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August 29, 2008 11:47:21 CDT

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Started by Imperator; Last updated Feb 27, 08 6:28 AM CST by D Lim | View history

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Airline Industry

Business in the friendly skies hasn't been high-flying of late

It's been a long, hard, half-decade for much of the airline industry. Since 9/11, it has been trying to recover from the decrease in passenger travel, only to be clobbered by high fuel prices in recent years—landing several of the American ‘majors’ in bankruptcy. Some of the upstarts continued to do well, including Southwest and JetBlue in the US and Ryanair and easyJet in Europe. Yet even the new lean airlines stumble from time to time, as JetBlue learned the hard way in February 2007, when an ice storm in New York snarled operations for almost a week.

Stories

Stories 61 - 80 of 300

<< Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ... 15 Next >>
  • June 2008

    • EU Eyes Anti-Terror Camera for Every Seat

      New Scientist  |  Jun 1, 08 6:48 AM CDT

      EU Eyes Anti-Terror Camera for Every Seat

      (Newser) - A camera may be planted in every airline seat in Europe, if an EU plan under development is approved. Dubbed SAFEE (Security of Aircraft in the Future European Environment), the system would also aim cameras at the aisles. Software would then watch for suspicious movements, gestures, and even facial expressions. More »

  • May 2008

    • United Drops US Airways Deal, Woos Continental

      Wall Street Journal  |  May 30, 08 7:15 AM CDT

      United Drops US Airways Deal, Woos Continental

      (Newser) - A proposed merger between United Airlines and US Airways is on hold again, the Wall Street Journal reports. United’s CEO told his US Airways counterpart that his airline is close to a deal with Continental, a merger that would be less costly and wouldn’t face as much antitrust scrutiny as a United-US Airways deal, the Journal notes. United’s revelation follows rejection from Continental last month. More »

    • AA Should Bag Boneheaded Luggage Fee

      Portfolio  |  May 29, 08 6:28 AM CDT

      AA Should Bag Boneheaded Luggage Fee

      (Newser) - American Airlines’ plan to charge passengers $15 to check a bag is likely to cost the carrier more money than it generates, Joe Brancatelli argues in Portfolio . “Not only will it infuriate flyers—who are already annoyed with American’s lousy operating efficiency and its recent maintenance snafus—it’s likely to further erode American’s on-time and baggage-handling rates,” he writes. More »

    • Man Sues Delta for Ruined Vacation

      Reuters  |  May 29, 08 3:19 AM CDT

      Man Sues Delta for Ruined Vacation

      (Newser) - A furious lawyer is suing Delta airlines for $1 million for turning a dream trip to Argentina for his mother's 80th birthday into a nightmare, Reuters reports. "Obnoxious and incompetent" airline staff refused to allow the man and his family onto a connecting flight from Atlanta, so it took them three days to get to Buenos Aires and another five to be reunited with their bags, according to the suit. More »

    • CEOs of United, US Airways Will Meet to Talk Merger

      Wall Street Journal  |  May 28, 08 7:42 CDT

      CEOs of United, US Airways Will Meet to Talk Merger

      (Newser) - The CEOs from United Airlines and US Airways will meet tomorrow to try to nudge ahead talks of a possible merger, the Wall Street Journal reports. If they make headway, the executives could present a possible deal to their respective boards in mid-June. The deal, in the works for two months but rumored to be in trouble recently, could easily fall through for a host of reasons, including the volatility of the industry over surging oil prices. More »

    • Another United Merger Crashes

      New York Times  |  May 28, 08 3:20 AM CDT

      Another United Merger Crashes

      (Newser) - A proposed merger between United Airlines and rival US Airways has collapsed, just a month after a deal between United and Continental fell apart. Some analysts predicted the rising cost of jet fuel would power merger deals, but the failed negotiations have raised serious questions about the success of future consolidation in the airline industry, reports the New York Times . More »

