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☆ American Airlines plans to appeal ruling that blocks JetBlue partnership, CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An American Airlines plane takes off near a parked JetBlue plane at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on July 16, 2020 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. American Airlines plans to appeal a court's recent ruling that would block its partnership with JetBlue Airways in the Northeast, American CEO Robert Isom said Wednesday. A spokesman for JetBlue declined to comment and didn't say whether the airline also planned to appeal the ruling along with American. U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin ruled earlier this month that the airlines' partnership in the region is anticompetitive and ordered the airlines to end the partnership in 30 days. American Airlines CFO Devon May said at the same conference on Wednesday that the company didn't expect a material impact this year due to the ruling.

Persons: Robert Isom, Leo Sorokin, We've, Isom, Joe Biden's, Biden, Sorokin, Trump, Devon May Organizations: American Airlines, JetBlue, Fort, Hollywood International Airport, Fort Lauderdale , Florida . American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, American, U.S, District, DOJ, Joe Biden's Justice Department, District of Columbia, Delta, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Devon, Justice Department, Spirit Airlines Locations: Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale , Florida, Northeast, American, Boston, New York

☆ World’s best airline for 2023 named by AirlineRatings.com
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket/Getty ImagesAfter a couple of years of reduced air travel in the wake of the pandemic, travelers returned to the air in 2022 to significant airline chaos – canceled flights, lost luggage and overstretched staff. And interestingly, while Air New Zealand came out on top for 2023, Thomas said the results were close among the top five. Singapore Airlines took the fifth spot on AirlineRatings.com's 2023 list and also won the Best First Class award. Johannes P. Christo/Anadolu Agency/Getty ImagesAbu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways is number 3 on AirlineRatings.com’s 2023 list. Singapore Airlines, named top in the Best First Class award and the Excellence in Long Haul Travel - Southeast Asia award, took fifth place overall.

Persons: AirlineRatings.com, –, ” Geoffrey Thomas, ” AirlineRatings.com, Marcos del Mazo, Thomas, Johannes P Organizations: CNN, Air, Zealand, CNN Travel, Zealand’s, Qatar Airways, Air New Zealand, Business, Catering, Long, Singapore Airlines, Christo, Anadolu Agency, Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways, Korean, North, ” Air, New, Civil Aviation Authority, Auckland International Airport, Etihad Airways, Qantas, Virgin, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, SAS, TAP, All Nippon Airways, Delta Air, Air Canada, British Airways, Jet, JAL, Vietnam Airlines, Turkish Airlines, KLM, . Alaska Airlines, United Airlines Locations: Australia, North Asia, Asia, Zealand, Auckland, AirlineRatings.com’s, Virgin Australia, Swiss, TAP Portugal

☆ Air Canada pilots end 10-year contract framework, eye bargaining
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Allison Lampert | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Air Canada pilots have previously said they are pressing for "historic" gains to narrow the earnings gap with higher-paid aviators at U.S. carriers. "We were willing to meet with the company if they wanted to provide us with a substantial proposal that would further our membership’s goals," said the letter, adding Air Canada did not seek to open discussions. The Air Canada pilots group, which joined the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) this month, said in a separate document it expects a notice to bargain to be provided in early June. "Our pilots may elect to use the option that was available to them to initiate bargaining for a new collective agreement," Montreal-based Air Canada said in an emailed statement. U.S. pilots made gains in a recent tentative agreement with American Airlines (AAL.O) and a separate deal with Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) which delivers a 34% pay increase over four years.

☆ Here’s What Happens When Your Lawyer Uses ChatGPT
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( Benjamin Weiser | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The lawsuit began like so many others: A man named Roberto Mata sued the airline Avianca, saying he was injured when a metal serving cart struck his knee during a flight to Kennedy International Airport in New York. When Avianca asked a Manhattan federal judge to toss out the case, Mr. Mata’s lawyers vehemently objected, submitting a 10-page brief that cited more than half a dozen relevant court decisions. There was Martinez v. Delta Air Lines, Zicherman v. Korean Air Lines and, of course, Varghese v. China Southern Airlines, with its learned discussion of federal law and “the tolling effect of the automatic stay on a statute of limitations.”There was just one hitch: No one — not the airline’s lawyers, not even the judge himself — could find the decisions or the quotations cited and summarized in the brief. That was because ChatGPT had invented everything. The lawyer who created the brief, Steven A. Schwartz of the firm Levidow, Levidow & Oberman, threw himself on the mercy of the court on Thursday, saying in an affidavit that he had used the artificial intelligence program to do his legal research — “a source that has revealed itself to be unreliable.”

