American Airlines’ recent decision to prioritize direct bookings and agency bookings through New Distribution Capability (NDC) has sparked a range of emotions within the leisure travel advisor community. From anger and angst to acceptance, travel advisors are coming to terms with the changes imposed by American Airlines. The decision to cease awarding AAdvantage miles and
Airlines
The recent move by American Airlines to implement New Distribution Capability (NDC) technology has sparked concern among members of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). The airline announced that starting May 1, it will no longer award AAdvantage miles and loyalty accrual points through agencies that are not designated as “preferred.” This means that
The state of Nayarit in Mexico is set to experience a significant transformation in its infrastructure, with major expansions planned for the Tepic Airport and the construction of a new highway connecting the state capital to the coast. These developments are expected to have a profound impact on tourism in the region, opening up new
American Airlines has announced major changes to its AAdvantage loyalty program and baggage fees, with the goal of increasing direct bookings and promoting the use of New Distribution Capability (NDC) technology. These changes will impact travel agencies and passengers alike, so it is important to understand how they will affect you if you book flights
While the U.S. electric vehicle market may be experiencing a temporary decline, airports are proactively getting ready to accommodate large electric vehicle rental fleets. Dallas-Fort Worth Airport’s CEO, Sean Donohue, emphasized the importance of being prepared for the inevitable transition to electric vehicles. The airport projects a doubling of power needs by the end of
Following investor Carl Icahn’s recent acquisition of nearly 10% of JetBlue, two of Icahn’s representatives, Jesse Lynn and Steven Miller, have been appointed to the airline’s board of directors. Lynn, the general counsel of Icahn Enterprises, and Miller, the portfolio manager of Icahn Capital, are set to serve as nonvoting observers until JetBlue’s upcoming annual
Sabre, a leading technology provider for the travel industry, reported a significant 8% year-over-year increase in its average booking fee in 2023. CEO Kurt Ekert credited this rise to a “richer booking mix,” which ultimately led to a 14% revenue growth for Sabre’s Travel Solutions business. By analyzing the data, it becomes evident that the
Renowned activist investor Carl Icahn has recently made headlines with his bold move of purchasing an almost 10% stake in JetBlue. This acquisition, made during the first two months of this year, indicates Icahn’s belief that the airline’s stock is undervalued and presents an attractive investment opportunity. While some may see this move as a
American Express is proud to announce the opening of its largest Centurion Lounge to date at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on February 14th. Situated in Concourse E near gate E11, this new lounge is set to redefine the travel experience for American Express cardholders and frequent travelers alike. Inspired by Atlanta’s reputation as “the city
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently issued a tentative decision to terminate the joint venture between Delta and Aeromexico, giving both airlines until February 23 to submit objections. This decision has sparked a heated dispute, with Delta arguing that the proposal is not only detrimental to the airlines involved but also harmful to the
Delta Airlines is set to revolutionize the airport lounge experience with the introduction of a new category of “premium lounges.” These luxurious spaces will debut in key cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Boston, offering travelers a range of exclusive features and amenities. With plans to open multiple locations across the United States,
Emirates has recently been announced as the official global airline partner of the National Basketball Association (NBA). This partnership is set to bring exciting opportunities for both Emirates and the NBA. With basketball’s popularity continuing to grow around the world, this collaboration will undoubtedly strengthen the global presence of both brands. A significant aspect of
The airline industry is experiencing a major shift in the way airlines promote and sell their lowest fares. A recent article published in The Beat highlighted this growing trend, where major US airlines are increasingly offering their lowest fares exclusively through nontraditional GDS (Global Distribution System) channels. This article examined a comprehensive survey conducted by
American Airlines and the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) have been engaged in a heated dispute regarding American’s distribution practices. ASTA filed a complaint with the Department of Transportation (DOT) in September, claiming that American’s removal of a significant portion of its content from traditional GDS booking channels has been detrimental to consumers. American
In recent years, the aviation industry has been grappling with an alarming surge in flight disruptions. According to a report by air travel data provider Infare, the number of schedule changes in 2023 was approximately three times higher than in 2019. This significant increase has raised concerns among airline and airport executives, who have been
The aviation industry is built upon precision, attention to detail, and rigorous safety protocols. Any deviation from these standards can have catastrophic consequences. Recently, an incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight shed light on the importance of proper installation procedures in aircraft manufacturing. A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed alarming
Boeing, the renowned aircraft manufacturer, has announced that it will be postponing deliveries on approximately 50 of its 737 Max aircraft. This delay is prompted by the discovery of a quality-control issue related to two holes in the bodies of these planes not being drilled to precise specifications. Although this issue does not pose an
Boeing decided to withdraw a request for a safety standard exemption for the 737 Max 7 aircraft following pressure from Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.). The request was made to allow the Max 7 to fly while Boeing continued working on an engineering fix for the aircraft’s engine inlet de-icing system. In a letter to FAA