Author: FlyMarshall Newsroom

Rival low-cost carriers Volaris and Viva have announced plans to form a new Mexican airline group by combining operations under a holding company structure. On December 19, 2025, Volaris and Viva declared that, despite the merger, both airlines will still operate independently and maintain their own distinct brands. The two airlines claim that the new group approach will drive down costs for passengers and strengthen connectivity in Mexico. According to a press release, employees, passengers, communities, suppliers, and shareholders from both airlines will see significant benefits from the transaction. Markus Mainka / Shutterstock It added that the merger will lead…

The problem here isn’t the seat, but instead, the strange instructions that American Airlines is giving its flight attendants. American’s strange A321XLR business class service policy American recently took delivery of its first A321XLR, which is Airbus’ new long range, narrow body jet. It’s an exciting plane for the oneworld carrier, given that this 155-seat plane will be able to operate in some transatlantic markets, and American sure could use some more long haul capacity. American just operated its first commercial A321XLR flight, between New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX). The business class hard product doesn’t really rock the…

Breeze Airways is just two weeks away from launching a major enhancement to its Breezy Rewards loyalty program. Coming in January, it will be adding elite status tiers for the first time, and offering a variety of new perks for status holders, such as instant upgrades, free Wi-Fi, and discounted buddy passes. Simple Flying sat down with Lukas Johnson, chief commercial officer at Breeze, to discuss what the loyalty enhancements mean for the airline and its customers. He shared that Breeze is bucking the trend of other airlines, adding benefits rather than taking them away, as it pushes forward with…

In a sweeping reset of US space policy, President Donald Trump on December 18, 2025, signed an executive order directing NASA to return astronauts to the Moon by 2028, establish the first elements of a permanent lunar base by 2030, deploy nuclear power systems on the Moon and in orbit, and accelerate development of the administration’s “Golden Dome” missile defense program.  The order, titled Ensuring American Space Superiority, sets some of the most aggressive space and defense timelines ever laid out in a single White House directive, blending civil exploration, national security, and commercial space development into one policy framework.  Under…

The Air Force is upgrading its experimental, autonomous X-62 VISTA aircraft with new radar and other mission systems to expand its ability to conduct complicated tests of artificial intelligence technology.The X-62 VISTA, which stands for Variable Stability In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft, is now undergoing a comprehensive mission systems upgrade, according to a Thursday statement from Edwards Air Force Base in California. The airplane is a heavily modified F-16D test aircraft with upgraded avionics, which has been adapted into a platform to test cutting-edge aerospace technology and, in recent years, has been used to experiment with autonomous flight capabilities.The U.S. Air…

Marriott has just announced plans for its newest EDITION property, which also marks the brand’s debut in Africa. Basics of the new Cape Town EDITION, South AfricaMarriott and V&A Waterfront Holdings have signed an agreement to open the Cape Town EDITION in 2026, within the V&A Waterfront. The V&A Waterfront is one of the Southern Hemisphere’s oldest working harbors, and among the most visited destinations in the area.The Cape Town EDITION is expected to feature 142 guest rooms and suites, in addition to several dining outlets (including a rooftop bar), a spa, pool, and meeting and event facilities. The development…

When aviation enthusiasts saw a new Boeing 747 variant roll out of the Everett factory in 1975, many did a double-take. From head-on, it had the familiar hump and four engines of the “Queen of the Skies,” but side-on, it looked surprisingly different. The fuselage had been shortened by almost 15 meters, giving the jet the stance of a muscle car rather than a long-legged ocean liner. The vertical tail towered over the cut-down body, an oversized fin that looked almost cartoonish but was essential to keep the aircraft stable. To casual observers, the proportions felt wrong, stubby and compressed,…

By Scott Hamilton Dec. 19, 2025, © Leeham News: Boeing has asked the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to grant an exemption to the 2017 ICAO fuel efficiency rules that mean an end to production of the 777-200LRF freighter on Dec. 31, 2027. Boeing seeks approval by May 1 next year. “The requested relief will allow Boeing to meet anticipated customer demand and support the substantial public interest in the sustained transportation of air cargo prior to the 777-8F entering service. This petition therefore requests exemption of a total quantity of 35 777F airplanes until achievement of 777-8F first delivery and…

The US Senate has passed the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act, legislation aimed at tightening aircraft surveillance requirements in the Washington, D.C., region by narrowing exemptions that have allowed some government and military aircraft to operate without broadcasting their position using ADS-B.  The bill now moves to the US House of Representatives and is widely expected to pass into law.  The Senate vote comes against the backdrop of the January 29, 2025, midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), in which an American Airlines regional jet operating as PSA Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter, killing all 67 people on board both aircraft. That accident…

…The Dynamic Rollover Was Likely Caused By The Front Seat Passenger Inadvertently Contacting The Cyclic Control While Turning To Speak With The Rear Seat Passenger Analysis: The pilot reported that while on a local flight he noticed a squall line approaching and elected to return to the private strip from which he had departed. During the approach, rain intensity increased, and the wind began gusting to about 15 knots. The pilot landed the helicopter, lowered the collective, and reduced power. While the main rotor was turning about 420 rpm, the helicopter suddenly rolled over onto its right side, resulting in…