Air Vanuatu, a South Pacific state-owned carrier, has recently found itself in a dire situation, leading to the filing for bankruptcy protection on May 10th. This move came right after the airline made the difficult decision to cancel all international flights, leaving thousands of travelers stranded. The cancellation of more than 20 flights to and
Airlines
A recent development in the airline industry has sparked controversy, with major U.S. carriers such as American, Delta, and United suing the Biden administration over a new rule aimed at increasing transparency in fee disclosures. These airlines, along with their trade group Airlines for America, argue that the rule would inundate consumers with unnecessary information
As international travel appears to be making a comeback in the U.S., it is important to note that the recovery is not uniform across all destinations. Some areas are benefitting more than others, leading to a fragmented recovery overall. According to the U.S. Travel Association’s annual IPW conference, international travel to the U.S. is expected
Recently, the Department of Transportation (DOT) finalized regulations expanding the circumstances under which air passengers are entitled to a ticket refund. Part of these new rules includes requiring ticket agents, who act as the merchant of record, to be responsible for issuing refunds. This decision has sparked controversy within the travel industry, particularly among agencies
JetBlue is set to introduce its highly-acclaimed business class Mint cabin to three new destinations this summer and fall. The year-round Mint service will be available on routes between New York and Vancouver, as well as New York JFK and San Juan. Additionally, the airline will offer lie-flat cabins seasonally on flights from Boston and
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
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