Exciting News!
Main Lufthansa hub at Munich Airport (MUN) as seen from Satellite Terminal B
Welcome back to Brooke In The Air travel! My official new site is coming so stay tuned for more info! BrookeInTheAir.com has officially been purchased as my own web domain! But let’s focus on the biggest news of the day!
United is formally partnering with JetBlue Airways to start the possibility of a long-term takeover and merger.
United 787-9 Dreamlinner taking off at SFO
Under the terms of the partnership per our friends at View From the Wing, and Reuters news, it will be divided into three phases:
Phase 1: Loyalty Integration The initial stage would involve a basic alliance allowing customers to earn and redeem frequent-flyer miles across both airlines. This phase would not include coordination on flight schedules or pricing, distinguishing it from JetBlue's previously blocked Northeast Alliance with American Airlines .
Phase 2: Strategic Partnership Building upon the initial alliance, the second phase would introduce deeper cooperation, such as code-sharing for ticket sales, and reciprocal elite status benefits. This level of integration mirrors partnerships like that of American Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
Phase 3: Potential Acquisition If favorable conditions persist, including regulatory support, United may pursue a full acquisition of JetBlue. This move would grant United access to JetBlue's valuable slots and gates at New York's JFK Airport, a strategic asset United has sought since exiting JFK in 2015.
This partnership was officially confirmed by JetBlue on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025.
Main Lufthansa fleet banner
About 2,000 miles west, Lufthansa, the flag carrier of Germany, is making expansion waves of its own. Lufthansa landed the first (of many) Airbus A380 mega plane(s), at DEN - also and more commonly known as Denver International Airport. The A380 is, of course, the largest passenger aircraft in service, dwarfing the 747-400, and shorter than the 747-8i by only about 3.3 meters, 73 vs 76.3 for the A380 and 747-8i respectively. Though it must be stated that the A380 is far larger overall, as the only area the 747-8i wins in is length. Typically, Lufthansa uses a 3-class configuration in the A380 especially with the onset of the new Allegris cabins. Economy, Business, and First Class. Denver is one of very few airports that can handle the A380. But in delivering over 500 passengers per A380, Denver is now seeing an unparalleled expansion in passenger volume, making the airport set to exceed 100 million passenger capacity standards in the next decade.
View of Lufthansa’s spacious new First Class suite
Also opening in Denver on Concourse A are four (4) new restaurants right next to United’s main gate section, which Lufthansa will also use. As reported by Simple Flying, Denver has become an increasingly important destination for aviation. The airport has become the largest hub for United Airlines which has 8 hubs total, and serves as the busiest base for (low-cost carriers) Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines as well.
The new dining options will primarily serve hungry international passengers and domestic travelers on select United Flights.
Four new restaurants are now open on Denver International Airport's Concourse A. The opening occurred on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, and vendors and airport administration employees hosted a small celebration to recognize the milestone. The four new restaurants provide different dining options for travelers.
United is steadily turning Denver (DEN) into a fortress hub from their base at Concourse A
1.) Williams and Graham
2.) Tocabe
3.) The Bagel Deli
4.) D Bar
All four are now open for business. Williams and Graham has the most unique appearance. From the outside, it only appears to be a very small bookstore. However, a speakeasy is located behind a hidden door, giving a fun and unique spin on a standard airport bar. An air of seclusion, no pun intended.
Meanwhile, Tocabe is a Native American-owned fast-casual restaurant, and The Bagel Deli is another locally-owned Denver staple now open at the airport. Additionally, D Bar offers a variety of drinks and dining options that appeal to passengers with different preferences.
That’s all for this week!
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United 737-800 being prepped for boarding and takeoff at Newark-Liberty, United’s fortress-hub.
