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☆ It's the end of budget airlines as we know them
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Taylor Rains | Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewBudget airlines are upending many of their original business plans as increased costs wreak havoc on their bottom lines. On Thursday, Southwest Airlines announced the end of its open seating policy, a 50-year practice of letting passengers choose their seats based on their boarding order instead of having one pre-assigned. Budget flying has been moving in this direction for yearsThe industry's sea change has left budget carriers scrambling to increase revenue without turning away customers, prompting major policy changes. Other budget airlines have been similarly evolving their business models in recent years. Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines, for example, ditched most cancellation and change fees for ticket holders.

Persons: —, Savanthi, Raymond James, Henry Harteveldt, Scott Kirby, Bob Jordan, Jordan, I'm Organizations: Service, Southwest Airlines, Business, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, Spirit, United Airlines, CNBC Locations: Southwest

☆ Qatar Airways just unveiled an upgrade to the world's best business class. See inside the new QSuite.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-22 | by ( Pete Syme | Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Qatar Airways unveiled the QSuite Next Gen on Monday. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementQatar Airways unveiled an upgraded version of QSuite, its business-class product, at the Farnborough Airshow on Monday. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: —, Badr Mohammed Al Meer Organizations: Qatar Airways, Service, Farnborough, Business

☆ Airlines have fallen back in love with the Airbus A380. Here's every route flown by the world's largest passenger jet.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-21 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Several airlines ditched the Airbus A380 during the pandemic. Business Insider compiled a list of every airline operating the A380 and all the routes flown. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . When it first entered service with Singapore Airlines in 2007, it became the world's largest passenger jet. Air France, Thai Airways, and Malaysia Airlines are among the carriers that ditched the A380 as COVID-19 ravaged the industry.

Persons: — Organizations: Airbus, Emirates, Business, Service, Boeing, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines Locations: Air France, Thai

☆ Some airports were forced to use whiteboards to handwrite flight information due to the global IT outage
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-19 | by ( Pete Syme | Aditi Bharade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

A global IT outage saw airports in Belfast and Singapore handwrite flight information. A Belfast International Airport spokesperson told BI all systems have since been restored. AdvertisementStaff at several airports had to handwrite flight information on whiteboards due to a worldwide IT outage. Business Insider saw whiteboards at Singapore Changi Airport being used to allocate check-in lines for the budget airline Scoot. Almost 7,000 miles away in Northern Ireland, a Belfast International Airport spokesperson told BI that whiteboards were being used, but all systems have since been restored.

Persons: — Organizations: Belfast International, Singapore Changi, Service, Scoot, International, Business Locations: Belfast, Singapore, Northern Ireland

☆ United and American Warn Pilots of Communication Issues Amid Grounding
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-19 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines issued ground stops on Friday. United and American warned pilots that communication was intermittent. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementMajor airlines have warned pilots they may be unable to communicate with ground services. American Airlines and United Airlines issued advisories to be relayed to the carriers' airborne flights early Friday morning.

Persons: — Organizations: Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, United, Service, American Airlines and United Airlines, Aircraft Communications, Business Locations: American

☆ I was on a flight that received a bomb threat. We were treated like suspects, and the police examined everyone's handwriting.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-19 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I haven't traveled alone a lot — this was probably my second flight alone. There was a creator campaign going on, and their head office is in Mumbai, so I traveled from Delhi for that. Through overhearing cops, I figured out there was a tissue found in the plane that had "Bomb on flight" written on it. The police asked us to write "Bomb on flight" in our own handwriting with our seat number. Then they took us all in two different sections to write "Bomb on flight," I think 36 times — dividing your tissue into four and writing on alternate sides.

Persons: —, Molina Singh, haven't, I've, We'd, people's MacBooks Organizations: Service, Akasa, YouTube, Business Locations: Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad

☆ Delta flight attendants dispute policy change after social-media row over Palestine flag pins
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Delta Air Lines changed its pin policy so flight attendants can only wear ones featuring the US flag. It comes after the airline deleted a social media post about cabin crew wearing Palestinian flag pins. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementDelta Air Lines flight attendants are disputing the airline's change in policy for pin badges. It follows a social-media incident after cabin crew members were pictured wearing pins with the flag of Palestine.

