Flight Buzz
Alaska Airlines unveils new plane livery and Seattle flights to London and Reykjavik
Alaska Airlines is expanding its international network by opening two new transatlantic routes from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to London Heathrow Airport and Reykjavik, Iceland. Flights are scheduled to begin in spring 2026, marking a significant step in the airline’s strategy to become a global carrier.
The daily flight to London Heathrow Airport will be operated year-round on Alaska Airlines’ new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which offers premium class amenities and 34 lie-flat suites in Business Class. The new seasonal route to Reykjavik will be operated daily during the summer months on Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft.
“With these bold moves, we are accelerating our vision to connect our guests to the world. We are seizing this moment to redefine the international experience and level up. And we’re doing it with the same relentless focus on safety, care and performance that’s always defined us. I’m so proud of how our people continue to step up and deliver as we push ahead on these initiatives, with even more to come,” said Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines CEO.
The route launch coincides with the rollout of Alaska’s new global livery, which makes its debut only on the airline’s growing fleet of 787 Dreamliners. Inspired by the energy and spirit of the aurora borealis, the new design incorporates broad horizontal stripes of rich emerald green and deep midnight blue along the fuselage – an homage to Alaska’s natural environment and outstanding heritage, and a contemporary tribute to the iconic liveries from the 1970s and 1980s that link the airline’s past with its future. The aura’s flowing lines, visible in current premium cabins and main livery, give the design lightness, movement, and fluidity.
“Our new 787 exterior embodies Alaska’s transition to a global airline with beauty, grace and a nod to our heritage. As we significantly expand to new destinations around the globe, we’re eager for more and more travelers to recognize our new livery as being Alaska Airlines and appreciate the outstanding service we’ve long been known for,” commented Andrew Harrison, Alaska Airlines Chief Commercial Officer.
The carrier currently operates four 787-9s and plans to add up to 17 more aircraft by the end of the decade. A new pilot base in Seattle will support long-haul operations such as previously announced routes to Tokyo-Narita (January 2026), Rome (spring 2026), and a new nonstop service to Seoul-Incheon scheduled to launch on 12 September this year.
These steps will allow Alaska to compete more effectively in key transatlantic markets, as London remains the busiest international destination from Seattle, with more than 400 passengers flying between the two cities each day for both business and leisure, and Reykjavik is a bucket-list destination for adventure and outdoor lovers, also serving as a gateway to mainland Europe.
By 2030, Alaska aims to serve at least 12 international destinations from Seattle. The airline will also leverage partnerships with British Airways and American Airlines to provide broader connectivity through Oneworld Alliance networks.
Tickets for both routes are expected to go on sale later this fall. The London service will operate year-round, while flights to Reykjavik will run from mid-May through early September.
As Alaska Airlines looks to broaden its international presence, the new offerings serve part of a larger commitment to better customer service, premium travel experiences, and expanded global access from the West Coast.
A tech outage led United Airlines to ground flights nationwide Wednesday night, and even with the issue now resolved, over 1,000 flights have been delayed and dozens canceled.
The outage stemmed from an issue with the airline’s weight and balance computer system, United said.
“Due to a technology issue, we are holding United mainline flights at their departure airports,” the airline said in a statement. “We expect additional flight delays this evening as we work through this issue. Safety is our top priority, and we’ll work with our customers to get them to their destinations.”
The airline said the outage began shortly after 6 p.m. ET and was resolved after a few hours.
Overall, more than 1,000 flights have been delayed and more than 40 canceled, according to FlightAware. United said it’s covering meals and hotels for impacted customers.
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement it was aware the airline “experienced a technology issue disrupting their operations.”
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the issue was specific to United’s operations “and is unrelated to the broader air traffic control system.”
The airline confirmed in a statement to ABC News that the issue was not related to a cyberattack.
The ground stop did not affect United Express flights, and any flight that was already in the air will continue to its destination, according to the airline.
Multiple FAA notices stated that the airline requested ground stops at major hubs, including Newark, San Francisco, Chicago, Denver and Houston.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Flight Buzz
United Airlines Cancels Flights to Munich, Tocumen, El Dorado, Dubai and more, Here is the Update
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Author: TTW News Desk
As of August 7, 2025, United Airlines cancels flights to several key international destinations, greatly affecting passengers traveling to or from Costa Rica, Panama, Puerto Rico, Germany, Colombia, Thailand, and the Middle East. Notification regarding the anticipated cancellations has already been communicated to passengers planning to travel through these airports, which is likely to result in substantial inconvenience for numerous passengers.
