Delta was most punctual airline in 2023; Minneapolis-St. Paul had best record for airports
Most U.S. airlines were more punctual last year than in 2022, despite major challenges over the year with weather and technical glitches.
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Pilots at Southwest ratify contract that will boost pay by nearly 50%
Southwest Airlines said the five-year deal gives its pilots “industry-leading compensation” and has a new process for assigning pilots to flights during unusual events.
JetBlue’s $3.8B buyout of Spirit Airlines blocked by judge citing threat to competition
The Justice Department said if JetBlue were allowed to buy Spirit, it would especially hurt travelers who depend on Spirit’s low fares.
FAA probes potential flaws in Boeing’s manufacturing process
The Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday that it is launching an investigation into whether aerospace giant Boeing followed rules to ensure the aircraft that it built were safe for operation.
Alaska Airlines cancels flights on certain Boeing planes through Saturday for mandatory inspections
The development came as signs indicate some travelers might try to avoid flying on Max 9 jetliners—at least temporarily.
United, Alaska find loose hardware on Boeing jets grounded after blowout incident
The situation will no doubt compound the woes at Boeing, which has struggled to rebuild its reputation since an earlier model of the Max was grounded after two crashes killed 346 people several years ago.
Inspections to begin on grounded Boeing 737 Max 9 jets
The FAA’s emergency airworthiness directive grounding the planes affects 171 aircraft. Two airlines in the United States—Alaska Airlines and United Airlines—have Boeing Max 9 aircraft in their fleets.
IPhone survives 16,000-foot fall from Alaska Air flight
Unlocked and with hours of battery life, the screen showed an email from Alaska Airlines about a baggage claim for the flight, based on the rescuer’s photos.
Boeing jetliner that suffered inflight blowout was restricted because of concern over warning light
Alaska Airlines decided to restrict the aircraft from long flights over water so the plane “could return very quickly to an airport” if the warning light reappeared, according to a federal offoicial.
Alaska Airlines again grounds all Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners as more maintenance may be needed
The airline again grounded all of its Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners on Sunday after federal officials indicated further maintenance might be required to assure that another inflight blowout like the one that occurred Friday doesn’t happen again.
Holiday travel mostly nice, with some naughty disruptions on Southwest Airlines
For this holiday season, U.S. airlines prepared for massive waves of travelers by hiring thousands of pilots, flight attendants and other workers.
Ready, set, travel: Holiday rush to airports, highways now underway
Cross your fingers: Flight cancellations are the lowest they’ve been in five years. The busiest days on the road will be Saturday and next Thursday, Dec. 28.
Southwest Airlines reaches $140M settlement over holiday meltdown last year
The airline will pay a $35 million fine as part of a $140 million settlement to resolve a federal investigation into a debacle in December 2022 when the airline canceled thousands of flights.
Holiday crowds at airports, on highways expected to be bigger than last year
Auto club AAA forecast Monday that 115.2 million people will go 50 miles or more from home during the 10 days between Dec. 23 and New Year’s Day. That’s 2.2% more than AAA predicted during the comparable stretch last year.
Trial deciding if JetBlue can buy Spirit—and further consolidate the industry—nears its end
A Justice Department lawyer argued that the deal would push fares higher by 30% and leave fewer options for travelers on a budget.
TSA breaks daily record for number of passengers screened
Despite recent signs of slowing demand for air travel, eight of the 10 busiest screening days in TSA history have come in 2023.
From airlines to ticket sellers, companies fight U.S. to keep junk fees
Corporations have fought vigorously to thwart even the most basic rules that would require them to be more transparent about hidden charges, according to a Washington Post review of federal lobbying records and hundreds of filings submitted to government agencies.
JetBlue-Spirit merger trial tests U.S. airline deal crackdown
The U.S. crackdown on airline consolidation faces a new test this week with the trial of a government lawsuit claiming the $3.8 billion takeover of Spirit Airlines Inc. by JetBlue Airways Corp. would reduce competition and boost fares for passengers.
United Airlines says software update caused delayed flights
More than 350 United flights were delayed Tuesday—13% of the carrier’s schedule, far more than rivals American, Delta and Southwest—on a day that many holiday vacationers were expected to fly home.
Labor Day weekend travelers should expect lots of company
Canceled flights remain elevated as airlines face their last big test of the prime vacation season: Labor Day weekend.