Persons: — Organizations: Delta Air Lines, Service, Air Lines, Business Locations: Palestine

☆ An Airbus A380 flying to London turned back when the powerful scent of laundry detergent made people feel sick and dizzy
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-16 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The flight from Washington, DC, to London Heathrow made an emergency landing in Boston. The scent was later found to have come from five pallets of laundry beads in the cargo hold. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementA British Airways Airbus A380 had to turn around after an "overpowering scent" of laundry detergent filled the plane, making people feel sick and dizzy, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said. Data from Flightradar24 shows the superjumbo jet was flying from Washington, DC, to London Heathrow on July 7 when it U-turned over Newfoundland before landing at Boston.

Persons: — Organizations: British Airways, London Heathrow, Service, British Airways Airbus, Transportation, Board, Canada, Business Locations: Washington, London, Boston, Newfoundland

☆ See inside the $21 million Embraer Praetor 600, one of the most advanced midsize private jets on the market
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-14 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The Embraer Praetor 600 is a $21 million super-midsize business jet. See inside the $21 million aircraft that's fully fly-by-wire and has touchscreen cabin controls. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Embraer, Service, Airbus, Boeing, Business

☆ Boeing just scored a big win for the 737 Max, but its order delay problem seems to be getting worse
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-12 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Boeing secured an order for 35 of its 737 Max jets from Aviation Capital Group. However, customers have been warned of further delays to Max deliveries, Bloomberg reported. AdvertisementBoeing secured a notable 737 Max order, but delays to the flagship narrowbody jet appear to be getting worse. Aviation Capital Group, the aircraft leasing unit of Japanese leasing firm Tokyo Century Corp, has ordered 35 Boeing 737 Max jets, it announced Friday. The order includes 16 of the Max 8 and 19 of the Max 10, which is yet to be certified.

Persons: —, Max Organizations: Boeing, Aviation Capital Group, Bloomberg, Service, Tokyo Century Corp, Max, Justice Department, Business

☆ A first-time flyer in China opened an emergency exit after mistaking it for the bathroom door, local media reported
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

An Air China flight was canceled after a passenger accidentally opened an emergency exit. Local media reported the first-time flyer confused the exit for a bathroom door, citing officials. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementA passenger opened an emergency exit after mistaking it for the bathroom door, according to Chinese media reports, which cited local officials. Data from Flightradar24 shows last Thursday's Air China flight from Quzhou in eastern China to Chengdu in the western Sichuan region was canceled.

Persons: — Organizations: Air, Service, Air China, Chongqing Morning Post, Quzhou Airport, Business Locations: Air China, Quzhou, Chengdu, China's, China, Sichuan, Chongqing

☆ A JetBlue passenger says she was scalded by hot tea during turbulence and is suing for $1.5 million
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

A JetBlue passenger is suing the airline for $1.5 million. She says she was scalded by hot tea that was served during turbulence. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementA JetBlue passenger who says she was scalded by hot tea is suing the airline for $1.5 million, according to court documents filed last Friday. Tahjana Lewis was flying from Orlando to Hartford, Connecticut on May 15 when the plane encountered turbulence, the complaint says.

Persons: —, Tahjana Lewis Organizations: JetBlue, Service, Business Locations: Orlando, Hartford , Connecticut

☆ Passengers got into an argument so heated about switching seats that their Ryanair flight had to turn back after just a few minutes
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Ryanair flight turned around soon after takeoff after an argument escalated. One passenger told The Sun that a man had asked to switch seats to sit with his family. AdvertisementA Ryanair flight had to turn around after an argument broke out soon after takeoff. "We were only in the air for 36 minutes before we had to do an unexpected landing," an unnamed passenger told The Sun. AdvertisementAnother passenger fell ill during the flight, a Ryanair spokesperson said in a statement shared with Business Insider.