In a move that has left travelers stranded, United Airlines cancels flights from major international airports across the globe. Although the operational issues facing the airline remain undisclosed, it leaves the passengers to deal with the cumbersome task of seeking alternative booking options.
The affected airports are:
Travelers planning to depart from these international hubs have been significantly impacted. For many, these cancellations could mean missed connections, disrupted vacation plans or altered business travel schedules. While United Airlines has yet to announce specific compensation plans, it is expected that the airline will offer affected passengers the option to rebook flights or receive a refund.
United Airlines is working to reschedule flights where possible, but logistical challenges may delay the process. Passengers who have been booked on cancelled flights are encouraged to check their booking status regularly. Those whose flights have been cancelled are also encouraged to consider reaching out to the airline’s customer service lines for assistance with rebooking or finding alternatives.
–Guanacaste (LIR), Costa Rica: Popular for its coastal resorts, Guanacaste serves as a gateway to Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. The cancellation of United flights here will likely affect vacationers and adventure tourists planning their stay in this tropical region.
–Tocumen International (PTY), Panama: Known as the “Hub of the Americas”, Tocumen is one of Latin America’s busiest airports. United Airlines serves as a critical link between Panama and the United States, and the cancellations will disrupt both leisure and business travelers.
–Luis Munoz Marin International (SJU), Puerto Rico: Serving as the main gateway to the Caribbean, Luis Munoz Marin is one of the busiest airports in the region. The cancellation of United flights here could have a significant effect on travelers looking to explore Puerto Rico’s beaches, culture and vibrant tourism scene.
–Munich International Airport (MUC), Germany: Munich’s airport is a major hub for European travel. United Airlines’ cancellation of flights to and from this location could leave many travelers stranded, especially those heading to the Bavarian city for business or tourism.
–El Dorado International Airport (BOG), Colombia: Although not explicitly listed, El Dorado is often served by United Airlines and passengers may face challenges if they were expecting to fly from this key airport in Bogotá, Colombia.
–San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SLO International), Thailand: Although the destination might seem unusual for some, this small airport has become a popular stop for travelers flying into southern California with United Airlines providing service.
–Dubai International Airport (DXB), Middle East: As one of the busiest airports in the world, Dubai is an important international hub for both business and tourism. The cancellation of flights from Dubai represents a significant disruption for travelers connecting through the Middle East.
The recent wave of flight cancellations by United Airlines to these international destinations has created a ripple effect across global travel routes. While the specific reasons for the cancellations remain unclear, passengers should be prepared for potential disruptions and keep in contact with United Airlines for updates.
In this ever-increasingly complicated world of post pandemic travel, one aspect that seems the most unsettled is air travel. On the most recent United Airlines update, air travelers are eagerly awaiting the update regarding the rescheduling of the prior canceled flights, along with further clarification on the compensation policies for the canceled flights.
At this point, the necessity for air travelers is to check for updates on their previously booked flights, directly communicate with the specific airlines and travel through other alternative means if necessary.
Source:
United Airlines flights on major routes were grounded Wednesday because of a technology issue, and additional flight delays were expected into the evening, the airline said.
An alert on the Federal Aviation Administration website said all United flights destined for Chicago were halted at their departing airports. The agency said Denver, Newark, Houston and San Francisco airports were also impacted by halted flights.
“Safety is our top priority, and we’ll work with our customers to get them to their destinations,” an emailed statement from the Chicago based-airline said without disclosing the specifics of the problem.
An AP journalist had boarded a United plane at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport for a trip to Houston when flight attendants announced a “systemwide” problem had grounded flights. They then sent passengers back to the terminal.
Another traveler, Johan Kotze, was at the New Orleans airport to begin a journey to the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius for vacation. Getting caught up in flight delays for him likely meant he would miss connecting flights along the way and would have to rebook not only the flights but a car and accommodations as well.
“It’s not very nice,” he said of the experience.
United Airlines apologized on social media to upset customers who were facing delays and hours sitting in planes on runways.
“Hey there, we apologize for the travel disruption today,” the airline told a customer on the social platform X. “Our teams are working to resolve the outage as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience.”
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