This article summarizes reporting by NBC DFW.

American Airlines Eliminates Mileage Earning on Basic Economy Fares

American Airlines has quietly updated its loyalty program terms to remove all mileage and status earning capabilities from its lowest-priced tickets. As of this week, travelers purchasing Basic Economy fares will no longer accrue AAdvantage® miles or Loyalty Points, marking a significant shift in the carrier’s approach to budget-conscious flyers.

According to reporting by NBC DFW, the policy change took effect for tickets purchased on or after December 17, 2025. The move aligns American Airlines more closely with Delta Air Lines, which also restricts earnings on its most restrictive fares, effectively creating a “pay-to-play” environment for travelers seeking elite status.

The update was not accompanied by a formal press release but appeared as a revision to the “Basic Economy” section of the airline’s official website. This “stealth” implementation has drawn attention from frequent flyers and industry analysts who view it as a strategy to further segment customers based on their willingness to pay for premium attributes.

Details of the New Earning Policy

Under the previous structure, Basic Economy passengers earned 2 miles and Loyalty Points per dollar spent, a rate that was already reduced by 60% compared to standard Main Cabin fares. The new policy eliminates this earning potential entirely.

Key Changes and Effective Dates

The revised terms apply specifically to the date of purchase rather than the date of travel. According to the updated terms on AA.com:

• New Tickets: Basic Economy tickets purchased on or after December 17, 2025, earn 0 miles and 0 Loyalty Points.
• Grandfather Clause: Tickets purchased before December 17, 2025, will continue to earn at the previous rate (2 miles/points per dollar), regardless of when the travel actually takes place.

Remaining Benefits

While the ability to earn status has been removed, American Airlines has retained certain amenities that distinguish its Basic Economy product from ultra-low-cost carriers. Passengers traveling on these fares are still permitted one free carry-on bag and one personal item. Additionally, standard in-flight perks such as complimentary snacks, soft drinks, and entertainment remain included.

Travelers who already hold elite status will continue to receive their applicable benefits, such as priority boarding and upgrades, when flying Basic Economy, even though the flight itself will not contribute to retaining that status for the following year.

Industry Context: The Race to the Bottom?

This policy update places American Airlines in direct alignment with Delta Air Lines regarding loyalty earnings on basic fares, while widening the gap with other competitors.

Delta Air Lines currently awards zero miles or status credit for Basic Economy tickets. By matching this restriction, American has effectively standardized the “no-earn” model among two of the “Big Three” legacy carriers.

United Airlines takes a different approach. United allows Basic Economy passengers to earn Premier Qualifying Points (revenue-based credit) but does not award Premier Qualifying Flights (segment counts). However, United is significantly more restrictive regarding baggage, prohibiting full-sized carry-on bags for non-elite Basic Economy passengers on domestic routes.

In contrast, carriers like Southwest, Alaska Airlines, and JetBlue continue to offer loyalty incentives on their lowest fares, though often at reduced rates compared to standard tickets.

AirPro News Analysis

We view this move as a calculated effort by American Airlines to force a clearer choice upon the consumer: pay a premium for the possibility of status, or accept a purely transactional relationship with the airline.

By removing the trickle of Loyalty Points previously available on Basic Economy, American is signaling that its elite ecosystem is reserved exclusively for higher-yield customers. For a traveler spending $100 on a ticket, the loss of ~200 redeemable miles is negligible in terms of redemption value. However, the inability to earn Loyalty Points is a major blow to “status chasers” who rely on segment volume and cheap fares to reach tiers like AAdvantage Gold or Platinum.

Furthermore, the retention of the free carry-on bag suggests that American is wary of ceding too much ground to Spirit and Frontier. While they are willing to cut loyalty costs, they appear unwilling to adopt United’s strict baggage ban, likely to avoid alienating the general leisure traveler who prioritizes luggage space over frequent flyer miles.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I bought my ticket last week but fly next month, do I earn miles?
Yes. If your ticket was purchased before December 17, 2025, you will earn miles and points under the old policy (2 per dollar).

Does this affect Main Cabin tickets?
No. Standard Main Cabin fares and higher continue to earn miles and Loyalty Points at the standard rates (starting at 5 per dollar for general members).

Can I still bring a carry-on bag?
Yes. American Airlines has not changed its baggage policy for Basic Economy. You are allowed one free carry-on bag and one personal item.

Sources

• NBC DFW
• American Airlines

This article summarizes reporting by AFRAA and official statements from Kenya Airways.

