----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Airline Industry Report SmartBrief <[email protected]>To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 12:58:39 PM PSTSubject: United revamps MileagePlus to favor cardholders | | | Editor’s Note | United: American's O'Hare capacity strategy unsustainable | United revamps MileagePlus to favor cardholders | | Created for [email protected] | Web Version |
| | | | | | | | February 19, 2026 | | CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF | | CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF | | | | | | | | | | | | News for the airline industry | SIGN UP ⋅ SHARE | | | | | | | | | Editor's Take | | | | | | Tensions are rising at Chicago’s busiest airport as United Airlines blasts American Airlines for ramping up capacity at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, calling the move “irrational” and warning it could deepen American’s losses after a reported $500 million deficit there last year. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines is preparing to debut a tiered business-class product in 2026, introducing a lower-priced “Basic Business” fare as carriers continue slicing premium cabins into more targeted offerings. We’re also looking at: ✈️ Southwest boosts Birmingham–Nashville 💳 Alaska streamlines cargo payments 🌱 Neste, World Fuel expand SAF supply | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Top Airline News | | | | | | | | | (400tmax/Getty Images) | | United: American's O'Hare capacity strategy unsustainable | United Airlines has criticized American Airlines' capacity increase at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, calling it "irrational" and predicting it will accelerate American's losses. United operations comprise 750 daily flights from O'Hare this summer, surpassing American's 500 to 550 flights. United Chief Financial Officer Mike Leskinen notes American lost $500 million at O'Hare in 2025, a figure that could reach $1 billion this year. American CEO Robert Isom says he expects a return to profitability at O'Hare but did not provide a timeline. | Full Story: Aviation Week Network (tiered subscription model) (2/18) | | | | | | | | | | | | United revamps MileagePlus to favor cardholders | United Airlines is overhauling its MileagePlus program to favor travelers with United credit cards, allowing them to earn more miles and receive better redemption rates. The changes, effective April 2, will see non-cardholders earning three miles per dollar spent, down from five. | Full Story: CNBC (2/19) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | INDUSTRY WATCH | | | | | | | Delta to debut tiered business class in 2026 | Delta Air Lines will introduce a tiered business-class product this year. The new Basic Business fare aims to attract price-sensitive travelers by offering a lower entry price with restrictions similar to those of basic economy. This move is part of a trend among airlines to segment premium cabins, balancing affordability and premium service. | Full Story: Simple Flying (2/19) | | | | | | | | | | American seeks to reduce bag-drop lines with $5 fee jump | American Airlines is increasing its fee for additional checked bags by $5 for a total of $50 unless the standard $45 fee is paid online before the trip. The policy is intended to reduce bag-drop lines at terminals. | Full Story: TheTravel (2/19) | | | | | | | | | | Southwest adds second daily nonstop between Birmingham, Nashville | Southwest Airlines is set to add a second daily nonstop flight from Birmingham, Ala., to Nashville in April. This follows the airline's recent announcement of a third daily flight to Orlando from Birmingham, also starting in April. | Full Story: WBRC-TV (Birmingham, Ala.) 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The initiative highlights Alaska Airlines' commitment to streamlining operations and providing innovative digital services for its freight partners. | Full Story: Freightweek (UK) (2/18) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Sustainability | | | | | | | Neste, World Fuel to supply SAF to 100 EU airports | Neste and World Fuel have formed a partnership to supply sustainable aviation fuel to 100-plus airports in Europe, with Neste aiming to increase annual production to 2.2 million tons by 2027. The move comes as the EU and UK impose regulations requiring airports to increase the use of SAF, with the EU aiming for a 70% share by 2050. | Full Story: Auto Evolution (2/18) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | POLICY & REGULATORY | | | | | | | Congress demands briefing on El Paso airspace shutdown | Democrats in the House have requested a classified briefing from the Pentagon, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security to explain the recent closure of El Paso, Texas, airspace. The closure was reportedly in response to drone activity by drug cartels, but conflicting reports suggest immigration agents used a laser on a balloon without sharing info with aviation safety offices. | Full Story: Stars and Stripes (tiered subscription model) (2/18) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | INTERNATIONAL UPDATE | | | | | | | Vietnamese airlines order nearly 100 Boeing jets | Vietnamese airlines have inked deals to purchase almost 100 aircraft from Boeing, coinciding with a visit by To Lam, head of Vietnam's Communist Party, to Washington, D.C. Vietnam Airlines finalized an $8 billion agreement for 50 737 Max jets, while Sun PhuQuoc Airways signed a $22.5 billion deal for 40 787 Dreamliners, and VietJet agreed to acquire six 737 jets through Griffin Global Asset Management. | Full Story: CNBC (2/19) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | SmartBreak: Question of the Day | | | | | | Recorded media has come a long way since Thomas Edison patented the phonograph on Feb. 19, 1878. Which company recently announced it was no longer making recordable Blu-ray discs? | | | | Mitsubishi | | | | | Pioneer | | | | | Sony | | | | | TDK | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ICYMI: The most popular stories from our last issue | | | | | | | | | | Delta passengers react to $29K fare on multi-city itinerary | | | | | TheTravel (2/17) | | | | | | | | | | | Frontier adds Florida routes, offers discounted pass | | | | | The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville) (2/17) | | | | | | | | | | | Alaska Airlines opens Renton employee training facility | | | | | My Northwest (Seattle) (2/18) | | | | | | | | | | | Tensions between DOT, FAA leadership slow ATC modernization | | | | | The Air Current (Seattle) (2/17) | | | | | | | | | | | Air Astana mulls N. America routes with new Dreamliners | | | | | AeroTime (2/18) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | About the editor | | | | | | | Angie Giroux | | | | | | Angie Giroux | We'd love to hear from you. If you have story ideas, feedback, or just want to share what kind of coverage helps you stay in the loop, feel free to reach out. Drop me an email at [email protected]. Thanks for reading. We're glad to have you on board! ✈️ | | | | | | | | | Got this from a friend? Subscribe now and stay in the loop! | | | Sign Up | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive. | | Jesse Jackson, civil rights activist, politician, Baptist minister, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient 1941-2026 February is Black History Month | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Follow SmartBrief | | | | | | | Contact Us: Feedback | Advertise | | Sign Up | Update Profile | Advertise with SmartBrief | | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy | | | | Copyright © 2026 SmartBrief. All Rights Reserved. A division of Future US LLC. | | Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036. | | | | |
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