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Tag: airline

  • Stranded by winter weather? Here’s what airlines owe you

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    Winter weather can upend even the best-laid travel plans, but one less thing to worry about is losing money if your flight is canceled: U.S. airlines are required to provide refunds.A major, dayslong winter storm is threatening to bring snow, sleet, ice and extensive power outages to about half the U.S. population. Thousands of weekend flights already have been canceled, and forecasters warn that catastrophic damage, especially in areas pounded by ice, could rival that of a hurricane.Here’s a guide for travelers as flight disruptions start stacking up: When airlines expect bad weather to create problems for flights, they often give travelers a chance to postpone their trips by a few days without having to pay a fee. Search online for your airline’s name and “travel alerts” or similar phrases to look for possible rescheduling offers.American Airlines, for example, said it is waiving change fees for passengers impacted by the storm, which brought freezing rain to parts of Texas on Friday. The Texas-based airline has canceled more than 1,200 flights scheduled to depart Saturday, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.American also added extra flights to and from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport through at least Sunday — totaling more than 3,200 additional seats. Use the airline’s app to make sure your flight is still on before heading to the airport. Cancellations can happen hours or even days before departure time. If you’re already at the airport, get in line to speak to a customer service representative. If you’re still at home or at your hotel, call or go online to connect to your airline’s reservations staff. Either way, it helps to also research alternate flights while you wait to talk to an agent.Most airlines will rebook you on a later flight for no additional charge, but it depends on the availability of open seats. You can, but airlines aren’t required to put you on another carrier’s flight. Some airlines, including most of the biggest carriers, say they can put you on a partner airline, but even then, it can be a hit or miss. If your flight was canceled and you no longer want to take the trip, or you’ve found another way to get to your destination, the airline is legally required to refund your money — even if you bought a non-refundable ticket. It doesn’t matter why the flight was canceled.The airline might offer you a travel credit, but you are entitled to a full refund. You are also entitled to a refund of any bag fees, seat upgrades or other extras that you didn’t get to use. If you paid with a credit card, a refund is due within seven business days after you decline an offer from the airline for another flight or a voucher, and within 20 calendar days if you paid for the ticket with a check or cash, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. U.S. airlines aren’t required by the Transportation Department to compensate passengers for meals or lodging when an airline cancels or significantly delays a flight during an “uncontrollable” event like bad weather.Each airline, however, does have its own policies for assisting passengers who are stranded by a so-called “controllable” flight cancellation or long delay. These include disruptions caused by maintenance issues, crew shortages or computer outages that halt operations. The Transportation Department can hold airlines accountable for these commitments and maintains a website that lets travelers see what each airline promises if a major disruption is their fault. If the weather forecast is troubling, Kyle Potter, executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, suggests looking into booking a backup flight. Some airlines stand out as potential backups, Potter says, because they let customers get a full refund as long as they cancel within 24 hours of booking.The customer service phone lines will be slammed if flight cancellations and delays start stacking up during a bad storm. If you’re traveling with someone who has a higher frequent-flyer status, call the airline using their priority number. Another trick: Look up the airline’s international support number. Those agents can often rebook you just the same.

    Winter weather can upend even the best-laid travel plans, but one less thing to worry about is losing money if your flight is canceled: U.S. airlines are required to provide refunds.

    A major, dayslong winter storm is threatening to bring snow, sleet, ice and extensive power outages to about half the U.S. population. Thousands of weekend flights already have been canceled, and forecasters warn that catastrophic damage, especially in areas pounded by ice, could rival that of a hurricane.

    Here’s a guide for travelers as flight disruptions start stacking up:

    When airlines expect bad weather to create problems for flights, they often give travelers a chance to postpone their trips by a few days without having to pay a fee. Search online for your airline’s name and “travel alerts” or similar phrases to look for possible rescheduling offers.

    American Airlines, for example, said it is waiving change fees for passengers impacted by the storm, which brought freezing rain to parts of Texas on Friday. The Texas-based airline has canceled more than 1,200 flights scheduled to depart Saturday, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.

    American also added extra flights to and from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport through at least Sunday — totaling more than 3,200 additional seats.

    Use the airline’s app to make sure your flight is still on before heading to the airport. Cancellations can happen hours or even days before departure time.

    If you’re already at the airport, get in line to speak to a customer service representative. If you’re still at home or at your hotel, call or go online to connect to your airline’s reservations staff. Either way, it helps to also research alternate flights while you wait to talk to an agent.

    Most airlines will rebook you on a later flight for no additional charge, but it depends on the availability of open seats.

    You can, but airlines aren’t required to put you on another carrier’s flight. Some airlines, including most of the biggest carriers, say they can put you on a partner airline, but even then, it can be a hit or miss.

    If your flight was canceled and you no longer want to take the trip, or you’ve found another way to get to your destination, the airline is legally required to refund your money — even if you bought a non-refundable ticket. It doesn’t matter why the flight was canceled.

    The airline might offer you a travel credit, but you are entitled to a full refund. You are also entitled to a refund of any bag fees, seat upgrades or other extras that you didn’t get to use.

    If you paid with a credit card, a refund is due within seven business days after you decline an offer from the airline for another flight or a voucher, and within 20 calendar days if you paid for the ticket with a check or cash, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

    U.S. airlines aren’t required by the Transportation Department to compensate passengers for meals or lodging when an airline cancels or significantly delays a flight during an “uncontrollable” event like bad weather.

    Each airline, however, does have its own policies for assisting passengers who are stranded by a so-called “controllable” flight cancellation or long delay. These include disruptions caused by maintenance issues, crew shortages or computer outages that halt operations. The Transportation Department can hold airlines accountable for these commitments and maintains a website that lets travelers see what each airline promises if a major disruption is their fault.

    If the weather forecast is troubling, Kyle Potter, executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, suggests looking into booking a backup flight. Some airlines stand out as potential backups, Potter says, because they let customers get a full refund as long as they cancel within 24 hours of booking.

    The customer service phone lines will be slammed if flight cancellations and delays start stacking up during a bad storm. If you’re traveling with someone who has a higher frequent-flyer status, call the airline using their priority number. Another trick: Look up the airline’s international support number. Those agents can often rebook you just the same.

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  • Delta flight from Orlando diverted due to onboard odor

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    A Delta Air Lines flight from Orlando to Los Angeles was diverted to Tampa on Saturday after the crew detected an odor on board, the airline said.Delta flight DL504 made a precautionary landing at Tampa International Airport. The Airbus A321 was carrying 194 passengers and six crew members.”Customers will be accommodated on an alternate aircraft and will redepart for Los Angeles shortly,” Delta Air Lines said in a statement. “At Delta, the safety of our customers and crew comes before anything else, and we appreciate our customers’ patience.”

    ORLANDO, Fla. —

    A Delta Air Lines flight from Orlando to Los Angeles was diverted to Tampa on Saturday after the crew detected an odor on board, the airline said.

    Delta flight DL504 made a precautionary landing at Tampa International Airport. The Airbus A321 was carrying 194 passengers and six crew members.

    Courtesy of Delta Air Lines

    “Customers will be accommodated on an alternate aircraft and will redepart for Los Angeles shortly,” Delta Air Lines said in a statement. “At Delta, the safety of our customers and crew comes before anything else, and we appreciate our customers’ patience.”

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  • How to spot real savings on Travel Tuesday