    • Airlines Forced to Front Cash for Fuel

      Times (UK)  |  May 26, 08 9:32 AM CDT

      Airlines Forced to Front Cash for Fuel

      (Newser) - Cash-strapped airlines are now being pressured to pay millions of dollars in advance for aviation fuel, reports the Times of London. Mandatory prepayment for fuel has become common in the US and is now moving to Europe as crude oil prices continue to rise and the solvency of the industry is uncertain. Jet fuel costs have soared 60% since January. More »

    • High Gas Prices Give Economy a Headache

      Los Angeles Times  |  May 24, 08 3:52 CDT

      High Gas Prices Give Economy a Headache

      (Newser) - Oil prices gushed for 5 years, but the US economy remained blissfully unaffected—until now, the Los Angeles Times reports. Rising gas prices have finally spooked consumers and sparked ominous news from two major airlines, Ford, and even memory card maker SanDisk. “The economic outlook has been taken hostage by the relentless surge in oil prices,” said one economist. More »

    • Airlines Hike Ticket Prices

      Associated Press  |  May 24, 08 11:05 AM CDT

      Airlines Hike Ticket Prices

      (Newser) - The big three US airlines responded to soaring oil prices by boosting most domestic prices by up to $60 roundtrip in the last few days, the AP reports. United led the way with increases from $10 to $60 Thursday; American and Delta followed suit yesterday. Meanwhile, low-cost AirTran raised its leisure tickets $30 and business tickets $50. More »

    • Airline Business Model Won't Work With $130 Oil

      Dallas Morning News  |  May 23, 08 10:40 AM CDT

      Airline Business Model Won't Work With $130 Oil

      (Newser) - The airline industry as we know it can’t function on $130-a-barrel oil, industry analysts are saying, and cost-cutting, ticket price increases, and bag-check fees won't make it viable. The Dallas Morning News looks at how hopeless it is for airlines to come anywhere near break-even at current costs, noting that an expert said last fall it couldn't be done at anything more than $80 a barrel.  More »

    • To Beat Jet Lag, Skip Airline Food

      Daily Telegraph (UK)  |  May 23, 08 7:05 AM CDT

      To Beat Jet Lag, Skip Airline Food

      (Newser) - Jet lag can be beaten—if passengers avoid airline food, new research suggests. The timing of meals has a profound effect on the body's internal rhythms, and passengers who go without for a while—keeping the body's "food-related clock" in check—can dodge much of the exhausting effects of jet lag, reports the Daily Telegraph. More »

    • Bargain Airfares Still Out There

      New York Times  |  May 21, 08 1:37 CDT

      Bargain Airfares Still Out There

      (Newser) - Airfares are skyrocketing, but deals are still out there. The New York Times offers some pointers: Book directly with the airline. Sign up for private price cuts. Buy one ticket at a time. Make your computer do the work. More »

    • American Cuts Flights, Will Charge $15 for First Bag

      Wall Street Journal  |  May 21, 08 11:01 AM CDT

      American Cuts Flights, Will Charge $15 for First Bag

      (Newser) - American Airlines is cutting flights, jobs, and carrying capacity in its effort to withstand skyrocketing oil prices, the company announced today—and it's adding a $15 fee for some customers' first checked bag. US capacity could fall 12% as up to 85 planes are retired, the Wall Street Journal reports. The announcement sent airline stocks plummeting. More »

    • As Fuel Soars, Airlines Clip Regional Flights

      New York Times  |  May 21, 08 9:17 AM CDT

      As Fuel Soars, Airlines Clip Regional Flights

      (Newser) - Soaring fuel prices have prompted airlines to cut service—sometimes completely—to some 400 cities nationwide as carriers look for ways to maximize load and cut costs, reports the New York Times . Airlines reduced flights in May by 22,900 from a year ago, a 3% decline, and discontinued service to 30 cities. Analysts say there’s more to come. More »

    • How to Fit Everything in One Bag

      NPR  |  May 18, 08 5:14 CDT

      How to Fit Everything in One Bag

      (Newser) - With airlines charging more for extra bags, the trick is to fly light. A packing guru offers these tips for stuffing it all in one bag, NPR reports: Make a no-frills list, and stick to it (see onebag.com for ideas). Don't let any space go unused (stuff things into shoes, for example). More »

