Recently, the European Commission gave the green light to Lufthansa Group’s proposed acquisition of Italian flag carrier ITA Airways. This deal, announced in May 2023, will result in Lufthansa Group obtaining an initial 41% stake in ITA Airways for 325 million euros, with the option to acquire the remaining shares starting in 2025. The approval
Airlines
Regional carrier Mesa Airlines recently made the difficult decision to furlough a dozen pilots and halt training for 41 incoming pilots. This move is a clear indication that the pilot shortage crisis that has plagued regional carriers in the aftermath of the pandemic has begun to ease. Mesa pointed out that the hiring pauses and
Alaska Airlines has announced its plans to introduce new winter seasonal routes, including the addition of Vail to its network. These new routes will provide travelers with even more options to explore exciting destinations during the winter months. Alaska Airlines will be offering three-times weekly flights from both Seattle and San Diego to Vail, Colorado,
Delta Airlines has recently announced a groundbreaking partnership with the upcoming Saudi carrier, Riyadh Air. This agreement, signed in Atlanta, sets the stage for a comprehensive collaboration that aims to revolutionize interlining and codesharing in the North American aviation market. In addition to offering a wide range of loyalty and customer experience benefits, the partnership
Southwest Airlines recently made headlines by appointing Rakesh Gangwal, a co-founder of India’s largest carrier IndiGo, to its board of directors. This decision was seen as a response to pressure from the activist investor group Elliott Management, who had been critical of Southwest’s lack of board members with extensive airline experience outside of the company.
This summer, airlines are breaking records by transporting a higher number of customers than ever before. According to the trade group Airlines for America (A4A), U.S. carriers are set to ferry 271 million passengers between June and August, a 6% increase from the previous record. Despite the surge in flyer numbers, travelers are enjoying significantly
Southwest Airlines has recently implemented a one-year rights plan, often referred to as a poison pill, in response to activist investment firm Elliott Management’s acquisition of $1.9 billion worth of Southwest shares, representing 11% ownership in the company. The move aims to prevent Elliott from increasing its stake further and potentially influencing management changes within
American Airlines has taken a significant step towards embracing sustainable aviation by entering a conditional agreement to purchase 100 hydrogen-electric engines from ZeroAvia. This move underscores the airline’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and operating more environmentally-friendly aircraft. By opting for engines that produce zero in-flight emissions, except for water vapor, American Airlines is
It is concerning how incidents of severe turbulence still occur on commercial flights, such as the recent Air Europa flight UX045. The fact that six passengers had to be hospitalized due to injuries sustained shows a lack of precautionary measures being taken by airlines. The safety and well-being of passengers should always be a top
Technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, from smartphones to smartwatches, virtual reality headsets to AI systems. As a tech enthusiast myself, I am constantly amazed by the advancements and innovations in the tech world. The convenience and efficiency that technology offers make our lives easier and more connected. I rely heavily
Dealing with lost luggage while traveling can be an absolute nightmare, as highlighted by a recent incident faced by travel advisor Richard Turen. A major client’s flight was canceled, and they were left stranded without their luggage, which was located at Charles De Gaulle airport. Despite using Apple AirTags to track their bags, they were
American Airlines has recently introduced a commission program aimed at promoting bookings through New Distribution Capability (NDC). The program offers a 10% commission for NDC-enabled bookings of American’s Main Plus, Main Select, and Flagship Business Plus bundles. This initiative is a departure from their previous strategy of penalizing travel agencies for not using NDC-enabled channels.
Air Canada is set to revolutionize the air travel industry by integrating NDC content within Sabre, one of the leading Global Distribution Systems (GDS). This strategic move aims to enhance the booking experience for travelers and travel agencies alike. The airline has already successfully implemented an NDC strategy that incentivizes NDC bookings while imposing surcharges
Fiji Airways has officially announced its transition from a member of the Oneworld Connect affiliate program to a full member of the prestigious Oneworld alliance. This South Pacific airline, with an extensive route network covering 26 destinations across 15 countries and territories, has set its sights on achieving full membership as part of its strategic
The summer of 2023 is anticipated to be one for the books in terms of air travel. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is preparing for record-breaking numbers of passengers passing through airports in a single day. The peak travel day for this year’s Fourth of July holiday period, June 28, is expected to see over
Delta Airlines has recently unveiled its latest addition to the Delta lounge experience with the opening of the Delta One Lounge at New York’s JFK International Airport. This premium lounge, located between Concourses A and B in Terminal 4, sets a new standard for luxury travel with its expansive 39,000-square-foot space. The Delta One Lounge
Recently, a mechanic working for a Boeing subcontractor came forward with some alarming allegations regarding the repair work being done on Boeing planes at a factory near Seattle. The mechanic, Richard Cuevas, claims that he was terminated from his job after voicing his concerns about what he perceived as substandard manufacturing and maintenance processes on
Receiving a large airline debit memo can be a frustrating experience for travel agencies, as getting a meaningful response from the carrier can be challenging. It is a common problem that smaller agencies face, as airlines often provide generic denials without thoroughly examining the situation. This lack of attention to detail can make resolving the