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    Chain stores have Black Friday. Online marketplaces have Cyber Monday. For local businesses, it’s Small Business Saturday.In the last 20 years, more segments of the retail industry have vied for their own piece of the holiday shopping season. The travel trade has firmly joined the trend with another post-Thanksgiving sales push: Travel Tuesday.On the same day as the nonprofit world’s Giving Tuesday, airlines, hotels, cruise ship companies, travel booking platforms and tour operators get in on the annual spirit to spend by promoting one-day deals. Consumer advocates say there are legitimate savings to be had but also chances to be misled by marketing that conveys a false sense of urgency.”People see ‘40% off’ and assume it’s a once-in-a-lifetime steal, without recognizing that the underlying price may have been inflated or that the same itinerary was cheaper last month.” Sally French, a travel expert at personal finance site NerdWallet, said.She and other seasoned travelers advised consumers who want to see if they can save money by booking trips on Travel Tuesday to do research in advance and to pay especially close attention to the fine print attached to offers.People hoping to score last-minute deals for Christmas or New Year’s should double-check for blackout dates or other restrictions, recommended Lindsay Schwimer, a consumer expert for the online travel site Hopper.It’s also wise to to keep an eye out for nonrefundable fares, resort fees, double occupancy requirements or upgrade conditions that may be hidden within advertised discounts, according to French.Shoppers should be wary of travel packages with extra transportation options or add-on offers, French said. Instead of lowering fares or room rates, some companies use statement credits, extra points, included amenities and bundled extras as a way to tempt potential customers, she said.“Many travel brands want to keep sticker prices high to maintain an aura of luxury, but they still need to fill planes, ships and hotel rooms,” French said. “Add-on perks are their workaround.”Consumers who are prepared rather than impulsive and on the lookout for the up-sell are in a much better position to identify authentic bargains, consumer experts stressed. Knowing what a specific trip would typically cost and comparison shopping can help expose offers based on inflated underlying costs and whether the same itinerary might have been cheaper at other times, they said.“Compare prices, check your calendar and make sure the trip you’re booking is something you genuinely want, not something you bought because a countdown timer pressured you,” French said. “What gets glossed over is that the best deal might be not booking anything at all if it doesn’t align with your plans.”Travel Tuesday came about based on existing industry trends. In 2017, Hopper analyzed historical pricing data and found that in each of the nine previous years, the biggest day for post-Thanksgiving travel discounts was the day after Cyber Monday.The site named the day Travel Tuesday. The number of offers within that time-targeted window and the number of travelers looking for them has since expanded.“Nearly three times as many trips were planned on Travel Tuesday last year compared to Black Friday,” Hopper’s Schwimer said. “We continue to see growth in the day, year over year, as more travel brands and categories offer deals.”The event’s origin story is in line with the National Retail Federation coining Cyber Monday in 2005 as a response to the emerging e-commerce era. American Express came up with Small Business Saturday in 2010 to direct buyers and their dollars to smaller retailers, credit card fees and all.A report by the consulting firm McKinsey & Company last year noted that November and December tend to be slow months for travel bookings, making Travel Tuesday a “marketing moment” that could help boost revenue.Hotel, cruise and and airline bookings by U.S. travelers increased significantly on Travel Tuesday 2023 compared with the two weeks before and after the day, the report’s authors wrote, citing data provided by the travel marketing platform Sojern.While Travel Tuesday so far has been mostly confined to the United States and Canada, “European travel companies can anticipate the possibility that Travel Tuesday will become a growing phenomenon in their region, given that other shopping days such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday have spread beyond North America,” the report stated.Vivek Pandya, lead insights analyst for Adobe Analytics, which tracks online spending, said consumers have more tools than ever this holiday season to help them determine if deals hold up to scrutiny.“Social journeys, influencers providing promo codes and values, and generative AI platforms taking all that in – the prices, the social conversation, the reviews – and giving guidance to the consumer, that’s a very different, dynamic kind of journey consumers are taking than they have in previous seasons,” Pandya said.Both he and French emphasized that prices rise and fall based on multiple factors, and that the winter holidays are not the only major promotional period of the year.“We now have dozens of consumer spending ‘holidays,’” French said. “Amazon alone keeps adding new versions of Prime Day. So if you don’t buy on Travel Tuesday, you haven’t missed your moment.”

    Chain stores have Black Friday. Online marketplaces have Cyber Monday. For local businesses, it’s Small Business Saturday.

    In the last 20 years, more segments of the retail industry have vied for their own piece of the holiday shopping season. The travel trade has firmly joined the trend with another post-Thanksgiving sales push: Travel Tuesday.

    On the same day as the nonprofit world’s Giving Tuesday, airlines, hotels, cruise ship companies, travel booking platforms and tour operators get in on the annual spirit to spend by promoting one-day deals. Consumer advocates say there are legitimate savings to be had but also chances to be misled by marketing that conveys a false sense of urgency.

    “People see ‘40% off’ and assume it’s a once-in-a-lifetime steal, without recognizing that the underlying price may have been inflated or that the same itinerary was cheaper last month.” Sally French, a travel expert at personal finance site NerdWallet, said.

    She and other seasoned travelers advised consumers who want to see if they can save money by booking trips on Travel Tuesday to do research in advance and to pay especially close attention to the fine print attached to offers.

    People hoping to score last-minute deals for Christmas or New Year’s should double-check for blackout dates or other restrictions, recommended Lindsay Schwimer, a consumer expert for the online travel site Hopper.

    It’s also wise to to keep an eye out for nonrefundable fares, resort fees, double occupancy requirements or upgrade conditions that may be hidden within advertised discounts, according to French.

    Shoppers should be wary of travel packages with extra transportation options or add-on offers, French said. Instead of lowering fares or room rates, some companies use statement credits, extra points, included amenities and bundled extras as a way to tempt potential customers, she said.

    “Many travel brands want to keep sticker prices high to maintain an aura of luxury, but they still need to fill planes, ships and hotel rooms,” French said. “Add-on perks are their workaround.”

    Consumers who are prepared rather than impulsive and on the lookout for the up-sell are in a much better position to identify authentic bargains, consumer experts stressed. Knowing what a specific trip would typically cost and comparison shopping can help expose offers based on inflated underlying costs and whether the same itinerary might have been cheaper at other times, they said.

    “Compare prices, check your calendar and make sure the trip you’re booking is something you genuinely want, not something you bought because a countdown timer pressured you,” French said. “What gets glossed over is that the best deal might be not booking anything at all if it doesn’t align with your plans.”

    Travel Tuesday came about based on existing industry trends. In 2017, Hopper analyzed historical pricing data and found that in each of the nine previous years, the biggest day for post-Thanksgiving travel discounts was the day after Cyber Monday.

    The site named the day Travel Tuesday. The number of offers within that time-targeted window and the number of travelers looking for them has since expanded.

    “Nearly three times as many trips were planned on Travel Tuesday last year compared to Black Friday,” Hopper’s Schwimer said. “We continue to see growth in the day, year over year, as more travel brands and categories offer deals.”

    The event’s origin story is in line with the National Retail Federation coining Cyber Monday in 2005 as a response to the emerging e-commerce era. American Express came up with Small Business Saturday in 2010 to direct buyers and their dollars to smaller retailers, credit card fees and all.

    A report by the consulting firm McKinsey & Company last year noted that November and December tend to be slow months for travel bookings, making Travel Tuesday a “marketing moment” that could help boost revenue.

    Hotel, cruise and and airline bookings by U.S. travelers increased significantly on Travel Tuesday 2023 compared with the two weeks before and after the day, the report’s authors wrote, citing data provided by the travel marketing platform Sojern.

    While Travel Tuesday so far has been mostly confined to the United States and Canada, “European travel companies can anticipate the possibility that Travel Tuesday will become a growing phenomenon in their region, given that other shopping days such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday have spread beyond North America,” the report stated.

    Vivek Pandya, lead insights analyst for Adobe Analytics, which tracks online spending, said consumers have more tools than ever this holiday season to help them determine if deals hold up to scrutiny.

    “Social journeys, influencers providing promo codes and values, and generative AI platforms taking all that in – the prices, the social conversation, the reviews – and giving guidance to the consumer, that’s a very different, dynamic kind of journey consumers are taking than they have in previous seasons,” Pandya said.

    Both he and French emphasized that prices rise and fall based on multiple factors, and that the winter holidays are not the only major promotional period of the year.

    “We now have dozens of consumer spending ‘holidays,’” French said. “Amazon alone keeps adding new versions of Prime Day. So if you don’t buy on Travel Tuesday, you haven’t missed your moment.”

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  • US airlines again cancel more than 1,000 flights on second day of cuts tied to government shutdown

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    U.S. airlines again canceled more than 1,000 flights Saturday, mostly because of the government shutdown and the Federal Aviation Administration’s order to reduce air traffic.The slowdown at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports is now in its second day and so far hasn’t caused any widespread disruptions. More than 1,000 flights were canceled Friday, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks air travel disruptions.Related video above: What to do if your air travel is impacted by the government shutdownTHIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below:Hundreds of flights at the busiest airports in the U.S. are being scratched this weekend as airlines move forward with reducing air service due to the lingering government shutdown.So far, the Federal Aviation Administration’s mandated slowdown across the airline industry that began Friday hasn’t caused any widespread disruptions. But it has widened the impact of what’s now the nation’s longest federal shutdown.”We all travel. We all have somewhere to be,” said Emmy Holguin, 36, who was flying out of Miami Saturday to visit family in the Dominican Republic for the week. “I’m hoping that the government can take care of this.”Analysts warn that the upheaval will intensify and be felt far beyond air travel if the cancellations pick up and move closer to the Thanksgiving holiday.Already, there are concerns about the impact on cities and businesses that rely on tourism and the possibility of shipping interruptions that could delay getting holiday items on store shelves.Here’s what to know about the flight reductions:How many flights have been canceled?The first day of the Federal Aviation Administration’s slowdown saw more than 1,000 flights canceled, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks flight disruptions.More than 950 were off for Saturday — typically a slow travel day. The airport serving Charlotte, North Carolina, was by far the hardest hit with 120 arriving and departing flights canceled by midday.Airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and Orlando, Florida, were among the most disrupted. Staffing shortages in Charlotte and Newark, New Jersey, were slowing traffic too.Not all the cancellations were due to the FAA order, and those numbers represent just a small portion of the overall flights nationwide, but they are certain to rise in the coming days if the slowdown continues.The FAA said the reductions impacting all commercial airlines are starting at 4% of flights at 40 targeted airports and will be bumped up again on Tuesday before hitting 10% of flights on Friday.Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned this week that even more flight cuts might be needed if the government shutdown continues and more air traffic controllers are off the job.Why are the flights being canceled?Air traffic controllers have gone without paychecks for nearly a month as the shutdown continues, leading many to call in sick and add to already existing staffing shortages.Most controllers are working mandatory overtime six days a week during the shutdown without pay, and some are taking second jobs to pay their bills, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has said.How are passengers being affected?Most were relieved to find that airlines largely stayed on schedule Friday, and those whose flights were called off were able to quickly rebook. So far, longer international flights haven’t been interrupted.There’s still a lot of uncertainty about what flights will be canceled next.And not everyone has the means to pay for a hotel or deal with a last-minute disruption, said Heather Xu, 46, who was in Miami on Saturday after a cruise and flying home to Puerto Rico.”Travel is stressful enough, then you put these disruptions in place and it really makes everything more challenging,” she said.Rental car companies reported a sharp increase in one-way reservations Friday, and some people are simply canceling flights altogether.What could be the impacts beyond air travel?First, there’s the potential for higher prices in stores, as nearly half of all U.S. air freight is shipped in the bellies of passenger aircraft.Major flight disruptions could bring higher shipping costs that get passed on to consumers, said Patrick Penfield, professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University.More losses will ripple through the economy if the slowdown continues — from tourism to manufacturing, said Greg Raiff, CEO of Elevate Aviation Group.”This shutdown is going to impact everything from cargo aircraft to people getting to business meetings to tourists being able to travel,” he said. “It’s going to hit the hotel taxes and city taxes. There’s a cascading effect that results from this thing.”___Associated Press journalists Cody Jackson in Miami, Paul Wiseman in Washington, Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, and Matt Sedensky in New York contributed.

