Carriers predict US antitrust approval for alliance first aired in '96
New York Times Aug 15, 08 6:48 AM CDT
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American Airlines and British Airways are making a third stab at a joint business agreement—and this time, reports the New York Times , the deal might actually go through. American, BA, and the Spanish carrier Iberia are applying for antitrust approval to form a global network. The CEO of American's parent company today predicted that the arrangement would win "swift approval" amid loosened regulations in a collapsing industry.
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analysis
Fuel prices, environmental concerns could make that cheap seat a luxury
New Republic Aug 13, 08 9:05 PM CDT
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The end of cheap oil means it’s “springtime for gloomy futurists,” Bradford Plumer writes in the New Republic , but we’re not headed for a Mad Max scenario just yet—unless you like cheap seats on airplanes. Jet fuel is approaching twice the price of a year ago, and clamored-for carbon pricing could quintuple fares. And airplanes can’t run on solar or fuel cells presently, so look for a radical restructuring in commercial aviation.
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opinion
Why the airline doesn't deserve a second chance
BusinessWeek Aug 13, 08 5:49 PM CDT
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What with the oil price spike, times are rough all around for airlines, writes Roben Farzad for BusinessWeek . But United presents a uniquely bungled case, and it is irresponsible to pity it along with other struggling players in the industry. "Even if the airline devised a way to run its 767s on oil from all the peanuts it has wrested from passengers, the institution seems almost culturally incapable of banking a profit," writes Farzad.
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Analyst predicts carriers could be back in the black next year
Wall Street Journal Aug 12, 08 2:30 AM CDT
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Airline shares rose yesterday following an analyst's prediction that the big carriers could be back in the black by next year, reports the Wall Street Journal . The stocks have been recovering since mid-July as oil prices started to slip downward and the industry's cost-cutting and revenue-boosting measures began to take effect.
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Overwhelmed small suppliers struggle to produce equipment on time
Wall Street Journal Aug 8, 08 10:29 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Production delays are plaguing Airbus and Boeing as the airplane manufacturers wait for simple supplies such as seats, toilets, and gallies for their new widebody jets, the Wall Street Journal reports. Small firms charged with making such supplies have been slowed as demand has soared. The interrupted production means higher manufacturing costs for both jet makers and long waits for payments from airlines.
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Fees see an increase in a move to cut costs
New York Times Aug 7, 08 4:50 PM CDT
(Newser)
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American Airlines has added stiffer fees and higher mileage requirements to its frequent-flier program as the airline struggles to cope with fuel costs, the New York Times reports. American, which posted a $1.16 billion loss for the second quarter, is following the lead of Delta, which tightened the purse strings for its frequent-flier program last week.
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Become first major airline to wirelessly enable its entire fleet by 2009
Wall Street Journal Aug 5, 08 10:46 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Unholster your Blackberry and sharpen your stylus; Delta will become the first major airline to offer Internet access across its entire 330-plane fleet by next summer, the Wall Street Journal reports, driven by the proliferation of handheld wireless devices and a desire among business passengers to keep working. Delta surveyed 15 of its largest corporate customers, finding “overwhelmingly they wanted to be more productive," Delta’s CEO said.
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Passengers hit with major hike just 3 months after fee was launched
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Jul 30, 08 3:55 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Delta Air Lines has doubled its fee to check a second bag to $100 on domestic roundtrip flights, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution . The airline, struggling with sky-high fuel prices, is also hiking fees for heavy baggage and items like surfboards that need special handling. Delta officials said they have no current plans to charge for a first bag—but won't rule it out.
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Limited flight schedule will lead to price increases
USA Today Jul 18, 08 1:40 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Get ready—this holiday season is going to boast some of the most expensive airfares ever, USA Today reports. Because of high fuel costs, most airlines have cut back flight schedules; figure about 9% fewer flights in November compared to a year ago. Having constricted supply, expect the airlines to raise prices $50-$200 extra per seat. And don't bank on any late holiday sales.
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Inaugural flight of fuel-saving jet scheduled for this fall
Seattle Times Jul 15, 08 6:56 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The inaugural flight of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner jet remains on track for this fall, but mechanical glitches are making the production schedule tighter than the company would like, the Seattle Times reports. Delays, mis-drilled holes, and ill-trained workers have contributed to the thinning cushion Boeing allowed for itself to meet the fall deadline. The jet promises to save 20% on fuel while improving cargo space and passenger comfort.
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Passenger boos too much for one American Airlines flight crew
MyFox New York Jul 8, 08 11:55 AM CDT
(Newser)
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The passengers of an American Airlines flight from Miami to New York on Sunday night probably thought the worst was over when their flight crew finally arrived at the gate an hour late. But angry passengers greeted them with boos and, according to some accounts, obscenities. The crew responded by refusing to board the plane, citing a "hostile work environment," Fox News reports.
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Too pricey to keep 'flying tankers' in the air
Wall Street Journal Jul 8, 08 4:52 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Super-long flights were hailed as the future of aviation only a few years ago, but the soaring price of fuel has grounded those plans, reports the Wall Street Journal . Airlines are delaying or canceling intercontinental routes as the cost of keeping "flying tankers" in the air for over 12 hours stops making economic sense.
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