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☆ Why airlines are raising baggage fees — and charging you more at the airport
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

United Airlines , American Airlines and JetBlue Airways are among the carriers that have raised the price to check bags this year. Earlier this week, American Airlines raised its checked bag fees for the first time in more than five years and adopted the two-tiered strategy that United, JetBlue and several budget airlines already have. American Airlines previously charged $30 for either service. Why are airlines raising baggage fees? Airlines have argued that higher costs such as labor and fuel, their biggest expenses, mean they had to raise bag fees.

Persons: Scott Olson, Barry Biffle, Biffle Organizations: O'Hare International, Getty, Getty Images Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, United, JetBlue, CNBC, Frontier, Transportation, Airlines Locations: Chicago, North America

☆ American Airlines raises bag fees, won't allow some travel agency bookings to earn miles
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An American Airlines plane sits at the gate at Cancun International Airport on May 26, 2023. American Airlines has raised the price to check a bag for the first time in more than five years and said it would limit which travel agency bookings are eligible to earn frequent flyer miles. American Airlines last raised bag fees in September 2018 along with other major airlines. Frequent flyer members with elite status and some American Airlines credit card holders will still receive a complimentary checked bag. Customers who buy basic economy tickets will only earn frequent flyer miles if they book on American Airlines' website.

Persons: airfare Organizations: American Airlines, Cancun International Airport, U.S, Carriers Locations: Cancun, Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, Fort Worth , Texas

☆ Red Sea crisis: How global trade is being upended by attacks on container ships
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

That’s added as much as two weeks to a typical East-to-West journey for container ships, and 18 days for slower bulk carriers and tankers. Global container shipping costs are less than half their level during the coronavirus pandemic, which peaked at $10,380 in September 2021. Even so, he said, container shipping is “very cost-effective” as many goods can be packed into a single shipping container. The Galaxy Leader cargo ship is escorted by Houthi boats in the Red Sea on November 20, 2023. Fewer oil tankers have avoided the Red Sea than container ships, which the Houthi militants more closely identify with Western countries allied with Israel.

Persons: Richard Meade, Tesla, Peter Sand, Good Hope, That’s, ”, Lloyd —, “, ” Simon MacAdam, ” Maersk, Meade Organizations: London CNN —, Hamas, Lloyds, CNN, Maersk, Hapag, Carriers, Global, Container, Capital Economics, Organisation for Economic Co, Development, Galaxy Leader, Houthi Military Media, Reuters Locations: Iran, Suez, Asia, Europe, Germany, Swedish, Africa, South Africa’s, Good, Sand, Vietnam, Drewry, Shanghai, China, Rotterdam, Netherlands, Xeneta, Israel, United States, Canada

☆ How to reduce — or avoid — airline fees for checked bags
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

A checked bag is one stored in a plane's cargo hold during a flight. While that service was free in years past, it's now standard for major airlines to charge for checked bags, experts said. Today, it's about double: $30 to $35 for one checked bag, Nastro said. The carrier allows two free checked bags. Buy a luggage scale, lightweight bagsBuying and using a luggage scale before traveling can help travelers avoid surprise fees at the airport due to exceeding a weight limit on checked bags.

Persons: it's, Katy Nastro, Nastro, Eric Napoli, Daniel Garrido, Emirates —, Aiden Higgins, Higgins, Napoli Organizations: Major U.S, Bureau, Transportation, Finance, Airlines — Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Air, Napoli, Spirit Airlines Locations: Major, U.S, New York, Los Angeles

☆ Alaska Airlines resumes flying Boeing 737 MAX 9 after inspections
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 plane is parked on the tarmac at Los Angeles International Airport on January 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. Alaska Airlines on Friday said it has completed inspections on the first group of its Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, clearing the carrier to put the MAX 9 back in service after an in-flight cabin blowout earlier this month. Alaska said it had begun inspections of its first MAX 9s on Wednesday night, after the Federal Aviation Administration approved inspection criteria. A Copa Airlines jet became the first MAX 9 to return to service on Thursday. Alaska and United Airlines, the two U.S. carriers that fly the MAX 9, have canceled thousands of flights this month since the Jan. 6 grounding of 171 MAX 9s.

