Airline News

American probably does have too many executives for an airline of its size. And considering the stock is down, this is probably not a bad time to cull the ranks. If everything goes well, passengers will probably not notice any changes.

This week in aviation news, at the inaugural Skift Tech Forum, United discussed how to balance personalization with privacy when using customers' data. We also analyzed the ongoing saga, or rather downward spiral, of South African Airways.

In May, United removed tomato juice because few passengers drink it. Afterward, though, United got another lesson in the power of social media. Many folks complained, and so tomato juice has returned. The funny thing is, United's customers still aren't asking for it. But at least it's there.

The government of South Africa is adamant the country needs a global airline as a matter of national sovereignty. That has been a costly decision. Is it necessary?

There are limits to how much an airline like United knows about you and that is comforting to some travelers. But putting the data it does have to good use remains a challenge, although we see nothing controversial about wishing someone a happy birthday.

American Airlines’ new commuter shuttle connecting New York LaGuardia and Chicago O’Hare airports aims to give business travelers an experience that's more efficient than ever.

Like many airlines, Cathay Pacific underestimated the digital revolution and the threat of low-cost competition. It is playing catch up, and its recent financial results have not been pretty. But Cathay Pacific has an excellent brand, and it serves a lucrative home market. It should be OK.

How seriously is EasyJet going to take the packaged vacations market? More seriously than it did before for sure, but enough to compete with the plethora of tour operators and online travel agencies out there? At this stage it's hard to tell.

On a continent still very much in love with the notion of a flag carrier, money-losing or not, privately owned airlines offering scheduled services remain something of a rarity. But carriers like South Africa’s Airlink are showing lumbering state-owned airlines how it’s done.

This week in aviation, Air France-KLM had our full attention. Not only is this marriage troubled, but AccorHotels could branch way out with a possible stake in the Franco-Dutch airline.