BUSINESS

02/27/2010

Republic Airways orders 40 Bombardier jets with new Pratt & Whitney engines
Pratt & Whitney got a big win this week when Republic Airways Holdings Inc. ordered 40 Bombardier jets equipped with P&W's new-design jet engine.

Where are you going? Breaking the airport codes
We've all heard tales of passengers en route to Boston (BOS) having their suitcase end up in Bogota (BOG), or sunning on the sands of Daytona Beach (DAB) while their swimsuit and flip-flops languish in Dayton, Ohio (DAY). Is there a method to this three-letter madness? Yes – sort of, and, in some cases, not really.
Blog: Airline Biz

02/23/2010

Nearly a quarter of U.S. airline jobs vanished in decade, data show

FILE 2008/Bloomberg

The number of airline jobs has been shrinking for many reasons, experts say. Factors include the economy, fuel prices, productivity gains from technology and hassles at airports.

As the U.S. airline industry lost tens of billions of dollars over the past 10 years, it also lost a tremendous number of employees. Nearly one in every four U.S. airline jobs disappeared in the 10 years that ended Dec. 31, and the largest airlines were among the hardest hit, according to new data.

02/21/2010

Southwest adjusts schedule in bid to seek more connecting fliers
If Southwest Airlines Co. put up a stone tablet engraved with its operating philosophy, the top item might be: "We are a point-to-point airline."

02/20/2010

American flight attendants seek blanket-pillow sales talks; airline says it's not a contractual issue
American Airlines Inc. and its flight attendants' union are in a pillow fight.

02/19/2010

American Airlines' in-house repair policy is both boon and burden
The latest body blow came Thursday when a government watchdog issued a report that faulted American for longstanding maintenance deficiencies.

02/18/2010

FAA oversight of American Airlines criticized in report

FILE/DMN

An FAA review that looked at American's maintenance of its jets was criticized for being too narrow.

Federal regulators have failed to correct mounting and long-standing maintenance deficiencies at American Airlines despite receiving detailed complaints about the carrier’s problems, according to a federal investigative report released on Thursday.

02/17/2010

FAA hits American Eagle with $2.9 million fine
The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a $2.9 million civil fine against Fort Worth-based American Eagle Airlines over improper landing gear door repairs.

Transport Workers Union will seek release from mediation if early March talks with American Airlines fail
The Transport Workers Union said Wednesday it will ask the National Mediation Board to release it from mediation if it doesn't get a deal in the next round of contract talks with American Airlines .

02/16/2010

American Airlines to resume service to Haiti
American Airlines and American Eagle will return to Haiti on Friday, about 7½ weeks after the massive earthquake hit the Caribbean nation. American said its flights would be the first commercial flights back into Haiti.

02/15/2010

Airline Biz blog: Director Kevin Smith says he passed armrest test on Southwest Airlines flight
Director Kevin Smith says that he actually passed the carrier's test on whether a "person of size" gets to stay in his seat and not have to buy 2 tickets.

American Airlines enjoys double dose of good news
A week ago, American Airlines Inc. faced a lot of doubt about its airline alliance across both the Pacific and the Atlantic.

02/12/2010

American Airlines, Japan Airlines file request for antitrust immunity
American Airlines Inc. and Japan Airlines Corp. asked regulators Friday to grant them antitrust immunity so they can work more closely together on U.S.-Asia flights.

U.S. airlines report their best on-time record in six years

FILE/Getty Images

Southwest finished first among major carriers in 2009 for arriving on time or within 14 minutes of schedule.

Southwest, which saw 83 percent of its flights arrive within 14 minutes, edged out Alaska Airlines, with 82.9 percent on time, in the U.S. Department of Transportation report.
Latest Southwest Airlines news
Blog: Airline Biz

02/11/2010

Airline Biz blog: American Airlines pays out $10.3 million in Q4 performance bonuses
American Airlines said Friday it is handing out $10.3 million to 70,000 of its employees as reward for improving customer service in fourth quarter 2009.

