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Ukraine CNN —The spluttering roar of a propeller punctuates the perfect silence. Serge said he had personally overseen more than 500 long-range drone attacks into Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. CNN spent two days traveling across the country with the drone unit as it prepared to launch more than 100 drones overnight into September 29 on a mission into Russia. Sources told CNN in September that Tehran had recently completed the delivery of short-range ballistic missiles to Russia. In September, the unit’s drones hit a Russian ammunition depot between Moscow and St. Petersburg, in Tver region.

Persons: “, Serge, GUR, Abbas Araghchi, Vladimir Putin, Vector, it’s, “ We’re, Putin, ” Serge, Sebastian Shukla, Daria Tarasova, CNN “, …, ” Organizations: Ukraine CNN, CNN CNN, UAV Unit, CNN, Iran’s, Maxar Technologies, Maxar, Ukraine, Vector, Pilots, Russian Telegram, Russia –, Technologies Locations: Ukraine, GUR, Russia, Tehran, Iran, Kotluban, Volgograd, Russian, Moscow, St, Petersburg, Tver region, Toropets, United, Ukrainian, Ukraine’s, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kyiv, Russia – Voronezh, Yesk, Rostov, Voronezh

ISIS-K, the Afghan branch of the Islamic State, directed an Afghan man’s foiled U.S. Election Day terror plot, according to two senior U.S. officials briefed on the matter. The revelation that a foreign terrorist organization was in communication with a would-be attacker inside the U.S. makes the alleged Election Day plot different from most terrorism cases in the past decade, most of which involved people self-radicalized online or self-directed attempts. The charging documents say Tawhedi told the FBI that he was communicating with a person named “Malik” and that he knew “Malik” was affiliated with ISIS. Tawhedi’s mother, who lives in Afghanistan, is believed to be an ISIS sympathizer, two U.S. officials said. In the France case, law enforcement officials told NBC News they had opened a preliminary investigation into a potential terror plot in France on Sept. 27.

Persons: Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, Tawhedi’s, Tawhedi, “ Malik ”, United States Department of Justice Tawhedi, — Organizations: Islamic, U.S, FBI, AK, Russia, AP ISIS, ISIS, United States Department of Justice, CIA, NBC News, Terrorism Locations: Islamic State, Afghan, Oklahoma, Russian, Crocus, Moscow, U.S, Afghanistan, Paris, France, Toulouse, Fronton, Haute, Garonne, Iran, Europe

☆ They’re cute, cuddly and coming to America: China’s newest panda diplomats headed for Washington
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-14 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Bao Li and Qing Bao were taken off public display and placed in quarantine on September 13 – a day after Qing Bao turned three years old. Bao Li and Qing Bao spent their last few days in Dujiangyan getting trained for their first long-haul flight. The zoo’s 24-hour Giant Panda Cam has garnered more than 100 million page views since its launch in 2000. “Giant pandas truly represent how great conservation outcomes can be achieved through great partnerships and with public support,” she said. “The international cooperation on giant pandas holds great significance,” the center said, adding that it had clarified such rumors multiple times.

Persons: Bao Li, Qing Bao, China’s, Tom Booth Qing Bao, Tom Booth, Bao, Brandie Smith, ” Smith, “, Bao Bao, Meixiang, Tian Tian, ”, Mariel Lally, “ Bao Li, Tian Tian Junior, Lally, –, Ren Zhijun, ” Ren, Evelio Contreras, CNN Ren, Ren, it’s, ” Lally, “ They’re, Richard Nixon’s, Pat Nixon, Zhou Enlai, Weeks, Ling Ling, Hsing Hsing, Cam, Mei Xiang, Xiao Qi Ji, Xi Jinping, Smith, influencers, Ya, Giant Panda Organizations: China CNN, FedEx Boeing, China Wildlife Conservation Association, CNN, Staff, Washington, Smithsonian, Washington DC, Zoo, National Zoo, US, Beijing Zoo, Memphis, San Diego Zoo, National, Memphis Zoo, China Conservation and Research Center, Giant Locations: Dujiangyan, China, Washington, Sichuan, Communist China, Beijing, San Diego, Atlanta, America, Europe, San Francisco

Both Afghans are believed to have wanted to carry out the operations on behalf of ISIS, the officials said. French officials said the Afghan charged there was 22 years old but declined to name him. They also did not identify two other individuals who were also taken into police custody in France for questioning and released. Two sources with knowledge of the matter later told NBC News that Tawhedi worked as a security guard for the CIA in Afghanistan. A senior Biden administration official said Tawhedi had been screened twice but no derogatory information had been detected.

