Hybrid-Electric Flights, Project Sunrise Update, Potential New Oneworld Member, and More Airline News

The last week of May brought a bunch of interesting updates from the airline world.

In today’s roundup, we‘ve got a potential new Oneworld member airline, a hybrid-electric plane showcase in Charlotte, and the news that there are further delays to the launch of Qantas’ long-awaited nonstop flights from Australia to New York. All that, plus the usual new route announcements and more.

United Adds 3 New Routes From East Coast Airports

United will launch a new daily transcontinental service between Washington Dulles (IAD) and Orange County, California (SNA) on August 11. And starting October 25 for the winter season, Dulles will also get a new 4-times-weekly service to San Jose del Cabo (SJD) in Mexico.

Newark (EWR) will also get a new route, a once-weekly service to St. Croix (STX) starting on October 31.

United will be the only airline to fly each of its 3 new routes.

Is Philippine Airlines Prepping To Join Oneworld?

The Philippine flag carrier has strengthened ties with both Qantas and Qatar Airways recently. Firstly, Philippine Airlines “PR” flight numbers will now appear as a codeshare on Qatar Airways-operated flights from Qatar’s 4 destinations in the Philippines to more than 20 European cities via Doha (DOH). Similarly, Qatar’s “QR” flight numbers will codeshare on some of Philippine Airlines’ domestic routes.

Then this week, Qantas added Philippine Airlines as a redemption partner for Classic Rewards, including on Philippine domestic routes.

It could be just a coincidence, but there’s a chance Philippine Airlines deepened connections with these Oneworld member airlines as part of a bigger plan to join the alliance.

LAX Gets 2 New International Routes

After 2 decades without a nonstop flight between Los Angeles (LAX) and Cairo, Egypt (CAI), Egyptair relaunched flights this week. The seasonal service will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays until October 22.

A month later, on November 21, Delta will start a twice-daily service between LAX and Vancouver (YVR). The route is already operated by 5 other airlines: Air Canada, American Airlines, Canadian low-cost carrier Flair, United Airlines, and WestJet.

Nonstop New York to Australia Flights Suffer Delay

We’ll have to wait even longer for Qantas’ nonstop flights from Sydney and Melbourne to New York and London. Project Sunrise, as it’s known, is relying on the Australian flag carrier taking delivery of ultra-long-range Airbus A350-1000s.

The airline has confirmed that it now doesn’t expect the first of the jets to arrive until April 2027, which would likely push the launch date back until the latter half of that year.

Hybrid-Electric Passenger Flights in U.S. Get Nearer

A company called Electra hopes to transform regional and ultra-short-haul flying with its unique jets. After a successful demo flight this week at Columbus Street Terminal in Charlotte, North Carolina, the next step for Electra is to fly passengers on scheduled flights in its hybrid-electric 9-seater planes. Not only are Electra’s jets a more sustainable choice, but the ability to take off and land in just 150 feet eliminates the need to use airports.

Tulsa Gets Its First International Flight

Tulsa, Oklahoma, had never had an international flight until last week. Low-cost hybrid carrier Sun Country Airlines (recently acquired by Allegiant) just started a nonstop service from Tulsa (TUL) to Cancun (CUN)— one of the most popular destinations for U.S. sun-seekers. The seasonal summer service will operate on Thursdays and Sundays until August 9.

Most Premium Airbus A321XLR Takes to the Skies

Middle Eastern airline Saudia is the latest to take delivery of the plane of the moment: The Airbus A321XLR. With 24 business-class suites, this is the most premium-configured version of the jet we’ve seen to date. The first of 15 confirmed orders of the jet touched down in Jeddah (JED), Saudi Arabia, on May 24, and the inaugural passenger flight is scheduled to Madrid (MAD) on June 3.

Final Thoughts

Just 10 years ago, we expect narrow-body jets would be flying long-haul routes, let alone that hybrid-electric planes would actually fly. As for nonstop flights from Melbourne and Sydney to New York and London, hopefully Qantas doesn’t suffer any more setbacks in launching its game-changing flights.

As Philippine Airlines operates multiple routes between North America and the Philippines, joining the Oneworld Alliance would certainly benefit those wishing to enjoy their Oneworld status or redeem points when flying to the stunning island nation.