Travel News

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has filed a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines, accusing the airline of illegal practices by operating chronically delayed flights. The suit announced Wednesday alleges that Southwest’s unrealistic scheduling disrupted passengers’ travel and violated federal regulations. The DOT seeks maximum civil penalties, though a specific amount has not been disclosed. What Does the DOT’s Lawsuit Allege?…

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has begun an investigation into a midair incident involving a United Airlines Boeing 737-900ER and a Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-300.  According to the US aviation regulator, both aircraft were scheduled to arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) on January 11, 2025, within 23 minutes of each other.   On approach the United Airlines…

On Monday, Ryanair did what it does best and sparked an impassioned industry debate. However, it isn’t Boeing, United’s Scott Kirby, or “OTA pirates” in the airline’s sights. It’s the pre-flight pint-swiller.  In an unusual move, the low-cost carrier published the costs it incurred as a “direct result of a disruptive passenger on board its flight from Dublin to Lanzarote.” …

When companies and government organizations want to deploy satellites and other objects into space, they usually go to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and they have only a few options. That is about to change. Impulse Space is developing a space transport vehicle that promises to reduce the time to take objects to orbits above LEO from months to just hours….

One of the most enduring policy legacies of Carter, who died in late December, was deregulation of several industries, including aviation, trucking, rail and telecommunications. While airlines fought the move at the time — Delta Air Lines even published a cartoon calling deregulation a “wolf in sheep’s clothing — airline leaders tout the benefits of competition in an industry that…

Boeing delivered 180 fewer commercial aircraft in 2024 than 2023 after a torrid year which began with a door plug separating from an Alaska Airline 737-9 midflight.   On January 14, 2025, Boeing confirmed that 348 passenger jets were delivered to customers last year including just 57 in the final quarter.   In 2023, a total of 528 commercial planes were handed…

Published: 15 Jan. 2025, 17:40 Updated: 15 Jan. 2025, 17:55 Korean Air Vice Chairman Woo Kee-hong [KOREAN AIR]   Korean Air appointed its current president as its new vice chairman in its first executive reshuffle since acquiring Asiana Airlines last December.   The promotion of Woo Kee-hong, who currently serves as the company’s president, takes effect Thursday. Woo, who started…

For Avelo Airlines COO Greg Baden, leading one of America’s newest airlines isn’t just a job–it’s a heartfelt passion for leadership, aviation, and making air travel accessible to all.  While Avelo officially took to the skies in 2021, the Houston-based carrier’s story actually began way back in 1987. Long before the days of ULCCs (at least the modern iteration), a…

Qatar Airways has introduced Sama, the world’s first AI-powered digital human cabin crew member, making waves in the airline industry with its groundbreaking approach to customer service. This innovative step represents a bold move into the future of air travel, where technology and human-like digital interaction are seamlessly integrated. Sama is not just any AI assistant. She is designed to…

Air France is adopting a multi-sensory approach for its latest marketing effort. Starting this week, passengers entering its premium lounges at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris will experience the airline’s first “signature fragrance.”  It’s named AF001 – a nod to the flight number that became synonymous with Concorde’s transatlantic supersonic heyday. The airline suggests that AF001 “immediately evokes the…

The Indian low-cost-carrier Akasa Air has grounded hundreds of pilots after the number of Boeing 737 MAX deliveries slowed in 2024.  According to the publication The Hindu, around 400 individuals out of 850 pilots are currently grounded, with only 60% currently needed to fly its fleet of 26 aircraft.  The Hindu reported that post-joining training had already been extended by…

Both engines were out. It’s almost unthinkable in an airliner, and surely tensions were high in the flight deck. But this story isn’t about captain Chesley Sullenberger. Twenty-one years before the “Miracle on the Hudson,” one man pulled off a similar feat, landing his stricken Boeing 737 on a levee in New Orleans—captain Carlos Dárdano.  Born in 1958, in El…

