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A pilot shortage means higher airfares and service cuts at regional airports

Nov 21, 2022
Sixty U.S. airports have lost more than half of their flights since 2019, and 14 no longer have any commercial service.
When COVID hit and air travel virtually stopped, many airlines encouraged pilots to take buyouts or early retirement. Now airlines are struggling to play catch-up.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Pilot contract negotiations go south at major airlines

Nov 3, 2022
This week, pilots at both American and United Airlines rejected tentative contract deals, and Delta pilots voted to authorize a strike if negotiations break down.
Delta Airlines pilots picketing for a new contract in September 2022. Their union recently voted to authorize a strike if contract negotiations break down.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Staffing shortages are contributing to a chaotic summer air travel season

Jul 5, 2022
The aviation industry’s troubles come down to three problems, one analyst says: capacity, captains and cancellations.
Delta Air Lines pilots picket at Los Angeles International Airport on June 30. The airline industry has been struggling with staffing shortages as demand soars to near pre-pandemic levels.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Flight school combats lack of diversity in the cockpit

Jan 24, 2022
As analysts predict a pilot shortage in the coming years, a nonprofit flight school in Mississippi is focused on training a more diverse aviation workforce.
Student Carlin Bratcher, left, and her instructor Zakiya Percy after a flying lesson.
Katie Riordan

Airline pilots: Is there an actual shortage or are employers not paying enough?

Jul 31, 2018
Seth Kaplan, managing partner at Airline Weekly, joined us to talk about the labor pool for airlines.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Desperately need pilots? Try paying them more

Sep 16, 2016
Two regional American Airlines subsidiaries are raising pilot pay to counter the shortage.
Two American Airlines subsidiaries, PSA Airlines and Envoy Air, will increase pay for regional pilots.
Image via American Airlines

Drones rule: FAA makes commercial drones legit

Aug 29, 2016
Regulations governing commercial drone use take effect Monday.
A drone is flown for recreational purposes in the sky above Old Bethpage, New York.
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Hollywood takes a gamble during TV pilot season

Feb 8, 2016
Pilot season in Hollywood means networks vying for new shows.

A Boeing 747 pilot writes a love letter to flight

Jun 2, 2015
Chatting with Mark Vanhoenacker about his book "Skyfaring: A Journey With a Pilot"

When horses fly

Jun 2, 2015
Leg room costs extra on flights, whether you have two feet or four.