The Professor’s Minute Minute – September 29, 2025

 

AI reality checks, angry customers, Canada in the spotlight, SAF tunnel vision, and Emirates pushing 777X further right—plus a drone verdict that stings.

1. Airline AI reality check

   PROS’ Chief AI Strategist Michael Wu lays out where airlines actually are on AI—great slideware, thin plumbing. Read and calibrate.

   (PhocusWire)

2. Air Canada’s 54,000-claim backlog

   Post-strike turbulence moves from the tarmac to the inbox. That many claims is a reputational debt with interest.

   (CTV News)

3. All eyes on Canada (and Montréal)

   ICAO opens its Assembly in Québec with major investment pledges; policy gravity is shifting north.

   (ICAO)

4. IATA doubles down on SAF

   Still selling sustainable aviation fuel as the path to net zero. Chemistry, cost curves, and feedstock realities say: “not alone.”

   (IATA)

5. Emirates 777X now 2027

   Cabin plans scrapped, deliveries slide—again. The flagship that keeps moving right on the Gantt chart.

   (AviationA2Z)

6. Quirky: Drone pilot jailed & fined $156k after Mini-3 collides with LA firefighting aircraft. Deterrence or overreach? You decide.

   (AirGuide)

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#Tags

#Aviation #Airlines #TravelTech #AI #CustomerExperience #ICAO #IATA #SAF #Emirates #777X #AirCanada #DroneSafety #AviationNews #Picasso

Sources

• PROS / Michael Wu on airline AI: https://www.phocuswire.com/pros-chief-ai-strategist-michael-wu-airlines

• Air Canada claims backlog: https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/air-canada-says-54000-claims-still-in-backlog-after-summer-strike/

• ICAO Assembly investments: https://www.icao.int/news/icao-assembly-opens-quebec-announcing-major-investment

• IATA on SAF & net zero: https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2025-releases/2025-09-23-01/

• Emirates 777X deliveries pushed to 2027: https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/09/25/emirates-cancels-777x-business-class-plan/

• Drone pilot sentence & fine: https://airguide.info/drone-pilot-sentenced-to-jail-and-156k-fine-after-dji-mini-3-collision-with-la-firefighting-plane/

Style verification (and image vibe): Monday → Blue Period. Cool, muted blues; calm, reflective mood; angular planes suggesting a wing/fin and terminal canopy; no text.