Southwest Curbs to Some Elliott Demands with Kelly Resignation

  The airline announced Gary Kelly will voluntarily retire from the board after the company’s 2025 annual meeting with six board members, including the lead director and three committee chairs.   Kelly Ends 38 Years with Southwest Airlines In a letter sent to Southwest Airlines shareholders, Kelly said the decisions …

Delta Website Crashes After Flight Attendant Applications Go Live

  Business Insider reports the crash happened on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, when Delta opened up applications for the 2025 hiring class.   “The Application Experience May be Slow During This Period” The application process coincided with Delta’s announcement for the next hiring class opening. The airline said they are …

Hong Kong Can Now Turn Passengers Away at the Gate

  Radio Free Asia reports the new “Advance Passenger Information system” requires air carriers flying to the special administrative region to provide travel document information to determine if a flyer can enter the Chinese city.   System Set to “Strengthen Law Enforcement Capabilities” For Travel The new policy is effective …

Transportation Department Probes Big Four Loyalty Programs

  The U.S. Department of Transportation announced an inquiry into America’s four biggest airlines on September 5, 2024, ordering information about their loyalty programs to protect customers from “potential unfair, deceptive, or anticompetitive practices.”   Transportation Department Evaluating “Fairness, Transparency, Predictability, and Competitiveness” In announcing the probe of American Airlines …

Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta Most Connected Airports in North America

  A recent study by aviation analytics firm Cirium discovered while airports in Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta serve the most total destinations, international travelers may be best served transiting through Toronto, New York, or Miami.   JFK and Miami Offers Service to Most International Destinations in the U.S.   In …

15 Cathay Pacific A350 Aircraft Grounded After In-Flight Engine Incident

  The airline announced the cancellations on their website after an engine fire forced a flight to return to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) on Monday, September 2, 2024.   Grounding to Affect Asian Flights, With No Impact on Long Haul Routes Reuters reports the flight that caused the inspections …

With SAS Joining SkyTeam, Star Alliance Offers Status Match to EuroBonus Flyers

  After SAS officially joined the SkyTeam alliance on September 1, 2024, Star Alliance is offering their elites the opportunity to stay in their network with a status match to any of their member airlines.   SkyTeam Move Completed After Air France-KLM Takes Stake in Airline Moving to SkyTeam was …

American Flyer Sues Over Alleged Sexual Assault as FBI Concerned About Crime

  The Independent reports the lawsuit is based on a claimed incident aboard a 2022 flight.   FBI Says Sexual Assaults Aboard Aircraft is “On the Rise” According to the unnamed passenger, she was flying with a friend in August 2022 on a night flight from Charlotte Douglas International Airport …

Engine Shutdown Forces Alaska Boeing 737-700 to Divert

  The San Francisco Chronicle reports one of the carrier’s flights was forced to return back to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) on Sunday, August 25, 2024, after an engine shutdown after takeoff.   Alaska Investigating What Caused Midair Engine Shutdown According to data from FlightRadar24, Alaska Airlines Flight 1240 left …

American, Delta, and Other Airlines Tread Lightly Among Israel Tension

  Two U.S. carriers say they will hold off on their flights to Israel for the near future, while other carriers are seeking routes that avoid the space between Israel and Iran.   Airlines Say No to Israel Flights, Iran Airspace At least two U.S. carriers say they are going …