Author: FlyMarshall Newsroom

The Italian competition authority (AGCM) has imposed a €255.7 million fine on Ryanair, on the grounds of what the governmental agency has described as abusive practices designed to hinder the capability of travel agents to sell the low-cost carrier’s services.  This decision comes in response to a case brought forward by Barcelona-based online travel agency (OTA) eDreams, together with two organizations representing European travel agents and distributors.  According to the Italian authorities, Ryanair had been using its dominant position, which it quantified as 38-40% of flights originating to or from Italy, to either block or else make it highly complex…

Finally, an airline job I’m qualified for… 😉 Alaska hiring leader for loyalty inflight engagement It’s always fun to keep an eye on job postings at airlines. Along those lines, Alaska Air Group is hiring for an interesting role that I think some OMAAT readers might find entertaining, at a minimum (or might even be interested in applying for!). The airline is hiring for the role of “Manager, Loyalty Inflight Engagement.” Here’s the job description and key duties: The Manager, Loyalty Inflight Engagement leads the employee engagement strategy for Atmos Rewards co-brand credit card products, driving strategy, operations, and marketing…

Lufthansa has welcomed the first aircraft to be painted with a special new livery to mark the airline’s 100th anniversary.  This aircraft, a Boeing 787-9 with registration D-ABPU, landed on December 23, 2025, at Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) after its delivery flight from the US manufacturer’s plant in Everett, Washington, where it was assembled.  Its arrival was awaited by spotters, aviation enthusiasts, and members of airline staff. Amongst them was Jens Ritter, Lufthansa’s Chief Executive Officer, who said: “These are the particularly beautiful and unforgettable moments in our job. It’s always a special moment to take delivery of a brand-new…

It’s common for airlines to oversell flights, and in some cases, they then need to find people to take alternative flights. Airlines first need to solicit volunteers, and they’ll typically offer some sort of travel credit or voucher to get people to agree to volunteer. When an airline simply solicits volunteers, I’d consider it to be a win-win, since everyone is happy with the arrangement. However, Elliott Report has the story of a voluntary denied boarding that turned sour, and I can understand the customer’s frustration… Delta backtracks on denied boarding compensation A Delta Gold Medallion member was traveling from…

US-based legacy carrier Delta Air Lines is widely known for its measured approach to the expansion of its widebody fleet. With an order for 20 Airbus A350-1000s, and delivery set to begin in 2026, the carrier is signaling its commitment to modern, fuel-efficient widebody aircraft. Despite such a commitment and rhetoric relayed to investors suggesting that the carrier is prioritizing overall fuel efficiency above pretty much everything else, the airline has left the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, arguably the most effective long-haul aircraft ever created, on the table. The airline has yet to order the aircraft and had no plans to…

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has been sold to a consortium of investors led by Arif Habib Limited, a securities brokerage house based in Karachi, with the participation of industrial group Fatima Fertilizer and AKD Group, a local conglomerate The Pakistani government had put the flag carrier up for sale after several years of massive losses.  The sale was conducted through an auction process that saw several competing bids, with the winning consortium offering 135 billion Pakistani Rupees (US$482 million) for 75% of the airline.   The national carrier was one of the state-owned companies that Pakistan was urged to divest itself of by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as…

There are a lot of amazing first class products in the world, though Emirates first class is among my favorites. That’s true whether you’re flying the Airbus A380, and can enjoy the inflight shower and bar, or whether you’re flying the new Boeing 777, and can enjoy among the world’s best first class suites. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to take dozens of Emirates first class flights over the years, and I’ve consistently had the most fun on these flights (including my recent flight with my dad!). In this post, I figured I’d share some of the most interesting aspects of…

In the latest schedule update, Emirates confirmed a notable change in aircraft deployed to London Gatwick. In winter 2026/2027, it’ll have three daily Airbus A380 flights again. It comes shortly after the airline added its shortest superjumbo service. Do not misunderstand. The Gulf giant currently has triple-daily superjumbo jumbo services to Europe’s 10th busiest airport. But the critical bit is this. For next winter, the A380 was only down to operate daily. This change reflects the continued fine-tuning of its schedules and strong wintertime demand. Perhaps it is also partly in response to Air Arabia beginning double daily flights from…

Spain is to acquire four Patriot air and missile defense system fire units for US$1.7 billion (€1.45 billion), RTX’s Raytheon confirmed on December 23, 2025.  The contract includes radars, launchers, command and control systems, and training equipment and support.  In its press release, Raytheon did not clarify whether this order is part of one previously authorized by the United States State Department in 2023, for the sale of four PAC-3+ fire units to Spain. That order, valued at US$2.8 billion, also included the delivery of 51 Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC)-3 missiles and related systems, spares and support.   However, what the US defense manufacturer did confirm was that Spanish companies will participate in the program. In particular, aerospace and engineering group Sener will make the electro-mechanical control system of the GEM-T missile while another Spanish company,…

As a whole, aviation is incredibly safe and routine. You get on a flight, and it proceeds uneventfully to your destination. Every so often, however, flight crews need to divert to an alternate airport, whether it’s due to an aircraft issue, poor weather at the destination, or a problem in the cabin, such as an ill or disruptive traveler. While this is inconvenient for passengers, it does result in some unusual aircraft visits at airports. As the year wraps up, let’s look at the most notable diversions in 2025. These may be important due to the reason for the diversion,…