ASTA, the American Society of Travel Advisors, has taken a firm stance on the issue of travel agencies having to pay for air ticket refunds when they do not have the necessary funds. The Department of Transportation (DOT) recently implemented regulations that expanded the circumstances in which air passengers are entitled to ticket refunds, placing
Airlines
Southwest Airlines has emerged as the leader in customer satisfaction in the economy class category, according to J.D. Power’s 2024 North America Airlines Satisfaction Study. The study highlighted Southwest’s score of 685 on a 1,000-point scale, positioning it as the top performer among 11 airlines included in the survey. This success can be attributed to
JetBlue is set to introduce its renowned business class Mint cabin to three additional destinations, providing passengers with a luxurious and comfortable travel experience. The year-round Mint service will be available between New York and Vancouver starting on July 21, followed by the New York JFK and San Juan route on July 22. In addition
In an attempt to limit biometric facial recognition in airports, Senators Jeff Merkley and John Kennedy have proposed an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill. This proposed amendment has raised concerns within the travel industry, with the U.S. Travel Association warning that it could lead to massive travel delays. According to the association,
Boeing, the aerospace company, has come under fire once again as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has opened an investigation into the company. This investigation comes after reports surfaced that workers at a Boeing plant in South Carolina falsified inspection records on certain 787 planes. The company reportedly notified the FAA of the misconduct, stating
Spirit Airlines is undergoing a transformation in its merchandising strategy to cater to a more upscale audience, departing from its traditional discount base. The airline’s CEO, Ted Christie, revealed this shift during the Q1 earnings call, indicating that specific details will be disclosed in August. This change is essential for Spirit to meet the changing
After dedicating 25 years of his career to Southwest Airlines, Dave Harvey recently made a significant announcement on LinkedIn. On Saturday, he shared the news of his departure from Southwest, where he served as the vice president and chief sales officer. According to the airline, Harvey’s last day will be on May 17th. Shortly after
The recently finalized refund regulations by the Department of Transportation have sparked a mix of reactions within the airline industry. While consumer groups are praising the new rules, airlines are expressing discontent. One major concern raised by the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is the provision that holds agencies accountable for refund payments even
The Department of Transportation (DOT) recently finalized a rule that has significant implications for travel agents across the country. This rule, which was initially proposed in August 2022, aims to hold agents responsible for refunds in cases where an airline delays or cancels a flight. Prior to the finalization of the rule, there was concern
The Treasury Department has finalized guidance for an ethanol-based sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit program aimed at incentivizing SAF production and usage. The program offers tax credits ranging from $1.25 to $1.75 per gallon to fuel producers and air carriers for SAF sales and consumption. In order to qualify for the tax credit, SAF
The recent regulations put forth by the Transportation Department regarding airline refunds in cases of cancellations or delays have raised concerns due to potential conflicts with the FAA reauthorization bill currently under consideration. The bill includes a clause that shifts the responsibility to the passenger to request a refund in writing or electronically for any
Alaska Airlines has taken a bold step by implementing generative AI technology in their flight searches. Through a pilot program that began on April 19, the airline has incorporated a flight-search tool powered by OpenAI, allowing users to request travel recommendations based on specific criteria such as timing, cost, and type of trip. This innovative
After a series of delays, the House and Senate have finally come to an agreement on the FAA reauthorization bill. This bill, with funding amounting to $105 billion until September 2028, covers a wide range of aspects within the aviation industry. One of the key components of this bill is to enhance aviation safety by
The European Commission (EC) has raised concerns regarding the proposed acquisition of Spanish carrier Air Europa by International Airlines Group (IAG). The EC believes that this merger could harm competition, particularly in the Spain-Americas market, the domestic Spanish market, and short-haul international markets from Spain. This acquisition would ultimately reduce competition and potentially lead to
The Department of Transportation (DOT) recently finalized new refund requirements, sparking outrage from airlines. These rules, set to go into effect in late June, have received sharp criticism from the Airlines for America (A4A) trade group. A4A claims that these regulations will result in higher air travel costs and have a negative impact on consumers
American Airlines executives recently defended their distribution strategy, highlighting the steps they are taking to optimize it. After a year of transition focused on creating the right long-term customer proposition and reducing unnecessary expenses, the airline is now focused on optimization to drive revenue and profit. American Airlines made the decision to remove up to
Southwest Airlines recently announced that it is exploring various options to enhance its customer experience, particularly focusing on onboard seating and the overall cabin environment. This move comes as a significant shift for the airline, which has long been known for its unique approach of not assigning seats or charging bag fees, in addition to
JetBlue has taken a step further in enhancing the in-flight entertainment experience by introducing a personalized seatback entertainment system called Blueprint by JetBlue. This innovative platform is set to provide flyers with a customized and seamless entertainment experience on select aircraft. One of the key features of Blueprint by JetBlue is the ability for passengers