·December 18, 2025

What Southwest’s Turkish Airlines Partnership Means for United and Star Alliance

Southwest Airlines’ 2026 partnership with Turkish Airlines offers one-ticket global travel via Istanbul, despite Turkish being a Star Alliance member. The deal highlights how airlines are increasingly bypassing traditional alliances in favor of flexible, bilateral connectivity—raising questions for United and the future of global aviation.

SOURCE: What Southwest’s Turkish Airlines Partnership Means for United and Star Alliance BY: eTurboNews | eTN

Aviation News – eTurboNews | eTNRead More

Bermuda to Host 2026 CTO Air Connectivity Summit January 13, 2026
The Caribbean Tourism Organization will host the 2026 CTO Air Connectivity Summit in Bermuda on February 24, convening senior public and private sector leaders to address Caribbean air access. The one-day forum aligns aviation strategy with regional to
UN Tourism Positions Bulgaria as a High-Potential Destination for Sustainable Tourism Investment January 13, 2026
Four Seasons Adds Luxury Powerhouses to Its Board January 13, 2026
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has appointed leaders Roberto Eggs and Angelica Cheung to its Board of Directors, representing majorit
Africa’s Tourism Sector Set for Rapid Growth as Aviation and Infrastructure Investments Accelerate January 13, 2026
Africa’s tourism industry is set for rapid growth as investments in aviation, airport infrastructure, and business travel accelerate across the continent. Expanded air connectivity, modern airports, and rising MICE tourism are positioning Africa as a leading global destination for business and leisure travel. SOURCE:
Reservations Accepted for the First Hotel on the Moon—but Read the Small Print January 13, 2026
Reservations are now being accepted for what is billed as the first hotel on the Moon—but the promise comes with caveats. Backed by ambitious timelines and steep deposits, the project targets a 2032 debut and depends on technologies and lunar transport systems that do not yet exist. SOURCE:
From Riyadh and Oman to the Maldives, New Trump-Branded Resorts Emerge Amid Conflict-of-Interest Que January 13, 2026
Trump-branded resorts are expanding across Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE and the Maldives, led by a $10 billion Saudi development. The projects, tied to state-linked developers, are reviving conflict-of-interest concerns as President Trump deepens diplomatic and economic ties with key U.S. partners in the Gulf and Asia. SOURCE:
IHG Debuts Kimpton Miralina in Paradise Valley, Raising Stakes in Scottsdale’s Luxury Resort Market January 13, 2026
IHG Hotels & Resorts has opened Kimpton Miralina Resort & Villas Paradise Valley in Arizona, transforming the former Scottsdale Plaza into a lifestyle luxury hub. With chef-driven dining, expansive event space, and phased villa expa
US, UK, Bahamas, France, Germany and Belgium Redefine Tourism as Immersive Technology Transforms Tra January 13, 2026
Immersive technology is transforming global tourism as destinations across the US, UK, Europe, and the Caribbean adopt augmented and virtual reality experiences. From interactive city walks to virtual museum tours, travelers are engaging with destinations in entirely new ways, redefining how tourism is experienced, marketed, and sustained worldw
Air Inuit Launches World’s First Boeing 737-800NG Combi Aircraft January 13, 2026
Malaysia Airlines Resumes Kuala Lumpur–Chengdu Flights with Strong Inaugural Demand January 13, 2026
Qatar Airways Daytime Flights Resume to Tehran as Iran Faces Deepening Unrest January 12, 2026
eTurboNews (eTN) remains connected to Iran through direct contacts on the ground and independent communication channels, despite the ongoing nationwide internet black
Malaysia Airlines Resumes Kuala Lumpur–Chengdu Flights with Strong Inaugural Demand January 12, 2026
Malaysia Airlines has officially resumed direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Chengdu, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the Greater China market and strengthening connectivity between Malaysia and Western China. The move also supports Malaysia’s inbound tourism goals under Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). The inaugural service, flight MH5
Air Inuit Launches World’s First Boeing 737-800NG Combi Aircraft January 12, 2026
Air Inuit has certified the world’s first Boeing 737-800 Next Generation combi aircraft, capable of carrying passengers and cargo on the same flight. Designed for Arctic operations, the jet modernizes northern aviation with improved efficiency, connectivity, and flexible freight capacity. SOURCE:
From October 7 to Bondi Beach: CyberWell Tracks a Surge in Post-Attack Antisemitism January 12, 2026
New analysis from CyberWell shows how antisemitic narratives surge online after violent attacks, including the Bondi Beach incident in Australia. The nonprofit says digital hate, victim-blaming, and conspiracy theories can undermine safety, fuel copycat violence, and pose growing risks for global travel and tourism. SOURCE:
Destinations International Fundraising Goals Achieved for 2025 January 12, 2026
The Destinations International Foundation announced today that it has exceeded its 2025 fundraising goal, marking another exceptional year of support for the global destination organization community.
From Pledges to Plastic Extraction: OACM Positions Tourism as the New Engine of Global Ocean Preserv January 12, 2026
As global funding for ocean protection retreats, OACM is advancing a new model that links marine plastic extraction directly to tourism and national infrastructure. By transforming clean oceans into certified economic assets, the initiative shifts sustainability from policy pledges to permanent, on-the-ground action. SOURCE:
Little Tokyo Düsseldorf: Where Culture, Tourism, and Business Connect Germany and Japan January 12, 2026
Little Tokyo Düsseldorf is a living symbol of strong cultural, tourism, travel, and business ties between Düsseldorf and Tokyo. Though compact, the district’s dense Japanese community, authentic cuisine, and major events reflect decades of exchange, making it Europe’s most vibrant Japanese quarter and a global tourism attraction. SOURCE:
Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival Kicks Off, Turning a Remote Korean Mountain Town into a Global Wint January 12, 2026
The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival 2026 has opened in South Korea’s Gangwon Province, transforming a small mountain town into a global winter tourism destination with ice fishing, snow sports, cultural performances, and world-class ice art, attracting visitors from around the world. SOURCE:
DRV Calls AI a Game Changer for Travel – Could This Model Work for the World? January 12, 2026
Germany’s travel industry is positioning artificial intelligence as a powerful enabler—not a replacement—for people. In a new position paper, the German Travel Association (DRV) outlines how responsible, human-centered AI can boost efficiency, service quality, and competitiveness. Could this balanced approach become a global model for travel and

