CAPA News Briefs

Lufthansa announced (18-Mar-2026) plans to introduce new amenity kits on long haul services as part of its Future Onboard Experience programme. The new kits feature BABOR skincare products and will be available to first class passengers from the end of Mar-2026 and to business class passengers from the beginning of May-2026. [more - original PR - German]

Loganair announced (19-Mar-2026) plans to undergo the "first-ever electric flight in Scotland" in partnership with BETA Technologies on 19/20-Mar-2026. Loganair plans to operate BETA's ALIA CTOL battery-powered, fixed-wing aircraft from Glasgow to Dundee. The flight is part of a two week programme in which the aircraft will be used across Loganair's network to demonstrate the capability of a zero emissions aircraft to deliver freight, mail and essential goods such as medical supplies. Loganair CEO Luke Farajallah stated: "This is a landmark day for European aviation and in-particular for Scotland's airline Loganair. We are not talking about concepts, prototypes, or distant ambition, this is a real tangible programme of flying across our network which will provide invaluable data on how an electric aircraft could perform in a real commercial environment". [more - original PR]

United Airlines, via its official LinkedIn account, announced (20-Mar-2026) plans to operate the first flights with Boeing 787-9 aircraft outfitted with the United Elevated interior. The flights will be operated on San Francisco-Singapore service on 22-Apr-2026 and San Francisco-London service on 30-Apr-2026. The United Elevated interior will feature:

• 25% more room than standard Polaris;
• 27 inch 4K OLED screens;
• Additional ottoman seating;
• Premium features and amenities.

PSA Airlines opened (19-Mar-2026) its new corporate headquarters in Charlotte in Jan-2026 following the carrier's relocation from Dayton, Ohio. The headquarters is expected to generate USD228 million in annual economic output and USD10 million in state and local tax revenue, supporting an additional 470 jobs with suppliers and community businesses statewide. The company did not seek or receive incentives for the relocation. [more - original PR]

Jetstar Airways launched (18-Mar-2026) BidCash, an upgrade product enabling passengers to make a cash bid for a business class seat on most of the carrier's Boeing 787 international services. Jetstar confirmed the first of 11 Boeing 787s is nearing completion of a "major interior refit" in Hong Kong, with 44 new business class seats fitted. The LCC's 787 cabin overhaul will see business cabin capacity more than double in response to "growing demand for premium seats on longer-haul flights". The airline plans to extend BidCash to Qantas Frequent Flyer members in future, enabling members to bid for upgrades using Qantas Points. [more - original PR]

Berlin Brandenburg Airport announced (16-Mar-2026) the cancellation of all commercial flights on 18-Mar-2026 due to strike action called by ver.di union. [more - original PR]

Qatar Airways, via its official website, announced (17-Mar-2026) plans to operate limited services to/from Doha from 18-Mar-2026 to 28-Mar-2026 to the following destinations:

• Middle East and Africa:
  
  • Jeddah;
  • Muscat;
  • Riyadh.
  • Abuja;
  • Addis Ababa;
  • Algiers;
  • Cairo;
  • Casablanca;
  • Entebbe;
  • Johannesburg;
  • Lagos;
  • Nairobi;
  • Tunis;
• Asia Pacific:
  
  • Ahmedabad;
  • Amritsar;
  • Bangkok;
  • Bengaluru;
  • Beijing;
  • Chennai;
  • Colombo;
  • Delhi;
  • Bali;
  • Dhaka;
  • Guangzhou;
  • Hanoi;
  • Ho Chi Minh City;
  • Hong Kong;
  • Hyderabad;
  • Islamabad;
  • Jakarta;
  • Karachi;
  • Kathmandu;
  • Kochi;
  • Kuala Lumpur;
  • Lahore;
  • Manila;
  • Mumbai;
  • Phuket;
  • Seoul;
  • Shanghai;
  • Singapore;
  • Thiruvananthapuram;
  • Tokyo Narita;
  • Melbourne;
  • Perth;
• Europe:
  
  • Amsterdam
  • Athens;
  • Barcelona;
  • Berlin;
  • Birmingham;
  • Bucharest;
  • Copenhagen;
  • Dublin;
  • Frankfurt;
  • Istanbul;
  • Larnaca;
  • London Heathrow;
  • Madrid;
  • Manchester;
  • Milan;
  • Moscow;
  • Munich;
  • Paris;
  • Prague;
  • Rome;
  • Warsaw;
  • Zurich.

Lufthansa Group, via its official website, announced (Mar-2026) cancellations and delays are expected in its flight schedule to and from Berlin on 18-Mar-2026, after the ver.di union called on employees at Berlin Brandenburg Airport to hold a warning strike from 04:00 to 22:59 on 18-Mar-2026.

Gulf Air confirmed (16-Mar-2026) "Due to the airspace closure in Bahrain, Gulf Air's scheduled services to and from Bahrain International Airport remain temporarily suspended", adding: "The airline currently operates temporary commercial flights to and from Bahrain via" Dammam King Fahd International Airport. Gulf Air announced it now offers limited services connecting Dammam to Frankfurt and Nairobi, in addition to previously announced limited services connecting Dammam to London Heathrow, Mumbai and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi. [more - original PR]

Air Premia completed (16-Mar-2026) work to reconfigure one Boeing 787-9 (HL8701) to 326 seats, down from 344 seats, in order to increase the economy class pitch from 31in to 33in. The airline plans to complete works to expand the economy class seat pitch on all aircraft in its fleet to 33in or more by the end of 2026. Air Premia stated it is "committed to continuously improving seat space and the cabin environment so that passengers travelling on long-haul routes can enjoy a more comfortable journey". [more - original PR]

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport welcomed (17-Mar-2026) British Airways plans to launch daily London Heathrow-Kuala Lumpur-Melbourne service with Boeing 787-9 equipment from Jan-2027. Airport CEO Lorie Argus stated: "We're incredibly excited about what this extra choice means for travellers and exporters". Ms Argus added: "With the largest choice of airlines flying to the UK and Europe, 24-hour operations and the shortest minimum connection time of any Australian airport, Melbourne Airport is now the clear choice for Europeans heading to Australia or Australians looking to travel abroad". Ms Argus concluded: "The average daily international service injects around AUD190 million (USD134.2 million) into the Victorian economy each year, which is why it's so important that we continue to attract and support more services such as this to Melbourne". [more - original PR]

British Airways announced (16-Mar-2026) plans to launch daily London Heathrow-Kuala Lumpur-Melbourne service on 09-Jan-2027. The carrier plans to operate the service on a year-round basis and forms part of a scheduled expansion for winter 2026/27, which includes a 9% increase to the carrier's long haul network. [more - original PR]