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☆ Here's how each airline does compensation for flight delays, from meals to hotels to ground transportation
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Hannah Towey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The US Department of Transportation launched a new "airline customer service dashboard" this year. It breaks down the different rights passengers have when an airline delays or cancels their flight. However, several airlines have announced they are waiving flight change fees for passengers caught in the storm's path. The airline will now offer meal vouchers to passengers whose flights are delayed more than three hours instead of four hours, the airline's website shows. American Airlines has also updated the language in its customer service plan to "clarify" the company's existing policies, a spokesperson said.

☆ Flight delays and cancellations will likely impact millions of Christmas travelers. What to do when your airline experiences disruptions.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The National Weather Service has warned of a strong winter storm expected to affect holiday travel. But, some airlines offer to rebook on their website or mobile app and waive any fees, so it's sometimes easier to make changes online than in person. Carriers offering both are Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and United Airlines, according to the DoT dashboard. It never hurts to request a meal or hotel during flight disruptions, and you might get lucky with a goodwill gesture from the carrier. For example, in the case of a winter storm, it's likely many passengers will end up stranded in random cities across the US.

☆ American Airlines is dropping regional carrier Mesa, citing financial and operational problems
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

American Airlines is dropping Mesa Air , citing concerns about its partner's financial and operational problems, an enormous blow to the regional airline that was struggling with increasing costs and the industry's pilot shortage. "American and Mesa agree the best way to address these concerns is to wind down our agreement." Large carriers like American, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines routinely contract regional airlines to fly many shorter routes and they account for roughly half of departures, though that number varies by airline. American plans to concentrate its flying with its wholly owned regional subsidiaries like Envoy and PSA, as well as an independent regional carrier SkyWest . The final Mesa flight for American will be on April 3 though American is slashing Mesa flights in March, Kerr said in his note.

☆ American Airlines Names New CFO as It Looks to Cut Debt
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Kristin Broughton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

American Airlines Group Inc. named a company veteran as its next finance chief as it reaps the benefits of an uptick in air travel and works to pay down debt. He succeeds Derek Kerr, who has held the CFO role at American since its 2013 merger with US Airways Group. During his 20-year tenure at American and airlines it absorbed, US Airways and America West, Mr. May has held senior-level roles in finance, regional operations and network planning. American is one of several airlines that cut back on flights this year amid widespread delays, staffing shortages and airport congestion. The company has said it plans to pay down about $15 billion of its total debt by the end of 2025.

☆ Airlines forced to ration jet fuel in New Zealand, but limited impact seen
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Lewis Jackson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Key regional airlines said on Wednesday they expected to continue scheduled flights with New Zealand, which is beginning to ration jet fuel after a recent shipment failed government tests. FILE PHOTO: Air New Zealand Bombardier Q300 planes sit near the terminal at Auckland Airport in New Zealand, June 25, 2017. The next scheduled shipment, due to arrive on Dec. 12, will be ready for use by Dec. 18. O’Brien said regional airlines would mitigate the impact of reduced supplies by loading extra fuel at destinations such as Australia, though longer-haul airlines would need to consider refuelling stops or trading off cargo for more fuel. “So while it’s possible, it’s not simple and it’s not cheap,” added O’Brien, the executive director of the Board of Airline Representatives of New Zealand.

☆ Airbus drops 2022 delivery forecast, softens output goal
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Tim Hepher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Reuters reported on Friday that the target was under review after November deliveries had fallen short of expectations. Once closely tied, production and deliveries have become disconnected since the pandemic hit demand and rippled through supply chains. The speed of the production increase will depend in part on how many 2022 jet deliveries get pushed into 2023. Airbus is pushing buyers to take delivery of jets scheduled for this month, even though it has also started delaying further deliveries planned for 2023, some of which may spill into 2024. Boeing (BA.N), which has been lagging on orders and deliveries so far this year, will issue new data next week.

☆ Global airlines see return to profitability in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Emma Farge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] Global airline industry body International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General Willie Walsh attends an interview with Reuters in Doha, Qatar, June 19, 2022. Airlines lost tens of billions of dollars in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, but air travel has partially recovered and some airports have struggled to cope. DOWNSIDE RISKIATA believes global air traffic levels will return to pre-COVID or 2019 levels by 2024, led by the United States and with Asia-Pacific "notably lagging." If China does not loosen restrictions, airlines' profitability would be affected. Walsh said airlines had survived the worst of the downturns, though Europe's fragmented market remained an area to watch.

