American Express is set to make a splash at Washington Reagan National Airport with the opening of their 29th Centurion Lounge on July 17th. This 12,000-square-foot oasis will showcase a menu curated by not one, not two, but three renowned chefs. Michelle Bernstein, Ravi Kapur, and Michael Solomonov have come together to create a culinary
Airlines
Former American Airlines chief commercial officer Vasu Raja, who played a key role in the airline’s aggressive strategy shift towards direct bookings and NDC channels, was recently dismissed by the company. However, despite his termination, Raja will be walking away with a substantial seven-figure payout. As part of the termination agreement, Raja will receive his
Delta Airlines recently implemented a new rule concerning the pins that its employees can wear on their uniforms. According to the revised policy, the only acceptable pin representing a country or nationality is now the U.S. flag. This decision was made in response to the increasing confusion surrounding nationality flags and the potential for them
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is hopeful that the inauguration of Mexico’s new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, in October will bring about a more amicable relationship between the United States and Mexico in terms of aviation policies. However, concerns have been raised that Sheinbaum’s proposed policies align closely with those of her predecessor, Andres Manuel
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,
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