🇺🇸 N311NY, an Airbus A321-253NY XLR, was delivered to American Airlines on 30 Oct.

🇺🇸 N785HA, a Boeing 787-9, was delivered to Alaska Airlines (AS) on 29 Oct.

🇺🇸 N9044H, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Southwest Airlines (WN) on 31 Oct.

American Airlines is making some solo travelers pay considerably more than passengers booking together. A comparison of 5,000 domestic nonstop one-way flights across five major U.S. airlines found higher solo fares on 33.5 percent of the 1,000 American flights sampled and 10.6 percent of United Airlines flights. The average gap on affected flights topped $90 at American and $64 at United. One Miami, Fla. (MIA), to Charlotte, N.C. (CLT), example priced at $496 for one passenger but $155 each for two. The cheaper fares require companions to book and travel together, effectively using party size to separate likely business travelers from leisure customers. No such differences appeared in the sampled Delta, Alaska or Southwest flights. Those figures describe the sample, not either airline's entire network.

Southwest Airlines is targeting March 2027 for its first Boeing 737 MAX 7 passenger flights. The proposed cabin has 150 seats, Starlink Wi-Fi, in-seat power and larger overhead bins. The internal plan remains subject to change and the airline still has approvals and preparation work to complete. Pro 142 has the delivery timetable, cabin details and entry-into-service requirements.

Qatar Airways (QR) is allowing male cabin crew to wear beards from November 1, ending its longstanding requirement to be clean-shaven apart from a neat mustache. The airline says beards must be neat and well-groomed, with stubble and patchy growth still prohibited. That leaves crew wanting to grow one with a practical problem: the in-between stage still does not meet the rules. It is a modest change, but a noticeable one at an airline known for tightly controlled grooming standards.

Discover Airlines (4Y) has retired its last Airbus A330-200, with D-AXGE arriving at Frankfurt (FRA) from Philadelphia (PHL) on October 28. The 22-year-old frame also operated the airline’s first passenger flight in July 2021, so it was there at both ends of the type’s Discover career. Delivered to Qatar Airways in 2004, it later flew with SunExpress Germany before joining Discover. The airline operated three A330-200s, all of which kept their earlier liveries rather than receiving Discover’s skyline design.

Turkish Airlines (TK) has agreed to lease two converted Boeing 777-300ERSF freighters from AerCap for delivery between March and September 2027. Pro 142 has the conversion details, alongside September cargo demand figures and the pressure from higher fuel costs.

Cathay Pacific (CX) says reservation data from around 53,000 bookings was accessed without authorization at technology provider Amadeus. The access occurred between August 2023 and September 2026, using login credentials assigned to a system account. Most affected records contained names, booking references and flight details; a smaller group may also have exposed contact information, travel document details or frequent flyer numbers. Cathay says there is no evidence that payment information was accessed, and its own systems and operations were unaffected. Amadeus has reset the relevant password and strengthened monitoring. Cathay is investigating and says affected customers will be notified individually.

Naples, Italy (NAP) is closing for the entire month of November for major runway rehabilitation. With its single runway unavailable, flight operations are suspended from November 1 through November 30. The work covers the runway pavement and associated taxiways, taking the airport out of service altogether rather than limiting construction to overnight closures. Operator GESAC says the overhaul is planned safety work. Travelers booked to Naples during the closure will need to check their airline's arrangements before heading to the airport.

🇲🇽 September 2026 Passenger Traffic Totals at Mexico’s Airports

Here is a three-airport sample from the September 2026 passenger table. The complete airport-by-airport table is included in Flightline Pro 142.

Mototok's Spacer electric pushback tugs have completed more than three million pushbacks worldwide since their 2017 market launch, according to the manufacturer. That includes 1.2 million by 28 units at London Heathrow (LHR) Terminal 5A. Those are fleet totals, rather than the work of a single tug. The latest Spacer 8600 NG is a battery-powered, towbarless machine operated by radio remote control, allowing its operator to stand outside the tug and watch the aircraft directly. It can handle aircraft weighing up to 105 metric tons, including the Airbus A320 family, Boeing 737 and MAX, Embraer E-Jets and CRJs. Mototok lists up to 30 pushbacks per charge and roughly three hours for a full recharge. The NG also adds an onboard charger and a display on the remote handset.