    • FAA Questions American's Lightning Safety

      Wall Street Journal  |  May 16, 08 1:40 CDT

      FAA Questions American's Lightning Safety

      (Newser) - The FAA is questioning American Airlines' new policy on lightning inspections, and its opener is: Why doesn’t American do them anymore? American recently forbade its mechanics from doing extensive lightning damage checks unless pilots suspected a strike, a move designed to reduce delays and cancellations. Big airlines are typically allowed to tweak safety standards, reports the Wall Street Journal. More »

    • Oops! United Mistakenly Drops Fuel Charges for a Day

      Wall Street Journal  |  May 15, 08 5:27 CDT

      Oops! United Mistakenly Drops Fuel Charges for a Day

      (Newser) - United Airlines gave travelers a big break on ticket prices today—by accident. The airline neglected to add fuel surcharges to prices this afternoon, saving lucky buyers up to $130 per flight, the Wall Street Journal reports. United made the mistake at 12:30pm, when it filed prices with the feds, and wasn't able to fix the problem until 8pm EST. More »

    • Air Bargains Still There, But More Hunting Needed

      Los Angeles Times  |  May 13, 08 10:31 CDT

      Air Bargains Still There, But More Hunting Needed

      (Newser) - It’s no secret that airline ticket costs are up—18% on average from last year. But, the Los Angeles Times reports, deals are still there, if you’re wiling to hunt for them. Limited-time online bargains can provide cheap fares, and many travelers are searching smaller airlines’ websites for deals they can’t afford to promote on Orbitz or Expedia. More »

    • Heathrow Boss Flies the Coop

      Guardian (UK)  |  May 13, 08 3:04 CDT

      Heathrow Boss Flies the Coop

      (Newser) - Mark Bullock, managing director of London's Heathrow airport, has stepped down in the wake of the disastrous opening of the airport's new terminal. Hundreds of flights were canceled after the March 27 debut of Terminal 5, due to a malfunctioning baggage-handling system, the Guardian reports. London Underground chief Mark Brown will take over at the end of the summer. More »

    • Air Passenger Charged After Not Ending Call

      Dallas Morning News  |  May 13, 08 11:31 AM CDT

      Air Passenger Charged After Not Ending Call

      (Newser) - An air passenger was charged yesterday with disorderly conduct after refusing to stop talking on his cell phone on a flight from Austin to Dallas. A spokesman for Joe David Jones' company told the Dallas Morning News the businessman was trying to reach the hospital where his father was being treated after going into cardiac arrest. More »

Stories 61 - 80 of 300

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Virgin Atlantic Airways Unveiling of Upper Class Suite   (Getty Images)
A U.S. Airways jet takes off from Sky Harbor International Airport Thursday, April 26, 2007 in Phoenix. US Airways Group Inc. on Thursday said profit edged up 2 percent in the first quarter on modest...   (Associated Press)
Ryanair Jet at London's Prestwick Airport   (Getty Images)
(FILE PHOTO) Jet Blue Profits Rise   (Getty Images)
A Delta Airlines aircraft at Dulles International Airport   (Getty Images)
FILE PHOTO: Sir Freddie Laker dies   (Getty Images)
Sweet   ((c) dyobmit)
Dave Howard, a pilot for American Airlines, does a visual inspection of a plane at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.   (KRT Photos)
Jet Airplane   (Archive Photos)
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Background

airline industry
The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition

airline industry the business of transporting paying passengers and freight by air along regularly scheduled routes, typically by airplanes but also by helicopter. Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin set up the first commercial airline in 1912, using a form of the dirigible to transport more than ...

» Read more about airline industry at Encyclopedia.com

Chasing the Sun: the history of commercial aviation
PBS

"Chasing the Sun" is based on the book "Turbulent Skies: The History of Commercial Aviation" by T. A. Heppenheimer.

» Read more about Chasing the Sun: the history of commercial aviation at PBS

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