What Southwest’s Turkish Airlines Partnership Means for United and Star Alliance

Like this:

Related

Air Inuit Launches World’s First Boeing 737-800NG Combi Aircraft

Malaysia Airlines Resumes Kuala Lumpur–Chengdu Flights with Strong Inaugural Demand

Economy Class: How Japan Airlines, ANA, Emirates, Qatar, Riyadh Air, Lufthansa, Ethiopian, United, DL, Qantas and other Global Rivals Compare

Strong demand lifts Norse Atlantic Airways load factors to 98%

​What Southwest’s Turkish Airlines Partnership Means for United and Star Alliance

Share this:

Like this:

Related

​Air Inuit Launches World’s First Boeing 737-800NG Combi Aircraft

​Malaysia Airlines Resumes Kuala Lumpur–Chengdu Flights with Strong Inaugural Demand

​Economy Class: How Japan Airlines, ANA, Emirates, Qatar, Riyadh Air, Lufthansa, Ethiopian, United, DL, Qantas and other Global Rivals Compare

​Strong demand lifts Norse Atlantic Airways load factors to 98%

What Southwest’s Turkish Airlines Partnership Means for United and Star Alliance

Air Inuit Launches World’s First Boeing 737-800NG Combi Aircraft

Malaysia Airlines Resumes Kuala Lumpur–Chengdu Flights with Strong Inaugural Demand

Economy Class: How Japan Airlines, ANA, Emirates, Qatar, Riyadh Air, Lufthansa, Ethiopian, United, DL, Qantas and other Global Rivals Compare

Strong demand lifts Norse Atlantic Airways load factors to 98%