    U.S. airlines again canceled more than 1,000 flights Saturday, mostly because of the government shutdown and the Federal Aviation Administration’s order to reduce air traffic.

    The slowdown at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports is now in its second day and so far hasn’t caused any widespread disruptions. More than 1,000 flights were canceled Friday, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks air travel disruptions.

    Related video above: What to do if your air travel is impacted by the government shutdown

    THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below:

    Hundreds of flights at the busiest airports in the U.S. are being scratched this weekend as airlines move forward with reducing air service due to the lingering government shutdown.

    So far, the Federal Aviation Administration’s mandated slowdown across the airline industry that began Friday hasn’t caused any widespread disruptions. But it has widened the impact of what’s now the nation’s longest federal shutdown.

    “We all travel. We all have somewhere to be,” said Emmy Holguin, 36, who was flying out of Miami Saturday to visit family in the Dominican Republic for the week. “I’m hoping that the government can take care of this.”

    Analysts warn that the upheaval will intensify and be felt far beyond air travel if the cancellations pick up and move closer to the Thanksgiving holiday.

    Already, there are concerns about the impact on cities and businesses that rely on tourism and the possibility of shipping interruptions that could delay getting holiday items on store shelves.

    Here’s what to know about the flight reductions:

    How many flights have been canceled?

    The first day of the Federal Aviation Administration’s slowdown saw more than 1,000 flights canceled, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks flight disruptions.

    More than 950 were off for Saturday — typically a slow travel day. The airport serving Charlotte, North Carolina, was by far the hardest hit with 120 arriving and departing flights canceled by midday.

    Airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and Orlando, Florida, were among the most disrupted. Staffing shortages in Charlotte and Newark, New Jersey, were slowing traffic too.

    Not all the cancellations were due to the FAA order, and those numbers represent just a small portion of the overall flights nationwide, but they are certain to rise in the coming days if the slowdown continues.

    The FAA said the reductions impacting all commercial airlines are starting at 4% of flights at 40 targeted airports and will be bumped up again on Tuesday before hitting 10% of flights on Friday.

    Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned this week that even more flight cuts might be needed if the government shutdown continues and more air traffic controllers are off the job.

    Why are the flights being canceled?

    Air traffic controllers have gone without paychecks for nearly a month as the shutdown continues, leading many to call in sick and add to already existing staffing shortages.

    Most controllers are working mandatory overtime six days a week during the shutdown without pay, and some are taking second jobs to pay their bills, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has said.

    How are passengers being affected?

    Most were relieved to find that airlines largely stayed on schedule Friday, and those whose flights were called off were able to quickly rebook. So far, longer international flights haven’t been interrupted.

    There’s still a lot of uncertainty about what flights will be canceled next.

    And not everyone has the means to pay for a hotel or deal with a last-minute disruption, said Heather Xu, 46, who was in Miami on Saturday after a cruise and flying home to Puerto Rico.

    “Travel is stressful enough, then you put these disruptions in place and it really makes everything more challenging,” she said.

    Rental car companies reported a sharp increase in one-way reservations Friday, and some people are simply canceling flights altogether.

    What could be the impacts beyond air travel?

    First, there’s the potential for higher prices in stores, as nearly half of all U.S. air freight is shipped in the bellies of passenger aircraft.

    Major flight disruptions could bring higher shipping costs that get passed on to consumers, said Patrick Penfield, professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University.

    More losses will ripple through the economy if the slowdown continues — from tourism to manufacturing, said Greg Raiff, CEO of Elevate Aviation Group.

    “This shutdown is going to impact everything from cargo aircraft to people getting to business meetings to tourists being able to travel,” he said. “It’s going to hit the hotel taxes and city taxes. There’s a cascading effect that results from this thing.”

    ___

    Associated Press journalists Cody Jackson in Miami, Paul Wiseman in Washington, Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, and Matt Sedensky in New York contributed.

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  • What airports are being hit by FAA cutbacks? How can I navigate the chaos?

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    The Federal Aviation Administration’s move to cut commercial air traffic at 40 airports by as much as 10%, beginning Friday, is expected to have wide-ranging impacts in California and across the nation.

    The cuts have been prompted by the government shutdown, which has left air traffic controllers working without pay. FAA officials say the goal is to maintain travel safety. Since the shutdown began Oct. 1, nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers have been working unpaid — or calling out sick.

    With growing fatigue among controllers, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said he did not want to wait until staffing pressures compromised safety.

    What will change?

    As many as 1,800 flights a day across the country could be canceled.

    The cuts could affect about 1,800 flights and 268,000 passengers in the U.S. a day, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. About 72 flights a day could be cut at Los Angeles International Airport alone, affecting 12,371 passengers a day, Cirium estimated. An additional 105 flights could be canceled at the four other California airports targeted for reductions.

    What airports will be impacted?

    The FAA has not commented publicly. But here is a list from the Associated Press:

    1. Anchorage International in Alaska

    2. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International in Georgia

    3. Boston Logan International in Massachusetts

    4. Baltimore/Washington International in Maryland

    5. Charlotte Douglas International in North Carolina

    6. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International in Ohio

    7. Dallas Love Field in Texas

    8. Ronald Reagan Washington National in Virginia

    9. Denver International in Colorado

    10. Dallas/Fort Worth International in Texas

    11. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County in Michigan

    12. Newark Liberty International in New Jersey

    13. Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International in Florida

    14. Honolulu International in Hawaii

    15. Houston Hobby in Texas

    16. Washington Dulles International in Virginia

    17. George Bush Houston Intercontinental in Texas

    18. Indianapolis International in Indiana

    19. John F. Kennedy International in New York

    20. Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas

    21. Los Angeles International in California

    22. LaGuardia Airport in New York

    23. Orlando International in Florida

    24. Chicago Midway International in Illinois

    25. Memphis International in Tennessee

    26. Miami International in Florida

    27. Minneapolis/St Paul International in Minnesota

    28. Oakland International in California

    29. Ontario International in California

    30. Chicago O`Hare International in Illinois

    31. Portland International in Oregon

    32. Philadelphia International in Pennsylvania

    33. Phoenix Sky Harbor International in Arizona

    34. San Diego International in California

    35. Louisville International in Kentucky

    36. Seattle/Tacoma International in Washington

    37. San Francisco International in California

    38. Salt Lake City International in Utah

    39. Teterboro in New Jersey

    40. Tampa International in Florida

    When will the reductions begin to show?

    A shortage of air traffic controllers has caused delays for weeks, including at LAX and Burbank airport. But officials said the flight reductions will begin Friday and continue until they amount to a 10% cut.

    Officials urged passengers to check with airlines for the status of their flights but warned flights could be canceled with little notice.

    • The FAA has a website that tracks national airspace issues.
    • Experts advise monitoring your airline websites and getting alerts to your phone.
    • Here are more tips.

    Officials said the decision to cut flights was motivated by data about what areas faced the greatest staffing pressures that could compromise safety.

    “This is not based on what airline … has more flights out of what location,” Duffy said. “This is about where is the pressure, and how do we alleviate the pressure?”

    What about international flights?

    International flights are expected to be exempt from the cuts. But passengers making connecting flights before they head overseas could face issues as the cuts target several of the nation’s busiest hubs, including Atlanta, Denver, Dallas, Orlando and Miami.

    Associated Press contributed to this report.

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  • Alaska Airlines grounds flights across the nation due to IT outage

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    Thousands of Americans hoping to get airborne found themselves stuck on the ground Thursday evening as Alaska Airlines experienced an IT outage that prevented any of its planes from taking off.

    “A temporary ground stop is in place,” the airline announced on social media at 4:20 p.m. “We apologize for the inconvenience. If you’re scheduled to fly tonight, please check your flight status before heading to the airport.”

    Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, where the carrier is based, reported 82 Alaska Airlines flight delays and 17 cancellations, according to Flight Aware. Los Angeles International Airport, meanwhile, reported eight Alaska Airlines flight delays and one cancellation.

