The Department of Transportation (DOT) has introduced a new rule that requires agencies to make ticket refunds out of their own pockets in certain cases. This rule is set to go into effect on October 26th, with the aim of ensuring proper communication between airlines and agencies to process refunds accurately and efficiently. However, the
Airlines
American Airlines’ distribution strategy has faced significant backlash, leading to critical responses from members of the business travel community. The departure of chief commercial officer Vasu Raja and the acknowledgement of regrets by CEO Robert Isom indicate a shift in the airline’s approach. However, the industry’s reaction highlights the deep-rooted issues with American Airlines’ strategy.
The recent developments within American Airlines regarding their distribution strategy have sparked discussions within the travel industry. American CEO Robert Isom admitted to mistakes in the implementation of their New Distribution Capability (NDC) policies, including the removal of fares from legacy systems which put pressure on agencies to use the new NDC systems for bookings.
American Airlines CEO, Robert Isom, recently announced a shift in the company’s distribution strategy during the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference. Isom expressed the need for American Airlines to embrace and promote NDC modern retailing rather than restricting content from the GDSs that are relied upon by numerous travel agencies. This change in direction signifies a
The Dutch government has recently proposed new measures to reduce noise pollution and capacity at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. The proposal includes limiting night flights and certain aircraft by 2025 in an effort to address concerns raised by nearby residents. One of the key elements of the proposal is to limit the number of night flights
American Airlines chief commercial officer, Vasu Raja, has announced his departure from the airline in June. The announcement came as a surprise to many, as Raja has played a crucial role in shaping American’s strategy to shift away from travel agency bookings. The airline did not provide a specific reason for Raja’s departure, leaving many
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported a new record being broken ahead of the Memorial Day weekend in the United States. A staggering 2.9 million travelers were screened at U.S. airports on Friday, surpassing the previous record set last year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. This surge in air travel is an indication of the
Frontier Airlines, well-known for its aggressive ancillary product pricing strategies, has recently announced a significant shift in its merchandising approach. The carrier, which previously relied heavily on unbundled pricing models, has decided to move towards a more conventional pricing structure similar to other U.S. airlines. This change comes as a response to evolving consumer preferences
Google Flights recently announced that it will now be displaying Southwest Airlines flight inventory. This is a significant development considering that Southwest has traditionally not worked with other travel metasearch sites such as Kayak and Skyscanner, nor distributed through online travel agencies. Thanks to this new integration with Google Flights, travelers can now easily access
The excitement of summer travel is often met with the harsh reality of crowded highways, bustling airports, and rising costs. As millions of Americans prepare to embark on Memorial Day weekend getaways, the chaos in transportation is inevitable. According to AAA, this summer is expected to be the busiest in nearly two decades, with approximately
In an effort to make air travel more accessible and comfortable for individuals with disabilities, Delta Air Lines subsidiary Delta Flight Products will be unveiling a series of prototype designs at the upcoming Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany. These innovative designs aim to allow flyers to remain in their own powered wheelchairs throughout their
Frontier Airlines recently made significant changes to its merchandising model, introducing three new fare bundles – Economy, Premium, and Business. These changes were implemented on May 17th, with the aim of providing customers with more options and flexibility when booking flights. The new fare bundles offered by Frontier Airlines are designed to cater to different
The loyalty programs of the Big Four U.S. airlines – American, Delta, Southwest, and United – have come under scrutiny for potentially stifling competition in the aviation industry. During a joint DOT/Consumer Financial Protection Bureau hearing, discount airlines raised concerns about the impact of these loyalty programs on smaller and new players in the market.
Turkish Airlines is set to introduce a groundbreaking New Distribution Capability platform called TKConnect on October 1. This move marks a significant shift in the way the airline interacts with travel agents and passengers. According to the carrier’s chief commercial officer, Ahmet Olmustur, TKConnect is designed to offer advanced technology in a user-friendly manner, revolutionizing
Uber, the popular ride-sharing company, has announced the upcoming launch of its Uber Shuttle service in the United States. This service, already available in Egypt and India, will provide transportation to events and airports, making it a convenient option for riders across the country. Upon the launch of the service, customers will be able to
The allure of tourism dollars can often lead to hasty development decisions that have long-lasting negative impacts on the environment and local communities. Take the example of Tulum, once revered for its pristine beaches but now suffering from overdevelopment and environmental neglect. As the tourism industry boomed, infrastructure failed to keep pace, resulting in pollution,
Boeing, the aerospace giant, is facing potential criminal charges after allegedly violating a settlement agreement with the Department of Justice. This settlement stemmed from two deadly crashes involving Boeing’s 737 Max aircraft that occurred in 2018 and 2019, claiming the lives of 346 people. The DOJ informed a federal judge that Boeing failed to uphold
Boeing, a troubled aircraft manufacturer, faced a significant setback in April as its orders plummeted while cancellations outnumbered new sales. The company reported receiving orders for only seven planes, a stark contrast to the canceled sales of 33 planes. This decrease in orders, particularly due to the shutdown of Lynx Air, a Canadian discount airline,