Massive Profits, Big Airplane Orders, and Other Airline News This Week

In this week’s roundup of airline-related stories from the past 7 days that didn’t get their own article, we look at more financial results from airlines, plus upcoming, massive orders from new planes, many of which will end up serving the U.S.

And the Most Profitable Airline in the World Is…

We know that Emirates is the largest airline in the world by international passengers carried. Now, we know that it’s also the most profitable. At least, that’s what Emirates called itself in a statement reporting on its financials from the past year, but the claim checks out.

Emirates — which is fully owned by the government of Dubai and not publicly traded — said it had a record profit before tax of $5.8 billion, up 20% from last year’s record-at-the-time revenue of $ 34.9 billion, an increase of 6%. Delta Air Lines, number 2 in the world, had a net income of $3.5 billion in 2024.

Granted, the comparison between those figures isn’t apples to apples, because Emirates reported gross income, while Delta’s is net. But we also know that the corporate tax rate in Dubai is 9%, which would result in a net income of $5.3 billion, still the top among airlines.

Unlike Delta, Emirates reports on a fiscal rather than calendar year basis, so the data is from March 31, 2024, to the same day in 2025. Still, even considering the discrepancy between the reporting calendars, the relative profits of Emirates and Delta remain number 1 and 2 in the world. But with the U.S. economy facing risks of a recession that would affect air travel, it’s far from certain that Emirates and Delta will be in the same relative positions when this year’s profits are tallied.

Qatar Expands in the Americas, Is Ready To Order More Boeings

Emirates’ next-door neighbor, Qatar Airways, is about to place a huge order for up to 100 Boeing aircraft. Bloomberg News reported that the deal will be announced when U.S. President Trump visits the region next week, and should include mostly 787s plus possibly a few 777-9s. Qatar has dozens of 787s and 777s already on order, but it needs more for growth and replacement.

The 777-9 is still not certified for passenger service, and deliveries will begin only in 2026, years behind schedule, though governments in the Gulf region, which own airlines such as Qatar and Emirates, are willing to stomach those delays to acquire political clout with Trump.

Qatar Airways is also expanding in the Americas, but not in the U.S. The Gulf airline said it’s increasing flights to Toronto (YYZ) in Canada and São Paulo (GRU) in Brazil. In Toronto, it will have 5 weekly flights from Doha (DOH) from June 19, up from 3, and plans to go daily with the 2025/26 winter schedule. In São Paulo, it will go from 14 to 17 weekly flights from June 25.

British Airways’ Parent Makes a Big Aircraft Order

International Airlines Group — the parent company of British Airways and Iberia, among other carriers — has ordered 71 airplanes, many of which will end up serving North American routes.

Reuters reported that the order, coming a day after Britain and the U.S. announced a trade deal, includes only long-haul jets for delivery from 2027 to 2033. Under that deal, a 10% tariff on goods exported from the U.K. to the U.S. still applies, but U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said airplanes and airplane parts will be excepted.

The airline group announced that 32 Boeing 787-10s will go to British Airways, and 21 Airbus A330-900neo will be shared among the group’s carriers that already operate earlier versions of the A330 (Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Level). The order includes the conversion of previous options for 6 Airbus A350-900s, which will go to Iberia, plus 6 Airbus A350-1000s and 6 Boeing 777-9s for British.

The U.S. government said that Britain would buy $10 billion of Boeing jets, but that figure probably doesn’t account for the discounts on list prices that airlines typically negotiate when making such large orders.

The 787-10s for British are especially welcome news for U.S. flyers. British Airways covers most routes to North America with the Boeing 777-200, the workhorse of its long-haul fleet, which is getting long in the tooth. The 787-10s will take their place across the North Atlantic.

Cathay Has a New(ish) Lounge in Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific has reopened The Bridge Lounge at its home base, Hong Kong (HKG). It had been closed since the 2020 pandemic. 

Executive Traveller reports that Cathay has brought The Bridge back to handle a capacity shortfall while another (and more luxurious) Cathay lounge at HKG, The Wing, undergoes renovation. The renovation should end in mid-2027.