Persons: Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, Tawhedi, Donald Trump, Biden, ” Organizations: Terrorism, ISIS, NBC News, CIA, Biden, Politico, Counterterrorism, FBI, U.S ., U.S, of Homeland Security Locations: Oklahoma, France, French, Paris, U.S, Afghanistan, Toulouse, Fronton, Haute, Garonne, Islamic State, Germany, Swedish, Sweden, Stockholm, Oklahoma City

As Hurricane Milton bears down on Florida, the staff at Sarasota Memorial Hospital are getting ready. The main hospital, Sarasota Memorial, is the largest. Staff at Sarasota Memorial can bring their pets to the hospital's temporary shelter. Courtesy Sarasota Memorial Health Care SystemAt AdventHealth Tampa Emergency Department, Dr. Alex Waldman, 35, is part of the B team. He’s preparing his house for the storm and bolting the hurricane shutters.

Persons: Milton, We’re, ”, David Verinder, Verinder, “ They’re, they’re, Alex Waldman, Waldman, Hurricane Helene, “, Helene, Lee, Monica Collins, Collins, Hurricane Ian, Fort Myers, she’s, Ian, He’s, I’m, I’ve, ” Waldman Organizations: Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Sarasota Memorial Health Care, Sarasota Memorial, Staff, Sarasota, Sarasota Memorial Health, Tampa Emergency Department, Lee Health, Southwest Florida Hospital, Skilled, Children’s, of Southwest, Hurricane Locations: Florida, Sarasota, Tampa, Hurricane, Fort Myers, of Southwest Florida, Miami, Fort

☆ Beware if you hold these stocks heading into earnings season, Piper Sandler says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Sean Conlon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Earnings season is right around the corner, and there are some stocks investors should be wary of, according to Piper Sandler. The season unofficially kicks off this week, with JPMorgan's third-quarter results due Friday before the bell, and it ramps up from there. The remaining four have a strong buy or buy rating. The department store chain is set to report its quarterly results in November. By contrast, only two have a strong buy or buy rating.

Persons: Piper Sandler, they've, Paramount's, Skydance, Nordstrom, it's, Piper, – Organizations: Dow Jones, Federal Reserve, Paramount Global, Warner Bros, Paramount, GameStop, Southwest Airlines, Southwest Locations: U.S, GME

☆ A Swiss town borders 2 other countries, making it the ideal base for exploring. Here's what 6 days in Basel were like.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-05 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I spent six days in the Swiss city of Basel, exploring the town's rich art scene. AdvertisementWhen you land in Basel, Switzerland, you land in a Swiss fantasy. I had arrived for its biggest art celebration: Art Basel, an international fair where 250 gallerists feature 4,000 artists. Monica Humphries/Business InsiderHere, I tracked down French pastries, hopped on a trolly tour, and got lost in the picturesque streets. The one thing I feel I missed during my Basel trip was a visit to Germany.

Persons: —, Monica Humphries, Jean Tinguely's, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Julio Le Parc's, Queen Elizabeth II, it's, I've Organizations: Service, Basel, Kunstmuseum Basel, DJ, Basel would've Locations: Swiss, Basel, France, Germany, Switzerland, It's, Basel's Klybeck, Klybeck, Miami, Bushwick , Brooklyn, Colmar, Alsace, Kandersteg, Titisee, Baden, Europa, France's, Bern, Lucerne

☆ Southwest reveals when and how it will get rid of open seating
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-26 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Southwest Airlines’ substantial changes to its business and boarding process are coming – but not for a while. Southwest announced in July it would move away from the open seating model it has been known for throughout its 53-year history. It also announced it would offer premium seating for the first time. Part of the reason Southwest isn’t rolling out its assigned seating model sooner is that premium seating will take some time to reconfigure in the planes. It did not give details for when the premium seating with more legroom between seats would be available.

