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How safety concerns over Boeing planes affect the air travel industry

Mar 11, 2024
Many travelers still prioritize the cost of travel over which airplane they will fly in.
A National Transportation Safety Board handout shows the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 in which a door panel blew out midair. The January incident is now being investigated by the Justice Department.
NTSB via Getty Images

How flight attendants are feeling after the Alaska Airlines accident

"The staffing for flight attendants, especially domestically, is at FAA minimums," said Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. "Our jobs are harder than they've ever been."
"The staffing for flight attendants, especially domestically, is at FAA minimums," said Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Airfares are down 13% over the past year, but they may be headed back up soon

Nov 14, 2023
Fuel costs are down but may rise again soon.
Travel demand has leveled out since last summer's spike of "revenge travel." That’s forcing airlines to compete more for customers again.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Passengers opting for more airline frills push carrier profits up

Oct 12, 2023
After pandemic lockdowns, many passengers want to feel a little spoiled — and are paying good money for that.
After some tinkering, airlines seem to have figured out what travelers are willing to pay for premium economy seats. 
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Why do airlines set weird departure and arrival times?

Aug 25, 2023
Forget “the logic of the clock.” The airline is thinking about the airplane, not the customer, one expert told us.
Have an 8:02 a.m. flight to catch?
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Americans don't just want to travel: they want to go abroad

Aug 7, 2023
Trips from the U.S. to Europe especially are surging this summer. And that has consequences for domestic airlines—and airfares.
Rather than traveling domestically, Americans are choosing to fly abroad, especially to European countries.
Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images

Pilots are still in short supply. What are airlines doing about it?

Jul 5, 2023
After encouraging early retirement during the pandemic, the industry finds it has a pipeline problem.
Carriers are setting up training academies for future pilots and working to make the job more appealing with better salaries and benefits.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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When’s the best time to buy plane tickets?

May 15, 2023
Google's piloting a new, free price drop guarantee. Why, and how useful is it?
Wondering airline tickets will be cheaper if you wait? Most of the time, that's unlikely, says airline industry industry commentator Mike Arnot.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Airlines are in a hiring frenzy as summer travel season nears

May 8, 2023
Pilots, in particular, are in high demand. Airlines don't want to be caught off guard like they were last year.
Airlines are hiring for nearly all positions in order to meet consumers' pent-up demand for travel.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

A shortage of air traffic controllers is forcing airlines to cancel flights to and from NYC

Apr 28, 2023
The FAA has asked airlines to give up precious landing slots.
Above, the air traffic tower at LaGuardia Airport. According to the FAA, New York has just over half of the air traffic controllers it needs.
Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images