Stories

American, US Airways to merge frequent-flier programs in the spring

Unlike many rivals that have converted to a revenue-based model, American will keep its miles-based frequent-flier program — at least for now.

Virgin America launches new Love Field-to-LaGuardia flights with fare sale

Virgin America today launched its new daily nonstop flights between Dallas Love Field and New York's LaGuardia Airport with a fare sale.

Southwest pilot reduced plane's power before 2013 belly landing at LaGuardia, documents show

The captain wrested control from the co-pilot just before the landing, according to a transcript of the cockpit conversation released by the NTSB.

American Airlines, US Airways unveil details of merging frequent flier programs next year

US Airways' Dividend Miles and American's AAdvantage programs will combine mileage balances and align elite member levels and criteria in the second quarter of 2015.

Schedule adjustments put Southwest Airlines' on-time performance back on course

The carrier’s reliability for flights to arrive when they're supposed to is improving after officials reveresed some August 2013 changes that created an operational mess.

American, Southwest airlines set profit records

Southwest Airlines said it had its best third quarter ever, while American Airlines had its best quarter, period.

American Airlines, Southwest post record profits

American Airlines Group Inc. and Southwest Airlines Co. both reported Thursday that they earned record profits in the three months ended Sept. 30.

Southwest Airlines, agents reach tentative agreement on new contract

The deal after two years of talks with the IAM leaves the Dallas-based carrier in negotiations with six other unions.

FedEx expecting 8.8 percent increase in holiday shipping this year

FedEx said Wednesday it expects the number of shipments to increase by about 8.8 percent this year between Black Friday (Nov. 28) and Christmas Eve - a total of more than 290 million shipments.

Lufthansa pilot strike cancels Frankfurt-D/FW flights

Lufthansa has cancelled its flight from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to Frankfurt, Germany, on Monday afternoon, as well as the return flight Tuesday from Frankfurt to DFW.

Airline investors weigh impact of Ebola fears against lower fuel prices

As most U.S. airlines get ready to talk earnings this week, fuel prices are giving airlines a break even as Ebola raises fears.

Frontier Airlines sends out 20% discount offer after news of Ebola-infected passenger on flight

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put out a notice Thursday reaching out to passengers on Frontier flights taken by Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas nurse Amber Joy Vinson.

Airlines scramble to find enough qualified pilots

A job fair Friday seeks to help airlines find enough pilots to staff their cockpits as depression turns to boom for pilot hiring.

Frontier Airlines puts out statement on Ebola-stricken nurse who flew on Cleveland-Dallas flight

Our Robert Wilonsky has a story about Amber Joy Vinson, the Dallas nurse who has been diagnosed with Ebola and who flew on a Frontier Airlines flight from Cleveland to Dallas on Monday.

Dallas-based Flexjet to buy up to 50 Gulfstream jets

The deal includes a new Gulfstream model announced Tuesday, the G500, as well as two older models, the G450 and G650.

Ex-Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison: I don't see any more changes in Love Field restrictions

Kay Bailey Hutchison was a U.S. senator from Texas when she carried the federal legislation in 2006 that provided for Monday's end to the Wright amendment and its prohibition on long-distance nonstop flights from Dallas Love Field.

The top tweets from Dallas' first day without the Wright amendment

Dallas Love Field Airport, Virgin America and Southwest Airlines and the city of Dallas all celebrated a monumental day Monday with the ending of the Wright amendment.

Farewell party for Wright goes all day

Flight attendants with pompoms, free champagne and doughnuts, multimillionaires collecting boarding passes: Southwest Airlines and Virgin America did not let the end of the Wright amendment pass quietly.

Fliers react to end of Wright Amendment at Dallas Love Field

Free donuts, red carpet and the pending arrival of one famous media CEO brought an air of anticipation to Dallas Love Field Monday morning.

Passenger heard popping noises before Dallas-bound American Airlines plane's emergency landing

A Dallas-bound American Airlines flight that departed from San Francisco International Airport turned around and made an emergency landing Monday at SFO after some of the cabin’s wall panels cracked loose, aviation and airlines officials said.

Today marks end of the Wright amendment at Dallas Love Field

We're at Dallas Love Field on Monday morning, along with a lot of other people, as the airlines, the airport and the passengers celebrate the end of the Wright amendment.

Long-awaited arrival: end of the Wright law at Dallas Love Field

Airlines plan dozens of nonstop flights throughout the U.S. with the end of the Wright amendment restrictions.

Virgin’s flight plan may be too nice for investors

As Virgin America weighs a public offering there are warning signs for potential investors.

Virgin America trades one mega-rival for another

The California carrier happily leaves D/FW Airport and American Airlines to go against Southwest Airlines at Dallas Love Field.

Despite schedule changes, Southwest Airlines still lags industry in on-time arrivals

On Aug. 10, Southwest Airlines changed its schedule to improve its reliability and end a year of really bad results for on-time arrivals. Its executives said the new schedule should boost its on-time performance.