☆ How to book a skiplag flight to save money — and why you shouldn't
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

"Skiplagging" is the practice of booking an airline ticket with the layover city intended as the destination. The strategy involves booking a flight with a layover intended as the destination city and then skipping the second leg. Founded by computer scientist Aktarer Zaman in 2013, the website helps customers find "hidden city" fares based on their preferred airports and destination. This did not bode well with Lufthansa, which identified the itinerary as hidden city ticketing and then requested about $2,400 from the customer as additional payment, according to court documents. American Airlines, for example, added new tools in 2021 to help agents recognize a hidden city ticket.

☆ Despite all odds, consumers are still traveling this summer. Here are the stocks you need to own
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-26 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

Yet despite all odds, 61% of those surveyed said they plan to travel this summer, up from the 49% who said the same in summer 2021. Some 56% of adults are more likely to stay in a hotel this summer than they were in 2022, according to the AHLA/Morning Consult survey. Booking Holdings is also an analyst favorite, with an average rating of overweight and 10% upside to the average price target, per FactSet. While prices are still high, the latest consumer price index for April showed the airline fares index fell 2.6% month over month, after rising in February and March. Airlines are essentially sold out for summer travel, according to TD Cowen analyst Helane Becker.

Persons: Matt Kramer, They're, You've, Sylvia Jablonski, Kramer, Freed, Bernstein, David Vernon, Price, Robin Farley, Farley, James Hardiman, Hardiman, Josh Weinstein's, RevPar, Tony Capuano, Chris Nassetta, Biden, Hilton, they've, Airbnb, Brian Chesky, it's, Evercore, Mark Mahaney, amortization, Mahaney, Cowen, Helane Becker, Becker, — CNBC's Michael Bloom, Ashley Capoot Organizations: KPMG, KPMG Consumer, Survey, Cruise ETF, Royal, Holdings, Marriott, United Airlines, Morning, American, & Lodging Association, Cruises, UBS, Citi, CCL, CNBC, Hilton Worldwide, U.S . Travel Association, State Department, Booking Holdings, Booking, Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Copa Holdings, Panamanian, Copa Airlines Locations: United States, Royal Caribbean, United, Caribbean, CocoCay, Thursday's, China, North America, Asia, Europe

☆ WestJet, pilots in tentative deal for 24% hourly raise over 4 years, document shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-26 | by ( Allison Lampert | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MONTREAL, May 26 (Reuters) - WestJet Airlines pilots will get a 24% hourly raise over four years, plus other pay and benefits as part of a tentative agreement reached in May, according to a copy seen by Reuters on Friday. The tentative agreement was reached by Onex Corp's (ONEX.TO) WestJet and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) less than 24 hours before the start of an expected strike at Canada's second-largest carrier. The deal, pending approval by WestJet pilots, is expected to put pressure on Air Canada (AC.TO) as the larger rival faces a call from its pilots to narrow the earnings gap with higher-paid aviators in the United States. Air Canada, which is not currently in negotiations, has said it abides by the 10-year contract. After 11 years, a top-paid Air Canada B787 pilot earns C$313.81 ($234.68) an hour, according to an internal table seen by Reuters.

☆ United Airlines adds more flights, new lounges in fast-growing Denver
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-23 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A row of United Airlines passenger planes parked at gates at Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado. United Airlines plans to beef up its schedule and add new lounges at Denver International Airport, the carrier's bet that demand for flights at its fastest-growing hub will keep rising. United said Tuesday that it will add 35 flights at the Colorado airport this year. The airline's Denver service this summer will average 450 daily departures, a spokeswoman said. Last year, United opened a grab-and-go mini lounge at Denver aimed at travelers connecting to other flights.

☆ Hawaiian Airlines just launched its new route to a destination previously hard to reach for American tourists
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Hawaiian Airlines launched its new nonstop route between Honolulu and the Cook Islands on Saturday. American tourists previously could stop in only New Zealand or Tahiti to get to the island. Hawaiian's new route is the only link between the Cook Islands and the US, allowing travelers to more easily reach the isolated nation. In August, the nation's home airline, Air Rarotonga, launched direct flights between Papeete in Tahiti and Rarotonga, reported local publication Enjoy Cook Islands. The service comes after Air Tahiti ended its route between the two nations in 2020 after 13 years.

[1/2] An American Airlines Airbus A321-200 plane takes off from Los Angeles International airport (LAX) in Los Angeles, California, U.S. March 28, 2018. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin said the partnership "substantially diminishes competition in the domestic market for air travel." Garland said the Justice Department will continue to protect competition and enforce U.S. antitrust laws across industries, including the airline industry. The judge gave the airlines 30 days to end the alliance. TD Cowen analyst Helane Becker said she believes the American JetBlue ruling "has negative implications for the JetBlue/Spirit merger."

