Month: May 2024

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Some of the below offers may be targeted. 

From lucrative deals for bonus points on hotel stays to generous sales of airline miles, we’re finding plenty of travel deals to help you earn and redeem your points and miles so you can book the vacation of your dreams.

For May, we found promotions to save when paying with points on Virgin Voyages cruises and earn double points on every Hilton booking this summer (which officially started this week). But that’s not all.

We’re helping our readers each week by rounding up ongoing monthly promotions so you don’t have to scour the internet for the best reward redemptions and offers. From frequent flyer programs and hotel rewards programs to credit card offers to help maximize your spending, make the most of your points and miles redemptions with these lucrative offers.

Here’s our list of some noteworthy new points and miles promotions for May.

Airline loyalty program promotions (May 2024)

Airline loyalty programs can offer trip discounts on certain dates, the chance to earn more miles for future travel and deals to rack up points toward elite status. Below are some of the offers we’ve found for this week.

Delta SkyMiles Mother’s Day bonus

Looking for that perfect gift for mom? With Mother’s Day approaching, Delta Air Lines is offering bonus Delta SkyMiles if you make a purchase through the airline’s shopping portal through Friday.

• Earn 500 bonus miles when you spend at least $100 through SkyMiles Shopping, Delta’s shopping portal.
• This is a one-time bonus applied on top of your regular miles earned through SkyMiles Shopping.
• The offer expires May 3.

Related: Best airline credit cards

Hotel loyalty program promotions (May 2024)

Hotel loyalty programs occasionally offer discounted stays, ways to earn extra points and deals at various properties. We collected some of this month’s active deals below.

Bonus points on Best Western stays

If you’re a Best Western Rewards member who plans on staying with the chain this summer, you’ll want to book soon to get the most out of this promo before it expires May 5.

• Earn 2,000 bonus points for each night you stay with Best Western on all nights stayed through Sept. 2.
• You can stay up to 50 nights with this promotion, which means you can earn up to 100,000 bonus points.
• You must book all travel through Best Western’s website by May 5 to earn bonus points on your nights with this deal.

Related: Best hotel credit cards

Credit card promotions (May 2024)

Credit card issuers sometimes offer deals and discounts for certain cardholders on everything from airfare to restaurant dining. We rounded up some credit card promotions that are active now. (Some offers may be targeted.)

Targeted Chase Offer with IHG Hotels & Resorts

If you hold an eligible Chase credit card (we found this on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve®), you may be targeted for an offer with IHG Hotels & Resorts.

• Get 10% cash back when you spend at least $100 at IHG Hotels & Resorts.
• The offer expires May 20.

Targeted Chase Offer on ResortPass

We’ve also found an offer to earn cash back on a purchase with ResortPass.

• Get 20% cash back when you spend $100 or more with ResortPass.
• The offer expires May 31.

Targeted Chase Offer at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center and Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center

We’ve found deals across multiple cards for stays at Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, as well as Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, Florida.

• Get 15% cash back when you spend at least $100 on a direct booking with Gaylord Opryland or Gaylord Palms.
• Both offers expire May 31.

Targeted Chase Offer at Westin Hotels & Resorts

Marriott Bonvoy loyalists, check your Chase Offers to see if you’re targeted for a new deal with Westin Hotels & Resorts.

• Get 10% cash back when you spend at least $100 on a Westin stay.
• The offer expires June 8.

Targeted Chase Offer with Turo

If you’re looking to rent a car, check to see if your Chase card was targeted for a recent offer with Turo.

• Earn $10 cash back when you spend $100 or more on your Turo purchase.
• The offer expires June 14.

Targeted American Express Offer with The Global Ambassador Hotel

Looking to treat yourself out west? Check to see if your American Express card was targeted for this offer for a luxury stay at The Global Ambassador Hotel in Phoenix. (We found this deal on the American Express® Gold Card.)

• Get a one-time $200 statement credit when you use your enrolled eligible card to spend at least $1,000 in one or more purchases at The Global Ambassador Hotel.
• Book directly with the hotel here.
• The offer expires July 29.

Targeted Amex Offer on Hilton stays in Nevada

If you’re planning a trip to Las Vegas or anywhere in Nevada this summer, log in to see if your Amex was targeted for this offer at a participating Hilton.

