A new CDC report concluding that blocking middle seats on aircraft could reduce coronavirus transmission did not consider safety measures such as mandatory face coverings, prompting ventilation expert Joseph Allen of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to say he is perplexed by the analysis excluding masking's impact because it's "the single most effective measure at reducing emissions of respiratory aerosols." A spokesperson for Airlines for America said, "Multiple scientific studies confirm that the layers of protection significantly reduce risk, and research continues to demonstrate that the risk of transmission onboard aircraft is very low." Importantly, the report, which was grounded in pre-pandemic data, did not assess transmission but rather exposure to a surrogate virus, not Covid-19.

Delta Air Lines will bring back snack and beverage service April 14, with canned cocktails as well as soft drinks and juices. In announcing the change, which will also offer premium passengers hot meals on longer flights, Delta reminded passengers to replace face coverings between sips and chews.

In separate interviews, Rick Elieson, president of American's AAdvantage program, and Elliott Pesut, director of marketing at Alaska Airlines, discuss winning passengers' loyalty by protecting their perks and health during unusual times and finding ways to engage them even when they are not traveling. Elieson noted that current efforts increasingly focus on making American's partnership with Alaska Airlines "seamless."

With government restrictions unchanging, Air Canada will continue its suspension of flights to Mexico and the Caribbean through May. The airline will continue operating some flights to Mexico City, Barbados and Jamaica to carry cargo and bring home foreign workers and Canadians.

In addition to its arrangements with airlines, Hawaii has reached agreements with airports in Ontario, Calif., and Taiwan that allow passengers to avoid quarantine with approved COVID-19 tests. "The trusted testing partner designation is a proverbial shot in arm for Ontario as we continue our steady recovery from the downturn in air travel resulting from the pandemic," Ontario City Councilman Jim Bowman said.

Alaska Airlines has signed an agreement with SkyNRG Americas to support the company's production of sustainable aviation fuel. The airline is "an ideal partner not only to support SAF demand but also to help drive necessary policy changes that will encourage development of the SAF industry across the Pacific Northwest and the nation as a whole," SkyNRG Americas CEO John Plaza said.

The thundering of jets, cheers from the crowd and the familiar smell of jumbo corn dogs and 100LL can only mean one thing: Airshow season has returned. No one is more excited than this year's Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo attendees.

The Commemorative Air Force, which pays tribute to US military aviation history, is interested in adding new chapters, with cities including Bowling Green, Ky.; Birmingham, Ala.; and Smyrna, Tenn.; making the list of potential hosts. CAF invites other locations to apply for consideration, and notes that one of the new groups will fly a Fairchild PT-19 Cornell aircraft, a World War II open-cockpit trainer.

Abrams Municipal Airport in Grand Ledge, Mich., will begin a project in September to resurface the parallel taxiway and apron in an effort to improve the runway's accessibility. Additionally, the airport may consider building new hangars, as all existing hangar space is full.

Polar circumnavigator and AOPA Opinion Leader blogger Robert DeLaurentis reveals a new look for the "Citizen of the World" Gulfstream Turbine Commander 900 during a visit to the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo. "Zen Pilot" DeLaurentis and the aircraft are embarking on a mission introducing youth to aviation and aerospace careers through science, technology, engineering and math.