American Opens Wi-Fi Options for Flyers

  The Fort-Worth based carrier announced a new plan which will soon allow travelers to browse the web via in-flight wi-fi without paying the usual fee.   Ad-Sponsored Wi-Fi Limited to 20 Minutes, Miles Available for All Options The new internet connection options will be available on domestic narrowbody aircraft …

United Adds MileagePlus Points Pooling for Friends and Family

  The airline announced a new feature to allow MileagePlus members to pool their miles together, available immediately on the carrier’s website.   MileagePlus Pooling Allows Five Members to Collect Miles Together In most loyalty programs, members are allowed to transfer miles between each other for a nominal fee. However, …

Marriott Raises Stakes on Points with BetMGM

  The companies announced a new partnership with sports betting platform BetMGM to allow gamers to transfer their rewards points into Marriott Bonvoy.   Sports Bettors Can Exchange Up to 100,000 Points Each Year Under the new agreement, members of both Marriott Bonvoy and BetMGM can link their accounts beginning …

United Airlines: “Safety Is Our Highest Priority”

  The airline’s chief executive Scott Kirby is now reaching out to flyers to reassure them flying with United is safe, and the airline is taking the incidents seriously.   Kirby Says Incidents “Have Sharpened Our Focus” The New York Times reports the spree of aircraft incidents took place between …

Hilton Adds to Lifestyle Market with Graduate Hotels

  The hospitality giant announced the purchase of The Graduate hotel brand for $210 million, calling it a “significant growth opportunity” in the lifestyle hotel category.   Purchase Includes Brand, Licensing Agreement to Current Owner Under the agreement, Hilton will only purchase the hotel branding for worldwide development. Current owner …

United Reportedly Close to Replacing 737 MAX 10 Orders

  Bloomberg reports the Chicago-based airline could be close to securing numerous Airbus A321neo aircraft in place of their long-delayed 737 MAX-10 orders.   United Could Take Around 36 Airbus A321neo Airframes Consideration of the Airbus A321neo can be directly tied to the Boeing 737 MAX door plug blowout incident …

NY Times: Alaska 737 MAX Scheduled for Service Before Blowout

  The New York Times reports maintenance employees at the carrier asked for the aircraft to be serviced in the days before the incident.   Service Scheduled Before Flights, But Airline Executives Say Issues Were Not Related According to interviews and document reviews conducted by the newspaper, the aircraft reported …

Southwest Blames Boeing for Capacity Cuts

  CNBC reports the carrier will cut capacity, blaming Boeing and their problems with the 737 MAX for the stalled growth.   Southwest Now Expecting Fewer Aircraft, Resulting in “Re-Optimization” Alongside Southwest CEO Bob Jordan’s presentation at the J.P. Morgan Industrials Conference, the carrier shared feedback on Boeing’s performance in …

South Carolina Airports Unite Against Credit Card Bill

  In a letter to South Carolina senators Lindsay Graham and Tim Scott, the leaders of the state’s six major airports are expressing their dissent to the bill.   Airport Leaders Claim Loss of Points Would Significantly Impact Travel The controversial Credit Card Competition Act of 2023 (Senate Bill 1838) …

TSA Trials Self-Screening Checkpoint in Las Vegas

  The Transportation Security Administration announced they work with the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate to open a prototype self-service screening system at the airport’s TSA Innovation Checkpoint.   New Screening Could Improve Screening, Reduce Need for Secondary Screening The self-service screening station was developed by Homeland …