• Get a one-time $90 statement credit by using your enrolled card to spend a minimum of $400 on the room rate and room charges at participating Hilton properties in Nevada (including Las Vegas).
• Book through Hilton’s website.
• The offer expires July 31.

Targeted Amex Offer at select Opal Collection properties in Florida

Taking a summer vacation to Florida? If you’re targeted for this Amex Offer, you could get cash back as a statement credit on select stays at Opal Collection properties in Florida.

• Get a one-time $100 statement credit when you use your enrolled eligible card to spend $500 or more on the room rate and room charges at participating Opal Collection properties.
• Book directly on the Opal Collection website.
• The offer expires Sept. 30.

Targeted Amex Offer on a stay at PGA National Resort

Golf fans, this one is for you. Check your Amex Offers to see if you’ve been targeted for this deal on a stay at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

• Get a one-time $100 statement credit by using your enrolled eligible card to spend at least $500 on the room rate and room charges when you pay for your stay at PGA National Resort.
• Book directly at the PGA National Resort website.
• The offer expires Sept. 30.

Targeted Amex Offer with Margaritaville Beach House Key West

If you’re looking to get away to Margaritaville, see if your American Express card (we found this on The Platinum Card® from American Express) has been targeted to earn cash back for staying at Margaritaville Beach House Key West.

• Get a one-time $100 statement credit when you use your card to spend at least $500 in purchases on the room rate and room charges.
• Book directly at the Margaritaville Resorts website.
• The offer expires Sept. 30.

Targeted Amex Offer with Lotte Hotel Seattle

Considering a trip to the heart of Seattle? American Express has targeted some cardholders to earn cash back on a stay with Lotte Hotel Seattle through the end of October.

• Get a one-time $100 statement credit by using your enrolled card to spend at least $500 on the room rate and room charges at Lotte Hotel Seattle.
• Book directly with Lotte Hotel Seattle at the hotel’s website.
• The offer expires Oct. 29.

Ongoing travel deals

In addition to these new offers, there are many others from previous weeks that are still available. These include:

• Enroll in a Sixt rental car status match with multiple airline and hotel program partners.
• Earn double Amtrak Guest Rewards points on qualifying Amtrak travel this spring. You must register for the promotion and be an Amtrak Guest Rewards member to earn bonus points. The offer ends May 21.
• Enroll in an Air France-KLM Flying Blue status match opportunity if you are a United Kingdom resident. Successful enrollment in the status match is contingent upon submitting an application, proving equivalent elite status in one of 13 eligible airline loyalty programs and paying a fee determined by your status match level. There is no publicly available end date for this promotion.
• Earn bonus World of Hyatt points for attending a virtual timeshare presentation. You must reside in an eligible U.S. state and meet an annual income requirement, among other requirements. You must request information here to learn more about this promotion. There is no publicly available end date for this offer.
• Save when booking with participating Kimpton properties in the U.S. Book by May 15. Stay by Sept. 2.
• Earn double Wyndham Rewards points when you stay at select La Quinta by Wyndham Del Sol hotels. Book by May 17. Stay by July 31.
• Earn bonus points as an IHG One Rewards member for stays at Iberostar Beachfront properties when you register for the offer and complete your stay by May 20.
• Earn cash back on spending with The Motley Fool or American Airlines AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points from the American Airlines shopping portal when purchasing a Motley Fool subscription as an American Express cardmember. The offer expires May 5.
• Get an exclusive rate on tickets to the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte between May 8 and 12 with a Wells Fargo card. The offer is available to select Wells Fargo customers while supplies last.

Additionally, there are many stand-alone Amex Offers and Chase Offers still available across a variety of credit cards.