Persons: — Organizations: Ryanair, Sun, Service, Business, The Sun, Federal Aviation Administration Locations: London, Agadir, Morocco, Marrakesh

☆ Boeing agreed to plead guilty to a fraud conspiracy charge over the 737 Max saga, but it isn't out of the woods just yet
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-08 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewBoeing has agreed to plead guilty to one count of fraud conspiracy, the Justice Department said in a Sunday court filing. In May, the Justice Department said Boeing failed to "design, implement, and enforce a compliance and ethics program." AdvertisementSunday's plea deal will see Boeing pay an additional $243.6 million — the same criminal penalty as in 2021. Advertisement"This sweetheart deal fails to recognize that because of Boeing's conspiracy, 346 people died," he said in a statement. Government contractsBy pleading guilty to fraud conspiracy, Boeing will have committed a felony — jeopardizing its government contracts.

Persons: —, it's, Paul Cassell, Sunday's, Richard Blumenthal Organizations: Service, Boeing, Justice Department, DoJ, Business, Alaska Airlines, Street Journal, FBI

☆ I went on the world's newest private jet, an $81 million Gulfstream G700 with its own bedroom for Qatar Airways' deep-pocketed customers
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-07 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

You can opt-out at any time by visiting our Preferences page or by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the email. download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewGulfstream's G650ER is popular with billionaires including customers like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Bill Gates. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. While the G700 had previously been displayed at the Paris Air Show, I was among the first to tour one post-certification when it was displayed at a business aviation conference in Switzerland.

Persons: —, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Musk Organizations: Service, Elon, Federal Aviation Administration, Business, Paris Air Locations: Switzerland, Texas

☆ A Delta Air Lines flight had to turn around when 24 people needed medical attention after eating spoiled food
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-04 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

A Delta Air Lines plane U-turned after reports the in-flight meal was spoiled. 24 people were treated by medical personnel upon landing in New York on Wednesday. Thousands of other Delta passengers that day were only offered vegetarian meals as a result, per PYOK. Advertisement24 Delta Air Lines passengers received medical attention after eating "spoiled" food on their flight, The Associated Press reported. In a statement to the AP, Delta Air Lines said the Airbus A330 turned around "after reports that a portion of the main cabin in-flight meal service were spoiled."

Persons: — Organizations: Delta Air Lines, Service, Air Lines, Associated Press, New York, AP, Airbus, Business Locations: New York, Detroit, Amsterdam, Newfoundland, New, Flightradar24

☆ One of the world's top airlines is ending its cabin services early to safeguard against rising turbulence
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-03 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Korean Air announced Monday that it would finish cabin service 20 minutes earlier on medium and long-haul routes. Korean Air said the change will allow inflight services to end before the plane descends for landing. AdvertisementIt comes after Singapore Airlines — also rated five stars — changed its cabin service protocol. Days later, Singapore Airlines said it would no longer serve meals when the seatbelt light is on. This is especially notable around the jet streams, where clear air turbulence is most common.

Persons: —, Skytrax Organizations: Service, Korean Air, . Korean Air, Business, Singapore Airlines —, Singapore Airlines, Korean, University of Reading

☆ Turbulence is getting more frequent and more severe. An aviation and climate expert explains why.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-03 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The other is clear air turbulence, which was involved in the Singapore Airlines incident. As the name implies, clear air turbulence is hard to anticipate since it isn't associated with clouds. It said that over a typical point, the most severe type of clear air turbulence increased by 55% between 1979 and 2020. The increasing difference in energy between the two layers means more energy goes into the jet stream, Gratton said. "Therefore crossing the Atlantic, climate change is making encounters with clear air turbulence more likely and more severe," he added.

