between American and United. Will Kirby try again or pitch his master plan to Delta instead?

As always, we’ll be back next week with more airline news you might have missed.