The Allied Pilots Association (APA), which represents over 13,000 pilots at Texas-based American, said on Friday it will move forward with completing contractual language before presenting the contract to its board for an approval. The sources said the contract lasts four years with pay rates comparable to those secured by pilots at Delta Air Lines (DAL.N). Delta's pilots in March ratified their contract which includes over $7 billion in cumulative increases in pay and benefits over four years. It underscores pilots' bargaining power as airlines rush to boost staff numbers ahead of what is shaping up to be a busy summer travel season. American, Delta, United Airlines (UAL.O) and Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) are estimated to hire about 8,000 pilots this year.

In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin said the partnership "substantially diminishes competition in the domestic market for air travel." American is the largest U.S. airline by fleet size and low-cost carrier JetBlue is the sixth-largest. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The judge gave the airlines 30 days to end the alliance. TD Cowen analyst Helane Becker said she believes the American JetBlue ruling "has negative implications for the JetBlue/Spirit merger."

CHICAGO, May 19 (Reuters) - Pilots at American Airlines (AAL.O) have reached an agreement in principle on a new contract, their union said on Friday. The Allied Pilots Association (APA), which represents over 13,000 pilots at the Texas-based carrier, said it will move forward with completing contractual language of the contract before presenting it to its board for an approval. The deal comes over two months after Delta's pilots ratified their contract that includes over $7 billion in cumulative increases in pay and benefits over four years. It underscores the bargaining power pilots are enjoying as airlines rush to boost staff numbers ahead of what is shaping up to be a busy summer travel season. American, Delta, United Airlines (UAL.O) and Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) are estimated to hire about 8,000 pilots this year.

☆ A woman says she had anaphylaxis and used 2 EpiPens on a flight after passengers were served nuts, but the plane didn't make an emergency landing
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Ryan Hogg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A Delta passenger went into anaphylaxis on a flight after cabin crew served nuts to people near her. Sara Metzger said she used two EpiPens but the plane did not make an emergency landing. A Delta passenger said her flight did not make an emergency landing after she had an anaphylactic reaction to nuts and had to inject herself with two EpiPens. Metzger administered an EpiPen in a bathroom and then told crew members that the plane needed to make an emergency landing. When the plane did land, Metzger said a medical crew had to wait until other passengers left the aircraft before reaching her.

☆ Justice Department wins lawsuit to undo JetBlue, American Airlines partnership in the Northeast
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An American Airlines plane takes off near a parked JetBlue plane at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on July 16, 2020 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A federal judge on Friday ordered American Airlines and JetBlue Airways to end their partnership in the Northeast, a win for the Justice Department after it sued to undo the alliance arguing it was anti-competitive. The lawsuit, filed in September 2021, alleged that the airlines' alliance was effectively a merger that would hurt consumers by driving up fares. Fort Worth, Texas-based American Airlines and New York-based JetBlue Airways argued they needed the so-called Northeast Alliance to better compete with other large carriers Delta Air Lines and United Airlines in congested airports in the region. Undoing the partnership would be difficult, especially during the peak summer travel season, which airlines have already sold tickets for.

☆ A federal judge just told American and JetBlue to undo the Northeast Alliance in 30 days
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US Department of Justice has won its antitrust lawsuit against JetBlue Airways and American Airlines. Judge Leo Sorokin ruled the pair has 30 days to undo their powerful Northeast Alliance. It looks like the controversial partial union of JetBlue Airways and American Airlines may be over. According to Judge Sorokin, JetBlue and American have 30 days to undo their alliance, meaning they cannot work together to coordinate their fares or routes. Both airlines have already sold tickets, and the unraveling could cause a headache for JetBlue, American, and their customers.

☆ American Airlines, pilots reach preliminary labor deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An American Airlines plane prepares to land at the Miami International Airport on May 02, 2023 in Miami, Florida. American Airlines and its pilots have reached a preliminary agreement for a new four-year labor contract after months of tense negotiations, a milestone for the country's biggest carrier. The airline was prepared to offer 40% cumulative raises in a four-year deal, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said in March. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said in March. Pilots at United Airlines , Southwest Airlines and FedEx are still in negotiations.

☆ Factbox: Pilots, airlines seek to strike new contracts ahead of peak travel season
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO (LUV.N):The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) in May said its members at the company approved a strike mandate. It added that 98% of its members participated in the vote and 99% voted in favor of authorizing a strike. UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS INC (UAL.O):Last year, ALPA said 94% of the nearly 10,000 United Airlines pilots voted to reject a contract offer. SPIRIT AIRLINES INC (SAVE.N):In January, ALPA said pilots at Spirit Airlines voted to ratify a new contract. More than 97% of the union members took part in the vote and 99% of them authorized union leaders to call a strike, if needed.