    The outage marked the second time in recent months that IT issues prevented Alaska Airlines from flying. The airline grounded all flights for a three-hour period in July after a similar outage.

    As of 7 p.m. the outage remained in effect, and the airline said that it was actively working to restore operations. It did not provide any details on what was causing the tech problems.

    Customers have also reported problems with accessing the airline’s website and app.

    The airline flies to 40 destinations worldwide, including 37 states and 12 countries, according to its website.

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    Clara Harter

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  • Delta Flies Higher on the Wings of Luxury Travel

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    CEO Ed Bastian said Delta has so far been unaffected by the U.S. government shutdown. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

    Between the U.S. government shutdown and ongoing economic uncertainty, it’s a turbulent time for airlines. But not for Delta, the largest American airline by market capitalization, which has emerged from the industry’s recent challenges largely unscathed as its investment in high-end travel begins to pay off.

    Delta shares jumped more than 4 percent today (Oct. 9) after the Atlanta-headquartered airline reported better-than-expected revenue and profit for the July-September quarter. Quarterly sales reached $15.2 billion, up 4.1 percent year-over-year, while net income rose 11 percent to $1.42 billion. Strong demand for premium travel helped lift results: sales in Delta’s premium unit climbed 9 percent to $5.8 billion, even as main cabin revenue dipped 4 percent to $6 billion.

    The airline could soon earn more from premium seating than from economy for the first time. Delta had previously forecast that milestone for 2027, but it may now happen as early as next year, according to the airline’s president, Glen Hauenstein. “We see that there are many, many more opportunities in premium in the coming years,” he told analysts today.

    Some of those opportunities lie in Delta’s key markets like Los Angeles, Boston, New York and Seattle due to their concentration of a “considerable amount of premium” customers, CEO Ed Bastian said on today’s call.

    The airline is also expanding its high-end offerings by outfitting nearly 1,000 aircraft with free WiFi and deepening partnerships with American Express, Uber and YouTube. Delta has even ventured into retail through collaborations like its recent lounge set project with Spanx.

    Rebounding from the ‘spring swoon’

    Back in March, things looked less promising when Delta slashed its profit forecast amid economic concerns tied to the Trump administration’s tariffs. The company refers to that period as the “spring swoon.” Since then, Delta has rebounded and offered stronger-than-expected guidance for the fourth quarter of 2025, projecting total revenue growth between 2 and 4 percent over the next three months.

    Meanwhile, the U.S. travel industry faces headwinds from the federal government shutdown that began in early October. Flights across the country have been delayed as Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facilities report staffing shortages. The country has also seen a “slight tick-up in sick calls” from air traffic controllers—who, like other essential workers, are expected to work without pay during the shutdown, said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy at a recent press conference.

    Delta has weathered shutdowns before. During the 35-day federal shutdown that began in 2018, the airline lost about $1 million per day in revenue, Hauenstein said. This time, the impact has been smaller, in part because Delta is less dependent on the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport—one of the hubs most affected by staffing disruptions.

    “While we are monitoring potential impacts from the U.S. government shutdown, we have not seen a material effect to date,” added Hauenstein.

    Delta Flies Higher on the Wings of Luxury Travel

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    Alexandra Tremayne-Pengelly

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  • Kenya Airways COO urges airline partnerships

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    Kenya Airways’ chief operating officer said the airline was looking to deepen international partnerships as part of its growth plans.

    Speaking at an aviation event in Kigali, George Kamal said Kenya Airways — the fourth-largest airline on the continent by available seats and miles covered — is partnering with Qatar Airways to increase its number of flights to and from Doha, Aviation Week Network reported. The Kenyan airline is looking for additional partners in West and southern Africa after a deal with South African Airways fell through earlier this month.

    Cooperation within Africa’s airspace remains a long-term challenge. Airlines must adhere to national restrictions, which limit commercial flights between their home nation and other countries. The result is that a large number of airlines rely on foreign operators and connections in hubs like Paris, Doha, and Istanbul for intra-African journeys as well as for the upkeep of their fleet.

    A chart showing the total passenger capacity for flights starting in Africa, by destination, for Sept. 2024.

    — Paige Bruton

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  • The shortest flights in the us and why they exist

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    When you picture air travel, you probably think of long waits, layovers that drag on and hours spent in the air. But not every flight covers hundreds of miles. Some routes are so quick that by the time you settle into your seat you are already preparing to land. These are some of the shortest commercial flights in the United States, why they operate and what makes them worth knowing.

    Kalaupapa to Ho‘olehua, Moloka‘i – about 9 miles

    Airline: Mokulele Airlines

    Often considered the shortest scheduled commercial flight in the country, this hop covers roughly nine miles. It links the isolated Kalaupapa community with Ho‘olehua on the same island. The alternatives are either a demanding hike or a boat ride, so this flight provides a practical and scenic solution. My friend Cranky flew it and wrote a report about the experience.

    Saipan to Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands – about 10 miles

    Airline: Star Marianas Air

    This inter-island service in the Northern Mariana Islands takes only about 10 minutes. With limited ferry access, the flight is a critical connection between the two islands. There is also a trip report available for this route.

    San Francisco to Oakland – just over 10 miles

    Airline: Occasionally part of a multi-leg trip

    This is one of the shortest distances between two major airports in the U.S. While it rarely runs as a standalone flight, it sometimes appears during repositioning or connecting operations. It is a stretch to include but it does happen.

    Kahului to Hana, Maui – around 33 miles

    Airline: Mokulele Airlines

    Driving the Road to Hana can take over two hours thanks to one-lane bridges and sharp turns. By air, the journey is about 15 minutes with sweeping views of waterfalls, cliffs and rainforest. A trip report covers the experience.

    Wrangell to Petersburg, Alaska – about 35 miles

    Airline: Alaska Airlines

    Part of the famous “Milk Run” in Southeast Alaska, this short hop connects two towns without road access. It takes about 15 minutes and offers rugged views of mountains and waterways. A video documents the entire flight.

    St. Thomas to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – about 40 miles

    Airline: Seabourn Airways

    This seaplane service between the Virgin Islands takes about 20 minutes. It is a key link for locals and visitors and comes with incredible views of the turquoise Caribbean Sea. A firsthand account of the flight is available.

    Juneau to Haines or Skagway, Alaska – about 45 miles

    Airline: Alaska Seaplanes

    These routes fly over glaciers and fjords with mountains all around. Traveling by car would mean a day’s journey plus a ferry, but the flight takes less than 20 minutes. The scenery is breathtaking.

    Hyannis to Nantucket, Massachusetts – about 30 miles

    Airline: Cape Air

    This popular summer route gets travelers from Cape Cod to Nantucket in about 15 minutes. Ferries run the same stretch but the flight is faster and offers great views. I’ve taken this flight myself on Cape Air and shared a trip report.

    Key West to Miami, Florida – about 125 miles

    Airline: American Airlines

    Although longer than some others here, this route still comes in under an hour. Driving the Overseas Highway can take four hours so the flight often saves time. I flew this trip years ago when US Airways still operated it and wrote about it.

    Los Angeles to San Diego, California – about 109 miles

    Airlines: United and American

    Flights between LAX and SAN last about 40 minutes. Sometimes driving is quicker but during heavy traffic or when passengers are making connections the flight makes sense.

    Bonus: helicopter transfers from Manhattan to JFK or Newark – about 17 miles

    Operators: Blade, Uber Copter and others

    These helicopters cut the trip to the airport down to under 10 minutes. They are expensive but they avoid traffic and offer a unique look at the city skyline. I have taken this ride a few times and shared a funny story from one of the trips.

    Why these flights exist

    Most of these short hops serve communities that are otherwise hard to reach. Mountains, islands or long stretches of road make flying the most efficient option. In other cases the flights simply save travelers hours while offering unforgettable views.

    The shortest flight I have personally taken was either between Papeete and Moorea or in Kenya where we made seven stops on the way to Tanzania which felt more like a bus service in the air.

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  • APEX/IFSA Global EXPO Showcases the Future of Aviation With Nearly 3,000 Industry ‎Professionals in Attendance

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    LONG BEACH, Calif., November 4, 2024 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Nearly 3,000 of the top airline industry decision-makers, including representatives from 90 airlines, walked the industry’s most comprehensive show floor, APEX/IFSA Global EXPO 2024. Co-located with Future Travel Experience (FTE) the record-breaking event featured 262 exhibitors across three shows representing the full spectrum of the passenger experience.

    Attendees experienced cutting-edge airline-related technologies, products, and services, such as advanced in-flight connectivity, next-generation in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems, innovative food and beverage offerings, sustainable amenity kits, biometric solutions, airport robotics, and much more.

    “APEX/IFSA Global EXPO 2024 stood as a remarkable convergence of aviation’s brightest minds, where game-changing innovations and in-flight service advancements were not only discussed but realized,” APEX/IFSA CEO Dr. Joe Leader stated. “With three days of airline-driven thought leadership on best-in-class supplier solutions, we introduced a new level of collaboration to advance passenger-centric technology. Additionally, the integrated, all-in-one show floor featured key elements of the passenger experience, bridging from Future Travel Experience airport to in-flight, showcasing the best in the aviation industry.”

