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Airplanes

Boeing failures are a case study of America's manufacturing "dark age"

by Kimberly Adams and Sarah Leeson
Apr 24, 2024
A century ago, U.S manufacturers were run by engineers. Now leadership suites are distant from factory floors, says journalist Jerry Useem.
Jerry Useem attributes much of America's loss of manufacturing excellence to the replacement of engineers by financial managers in corporate leadership.
Juliette Michel/AFP via Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Why do airplanes have ashtrays on board if smoking is banned? 

by Janet Nguyen
Feb 23, 2024
In 2000, Bill Clinton signed a law that banned smoking on all domestic and international flights to and from the U.S.
While airline ashtrays may seem antiquated, the FAA thinks it's better to be safe than sorry.
actual_size/Getty Images Plus
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Breaking Ground

The Biden administration’s bet on sustainable aviation fuel

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst
Feb 22, 2024
Right now, sustainable aviation fuel is “a drop in the bucket” compared to conventional jet fuel, but that might not be the case for long.
"Marketplace" host Kai Ryssdal and Samir Sukhtankar, director of operations for World Energy, a biofuels maker, look over the company’s Paramount production facility.
Maria Hollenhorst/Marketplace
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What passengers need to know about the Boeing Max 9 safety issues

by Janet Nguyen
Jan 10, 2024
A door plug recently blew off a Max 9 plane, prompting concerns about whether fliers should board these planes.
An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 plane sits at a gate at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on January 6, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. Alaska Airlines grounded its 737 MAX 9 planes after part of a fuselage blew off during a flight from Portland, Oregon to Ontario, California.
Stephen Brashear/Getty Images
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Airfares are down 13% over the past year, but they may be headed back up soon

by Samantha Fields
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
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Aircraft orders can distort economic data. They also propel a lot of economic activity.

by Justin Ho
Sep 27, 2023
Their volatility can overshadow broader trends. But those orders are just the start of a long, expansive manufacturing supply chain.
While aircraft orders jump around month to month, the supply chain, which involves thousands of companies, never stops.
Juliette Michel/AFP via Getty Images
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Could electric planes tempt Americans to fly short distances instead of driving?

by Stephanie Hughes
Jul 26, 2023
Aviation company Surf Air Mobility is developing an electric engine to power planes during short jaunts. But the market is still untested.
Eviation's "Alice", the world's first all-electric commuter airplane, flew its first test flight last September. Companies are eyeing electric planes to serve passengers taking short flights.
Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images
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Boeing earnings descend, thanks to inflation and lingering supply chain problems

by Andy Uhler
Oct 26, 2022
But conditions may be improving for the planemaker.
Because Boeing had fixed price points with the U.S. government, it couldn't pass along price increases it paid to vendors.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images
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FAA plans to reduce the time planes spend taxiing on the runway

by Samantha Fields
Sep 30, 2021
In addition to reducing wait times, the FAA estimates this will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
An American Airlines plane taxis after landing on the runway at the Miami International Airport on June 16, 2021 in Miami, Florida.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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COVID-19

Grounded planes find a temporary desert home during the pandemic

by Phil Latzman
Apr 14, 2021
Many jetliners are being stored in the aviation equivalent of long-term parking in the southwestern desert of the U.S.
The desert around Pinal Airpark helps preserve aircrafts' internal systems and protects the metallic surfaces from corrosive environments.
Christian Petersen/Getty Images
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