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News from August 2024
JetBlue is set to reduce its service at Washington's National Airport this winter, one of only three U.S. airports with legally limited flight numbers, facilitating profitability.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a new safety alert for multi-engine pilots dealing with partial engine failures. The alert highlights the necessity of promptly feathering the affected engine’s propeller before its rpm drops below the critical threshold where start locks engage.
RGN Premium has announced that it will not pursue a direct approach as traditionally defined. The announcement was made on August 29, 2024, and the content is exclusively available to active members.
JetBlue is currently facing significant challenges. The airline has transformed into a smaller version of a fee-based legacy carrier, sacrificing much of its competitive edge. As a result, it is now struggling financially and attempting to fend off activist investor Carl Icahn.
United Airlines has raised concerns with the Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding Alaska Airlines' proposed acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. In a filing, United disclosed a conversation with the Deputy General Counsel at the DOT to avoid any improper ex parte communication over an active matter before the department. United declined to comment further on the matter.
Air New Zealand has released its financial results for the 2024 fiscal year, reporting earnings before taxation of $222 million, a decrease from the previous year's $574 million. The net profit after taxation was $146 million. The decline in earnings was anticipated following the reopening of New Zealand's border last year, which had resulted in one of the airline's highest performances.
United Airlines is supporting a flight attendant’s right to wear a Palestinian flag pin after she was called out on social media during a Chicago to Newark flight. The attendant also wore a keffiyeh-inspired lanyard.
Finding myself on yet another New York to Washington D.C. business trip, I wanted to try something different. I have flown the airline shuttles and taken Amtrak’s flagship Acela service many times, but I’ve never bothered upgrading to Acela First Class. With Amtrak’s current Acela fleet slated to retire in the coming years, I wanted to try the legacy First Class product before it is gone.
Ryanair, Europe's largest airline, transported over 180 million passengers last year. Known for its low fares and additional fees, the airline is now proposing a new policy aimed at reducing disruptive behavior on flights.
Passengers on a flight from Guiyang to Shanghai last Saturday locked a crying toddler in an airplane lavatory to quiet her. The child, approximately one year old, was traveling with her grandparents and had been crying continuously throughout the nearly three-hour flight.
The Department of Justice has allowed the period to lapse for objecting and filing suit against Alaska Airlines' acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. This indicates a deferral to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for approval, which is considering conditions it may impose on Alaska.
The Westin Tempe has narrowly avoided foreclosure and is now offering a range of unusual services to its guests, including selling condoms and paid upgrades. Even elite members of Marriott’s Bonvoy program are being targeted with these offers.
The Known Crewmember (KCM) system, which allows certain individuals to bypass standard security screening, has been found to be insecure. According to reports, anyone with basic knowledge of SQL injection could log into the site and add unauthorized individuals to both KCM and CASS systems. This vulnerability permits them to skip security screening.
On August 30, 2024, Congressman Ritchie Torres criticized the CEOs of United, Delta, and American Airlines for "effectively boycotting Israel" due to their flight suspensions. He highlighted that the U.S. government has not deemed these flights unsafe and noted that El Al continues its operations.
Beijing-based avionics and digital systems provider FTS Technologies reports significant interest in China and abroad for its new open-platform wireless IFE system, which includes lightweight 4K seatback displays, as well as a new cargo hold surveillance solution.
Multi-orbit connectivity advocate SES is increasingly receiving requests from airlines to bid directly for their inflight connectivity (IFC) business, according to management.
Earlier this month, I traveled to Honolulu and back on Hawaiian Airlines. They operate Austin – Honolulu non-stop three days a week, and since I hadn’t flown Hawaiian in a year and a half, it seemed worth sharing some observations.
News and notes from around the internet:
Mark Mix, president of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation and the National Right to Work Committee, issued a statement on Labor Day 2024 emphasizing the significance of worker freedom.
California is on the brink of banning leaded aviation gasoline statewide, pending Governor Gavin Newsom's signature. Politico Pro reports that the California state Senate passed a bill on Thursday to outlaw the fuel starting in 2031. This move makes California the first state to pass such a ban, with several other states considering similar legislation.