    Industry-First Announcements

    At the APEX/IFSA Global EXPO 2024, Thales and Qatar Airways made an industry-first public announcement: Qatar Airways will equip its new Airbus A321 NX fleet with Thales’ FlytEDGE, a Cloud-native IFE platform. This collaboration introduced the Crystal Cabin Award-winning FlytEDGE IFE server, which utilizes Cloud computing technologies and an open software platform to enhance the passenger experience.

    Separately at the APEX/IFSA Global EXPO 2024, Riyadh Air and Panasonic Avionics launched a strategic partnership to transform in-flight entertainment. Riyadh Air will equip its fleet with Panasonic’s high-definition IFE systems, emphasizing seamless connectivity and personalized content. In a pioneering move, Riyadh Air introduced the industry’s first “no handset” philosophy across all classes of service, allowing all passengers to seamlessly control IFE using their smartphones and touchscreen.

    Exclusive Insights from C-Suite Keynotes

    At the APEX/IFSA Global EXPO, attendees had an exceptional opportunity to hear from leading airline CEOs and executives as they delivered keynote speeches that reshaped understanding of passenger service and the future of the travel experience. These industry leaders shared invaluable insights into how airlines were innovating to enhance customer satisfaction, streamline operations, and adapt to evolving passenger needs. Sessions were moderated by BBC News Correspondent & Anchor Michelle Fleury and Dr. Joe Leader. Speakers included:

    • Michael Rosseau, President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Canada 
    • Shai Weiss, Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Atlantic 
    • Con Korfiatis, Chief Executive Officer, Oman Air 
    • Matthew Klein, Executive VP and Chief Commercial Officer, Spirit Airlines 
    • Fiona Kiesel, Chief Guest Officer, Breeze Airways 
    • Samson Arega Bekele, Group Vice President Customer Experience, Ethiopian Airlines 

    Thought Leadership Conference Brings Together Top Industry Leaders

    Knowledge sharing and expert insights continued as part of the Thought Leadership Conference, sponsored by Panasonic, on the tradeshow floor which brought together leading figures from the aviation industry to discuss emerging trends and critical challenges. An overview of the sessions is as follows:

    • Seth Miller of PAXEX.AERO led a discussion on connectivity models and their impact on airline net promoter scores with Xia Cai of Qatar Airways, Matthew Klein of Spirit Airlines, and Alex Wilcox of JSX. ‎
    • Ingo Wuggetzer of Airbus was joined by Delta Flight Products’ Tyler Anderson Lennert, National Disability Authority and Center for Excellence in Universal ‎Design’s Jack Kavanagh, and PriestmanGoode’s Jo Rowan ‎to collectively present a cross-industry approach to ‎develop solutions for air travel for those with mobility impairments. 
    • Miguel Ferreira of TAP Air Portugal, Blake Rittenberg of JetBlue, and Dominic Green of United Airlines joined a panel led Maryann Simson of Jetway Communications to discuss forward-looking strategies and creative curation approaches intended to ‎revolutionize the IFE landscape by 2030.‎
    • Oren Butansky of EL AL and Nick Ewen of The Points Guy along with Mark Muren of United Airlines and Captain Wirush Theparak, Thai Airways explored strategies to maximize in-flight ancillary revenue through personalized passenger experiences, leveraging data and technology to boost loyalty and profitability.
    • Stephan Schulte of Lufthansa Group and Joshua Hirschheimer of Porsche Consulting focused on overcoming persistent supply chain challenges affecting onboard product innovation.
    • Riyadh Air’s Anton Vidgen, Aeroméxico’s Antonio Fernandez, Cathay Pacific’s Guillaume Vivet, Southwest Airlines’ Matthew Kiesel, ‎ and Delta Air Lines’ Ekrem Dimbiloglu joined a debate moderated by Jetway Communications’ Maryann Simson, on the future of in-flight entertainment preferences between traditional seatback screens and the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) trend.
    • Duncan Jackson of FlightPath3D with Ekrem ‎Dimbiloglu of Delta Air Lines unveiled the first airline launch of FlightPath3D’s accessibility in in-flight maps, detailing how the innovative Accessibility Map aims to improve the travel experience for passengers with unique needs.
    • Lufthansa Group’s Laura Petry ‎and Spafax’s Dimitrios Tsirangelos explored the Connected Content Stream solution, a Crystal Cabin Award finalist, that not only enhance ‎passenger engagement but are also set to transform the travel experience by delivering ‎real-time content updates and personalized services directly to passengers’ devices. ‎
    • Mehdi El Kouch of Airbus, Fabien Pelous of Air France, Patrick Brannelly of Emirates, Paul Verhagen ‎of SAS, and Mustafa Mucahitoglu of Turkish Airlines joined a panel moderated by Robynne Trueman of PAX Tech that analyzed groundbreaking digital innovations for the next-gen airline cabin, ‎demonstrating how cutting-edge technologies and customer-centric design can ‎reshape passenger experiences.‎

    VIP Experiences: The JetZero Experience

    The APEX/IFSA Global EXPO also offered airline professionals access to exclusive VIP events such as The JetZero Experience on Sunday 27 October. JetZero, a pioneering aerospace startup based in Long Beach, showcased their innovative blended-wing body airplane capable of flying trans-oceanic routes and with up to 50% less fuel consumption than a traditional tube-and-wing aircraft. APEX/IFSA airline members and media were given a first-hand look at JetZero’s revolutionary airplane with a walkthrough of JetZero’s cutting-edge facility and discussions with the visionary team behind this aviation breakthrough. 

    APEX/IFSA Awards Ceremony Highlights Excellence in the Airline Industry

    On the last day of the APEX Global EXPO, top airline and supplier members celebrated their peers during the prestigious APEX/IFSA Awards Ceremony, where airlines were recognized for their efforts to enhance the passenger experience over the last year. Hosted collectively by Dr. Joe Leader, BBC News’ Michelle Fleury and The Points Guy’s Nicky Kelvin, the evening honored outstanding airlines and suppliers in the following categories:

    • 2025 World Class Rating: The top 10 airlines in the world awarded in this category achieved the highest audited international standards beyond APEX Five Star™ in safety, sustainability, service, and inclusiveness. Click here for the 2025 recipients. 
    • 2025 APEX Five Star™ and APEX Four Star™ Airline Awards: These airlines were recognized based on verified passenger feedback via TripIt over 1 million flights, representing the most reliable metric for passenger satisfaction. Click here for the 2025 recipients.
    • 2025 APEX Best In Airline Awards:  Recognizing the global airlines providing the best passenger experiences in Cabin Service, Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Seat Comfort & Wi-Fi as voted on by the passengers. Click here for the 2025 recipients. 
    • 2025 APEX/IFSA Awards: Celebrating the best of industry and innovation, APEX/IFSA Awards recognize the new achievements and initiatives that were successfully implemented in the past year. Click here for the 2025 recipients.
    • APEX CEO Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Joe Leader presented Air France-KLM Group CEO, Benjamin Smith, with the APEX CEO Lifetime Achievement Award. Through the industry titan’s visionary leadership, Air France-KLM has excelled in all its commercial, operations, and customer service functions, leading to impressive financial performance and taking the airline’s passenger experience to new heights. Click here for more information.
    • APEX Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Joe Leader also presented SVP of Non-Theatrical Sales at Paramount Pictures, Joan Filippini, with the APEX Lifetime Achievement Award at the APEX/IFSA Awards Ceremony. Her leadership revolutionized in-flight entertainment content distribution, driving Paramount’s revenues to unprecedented levels. Click here for more information. 

    The 2025 APEX/IFSA Awards Ceremony, which took place during this year’s APEX/IFSA Global EXPO, was sponsored by gategroup and Thales, and in part by BBC News, Blulabs, Formia, Jetliner Cabins, Paramount Pictures, Safran, and Touch.

    For a complete list of upcoming APEX, IFSA, and FTE events, please visit APEX Events. For more information about APEX, visit apex.aero, sign up for the APEX Daily Experience e-newsletter, or follow APEX on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

    ###

    About the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX)

    As a global non-profit and one of the world’s largest international airline associations, APEX accelerates the industry with the backing of nearly every major airline and valued supplier. APEX reinvests all its resources to serving its members, strengthening the worldwide airline industry, advancing thought-leadership, fostering business opportunities via events, developing global initiatives, setting key airline standards, and highlighting well-deserved recognition across our industry. In conjunction with both the International Flight Services Association (IFSA) and Future Travel Experience (FTE), APEX serves the full spectrum of the end-to-end travel experience. 

    About the International Flight Services Association (IFSA)

    The International Flight Services Association (IFSA) is a global professional association serving the needs and interests of airline and railway personnel, caterers and suppliers who provide onboard services on regularly scheduled travel routes. Under the umbrella of APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association) serving every major airline in the world, IFSA is dedicated to the advancement of the art and science of the multi- billion dollar in-flight and railway onboard service industry. For more information about IFSA, please visit ifsa.aero, or follow IFSA on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.    