Targeted Amex Offers

• Earn bonus Membership Rewards points when spending with Oceania Cruises. The offer expires May 7.
• Earn cash back on purchases at Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley. The offer expires May 11.
• Earn cash back as a statement credit when you stay at The Ned NoMad Hotel in New York. The offer expires May 12.
• Earn cash back as a statement credit on purchases at participating Viceroy Hotels and Resorts (U.S. city stays). The offer expires May 14.
• Earn cash back as a statement credit on an eligible stay at select Hilton resorts and destinations. The offer expires May 15.
• Earn additional Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on qualifying purchases with Seabourn. The offer expires May 31.
• Earn cash back as a statement credit on prepaid hotel bookings through Amex’s direct Expedia link. The offer expires May 31.
• Earn cash back as a one-time statement credit on purchases at participating Caesars Rewards Las Vegas destinations. The offer expires May 31.
• Earn cash back as a one-time statement credit on purchases at participating Mandarin Oriental properties in the U.S., Europe and Asia. The offer expires May 31.
• Earn cash back as a statement credit on purchases with Go Rentals, a rental car company. The offer expires June 1.
• Earn a one-time statement credit on purchases with IHG Hotels & Resorts’ mainstream brands. The offer expires June 15.
• Earn cash back as a statement credit on a stay at The Saguaro Palm Springs. The offer expires June 18.
• Earn cash back as a one-time statement credit on stays at The Line Hotels. The offer expires June 18.
• Earn a one-time statement credit on a single purchase at Hard Rock Hotel New York. The offer expires June 18.
• Earn a one-time statement credit on charges at participating Secrets Resorts & Spas and Impression by Secrets resorts. Book at the Hyatt Inclusive Collection website by July 14.
• Earn cash back as a one-time statement credit on purchases at Grand Hyatt properties in the U.S. and internationally. The offer expires June 30.
• Earn cash back on stays with Minor Hotels Group. The offer expires July 31.
• Earn cash back in the form of a statement credit on transactions with Carnival Cruise Line. The offer expires Aug. 1.
• Earn bonus Membership Rewards points on a stay at a Canyon Ranch resort. The offer expires Aug. 12.
• Earn a one-time statement credit when you spend at Equinox Hotel at Hudson Yards. The offer expires Aug. 16.
• Get a one-time statement credit on purchases across multiple Boyne Golf resorts in Michigan. The offer expires Sept. 1.
• Earn cash back on online purchases with ResortPass. The offer expires Sept. 30.
• Earn cash back as a one-time statement credit on stays at Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. The offer expires Oct. 4.

Targeted Chase Offers

• Earn cash back on a stay at Element hotels. The offer expires May 22.
• Earn cash back when you stay at AC Hotels, Four Points by Sheraton, Le Meridien, Sheraton and/or TownePlace Suites. The offer expires May 23.
• Earn cash back when you stay at select brands in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio (Autograph Collection Hotels, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Renaissance Hotels and SpringHill Suites). The offers expire May 29.
• Earn cash back on a stay with Best Western. The offer expires May 31.
• Earn bonus IHG One Rewards points after activating the offer and meeting a spending threshold. You qualify for this offer if you hold an eligible IHG One Rewards cobranded card and are targeted for the offer. You must activate the offer by June 30.

Remember that these are targeted, and you must activate the offers before making eligible purchases to enjoy the cash back or bonus points.

 Related reading:

• Best travel credit cards
• The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• What are points and miles worth? TPG’s current monthly valuations

It’s a big, big day for Cunard, the storied cruise brand that once operated such legendary ocean liners as the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth 2.

The 184-year-old shipping company is finally beginning sailings with Queen Anne, its first new ship in 14 years.

Under development since 2017 and delayed by two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the much-awaited 2,996-passenger vessel will depart late Friday from Southampton, England, on a seven-night voyage to La Coruna, Spain, and Lisbon.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.

The ship will then return to Southampton May 10 for a months-long series of sailings out of the port to such destinations as the Canary Islands, Scotland and Norway.

Queen Anne’s arrival marks a major expansion for Cunard. Long a three-ship line, the brand will now have four ships for the first time in years. It’s an expansion that will bring a 42% increase in cabin capacity and allow for a greater mix of itineraries.

It also signals an evolution of the brand, which has long traded on its history and nostalgia for the Golden Age of ocean liners.

Built to an all-new design, Queen Anne embraces the latest trends of travel and cruising in a way that Cunard ships haven’t done before; it’s including a new focus on choice in dining and entertainment, wellness and onboard celebrations.

Related: A sneak peek inside Queen Anne under construction

“With Queen Anne, what we sought to do is to preserve that quintessential Cunard essence but also to introduce an innovative modernity, which we believe truly heralds a new era in luxury travel,” Katie MacAlister, Cunard president, said Wednesday during a preview event for the ship in Southampton.

Queen Anne offers an impressive 15 places to grab a bite — more than double the number of dining options on the line’s other ships. The venues include Aji Wa, a new restaurant concept for Cunard that serves Japanese cuisine influenced by the seasons of the year. Also new is Aranya, an Indian eatery; Sir Samuel’s, a high-end steakhouse; and Tramonto, which serves Mediterranean dishes.