Persons: Stan Deal Organizations: Alaska Airlines Boeing, Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles . Alaska Airlines, Boeing, Federal Aviation Administration, Alaska Airlines, Boeing Commercial, Copa Airlines, United Airlines Locations: Los Angeles, Seattle, San Diego . Alaska, Alaska, United, U.S

☆ Alaska Airlines says Boeing 737 Max 9 grounding will cost it $150 million
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Alaska Airlines N704AL, a 737 Max 9, which made an emergency landing at Portland International Airport on January 5 is parked at a maintenance hanger in Portland, Oregon on January 23, 2024. Alaska Airlines said Thursday that the weekslong grounding of the Boeing 737 Max 9 will cost the carrier $150 million. Both Alaska and United Airlines , the two U.S. carriers that have the Max 9s in their fleets, said they found loose bolts on several Max 9 planes during preliminary inspections shortly after the accident. Alaska on Thursday forecast full-year adjusted earnings per share of between $3 and $5, including the hit from the Max grounding. Alaska and United CEOs have expressed frustration and anger with Boeing this week after the accident.

Persons: Max, Ben Minicucci Organizations: Alaska Airlines, Portland International Airport, Boeing, Federal Aviation Administration, United Airlines, LSEG, Company, United, NBC Locations: Portland , Oregon, Alaska, United, U.S

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration recommends that airlines inspect the door plugs on certain Boeing 737s that are older than the Max 9 jetliner that suffered a blowout of a similar panel during a flight this month. The FAA said that 737-900ERs have logged 3.9 million flights without any known issues involving the door plugs. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesOne of the two door plugs on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 flew off the plane in midflight on Jan. 5. The FAA has grounded all Max 9s with door plugs instead of regular doors in the back of the cabin. Boeing delivered about 500 737-900ERs between 2007 and 2019 – mostly to U.S. airlines -- and about 380 have door plugs instead of exits.

Persons: jetliner, Max Organizations: WASHINGTON, Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing, FAA, Alaska Airlines Boeing, Max, United Airlines, National Transportation Safety Locations: midflight, Oregon, Alaska, United, U.S

☆ Analyst: Spirit Airlines could be forced out of business after JetBlue deal is blocked
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —Spirit Airlines could end up in bankruptcy and be forced out of business because of a federal court decision to block a proposed sale to JetBlue Airways, according to a note from an airline analyst. “We believe Spirit will first look for an alternative buyer, but another airline may get the same pushback [from antitrust regulators. Its fares prompted major airlines to offer a certain number of no-frills “basic economy” seats on their planes. It also prompted concerns that its purchase by JetBlue would lead to higher fares across the industry — concerns which resulted in the Justice Department’s antitrust case that blocked the deal. “While we are disappointed with this [court decision] outcome, we are confident in our strengths and strategy,” said a company statement sent to CNN.

Persons: Helane Becker, Cowen, “, ”, Becker, General Merrick Garland, Pete Buttigieg, ” Buttigieg, Fitch, it’s, William Young Organizations: New, New York CNN — Spirit, JetBlue Airways, JetBlue, Transportation, Refinitiv, JPMorgan Chase, CNN, Airbus, Boeing, lessors, Federal, Spirit Locations: New York, Spirit’s, U.S

☆ Delta more than doubles fourth-quarter profit, but trims 2024 earnings forecast
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Delta Air Lines closed out the year by doubling its quarterly profit as travel demand, particularly for international trips, helped drive record revenue in 2023. Delta on Friday forecast adjusted earnings per share of between $6 and $7 for 2024, below the more than $7 a share the carrier predicted last year. Delta posted adjusted earnings of $6.25 a share in 2023. Stripping out one-time items, Delta posted adjusted revenue of $13.66 billion, slightly ahead of LSEG estimates. Adjusted earnings per share of $1.28 topped analysts' estimates for $1.17 a share in the fourth quarter.

