New airline routes, discounts, and fee hikes reshape summer travel plans

Start-up airline BermudAir has confirmed daily round-trip service to Bermuda (BDA) from Boston (BOS) and New York area airports this summer. To celebrate the expanded schedule, the carrier has launched a limited-time offer of 20% off flights from all U.S. airports, valid through March 16, 2026.

All flights to Bermuda from Baltimore (BWI), Boston, La Guardia (LGA), Newark (EWR), Orlando (MCO), and Westchester (HPN) between May 1 and August 31 will be discounted by 20%.

GOL Adds Second U.S. Destination from Rio

It has been a huge week for Brazilian airline GOL. The carrier has confirmed Orlando as a second new destination from its hub at Rio de Janeiro (GIG). GOL will be the only airline to offer a nonstop connection between the 2 cities. The start date for the route is yet to be confirmed.

It will be served 4 times per week by the airline's yet-to-be-delivered Airbus A330-900 aircraft. The jets will also feature a newly announced business class, Insignia. The announcement, made at a glitzy event at the Copacabana Palace hotel in Rio, also confirmed Lisbon (LIS) and Paris (CDG) as new international destinations for the ambitious airline.

Porter Toronto Billy Bishop Preclearance

Traveling from Toronto's Billy Bishop (YTZ) will be more streamlined, thanks to the opening of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance facility. This means that passengers on Porter Airlines' 16 daily flights to 5 U.S. destinations will arrive as domestic passengers.

Qantas Trims First Class Seats to U.S.

Owing to a significant reduction in demand for leisure travel to the U.S., Qantas will offer far fewer first class seats between Australia and the U.S. from October 25, 2026.

Qantas' Airbus A380 - the carrier's only aircraft with first class - will be pulled from its Melbourne (MEL) to Los Angeles (LAX) route, and service will reduce from 7 to 6 times weekly on the Sydney (SYD) to LAX route.

Using Rideshare Services to or From LAX Is Getting More Expensive

The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners has approved a 300% increase in the fee rideshare companies will be charged to drop off and pick up passengers. The increase from $4 to $12 will likely be passed on to passengers who already suffer extortionate rates for Lyft and Uber rides to and from LAX. If time is on your side, you could try traveling via the new LAX/Metro Transit Center.

Hawaiian Airlines Adds Self-Service Bag Tag Stations

Hawaiian Airlines will introduce self-service bag tag stations at some airports by the end of March. Passengers departing from all Hawaiian airports and some continental U.S. airports will be able to tag and check their bags without waiting in line to see an agent. Airlines like to market this cost-saving method as time-saving for customers. However, some passengers prefer to interact with a human who can answer questions and offer assistance when required.

Swiss A330 Retrofit

SWISS's fleet of A330s is about to get a *SWISS Senses makeover*. The carrier will start installing the recently launched product on its fleet of 14 Airbus A330s in the coming weeks. The retrofitted aircraft will feature 3 first-class suites (including 1 double suite), 43 lie-flat business class seats, 28 seats in premium economy, and 151 economy seats.

Final Thoughts

Discounts on flights to Bermuda, a new nonstop flight from Orlando to Rio, and SWISS' Airbus A330 retrofit are probably the most exciting news from this week's update. As for Hawaiian's introduction of self-service bag tag machines, the jury is out on whether they improve or worsen the passenger experience.

On the other hand, higher rideshare fares to LAX and less first-class redemption availability to Australia won't be the best pieces of news for some.