02/10/2010

American Airlines plans to start charging its stand-by fliers

FILE/AP

American Airlines said it's not just trying to bring in fees but to improve its operations with the change.

For tickets bought Feb. 22 and afterward, if you want to change to another flight at the airport, you'll pay $50 or you won't change your flight — unless you're an elite passenger.
FAA eyes hefty fines for American Airlines
American to charge $8 for blanket, pillow
Latest airline news
Blog: Airline Biz

Airline Biz blog: East Coast storms' impact felt at D/FW Airport
American Airlines operated its first flight from Dallas/Fort Worth to New York LaGuardia, but cancelled the remaining 14 scheduled for Wednesday, according to FlightStats.com.

AP sources: FAA eyes hefty fines for American Airlines

FILE/Getty Images

The probe involves improperly secured wiring in American's MD-80s, which resulted in the grounding of hundreds of planes in April 2008.

The FAA is close to wrapping up a two-year investigation of safety violations at American that could result in one of the largest fines in the agency's history, according to officials familiar with the investigation.
American Airlines cheers JAL decision to stay in alliance
Blog: Airline Biz

02/09/2010

American Airlines celebrates JAL decision to stay with Oneworld

AP

In return for spurning the advances of Delta Air Lines, struggling Japan Airlines is counting on help from its continued partnership with American Airlines and its Oneworld alliance.

Had Japan Airlines gone with Delta, Fort Worth-based American's entire strategy for serving Japan and northeast Asia would have been thrown into disarray.
American Airlines to charge $8 for blanket, pillow
Latest American Airlines news
Blog: Airline Biz

American Airlines to charge $8 for blanket, pillow
The airline will charge $8 for a pillow and blanket in coach class for domestic trips and some international flights longer than two hours, beginning May 1.

Japan Airlines rejects Delta, will stay with American Airlines

FILE/AP

In an aggressive courtship, Delta and its partners offered JAL $1 billion to leave the oneworld alliance.

Japan Airlines, wooed for months by Delta Air Lines with promises of cash and a broad global network, spurned the world's biggest carrier and opted to keep its alliance with American.
American Airlines to charge $8 for blanket, pillow
Latest American Airlines news
Blog: Airline Biz

Southwest Airlines facing FAA safety investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating violations of safety directives by Southwest Airlines, the third such probe of the Dallas-based carrier's maintenance record in two years.

02/05/2010

American Airlines, American Eagle mostly responsible for D/FW Airport growth
It's springtime at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, which since last May has sprouted a dozen new air routes launched or about to start.

02/04/2010

Southwest Airlines' January traffic climbs 7.1 percent
Southwest Airlines Co. said Thursday its unit revenues soared 14 to 15 percent last month compared to January 2009 as it continues to outpace the industry in its recovery from the recession.

02/03/2010

American Airlines' January traffic edges higher

FILE/AP

American Airlines said its traffic edged higher by 0.4 percent on a 2.7 percent decline in capacity from a year earlier.

American filled 76.2 percent of its seats in January.
For 2010, airlines let their hopes rise a little higher
American Airlines managers may fill in if flight attendants strike

02/02/2010

For 2010, big airlines let their hopes rise a little higher

AP

Airlines are hoping for a return of higher-fare corporate travelers to the skies.

Even with a lot of doubt about what is just over the horizon, airlines are looking forward to a better year in 2010, albeit cautiously.
Latest airline industry news
Blog: Airline Biz

American Airlines managers may fill in if flight attendants strike
American Airlines Inc. has told the Federal Aviation Administration that it may train management employees to replace flight attendants in case of a strike.

American Airlines offers EU concessions in alliance talks, awaits word on JAL
American Airlines Inc. and its Oneworld partners, British Airways PLC and Iberia, have offered concessions to the European Union as they seek to overcome objections to their proposed trans-Atlantic alliance

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