☆ Welcome to the ‘free-for-all hellscape’ that is Twitter
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Despite unprecedented sanctions from the West on various industries, Russia’s war chest has been padded by oil revenue. China and India, among others, are still buying surplus barrels of Russian oil, which has been cheaper ever since Western traders began shunning it. The price cap is designed to be enforced by companies that provide shipping, insurance and other services for Russian oil. Countries like Poland and Estonia wanted a lower price cap, emphasizing that $60 is too close to the current market price for Russian oil. Because of the relatively generous price cap, Russia may continue to find buyers.

☆ Explainer: Why U.S. airline pilot wages are outpacing global rises
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Jamie Freed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

U.S. domestic demand was only 0.8% below than 2019 levels in October, while globally, domestic travel demand was 22.1% lower. REGIONAL PILOT SHORTAGEThe steep pay rise on offer to Delta pilots follows a series of large increases at U.S. regional airlines that serve as feeders to major carriers. Uniquely among world markets, the United States requires pilots even at regional airlines to have a minimum of 1,500 hours of flying experience. Faced with growing shortages of entry-level pilots and rapid attrition of more experienced ones to major airlines, U.S. regional carriers have lifted pay rapidly. The increases put pressure on major airlines to ensure their entry-level pay attracts joiners from regional carriers to cover retirements and planned fleet growth.

☆ Misguided getaway sets off another security alert at Israeli airport
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File PhotoJERUSALEM, Dec 4 (Reuters) - A Palestinian car thief rammed through a checkpoint on the way to Israel's main airport on Sunday, authorities said, setting off a security alert in what they described as the result of poor navigation on his part rather than an attempted attack. Video circulated on social media showed passengers in Ben Gurion Airport's departure terminal crouching alongside their luggage as instructions sounded over loudhailers. Police said the suspect, a Palestinian in Israel illegally from the occupied West Bank, arrived at the airport checkpoint in a stolen car and raced through toward the main terminal. As in previous cases, the suspect was believed to have taken a wrong turn off the main Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway, Israeli officials said. The violence has contributed to the rise of far-rightists likely to play significant roles in the incoming Israeli government.

☆ Delta pilots would get more than 30% in pay raises under new contract deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Delta Air Lines and its pilots' union have reached a preliminary agreement for raises topping 30% over four years, a milestone deal that could sharply drive up aviators' pay across the industry. Delta pilots voted in October to authorize a strike if a deal wasn't reached, while pilots at several airlines have picketed this year demanding contract improvements. Delta and the union were edging toward a deal in mid-November, CNBC reported. It also includes a one-time payment of 4% of 2020 and 2021 pay each, plus 14% of 2022 pay. The Delta agreement said pay rates will exceed United's and American's pay by at least 1% over the course of the agreement, which still needs union and pilot approval.

☆ How electric air taxis could shake up the airline industry in the next decade
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Mikaela Cohen | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Companies across the U.S., including several startups, are developing electric air taxis that aim to take cars off the road and put people in the sky. In October, Delta Air Lines joined the list of airlines backing EV technology startups, with a $60 million investment in Joby Aviation, a company developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs), intended to operate as an air taxi service. In 2021, when Joby announced its plan to launch its Uber-like air taxis by 2024, it generated criticism from industry analysts on the ability to launch by that date. One is for $15 million with Eve Air Mobility for 200 aircraft, and another for $10 million with Archer Aviation for 100 eVTOLs. Air taxis could hit markets in the 2030sWhile major airlines enter agreements with global startups, it's important to remember these are conditional.

Thankfully, there are a few ways to get around those extra fees, with more airlines offering passengers access to free Wi-Fi than ever before. Hawaiian Airlines is also planning to launch free in-flight Wi-Fi in 2023 thanks to its partnership with SpaceX's SkyLink. American Airlines also seems to be testing out free Wi-Fi on many of its aircraft that are equipped with Viasat — as part of an ongoing trial, passengers who opt to watch a sponsored video can access 30 minutes of Wi-Fi free of charge. Some international carriers offer free Wi-Fi, but with certain stipulations. Then, choose the airline's Wi-Fi network and login on the Wi-Fi homepage using your T-Mobile or Sprint phone number.