Wellness-focused areas include a new-for-the-line, glass-enclosed Wellness Studio at the top of the ship that offers yoga, Pilates, Zumba and line dancing during the day as well as ballroom dancing classes at sunset.

A new juice bar and a cafe near the main pool serve healthy dishes, and the ship’s spa was built as a temple to wellness.

The spa offers a sprawling thermal pool complex that features eight heated loungers, four experiential showers, a reflexology footpath with textured stones flowing with hot water, a cold room (a first for Cunard), a large steam room, a Himalayan salt sauna and a traditional sauna. A relaxation room and a wellness suite will round out the offerings.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Cunard ship

On the celebrations front, Queen Anne has a lounge specifically designed for weddings that spills into an indoor reception room. Just beyond the reception room is a new-for-the-line private rooftop terrace space for wedding and vow renewal receptions.

Other notable features of the ship include an expanded Commodore Club observation lounge. The main pool area of the ship, called The Pavilion, is topped with a retractable glass roof designed to be as much a showpiece as a functional structure.

Not everything about Queen Anne is different from previous Cunard ships. As is always the case for Cunard vessels, Queen Anne has a soaring Grand Lobby with a cascading staircase where you can take selfies in your formal night splendor.

You’ll also find the Queens Room, a ballroom that is a staple of Cunard ships.

Queen Anne is the 249th ship to sail for Cunard since the line was incorporated in 1840. Cunard famously began as a transatlantic steamship company carrying mail and travelers between Liverpool, England, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Boston. It was originally called the British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company.

Based in the U.K., the brand is now owned by Carnival Corporation, the parent company of Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America, Seabourn and several other brands.

Queen Anne will initially sail in Europe before departing on an around-the-world cruise in January 2025. Fares start at $201 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a quick two-night cruise from Southampton to Hamburg, Germany. Seven-night European sailings start at $618 per person, not including taxes and fees.

Earlier this year, Queen Anne was named one of the nine best new cruise ships of 2024 by TPG’s cruise team.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

When booking discounted travel, numerous opportunities are available, ranging from paid ticket sales to redemption promotions. However, one of the most reliable deals is the monthly Promo Rewards offered by Air France-KLM Flying Blue.

These monthly exclusive discounts are on the Flying Blue website; they apply to flights to and from specific cities or regions for booking until the end of each month. They also apply to a specified travel window.

This month, there are enticing offers for one-way economy flights to various European cities from just 15,000 miles. This represents a significant discount compared to the amounts other loyalty programs typically charge for similar award tickets. If you’re planning a trip to or from one of those cities, this could be an exceptional deal worth considering.

What is Flying Blue’s May award promotion?

Airlines: Air France and KLM
Routes: Economy awards for short-haul and medium-haul flights between various European cities; economy long-haul flights between Europe and North America, including Los Angeles, Austin, Minneapolis and Quebec City; premium economy long-haul flights between Europe and Mexico
Cost: Short- and medium-haul economy awards start at 5,625 miles; long-haul economy awards start at 15,000 miles; long-haul premium economy awards start at 26,250 miles
Travel dates: Travel from May 1 through Oct. 31
Book by: May 31

Promo Rewards between North America and Europe

Right now, you can snag a one-way economy ticket for just 15,000 miles to Europe from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB). Remember our tip to easily search prices month by month.

For example, LA to Amsterdam has some promo availability sprinkled throughout the summer months, but you’ll find the majority in October. It’s best to be flexible when searching for promo award availability.

If you’re looking to be in Paris for the 2024 Olympics this summer, you can snag an economy ticket in July for just 15,000 miles, with open award availability.

Remember, Flying Blue also lets you add a free stopover on your connection(s). For example, you could fly from the U.S. to Paris, spend a few days in Paris or Amsterdam and then travel to your final destination for no additional miles. To book a ticket with a stopover, you’ll need to call Flying Blue at 800-375-8723.

Related: The best ways to get to Europe using points and miles

How to book Flying Blue Promo Rewards flights

Book Promo Rewards tickets on the Air France or KLM website. Log in to your account and click the “Book with Miles” button on the home screen. Then, enter your desired itinerary and click the “Search flights” button.

Now, select the flight you’d like to book and follow the on-screen prompts to complete your reservation.

If you plan to transfer points to book this award, you should find award space first. Then, place your ticket on hold and transfer your points. You never want to transfer points without concrete dates in mind.