Kenya Airways Advances Plans for Secondary Hub in Accra Under ‘Project Kifaru’

Kenya Airways (KQ) is moving forward with strategic plans to establish a secondary operational hub at Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra, Ghana. According to reporting by the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and recent company statements, this initiative represents a critical pillar of “Project Kifaru,” the airlines‘s three-year recovery and growth roadmap.

The proposed expansion aims to deepen intra-African connectivity by positioning Accra as a pivotal node for West African operations. Rather than launching a wholly-owned subsidiary, a model that requires heavy capital expenditure, Kenya Airways intends to utilize a partnership-driven approach, leveraging existing relationships with regional carriers to feed long-haul networks.

While the Kenyan government formally requested permission for the hub in May 2025, Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka confirmed in December 2025 that the plan remains under active study. A final decision on the full execution of the project is expected in 2026.

Operational Strategy: The ‘Mini-Hub’ Model

The core of the Accra strategy involves basing aircraft directly in West Africa to serve high-demand regional routes. According to details emerging from the planning phase, Kenya Airways intends to deploy three Embraer E190-E1 aircraft to Kotoka International Airport. These aircraft will facilitate regional connections, feeding passengers into the carrier’s long-haul network and supporting the logistics needs of the region.

This operational shift marks a departure from the traditional “hub-and-spoke” model centered exclusively on Nairobi. By establishing a presence in Ghana, KQ aims to capture traffic in a market currently dominated by competitors such as Ethiopian Airlines (via its ASKY partner in Lomé) and Air Côte d’Ivoire.

Partnership with Africa World Airlines

A key component of this strategy is the airline’s collaboration with Ghana-based Africa World Airlines (AWA). Kenya Airways signed a codeshare agreement with AWA in May 2022. This partnership allows KQ to connect passengers from its Nairobi-Accra service to AWA’s domestic and regional network, covering destinations like Kumasi, Takoradi, Lagos, and Abuja.

Industry observers note that this “capital-light” model reduces the financial risks associated with starting a new airline from scratch. Instead of competing directly on every thin route, KQ can rely on AWA to provide feed traffic while focusing its own metal on key trunk routes.

Financial Context and ‘Project Kifaru’

The push for a West African hub comes as Kenya Airways navigates a complex financial recovery. The airline reported a significant milestone in the 2024 full financial year, posting an operating profit of Ksh 10.5 billion and a net profit of Ksh 5.4 billion, its first profit in 11 years. This resurgence provided the initial confidence to pursue the growth phase of Project Kifaru.

However, the first half of 2025 presented renewed challenges. The airline reported a Ksh 12.2 billion loss for the period, attributed largely to currency volatility and the grounding of its Boeing 787 fleet due to global spare parts shortages. These financial realities underscore the necessity of the proposed low-capital expansion model in Accra.

The strategy focuses on collaboration with existing African carriers rather than creating a new airline from scratch.

, Summary of Kenya Airways’ strategic approach

Regulatory Landscape and Competition

The viability of the Accra hub relies heavily on the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and “Fifth Freedom” rights, which allow an airline to fly between two foreign countries. West Africa has been a leader in implementing these protocols, making Accra a legally feasible location for a secondary hub.

Furthermore, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat is headquartered in Accra. Kenya Airways is positioning itself to support the trade bloc by facilitating the movement of people and cargo between East and West Africa. The airline has already introduced Boeing 737-800 freighters to serve key destinations including Lagos, Dakar, Freetown, and Monrovia.

AirPro News Analysis

The decision to delay a final “go/no-go” confirmation until 2026 suggests a prudent approach by Kenya Airways management. While the West African market is lucrative, it is also saturated with aggressive competitors like Air Peace and the well-entrenched ASKY/Ethiopian Airlines alliance. By opting for a partnership model with Africa World Airlines rather than a full subsidiary, KQ avoids the “cash burn” trap that led to the collapse of previous pan-African airline ventures. If successful, this could serve as a blueprint for other mid-sized African carriers looking to expand without overleveraging their balance sheets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What aircraft will be based in Accra?
Current plans indicate that Kenya Airways intends to base three Embraer E190-E1 aircraft at Kotoka International Airport.

When will the hub become operational?
While planning is underway and government requests have been filed, a final decision on full execution is not expected until 2026.

How does this affect the Nairobi hub?
Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport) remains the primary hub. The Accra facility is designed as a secondary node to improve regional connectivity and feed traffic back into the global network.