Persons: Elliott, Icelandair Organizations: New, New York CNN, Southwest Airlines, Southwest, Elliott Investment Management, United, Delta, Baltimore - Washington International Airport Locations: New York, Southwest, Baltimore

☆ Southwest's new premium seats come with a catch for everyone else
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-26 | by ( Taylor Rains | Benjamin Zhang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Southwest Airlines introduces premium seating with extra legroom to boost revenue. Southwest said Thursday that about a third of its planes will get extra-legroom seats that boast at least five inches of extra pitch. Southwest is adding some typical industry perks to its planes, like inflight power and extra legroom seats. Southwest Airlines"On our larger aircraft, we didn't have to give up any seats," Southwest executive vice president for commercial transformation Ryan Green said during Thursday's Investor Day. AdvertisementIts future 737 Max 7 will have 48 extra legroom seats, also with 34 inches.

Persons: —, Ryan Green, you'd, Green, Max, Kevin Carter Organizations: Southwest Airlines, Service, Airlines, Boeing, Max, Southwest Airline Boeing, JetBlue Airways Locations: Southwest, Chicago

Annual fee Insider’s Take The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is worth considering if you fly Southwest, even occasionally. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card OverviewThe Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is the middle child of Chase's three Southwest consumer credit cards. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit CardThe Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is the "baby" card of the Southwest family. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit CardThe Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is Southwest's top-tier consumer credit card, and the option you should consider instead of the Southwest Premier if you frequently fly on this airline. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card has an "older sibling" — the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card.

Persons: HBO Max, you'll, You'll, cardholders, Jasmin Baron, Read, Angela Fung Organizations: Business, Rewards, Card, Rapid, Southwest Premier, Southwest ®, Southwest, Southwest Premier cardholders, Apple, Disney, ESPN, HBO, Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, Paramount, Showtime, Spotify, YouTube, Southwest Premier Southwest, Central America, Rapid Rewards, Chase, Sapphire, Southwest Airlines, cardholders, TSA, Southwest Premier Chase, Finance Locations: Hawaii, Mexico, Caribbean, Central, Southwest airfare, Southwest, U.S, Chevron, Canada

☆ Japanese warplanes use flares to warn a Russian Il-38 spy plane to leave airspace
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-23 | by ( Story Associated Press | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Tokyo, Japan (AP) — Japan said its warplanes used flares to warn a Russian reconnaissance aircraft to leave northern Japanese airspace on Monday. It came a day after a joint fleet of Chinese and Russian warships sailed around Japanese northern coasts. Earlier in September, Russian military aircraft flew around southern Japanese airspace. The Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning, accompanied by two destroyers, sailed between Japan’s westernmost island of Yonaguni and nearby Iriomote, entering close to Japan’s waters. According to Japan’s military, it scrambled jets nearly 669 times between April 2023 and March 2024, about 70% of the time against Chinese military aircraft, though that did not include airspace violations.

Persons: —, Minoru Kihara, Kihara, ” Kihara, Japan “, ” Organizations: Japanese, Russian, Soviet Union Locations: Tokyo, Japan, — Japan, Russian, Hokkaido, Russia, China, Liaoning, Japan’s, Yonaguni, Iriomote

☆ Florida teen dead after apparently being struck by lightning while riding a bicycle
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( Gabriella Rudy | Gabriella Rudy Is A News Associate For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

A 16-year-old boy died Wednesday after he was apparently struck by lightning while riding a bicycle in Florida, police said. Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue officials told NBC South Florida that the teen had burn wounds on his chest and inner thighs. Zandra Laguna, who lives in the neighborhood, told NBC South Florida she went outside and saw the teen across the street on his bike just moments before a lightning strike. Officials at McArthur High School in Hollywood, Florida, told NBC South Florida the teen was an 11th grader there, but his name has not yet been released. “I offer my deepest condolences to the student’s family and loved ones, teachers and classmates,” Principal Mark Howard said in the message, NBC South Florida reported.

Persons: hadn't, Zandra Laguna, Laguna, you’re, ”, Mark Howard, “ Organizations: NBC News, Regional Hospital, Pembroke Pines Police Department, Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue, NBC South, McArthur High School, NBC Locations: Florida, Southwest, Pembroke Pines, Miami, NBC South Florida, Hollywood , Florida

A Southwest Airlines plane takes off from Hollywood Burbank Airport above other Southwest planes on July 25, 2024 in Burbank, California. Southwest Airlines said Tuesday that executive chairman and former CEO Gary Kelly will retire next year and announced a board shakeup, moves that come as the carrier faces pressure for changes by activist investor Elliott Investment Management. Elliott in June revealed a nearly $2 billion stake in Southwest, seeking to oust leadership, including CEO Bob Jordan, who has also spent nearly four decades at the carrier. Southwest has also brought in outside experts, including Bob Fornaro, former CEO of Spirit Airlines and AirTran, which Southwest acquired. Southwest has an investor day scheduled for Sept. 26 in Dallas to expand on these and other initiatives.

