Alaska Airlines has returned as the official airline partner for Coachella and Stagecoach, bringing back its presence to one of the most talked-about cultural events of the year.

Building on last year’s debut, the airline is introducing a more immersive experience for festivalgoers. Starting from Weekend One of Coachella, visitors can step into a specially designed activation that recreates the feeling of being “35,000 feet in the air.” The space is designed with unique visuals and interactive elements, highlighting Alaska’s growing list of global destinations, including London, Rome, Tokyo and Seoul.

The experience also focuses on comfort and convenience. Guests can take a break from the festival heat with complimentary beverages and snacks, while enjoying Alaska’s signature hospitality. Adding to this, the airline is showcasing its in-flight connectivity by offering its fastest Wi-Fi experience on the ground, allowing visitors to stay connected, share moments, and stream content in real time.

This offering is supported by Alaska’s partnership with T-Mobile, which enables free onboard Wi-Fi on select Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights. The initiative aims to make travel smoother and more connected for passengers heading to the festival.

Festivalgoers can also take part in a special rewards experience through Atmos Rewards. Visitors can win prizes, including roundtrip tickets, by participating in on-site activities. Over the three-weekend festival period, Alaska Airlines is giving away one million Atmos points, offering winners the chance to plan future trips across its expanding network.

Sharing his thoughts, Eric Edge, vice president of brand and marketing at Alaska Airlines, said, "Coachella and Stagecoach are more than festivals, they're defining moments in culture. We're thrilled to return as the official airline, creating an experience that brings the energy of the festival to life and makes the journey to the desert just as memorable as the weekend itself."

To support travel demand, Alaska Airlines is increasing capacity with more seats on flights to Palm Springs, one of the closest airports to Indio. The airline will operate these services around Coachella scheduled from April 10–13 and 17–19, and Stagecoach from April 24–26.

With this move, Alaska Airlines continues to blend travel with experience, making the journey to the festival as engaging as the event itself.

American Airlines has announced an increase in checked baggage fees along with a reduction in certain perks for economy travellers, as rising jet fuel costs continue to put pressure on the aviation industry.

The airline has raised fees for both domestic and short-haul international flights. Passengers will now pay an additional USD 10 for the first and second checked bags. The cost of a third checked bag has also gone up by USD 50, taking it to USD 200, although this pricing was already applicable in some regions such as Canada.

In addition, travellers booking basic economy tickets will see further changes. Starting May 18, checked bag fees for these passengers will increase by an extra USD 5. They will also have to pay to select seats and will no longer be eligible for complimentary system-wide upgrades.

These steps come at a time when airlines are facing a sharp rise in fuel costs. Jet fuel prices, which were around USD 85 to USD 90 per barrel earlier, have surged to nearly USD 209 globally. This spike is linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, particularly disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil supply.

American Airlines is among the last major U.S. carriers to introduce such changes, as airlines look to manage increasing operational expenses while maintaining profitability.

However, passengers flying in premium cabins will continue to receive benefits such as free checked baggage on both domestic and international routes.

With these updates, the airline aims to balance rising costs while continuing to offer services across its network.

Turkish Airlines has announced key changes in its leadership team, appointing Prof. Murat Şeker as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and Ahmet Olmuştur as Chief Executive Officer. The move comes as part of a broader restructuring of the airline’s senior management.

Prof. Murat Şeker has been with Turkish Airlines since July 2016, when he joined as Chief Financial Officer. Over the years, he has handled key areas including financing, treasury operations, accounting, procurement, and investor relations. He has also been serving as a Member of the Board and Executive Committee since March 2021.

Before joining the airline, Prof. Şeker held leadership roles at Ziraat Bank between 2013 and 2016 and worked as an Economist at the World Bank from 2008 to 2013. Academically, he holds an undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering from Marmara University, a Master’s degree in Economics from Sabancı University, and a PhD in Economics from the University of Minnesota. He was awarded Professorship in December 2025. He is also a member of the IATA Financial Advisory Council since 2024 and has been serving as its Chair since 2025, along with holding board roles at Turkish Technic and SunExpress.

Ahmet Olmuştur, who has been named Chief Executive Officer, brings over two decades of experience within Turkish Airlines. He began his journey with the airline in 2000 as a part-time call centre employee and steadily moved up the ranks through various roles in revenue management and commercial operations.

Over the years, he has held positions such as Manager of Global Distribution Systems, Manager of Revenue Management and Pricing, and Senior Vice President of Revenue Management. He was later appointed Chief Marketing and Sales Officer in 2014 and most recently served as Chief Commercial Officer in 2024.

Olmuştur holds a degree in Business Administration from Marmara University and an MBA from a joint programme involving Long Island University, European Business School, and Pole Universitaire Leonard de Vinci. He currently serves as a Board Member and Audit Committee Member of SunExpress, and also holds a Board position at Turkish Technic. In addition, he is a member of the IATA Distribution Advisory Council.

With these appointments, Turkish Airlines aims to strengthen its leadership structure as it continues to expand its global operations. The airline currently operates flights to more countries than any other carrier in the world, further reinforcing its strong international presence.