Airlines

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

The luxury travel industry has seen a significant resurgence in demand for exclusive private jet tours, with companies like A&K offering extravagant trips to exotic destinations for a hefty price tag. These high-end tours, priced at around $168,000 per person, cater to wealthy travelers looking for a lavish and seamless travel experience. Despite the steep

Southwest Airlines flight attendants recently voted to ratify a new four-year labor contract that will go into effect on May 1st. This new agreement includes a 22.3% immediate raise for flight attendants and $364 million in retroactive wages based on their flying hours during the lengthy contract negotiations. The members of the Transport Workers Union

The recent decision by American Airlines to extend the deadline for travel agencies to reach preferred status with the airline has been welcomed by ASTA. Initially, nonpreferred agencies’ bookings were set to no longer be awarded AAdvantage points starting May 1st. However, American Airlines has now extended this deadline to July 11th, providing agencies with

Riviera Nayarit International Airport, formerly known as Tepic’s airport, recently welcomed its first test flight from the U.S. This test flight marked the beginning of preparations for the airport’s expansion, including the debut of a new terminal by the end of the year. The airport’s strategic location positions it as the gateway to the Riviera

The Transportation Department has recently made changes to regulations surrounding airline refunds, aiming to provide greater clarity and protection for passengers. This move comes after years of ambiguity and confusion for travelers who have faced canceled or significantly delayed flights without a clear understanding of their rights. The new regulations outline specific circumstances in which

Legislation proposed in the California Senate aims to change the way private companies provide expedited airport security screening. The bill would prevent these companies from utilizing standard TSA security lanes or TSA PreCheck lanes, forcing them to set up their own security lanes instead. If the bill is passed, California airports would no longer be