Related: When should I transfer points to airline and hotel partners?

How to earn Flying Blue miles

Boosting your Flying Blue balance is easy since the program partners with all major transferable points programs.

You can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio from American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Wells Fargo Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards. You can also transfer Marriott Bonvoy points at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points you transfer.

Based on our tests, Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase and Citi transfers should post almost instantly. However, that wasn’t the case with our test transfer from Marriott, which took three days to arrive in our Flying Blue account. Because of this, credit card points are your best bet if you hope to book right away, though Flying Blue generally allows three-day holds on award tickets when you call.

Maximize your purchase

Use a card that earns additional points on airfare purchases to pay taxes and fees on your award ticket.

Some of the best cards include:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: 5 points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar
• Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees): 3 points per dollar spent on air travel
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: 5 points per dollar spent on flights purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3 points per dollar spent on travel
• American Express® Gold Card: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through amextravel.com
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: 5 points per dollar spent on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 2 points per dollar spent on travel purchases
• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card (see rates and fees): 4 points per dollar spent on airline purchases, 3 points per dollar spent on other travel

Bottom line

Few sales are as reliable as the Promo Rewards we see each month from Air France-KLM Flying Blue. Boosting your Flying Blue balance is easy since the program partners with all major transferable points programs. Since you can reserve these tickets on the Air France or KLM website, they’re simple for anyone to book.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you’re a beginner or an expert traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can’t travel without

In the never-ending quest to make boarding as efficient as possible, Delta Air Lines has rolled out an updated boarding process.

The Atlanta-based carrier transitioned to boarding by numbered zones as of Wednesday. Delta calls this a “simple change” — the airline isn’t making changes to who is in each group; rather, the updates are just to how the groups are communicated.

The new group numbers have already started rolling out to airports worldwide, and newly issued boarding passes should reflect the updated numbering scheme.

Before this change, Delta boarded its planes with “branded zones,” such as Delta One and Main Cabin 2. Under the new scheme, the airline uses zones 1 through 8 that reflect each of the previous groups.

Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free biweekly Aviation newsletter.

You can find the full breakdown of who is in each group below.

The airline explained this move as a way to streamline the boarding experience.

“Delta believes the move to numbered zones will simplify the boarding process for both our customers and our employees, adding clarity of sequence and improving the overall gate experience,” the carrier shared in a statement with TPG.

Delta’s move might make it easier for infrequent travelers and those who might face a language barrier to understand the airline’s boarding process. Additionally, many of the carrier’s joint venture and international partners use numbered groups for boarding, so this change makes for a consistent experience when flying on mixed-airline itineraries.

More from TPG: Here are the best credit card welcome offers for May  

Interestingly, Delta introduced zone-based boarding back in 2018 as a way to better market onboard products across the entire travel experience. Perhaps the carrier wasn’t happy with how long it’s been taking to board its jets.

It remains to be seen if Delta’s change will make the boarding process any faster, which would help shorten the turn time needed between flights. After all, as any airline executive will tell you, planes don’t make money when they’re sitting on the ground.

That’s why airlines are typically laser-focused on doing whatever they can to trim boarding times. For carriers like Southwest Airlines, an open-seating policy incentivizes customers to board faster and quickly find their preferred seat.

Late last year, United Airlines added a new seventh boarding group to help it save up to two minutes of boarding time for each flight. (American Airlines already has a whopping 10 boarding groups.)

Over the years, we’ve even seen scientists try to “prove” which processes are the fastest and most efficient.

Despite the research, the jury is still out among the U.S. carriers about how to get passengers on the plane as quickly as possible.

Related reading:

• Delta SkyMiles: Your complete guide to earning, redeeming and elite status
• Best Delta credit cards
• Delta Medallion status: What it is and how to earn it
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• How to survive basic economy on Delta Air Lines

April was another busy month for airline network planners — both at home and abroad.

Perhaps most excitingly, two international airlines added new pins to their U.S. route maps. Philippine Airlines is adding service to Seattle, and Turkish Airlines is expanding to Denver, its 14th U.S. destination.

U.S. airlines also kept themselves busy this month.

You’ll find all the latest route news from April below.

Map watching: The award for ‘sexiest new route’ of the year goes to …

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines continues to grow in Southern California. This time, the airline is adding three routes beginning in October.