☆ Delta CEO says proposed airline rules will lead to higher ticket prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Bianca Giacobone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Proposed government regulations for airlines could lead to higher ticket prices, Delta's CEO said. The regulations would require airlines to compensate passengers for controllable delays or cancellations. If the Biden administration introduces new regulations requiring airlines to compensate passengers for controllable cancellations and delays, ticket prices will go up, according to Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian. Earlier this month, the US Department of Transportation announced plans to come up with new rules that would hold airlines more accountable for potential cancellations and delays. It does not provide compensation in the form of cash — no major US airline does that — travel vouchers, or frequent flyer miles.

☆ WestJet pay debate sets scene for Air Canada's pilots
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Allison Lampert | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MONTREAL, May 18 (Reuters) - A faceoff this week between WestJet Airlines and its pilots over pay could set the stage for aviators' demands in future bargaining with Air Canada (AC.TO). It would be the first major pilots' strike in Canada since 1998, according to a spokesperson for Canada's Labor Minister Seamus O'Regan, who is at the talks. ALPA president Jason Ambrosi recently told Reuters that a key priority is to narrow the pay gap between Air Canada pilots and their U.S. counterparts, echoing the union's demand for a "North American" contract at WestJet. Gradek added there is a group of Air Canada pilots "who have been chomping at the bit" to get a significant bump in wages. Air Canada pilots, who have received a 2% wage increase per year since 2014, have complained Delta’s latest hourly pay rates are up to 45% higher.

☆ US expects flights to jump on Memorial Day weekend, near pre-COVID levels
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 17 (Reuters) - U.S. aviation regulators are forecasting nearly 313,000 flights over the seven-day Memorial Day holiday period, up 4.5% from 2022 and just below 2019 pre-pandemic levels. On Wednesday, Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) estimated it will fly 2.8 million passengers for the upcoming Memorial Day holiday period, up 17% from 2022. On Tuesday, United Airlines (UAL.O) said it was planning for its busiest Memorial Day holiday in more than a decade, forecasting nearly 2.9 million passengers between May 25 and May 30. American Airlines (AAL.O) said it will fly 26,637 flights over the Memorial Day period and carry 2.9 million passengers. Last year, airlines had a rough Memorial Day weekend compounded by bad weather, cancelling more than 2,500 flights over a four-day period.

☆ FedEx pilots vote in favor of strike in push for pay rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Nathan Gomes | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 17 (Reuters) - Pilots of FedEx Corp's (FDX.N) air delivery unit on Wednesday voted "overwhelmingly" in favor of a strike if needed, the Air Line Pilots Association said as it enters the final stages of a contract negotiation with the company. With aviators in short supply and air travel demand booming, pilots are enjoying enhanced bargaining power, encouraging them to push for better contracts with airlines and parcel firms. More than 97% of the union members took part in the vote and 99% of them authorized union leaders to call a strike, if needed, by the pilots of FedEx Express. "We are still in productive negotiations with our pilots under the supervision of a government-appointed mediator and will return to the bargaining table next week," FedEx said in a statement. Pilots' union at Southwest Airlines Co (LUV.N) too had recently backed a strike mandate ahead of the busy summer travel season.

☆ WestJet union seeks to narrow pay gap between Canada and U.S. pilots as strike looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Allison Lampert | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Pilots at Onex Corp-owned (ONEX.TO) WestJet gave notice on Monday that could allow for strike action as early as May 19, raising fears of travel disruptions during Canada's Victoria Day holiday weekend. Pay is still the outlier," said Bernard Lewall, a union representative with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). "We need to narrow that gap between the North American carriers and WestJet," he said on Tuesday in an interview. Lewall declined to give a specific wage target, but said the airline must pay more to retain pilots. "We hope this measure will help WestJet passengers who otherwise could not travel due to the pilots’ strike,” said Flair CEO Stephen Jones.

☆ The best North American airlines in 2023 for every budget—from first class to economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Celia Fernandez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The 2023 North America Airline Satisfaction Study, from J.D. Power this month released its 2023 North America Airline Satisfaction Study, which measures passenger satisfaction among business and leisure travelers of major airline carriers. The best airlines in North America in 2023JetBlue Airways ranked no. Alaska Airlines ranked third with an overall customer satisfaction score of 823. Southwest Airlines topped the list for best basic economy and economy.

☆ Delta considers large Airbus wide-body order for long-haul flights - Bloomberg
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

May 15 (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N) is in talks with Airbus SE (AIR.PA) for a large wide-body aircraft order, Bloomberg News reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. The talks cover both A350 and A330neo twin-aisle jets but an agreement isn't assured, the report added. There has been a rebound in long-haul flying as easing of pandemic restrictions has led airlines to boost their fleet ahead of a busy summer travel season. Delta and Airbus did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comments. Reporting by Aishwarya Nair in Bengaluru Editing by Vinay DwivediOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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