    Source: APEX / IFSA

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  • Aviation Excellence Celebrated at the 2025 APEX/IFSA Awards Ceremony

    Aviation Excellence Celebrated at the 2025 APEX/IFSA Awards Ceremony

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    LONG BEACH, Calif., October 31, 2024 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Yesterday, the aviation industry celebrated the outstanding contributions to passenger experience by its member airlines and suppliers over the past year at the APEX/IFSA Awards Ceremony. This illustrious event in Long Beach, California, hosted by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) and the International Flight Services Association (IFSA), saw individuals, airlines, and suppliers at the top of the industry rewarded for their dedication to service excellence and innovation.

    Recognitions and honors celebrated during the APEX/IFSA Awards Ceremony included:

    APEX CEO Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Joe Leader presented Air France-KLM Group CEO, Benjamin Smith, with the APEX CEO Lifetime Achievement Award. Through the industry titan’s visionary leadership, Air France-KLM has excelled in all its commercial, operations, and customer service functions, leading to impressive financial performance and taking the airline’s passenger experience to new heights. Read the release here.

    APEX Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Leader also presented SVP of Non-Theatrical Sales at Paramount Pictures, Joan Filippini, with the APEX Lifetime Achievement Award at the APEX/IFSA Award Ceremony. Her leadership revolutionized in-flight entertainment (IFE) content distribution, showcasing Paramount as a name that is as known in the sky as it is on the ground. Read the release here.

    APEX Top 100 Airlines: A Global Standard of Excellence: Powered by TripIt, the world’s leading travel management app, APEX proudly recognized the top 100 airlines, setting new benchmarks in passenger experience. Based on millions of flight reviews, these elite airlines are pioneering innovation and redefining air travel worldwide.

    • 2025 APEX World Class: Achieving a Five-Star rating is commendable but APEX World Class™ distinguishes itself through an intensive audit process conducted by Yates and Partners. The highest echelon of airline excellence, the World Class Awards are awarded to the top 10 airlines that lead the industry in safety, sustainability, service, and inclusiveness, based on extensive audit and customer assessment. The 2025 APEX World Class airlines are ANA, Emirates, KLM, Japan Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Xiamen Airlines. Read the release here.
    • 2025 APEX Five Star™ and Four Star™ Airline Awards: The APEX Five Star™ and Four Star™ Airline Awards are the only global awards based on neutral, third-party passenger feedback, rated and certified by an external auditing company. To maintain the exclusivity of the ratings this year, the criteria was tightened, limiting the APEX Five Star™ to the Top 40 airlines globally and the APEX Four Star™ category to the next 50 airlines. Together with the Top 10 APEX World Class airlines, these represent the Top 100 Airlines for passenger experience. Click here for the 2025 APEX Five Star™ and 2025 APEX Four Star™ Airline Award recipients.

    APEX World Class™ Lounge Awards audited by YATES+: Building off the original APEX World Class, YATES+ and the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) launched the APEX World Class™ Lounge Awards audited by YATES+ in September 2024. This pioneering program stands as the world’s first dedicated audit and recognition initiative specifically designed to elevate the global airport lounge guest experience. The 2025 APEX World Class™ Lounges are Japan Airlines First Class Lounge Haneda Internal Airport (Tokyo), Japan Airlines First Class Lounge Narita International Airport (Tokyo), Oman Air Business Lounge Muscat International Airport, The Pearl Lounge, Bahrain International Airport.

    2025 APEX Best™ in Airline Awards: These awards recognize the airlines delivering the best passenger experiences in Cabin Service, Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Seat Comfort & Wi-Fi as voted by the passengers across more than 600 airlines globally via TripIt®. The following airlines were selected by passengers as the top global airlines in their respective categories:  Delta Air Lines for Best Wi-Fi, Qatar Airways for Best Food and Beverage (presented in conjunction with IFSA), Qatar Airways for Best Seat Comfort, Singapore Airlines for Best Entertainment, and Xiamen for Best Cabin Service. Virgin Atlantic was also awarded 2025 APEX Best™ in Europe Award for Overall Airline. Click here for more information on the regional winners.

    APEX/IFSA Awards: Celebrating the best of industry and innovation, APEX/IFSA Awards recognize the new achievements and initiatives that were successfully implemented in the past year. The entries were first reviewed and scored by a panel of judges comprised of current APEX/IFSA members. The finalists were then judged during the EXPO by a panel of media judges.

    • 2025 APEX AWARD WINNERS:
      • JSX – Innovation Award for Best Inflight Connectivity
      • Lufthansa – Innovation Award for Best Inflight Entertainment
    • 2025 APEX/IFSA AWARD WINNER:
      • Qatar Airways – Innovation Award for Best Cabin
    • 2025 IFSA AWARD WINNERS:
      • Delta Air Lines with Formia – Best Onboard Amenity
      • Virgin Atlantic – Best Inflight Food or Beverage

    Click here for more information on the APEX/IFSA Awards.

    The 2025 APEX/IFSA Awards Ceremony, which took place during this year’s APEX/IFSA Global EXPO, was sponsored in part by BBC News, Blulabs, Formia, gategroup, Jetliner Cabins, Paramount Pictures, Safran, Thales, and Touch. Nicky Kelvin, Editor at Large of The Points Guy, was the Master of Ceremonies.

    For more information on the APEX Award Ceremony and photos of all the awards given out, please visit  apex.aero and follow APEX on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

                                                                                     ###

    About the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) 
    As a global non-profit and one of the world’s largest international airline associations, APEX accelerates the industry with the backing of nearly every major airline and valued supplier. APEX reinvests all its resources to serving its members, strengthening the worldwide airline industry, advancing thought leadership, fostering business opportunities via events, developing global initiatives, setting key airline standards, and highlighting well-deserved recognition across our industry. In conjunction with both the International Flight Services Association (IFSA) and Future Travel Experience (FTE), APEX serves the full spectrum of the end-to-end travel experience. 

    About the International Flight Services Association (IFSA)
    The International Flight Services Association (IFSA) is a global professional association serving the needs and interests of airline and railway personnel, caterers and suppliers who provide onboard services on regularly scheduled travel routes. Under the umbrella of APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association) serving every major airline in the world, IFSA is dedicated to the advancement of the art and science of the multi-billion dollar inflight and railway onboard service industry. For more information about IFSA, please visit ifsa.apex.aero, or follow IFSA on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.    

    Source: APEX/IFSA

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  • Spirit Airlines Unveils New Spirit Central Campus in Florida

    Spirit Airlines Unveils New Spirit Central Campus in Florida

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    Spirit Airlines celebrated the official opening of Spirit Central, its new corporate campus at Dania Pointe in Dania Beach, Florida.

    The campus spans more than 11 acres and features four buildings, including a support center with offices, an amenity building, a new crew training facility built for hands-on experience in flight simulators, and a corporate housing facility. Additionally, the campus also includes dedicated parking garages for Spirit Team Members.

    The new Spirit Central provides an expansive, centralized location for the airline’s main support teams and is only a few minutes away from Spirit’s largest operating base at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

    “The opening of Spirit Central marks a major milestone as we celebrate a new chapter in our more than 30-year history and reflect on how far we’ve come in our mission to deliver high-value travel options across the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean,” said Ted Christie, Spirit’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Spirit is proud to make this major investment in Broward County, drive local economic development, and further strengthen our commitment to the South Florida community.”

    The new campus interior includes design features that pay tribute to Spirit, including an 18-foot-long Airbus A321neo model plane, a 3D engine cowling, a gallery showcasing the famous “Howdy” sharklet, a history wall, and more. The main buildings on the campus include:

    • Support Center: The largest of all four buildings is approximately 180,000 square feet and features six floors of office space for more than 1,000 corporate Team Members from the Operations Control Center, IT, Flight Operations, Inflight and more.
    • Fueling Station: The amenity building is easily accessible from the first floor of the Support Center and features a café, fitness center, and lounge spaces exclusive to our Team Members.
    • Training Hub: The state-of-the-art training facility for Inflight and Flight Ops Teams will boast several high-tech flight simulator bays and fixed flight simulators, an advanced Cabin Emergency Evacuation Trainer (CEET), a door trainer, classrooms, and debriefing rooms.
    • The Landing: The corporate housing facility will be the home away from home for out-of-town Team Members visiting for company business and features accommodations for up to 400 Team Members, several meeting rooms, a grab-and-go market, a pool, a fitness center, and its own parking garage.

    In celebration of Spirit Central’s official opening, the Spirit Charitable Foundation donated $25,000 to Dania Beach PATCH (Peoples Access to Community Horticulture), an urban farm and market created to provide local access to healthy foods and horticulture. The donation advances the Foundation’s Environment pillar by investing in a platform for education, cultural growth, access to healthy foods & community gardening, and economic development.

    Spirit partnered with Florida-based architectural firm HuntonBrady, general contractor Brasfield & Gorrie, and project advisor Jones Lang LaSalle to design and build Spirit Central. The airline worked with Kimco Realty, the owner and principal developer of Dania Pointe, to secure the land.

    The relocation from Spirit’s Miramar, Florida, facilities to Spirit Central in Dania Beach is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

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  • Airlines Now Required To Refund Canceled Or Delayed Flights In Cash

    Airlines Now Required To Refund Canceled Or Delayed Flights In Cash

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    The Transportation Department issued a new rule requiring airlines provide customers with automatic cash refunds in the event of flight cancellations or significant delays, saving passengers a projected $500 million in the next year. What do you think?

