The DOT’s new rule regarding ticket refunds is set to go into effect on October 26. The implementation of this rule was delayed to allow airlines and agencies time to establish effective communication channels to process refunds accurately and efficiently. However, there are concerns regarding whether this communication system will be ready in time, potentially
Airlines
In response to American Airlines’ recent announcements regarding its distribution strategy and the departure of chief commercial officer Vasu Raja, members of the business travel community have expressed mixed reactions. Mark Stansbury, a senior manager at Lockheed Martin, highlighted his company’s opposition to American’s strategy and the subsequent shift in market share away from AA.
American Airlines’ CEO, Robert Isom, admitted to making mistakes in the implementation of the New Distribution Capability (NDC) policies. By removing fares from legacy systems and pressuring agencies to adopt the new NDC systems, American Airlines inadvertently alienated travel agents. This move forced ASTA to step in and advocate for the return of fares to
American Airlines recently made a significant announcement regarding its distribution strategy. During the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference, CEO Robert Isom expressed a change in direction for the airline, emphasizing the importance of embracing NDC modern retailing and ensuring that the carrier’s products are available through various channels. This decision marks a departure from the previous
American Airlines’ chief commercial officer, Vasu Raja, will be departing the airline in June. Raja has been a key figure in the airline’s strategy to shift focus away from travel agency bookings. The announcement of his departure raises questions as to why he is stepping aside. This news comes amidst recent speculation about Raja’s future
The Dutch government is once again aiming to decrease capacity at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport by implementing new restrictions on night flights and certain types of aircraft by the year 2025. This proposal, put forward by Dutch infrastructure minister Mark Harbers in a letter to parliament on May 24, seeks to address the issue of noise
Frontier Airlines, known for its aggressive approach to ancillary products and cost-cutting measures, recently made a significant change to its merchandising strategy. The carrier decided to move away from the unbundled pricing model that it had been known for, signaling a shift towards a more traditional airline approach. This adjustment came in response to changing
Recently, the Transportation Security Administration announced that a new record had been set for the number of airline travelers screened at U.S. airports. On Friday, more than 2.9 million travelers passed through security checkpoints, surpassing the previous record set last year after Thanksgiving. The TSA officers were commended for their efforts as they managed to
Google Flights, a popular flight search engine, has made a significant move by including Southwest flight inventory on its platform. This is a noteworthy development considering Southwest’s history of not working with other travel metasearch sites like Kayak and Skyscanner, as well as not distributing through online travel agencies. With this new integration, travelers using
Delta Air Lines subsidiary, Delta Flight Products, is set to reveal groundbreaking prototypes at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany, from May 28-30. These prototypes aim to revolutionize air travel for individuals with disabilities by allowing them to remain in their own powered wheelchairs throughout their journey. Collaborating with U.K.-based Air4All Systems, Delta is
As Memorial Day weekend approaches, Americans are gearing up for a summer travel season like no other. With an estimated 43.8 million people expected to travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday and Monday, it is projected to be the busiest start-of-summer weekend in nearly two decades. Additionally, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
Frontier Airlines has recently made significant changes to its merchandising model by introducing three new fare bundles – Economy, Premium, and Business, along with the traditional unbundled Basic fare option. This transformation aims to provide customers with more options while also enhancing the overall customer experience. These changes were implemented on May 17, with the
The loyalty programs of the Big Four U.S. airlines have come under scrutiny, with three discount airlines voicing their concerns during a joint DOT/Consumer Financial Protection Bureau hearing. These airlines believe that the loyalty programs of American, Delta, Southwest, and United play a significant role in stifling competition in the industry. DOT secretary Pete Buttigieg
On October 1st, Turkish Airlines made a groundbreaking announcement regarding the launch of their New Distribution Capability platform for agents. This new platform, known as TKConnect, is set to revolutionize the way agents book flights and access information related to Turkish Airlines. Along with this new platform, Turkish Airlines also disclosed that they will start
The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently informed a federal judge that Boeing has violated a settlement that was put in place to prevent criminal prosecution following two fatal crashes involving their 737 Max aircraft over five years ago. The crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia claimed the lives of 346 individuals. Boeing had reached a $2.5
The tourism industry in Mexico is experiencing a shift in the distribution of tourism dollars, with smaller destinations becoming increasingly popular. However, this growth comes with concerns about the impact on the environment and local communities. Previous instances of overdevelopment, such as in Tulum and Sayulita, have led to pollution, environmental degradation, and gentrification. These
Uber recently announced that it will be launching its Uber Shuttle service in the United States this summer. The service, which is currently available in Egypt and India, will provide transportation to events and airports for customers. This expansion marks a significant step in Uber’s efforts to offer more convenient and affordable transportation options to
Boeing, the troubled aircraft manufacturer, experienced a significant setback in April as orders took a nosedive. The company reported receiving orders for only seven planes, a remarkably low number. This was overshadowed by a wave of canceled sales totaling 33 planes, with 29 of them linked to the closure of Lynx Air, a Canadian discount