Skift Take

These are the aviation trends we were talking about this week.

Throughout the week we post dozens of original stories, connecting the dots across the travel industry, and every weekend we sum it all up. This weekend roundup examines aviation.

For all of our weekend roundups, go here.

>>United’s highest-paying customers have a new place to call home at Chicago O’Hare: United Opens First Polaris Lounge as Part of Its Business Class Overhaul

>>United’s rollout of its Polaris Business Class went very smoothly from a communications perspective. But now that passengers are beginning to see it appear, has the airline over-promised what it can deliver? United Kicks Off Polaris Service — Skift Business Traveler

>>This is not as big of a game-changer as some have suggested. Norwegian was going to grow in the United States and offer low fares on transatlantic flights, regardless of whether this happened: Significance of Norwegian Air’s Recent DOT Victory Is Overstated

>>The Department of Justice seems to enjoy grabbing headlines about how it’s doing its job to protect industry competition. But when it comes time to actually getting airlines to make real concessions, it falls short: DOJ Clears Alaska’s Acquisition of Virgin America

>>It’s not likely Alaska Airlines would have lost in court, but this case was still a nuisance, so it makes sense that the company resolved it. Now, Alaska can finally focus on absorbing Virgin America: Alaska Airlines Settles a Lawsuit Over Its Virgin America Merger

>>The DOT doesn’t have as much regulatory power as other government agencies, so it’s doing what it can to try to protect consumers. At the least, if an airline permits voice calls, it will have to tell consumers what it’s doing — before they buy a ticket: In-Flight Calling: DOT Considers Passing New Rules

>>This is an oops moment. No matter whose fault it is, Southwest should have not launched new service to Mexico without receiving final regulatory approval: Southwest Failed to Get the Approval It Needs for New International Flights to Mexico

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Tags: Travel Trends, trends roundups

Photo credit: Alaska Airlines has removed one more impediment to closing its merger with Virgin America. Alaska Airlines / Alaska Airlines

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