For U.S. travelers, The Bridge is interesting because it looks like the future Cathay lounge in New York, opening at JFK airport in early 2026. We hope that the JFK lounge will have a noodle bar, like the one in Hong Kong, among the many food options that Cathay lounges are known for. The Bridge is adjacent to Gates 35-36, and is open from 5:30 am until the last Cathay departure, which can be as late as 3:20am.

Fancy AA Lounge Food in Philadelphia

The race to add amenities to lounges is still on. The latest move comes from American Airlines, which said it’s rolling out several fancy food and drink options in the new Admirals Club and Flagship lounges at its Philadephia (PHL) hub, which will open in Terminal A-West this summer.

Frequent flyers on American will probably notice that the new Admirals Club is a far cry from the cheese-cube buffet they might be used to. The breakfast and all-day menus include:

• Tahini protein bites, breakfast sliders, and cinnamon coffee cake
• Lobster bisque, chimichurri lentils, Cuban rolls, and charcuterie boards
• Sweet finishes, including Tate’s cookies and brownie bites
• Grab-and-go options like Heaven & Earth Beet Chips and So Gouda Keto Trios

In the more upscale Flagship lounge, opening soon, the food will include dishes by Chef Randy Rucker, a James Beard Award semifinalist, who’s known for his modern take on American cuisine. Here, the options include:

• Salted caramel budino, whipped ricotta and blistered tomato toast, and Maryland-style crab soup
• Grab-and-go snacks like Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels and Alter Eco Sea Salt Truffles
• A candy bar with saltwater taffy, butterscotch candies, peppermint puffs, and more

Stations will offer customizable dining options, including:

• A morning omelet bar with add-ons including local Amish cheddar and Kennet Square cremini mushrooms
• A build-your-own roast pork sandwich, featuring slow-roasted pork, provolone, and broccoli rabe
• An evening “Ice and Gelati bar” offering flavors like Very Cherry, Rainbow Jimmies, and Salted Caramel, with pour-over alcohol options

Like in the Admirals Club, there will be a full-service bar, but this one with “secret cocktails” like the Betsy Ross Boulevardier.

A New Lounge in Auckland

To go with its new business class, Air New Zealand will open a new lounge at its Auckland (AKL) home base sometime next year. Executive Traveller reports this will be accessible only by business class passengers and top-tier frequent flyers and will complement the existing lounge.

It’s not known if the new lounge will also welcome business-class passengers on partner airlines, including United.

Air New Zealand, which flies from Auckland to New York-JFK, Honolulu (HNL), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), and San Francisco (SFO), is refurbishing its Boeing 787s with entirely new cabins, including a business class that promises to be much better than the current version.

Delta’s Top 360° Elites Lose a Perk

Delta’s top elite rank, the invitation-only Delta 360°, may be the most coveted airline status in the U.S. Delta only invites its biggest spenders to this tier, and while we don’t know how many 360°s the airline has, they’re likely fewer than the equivalent, invitation-only tiers at American (Concierge Key) and United (Global Services.)

Now, 360°s are about to lose a perk of their status: They will board with group 2, instead of pre-boarding. Under the current Delta boarding order, 360°s board with people needing extra assistance and active military members, regardless of what class they’re in. As of May 16, they will board with group 2, after first (or business) class, boarding in the same group as Diamond Medallion members. The change was first reported by One Mile at a Time — and we don’t know yet what may have prompted Delta to abolish a perk of 360° status that had been introduced only last year.

By contrast, American and United will keep boarding their super-elites before all groups.

Final Thoughts

Airlines are making big orders for new planes, scrambling to get delivery slots that are booked years in advance. Many of those new planes will have beautiful first and business cabins, continuing the recent trend toward more amenities for passengers seated at the front. And on the ground, airlines are outdoing themselves with ever-fancier lounges. Those are all good developments for passengers with top airline status — unless they are Delta’s 360° members, who just lost a perk.