Update #28: PAL’s A350 and safetynovela, BA’s breakfasts, Viva x Volaris, and premium Euro-leisure

Philippine Airlines marks A350 3-4-3 shift and creates fab new safety video, British Airways is in hot water over hot breakfasts, a new Mexican mega-LCC, and notes from the road on the European leisure market aboard sort-of-Iberia — plus our latest reading list

By John Walton 10 min read
Screenshot, safety video. A man is belted into a business seat, but set in an old limo.

Welcome back to The Up Front Update, which brings with it our warmest wishes for an excellent 2026!

This week saw much discussion online around our feature dismantling the pernicious narrative around users of airport wheelchairs and the persistent myth of “Jetway Jesus”. 

If you haven’t yet read it, now’s the time, and as a point of principle, all our features on accessibility and disability in travel are free to read. Thanks to you as our subscribers for funding our work here — we think it’s important.

Now, onto the Update for our Premium and Business subscribers…

The Up Front UpdatePhilippine AirlinesAirbusA350Collins AerospaceBritish AirwaysBreakfastFood and beverageVivaVolarisMexicoLow-cost carriersIberia
John Walton

Editor in chief of The Up Front, with two decades of experience reporting across the global aviation industry, specialising in business and first class, seats, cabins and the passenger experience.