Delta to keep flying from Love Field – at least for a few months more

The Atlanta-based carrier worked out a deal with Southwest Airlines to borrow gate space and with United Airlines to share ticket counters and operating facilities.

Dallas City Council officially renames Cedar Springs Road approaching Love Field to Herb Kelleher Way

The council on Wednesday voted to officially rename the stretch of Cedar Springs Road road north of Mockingbird Lane in honor of Southwest Airlines' famous co-founder.

American Airlines Group expects Q3 operating margin of 10 to 12 percent

In an investor update Wednesday, American Airlines Group estimated that its operating margin - operating profits as a percentage of operating revenues - to be 10 to 12 percent.

Southwest Airlines says its loads increased 2.8 points in September

Southwest Airlines reported that its load factor, or percentage of seats filled with paying passengers, jumped to 80.5 percent in September, up 2.8 points compared to a year earlier.

Analyst criticizes United Airlines for boosting Dallas Love Field flights

Airline analyst Bob McAdoo of Imperial Capital put out a report Tuesday advising investors to turn their attentions toward American Airlines Group and Delta Air Lines and away from United Continental Holdings.

See which cities will lose Dallas flights when Southwest revamps schedule

An analysis indicates that by early November, Southwest will have cut 18 of the 118 departures it now offers from Love Field as it beefs up its schedule to cities beyond the current Wright amendment borders.

American Airlines wants Delta’s Tokyo Haneda rights

The Fort Worth-based carrier claims that Delta is “essentially deserting Seattle” and should give its route authority to serve the close-in Tokyo airport.

American Airlines to reduce Envoy Air operations in Miami

As American prepares to move larger regional jets into that hub, it will close Envoy’s pilot and flight attendant bases and ove the smaller Envoy jets elsewhere.

Delta threatens legal action against city

The airline’s attorney demanded Dallas find room at Love Field for Delta, which was told earlier this week that it would have to leave.

End of the Wright amendment: Once-rancorous debate now distant memory

With the 1980 law set to expire on Oct. 13, the reaction now from both American and D/FW officials: Eh, whatever.

Airlines say steps taken to ensure passengers are safe from Ebola

Despite health officials’ assurances of “zero risk of transmission” of Ebola during the patient’s flights, concerns about air travel are growing.

U.S. airline stocks drop on Ebola fears

The U.S. airline industry faces a potential financial threat only if travelers cut back on flying for fear of exposure to Ebola, one analyst said.

U.S. airline stocks decline after first U.S. Ebola case confirmed in Dallas

Fears about the Ebola disease appear to be hurting U.S. airline stocks today - one day after public health officials reported the nation's first confirmed Ebola patient had flown from Liberia to Dallas last month.

Delta squeezed out of Love Field because Southwest, United are expanding

Airlines are jockeying for position to expand their flying at Love Field after the Wright Amendment expires on Oct. 13, allowing airlines to operate long-haul flights out of the airport.

Emirates Airbus A380 makes inaugural landing at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

Two days after Qantas Airways flew the first Airbus A380 into D/FW Airport, we now have two of the massive A380s in regular service here.

City putting the brakes on Delta's flights out of Dallas Love Field

The city of Dallas on Monday told Delta Air Lines it can no longer fly from Love Field as of Oct. 13 — the same day the Wright Amendment expires.

Actor John Travolta welcomes first mega-jumbo jet to D/FW Airport

Qantas Airways began using the Airbus A380 for its Sydney flights Monday, and Emirates Airline will switch to an A380 for its Dubai flights Wednesday.

Qantas landing inaugurates Airbus A380 service at D/FW Airport

The Australian airline is now offering Dallas-Sydney service aboard the world's largest passenger jet.

Southwest cancels Chicago Midway, Milwaukee flights after airport fire

American also canceled 806 flights in and out of Chicago on Friday after a fire at a suburban air traffic control facility sent delays and cancellations rippling through the nation’s air travel network.

American Airlines seeks OK to begin D/FW-Beijing flights

The carrier has asked for U.S. approval to begin a daily flight connecting its largest hub with the Chinese capital on May 7, 2015.

American Airlines seeks OK for first flights from D/FW to Beijing

American Airlines plans to begin nonstop service next year from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to Beijing, it said Thursday.

Southwest Airlines to power some flights with biofuels

The Dallas-based carrier has signed a deal with a Colorado firm to buy 3 million gallons of jet fuel refined from “forest residues” beginning in 2016.

7 U.S. carriers among the world's most profitable airlines

Airline Weekly has calculated the 15 most profitable airlines and the 15 least profitable airlines in the world, and U.S. carriers make up nearly half of the list of the most profitable.

Southwest CEO: Repealing Wright amendment saved Love Field

Change in 2006 reversed years of decline in traffic at the Dallas airport and set the stage for this year’s opening up of long-haul service.

American Airlines reaches tentative agreement with flight attendants union

The carrier and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants avoid arbitration by working out a new deal at Friday’s deadline.

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