A growing trend in the airline industry is reshaping the traditional model of connecting passengers through large hub airports. The use of smaller, more fuel-efficient jets is enabling airlines to offer more direct flights on long-haul routes, bypassing the congestion and delays associated with major international airports. According to the Financial Times, this shift is largely due to advancements in aircraft technology, which have made long-haul direct flights using smaller jets more economically viable.
For decades, airlines have relied on the “hub and spoke” model, where passengers would fly into large, busy airports and then connect to smaller planes for their regional flights. This model has been essential for airlines to manage intercontinental routes, but the introduction of more fuel-efficient aircraft is making direct flights on longer distances more feasible.
One notable example of this trend is United Airlines’ plan to offer direct flights from the US East Coast to niche leisure destinations in Europe, such as Bilbao, Spain, and Palermo, Italy. United Airlines’ senior vice-president of global network planning, Patrick Quayle, highlighted that aircraft like the Boeing 737 Max 8 have enabled the airline to tap into growing demand for direct flights to diverse European locations.
As congestion at major airports has worsened since the pandemic, passengers are increasingly seeking to bypass busy hubs. Bogi Nils Bogason, CEO of Icelandair, confirmed this shift, stating that many passengers are avoiding big airports where delays are frequent. This change has been evident in the data as well. According to a Financial Times analysis of OAG data, 55% of passengers flying through the world’s busiest airports last year chose direct flights, up from around 50% in 2015.
The trend is expected to gain further momentum with the arrival of new aircraft like the Airbus A321XLR, a long-range, single-aisle jet that has the potential to open up even more direct routes. With a maximum range of 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 km) and the ability to carry up to 244 passengers, the A321XLR is set to redefine what is possible in long-haul travel. European low-cost carrier Wizz Air plans to use the A321XLR for all-economy flights connecting the UK with Saudi Arabia, while Aer Lingus and Iberia will deploy the aircraft across the Atlantic.
Airbus’s Christian Scherer referred to the A321XLR as a “big deal,” noting that it brings new capabilities to an already successful aircraft family. He explained that the new model will offer many more options for long-haul travel in the narrow-body aircraft category, which has previously been restricted to shorter routes.
Icelandair’s Bogason pointed out that the A321XLR would allow the airline to expand its services further into North America and beyond, with potential flights to Texas, California, and Dubai. The lower operating costs of these aircraft make it less risky to introduce new routes.
While the use of smaller jets for direct flights is increasing, airport executives agree that hub airports will still play a crucial role in the airline network. United Airlines’ Quayle emphasized that hubs would continue to be vital for high-frequency flights on popular routes. Thomas Woldbye, CEO of Heathrow Airport, echoed this sentiment, acknowledging that although the hub-and-spoke model is under pressure, there will always be significant demand for flights that connect people from regions without major airports.
Despite the continued importance of hub airports, the introduction of new aircraft and long-haul direct flights marks a significant shift in the way passengers navigate the skies. As airlines and airports adapt to these changes, passengers can look forward to more convenient, direct flight options in the years ahead.