Aviation is a dynamic world wherein airlines race with each other to improve connectivity, open new international routes, and enhance loyalty programmes just to keep frequent flyers interested. This week has brought a mix of technological milestones, strategic expansions, and policy developments that outlined how passengers would fly differently in 2025 and beyond.

From Qatar Airways' dominance in next-generation in-flight Wi-Fi to WestJet's surprising new gateway to Iceland, here are the biggest airline stories making headlines right now around the world.

Qatar Airways to Take In-Flight Wi-Fi to Next Level with Starlink

Inflight internet had long been one of the biggest pain points for international travelers. Until today, slowed-down connections, dropout issues, and limited streaming had basically set the status quo. Qatar Airways is rapidly changing that story.

The carrier introduced Starlink's high-speed satellite Wi-Fi at the very end of 2024, as the first commercial passenger flight in the world to offer the groundbreaking service. Since then, the carrier has expanded Starlink across its fleet very rapidly, with installations of the technology completed on more than 100 wide-body aircraft.

What's happening onboard today for the travelers is far from what was initially conceived of as airline Wi-Fi. Starlink's constellation of low-orbit satellites powers full-speed internet browsing, crystal-clear video calls, and lag-free streaming. On long-haul flights, passengers can comfortably watch shows, stream sports, or even work remotely without the buffering issues that normally haunt older connectivity systems.

Carriers around the world are taking notice. Among those recently just starting or announcing the deployment of Starlink on select aircraft are Air France, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, airBaltic, and WestJet; U.S. carrier JSX offers it as a standard privilege. It is no longer if Starlink will reign supreme over in-flight internet but when it will become the norm worldwide.

Not to be outdone, Etihad Airways had a connectivity announcement of its own today: confirming that the Viasat Amara system would form part of its future fleet - complete with live TV and high-bandwidth streaming for passengers. The fight is on for the best wireless experience in the sky.

WestJet Eyes Icelandic Growth With Two New Routes

Canadian carrier WestJet is doubling down on Iceland, announcing two new nonstop flights to Reykjavik (KEF) from cities that previously had no connection with the Nordic island.

Effective summer 2026, WestJet will operate:

• Edmonton (YEG) → Reykjavik (KEF)
• Winnipeg (YWG) → Reykjavik (KEF)

Service from each city will run once weekly and be operated with WestJet’s Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

New flights complement the current Iceland service WestJet already offers from Calgary, positioning the airline as a key player in connecting western Canada to the increasingly popular destination. The news was especially important for Winnipeg: a region with a large Icelandic community had, up to this point, never seen a non-stop flight to the island.

Iceland is not the only new destination on the WestJet radar: several other route expansions were announced-including a surprise new transatlantic link to Cardiff (CWL)-underlining the growing ambition of WestJet in international markets.

Member-Friendly Enhancements Introduced by Etihad Guest

While airlines all over the world are clamping down on loyalty benefits, Etihad Airways is bucking that trend. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier just announced a slew of customer-focused upgrades to its Etihad Guest program  and frequent flyers are applauding the changes.

All Seats Now Bookable With Miles

Etihad has opened every seat on every flight for booking with miles, turning what was once a limited inventory into a universal redemption option called Saver Awards. Travelers who want flexibility in award travel now have a much greater degree of control over routing, timing, and cabin choice.

Tier Miles Earned on Award Tickets

In a move that is singular among major carriers, Etihad flyers can now earn Tier Miles even on flights taken when redeeming miles for certain premium awards. Depending on which package is chosen - "Comfort" and "Deluxe" options - passengers may accrue from 25% to 50% of normal Tier Miles for their journey.

This represents real value for members seeking to retain or achieve elite status without relying exclusively on cash bookings.

Chauffeur Service Expanded to Business-Class Awards

Another major enhancement: passengers booking an award in "Business Comfort" or "Business Deluxe" will automatically receive the carrier's complimentary UAE chauffeur service, regardless of elite status. This extends luxury-level convenience to more travelers and makes Etihad an even more competitive offering against other loyalty programs.

Taken together, these moves mark a new era of Etihad rewarding rather than restricting loyalty - a welcome trend in an era of tightened airline benefits.

Mexico-U.S. Slot Tensions Ease as Government Steps In

The breakthrough in the long-running dispute between the U.S. and Mexican aviation authorities came this week, when Mexico's president said her administration would restore some takeoff and landing slots at Mexico City's main airport to U.S. airlines.

Those slots had been held back in retaliation for a decision by the U.S. Department of Transportation to block several proposed Mexico-to-U.S. routes. The wider conflict also forced the unwinding of the partnership between Delta and Aeromexico, contributing to turbulence across the region's aviation landscape.

This week's update significantly cools tensions and reflects a possible direction toward restoration of cross-border airline cooperation-something very positive for travellers reliant on U.S.–Mexico connectivity.

Arajet Completes Its Initial U.S. Expansion and More Is Coming

Dominican Republic–based Arajet continued its aggressive North American growth with the launch of new routes to both Boston and Chicago. These additions round out the airline’s current network of U.S. destinations for the coming year.

The leadership of Arajet has hinted at the following: that is only just the beginning.

The carrier plans to add 16 to 18 U.S. destinations over the next few years-a mix of major cities and what it sees as underserved markets. Los Angeles is likely to be added to the route map in 2026, while Houston is not far behind.

Arajet centers its strategy on affordability, point-to-point connectivity, and the smart use of next-generation narrow-body aircraft-a formula that quickly made it one of the most-watched low-cost carriers in the Americas.

Final Thoughts

The biggest airline trends this week all point to a common theme: expansion, innovation, and modernization. Starlink is changing expectations in flight. It's redefining what loyalty benefits can look like. Iberia, WestJet, and Arajet are unlocking new routes and new markets. U.S.–Mexico aviation relations may finally be stabilizing. Better Wi-Fi, flexibility in booking, and an expanding portfolio of international destinations-these are some reasons why 2025 and 2026 look encouraging for global aviation.

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