Airline News

It's easy to forget now, toward the end of April when mask mandates are falling and travel restrictions are easing worldwide, that the Omicron variant surged just a few months…

Unions come for Avelo and Breeze. Flight attendants at Avelo have voted to organize, while pilots at Breeze are filing for unionization. Airlines in the U.S. are among the most heavily unionized industries in the country.

Good morning from Skift. It's Friday, April 22, in New York City. Here's what you need to know about the business of travel today.

Tech companies largely stopped traveling during the pandemic, which hit Alaska Airlines, with its base in Seattle and hub in San Francisco, hard. But the airline is seeing tech's road warriors return — up 50 percent just in the last few weeks.

The U.S. pilot shortage could redound to United's benefit if other airlines are forced to cancel flights due to staffing shortages, CEO Scott Kirby said. The carrier is getting ready for a summer demand to set records.

American Airlines considers pre-departure testing rules for U.S.-bound travelers the biggest hindrance to its international recovery. And while executives won't say if they will go away in May, they are bullish about a surge in both leisure and business travel.

While the travel industry was on its knees, travel loyalty programs continued to grow. But the pandemic has changed the travel industry, and loyalty programs need to follow suit.

Icelandic startup Play realizes its transatlantic ambitions Wednesday with the launch of U.S. flights. But the odds are long for the airline that touts a long-haul budget business model that no airline has made work — yet.

The U.S. pilot shortage is a real and present problem for the airline industry, but not everyone agrees on the fix. Regional airline Cape Air's CEO thinks the industry should work together on the issue, and if airlines don't, the shortage will only be prolonged.

Good morning from Skift. It's Tuesday, April 18, in New York City. Here's what you need to know about the business of travel today.