airline industry

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Continental, United Merging Into World's Biggest Airline

New behemoth hopes to turn around losses

(Newser) - United and Continental Airlines are joining to form the world's largest airline in a $3 billion deal, the carriers will announce today. The merger will test the notion that the money-losing airline industry can work better on a large scale—and test the Obama administration's antitrust regulators. While the companies...

No Quick Solutions for Volcano-Grounded Travelers

Even after airspace opens, huge backlog awaits

(Newser) - Even after airspace closed by volcanic ash reopens, the hordes of would-be travelers waiting at airports around the world shouldn't count on catching the first flight out. "An international airline system is such a carefully orchestrated network that any disruption, especially of this size, is really going to take...

Airline Fees None of Schumer's Business
Airline Fees None of Schumer's Business
opinion

Airline Fees None of Schumer's Business

It's a free market, so politicians should butt out

(Newser) - Spirit Airlines imposes a fee for carry-on bags, and suddenly it's Public Enemy No. 1 on Capitol Hill. Amid the outrage, Jeff Jacoby would like to remind the government (and he's looking at you Chuck Schumer and Ray LaHood) that Spirit is a private company fighting for its life in...

Volcanic Ash Costing Airlines $200M a Day

And there's no end in sight to the plume

(Newser) - The travel mess in Europe is costing the airline industry about $200 million a day, reports the Guardian , and that appears to be a conservative estimate. The Iceland volcano, meanwhile, shows no signs of slowing down, meaning most flights will remain canceled at least into tomorrow. The BBC is collecting...

United, US Airways in Merger Talks

Any deal is still several weeks away

(Newser) - Potentially big news for the struggling airline industry: United and US Airways are discussing a merger that would create the country's second-largest carrier, reports the New York Times . Any potential deal is still weeks away and could face any number of problems, including union opposition. The two companies have come...

Spirit Airlines Is First to Charge for Carry-Ons

It can cost up to $45 each way to store a bag overhead

(Newser) - Another first in airline fees: Spirit Airlines is going to charge for most carry-on bags. If it's bigger than 16” by 14” by 12”, prepare to pay $45 each way. USA Today surmises that the airline is the first in the US and perhaps the world to charge for carry-ons,...

American Airlines Will Charge $8 for a Blanket

Passengers must pony up to bundle up on long domestic flights

(Newser) - Bundle up, air travelers: Blankets cost extra now, too. American Airlines will begin charging coach passengers $8 for a blanket on long domestic flights and some international routes. On flights of 2 hours or less, no blankets will be available, no matter how much money you throw around. On the...

Most Annoying People You Meet on Planes
 Most Annoying People 
 You Meet on Planes 
TRAVEL

Most Annoying People You Meet on Planes

From the smug first-class traveler to loud babies

(Newser) - There are lots of reasons to dislike getting on an airplane; herewith, Guyism points out the most annoying types of people you’ll run into as you fly the friendly skies:
  • The first-class flier: Sorry, Jeff Wysaski writes to “this smug assembly of businessmen, trust fund kids and trophy
...

Air New Zealand Offers Beds in Coach

3-seat 'Skycouch' designed for couples, families

(Newser) - Beds in the sky aren't just for first and business-class passengers any more, says Air New Zealand. The airline unveiled its new "Skycouch" seat design today, which allows couples or passengers with children to turn three seats into a bed by lifting armrests and a footrest. Passengers buying the...

Best Airfare Deals Are Now Tweeted, Emailed

Airlines ramp up discounts in promotional offers

(Newser) - The latest airfare deals aren't online or at travel agencies—they're targeted promotional fares, being emailed and tweeted to customers who sign up to receive them or who enroll in frequent-flier programs. These under-the-radar offers, an inexpensive form of advertising increasingly popular with recession-battered airlines, range from 10% discounts to...