Persons: Gary Kelly, Kelly, Herb Kelleher, Elliott, Bob Jordan, Bob Fornaro Organizations: Southwest Airlines, Elliott Investment Management, Southwest, Dallas, Texas, Spirit Airlines, Boeing, U.S Locations: Hollywood, Burbank , California, Southwest, Dallas

☆ Water shortages are likely brewing future wars — with several flashpoints across the globe
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-05 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), a non-profit with expertise in water governance, has said that even amid a possible rise in social conflicts and violence, "water can be a bridge to peaceful negotiations rather than a trigger or weapon of war." The severity of the global water crisis has been further underlined by an alarming rise in the number of security incidents. Egypt-Ethiopia tensionsVillanova University's Galgano identified nine international river basins as flashpoints in which conflict is either already taking place or the potential for armed conflict is high. These included the Nile Basin in Africa, the Tigris-Euphrates River Basins of southwestern Asia and the Helmand and Harirud Rivers along the border of Afghanistan and Iran. Major international river basins in conflict.

Persons: Hamed, Francis Galgano, You've, you've, Galgano, Idrees Mohammed, Villanova University's Galgano, Harirud Rivers, GERD, They've, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Hussein Faleh Organizations: Afp, Getty, Villanova University in, CNBC, Department, Environment, Villanova University, Stockholm International Water Institute, World Resources Institute, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Control, Villanova Locations: Lake Urmia, Iran, Villanova University in Pennsylvania, transboundary, Stockholm, Bengaluru, Mexico's, Tehran, India, Egypt, Ethiopia, Africa, Asia, Helmand, Harirud, Afghanistan, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iraq's, Basra

☆ Finland will soon bury nuclear waste in a geological tomb that’s built to last for 100,000 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-29 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Jonathan Nackstrand | Afp | Getty ImagesFinland is on the cusp of burying spent nuclear fuel in the world's first geological tomb, where it will be stored for 100,000 years. The pioneering project has been hailed as both a watershed moment for the long-term sustainability of nuclear energy and "a model for the entire world." Nuclear energy currently provides about 9% of the world's electricity, according to the World Nuclear Association. Finland is poised to bury spent nuclear fuel in the world's first geological tomb. KBS-3 is based on a multi-barrier principle, where several engineered barriers seek to ensure the long-term safety of the spent nuclear fuel.

Persons: Jonathan Nackstrand, Posiva, Gareth Law, University of Helsinki Tuohimaa, Tuohimaa, Kai Mykkänen Organizations: Afp, Getty, CNBC, videoconference, University of Helsinki, World Nuclear Association, Nordic, KBS, Swedish Nuclear, Waste Management Company, U.S Locations: ONKALO, Eurajoki, Finland, Finnish, Olkiluoto, Helsinki, Europe, Asia, Sweden

☆ On Ukraine’s Independence Day, Zelensky Celebrates Push Into Russia
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Andrew E. Kramer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

President Volodymyr Zelensky, always adept at messaging, used his latest Independence Day speech on Saturday to drive home the idea that Ukraine is taking the fight to Russia, even as his troops struggle along the front line at home. He said the video of the speech was filmed near the site where his troops began a cross-border offensive into Russian territory nearly three weeks ago that caught Moscow by surprise. It was prerecorded from what he described as a location along the Psel River, an area frequently targeted by Russian artillery. “Whoever wished misery upon our land shall find it in their own home,” Mr. Zelensky said of the incursion, which has pushed into the Kursk region of southwestern Russia. He called his military’s operation — which has come after two and a half years of Russia’s all-out, and brutal, invasion of Ukraine — a “boomerang for evil.”