    “And then what are we supposed to do with it?”

    André Acconcia, Plan Consultant

    Airlines Announce It Safe To Fly Planes Indoors Again

    “How much money do I get if my flight crashes?”

    Marge Nesbitt, Blackjack Dealer

    “Nice. I’ve had my eye on some stuff at Hudson News.”

    Lester Farooq, Door-To-Door Surgeon

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  • A United Airlines plane external panel discovered missing after Oregon flight

    A United Airlines plane external panel discovered missing after Oregon flight

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    A section of a United Airlines aircraft was discovered missing upon inspection Friday afternoon in Southern Oregon, adding to a growing list of mishaps for the airline.

    United Airlines Flight 433 took off from San Francisco and successfully landed 90 minutes later at Rogue Valley International Airport in Medford, Ore., at 11:53 a.m.

    Airport personnel noticed a “piece from the underside of the plane,” a Boeing 737-800, was missing upon a routine postflight inspection, Airport Director Amber Judd told The Times.

    “Our airport operations were paused briefly so that we could conduct a runway safety check to look for debris,” Judd said. “We did not find anything.”

    Judd said the plane landed safely and all 139 passengers and six crew members exited without an issue.

    The flight was scheduled to continue to Denver, but was initially delayed 3 hours and 35 minutes before eventually being canceled.

    “It’s my understanding that most passengers were aware of the delay and the circumstances, although there were probably some that didn’t know,” Judd said.

    United Airlines in a statement Friday said the aircraft’s crew did not declare an emergency to airport personnel as “there was no indication of the damage during flight.”

    “After the aircraft was parked at the gate, it was discovered to be missing a panel,” United’s statement read. “We’ll conduct a thorough examination of the plane and perform all needed repairs before it returns to service.”

    The airlines also said it would conduct an investigation.

    Judd said the plane was an older 737-8 and not one of the Boeing Max aircrafts that have received scrutiny in January after a door panel blew off an Alaska Airlines flight that left Portland, Ore.

    Nonetheless, four Boeing planes operated by United have suffered incidents over the last two weeks.

    A Boeing spokesperson referred all questions to United Airlines regarding the airline’s fleet and operation.

    On Monday, a San Francisco-bound United Airlines flight turned around two hours after leaving Sydney. The Boeing 777-300 aircraft returned due to a maintenance issue.

    Prior to that, a Boeing 777-200 operated by United Airlines made an emergency landing in Los Angeles after a tire fell off on March 7.

    There was also an emergency landing in Houston on March 4 after flames were spotted coming from a United Airlines Boeing 737-900ER. United confirmed the engine ingested bubble wrap.

    Four days later, a Boeing 737-8 Max rolled onto the grass near a runway in Houston upon landing, though no passengers were injured.

    United stressed their were no injuries in any of these incidents.

    “We take every safety event seriously and will investigate each of the incidents that occurred this month to understand what happened and learn from them,” the United statement said. “Much of this work is conducted together with the manufacturers, the FAA, and the NTSB as well as with the manufacturers of individual components.”

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    Andrew J. Campa

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  • Boeing CEO acknowledges 'mistake,' says midair blowout 'can never happen again'

    Boeing CEO acknowledges 'mistake,' says midair blowout 'can never happen again'

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    The terrifying moment when a door plug to a Boeing 737 Max 9 suddenly blew open while the jet was 16,000 feet in the air was a “mistake” that “can never happen again,” airline Chief Executive Dave Calhoun said during a company town hall.

    Calhoun told employees Tuesday, “We are going to approach it with 100% transparency every step of the way” while “acknowledging our mistake.”

    “This stuff matters,” he said. “Everything matters. Every detail matters.”

    But nearly a week after the alarming incident, which reportedly ripped the shirt off a teenage boy and the headrests off some seats, it remains unclear what exactly the error was — and why a hole burst open in the side of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 as it neared cruising altitude on its scheduled journey from Portland, Ore., to Southern California.

    Meanwhile, the ripple effects of the midair ordeal continue to be felt. Alaska Airlines said Wednesday it would cancel all flights scheduled aboard 737 Max 9s until at least Saturday to allow time for inspections.

    The decision is expected to affect 110 to 150 flights per day, according to the airline.

    “We regret the significant disruption that has been caused for our guests by cancellations due to these aircraft being out of service,” the airline said in a statement. “We hope this action provides guests with a little more certainty, and we are working around the clock to re-accommodate impacted guests on other flights.”

    Boeing released video of a brief portion of Calhoun’s comments to employees days after the Federal Aviation Administration grounded all 737 Max 9 jets and issued an emergency airworthiness directive calling for all Max 9s with mid-cabin door plugs to be inspected before returning to the air.

    It’s unclear how long the planes will be out of use.

    Calhoun on Tuesday complimented Alaska and other airlines, saying that although it was a difficult decision, grounding the planes “prevented, potentially, another accident or another moment.”

    The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the incident, said Tuesday that investigators were still trying to locate four missing bolts that were meant to keep the door plug on Flight 1282 from shifting up and blowing wide open mid-flight.

    The door plug in question filled in an additional emergency exit that Alaska was not using in its modified layout of the 737 Max 9.

    It’s unclear what role, if any, the bolts played in the incident. NTSB officials also said they were transporting the door plug to their laboratory in Washington, D.C., to determine whether the bolts were missing before the flight or if they were broken off because of the incident.

    Earlier this week, Alaska and United airlines also reported they found loose bolts on some of their 737 Max 9 jets during inspections spurred by Friday’s flight, which was supposed to land in Ontario.

    NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy on Tuesday said the agency was aware of reports from other airlines about the bolts but was focused on trying to find out what happened specifically to Flight 1282.

    “We need to, first and foremost, figure out what happened with this aircraft,” she said. “If we have a bigger systemwide or fleet issue, we will issue an urgent safety recommendation or push for change.”

    Calhoun said Boeing was working with the NTSB in the investigation.

    NTSB investigators had also been looking into a warning light on Flight 1282 that had illuminated three times in the last month, indicating a possible problem with pressurization.

    Alaska Airlines had restricted the plane from flying transcontinental routes, according to the NTSB.

    On Tuesday, however, Homendy said the system appeared to have been working as intended, and was not the cause of the expulsion of the door plug.

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    Salvador Hernandez

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  • Passenger complaints against airlines set to double this year after catastrophic 2022

    Passenger complaints against airlines set to double this year after catastrophic 2022

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    The U.S. Department of Transportation on Monday announced a $140-million fine against Southwest Airlines following the company’s disastrous 2022 travel season that was highlighted by thousands of canceled flights and millions of frustrated fliers.

    The fine, assessed for “numerous violations of consumer protection laws,” was “30 times larger than any previous DOT penalty for consumer protection violations,” according to a DOT statement.

    Southwest canceled nearly 17,000 flights and stranded more than 2 million passengers during last year’s Christmas and New Year’s holidays, according to DOT.

    During the travel crisis, “Southwest confronted unprecedented operational, volume-related challenges yet acted with diligence and in good faith,” the airline said in a statement Monday.

    Southwest has put in place “significant investments and initiatives that accelerate operational resiliency, enhance cross-team collaboration and bolster overall preparedness for winter operations,” President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Jordan said.

    Though it’s hard to imagine a worse outcome for air travelers than last year’s debacle, newly released data show that passenger complaints filed with the DOT across all airlines more than doubled in the first five months of 2023 from the same period in 2022.

    The data, analyzed by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, showed a 109% year-over-year increase in complaints against airlines from January through May. The number of air travelers increased 14% in the span.

    More than a third of the complaints addressed flight scheduling, including cancellations, delays and issues with connections, the data showed. About a fifth of the complaints related to problems with refunds.

    The third most common complaint was lost or damaged items. These were similar in proportion to complaints from 2022, PIRG noted, but the volume of complaints increased dramatically.

    A separate document, the DOT’s Air Travel Consumer Report, notes that the number of mishandled bags jumped in September 2023 to 198,256, with a rate of .53 bags mishandled for every 100 passengers flying. This is up from 177,304 bags and a rate of .48 bags for every 100 passengers in September 2022, according to the most recent DOT data.

    The agency will have to adjust, as “consumer complaints are not returning to pre-pandemic levels,” the report states.

    Complaints in 2020 reached the highest levels ever recorded, but 2023’s total will be significantly higher if the trend from January through May continues.

    With the Christmas travel season ramping up, fines like those imposed on Southwest Airlines could give travelers some comfort.

    “If airlines fail their passengers, we will use the full extent of our authority to hold them accountable,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

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    Terry Castleman

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  • ATP JETS Graduates 20,000th Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program (ATP CTP) Student

    ATP JETS Graduates 20,000th Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program (ATP CTP) Student

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    IRVING, Texas, November 28, 2023 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Dallas-based ATP JETS has graduated its 20,000th Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program (ATP CTP) student. Training nearly 500 pilots per month at its 29,380 sq. ft Part 142 airline training center in Irving, TX, ATP JETS has scaled to become the largest provider of CTP training to the nation’s airlines. 

