United Airlines’ Relax Row will emerge as a data-driven compromise between standard economy class and premium cabin in 2027, turning unsold seats into a sleep-focused product on long-haul routes like Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) –London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and San Francisco–Singapore. By offering a full row of three economy seats, paired with bedding accessories […]
Rolls-Royce’s Trent XWB engine, delivering up to 97,000 pounds of thrust and powering a very successful Airbus A350 family since its 2015 entry into service, has become a gold standard for long-haul efficiency. According to manufacturer data, it achieves around 15% lower fuel burn than previous-generation engines, an advantage that directly impacts airline economics and […]
This article was updated on Monday, May 4, 2026, to include details on short-haul cabin service at other US airlines. It was originally published on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
As we covered here, the World of Hyatt hotel loyalty scheme is undergoing a big shake-up this year. The good news is that the programme will retain a reward chart, which is very rare these days. The bad news is that the three pricing bands per category will be increased to five. There will be 40 […]
A Spirit Airlines captain’s retirement flight was abruptly canceled when the airline shut down in the early hours of Saturday morning. Flying home as a passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight, his son, a Southwest First Officer, helped coordinate a surprise water cannon salute and gate celebration when his father flew home to Baltimore as […]
The Republic of Korea Air Force did not have a formal policy that prohibited aircrew from taking selfies in flight for many years. Then, a few years ago, everything changed in South Korea when one pilot’s final flight went terribly wrong. The air crew had planned to send off the major in style with the […]
The results are in, and Delta Air Lines has been knocked off the podium as the United States’ most reliable airline. Data in the January 2026 Air Travel Consumer Report (published May 1, 2026) from the United States Department of Transportation reveals that Delta has fallen from first to sixth place in reliability metrics, a […]
Korean Air has been on a mission to redefine its brand and passenger experience since its merger with Asiana, a former Korean rival. To get a sense of the scale of this endeavour, imagine if British Airways subsumed Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Atlantic was more than double its current size and operated a substantial short […]
Simple Flying’s latest podcast is live and ready for you to enjoy! Hosted by Managing Editor Tom Boon and Senior Editor Channing Reid, the 289th episode is now available for your listening pleasure.
As demand for premium travel continues to surge, airlines are investing heavily in their most important cabin: business class. Airlines are not only adding more seats, but are redefining the entire onboard experience with better seats and increased service quality. These developments reflect a broader industry shift, where airlines are prioritizing premium-heavy configurations and maximizing […]