This includes nonstop service from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Harry Reed International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, as well as flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in Pasco, Washington.

Alaska will also add two daily round trips from LAX to Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) — a route that was previously operated last summer but will now return for year-round service.

The news comes as Alaska recently announced a noticeable uptick in business demand, as reported on the airline’s first-quarter earnings call.

• Alaska Airlines adds 3 routes, bolsters 9 others amid business travel surge

American Airlines

American Airlines had a busy April with changes to both its domestic and international networks.

Closer to home, the carrier is adding its 228th domestic destination: Provo, Utah. This airport used to be mainly served by budget rivals, namely Allegiant Air, but American will now offer hundreds of one-stop options via its Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, hubs.

The airline also made some major changes to its long-haul network this month. It officially delayed the introduction of its new Flagship Business Suite product, which was supposed to debut later this year on new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Due to delivery delays, the introduction of this new product has been postponed, along with over 10 long-haul routes.

Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free biweekly Aviation newsletter.

As part of these delays, American is also scrapping service from Dallas-Fort Worth to Kona, Hawaii, before it even launches.

It isn’t all bad news for American’s long-haul network. The airline is boosting service in four markets at the end of the year (thanks to increased pilot training), and it’s deploying the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in New York for the first time on a handful of routes, including its newly announced service to Tokyo.

Finally, American is adding a special never-before-operated flight from Philadelphia to Sao Paulo for the Philadelphia Eagles’ season opener in Brazil.

• American delays new Flagship Business Suites as it shuffles wide-body flights
• American debuts special one-time-only flight from Philadelphia to Brazil
• American adds new service to Provo, its 228th domestic city; will take on budget rivals

Avelo Airlines

Avelo unveiled just one new route in April: Burbank, California, to Las Vegas. This new service begins May 2 with two weekly flights. It’ll compete with Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and JSX.

Breeze Airways

Breeze made some big moves in April.

The airline startup added five new routes to its summer schedule beginning in June, three of which are from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The other two routes are from Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina, to West Palm Beach, Florida, and from Westchester County, New York, to Portland, Maine.

Despite giving flyers just a few weeks’ notice to book these flights, the airline seemingly sees an opportunity to boost service in these markets for the peak summer season.

The airline is also growing in Fort Myers, Florida, by establishing an operating base there. The carrier hasn’t announced new routes there (yet), but it already flies to 19 destinations from the Florida city.

• Breeze adds 5 routes to summer schedule, with a big focus on Myrtle Beach
• Breeze announces new base in Fort Myers, records first profitable month

Delta Air Lines

It was a pretty quiet month for Delta. The airline just made one big network announcement — boosting Africa service — but it stopped short of adding any new routes.

After a two-year hiatus, Delta will resume flights from New York to Lagos, Nigeria, in December, and it’ll upgauge the route from New York to Accra, Ghana, with an Airbus A330-900neo. This represents a big boost in the premium passenger experience, as the A330neo features Delta One Suites.

Meanwhile, the airline’s flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg will become the first to be operated by the new premium-heavy Airbus A350-900 configuration, which offers two extra rows of Delta One Suites.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier continues to push into major U.S. markets already served by network airlines. This month, the airline expanded its presence with eight new flights touching big hubs like Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth and Philadelphia.

Interestingly, the airline is also adding service from Charlotte to Miami, a hub-to-hub route already served nearly 10 times a day by American.

Frontier is also growing in the Caribbean with new intra-island routes from Puerto Rico.

• Frontier adds 2 more intra-Caribbean routes from fast-growing Puerto Rico base
• Frontier to launch 8 new routes this summer, bolstering DFW presence

JSX

Beginning June 27, JSX will relaunch service to Monterrey, California, with flights from Burbank and Orange County, California.

JSX operates from private terminals with spacious 30-seat regional jet configurations, giving travelers a more premium gate-to-gate experience than flying on a major carrier.

Silver Airlines

Silver Airlines cut two routes this month from future schedules. This includes service from Orlando to Huntsville, Alabama, as well as from Fort Lauderdale to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.

Spirit Airlines

Like Frontier, Spirit has also been busy tweaking its network with new service to major U.S. cities that are already blanketed with flights by major network airlines. (This comes as traditional ultra-low-cost destinations like Orlando have seen plummeting fares due to overcapacity.)

