airline industry

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American Finally Caves, Will Give You Free WiFi

Free WiFi is coming in 2026 to most passengers who sign up for airline's free AAdvantage program

(Newser) - Next year will feel a lot more connected for passengers on American Airlines. Starting in 2026, flights on AA will now include WiFi for people who sign up for its free AAdvantage loyalty program, with the complimentary access provided by AT&T, reports USA Today . Currently, American Airlines passengers had...

Frontier: 'File for Divorce' From Other Airlines With Free Bags

Just after Southwest ditched its free checked bags program, Frontier starts its own

(Newser) - The airline industry—and passengers—are still getting acclimated to Southwest's "stunning reversal" earlier this month on its checked-bag policy, in which it ditched its allowance for two free bags and announced it would make customers pay for the honor. Now, Frontier Airlines, a budget carrier known for...

US Sues Southwest Over 'Chronically Delayed' Flights

Buttigieg says case sends a message to all airlines

(Newser) - The Transportation Department filed a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines on Wednesday, saying passengers were harmed by certain "chronically delayed" flights. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said airlines have "a legal obligation" to give customers realistic schedules to avoid deceiving them, the New York Times reports. "Today's action...

Most Punctual Airline Is 'Absolutely' a Surprise

AeroMexico takes the honors from aviation analytics firm Cirium

(Newser) - The airline anointed the most punctual of 2024 probably isn't one most would have predicted—including the aviation analytics firm that crunched all the numbers. It's AeroMexico, which is "absolutely" a surprise, Cirium CEO Jeremy Bowen tells CNBC . The Mexican airline didn't even crack the top...

Frontier CEO: Don't Pay for Carry-On? You're a 'Shoplifter'
Frontier Doubles Down on
Pursuing Carry-On 'Shoplifters'
in case you missed it
Dec 8, 2024 10:30 AM CST

Frontier Doubles Down on Pursuing Carry-On 'Shoplifters'

Comment comes as senators grill airline executives on so-called junk fees

(Newser) - A recent Senate investigation report found Frontier and Spirit Airlines paid $26 million to gate agents between 2022 and 2023 to catch customers who failed to pay luggage fees, per the AP . Spirit says it ended that practice at the end of September, reports Reuters . But Frontier—found to have...

Spirit Airlines Files for Bankruptcy

Discount flier continues to struggle

(Newser) - Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy on Monday, and it was unclear whether the discount flier would be able to survive the debt restructuring. What to know:
  • No changes: Those who have tickets or were looking to buy tickets are fine. "Guests can continue to book and fly without interruption
...

He Made Spirit Airlines Into a 'Dollar Store in the Sky'
He Gave Spirit Airlines
Its 'Bad-Boy Image'
OBITUARY
Nov 13, 2024 9:55 AM CST

He Gave Spirit Airlines Its 'Bad-Boy Image'

Former CEO Ben Baldanza has died at 62 of Lou Gehrig's disease

(Newser) - Ben Baldanza, the former CEO of Spirit Airlines who helped pioneer the concept of no-frills flying, has died. The New York Times reports that the 62-year-old, who had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (aka ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease), passed away on Election Day at his home in Arlington, Virginia, according...

What Is a 'Canceled' Flight? Rule Spells It Out for First Time

It's part of new federal protections for air travelers

(Newser) - Most air travelers would seem to know the definition of a "canceled" flight, but as Quartz points out, the term can get a little squishy for airlines when it comes time to issue refunds. To counter that, the Department of Transportation has spelled out for the first time what...

Many Flight Attendants Barely Make a Livable Wage
Many Flight Attendants
'Are Barely Surviving'
longform
Aug 31, 2024 5:00 PM CDT

Many Flight Attendants 'Are Barely Surviving'

Washington Post looks at the pay struggles, especially among new hires

(Newser) - One thing is clear after reading a Washington Post deep dive into the occupation of flight attendant: The harsh realities of the job are a world apart from the often glamorized public perception of it. And no, the piece by Natalie B. Compton isn't talking merely about the joy...

Airline CEO Calls Out Fliers' 'Massive' Abuse of Wheelchairs

Passengers are requesting them just to get priority boarding, says Frontier's Barry Biffle

(Newser) - Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle joked Thursday that his company is "healing so many people" who require wheelchairs at boarding, yet walk off the plane just fine. "There is massive, rampant abuse of special services. There are people using wheelchair assistance who don't need it at all,...