    Nearly 50% of all new hire airline pilots attend ATP JETS for their CTP training, sponsored by their airline. Since first offering the program in 2015, ATP JETS has been trusted by 57 air carriers to deliver this FAA-required training through a commitment to providing airlines with the most professional, flexible, cost-effective training solution possible. Recently, ATP JETS became the first in the nation approved to deliver Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) for the ground school portion of the program. This innovative approach not only saves airline partners thousands in travel and hotel logistics but also provides students with a better learning experience while delivering the same proven training effectiveness.

    Beyond ATP CTP training, airlines rely on ATP JETS’ advanced training capabilities to provide fully tailored programs and recruitment solutions. Innovative direct and jet transition programs effectively deliver airline-ready pilots at 1,500 hours – transitioning them from general aviation flying to advanced, highly automated turbine aircraft operations in a complex airline environment. As a Frontier Airlines Cadet and Airline Career Pilot Program graduate, Travis Sowers not only had the honor of being recognized as the 20,000th ATP CTP student but is also participating in just such a program.

    Each direct program is customized to the individual airline’s needs, combining an enhanced ATP CTP with a jet transition course and even a complete Airbus A320 type rating in Frontier’s case. Year to date, ATP JETS has transitioned nearly 300 pilots to Avelo, Frontier, Spirit, and Sun Country through Direct Programs at 1,500 hours. The majority of these pilots are graduates of ATP Flight School’s Airline Career Pilot Program.

    With the delivery of five new, state-of-art Airbus A320 Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTDs) in 2023 and increasing efficiency through the introduction of VILT, ATP JETS is positioned to continue its growth and meet historic levels of pilot hiring and the demands of its airline partners.

    About ATP Flight School
    ATP is the nation’s largest flight school, providing students with the most efficient path to a successful airline pilot career. For over 35 years, ATP has been the leader in professional flight training and supplying pilots to airlines. atpflightschool.com

    About ATP JETS
    Part of ATP Flight School’s nationwide network, ATP JETS is a leading 14 CFR 142 airline training center in Dallas, TX, offering ATP CTP, type rating, and jet transition programs. ATP JETS is the largest ATP CTP provider for the nation’s airlines while also providing tailored, cost-effective pilot sourcing and training programs. atpjets.com

    All trademarks, trade names, service marks, product names, company names, logos, and brands used or mentioned herein are property of their respective owners in the United States and other countries. Mention of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

    14 CFR part 142 programs provided by ATP Jet Simulation, Inc.

    Source: ATP JETS

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  • 1 day, 3 million U.S. fliers: As holiday record breaks, more jam-packed travel is in the offing

    1 day, 3 million U.S. fliers: As holiday record breaks, more jam-packed travel is in the offing

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    Nearly 3 million people boarded flights in the U.S. on Sunday as American air travel continued to surge at a record pace, surpassing pre-pandemic numbers, according to Transportation Security Administration statistics.

    TSA screened 2,907,378 people traveling through U.S. airports, the highest single-day number ever. Air travel has taken three years to surpass the heights reached in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “Wherever we land [on a final number], we’re fully back to the year-over-year increase we were seeing before the pandemic,” a TSA official said.

    During the 2019 Thanksgiving weekend, nearly 2.9 million passengers flew in a single day. Even before Sunday, that record was broken this year, with the previous busiest day occurring on June 30, the Friday before the Fourth of July holiday.

    Since TSA’s inception in 2001, passenger volume consistently increased by more than 4% yearly until January 2020, when travel numbers plummeted due to the pandemic. Officials said the numbers had modestly increased over the last three years.

    During the early months of the pandemic, airline travel nearly ground to a halt, forcing carriers to lay off or furlough thousands of workers. As of September, the U.S. airline industry employs nearly 808,000 full- and part-time workers, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 8.7%, according to federal data.

    Airlines for America, a trade group for all major U.S. air carriers, said airlines have worked for months to ensure they would be prepared for the high volume of travel for this year’s holiday season. Airlines have continued aggressively hiring, adjusting schedules and improving communication with passengers to combat the increased demand for air travel, according to the group.

    John Heimlich, an economist for Airline for America, said the group predicted early in the pandemic that it would take until 2023 before the industry returned to pre-pandemic volumes. He said the industry is on track to surpass the 2019 number and anticipates further growth in 2024, albeit at a slower rate.

    Los Angeles International Airport also saw its busiest Thanksgiving holiday travel period since 2019, as it welcomed 2.46 million travelers over the last week and a half. Officials said several days saw more than 220,000 passengers move through the terminals.

    Of the 51,332 scheduled flights across the country Sunday, fewer than 0.5% were canceled, according to flight tracker Flight Radar 24.

    AAA predicted that 4.7 million people would fly over the Thanksgiving holiday period, the highest number of Thanksgiving air travelers since 2005 — a 6.6% increase compared with 2022.

    “I’m optimistic that what we saw over Thanksgiving is emblematic of the kind of demand we’ll see this winter,” Heimlich said. The demand “is going to be very strong.”

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    Anthony De Leon

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  • Flight attendants claim United took them off Dodgers’ charter flights for not being ‘white, young, thin’

    Flight attendants claim United took them off Dodgers’ charter flights for not being ‘white, young, thin’

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    Two United Airlines flight attendants claim in a lawsuit that they were passed over for the plum assignment of working on charter flights for the Dodgers because the players prefer a “certain look” of “white, young, thin women who are predominately blond and blue-eyed.”

    In a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Dawn Todd and Darby Quezada alleged harassment and/or discrimination based on race, national origin, religion and age in regard to the staffing of United’s charter flights for the Dodgers and their treatment by coworkers on those flights. Todd, 50, is Black, and Quezada, 44, is of Mexican, Black and Jewish descent.

    The Dodgers are not named as defendants in the lawsuit. A team spokesperson told The Times that the Dodgers do not comment on any pending litigation.

    United responded to questions from The Times with a statement.

    “United fosters an environment of inclusion and does not tolerate discrimination of any kind,” the company wrote in an email. “We believe this lawsuit is without merit and intend to defend ourselves vigorously.”

    According to the lawsuit, Todd and Quezada both have worked for United for more than 15 years and had spent more than a decade trying to join the airline’s program that staffs the Dodgers’ flights. Such assignments can bring attendants up to three times the compensation of typical assignments because of longer flight times and other perks.

    “Plaintiffs had the necessary experience and qualifications,” the lawsuit states, “but their requests were dismissed and rejected because Plaintiffs were not white.”

    Two other United flight attendants sued the airline in 2020 for allegedly staffing teams’ flights with “young, white, female, and predominately blond/blue-eyed” flight attendants. The case was settled out of court in March 2021.

    That led the way for Todd and Quesada to become members of the Dodgers charter flight program, according to the current lawsuit, but only “after extensive interviews.”

    According to the lawsuit, “things changed again in 2022 when several white United flight attendants were added to the ‘dedicated crew.’ But, unlike Todd and Quezada, these white United flight attendants did not have to interview for these coveted positions. …

    “Instead, these white flight attendants were blatantly selected by United’s management … because of how they looked: they are white, young, thin women who are predominately blond and blue-eyed. When Todd and Quezada asked United why certain flight attendants were added … without having to interview like they did, Todd and Quezada were told that these white flight attendants fit a ‘certain look’ that the Dodgers players liked.”

    The lawsuit states that Todd and Quezada started receiving fewer assignments to Dodgers flights ended up being demoted within the program, and Quezada eventually was removed “without any justification.”

    Todd and Quezada are seeking a jury trial and an unspecified amount in damages.

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    Chuck Schilken

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  • Off-duty pilot booked on 83 counts of attempted murder after allegedly trying to shut down plane’s engines

    Off-duty pilot booked on 83 counts of attempted murder after allegedly trying to shut down plane’s engines

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    An off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot was booked Monday on 83 counts of attempted murder after he tried to “disrupt the operation” of the engines of a plane he was aboard, according to the airline.

    Joseph Emerson, 44, a pilot for Alaska Airlines, was on a Sunday flight operated by Horizon Airlines from Seattle to San Francisco when he tried to take over the aircraft, the airline said. Emerson was riding in the “jump seat,” which is an additional seat that is often used for flight attendants to sit in during takeoff and landing.

    Horizon Airlines is a regional carrier owned by the parent company that owns Alaska Airlines.

    He made it into the cockpit before he was subdued, according to the Port of Portland Police.

    The flight was diverted to Portland International Airport. It landed around 6:30 p.m., and Emerson was arrested by the Port of Portland Police.

    “The jump seat occupant unsuccessfully attempted to disrupt the operation of the engines. The Horizon Captain and First Officer quickly responded, engine power was not lost and the crew secured the aircraft without incident,” a spokesperson for Alaska Airlines said in a statement. “All passengers on board were able to travel on a later flight. We are grateful for the professional handling of the situation by the Horizon flight crew and appreciate our guests’ calm and patience throughout this event.”

    Along with the attempted murder counts — one for each occupant of the plane — Emerson was booked on 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft, according to online court records.

    “We’ve got the guy that tried to shut the engines down out of the cockpit, and he doesn’t sound like he’s causing any issues in the back right now,” the pilot told Seattle-area air traffic controllers, the Mercury News reported. “I think he’s subdued. Other than that, we want law enforcement as soon as we get on the ground and are parked.”

    The Port of Portland Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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    Noah Goldberg

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