July is bringing a wave of new international air service, giving meeting and incentive planners more options for reaching key destinations. And speaking of “key,” a long-defunct airport in the Florida Keys may be rising again.
A Comeback in the Keys
Florida Keys Marathon Airport could see the return of commercial air service for the first time in nearly two decades.
Monroe County has applied for a $1 million federal grant to help fund a $2.5 million revenue guarantee designed to attract an airline to the airport. The remaining funding would come from local tourism and business organizations, including the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and Visit Florida.
The county is targeting service from United, Delta or American Airlines. Proposed routes include Washington Dulles, Atlanta and Miami, with American already in discussions about potential service to its Miami hub.
If flights to a major hub aren’t secured, officials said other destinations—including Boston, Chicago, Nashville, Orlando and Pittsburgh—could be considered.
Commercial service at Marathon ended in 2009 when Cape Air left the airport, while Delta was the last major airline to operate there, ending service in 2007. If funding is approved and an airline commits, Monroe County expects the airport’s terminal to be ready for commercial flights by early 2027.
Cape Air’s Flying Tribute
Cape Air has unveiled a commemorative aircraft honoring America250, the congressionally designated organization leading the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.
The custom-painted Cessna 402 features a red, white and blue design with stars and patriotic striping. A standout element is the phrase “We the People,” displayed on the underside of the aircraft so it’s visible in flight.
“This aircraft is a celebration of one of the most important milestones in our nation’s history,” said Mike Migliore, President and CEO of Cape Air in a media announcement. “Every day, we connect communities across our network, and we are proud that this aircraft will help share the story of America’s 250th anniversary with the thousands of passengers who fly with us.”
The aircraft will operate throughout Cape Air’s U.S. network, bringing the America250 message to communities across the country as the nation celebrates the Semiquincentennial in 2026.
Fly-Rail France
Malaysia Airlines has partnered with France’s SNCF Voyageurs to offer combined air-and-rail itineraries between Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and 28 destinations across France.
Available through the airline’s website, the service allows travelers to book flights and high-speed rail connections on a single itinerary, providing easier access to cities including Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Strasbourg and Rennes. The partnership expands Malaysia Airlines’ existing MHrail program, which already integrates rail connections through hubs including London Heathrow and Seoul.
International Connections
Among the most significant launches, Brazil’s GOL Linhas Aereas entered the long-haul market for the first time with three weekly nonstop flights between Rio de Janeiro and New York’s JFK. The new route is part of the airline’s strategy to develop Rio as a larger international gateway.
Qatar Airways is also expanding in South America, launching twice-weekly service between Doha, Bogota and Caracas on July 22, creating new connections between Colombia, Venezuela and the Middle East.
In Europe, Air Canada has restored nonstop service between Montreal and Berlin, while China Eastern Airlines will begin flights between Shanghai and Dublin later this month. Air China is also returning service between Chengdu and London Gatwick, further expanding travel options between China and Europe.
Elsewhere, Jazeera Airways has resumed London service with daily flights from Kuwait to London Luton, becoming the airport’s first Gulf carrier.
United Gives Economy Plus a Boost
United Airlines is adding another new option for Economy Plus travelers. Later this year, the airline will begin selling a new seating configuration on its Airbus A321XLR featuring an open middle seat, extra elbow room and a shared table between the window and aisle seats.
United plans to offer the new Economy Plus option across its fleet of 50 A321XLRs and is exploring expanding it to other aircraft. The airline expects to be the only U.S. carrier offering this type of seating.
Each A321XLR will feature one row with a fixed shared table spanning the open middle seat, along with the three extra inches of legroom already included in Economy Plus. United says it will share pricing and additional details before the seats go on sale later this year.