Frontier Airlines Announces 'New Era'

Airline says it will nix change/cancellation fees, offer more transparency in traveling options

(Newser) - "Today marks the beginning of a new era for Frontier," Frontier chief Barry Biffle said in a Friday statement, announcing an overhaul likely to go over well with customers. Key among those shifts, per Quartz : the elimination of most fees for changing or canceling flights. Under the previous...

Report: This Airline Is Giving Workers 8 Months' Extra Pay

Singapore Airlines is handing out a big bonus after record annual profit, insiders say

(Newser) - Singapore Airlines had an excellent year and insiders say employees will be getting a bumper payday as a result. The airline reported a record annual profit of almost $2 billion this week. Sources tell Bloomberg and CNN that the airline plans to give employees a profit-sharing bonus worth nearly 8...

Merger Quashed, JetBlue Announces New Cuts

Struggling airline will leave Kansas City, trim service elsewhere

(Newser) - JetBlue is making more route cuts, its second set so far this year. The airline, struggling financially in the post-pandemic era, was counting on a merger with Spirit Airlines and an ongoing relationship as a partner with American Airlines, but a federal judge struck down the former and the Department...

When Planes Crash, We Don't Place Blame. Here's Why

How the 'blameless postmortem' has made air travel safer in the US

(Newser) - Robin Lee Wascher was working as an air traffic controller at LAX in February 1991 when she made a simple mistake—one anyone could have made—and USAir flight 1493 collided with a commuter plane on the runway when it landed, killing all 12 people on the smaller plane and...

Southwest Takes Big Hit From DOT for 2022 Holiday Fiasco

Agency levies $140M fine; airline says it's 'grateful to have reached a consumer-friendly settlement'

(Newser) - If you were caught up in Southwest's holiday chaos last year and found yourself at any point muttering, "Someone's got to pay for this," your wish has been granted. The Department of Transportation on Monday announced it's hitting the airline with a $140 million fine,...

Alaska Air Agrees to Buy Hawaiian Airlines

Carriers will keep their names after $1.9B acquisition

(Newser) - Alaska Air announced Sunday that it has reached a deal to buy Hawaiian Airlines for $18 a share, making the deal worth about $1.9 billion. Both companies' boards already have agreed on the terms of the sale, CBS News reports, which is on track to close within 18 months....

Passengers Sue Alaska Airlines Over Midair Scare

Filing criticizes screening procedures for crews after off-duty pilot had to be subdued

(Newser) - The off-duty pilot who prosecutors say tried to crash an Alaska Airlines flight faces attempted murder charges , and the airline is now being taken to court, as well. Three people who were passengers on Flight 2059 from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco filed a class-action suit on Thursday saying they...

Suit: United Staffs Dodgers' Charters With Young, White Blondes

2 longtime flight attendants accuse airline of race, age discrimination

(Newser) - Two United Airlines flight attendants are suing their longtime employer, whom they allege discriminates against employees based on race, national origin, religion, and age. The plaintiffs claim they were demoted from the airline's sports team charter program—a highly coveted position in which flight attendants can earn double or...

United Airlines Is Making a Big Boarding Change
United Airlines Is Making
a Big Boarding Change
in case you missed it
Oct 22, 2023 7:45 AM CDT

United Airlines Is Making a Big Boarding Change

Those in window seats will board first, followed by middle, then aisle

(Newser) - In what some might see as an obvious move , United Airlines is making what media outlets are painting as a big change to its boarding process: Passengers with window seats will board first. Well, they'll still board after everyone who is allowed to pre-board, plus all the fancy passengers...

Cost of Flying Drops, for Now
Cost of Flying Drops, for Now
Aug 9, 2023 1:28 PM CDT

Cost of Flying Drops, for Now

Domestic flight capacity is back at pre-pandemic levels

(Newser) - The cost of flying has come down considerably in recent weeks but the bargains aren't going to stick around forever, travel industry experts say. According to flight-booking app Hopper, the average round-trip airfare in the US dipped to $257 in the last week of July—lower than in the...

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