Spirit Airlines is slashing routes and jobs on a scale rarely seen in U.S. aviation, part of a bankruptcy-driven reset that is less about trimming fat and more about survival. The airline will suspend around 40 routes in November,...
Should Airline Pilots Fly Past 65? Debate Heats Up Over Raising Retirement Age To 67
The mandatory retirement age for U.S. airline pilots is back in the headlines. A push is underway to raise the limit from 65 to 67, but this is not a simple matter. Congress set the current age in law...
Is United Airlines Poised To Use AI For Personalized Award Pricing?
We’ve talked a lot about Delta’s AI pricing plans, which invited a lot of scrutiny, even from the U.S. Senate. But if any U.S. airline is positioned to push “next-gen” pricing into the world of airline tickets, I suspect...
American Airlines Unions Unite Against Management, But Miss The Bigger Issue
American Airlines unions are angry. A memo released by the Allied Pilots Association (APA) this week highlights a joint union summit in which multiple labor groups pledged closer cooperation to push back against management. But while the rhetoric is...
Hot Deal: Chase Sapphire Reserve, Now With 125K Bonus Points Offer
Link: Apply now for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card Chase has refreshed its Sapphire Reserve lineup this summer with a higher annual fee and higher fees for authorized users, but more rebates and strong additional perks for booking travel....
Ominous Leak: Alaska Airlines’ New “Atmos Rewards” Loyalty Program
I can’t help but feel that when Alaska Airlines replaces Mileage Plan with “Atmos Rewards” when it combines loyalty programs with Hawaiian Miles, the result for consumers will not be positive. But it’s not too late to ensure that...
United Airlines CEO Says Focus Is On Profitability, Not Beating Delta
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby claims he is focused on absolute profitability, not surpassing industry leader Delta Air Lines, even while candidly admitting Delta is the blueprint United has followed in recent years to increase revenue and profitability. United...
Delta Moves To Unbundle Business Class, Tests “Basic” Premium Cabin Fares
Delta Air Lines has all but officially confirmed that it will introduce “basic” business class fares that will unbundle premium cabin tickets. However, what that product will look like and whether it will go over with its most important...
Analysis: United Hopes To Contain Delta, Suppress American With JetBlue Partnership
Earlier today, United Airlines and JetBlue announced a new “Blue Sky” partnership that includes a return to JFK for United, an interline agreement, and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits. United CEO Scott Kirby has explained what is behind this move:...
Spirit, Southwest, JetBlue: Time to Rethink Perceptions
In just the last nine months, three carriers with distinct identities, Spirit, Southwest, and JetBlue have significantly shifted but public perceptions might be harder to change. We cling to airline stereotypes like old luggage—worn out, busted at the zippers,...
Kirby’s JetBlue Bromance Hints At United’s JFK Game Plan
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby’s messaging has been clear for years: United must return to New York JFK. But as the path to that return looks increasingly via JetBlue, Kirby is heaping a lot of praise on the carrier...
Trump’s Air Traffic Control Plan Needs Refinement, But It’s Progress
Cleared For Takeoff: Why America’s Air Traffic Control Overhaul Can’t Wait America’s air traffic control (ATC) system, once a marvel of aviation innovation, is now struggling under the weight of outdated technology and chronic underinvestment. Aging radar systems, some...
Scott Kirby’s Fox News Op-Ed On Newark Airport
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has written an op-ed for Fox News calling for the return of slot controls at Newark Liberty International Airport. Let’s take a look at Kirby’s argument and whether it is reasonable or purely self-serving...
United Airlines Slashes Newark Flights, Presses Trump Administration To Reinstate Slot Controls
Never let a good crisis go to waste. Facing congestion and air traffic controller shortages, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby is calling on the Trump Administration to reintroduce slot controls at Newark Liberty International Airport. It’s a move that...
JetBlue-United Partnership: What We Know So Far
After days of speculation, Reuters confirmed from “multiple sources” that United Airlines and JetBlue Airways are in talks over a partnership, however, the extent of that relationship is anything but clear. I have a few theories, though. JetBlue And...
Reagan Midair Crash: Cockpit Hesitation Proved Fatal
Even as we await a final report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on the collision of an American Airlines jet with an Army Black Hawk helicopter over a busy Washington, DC airport, the New York Times has...
Is Scott Kirby Praising Trump’s Tariffs To Win A JetBlue Merger?
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has once again praised President Trump’s tariff policy, arguing noble intentions of creating middle-class careers are the driving force. But is something else going on? Is Kirby courting favor with the Trump administration because...
United Airlines Says Competitors Are “Generations Behind”
United Airlines believes its competitors are “generations behind” and will never catch up, even if they begin investing in the customer experience. United Argues Competitors Are “Generations Behind” During Q1 Earnings Calls I always enjoy listening to the quarterly...
United Airlines Building Up SFO Hub On Multiple Fronts
United Airlines is investing in San Francisco (SFO) with 20% more flying in 2025 than in 2024 and a terminal refresh program that will further reinforce United’s dominance at its West Coast hub, with hopes of creating a fortress....
Insane: American Airlines Forbids Agents From Assisting With Standby
If American Airlines really wants to be a premium carrier, it needs to stop alienating passengers with ridiculous standby policies that could not be more customer-unfriendly. Come on AA, this is such a low-hanging fruit… A Silly Rule American...
