Boeing's 737 Max reboot, JetBlue's first class, and a fancy new Delta lounge: Airlines news roundup
Boeing is restarting 737 Max production. An airline industry group says more than 5 billion people will take to the skies next year. Delta is unveiling a super fancy new lounge at Boston Logan International Airport. Plus: A shocking airfare inflation statistic.
Take a moment to get caught up on the world of airlines and aviation.
American Airlines will stop flying to Haiti
American Airlines (AAL) is suspending service to Haiti indefinitely after what it initially telegraphed as a temporary pause. CBS News reports that the move follows an incident last month when a pair of U.S. carriers discovered bullet holes in their aircraft.
More than 5 billion people will be flying next year
Record numbers of travelers will take to the skies next year, an industry group is expecting. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its worldwide forecast for the industry on Tuesday, and it says global airlines will likely ferry 5.2 billion passengers on more than 40 million flights.
Boeing is restarting 737 Max production in the nick of time
Boeing (BA) is looking to get things going again after its operations were brought essentially to a halt by a nearly two-monthslong machinist strike. Bloomberg reports that the company is restarting production of its key 737 Max models nearly a month after the strike’s end.
The FAA approved an Airbus plane capable of incredibly long flights
American fans of long-distance airline travel may soon have a new option to look out for when booking their tickets.
JetBlue will try classing things up after a Spirit Airlines merger collapsed
JetBlue (JBLU) has a lot of work to do to succeed as a standalone airline following its abandoned merger with now-bankrupt Spirit Airlines. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, executives from the airline said that their plans are to pivot to offering more high-end options for flyers.
Airfares are going up faster than rent now
In the latest inflation report, an unexpected category has surged past even rising rents: airplane tickets. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports airfares jumped 4.7% year over year in November, exceeding the 4.4% increase in rental costs that has been a key driver of persistent inflation.
Heathrow Airport is expecting a right jolly Christmas
The United Kingdom’s busiest airline hub says that Santa will be far from the only person taking to its airspace this Christmas. London’s Heathrow Airport says that it is expecting to serve a record number of passengers on December 25.
Check out Delta’s fancy new lounge at Boston’s airport
Delta Air Lines (DAL) unveiled its latest premium airport lounge on Wednesday, expanding its bid to capture luxury travelers. The Atlanta-based company’s third Delta One lounge, located at Boston Logan International Airport, marks the latest salvo in the industry’s heated competition for high-value passengers.
United Airlines will let passengers share AirTag locations to find lost baggage
United Airlines (UAL) is rolling out a new update to its app that could help passengers track down their bags after landing. The company announced Thursday that its customers will be able to share the location of Apple (AAPL) AirTags with the United app.
Pete Buttigieg says Trump can’t get rid of new airline refund rules
Outgoing Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says that the Biden administration’s new refund rules will likely remain in place under Donald Trump’s upcoming presidency. In an interview with Travel + Leisure, Buttigieg said that the new rules are “the law of the land.”
