Wednesday, November 19, 2025

PMM — Nov. 19, 2025: The Stories That Matter

 

Boeing’s 777X edges forward… slowly

The 777X moves into its next certification phase. Progress is progress — but this is now one of the slowest-moving certification sagas in commercial aviation history. The industry’s patience is wearing thin.

🔗 https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/safety-ops-regulation/boeing-777x-moves-next-certification-phase

Net Zero optimism meets physics, politics, and money

Bold visions are nice. Delivering them is harder. Another think-piece on Net Zero tries to rally momentum, but the gap between ambition and execution still feels uncomfortably wide.

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/road-net-zero-reviving-momentum-mobilizing-financing-dr-parag-khanna-fmqrc/

Emirates doubles down on very large aircraft

With 65 more 777Xs ordered — and support for a 777-10 feasibility study — Emirates is quietly shaping what could become the A380 replacement they always wanted, even if the rest of the industry didn’t.

🔗 https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/aircraft-propulsion/emirates-orders-65-more-777xs-supports-777-10-feasibility-study

Qantas pulls innovation in-house

Given their deep Amadeus integration, this was inevitable. Qantas’ new innovation centre promises agility — but history suggests airlines struggle to build and scale tech on their own. Skepticism warranted.

🔗 https://worldaviationfestival.com/blog/airlines/qantas-innovation-centre-brings-tech-development-in-house/

Virgin rethinks loyalty — again

Virgin Atlantic adds a new spin to loyalty. Their timing is smart, but the market is saturated, cynical, and increasingly transactional. Breaking through will take more than clever packaging.

🔗 https://www.virginatlantic.com/en-US/flying-club/flying-club-news

Quirky — Are snowbirds… disappearing?

Canadian travel to Arizona is dropping sharply. If the trend holds, the seasonal “snowbird economy” — a cultural fixture for decades — may be headed for extinction.

🔗 https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/airlines/2025/11/17/canadian-travel-drop-sky-harbor-impacts-arizona-economy/82570988007/


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Alt-text:

A modern geometric illustration in deep blues, showing abstract aircraft shapes, data patterns, and atmospheric gradients in a cubist style, designed as a header image for a daily aviation and travel industry briefing.



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