Japan Airlines Goes Bankrupt
 Japan Airlines Goes Bankrupt 

Japan Airlines Goes Bankrupt

Delta and American vie for piece of restructuring JAL

(Newser) - Japan Airlines filed for bankruptcy today in one of the nation's largest corporate failures, entering a restructuring from which it seeks to emerge leaner, smarter, and free of crippling debt. Asia's biggest carrier by revenue, staggering under a $25 billion debt mountain, JAL will slash nearly 16,000 jobs, cut...

Court Derails British Airways Strike

Ballot authorizing walkout illegal; holiday job action may not proceed

(Newser) - Britain's High Court has granted British Airways an emergency injunction to stop a 12-day strike by its cabin crew over the Christmas and New Year's break. The court today backed BA's claim that the ballot of around 13,000 workers by the Unite labor union was illegal because it included...

Dreamliner's Upgrades Good for Passengers, Too
Dreamliner's Upgrades
Good for Passengers, Too
TRAVEL

Dreamliner's Upgrades Good for Passengers, Too

Cabin will be more comfortable, less noisy

(Newser) - There’s plenty for airlines to like about Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner (it goes farther, faster, on less fuel), but you might not have heard about the upgrades it holds for passengers. Via the Christian Science Monitor :
  • Windows aren’t just 65% larger, but passengers can adjust the tint from
...

12-Day Strike Will Ground British Airways

 12-Day Strike Will 
 Ground British Airways 
cabin crews OK walkout

12-Day Strike Will Ground British Airways

10-day walkout by cabin crew over staffing to cost airline $500M

(Newser) - Passengers of struggling British Airways will be struggling themselves this holiday season if a strike by cabin crews announced today goes forward. Should labor and management not reach a deal, the job action would ground flights between Dec. 22 and Jan. 2. The walkout by 12,500 workers over staffing...

Airline Pulls Own Mag After Holocaust Memorial Shoot

Budget easyJet did fashion spread without permission

(Newser) - British budget airline easyJet has taken its in-flight magazine out of its planes after the New Statesman pointed out that a fashion spread in its current edition was shot at Berlin’s Holocaust memorial. The airline blamed the outside publishing house in charge of the magazine, which, judgment and taste...

Holiday Fares Headed for Stratosphere

Recession doesn't seem to be dampening travel enthusiasm

(Newser) - If you haven’t booked your holiday airfare yet, stop reading this and do it. Unlike last year, when airlines dropped prices at the last minute to fill unusually empty planes, prices this fall are on a decidedly upward trajectory, the New York Times reports. Last week, overall Thanksgiving fares...

For $249 Annual Fee, United Will Waive Bag Charges

Fee covers two bags per flight, and up to 8 passengers booked at same time

(Newser) - Fly United frequently, or planning to use the airline for the next couple family vacations? For a $249 annual fee, United will waive fees for your first two checked bags—and it covers up to eight people traveling on the same booking. With a $20 charge for the first bag...

Capt. Sully Plans Return to Flying
Capt. Sully Plans Return to Flying

Capt. Sully Plans Return to Flying

Hero pilot will also become part of US Airways' safety management team

(Newser) - Chesley Sullenberger, who saved the passengers and crew of US Airways Flight 1549 when he executed daring water landing on the Hudson River in January, will soon return to flying. The hero pilot's return to the cockpit is imminent, the NBC affiliate in Los Angeles reports. In addition to flying,...

Airlines Pledge to Halve Emissions by 2050

Industry makes vow to UN ahead of Copenhagen summit

(Newser) - The airline industry is pledging to cut carbon emissions by 50% in 2050, reports the Guardian, in a reluctant concession meant to stave off more dramatic action—but one that will likely increase fares and trigger a race for new, greener technology. The plan will be presented at the UN ...

Delta Slammed for Transatlantic 'Ghost Flights'

Empty planes flown from LA to London to be disinfected before flights to Australia

(Newser) - Delta Air Lines' practice of flying empty passenger planes almost halfway around the world just to be disinfected has outraged environmentalists, the Guardian reports. Australia requires that inbound planes be sprayed with insecticide to combat malaria and other diseases. But Delta isn't allowed to carry out the treatment in the...

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