Free Republic

Southwest Airlines issued a press statement Thursday declaring their intention to fire around 2,000 employees and cancel service to four airports following financial difficulties. “[W]e are implementing cost control initiatives, including limiting hiring and offering voluntary time off programs. We now expect to end 2024 with approximately 2,000 fewer Employees as compared with the end of 2023,” Bob Jordan, the president and CEO of Southwest Airlines ... Jordan also announced that the company was shutting down its service to three airports in the United States and one in Mexico. “[W]e have made the difficult decision to close our operations at...

Just breaking. Posting this in a hurry for any one who has a flight today on Alaska Airlines.

American Airlines’ pilots union has reported a “significant spike” in safety issues, raising red flags over fewer routine aircraft inspections and shorter test flights on planes following major maintenance work. The Allied Pilots Association cited a slew of “problematic trends” in an email to members Saturday, noting a “significant spike in safety- and maintenance-related problems.” It highlighted incidents in which tools were left in wheel wells and items were left in the sterile area around planes parked at airport gates. The airline has increased the time between routine inspections and ended overnight maintenance checks unless a plane is written up...

Reclining seats are one of the most controversial airline amenities. For some, it's a necessity for getting comfortable on long flights. But for others, it's a source of broken laptops, spilled drinks, and mid-flight arguments. No matter which camp you fall into, it's no secret that personal space in economy has slowly, but surely, eroded over the years. And as airlines release new seat designs, some travelers fear When Southwest Airlines recently debuted its new cabins rolling out on planes in 2025, travelers were quick to take to social media complaining about the seemingly thin design. The airline has since...

Today, the interior of a commercial aircraft operated by a full-service network carrier like United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, or American Airlines looks very different from what it did thirty years ago. The economy cabin looks relatively the same, although technological upgrades like modern seatback televisions and in-seat power outlets may make the passenger experience somewhat more enjoyable. Across the board, however, the cabin's configuration is not that different. Towards the front of the aircraft, however, is where things really get interesting and where a stark contrast can be seen between the present and the past. Prior to the turn...

BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany's Lufthansa said on Wednesday it suspended flights to and from Tehran from April 6 until probably April 11, "due to the current situation in the Middle East". Countries in the region and the United States have been on high alert and preparing for a possible attack by Iran in response to a suspected bombing by Israeli warplanes of the Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1. "We are constantly monitoring the situation in the Middle East and are in close contact with the authorities. The safety of our guests and crew members is Lufthansa's top priority," a...

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 flight to Houston returns to Denver after engine cover tears away during takeoff

In a move that has captured the imagination of skywatchers and travelers alike, Delta Air Lines is setting the stage and offering two special flights that will allow flyers to witness next week's total solar eclipse from the best vantage point possible. The flights will take place on Monday, with one going from Austin to Detroit and a second route from Dallas to Detroit. Both sold out in 24 hours. These flights were strategically chosen to skirt the path of the eclipse, with a special detour over southeast Missouri planned for the optimal viewing experience. There, the aircraft will perform...

A United Airlines Boeing 787 flight made an emergency landing Friday evening, leaving 22 passengers injured due to “severe” turbulence. Flight 85 was flying from Tel Aviv to Newark, New Jersey, when severe turbulence struck, forcing it to divert its path to New York Stewart International Airport in Orange County, New York, around 6:45 p.m. New Windsor paramedics rushed to the scene as soon as the plane touched down.

The new head of Boeing’s troubled commercial airplane unit said the planemaker faces a “pivotal moment” as it works to boost quality and address significant concerns from regulators and airline customers after a panel flew off a 737 MAX 9 jet in January. “This is a pivotal moment for us, and we have serious work ahead to build trust and improve our operations,” said Stephanie Pope, who was named president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes ... Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced he would leave by the end of the year, while the company’s long-time head of commercial airplanes, Stan...