Persons: Ed Bastian, Bastian, Delta, Glen Hauenstein, haven't, Hauenstein, Max Organizations: Delta Air Lines, Delta, CNBC, Airlines, LSEG, Aircraft, Boeing, Alaska Airlines, Federal Aviation Administration, United Airlines, FAA, Airbus, CNBC PRO Locations: U.S, Detroit, Los Angeles, Seattle, Alaska

☆ Flight cancellations pile up as winter storm, 737 Max 9 grounding disrupt travel
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Ryan Anastasio | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Airlines canceled more than 3,000 U.S. flights Friday as they grappled with winter weather and the grounding of Boeing 737 Max 9 planes. United canceled about 10% of its mainline flights and delayed about 30%. That grounding has continued to disrupt travel for United and Alaska Airlines, the only U.S. airlines operating the aircraft. Alaska said that between 110 and 150 flights per day would be impacted by the grounding of the Max 9. United Airlines said it canceled flights scheduled to use a Max 9 through Tuesday.

Persons: Max Organizations: Airlines, Boeing, Max, Midwest, U.S, United Airlines, American Airlines, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Chicago Midway, United, Federal Aviation Administration, Alaska Airlines, FAA Locations: U.S, Chicago, Detroit, United, Alaska

☆ Tesla to pause German production over Red Sea disruption
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —Tesla plans to pause most production at its only European factory due to supply chain problems caused by attacks in the Red Sea. In recent weeks, Houthi militants, based in Yemen, have ramped up attacks on vessels traveling through the Red Sea, saying they are revenge for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. As a result, six of the world’s 10 biggest shipping companies — namely Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, ZIM and ONE — have been largely or completely avoiding the Red Sea. Volkswagen, Germany’s biggest carmaker, said Friday that its passenger car division did not anticipate “significant” restrictions to production over the situation in the Red Sea, according to Reuters. Economic reverberationsTesla’s decision will amplify fears that a prolonged closure of the Red Sea route — which connects with the vital Suez Canal — will hurt the global economy by snarling supply chains and driving up the prices of goods.

Persons: London CNN — Tesla, Tesla, Joe Biden, Brent, “, ”, Robert Yawger, Matt Egan Organizations: London CNN, CNN, RTL, Maersk, MSC, Lloyd, CMA CGM, Carriers, European Automobile Manufacturers ’ Association, Volvo, Reuters, Volkswagen, Economic, Ikea, Crocs, Container, British, West Texas, Mizuho Securities Locations: Red, Berlin, Europe, Yemen, Gaza, South Africa, Belgium, Suez, British, Drewry, Iran

☆ American Airlines' frequent flyer program is changing. Here’s what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-09 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Elite status on airlines rewards big spenders with perks like complimentary upgrades and free checked bags. First things first: American Airlines isn't changing the requirements to earn elite status at the airline in the coming earning year. Loyalty programs were a lifeline for airlines during the Covid pandemic when travel slowed to a trickle. Carriers have been grappling with a surge in elite travelers, repeatedly increasing the requirements to earn status, and tweaking benefits. For customers striving for elite status, the airline will give them bonus loyalty points after they've earned 15,000.

Persons: Ronald Reagan, Scott Chandler, American's, they've Organizations: American Airlines Airbus, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, American Airlines, Admirals Club, Delta Air Lines, United, Delta Locations: Ronald Reagan Washington, Arlington , Virginia, American

U.S. District Judge William Young told a JetBlue lawyer that he expected airline fares would rise if no-frills, ultra-low-cost Spirit no longer was around to "undercut everyone else" and drive down prices. The four largest U.S. carriers - United Airlines (UAL.O), American Airlines (AAL.O), Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) and Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) - control 80% of the domestic market. JetBlue and Spirit combined control about 8%, according to their lawyers. Duffy said allowing JetBlue's, the sixth-largest U.S. airline, and Spirit, the seventh-largest, to merge would result in higher prices and fewer flights once lower-cost Spirit was no longer competing. Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Will DUnhma, Mark Porter and Alexia GaramfalviOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Department's, William Young, Young, Edward Duffy, Duffy, Ryan Shores, Joe Biden's, Shores, JetBlue's, Nate Raymond, Will DUnhma, Mark Porter, Alexia Garamfalvi Organizations: BOSTON, ., JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, Justice Department, District of Columbia, Justice, U.S, United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit, U.S ., Thomson Locations: U.S, Boston, New York City, Newark , New Jersey, Fort Lauderdale , Florida