Persons: —, Guy Gratton, It's, Gratton, you've Organizations: Service, Singapore Airlines, Boeing, Passengers, Business, Emirates, Cranfield University, University of Reading Locations: Bangkok, Singapore, Europe

☆ Video appears to show a passenger on a plane hit by severe turbulence laying in an overhead bin, with a fellow traveler saying he 'got stuck in the roof'
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-02 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

An Air Europa flight from Spain to Uruguay was diverted after encountering severe turbulence. "He flew and got stuck in the roof, in the bin," a passenger sat close to him told Uruguayan TV. AdvertisementAn Air Europa passenger appeared to get stuck in an overhead bin when their flight experienced severe turbulence. In a statement shared with Business Insider, Air Europa said seven people were injured, while an "undetermined number" had minor bruises. The New York Times reported that 36 people were injuredThis story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Air Europa, Uruguayan, Service, Boeing, Business, New York Times Locations: Spain, Uruguay, Madrid, Montevideo

☆ Airbus agrees to pay $1 for Spirit AeroSystems assets in deal sparked by Boeing 737 Max blowout
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Airbus has agreed to acquire assets of Spirit AeroSystems for $1. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAirbus has agreed to buy assets from a major aviation supplier for a symbolic $1 price tag, the planemaker announced Monday. Spirit AeroSystems, which was part of Boeing before being spun off in 2005, is being carved up following January's Alaska Airlines blowout. Boeing is paying $4.7 billion to buy back Spirit AeroSystems, the companies announced Monday.

Persons: —, AeroSystems Organizations: Airbus, Boeing, Alaska Airlines, Service, Business

☆ 2 travelers in wheelchairs watched as their plane departed without them after an error saw them left waiting on the tarmac
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Three people were left on the tarmac as their plane took off without them, the Washington Post reported. Liz Weir, an author who uses a wheelchair, said the plane left with her luggage on board. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementTwo people in wheelchairs were left on the airport tarmac as their flight took off without them, The Washington Post reported.

Persons: Liz Weir, couldn't, —, easyJet Organizations: Washington Post, Service, Post, Business Locations: Northern Ireland, Belfast, Edinburgh

☆ Federal investigators slammed Boeing for 'blatantly violating' the rules by sharing unproven speculation about the 737 Max blowout
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The NTSB said Boeing "blatantly violated" rules about investigations. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementBoeing has apologized after the National Transportation Safety Board said it "blatantly violated" rules about investigations. The director of the NTSB's office of aviation safety sent a scathing letter to Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun on Thursday. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: —, Dave Calhoun Organizations: NTSB, Boeing, Alaska Airlines, DoJ, Service, National Transportation Safety Board, Business

☆ I took a plane and a train on the 330-mile London to Edinburgh route. The race was closer than you might expect.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-23 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The 332 miles between London and Edinburgh takes a similar amount of time by plane or train. I took both modes of transport and timed how long it took from the center of each city. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementThe 332 miles between London and Edinburgh show a particularly narrow difference when traveling via train or plane. I grew up near London, and because my dad is from Edinburgh, we visited the Scottish capital every summer.

Persons: —, there's Organizations: Edinburgh, Service, Scottish, Business Locations: London, Edinburgh

☆ 3 surprising things people think are OK to do on planes, according to a poll
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Benjamin Zhang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The seatbelt light. Pete Syme/Business InsiderKeep your seatbelt onSpeaking of unbuckling seat belts, 47% of respondents said it is acceptable to do so when the seatbelt light is switched off. AdvertisementI think there's a fundamental disconnect between what switching off the seatbelt light means to the flying public and what it actually means. Switching off the light means passengers may now safely get up to use the lavatory or retrieve something from the overhead compartment. Even though aircraft are vacuumed in fairly frequent intervals, their carpets see a lot of passengers between more thorough cleanings.

Persons: —, Pete Syme, it's, Ming Tung Organizations: Service, Business, Air, Toronto Locations: Air France

☆ A crew member hit the ceiling and a passenger was scalded by spilled coffee as turbulence caused 'pandemonium' on a flight in New Zealand
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Two people were injured on an Air New Zealand flight due to severe turbulence. A passenger was scalded by hot coffee and a crew member hit the cabin ceiling. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementTwo people were injured on board an Air New Zealand flight when it encountered severe turbulence, according to local media reports. Suze, a passenger on board, told Radio New Zealand she was burned after a full coffee pot was spilled over her during the turbulence.

Persons: — Organizations: Air, Singapore Airlines, Service, Zealand, Airbus, Radio New Zealand, Business Locations: Zealand, Wellington, Queenstown

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