MIAMI, Jan. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global Crossing Airlines Group, Inc. (Cboe CA: JET, Cboe CA: JET.B, OTCQB: JETMF) (the “Company” or “GlobalX”), the Nation’s fastest growing charter airline, today announced that it has entered into a digital interline agreement with United Airlines through Airblox’s innovative electronic Block Space Agreement (“eBSA”), enabling efficient cargo transport between San Juan (SJU)…

The retired UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov found himself at the center of a controversial incident with Alaska Airlines while preparing for a flight to Los Angeles. This unexpected showdown occurred at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. A video capturing the moment reveals Nurmagomedov’s confrontation with an airline staff member over seating arrangements. The crux of the dispute revolved…

In FBOs and online forums, many prospective airplane owners ask other pilots for aircraft recommendations. Oftentimes, the shopper specifies that they want to be able to carry multiple, full-sized adult passengers, access relatively short runways, and fly cross-countries at a reasonably quick speed. Faced with all of these simultaneous requirements, the aircraft type most often recommended as a true jack-of-all-trades…

Air Wisconsin and American Airlines are set to part ways this spring, ending an on-again, off-again regional partnership that began in its most recent form in March 2023. According to a press release issued by Air Wisconsin last week, the capacity purchase agreement will conclude by the end of April, with the airline ceasing CRJ-200 operations for American on 3…

Low-cost carrier Ryanair is calling for passengers to be limited to two alcoholic drinks at the airport before their flight as the airline highlights the cost of diverting the plane for unruly behavior.   On January 13, 2025, Ryanair said that it “was time that EU authorities take action to limit the sale of alcohol at airports”.   “We fail to understand…

Air passengers numbers are projected to more than double by 2050, boosting fuel demand and undermining the aviation industry’s efforts to cut emissions, a study by climate advocacy group Transport and Environment suggested on Monday. As industry leaders meet at an annual finance conference this week in Dublin where many plane sales are expected, the Brussels-based group urged the European…

One of India’s fledgling airlines – Akasa Air – is keeping many of its pilots grounded due to disruptive production delays with the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft lineup. … Source simpleflying.com

Avelo Airlines earned the title of America’s most reliable airline in 2024. It led the industry in on-time performance and low cancellation rates. According to Anuvu, a trusted aviation data provider, Avelo’s 83.9% on-time arrival rate outperformed competitors like Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, with the industry average at 77.6%. Avelo’s consistency extends beyond punctuality. With only 0.48% of…

Vietnamese low-cost carrier VietJet Air has boosted its capacity in preparation for the busy Lunar New Year’s travel. At the end of December 2024, the carrier welcomed two new Airbus A321neo Airbus Cabin Flex ACF aircraft to its fleet. On January 8, 2024, the airline added four more A320-200 aircraft to serve travelers during the peak season of Lunar New…

Keeping an airline on the air has proven to be extremely challenging. Managing on-time performance, maintenance of the aircraft fleet, complying with governing bodies, keeping up with regulations and the expansion of route networks. These are just a few elements; they are all achieved while keeping up with heavy operational costs and contemporary economic factors on a global scale. While…

An F-16 from the 96th Test Wing dropped a fuel tank on a Florida neighborhood Jan 7 near Eglin AFB. It’s unknown right now whether it fell off, or was jettisoned, but it was pure luck that nobody on the ground was injured or killed. The external tank fell in the town of Niceville, close to an elementary school that…

This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on December 30, 2024 – January 12, 2025 A door panel fell off a jet following take-off. A toilet door came off mid-flight. One passenger died and many others were injured after a flight hit severe turbulence. A cybersecurity outage led to thousands of cancelled flights and stranded passengers around the…

Thousands of American Airlines staff will be trained to better identify potential human traffickers and victims after the US carrier confirmed it was joining the government’s Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI).  Working with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) American Airlines staff will increase their knowledge to recognize the indicators of human…

Air Wisconsin , one of the United States’ oldest regional airlines , has announced a major strategic move that would restructure its operations and long-standing partnership with American Airlines . The regional airline is set to finalize its capacity purchase agreement (CPA) with American Airlines in April 2025 as part of a redesigned business model, the carrier said in a…

