US carrier JetBlue Airways and TAP Air Portugal are growing their relationship with a reciprocal loyalty programme agreement. Frequent flyers with JetBlue and TAP can now earn and redeem points ”using the programme of their choice when flying across either network”, the companies said on 5 February. “This partnership expansion provides both TrueBlue and TAP Miles&Go members more ways to earn and redeem on travel,” says Chris Buckner, vice-president of loyalty and partnerships for JetBlue. TAP flew its most-ever passengers across the Atlantic in 2024 and is seeking to expand flights to the USA, with new routes to Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco set to launch ahead of the upcoming summer travel season. JetBlue, meanwhile, will introduce seasonal service from Boston to Madrid and Edinburgh. New York-based JetBlue has reciprocal loyalty programmes with Etihad Airways, Icelandair, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Silver Airways, South African Airways and Hawaiian Airlines, according to its website. <br/>
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Ryanair on Wednesday lost a legal battle against a state loan made to Portuguese airline TAP as the European Union's General Court sided with the EU competition authorities who approved it. Portugal granted TAP up to E1.2b in state aid in June 2020, to help the airline survive the COVID-19 pandemic that crippled air traffic. The EU's General Court in 2021 sided with Ryanair in a complaint about the aid, as it said the European Commission had not followed the proper procedure for approving it. The commission then made a new decision, which was again challenged by Ryanair. But that complaint has now been dismissed. Europe's biggest budget airline had launched more than 20 lawsuits against the European Commission for approving billions of euros in state aid to airlines during the pandemic saying the support gave those carriers an unfair advantage. It won challenges against state aid granted to Lufthansa, Condor, KLM and Air France, but lost its challenges against those for SAS and Finna.<br/>
LOT Polish is one of more than 45 passenger airlines to operate between Europe and North America this summer. Inevitably, its transatlantic network mainly focuses on cities with significant numbers of people with Polish heritage: Chicago, New York, and Toronto. While it may not be permanent, the airline Star Alliance operator has removed its sole long-haul route that does not touch Poland: Budapest to Seoul Incheon. The four weekly flights are not bookable this summer, freeing up equipment for its core North American operation. According to the latest Cirium Diio data, LOT Polish has more North American flights in the crucial third quarter of 2025 (July-September) than in any other year. It plans 788 one-way flights (double for both ways), nearly 3% higher than the prior record held before the pandemic in 2019. When rounded, this equates to an average of nine daily take-offs. The 788 departures is an apt number: LOT Polish's own widebody fleet consists entirely of the 787-8 (IATA code: 788) and 787-9. However, as in other years, it will fly wet-leased aircraft to help with demand. In 2025, it plans to continue using a 777-200ER from EuroAtlantic.<br/>
Turkish Airlines on February 5 opened the first phase of its largest overseas lounge at Narita International Airport. It is the seventh overseas lounge for the Türkiye flag carrier. Located in Terminal 1 South Wing, Satellite 4, Gate 47, Turkish Airlines Lounge at Narita will cover a total area of approximately 1,500 m² once the second phase is complete. Currently, the lounge will welcome passengers in an expansive 800 m² (8,600 square feet) space, offering a comfortable environment for up to 105 passengers. The lounge will operate daily from 7:30 AM to 9:45 PM. It will be accessible to Miles&Smiles Elite Plus and Elite cardholders, Miles&Smiles Elite Corporate cardholders, along with Star Alliance Gold members and Business Class (First Class) passengers flying with Star Alliance member airlines. Turkish Airlines VP of Sales Far East & Oceania Ümit Develi stated, “We are glad to open our largest overseas lounge at Tokyo’s Narita Airport, offering our guests a space that harmonizes Turkish hospitality with Japanese elegance, symbolizing over a century of close relations between our nations. Turkish Airlines Lounge at Narita International Airport reflects our dedication to enhancing the travel experience and further strengthening our presence in the Asia-Pacific region.”<br/>