The deal is smaller than the mergers that reshaped the airline industry more than a decade ago. But the Justice Department is already fighting another smallish deal — JetBlue's proposal to buy Spirit Airlines. This deal will provide another test for the Biden administration’s resolve to preserve competition in various industries. PRO AND CON ARGUMENTSIn the JetBlue case, the Justice Department sued because it wants to preserve Spirit, the nation's biggest discount airline. Under President Joe Biden, the Justice Department seems to be showing some buyer's remorse that previous administrations didn't block some of those mergers.

Persons: Biden, Ben Minicucci, Henry Harteveldt, Joe Biden, — Organizations: Alaska Air Group's, Hawaiian Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Alaska Air Group, U.S ., JetBlue, Virgin America, JetBlue . Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Air, U.S . Department of Transportation, American Airlines, Justice, Alaska -, U.S, Justice Department, Atmosphere Research, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Transportation Department, Airlines, America — Locations: Alaska, Hawaiian, ALASKA, Seattle, West Coast, California, U.S, Asia, Hawaii, Cirium, United States

☆ How airlines are shaving minutes off flight times to save millions
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Passengers make their way through the terminal as they travel ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday at Washington Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Virginia, on Nov. 22, 2023. American Airlines last year started using new technology to assign flight gates at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the world's second-busiest airport and American's biggest hub, where it operates out of 135 regional and mainline gates. "It took the nightly process of gating the airline from four hours to about 10 minutes," said American COO David Seymour. The gating technology in other airports aims to avoid gate congestion that could delay flights from departing or parking upon arrival. Short taxi times and other improvements can help airlines save fuel, one of airlines' biggest costs.

Persons: David Seymour, Ronald Reagan, Chicago's, Seymour Organizations: Washington Dulles International, American Airlines, Fort Worth International, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Miami International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Transportation Department, American Locations: Dulles , Virginia, Dallas, American's, Miami, Ronald Reagan Washington, Phoenix

☆ No Thanks, Grandma, I’m Saving Room for Airplane Food
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Christine Chung | More About Christine Chung | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Some of the 30 million passengers expected to fly domestically over this Thanksgiving holiday may be stunned by what’s available to eat and drink 30,000 feet up in the sky. There are onboard espresso martinis, dessert carts and even tapas service. Some passengers believe the complimentary meal and beverage service in the most expensive cabins is the best it’s ever been, both in breadth of options and in taste. From the standard pretzels and Biscoff cookies to pricey cheese plates and sandwiches, the chasm between premier and main cabins continues to widen. First, it was reduced seat space and extra fees.

Persons: ”, Bobby Laurie Locations: U.S

☆ Airlines brace for record Thanksgiving air travel
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Airlines expect record travel demand this Thanksgiving. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is expected to be the busiest day during that period with an estimated 2.9 million passengers taking to the skies. And Thanksgiving will be a test to see how the aviation industry handles the year-end holidays while still managing strains like a prolonged shortage of air traffic controllers. Weather readiness is particularly key for Southwest Airlines , which canceled 16,700 flights late last year and in early 2024 following severe winter weather, while other airlines recovered more quickly. Those extra two minutes "just helps that flight and the next flight and the next flight," she said.

Persons: they're, David Pekoske, Andrew Watterson, Linda Jojo, Jojo Organizations: Delta Airlines, Orlando International Airport, Airlines, Transportation Security Administration, Carriers, Southwest Airlines, Skift Aviation, United Airlines Locations: Orlando , Florida, Dallas, Fort Worth , Texas, enplaning

☆ Fact Check: Hezbollah anti-ship missiles clip dates to 2019, not 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An old video of Shi’ite Islamist group Hezbollah’s anti-ship missiles has been falsely shared as footage published in response to U.S. deployment of carriers to the eastern Mediterranean amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in 2023. Experts believe that the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon may possess more than 100,000 rockets including precision missiles, such as drones and anti-tank, anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles. However, the circulating video long predates the 2023 Israel-Hamas war. The caption states: “The video Footage depicting C-802 anti-ship cruise missiles has been resealed for the first time. The video of Hezbollah's anti-ship missiles was published in 2019, not during the 2023 Israel-Hamas war in response to the presence of U.S. carriers.

