TSA Water Restrictions, Trump’s Bombardier Boycott, Centurion Refurbs, and More Airline News

At the end of a week where we’ve been bombardiered with news, this week’s roundup is packed full of more topics than ever before.

We’ll take a look at global lounge updates, some domestic route cuts by Delta, and yes, Trump’s tirade against Bombardier.

TSA Water Bottle Rule Changes

Chugging the last drip of water in your refillable bottle could be a thing of the past. According to CBS News, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is contemplating allowing passengers to take water bottles through security checkpoints. If restrictions are eased, it would initially be tested out at a select few airports. The news comes in the same week that TSA PreCheck members can access some airport terminals without having a valid boarding pass.

United’s CEO Wants a Miami Hub

Miami (MIA) is the best-located international airport for connections to the Caribbean and Latin America, and Scott Kirby, United Airlines‘ CEO, wants a piece of the pie. If United could get its hands on 40-50 gates, it would attempt to muscle in on American Airlines‘ strategic stronghold.

The chances of that happening are slim, but at least this could mean United is seriously considering ways to expand its route network to the Carribean and Latin America.

Delta Cuts 5 Domestic Routes From NYC and Vegas

After finalizing plans for its winter schedule, Delta has axed the following 2 routes from Las Vegas (LAS) and 3 routes from New York-area airports:

• Las Vegas (LAS) to Orange County (SNA), California
• Las Vegas (LAS) to San Diego (SAN)
• New York-LaGuardia (LGA) to Tulsa (TUL)
• New York-Kennedy (JFK) to Milwaukee (MKE)
• JFK to Palm Springs (PSP)

The JFK routes will end on December 19, while the others from Vegas and LaGuardia end in early November.

Trump Tries To Ban Purchases of Bombardier Aircraft in the U.S.

“BUY AMERICAN. FLY ON AMERICAN AIRLINERS,” said President Trump via his social media platform, Truth Social.

That’s right, the president wants to boycot Candian manufacturer Bombardier in favor of American Boeing. The fact he doesn’t have a vendetta against French Airbus or Brazilian Embraer suggests that Canada is the focus of this latest temper tantrum, rather than actually advocating for U.S. aircraft manufacturers.

Rob Isom Tries To Use 9/11 To Shut Down JSX

Ex-American Airlines CEO Doug Parker is trying to use the atrocities of 9/11 as a reason to take down JSX. The semi-private airline has a base at Dallas Love Field (DAL), which it connects with 6 cities, and offers a passenger experience as close to flying a private jet you can get, without the price tag.

In fact, fares are so reasonable that it provides enough competition for American and Southwest, both of which also have important bases at Dallas airports. Parker’s argument is that JSX’s ability to bypass regular TSA Security (required with typical airlines in the name of safety) “just never would have happened in the 10 years following 9/11.”

Global Lounge Updates, Including Amex Centurion News

This week, we learned of several announcements regarding the opening or renovation of several key airport lounges across the world, namely:

• Toronto (YYZ), Canada: The Air Canada Signature Suite at Toronto (YYZ) closes for renovation on September 30 and will partially reopen sometime in December, before work is completed in 2027.
• Seoul (ICN), South Korea: A new lounge for Star Alliance members departing Seoul’s Incheon Airport (ICN) will replace the current Asiana business class lounge by the end of the year.
• Madrid (MAD), Spain: Iberia has debuted the Sorolla Lounge at Madrid, offering an elevated experience for Oneworld Emerald members.
• Australian Centurion Lounges: After they opened almost 10 years ago, the Amex Centurion Lounges at Melbourne (MEL) and Sydney (SYD) will close from October 6 until October 20 (SYD) and 21 (MEL) for refurbishment.

More Headlines of Interest

• Breeze Airways has retired its last Embraer aircraft, becoming a solely Airbus A220 operator.
• Asiana Airlines planes start being painted in Korean Air’s livery ahead of full integration into Korean Air on December 16.
• Travelers booking a Oneworld round-the-world ticket will now get complimentary access to Timeshifter, an app which promises to help reduce the effects of jetlag.

Final Thoughts

This was our most jam-packed roundup yet, covering route cuts, major plans, aircraft types, and even scheming behind the scenes. There were also updates to airports and their lounges this week.