United Airlines News

Here's another reminder that airlines are fiercely competitive. Until recently, U.S. airlines generally weren't considering adding premium business class seats on domestic routes beyond New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. But a few years ago, JetBlue disrupted the market with its Mint business class, and now United is considering a similar move.

This is a tough call. In some ways, what United is doing with preferred seats is unfair. It may make it harder for families to sit together. But at the same time, most of United's competitors have similar fees.

U.S. bankruptcy law is more forgiving than in many countries, which is why many airlines have had multiple iterations. Now, eight years after filing for bankruptcy, Mesa Air Group again wants to be traded on public markets. Assuming it goes forward with an IPO, it'll be interesting to see if investors return.

U.S. bankruptcy law is funny, right? Less than a decade ago, Mesa Air Group filed for bankruptcy and investors lost out. But now the airline, with the same CEO, wants investors to give it another chance. Will they bite? Or do they have long memories?

How fickle is Wall Street? Less than a year ago, investors weren't keen on United's stock. But a couple of quarters later, they're jumping back on the bandwagon. But not all that much has changed.

Flight attendants on United will have both a stricter mandate and a stronger incentive to pitch the airline's new co-branded credit card.

In-flight credit card pitches are officially coming to United Airlines, which is great news for revenue and maybe less-great news for frequent flyers.

Elite loyalty members of United's MileagePlus program will be able to get free upgrades to international premium economy cabins this summer as the product fully rolls out.

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.

United's new vice president of loyalty is putting his weight behind a new credit card and a handful of other initiatives at the airline. It will be interesting to see how those goals mesh with a weary base of MileagePlus members and a management team eager to turn profit and save cash.