Persons: Gerald R, Dwight Eisenhower, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, “, Read Organizations: Hamas, Ford, Reuters, Facebook, Iran Press News Agency, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, U.S, Lebanon, Lebanese

A rebound in Asia is especially important for airlines where long-haul travel makes up a bigger mix of revenue. Travel spending in Asia Pacific is set to grow 41% this year to $567 billion, and rise to $800 billion by 2027, according to data from the Global Business Travel Association. The planned capacity, which has not been previously reported, is a strong rebound from 2022, when the carrier's Asia-Pacific traffic was 33% of 2019 levels. Travel to Asia is also a source of high-margin revenue at a time when soaring labor and fuel costs are pressuring profit and domestic fares are declining. Across the border, Air Canada said the increase in Asia Pacific capacity would more than double its overall system growth.

Persons: Toby Melville, Andrew Nocella, Mark Galardo, Galardo, Raymond James, Savanthi Syth, Allison Lampert, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Ben Klayman, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Heathrow Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Carriers, Business, Global Business Travel Association, Air, Reuters, United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Asia Pacific, United, Delta, Tourism Economics, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Rights MONTREAL, CHICAGO, Asia, Pacific, Europe, Asia Pacific, U.S, United States, Atlanta, Manila, Philippines, San Francisco, New Zealand, Chicago, Air Canada, Air Canada's Vancouver, Canada, North America, Ukraine, Hong Kong, East Coast, Newark , New Jersey, Toronto, China, Montreal

☆ $29 flights are back as airlines race to fill seats in the off-season
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

A Frontier Airlines airplane taxis past a Spirit Airlines aircraft at Indianapolis International Airport in Indianapolis, Indiana. Southwest Airlines , for example, last month offered one-way fares of $29 for flights early in the morning or at night, just one example of airline discounting for off-peak periods. Airlines have scheduled a record 259.8 million seats for domestic flights in the fourth quarter, up nearly 8% from last year, on 1.86 million flights, up 6% from 2022, according to aviation-data firm Cirium. United Airlines said it expects to fly 5.9 million passengers from Nov. 17 to Nov. 29, up 13% from last year and 5% more than 2019. That means they could increase their inventory of cheaper basic economy fares during weaker demand periods, or raise fares when demand is high for premium seats.

Persons: Luke Sharrett, Ryan Green, Scott Keyes, airfare, Bob Jordan, Jordan, Barry Biffle, we're, Hopper, that's, Biffle, Henry Harteveldt Organizations: Frontier, Spirit Airlines, Indianapolis International Airport, Bloomberg, Getty, Texas — Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Skift Aviation, Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Budget, JetBlue, Frontier Airlines, . Frontier Airlines, CNBC, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, Atmosphere Research Locations: Indianapolis , Indiana, Texas, Miramar , Florida, Orlando, Vegas

[1/2] Airplane model is placed on displayed Spirit Airlines and jetBlue Airways logos in this illustration taken, June 21, 2022. JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes defended the deal being challenged by the U.S. Department of Justice in federal court in Boston, saying a merger was the only way to grow JetBlue into a long-term national challenger to the dominant airlines. "You'd never ever get to the size they are based on organic growth," he testified under questioning by JetBlue lawyer Ryan Shores. The Justice Department counters that passengers would suffer roughly $1 billion in net harm annually if JetBlue absorbs Spirit, causing fares to rise. The trial is a rarity for the Justice Department, which historically has approved airline mergers without trials conditioned on asset divestitures.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Robin Hayes, Hayes, You'd, Ryan Shores, Edward Duffy, JetBlue, District William Young, Nate Raymond, Alexia Garamfalvi Organizations: Airlines, jetBlue Airways, REUTERS, Rights BOSTON, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, U.S, JetBlue, U.S . Department of Justice, The Justice Department, Democratic, District of Columbia, United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Department, District, Justice Department, Thomson Locations: Boston, New York City, Newark , New Jersey, Fort Lauderdale . U.S