This month, the airline added 10 new routes, including several in hotly contested markets like Chicago to Newark and Los Angeles to Seattle. The airline followed up on April 30 with another network expansion; this time, from Delta’s Detriot hub and from American’s Dallas-Fort Worth hub.

Separately, Spirit is dropping service from Houston to San Jose, Costa Rica.

• Spirit adds 3 new routes, cuts 1 in latest network adjustment
• Spirit’s latest network shift features 7 new routes launching this summer

Southwest Airlines

Southwest hasn’t exited a city since 2019, but things are getting heated down in Dallas as the airline makes some major adjustments to its network.

On the carrier’s first-quarter earnings call, Dallas-based Southwest said it would drop four cities from its route map: Bellingham, Washington; Cozumel, Mexico; Syracuse, New York; and Houston (at IAH). The airline will also shrink at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD).

Additionally, Southwest is scrapping two existing routes: Atlanta to Little Rock, Arkansas, and Chicago (at ORD) to Tampa.

It wasn’t all bad news, though. Southwest will add four new routes, including a new contender for the shortest route in its network: Richmond, Virginia, to Baltimore.

• Southwest cuts 4 cities from its route map, will shrink at Atlanta and Chicago O’Hare
• Southwest adds 4 new routes, cuts 2 others in latest network adjustment

United Airlines

United’s big international growth hit a roadblock this month after the Federal Aviation Administration’s increased scrutiny over the carrier’s recent high-profile safety-related incidents.

While the review is ongoing, United is barred from adding new destinations, which means cutting the carrier’s hotly anticipated new service from Newark to Faro, Portugal, before it even begins. The airline is also delaying its new service from Tokyo to Cebu in the Philippines.

United is allowed to continue growing to existing destinations, and it’s doing just that with four new North American routes launching in the coming months:

• San Francisco to Detroit
• San Francisco to Montreal
• San Francisco to St. Louis
• Chicago to Joplin, Missouri

Aeromexico

Aeromexico added one new U.S. route this month from Atlanta to Queretaro, Mexico. This new daily flight will take off Aug. 5 on board an Embraer E190.

This new route comes just a few months after Aeromexico and Delta were told by the Department of Transportation that they needed to end their joint venture partnership.

Hainan Airlines

Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines will become the first airline to connect the U.S. with Chongqing, China. Hainan filed this new flight from Chongqing to Seattle beginning in May.

Furthermore, Hainan is set to bring back its Boston-to-Beijing flight in May. It was last served in March 2020.

Norse Atlantic Airways

Norse is adding a new route from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to LAS beginning Sept. 12.

It’s not all good news for the airline, as the carrier will suspend three routes at the end of the summer. This includes New York to Athens, Greece; New York to Rome; and Los Angeles to Paris.

Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines is adding a new U.S. gateway: Seattle. The airline will fly a new 6,651-mile route to Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in the Philippines beginning Oct. 2 on a three-times-weekly basis.

Flights will operate in both directions on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays on board a 370-seat Boeing 777-300ER. This jet features 42 lie-flat business-class seats and 328 economy seats.

Seattle becomes PAL’s sixth destination in the U.S., joining Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Honolulu and Guam.

This route has been in the works for years, as it was originally supposed to launch just before the coronavirus pandemic.

• Philippine Airlines makes Seattle its sixth US destination

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines is also adding a new U.S. gateway: Denver.

Turkish’s new Denver-to-Istanbul route launches June 11 with three-times-weekly service. This route will give Denver-based travelers hundreds of one-stop itineraries to cities across the airline’s impressive global network.

It also comes as Denver has seen a major increase in air service, particularly with expanded options from fellow Star Alliance carrier United Airlines.

• Turkish Airlines to launch 14th US route: Denver to Istanbul

Viva Aerobus

Mexican low-cost carrier Viva Aerobus is launching new once-weekly flights between Charlotte and Cancun, Mexico, on May 25.

Viva will go head-to-head against American Airlines, which offers up to three daily flights in this market.

WestJet

WestJet is adding new twice-weekly seasonal service from Nashville to Winnipeg, Manitoba. This limited-time service will only operate from Sept. 16 to Nov. 15.

Nashville will become WestJet’s seventh direct link between Winnipeg and a U.S. destination and its 23rd nonstop U.S. flight overall.

Xiamen Airlines

Xiamen Airlines filed twice-weekly service from New York to Fuzhou, China, starting in June. The market was last served in April 2020.