Articles tagged “airlines”

JetBlue Airways Drops a Dozen Online Travel Agencies in Cost-Cutting Move

JetBlue Airways Drops a Dozen Online Travel Agencies in Cost-Cutting Move

Brian Sumers, Skift

On its own, this is no big deal. Not many people book JetBlue tickets on Vegas.com or whatscheaper.com. But JetBlue called this phase one, so we'll be watching closely to see the airline's next step.

3 days ago

Thai Airways Plots Return to United States Two Years After Withdrawing

Thai Airways Plots Return to United States Two Years After Withdrawing

Natnicha Chuwiruch, Bloomberg

Yes, having its safety status upgraded by the FAA could permit Thai Airways to start new U.S. flights. But let's remember flights from Bangkok to California or New York are not obvious moneymakers. Ultra long-haul routes often challenge airlines, even on the newest planes.

4 days ago

U.S. Airline Cancellations Jumped in August Thanks to Hurricane Harvey

U.S. Airline Cancellations Jumped in August Thanks to Hurricane Harvey

Associated Press

August wasn't the best month for U.S. airline on-time performance, but we know why. Hurricane Harvey caused a mess, especially in Houston. This appears to be an isolated issue. Most U.S. airlines are far more prompt than a few years ago.

4 days ago

Europe Had a Record 1 Billion Flyers in 2016

Europe Had a Record 1 Billion Flyers in 2016

Associated Press

London Heathrow was Europe's busiest airport in 2016. But the UK's failure to settle the issue of expanding its airport capacity may prove damaging to its competitiveness in the long term.

2 weeks ago

Lufthansa Partners With a Blockchain Provider in an Investment Worth Testing

Lufthansa Partners With a Blockchain Provider in an Investment Worth Testing

Patrick Whyte, Skift

It is easy to see why Lufthansa, which sells flights and ancillary services, would be interested in blockchain. Airlines, hotels and tour operators might be able to use blockchain to dramatically reduce their distribution costs. At this stage, it is hard to tell how close this is to being a reality, and how fearful online travel agents and others should be.

2 weeks ago

South African Airways Hires a Restructuring Expert in Bid to Save Airline

South African Airways Hires a Restructuring Expert in Bid to Save Airline

Loni Prinsloo and Arabile Gumede, Bloomberg

Some airlines can fail, and it's not a big deal. We have seen that in Europe recently. But South African Airways is the nation's top carrier. It must be saved. Let's hope the new CEO and new restructuring expert know what they're doing.

2 weeks ago

Cuba Trips Still Getting Green Light From Tour Operators, Airlines and Cruise Lines

Cuba Trips Still Getting Green Light From Tour Operators, Airlines and Cruise Lines

Beth Harpaz and Adriana Gomez Licon, Associated Press

Because there is no concrete evidence that American travelers would be endangered in Cuba, the vast majority of U.S. travel companies are maintaining their schedules to Cuba. Many companies are getting used to ill-conceived policies emanating from Washington, and are sticking with business as usual.

3 weeks ago

Travel Brands React to New U.S. Travel Warning for Cuba

Travel Brands React to New U.S. Travel Warning for Cuba

Dennis Schaal, Skift

It's hard to see how other airlines, hotels and cruise lines don't follow JetBlue's lead in issuing waivers on change fees and cancellations for itineraries to Cuba given the U.S. government's ill-conceived warning for travel to the Caribbean island. The warning looks like it will help reverse the Obama administration's loosening of restrictions on U.S. citizen travel to Cuba.

3 weeks ago

Twitter Wars With Competitors Can Be Effective Branding Tools for Airlines and Museums

Twitter Wars With Competitors Can Be Effective Branding Tools for Airlines and Museums

Kara Alaimo , Bloomberg

Twitter wars can enhance a brand if the tone is consistent with a company's character and if they are waged with a tilt toward humor instead of malice. That can be a delicate balance to maintain, however.

4 weeks ago

Business of Loyalty: EasyJet’s Long-Haul Alliance Shirks Traditional Codeshare Benefits

Business of Loyalty: EasyJet’s Long-Haul Alliance Shirks Traditional Codeshare Benefits

Grant Martin, Skift

EasyJet just launched an airline alliance aimed at better-connecting travelers across low-cost networks. Beyond a booking engine, though, the partnership offers few benefits.

1 month ago

European Regulators Are Investigating Lufthansa’s Controversial Travel Agent Surcharge

European Regulators Are Investigating Lufthansa’s Controversial Travel Agent Surcharge

Patrick Whyte, Skift

The European Union's decision to investigate Lufthansa's surcharge represents a potential blow to the airline industry, which is attempting to wrestle back control from intermediaries. Although the transport commission confirmed an investigation, it doesn't appear that any decision is imminent.

1 month ago

Amtrak CEO-In-Waiting Richard Anderson Boasts About Rail Line’s Seat Quality

Amtrak CEO-In-Waiting Richard Anderson Boasts About Rail Line’s Seat Quality

Justin Bachman, Bloomberg

Yes, on short routes between big cities, Amtrak is competitive with airlines. And if new CEO Richard Anderson improves the rail line's on-time performance, perhaps more customers will try Amtrak. But in the United States, rail likely will never be a viable option for many. It's not ubiquitous enough.

1 month ago

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