Delta Air Lines is trying to appease flyers who were angry about changes to its loyalty programs. But the company isn’t undoing the changes it announced in September. Starting next year, rewards will depend on how much money flyers spend on Delta flights instead of how many flights they take …
Read More »United Airlines will debut a new boarding order to save time
United Airlines will change its boarding order next week by letting economy-class passengers who have selected window seats to board before those with middle and aisle seats. The company said the change could shave two minutes off the boarding process. The new procedure will begin Oct. 26, according to a company …
Read More »Natalee Holloway disappearance suspect Joran van der Sloot pleads guilty to extortion, wire fraud
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Joran van der Sloot bludgeoned Natalee Holloway to death on an Aruban beach and disposed of her body in the water, a judge and the victim’s mother said Wednesday. Natalee Holloway’s 2005 disappearance had long been linked to the Dutchman, who appeared in federal court to plead …
Read More »Delta says Hollywood, auto strikes are denting business travel
Recent strikes by Hollywood talent and United Auto Workers union members are a “drag” on business travel demand, which is otherwise recovering, Delta Air Lines President Glen Hauenstein said Thursday. Delta has an outsized exposure to the automotive and entertainment industries, with a more than 70% market share at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne …
Read More »How a government shutdown could affect air travel and flights
The U.S. air travel system is huge and complicated, and it could show significant signs of stress in the event of a federal government shutdown. As the hours tick by without any indication of progress on a new funding bill, it looks more and more likely that the government will …
Read More »Las Vegas still struggling against hackers as the weekend arrives
Room reservations and sportsbooks were still dark across swaths of Las Vegas on Friday as the community trudged through its fifth day of a battle against hackers who struck the city’s biggest hotel chain. As of 1 p.m. PDT, visitors to the “book a room” tab on the MGM Resorts …
Read More »Delta will make it harder to get into airport lounges, changes rules to earn elite status
Delta Air Lines is changing how customers can earn elite frequent flyer status and is making it harder for many American Express cardholders to get into the carrier’s airport lounges, the latest reality check for air travel’s era of mass luxury. Starting Jan. 1, customers will earn Delta Medallion status solely based on their …
Read More »Delta flight hits severe turbulence near Atlanta, 11 people taken to hospital
At least 11 people were taken to the hospital after a Delta Air Lines flight hit severe turbulence as it approached Atlanta, the airline said. Both passengers and crew members were injured after Delta Flight 175 from Milan, Italy “experienced severe turbulence” before landing safely in Atlanta on Tuesday, the …
Read More »Spirit Airlines to pay up to $8.25 million in class action over ‘gotcha’ carry-on bag fees
Spirit Airlines has agreed to pay up to $8.25 million to settle a class action lawsuit by passengers who said the low-cost carrier blindsided them with surprise carry-on bag fees on tickets bought through third-party travel services. Lawyers for the passengers disclosed the deal in a motion late Wednesday in federal court …
Read More »Bear escapes from crate in plane’s cargo hold, causing unbearable delay
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s prime minister has ordered an investigation into how a bear escaped from its crate in the cargo hold of an Iraqi aircraft as it was due to depart from Dubai airport, leaving passengers disgruntled over the delay and causing a stir on social media. Iraqi Airways said …
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