After deadly crashes, added scrutiny for Boeing 737 software

Mar 15, 2019
How a failure to train pilots on software led to deadly crashes.
A picture taken on December 9, 2011 in Paris shows the controls of a flight simulator in a reproduction of a Boeing 737 cockpit.
Joel Saget/AFP/Getty

After the grounding of its 737 planes, can Boeing's messaging convince flyers?

Boeing faces a tough public relations challenge in the coming months, following two crashes and the grounding of its 737 planes. The question is, how will the company control the messaging to the air-faring public? Marketplace host Kai Ryssdal spoke to Felicia Miller, professor of marketing at Marquette University, about the company’s PR strategy. Click […]
A LEAP engine is pictured on the first Boeing 737 MAX airliner is pictured at the company's manufacturing plant, on Dec. 8, 2015, in Renton, Washington.
Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

Pressure mounts on FAA to ground Boeing 737 Max 8s

Mar 12, 2019
"It's the rest of the world against the FAA right now," said Jon Ostrower, editor-in-chief of The Air Current.
Southwest Airlines.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Americans passengers worry about Boeing after crash

Mar 11, 2019
The fatal crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 is prompting some Americans to establish whether their upcoming flights are on a Boeing 737 Max 8, the same kind of jet that crashed Sunday. Two U.S. carriers operate that type of plane — Southwest Airlines and American Airlines — and both are standing behind the safety […]
A LEAP engine is pictured on the first Boeing 737 MAX airliner is pictured at the company's manufacturing plant, on Dec. 8, 2015, in Renton, Washington.
Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

Southwest gets FAA approval to fly to Hawaii

Mar 1, 2019
Southwest flights to Hawaii will start in small Californian airports, possibly as soon as this month.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Choppy times ahead for U.S. airlines

Jan 11, 2019
2018 turned out to be a bad year for U.S. airlines and 2019 isn’t looking better after two major carriers downgraded their outlooks since Jan. 1. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.

Fuel prices depress Delta earnings

Apr 12, 2018
High fuel costs and a 6 percent raise for most of its employees are likely to take a toll on Delta Air Line’s earnings. After years of low fuel prices, Delta’s revenue is not what it used to be. Yet the air line is expanding and offering new trans-Atlantic flights — including direct flights between Atlanta and Lisbon. Click […]

For public good, not for profit.

House plans vote as deadline looms for FAA reauthorization

Sep 11, 2017
One of the looming deadlines for Congress this month is re-authorizing funding for the Federal Aviation Administration. A House vote on that is scheduled this week. Competing funding bills in the House and Senate address things like commercial drones, navigation technology, and air traffic control systems.  Click the audio player above to hear the full […]

You want economy? United has “basic” economy

Nov 16, 2016
The airline will offer a no-frills fare to compete with low-cost airlines Spirit and Frontier.
Rick Kern/Getty Images for United Airlines

NASA has a solution for bug splats on your jetliner

Mar 10, 2016
Bug splats on the surface of wings makes for inefficiency and higher fuel consumption.
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images