The U.S. Travel Association is sounding the alarm about a proposed amendment to limit biometric facial recognition in airports. According to the association, if the amendment put forth by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) to the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill is passed, travelers could face an additional 120 million hours in
Airlines
Recent data from the 2024 North America Airlines Satisfaction Study by J.D. Power has revealed that Southwest Airlines has the highest customer satisfaction in the economy class category among North American airlines. This indicates the importance of providing excellent service to passengers, even in the most basic seating arrangements. While Southwest took the lead in
Boeing, a prominent aviation company, is currently facing scrutiny after revealing that workers at a South Carolina plant falsified inspection records on certain 787 planes. This has prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to launch an investigation into the matter to ensure the safety of these aircraft. The misconduct came to light when a worker
Spirit Airlines is in the midst of a significant shift in its merchandising strategy, aiming to attract higher-end flyers. This move comes as the budget carrier faces challenges in adapting to changing customer preferences while also dealing with financial losses. CEO Ted Christie emphasized the need for these changes during the Q1 earnings call, hinting
The Department of Transportation (DOT) recently finalized a proposed rule that places responsibility for refunds on travel agencies in certain cases. This rule comes after initial concerns that it would be the most anti-travel agent regulation in the DOT’s history. However, upon closer inspection, it is clear that the DOT has taken into account feedback
The recently finalized refund regulations by the Department of Transportation (DOT) have sparked strong reactions from both airlines and consumer groups. These regulations aim to enhance consumer protection in the airline industry, but they have also raised concerns among industry stakeholders. The impact of these new rules is significant and will reshape the way airlines
After dedicating 25 years to Southwest Airlines, Dave Harvey recently made an announcement on LinkedIn stating that he will be leaving the airline. His departure will mark the end of his role as vice president and chief sales officer at Southwest, with his last day scheduled for May 17. However, just two days following Harvey’s
The recent guidance finalized by the Treasury Department highlights the inclusion of ethanol-based sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in a federal tax credit program. The main aim of this program is to stimulate SAF production and encourage air carriers and fuel producers to utilize this sustainable alternative. Under the program, tax credits ranging from $1.25 to
The recent regulations finalized by the Transportation Department have sparked controversy within the airline industry. These regulations would require airlines to issue refunds by default in cases of cancellations or lengthy flight delays, unless the flyer chooses to accept a rescheduled itinerary or a voucher. However, a clause in the FAA reauthorization bill that is
Alaska Airlines has recently introduced generative AI technology into their flight searches, marking a significant advancement in the travel industry. This tool allows users to input specific criteria for their trip and receive personalized recommendations based on their preferences. Since April 19, Alaska Airlines has been testing their new flight-search tool which utilizes OpenAI technology
The recent agreement between the House and Senate on the FAA reauthorization bill marks a significant milestone in the aviation industry. This comprehensive bill, with a funding of $105 billion through September 2028, covers a wide range of measures aimed at improving aviation safety, addressing air traffic controller shortages, enhancing consumer protections, increasing air travel
The proposed acquisition of Spanish carrier Air Europa by International Airlines Group (IAG) has raised concerns about the potential impact on competition in the aviation industry, according to the European Commission (EC). The EC believes that the merger would harm competition between Spain and the Americas, as well as in the domestic Spanish market and
The Department of Transportation (DOT) recently finalized refund requirements that have been met with strong opposition from airlines. Scheduled to go into effect in late June, these new rules have sparked outrage among industry leaders. The Airlines for America (A4A) trade group has denounced the DOT’s decision, claiming that the regulations will ultimately lead to
American Airlines has recently defended its distribution strategy and outlined its efforts to optimize it, although its first-quarter corporate demand growth rate fell behind some competitors. The airline is focusing on shifting bookings to its direct or New Distribution Capability channels while reducing unnecessary expenses to enhance long-term customer value. American Airlines began removing up
Southwest Airlines has long been known for its unique approach to air travel, with no assigned seating or bag fees. However, the airline is now evaluating options to enhance its customer experience, signaling a potential shift in its business model to stay competitive in the industry. Deutsche Bank investment analyst Michael Linenberg highlighted the importance
American Airlines recently announced that they have extended the deadline for travel agencies to achieve preferred status with the airline. This decision comes as a relief to many nonpreferred agencies who were at risk of losing AAdvantage points for bookings starting on May 1. The new deadline for agencies to reach the preferred status has
JetBlue has taken a step further in revolutionizing the in-flight entertainment experience for its passengers. The airline has recently launched a new platform, known as Blueprint by JetBlue, which offers a personalized entertainment experience within its seatback entertainment system. This new feature is currently available on JetBlue’s Airbus A321neo, A321LR, A220 planes, and on most
Luxury travel has taken on a whole new meaning with the emergence of private jet tours. Companies like A&K are offering extravagant trips that take travelers to exotic destinations around the world. With a hefty price tag of $168,000 per person, these private jet tours are not for the faint of heart. But despite the