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Moscow, ” Mr, Zelensky, ” Organizations: Russian Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Kursk

☆ Tropical Storm Debby: Storm making its way towards Florida coast is expected to strengthen
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-03 | by ( Nouran Salahieh | Mary Gilbert | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —A tropical depression making its way towards the Florida coast is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Debby Saturday before delivering heavy, flooding rainfall and dangerous storm surge to the state starting this weekend. The storm is expected to enter the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Saturday and become Tropical Storm Debby, according to the hurricane center. Tropical storm conditions could begin Saturday night in parts of southwest Florida. Tropical storm warnings are in effect for the Dry Tortugas and the west coast of the Florida peninsula from East Cape Sable to Boca Grande. Parts of the Florida Keys and parts of the Central Florida coast are also under a tropical storm watch, with officials urging residents there to prepare for tropical storm conditions within the next 48 hours.

Persons: Storm Debby, Ron DeSantis, “ Floridians, Santa Rosa –, “, Michael Brennan, It’s Organizations: CNN, Storm, Hurricane, Tropical, Florida, Fort, Sunshine State, Tampa metros, ” Hurricane, Weather, WPC, Carolinas, Florida Gulf Locations: Florida, Key, Cuba, Mexico, Bend, Gulf, East, Sable, Boca Grande, Suwannee, Central Florida, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Tampa Bay, South Florida, Orlando, state’s, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa, Miami, Georgia, Florida –, Florida Gulf Coast, Florida’s Big, Carolinas

☆ How a shuttered power plant in Michigan could pave the way for more nuclear energy
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-03 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

The Palisades Nuclear Generating Station in Covert, Mich. John Madill | The Herald-Palladium | APThe Palisades Power Plant on the shores of Lake Michigan had become a piece of history, a relic of an era when nuclear energy was viewed as the future. The new technology, which could become the first of its kind on the U.S. grid, promises to speed deployment of nuclear plants in the future. The U.S. and a coalition of more than 20 other countries pledged in December to triple nuclear energy by 2050. But building new nuclear plants is slow and expensive. SMRs are viewed as an important path to expand nuclear power because they promise to reduce capital costs, a major hurdle to building new plants.

Persons: John Madill, Kelly Trice, Holtec, Gretchen Whitmer, Whitmer, Trice, Jennifer Granholm, Kristen Norman, Chris Womack, " Trice, We've Organizations: Herald, Palladium, Palisades Power, Holtec, Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Michigan, Training, Bloomberg, Getty, Rystad Energy, Energy Information Administration, Southern Company, Big Tech, Holtec's SMR Locations: Covert, Mich, Lake Michigan, Covert , Michigan, Grand Rapids, U.S, Michigan, Palisades, Pennsylvania, Florida, Turkey

☆ Why Southwest just broke its 50-year boarding tradition
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Open seating helped Southwest load and unload passengers, which Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said meant more on-time departures and cost savings on Thursday’s earnings call. Even as other airlines switched to assigned seats in recent decades, Southwest kept its boarding process the same. ‘Sad day’Some loyal Southwest customers vented their frustration about the policy change on social media. She worries she will have to pay extra for her traditional A-group seats as Southwest moves to assigned seats. But activist pressure did not factor into the company’s move to assigned seats, Southwest CEO Jordan said on the earnings call.

Persons: Herb Kelleher, —, you’ve, William Thomas Cain, Bob Jordan, Gary Kelly, ” “, ”, Sandy Wolfe, “, Wolfe, Jordan, William McGee Organizations: New, New York CNN, Southwest Airlines, Southwest, “, CNN, Elliot Investment Management, United, Delta, American Economic Liberties Locations: New York, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Southwest, here’s, ‘, American, United States

Meanwhile, Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage of DoorDash with a buy rating and a price target implying upside of more than 60%. He also notched down his price target to $29 from $32, indicating 9.4% downside potential from Thursday's close. Analyst Vivek Arya reiterated his buy rating on the Dutch-based chipmaker in a client note on Thursday. He also cut his price target to $1.25 from $6.25, which was 7 cents below Thursday's close price. DASH YTD mountain AAPL year to date — Hakyung Kim 5:33 a.m.: Raymond James raises Apple price target Raymond James is getting more bullish on Apple ahead of earnings.