The hate-spewing American Airlines passenger seen in a viral video being put in a headlock and marched off a flight also drunkenly ranted about “blue-eyed white devils” — and threatened to “take this plane down with all you ------–kers on it,” according to court documents. The passenger, identified as 29-year-old Florida man Shail Patel, had already been accused of hurling an antisemitic slur at a flight attendant during the wild scuffle on American Airlines Flight 2506 from his hometown of Tampa to Philadelphia on Tuesday. He had bloodshot eyes and reeked of alcohol — and yelled at other passengers, “F–k...

A group of major US airline CEOs have reportedly requested a meeting with Boeing’s board to express concerns over production problems following near-disastrous fuselage blowout aboard an Alaska Airlines flight. The airline chiefs want Boeing directors to spell out their plan for fixing quality problems at the aircraft maker as US regulators scrutinize the company following the Jan. 5 incident on a 737 MAX, people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal on Thursday. Boeing has responded by offering meetings with chairman Larry Kellner, a former chief executive of Continental Airlines, as well as other board members as...

This is the chaotic moment a belligerent American Airlines passenger was put in a headlock and dragged out by a fellow flyer before takeoff. The disruptive male passenger was removed from flight 2506 that was set to fly from Tampa International Airport to Philadelphia on Tuesday. During the outburst, which caused a 30-minute delay, the man yelled an anti-Semitic slur at a flight attendant and seemed to threaten another passenger. In a statement, American Airline told DailyMail.com: 'Prior to departure of American Airlines flight 2506 with service from Tampa (TPA) to Philadelphia (PHL), law enforcement was requested to the aircraft...

Lawyers for a Boeing whistleblower found dead on the day he was due to testify against the jetliner giant are questioning that he killed himself in a South Carolina parking lot — and calling for an investigation. “We need more information about what happened to John,” attorneys Robert Turkewitz and Brian Knowles, who represent former Boeing manager John Barnett, said in a statement Tuesday. “The Charleston police need to investigate this fully and accurately and tell the public. “We didn’t see any indication he would take his own life,” they added. “No one can believe it.” “No detail can be...

BBC is reporting that an ex-Boeing employee known for raising concerns about the firm's production standards has been found dead in the United States — John Barnett had worked for Boeing for 32 years, until his retirement in 2017 — In the days before his death, he had been giving evidence in a whistleblower lawsuit against the company. According to BBC, Charleston County coroner said the 62-year-old had died from a "self-inflicted gunshot wound" on 9 March and police were investigating.

A United Airlines plane flying from San Francisco to Mexico City made an emergency landing in Los Angeles on Friday after a hydraulics issue was reported by the crew. The plane, an Airbus A320 jetliner, safely landed at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) around 4:30 p.m. local time Friday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). *** This was the fourth emergency landing of a United Airlines flight this week and will be investigated by the FAA. ***

Does anyone know why so many flights have been cancelled? My wife was going to fly from Phoenix to Miami this evening, but the flight was cancelled, and there seems to be nothing else available on any airline. At first the airline said it was due to weather, but later somebody said it was something to do with air traffic control problems. There seems to be nothing on the news about this.

“United flights provide life-changing new perspectives and new opportunities to millions of customers and, in turn, tens of thousands of employees. We want to offer those opportunities to as many people as possible, from every background. Our purpose-driven commitment to DEI is the right thing to do—and it’s an essential driver of our growth and sustainable financial success.”

The Minority Pilot Advancement Foundation launched today during Black History Month with the goal of bringing 600 minority and women pilots per year into the aviation industry. By educating, inspiring and funding minority teens in aviation careers, the Foundation is poised to drive generational change by breaking the cycle of lack of advancement opportunities, and to help alleviate the significant pilot shortage in the United States. Because of that shortage, major airline companies have dropped the need for a four-year degree as a prerequisite for employment as an airline pilot, opening opportunities to youth who may not realize that a...

A Boeing 737 Max 8 operated by United Airlines veered off the runway after landing in Houston early Friday in the latest near-miss involving the embattled airliner. The aircraft, which arrived from Memphis, is said to have suffered some form of gear collapse as it exited the runway at George Bush Airport, although the 160 passengers and six crew were not injured. Shocking footage showed the plane lying flat on its wings on grass by the side of the runway, while passengers were hurried off from an emergency gate ladder.