One way to ease the blow to your wallet or purse is by using frequent-flyer miles. So we calculated how much a frequent-flyer mile is worth by dividing the number of frequent-flyer miles needed by the ticket price. We found the best time to spend your frequent-flyer miles for Thanksgiving travel was to book during the first week of October, which was about eight weeks out. The best day to flyAs for what's the best day on which to travel to get the most from your miles, there are two answers. If you haven't booked flights yet, you may be too late to find the best value in frequent-flyer miles.

☆ Qantas soars on profit view hike, likely shareholder returns next year
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In its second profit upgrade in six weeks, the carrier expects first-half underlying profit before tax between A$1.35 billion and A$1.45 billion ($898.02 million and $964.54 million), above prior expectation of between A$1.2 billion and A$1.3 billion. Analysts at UBS in a note said "strong demand plus Qantas' strategy to focus on profitability rather than growth will support earnings momentum into FY24". Qantas now also expects its net debt to be between A$2.3 billion and A$2.5 billion by 2022 end, A$900 million lower than its previous estimate. "Low levels of net debt put the board in a position to consider future shareholder returns in February 2023," the airline said, adding 76% of the A$400 million share buyback program announced in August has been completed. UBS expects Qantas to announce additional share buy-backs of A$300 million in second-half of fiscal 2023 and A$500 million in fiscal 2024.

REUTERS/Michael Weekes Jr./File PhotoNov 15 (Reuters) - Elon Musk’s rocket and satellite company SpaceX is in talks about an offering of mostly secondary shares that could value the company at up to $150 billion, representing a 20% increase in valuation, sources told Reuters. The offering would be aimed at helping employees and shareholders cash out, two of the sources said. That view appears to contradict earlier information from a separate source that the offering would raise up to $1 billion for SpaceX via a new share issuance. Talks with potential investors are centering around a price of $85 apiece for SpaceX shares, up from a split-adjusted $70 per share fetched earlier this year, sources said. The valuation is still fluid and any share sale plan, which requires SpaceX’s approval, could still change, the sources cautioned.

REUTERS/Michael Weekes Jr./File PhotoNov 15 (Reuters) - Billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX is in talks to raise nearly $1 billion in a new round that would value the rocket-launch and satellite company at about $150 billion, sources told Reuters. The ongoing talks offer SpaceX's share at about $85 apiece, up from the $125 billion valuation the company fetched earlier this year, sources said, suggesting strong investors' appetite while many late-stage venture capital-backed startups have to cope with valuation cut. Investors could buy new shares issued by SpaceX, or from employees who opt to sell via a private placement, or tender offer. The primary raise could fetch nearly $1 billion, one of the sources added. Investors have shown strong interest in SpaceX as the company has had a series of breakthroughs this year.

☆ Regulator Accuses Airlines of ‘Extreme’ Delays Refunding Fliers, Fines Six Carriers
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Alison Sider | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Frontier Airlines is one of six commercial airlines the U.S. Department of Transportation has fined citing delays in refunds owed to passengers. The U.S. Department of Transportation is levying penalties against six carriers that it says were prone to “extreme delays” paying refunds they owed to passengers throughout the pandemic. Five of the carriers which were fined are foreign airlines. Denver, Colorado-based budget carrier Frontier Airlines was ordered to pay $2.2 million—the largest penalty—and was required to repay $222 million, according to the Transportation Department.

A third source familiar with the matter said there was not a new formal agreement for regular deportation flights but that Cuba had agreed to accept occasional groups of deportees. The resumption of ICE deportation flights to Cuba could send a symbolic message to would-be migrants who typically fly to Central America and travel north to the border. A record 220,000 Cubans were caught at the U.S.-Mexico border in fiscal year 2022, which ended on Sept. 30. U.S. authorities made more than 2.2 million migrant arrests at the U.S.-Mexico border in fiscal year 2022, higher than any year on record. But just 2 percent of Cubans apprehended at the border were expelled in the 2022 fiscal year.