Persons: Raymond James, Michael Linenberg, Linenberg, Southwest's, — Hakyung Kim, BofA, Vivek Arya, NXP, NXPI, Arya, Davidson, Alexander Perry's, Perry, Morgan Stanley, International Morgan Stanley, Nathan Feather, Feather, Hakyung Kim, James Cordwell, Cordwell, EBITDA, Srini Pajjuri, Fred Imbert Organizations: CNBC, Apple, Southwest Airlines Deutsche Bank, Southwest Airlines, Revenue, NXP, Bank of America, EV, Harley, International, WW International, DoorDash Locations: U.S, China, Thursday's, 2H24

☆ Southwest profit falls 46% as airline takes 'urgent' steps to increase revenue
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Southwest Airlines airplanes are serviced at their gates at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on May 18, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Shares of Southwest fell 4% in premarket trading Thursday. Revenue per available seat mile, a gauge of airline pricing power, fell 3.8%, roughly in line with Southwest's reduced forecast last month. Southwest reported adjusted per-share earnings of 58 cents a share, above analysts' expectations. The airline is in the middle of an overhaul as pressure mounts from investors to do more increase revenue.

Persons: Bob Jordan, Jordan Organizations: Southwest Airlines, Hollywood International Airport, Southwest, Boeing, Elliott Investment Management, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines Locations: Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale , Florida, U.S

☆ Southwest Airlines is getting rid of open seating
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Southwest said customers were clamoring for these changes – when people switch to a competitor from Southwest, the company said the No. But the change will also help the company charge some passengers more for their tickets. “The research is clear and indicates that 80% of Southwest customers, and 86% of potential customers, prefer an assigned seat,” said the airline in a statement. Southwest doesn’t charge for carry on bags and has long allowed passengers to check two bags for free. The premium seats, which will offer more legroom, will not be available until 2025 as it will require reconfiguring its planes.

Persons: ”, Max Organizations: New, New York CNN, Southwest, United, Delta, Boeing Locations: New York, Southwest, Delta

☆ Southwest to get rid of open seating, offer extra legroom in biggest shift in its history
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Southwest Airlines is ending open seating and will offer extra legroom seats on its airplanes as mounting pressure on the carrier to increase revenue prompts the biggest changes to its business model in its 53 years of flying. The airline plans to start selling the first flights that will offer extra legroom next year, it said Thursday. When travelers choose a competitor over Southwest, the airline found in its research that its open seating model was the No. Rival carriers offer a host of options to upsell customers like extra legroom seats, premium economy or business class. Southwest will provide more details about the upcoming changes at an investor day at the end of September.

Persons: they'll, Bob Jordan, Jordan Organizations: Southwest, Southwest Airlines, Elliott Investment Management, Boeing, Federal Aviation Administration, Analysts Locations: Dallas, Delta, United

☆ Southwest Airlines Will End Its Longstanding Open-Seating Policy
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Jenny Gross | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Southwest Airlines will start assigning seats to passengers, ending its longstanding policy of allowing passengers to pick their seats once they have boarded, the airline said on Thursday. The new procedure will be implemented to increase revenue and in response to feedback from customers, 80 percent of whom report preferring an assigned seat, Southwest said. “This is the right choice — at the right time — for our customers, our people and our shareholders,” said Bob Jordan, the president and chief executive of Southwest. The new policy was reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal. The changes bring Southwest, which for years has distinguished itself by offering low prices and a simple business approach, more in line with conventional airlines like American Airlines and United Airlines.

Persons: ”, Bob Jordan Organizations: Southwest Airlines, Southwest, Wall Street, American Airlines and United Airlines

☆ Delta is finally starting emerging from chaos. Why didn’t it learn from Southwest’s meltdown?
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The situation finally appeared to be returning to normal Wednesday: Delta canceled only 51 flights as of 6 am ET, according to tracking service FlightAware, or only about 1% of its schedule. But it could still take days to get all Delta passengers who had been booked on those canceled flights to where they wanted to go. Delta passengers try to find their bags after canceled and delayed flights at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday. But it’s not like Delta executives were sitting on the sidelines during Southwest’s struggles thinking, “’Well we really are an amazing airline. Travelers wait in line at the Southwest Airlines ticketing counter at Nashville International Airport after the airline canceled thousands of flights in Nashville, Tennessee in December 2022.

Persons: New York CNN — It’s, Delta, Jessica McGowan, Kathleen Bangs, Ed Bastian, it’s, ’ ” Bangs, Seth Herald, We’ve, Chris Perry, Bangs, she’d, aren’t, ” Organizations: New, New York CNN, Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection, Delta, Department of Transportation, Hartsfield, Jackson Atlanta International Airport, CNN, “, Southwest Airlines, Nashville International, Getty, Southwest Locations: New York, Atlanta, Southwest, Nashville , Tennessee, AFP

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