Korean Air plans to cancel their first class service on 27 routes operated by Boeing 787-9s, 777-300ERs and Airbus A330s from the 1st of June. The SkyTeam member says that the change is aimed at achieving “better operational efficiency” and reflects low demand for first class on several the routes. First class will be removed from a majority of its routes to Southeast Asia, Japan and China, with some exceptions to cities including Bangkok, Singapore, and Shanghai. The reduction in first class service comes after chief executive Walter Cho told a source in October 2018 that there was still a market for first class, “so we will try to keep it as long as we can.”

WestJet has introduced its latest Boeing 787-9 with a transatlantic flight. This is the Canadian carriers third 787, operating the Calgary to London Gatwick service."Today is a fantastic day for WestJet as we take this important step in our journey to become a full-service global network airline" said Arved von zur Muehlen, WestJet chief commercial officer at the launch event. “The London market has quickly become an important one for us with service from six cities across Canada. It is no accident that the first transatlantic flight on the Dreamliner is to our largest international market, from our largest hub and home in Calgary." "The launch of the 787 will offer around 24,000 more Gatwick-Calgary seats per year on the same number of aircraft, and its highly fuel-efficient engines will also help us in our ongoing mission to become the UK’s most sustainable airport," says Guy Stephenson, Gatwick Airport chief commercial officer.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded US carriers and pilots from flying below 26,000ft over Venezuelan airspace for security concerns. An urgent Notice to airmen (NOTAM) was issued on the 1st of May states that the ban is in place until further notice “due to increasing political instability and tensions in Venezuela and the associated inadvertent risk to flight operations.” It extends to all US air carriers and pilots holding FAA licenses, but exempts those flying a US-registered aircraft on behalf of a foreign carrier. Currently the only US carrier operating scheduled flights to Venezuela is American Airlines who has subsequently cancelled all their flights back and forth.Aircraft and pilots already in Venezuela have been given 48 hours to leave “if the pilot in command determines that the operation can be conducted safely.” An exemption is also in place for aircraft in emergency situations.