☆ How airlines plan to create a new generation of pilots amid fears of decade-long cockpit crisis
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Bob Woods | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

Focusing more long-term, though, airlines are boosting training programs to unprecedented levels and trying to attract a younger and more diverse next generation of aviators. That formula has been adopted by regional airlines, too, such as Mesa Air Group , Republic, Envoy, Cape Air and SkyWest . The regionals have always been an entry point for the mainline airlines' pilots, providing them the requisite number of hours of flight time needed before advancing. "The pilot shortage has abated to some extent," Murray said, "but at the expense of lower frequencies and fewer connection opportunities for travelers." Regional airline Republic has its own flight school, the Leadership in Flight Training Academy, in Indianapolis.

Climate activists across Europe and the United States blocked entrances to airports Thursday to protest emissions from the aviation industry and call for a ban on private jets. Activists with three groups — Extinction Rebellion, Scientist Rebellion and Guardian Rebellion — descended on the airport terminals as part of organized actions in at least 13 countries. In the U.S., activists gathered at King County International Airport in Seattle and blocked entrances to a private jet terminal at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina and at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. The activists targeted private jets because they represent the contributions of the ultrarich — and their lifestyles — to global greenhouse gas emissions. “The planet is on fire and people are still flying private jets.

☆ Ryanair expects to emerge as Europe's only major low-cost carrier
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DUBLIN, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Ryanair (RYA.I) on Monday predicted it would eventually become Europe's only major low-cost carrier, with Chief Executive Michael O'Leary claiming a widening gap on costs would make rivals easyJet (EZJ.L) and Wizz (WIZZ.L) takeover targets. "Europe is inexorably moving towards a similar out-turn as North America where you will have three very large, somewhat higher cost, high-fare connecting carriers, and one very large low cost carrier" in Ryanair, O'Leary said. Wizz chief executive Jozsef Varadi, who has always maintained his cost base is comparable to Ryanair's, last week said he did not see his airline as a takeover target. But he said the British airline was being forced by Ryanair to retreat in other markets like Italy and Portugal. Wizz, O'Leary said, was making progress with expansion in the Middle East but was retreating in the face of Ryanair expansion in some parts of its core central and eastern Europe region.

☆ Singapore Airlines expects 2023 airfares may decline as rivals add capacity
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Jamie Freed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Airline reported record quarterly revenue in Q2Passenger yields were 32% above 2019 levels in Q2Bookings strong through Lunar New Year period - executiveNov 7 (Reuters) - Singapore Airlines Ltd (SIA) (SIAL.SI) expects passenger yields, a proxy for airfares, could decline in 2023 as rival airlines bring back planes idled during the pandemic and add capacity, a senior executive said on Monday. The airline on Friday swung to a second-quarter profit and declared its first dividend in three years as international borders reopened and travel demand rebounded strongly in the three months ended on Sept. 30. SIA's passenger yields across its group airlines were 32% higher during the quarter than during the same quarter in 2019 before the pandemic decimated air travel, according to Reuters calculations based on the respective financial results. The airline's shares were trading 1.5% higher at 0315 GMT on Monday, having risen by as much as 3% in early trading to the highest level since June. Reporting by Jamie Freed in Sydney; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ United pilots reject contract as airline negotiations ramp up
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Greg Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN Business —A shortage of airline pilots is leading pilots at America’s largest carriers to push for better pay and benefits. The union representing United Airlines (UAL) pilots said Tuesday its members rejected a tentative contract, voting 94% against the deal. It accused management of delays and said pilots deserve better now that the airline is profitable again. American’s pilots may soon consider a tentative agreement between their union — the Allied Pilots Association — and the airline, Tajer said. The votes by United and Delta pilots are not the only way airline contract negotiations have spilled into public view.

☆ American Airlines offers pilots higher raises in new contract proposal
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Pilots talk as they look at the tail of an American Airlines aircraft at Dallas-Ft Worth International Airport. American Airlines ' pilots union is weighing an offer for higher raises in a new two-year contract proposal, the latest attempt to seal up a labor deal at the country's largest airline. The total would be higher than the raises American offered in June. Pilots are in short supply and regional airlines, where the shortage is most acute, have raised wages sharply this year. Those hikes included American Airlines' subsidiaries where pilots got 50% increases through August 2024.

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