Many years ago, while working my way through college pumping avgas at the local airport, I discovered that one of our university deans owned a diminutive two-seat, twin-tailed airplane—an Ercoupe. He was proud of his little bird, with its unique split sliding canopy, no rudder pedals, and a delightful art deco instrument panel.   Long before he purchased his very…

The Indian rupee’s steep decline, which recently hit a record low of 86.04 against the US dollar on January 10, is significantly impacting the aviation industry. For Air India, whose cost structure heavily depends on dollar-denominated expenses, the weak currency presents a tough challenge. How does weaker rupee hit costs? A weak rupee drives up operational costs, including aircraft leases,…

China’s civil aviation industry has turned a profit for the first time since 2020 – a milestone for one of the sectors hit hardest by the Covid-19 pandemic – with officials expressing optimism about its prospects for sustained growth. In 2024, the industry reduced its losses by 20.6 billion yuan (US$2.8 billion) from the previous year and recorded a 25…

The Australian Hydrographic Office has made a historical discovery during a routine hydrographic survey off the coast of Darwin, in the Northern Territory.  The Office, which operates under the Australian Defence Force (ADF), uncovered an intact World War 2 Beaufort Bomber aircraft as part of the HydroScheme Industry Partnership Program (HIPP). HIPP is a commercial acquisition program that undertakes focused…

This year just got started, but it is already shaping up nicely for U.S. airlines. After several setbacks, the industry ended 2024 in a fairly strong position because of healthy demand for tickets and the ability of several airlines to control costs and raise fares, experts said. Barring any big problems, airlines — especially the largest ones — should enjoy…

Pete Buttigieg might be one of the most high-profile Transportation Secretaries in recent history. During his tenure as head of the DOT, he oversaw the airline industry’s post-pandemic recovery, meltdowns, a safety and quality crisis at Boeing and two mergers, one of which was blocked. The department under Buttigieg’s leadership also implemented a slate of consumer regulations ranging from automatic…

Turkka Kuusisto is Finnair’s first CEO taking office during the new normal for the Nordic airline. Since Russian airspace became off limits for Western carriers almost three years ago when Russia attacked Ukraine, Finnair’s entire and formerly lucrative business model fell apart. Helsinki is no longer the shortest connection hub between Europa and East Asia, rather the opposite, the necessary…

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 10 last year. The top American airline on the list is Delta, which finished…

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), the chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, is calling on U.S. airlines to resume flights to and from Israel after they suspended service last summer amid an escalation in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Cruz, who has been tracking this issue since Oct. 7 in his capacity as the top Republican on the…

Sitting in a nondescript building near the high court in Dublin, about 40 cloaked barristers have gathered almost daily since June last year. At stake is €2.5bn (£2.1bn) worth of aircraft stranded in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. Behind multiple screens and a mountain of warehouse boxes they are fighting to determine who should pay for the losses –…

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that up to 574 Boeing 767 aircraft may require landing gear inspections as part of an Airworthiness Directive (AD).  The AD, issued on January 8, 2025, raised concerns over landing gear on US-registered 767-200s, 767-300s and 767-300 Freighters following an incident during maintenance.   According to the FAA, the AD was “prompted by a…

Delta Air Lines exceeded profit and revenue expectations for the fourth quarter of 2024, thanks to a surge in travel demand during the critical holiday period. The airline reported strong cash bookings driven by both leisure and corporate travelers, with November and December marking four of the top 10 revenue days in its history. Why It Matters Delta‘s performance highlights…

A firefighting plane is grounded today in California, after hitting a drone in restricted airspace while fighting the raging fires ongoing around LA. Details are scarce, but the Canadian CL-415 “Super Scooper”, call sign “Quebec-1”, took a football-size hole through one of its wings from the drone. Canada sent 2 Super Scoopers to help fight the LA fires The incident…