The introduction of Hawaiian Airlines’ SpaceX Starlink satellite WiFi has set a new standard for in-flight connectivity. As a seasoned traveler, I had the opportunity to test this cutting-edge technology on a recent flight from San Diego to Maui. Unlike traditional in-flight WiFi services that are often slow, unreliable, and limited, Hawaiian Airlines’ Starlink service
Airlines
The recent widespread technology outage that occurred on Friday had significant impacts on various industries around the world. One of the most affected sectors was the airline industry. Reports indicate that more than 300 flights were delayed, and over 100 flights were canceled at major airports in the New York city area, including JFK, LaGuardia,
On Friday, by 3:30 p.m. Eastern time, airlines had canceled nearly 2,500 flights in the U.S. due to a global technology outage. The outage, caused by a recent update undertaken by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, affected Microsoft Windows users. This led to a domino effect, impacting airlines worldwide, resulting in over 4,000 cancellations globally. It is
When faced with a situation where your flight has been disrupted due to a global technology outage, it is important to have a clear understanding of your travel insurance policy. Different policies offer different levels of coverage, such as travel delay or missed connection coverage. Before filing a claim, carefully review your plan to determine
The European safety authority EASA has finally certified the Airbus A321XLR after a rigorous five-year process. This raises concerns about the efficiency and speed of the certification process. Five years is a long time to certify an aircraft, especially given the advancements in technology and processes in the aviation industry. It is important for regulatory
Alaska Airlines has recently announced plans to increase the number of first-class seats on Boeing 737-800 aircraft and its Premium Class extra-legroom seats on 737-900ER and 737-9 Max planes. This decision comes as premium products continue to outperform coach seats across the airline industry. With a reported year-over-year revenue increase of 8% for first class
United Airlines faced a shrinking profit margin in the second quarter due to industrywide domestic overcapacity driving down fares and leading to more empty seats on aircraft. The financial challenges faced by discount U.S. carriers played a significant role in this decline. United executives expressed confidence that the situation would improve in mid-August as airlines
Spirit Airlines is facing challenges in the second quarter as it anticipates worse-than-expected results. The airline now expects an adjusted operating loss between $160 million and $173 million, which is higher than the initial guidance provided in early May. Additionally, the operating margin is projected to be between minus-12.5% and minus-13.5%, indicating a significant decline
American Airlines’ AAdvantage Business program has recently made a significant change by awarding miles and loyalty points for bookings made via travel agencies. This change, implemented on July 16, reverses American’s previous policy of only rewarding AAdvantage Business participants for direct bookings. This marks a shift in their strategy since last October when American rebranded
American Express is once again elevating the airport lounge experience with the opening of their 29th Centurion Lounge at Washington Reagan National Airport on July 17. What sets this lounge apart is the collaboration with three renowned chefs: Michelle Bernstein, Ravi Kapur, and Michael Solomonov. Unlike any other Centurion Lounge, this location will feature dishes
Delta recently implemented a new policy regarding the pins that employees can wear on their uniforms. The airline announced that the U.S. flag is now the only pin allowed to represent a country or nationality on their uniforms. According to Delta, this change was necessary due to the growing confusion surrounding nationality flags and potential
The departure of Vasu Raja from American Airlines came with a significant severance package. As per the termination agreement, Raja will be receiving a substantial seven-figure payout, along with some travel privileges. His termination is set to be effective from June 30, and he will continue to receive his base salary until Jan. 31, amounting
The onset of Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration has sparked optimism from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regarding improved aviation relations between the U.S. and Mexico. However, there is concern about the alignment of Sheinbaum’s policy goals with those of her predecessor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. This continuity in policy could potentially hinder the
A fierce competition is currently underway among eight major airlines for the opportunity to secure five additional daily roundtrip slot pairs at Washington Reagan National Airport. These coveted slots are part of the new five-year FAA reauthorization signed into law by President Biden in May. American, United, Delta, Alaska, Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, and Frontier have
The U.S. Department of Transportation has recently released complaint data related to the air travel industry, revealing an alarming trend in the number of submissions received in 2023. The data shows a significant increase in complaints compared to the previous year, with nearly 96,900 submissions in 2023 as opposed to more than 86,000 in 2022.
Delta Airlines is currently considering the possibility of unbundling its forward cabin offerings, according to statements made during the airline’s second-quarter earnings call. The Delta president, Glen Hauenstein, hinted at a significant announcement that may be coming soon. This move could potentially change the way passengers experience flying with Delta, and it has sparked interest
The European Commission has officially approved the proposed acquisition of Italian flag carrier ITA Airways by Lufthansa Group. This deal, which was announced in May 2023, will allow Lufthansa Group to acquire an initial 41% stake in ITA Airways for 325 million euros, with the option to purchase the remaining shares starting in 2025. This
Regional carrier Mesa Airlines recently made the decision to furlough twelve pilots and halt training for 41 incoming pilots, signaling a potential shift in the pilot shortage that has plagued the industry since the end of the pandemic. This move comes as a direct result of hiring freezes and reductions at major carriers, who often