☆ Carriers Look to Offer Fast-Lane Access on 5G Networks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Isabelle Bousquette | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

A gamer plays a GeForce NOW game inside a pop-up converted phone box powered by 5G. Photo: Anthony Devlin/Zuma PressNetwork carriers, looking to build new business around 5G, are exploring nascent technology that would allow them to better and more quickly deliver certain apps and services on their network—but this technology, known as network slicing, could potentially run afoul of net-neutrality regulations. In the current model, all data traffic from phones is typically funneled through the same network. Carriers are able to prioritize the voice calls that they handle on that network, but they rarely have visibility into what else users are doing through other apps. In other words, someone using a videoconferencing telehealth app has no priority over someone scrolling social media or streaming video—despite the fact that faster delivery is much more critical for that service, said Chris Sambar , head of network at AT&T .

Persons: Anthony Devlin, Chris Sambar Organizations: 5G, Zuma Press Network, Carriers

[1/2] Airplane model is placed on displayed Spirit Airlines and jetBlue Airways logos in this illustration taken, June 21, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustrations/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBOSTON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Justice heads to trial on Tuesday to urge a federal judge to block JetBlue Airways' (JBLU.O) planned $3.8 billion acquisition of ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines. The trial will take place without a jury over about three weeks before U.S. District Judge William Young. A merger between JetBlue and Spirit, the sixth and seventh largest U.S. carriers, respectively, would mark the first major U.S. airline combination since Alaska Airlines bought Virgin America in 2016. The Justice Department alleges the merger would eliminate the pressure larger airlines, including JetBlue, face to lower their fares in response to competition from Spirit and cost consumers over $2 billion in higher fares annually.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Joe Biden's, William Young, Young, Biden, Leo Sorokin, Nate Raymond, Alexia Garamfalvi, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Airlines, jetBlue Airways, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Department of Justice, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, U.S, JetBlue, Spirit, Alaska Airlines, Virgin America, United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Justice Department, Department, Democratic, District of Columbia, The, Big, American, Thomson Locations: Boston, U.S, New York City, Newark, Fort Lauderdale

☆ GE halves LEAP engine delivery growth target for 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Rajesh Kumar Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In an interview, CEO Larry Culp said the company is aiming for a 20% to 25% year-on-year increase in the engine deliveries in 2024, lower than a revised 40% to 45% annual growth this year. Still, hitting the target will not be easy as it requires quarter-on-quarter improvements in the supply chain, he said. LEAP engines, which GE produces in a joint venture with France's Safran (SAF.PA), power the narrowbody aircraft of Boeing Co (BA.N) and Airbus (AIR.PA). It forced GE to trim the delivery growth target for LEAP engines this year by at least 5 percentage points and push out some of the deliveries into 2024 and 2025. But the demand for both aftermarket services and new engine deliveries is so strong that GE and its suppliers need to do more, Culp said.

Persons: Larry Culp mingles, Alwyn Scott, Larry Culp, France's Safran, delinquencies, Pratt, Culp, airframers, " Culp, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Electric Co, REUTERS, Rights, General, Reuters, GE, Boeing Co, Airbus, Boeing, Thomson Locations: Tarrytown , New York, U.S

Travelers are flocking to airport lounges in search of complimentary food, drinks and perhaps most importantly, a chance to relax away from the hordes of travelers at the gate. Delta's new Sky Club at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport Benji Stawski / CNBCDelta Air Lines Sky Club lounges — and the credit cards that grant entry to them — became so popular that customers complained about the long lines and crowds at many locations. More spaceDelta, United Airlines and American Airlines are racing to build more lounges and spaces and larger ones to fit high demand. The carrier separately operates a network of Polaris lounges for travelers booked in its highest cabin class, usually on long-haul international routes. United Airlines Polaris lounge at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Persons: John F, Benji Stawski, —, Delta, Allison Ausband, Leslie Josephs Organizations: Sky Club, New, Kennedy International, CNBC Delta Air Lines Sky, —, CNBC, John, Delta, United Airlines, American Airlines, Denver International Airport, Polaris, United Airlines Polaris, Newark Liberty International Airport Locations: U.S, New York, Delta

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