Competition is fierce among eight airlines vying for five additional daily roundtrip slot pairs beyond the 1,250-mile perimeter at Washington Reagan National Airport. These slot pairs are awarded pursuant to the five-year FAA reauthorization signed into law by President Biden in May. With already existing exemptions for 20 daily roundtrips, airlines like American, United, Delta,
Airlines
When we think of Amazon Prime Day, travel deals are not usually the first thing that comes to mind. However, this year seems to be different. Amazon has dedicated a page specifically for “Prime Day Travel Deals,” featuring well-known brands like Carnival Cruise Line, Southwest Airlines, and Viator, among others. The involvement of major car
The U.S. Department of Transportation recently released new complaint data related to the air travel industry. This data revealed a significant increase in the number of submissions received in 2023 compared to the previous year. The department reported that nearly 96,900 complaints were submitted in 2023, showcasing a substantial rise from the more than 86,000
Delta Airlines is currently considering unbundling its forward cabin offerings, signaling a potential shift in the airline’s business strategy. Glen Hauenstein, the President of Delta Airlines, hinted at a significant announcement during the airline’s second-quarter earnings call. He suggested that more details would be revealed at the upcoming Investor Day in November, hinting at the
The European Commission has given its approval for Lufthansa Group’s proposed acquisition of Italian flag carrier ITA Airways. This acquisition, which was announced in May 2023, will allow Lufthansa Group to acquire an initial 41% stake in ITA Airways for 325 million euros, with options to purchase the remaining shares starting in 2025. The approval
Regional carrier Mesa Airlines has recently faced significant challenges due to a decrease in pilot attrition and a pause in training programs for incoming pilots. The airline has been forced to furlough a dozen pilots and halt training for 41 aspiring pilots, signaling a shift in the industry. Factors Contributing to the Pilot Shortage The
Alaska Airlines is making a bold move by introducing Vail to its winter seasonal route network. This renowned Colorado skiing destination will now be accessible three times a week from both Seattle and San Diego. The flights will be operated using Embraer E175 regional jets, providing passengers with the option of first-class or coach cabins.
Delta Airlines has recently announced an exclusive partnership with Riyadh Air, a Saudi carrier that is set to launch in 2025. This agreement, signed in Atlanta, signifies a significant step towards collaboration in various aspects of the aviation industry. The two airlines plan to not only become interline and codeshare partners but also explore opportunities
Southwest Airlines has recently appointed Rakesh Gangwal, a co-founder of India’s largest carrier, IndiGo, to its board of directors. This move comes in response to demands from activist investor group Elliott Management, which has criticized Southwest for lacking board members with experience in the airline industry outside of the company itself. Elliott Management, which holds
Summer of 2023 has been a record-breaking year for airlines as a massive amount of 271 million passengers are projected to travel through the U.S. between June and August. The Fourth of July period alone saw an increase of 5.4% in passenger numbers, totaling 32 million flyers passing through security screenings. Despite the surge in
The Southwest Airlines board of directors recently made a move to defend the company against the actions of activist investment firm Elliott Management. The board announced the adoption of a one-year rights plan, commonly referred to as a poison pill, with the aim of thwarting Elliott’s efforts to increase its ownership stake in the airline.
American Airlines has made a strategic decision to invest in the future of aviation by purchasing 100 hydrogen-electric engines from ZeroAvia, a British-American developer. These engines are set to power regional jets with zero in-flight emissions, with the only byproduct being water vapor. This move marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly
Recently, a tragic incident involving an Air Europa plane has left six individuals hospitalized due to severe turbulence encountered during the flight. The flight, which was en route from Madrid to Montevideo, Uruguay, had to make an emergency landing in Natal, Brazil, where the injured passengers were treated for their injuries. The airline reported that
In today’s digital age, technology plays a crucial role in various aspects of our lives – including travel. From mobile apps to virtual reality, technology has transformed the way we experience the world around us. However, as much as we love and rely on technology, there are times when it fails us, leading to frustration
Air travel complications can be a nightmare for travelers, especially when they are about to embark on a cruise journey. A recent experience highlighted the challenges that can arise when dealing with airlines and their policies, particularly in the context of the cruise industry. One of the most frustrating aspects of air travel connected to
American Airlines has recently rolled out a commission program aimed at promoting New Distribution Capability (NDC) bookings. This new initiative offers travel agencies a 10% commission rate for NDC-enabled bookings of American’s Main Plus, Main Select, and Flagship Business Plus bundles. The specifics of this commission program were first revealed in The Beat newsletter, where
Fiji Airways, a prominent airline serving 26 destinations across 15 countries and territories, has announced its transition from being a member of the Oneworld Connect affiliate program to becoming a full member of the alliance. This move marks a significant milestone for the South Pacific airline, with the integration process expected to be completed within
Air Canada has recently revealed its plans to integrate NDC content within Sabre in the upcoming weeks. This move comes as part of the airline’s larger strategy to shift towards digital modern merchandising technology. The airline’s NDC strategy includes offering incentive payments for NDC bookings while implementing surcharges on legacy GDS bookings. This strategy has
