Ruthy Munoz

Skift’s Houston and West Palm Beach-based contributor covering everything airlines. A polyglot and globetrotter, she’s interned with Houston’s NPR station, interned and fellowed at Reuters in Houston and D.C. covering general news, the White House and Energy and writes Latino narrative stories for palabra by NAHJ. She used to jump out of planes in the Army, work on planes as a flight attendant, and now she covers them.

Latest Stories

Airlines

Delta Doesn’t Mandate Vaccines for Workers But Adds $200 Surcharge for Those Unvaxxed

With the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approving the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, more airlines will feel emboldened to mandate employee vaccines. Delta is trying to skirt that with higher health insurance costs for workers not vaccinated.

Ruthy Muñoz, Skift | 3 years ago

Airlines

U.S. Airlines Ordered by Pentagon to Help in Afghanistan Evacuations

In a rare call to duty, U.S. airlines are being asked to do their patriotic part to help extract civilians in need.

Ruthy Muñoz, Skift | 3 years ago

Airlines

American Airlines Extends Ban on Alcohol Sales in Economy Class to Mid-January

With the continued rise of unruly passenger behaviors, airlines are taking matters into their own hands. But is this hurting them financially? And who's to say only passengers in the main cabin can act up?

Ruthy Muñoz, Skift | 3 years ago

Airlines

Fines Issued to Unruly Flyers Now Top $1 Million But Has Anybody Paid Up?

Fines for unruly passengers are rising, but without prosecutorial authority, the Federal Aviation Administration's hands are tied. If disruptive and dangerous behavior is going to come to an end, the FAA must be given the means to make unruly passenger behavior the crime that it is. It's time for Congress to step up to the plate.

Ruthy Muñoz, Skift | 3 years ago

Airlines

Flight Attendants Abused for Months by Unruly Anti-Maskers Still Support Extended Mask Mandate

Despite suffering the most from unruly passengers, flight attendants are applauding the extension of the mask mandate.

Ruthy Muñoz, Skift | 3 years ago

Airlines

Will Airport Mobile Ordering and Deliveries Have a Future Post-Pandemic?

Some may wonder if airport mobile ordering and delivery is a pandemic fad or a trend. The answer will come quickly for anyone who’s spent an extended amount of time in airports. It’s only a matter of time before competitors start popping up.

Ruthy Muñoz, Skift | 3 years ago

Airlines

Can a Downsized Regional Airline Relaunch in a Pandemic? ExpressJet Thinks It Can

Like Lazarus, regional carrier ExpressJet hopes to rise from the dead. Can the airline survive flying on its own during a pandemic with small jets? The airline almost pulled it off before, but can it do it again, or will history repeat itself?

Ruthy Muñoz and Angel Adegbesan, Skift | 3 years ago

Airlines

Could Other Airports Follow Pittsburgh’s Lead to Diversify Revenue?

The pandemic and the push for sustainability are forcing airports to think outside of the box. The more creative, the bigger the win, it seems. But are some of these revenue-generating ideas here for the long run or only until travel recovers?

Ruthy Muñoz, Skift | 3 years ago

Airlines

United’s Meal Fare to Be Served Up by Outside Caterer Starting This Fall

Airlines are being careful not to violate the provisions of the Cares Act, when outsourcing. But once it expires everything is fair game and the ones left paying the price will employees losing jobs.

Tracy Rucinski and Sanjana Shivdas, Reuters | 3 years ago

Airlines

1 in 5 Flight Attendants Have Had Physical Altercations With Unruly Passengers so Far This Year

Flight attendants feeling the brunt of unruly passengers are not feeling protected. If airlines don't want to lose these valuable workers, lose revenue and potentially set travel's recovery back with canceled flights, more must be done by the government to ensure their safety.

Ruthy Muñoz, Skift | 3 years ago