Airline News

Hospitality is a creative act and by looking at who is doing things well, the entire industry can take away some necessary inspiration as they begin to execute 2019 plans.

This week in aviation, Lufthansa faces a formal complaint alleging that it refused to supply its cheapest fares through global distribution systems. Then, don't miss our 25 Travel Moments That Mattered in 2018, including Qantas' Perth-London route, Ryanair's first union contract, and more.

At most companies, changes in employee bonuses don't resonate much beyond corporate headquarters. But airlines are different, and United Airlines created a global public relations saga in March when it decided to alter how it allotted extra money to employees. It's not a surprise the airline walked it back.

Network planners often salivate over new-generation aircraft, and with good reason. New technology allows airlines to profitably fly routes that might not have worked in the past.

Former Allegiant Air executive Lukas Johnson has a reputation for choosing winning routes no other airlines have tried. That should make him an excellent choice for David Neeleman's new airline.

Will there be a recession next year? That seems to be the question on everyone's minds. But the fundamental data and industry management teams tell a story of greater strength heading into next year. Headwinds are rising, but on balance, we expect “steady-as-she-goes” growth.

Over the past couple of decades, most U.S. airlines have focused on transporting customers from point A to B in relative comfort. Delta wants to go beyond, hoping passengers will view it as a trusted consumer brand. If they do, Delta may be able to command an even bigger revenue premium over its competitors.

Despite the cost of entry getting markedly higher next year, many business travelers don't seem too worried about new qualification standards that American and United have set for next year.

Google Assistant will soon start sending flight-delay notifications on mobile, and informing travelers about the reasons behind the disruption to their itineraries. This could be a really great service, and Google will do it at scale. Rest assured that an automated flight-rebooking service won't be too far behind.

Canada’s newest airline, Swoop, is now up and running with some of the lowest base fares in Canada. While an important milestone, the larger focus continues to be on WestJet’s challenging financial year and ability to execute several big projects at once.