Sources

• AFRAA

This article is based on an official press release from Amadeus.

TUI Airline Selected as Launch Customer for Navitaire Stratos Retailing Platform

In a significant move toward modernizing digital travel infrastructure, TUI Airline has been announced as the launch customer for Navitaire Stratos, a next-generation airline retailing platform. According to an official press release from Amadeus, the parent company of Navitaire, this partnership marks a transition from the legacy “New Skies” system to a cloud-native, AI-driven environment designed to facilitate “Offer and Order” management.

The collaboration aims to overhaul TUI’s digital capabilities, moving the leisure carrier away from rigid, traditional ticketing systems toward a flexible, e-commerce model comparable to major online retailers. By adopting Stratos, TUI Airline intends to enhance its ability to sell personalized travel bundles, manage complex itineraries, and integrate third-party ancillaries directly into the booking flow.

The Shift to “Offer and Order” Management

The aviation industry is currently undergoing a technological paradigm shift known as “Offer and Order” management (OOMS). Traditionally, airlines have relied on Passenger Service Systems (PSS) that separate schedules, fares, and ticketing into distinct, often disjointed, databases. This legacy architecture can make modifying bookings, such as adding a hotel room or changing a flight leg, technically complex.

Navitaire Stratos is designed to replace these silos with a unified system. According to the announcement, the platform utilizes open architecture and artificial intelligence to generate dynamic offers. This allows the airline to present a single, comprehensive “order” that includes flights, accommodation, and activities, rather than a collection of disparate tickets and reservation numbers.

The “Amazon-ification” of Booking

One of the standout features of the Stratos platform, as highlighted in the release, is the introduction of shopping cart functionality. While standard in general e-commerce, the ability to add items to a cart, save the session, and return later to complete the purchase is relatively rare in airline booking engines due to the volatility of ticket pricing and inventory.

TUI Airline plans to leverage this feature to reduce friction for leisure travelers. The new system will allow customers to build complex holiday packages over time, saving their progress as they coordinate with family members or travel companions. The platform is also designed to support intelligent upselling, offering relevant add-ons such as baggage upgrades, meals, or car rentals based on specific customer data.

Strategic Partnership and Executive Commentary

TUI Airline, which operates a fleet of over 130 aircraft including Boeing 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner jets, has maintained a partnership with Navitaire for over two decades. This new agreement represents a deepening of that relationship rather than a new vendor selection. The transition to Stratos is positioned as a critical step in TUI’s digital transformation strategy.

Peter Glade, Chief Commercial Officer at TUI Airline, emphasized the importance of this technological upgrade in the company’s official statement:

“We are on a journey to build the most modern airline commercial set up in the industry. Navitaire Stratos will be a cornerstone of this transformation… It will elevate our retailing capabilities with intelligent recommendations, dynamic offers, and a shopping cart that makes it easy for customers to convert their selections into an order or save them for later.”

Amadeus views this launch as a benchmark for the broader low-cost and hybrid carrier market. Cyril Tetaz, Executive Vice President of Airline Solutions at Amadeus, noted the long-term implications of the project:

“As the group transitions from our New Skies solution, close collaboration on a shared long-term roadmap will ensure business continuity, while helping shape the next-generation Offer and Order solution of reference for low-cost and hybrid carriers.”

AirPro News Analysis

Why Leisure Carriers Lead the Retail Revolution

While legacy network carriers often focus on corporate contracts and frequency, leisure carriers like TUI are uniquely positioned to benefit from the “Offer and Order” revolution. Leisure travel is inherently more complex than point-to-point business travel; it often involves multiple passengers, heavy baggage requirements, and the need for ground transportation or accommodation.

By moving to a cloud-native platform like Stratos, TUI is effectively acknowledging that it is no longer just a transportation provider, but a digital travel retailer. The ability to “save for later” is particularly potent for the leisure market, where the booking window is longer and purchase decisions are often collaborative. If TUI can successfully implement a “shopping cart” experience that mimics Amazon or Uber, they may significantly increase their “share of wallet” by capturing ancillary spend that might otherwise go to third-party aggregators.

Operational Resilience

Beyond retailing, the shift to cloud-native infrastructure offers operational benefits. Legacy PSS platforms are notoriously difficult to update and maintain. A cloud-based system allows for faster deployment of new features and greater resilience during peak traffic periods, critical factors for a holiday airline that experiences extreme seasonal demand spikes.

Sources

• Amadeus Press Release