Spirit Airlines Creditors Reviewing White House $500M Offer
By Eric Hanson
Foreign Bureau
The Trump administration's $500 million offer to save Spirit Airlines from liquidation is being reviewed by its major creditors, Marshall Huebner, an outside lawyer for the airline, told Reuters.
Huebner confirmed the ultra-low cost carrier has received a term sheet of the government's offer, which includes $500 million in financing and a condition that the government takes a 90 percent ownership stake, sources say.
While the carrier's future remains in limbo, a union representing some Spirit workers said any bailout package must protect the airline's 17,000-plus employees.
"No furloughs, no layoffs, and no shifting the burden onto the very people who keep this airline running," said the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents the airline's ramp service employees.
President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that his administration was looking to acquire the airline for the "right price."
"When the price of oil goes down, we would sell it for a profit," he said.
According to Huebner, Spirit needs new financing or access to $240 million of its funds by the end of next week to remain operable.
The potential bailout has unsurprisingly been met with pushback from lawmakers and rivals within the airline industry.
Original Text
Spirit Airlines is closing in on a $500 million rescue package from President Trump and his administration.
According to CNN, a source familiar with the negotiations said the deal could be announced this week and will likely include the federal government taking a stake in the beleaguered budget carrier.
Dania Beach, Florida-based Spirit has been struggling financially for years now, filing for bankruptcy multiple times amid failed mergers with JetBlue and Frontier Airlines.
Soaring jet fuel costs have threatened to put the final nail in Spirit's coffin.
The bailout would prevent widespread layoffs, stranded travelers and even higher airfares as U.S. airlines lose another rival in the event of a Spirit collapse. However, it could prove complicated as past federal government bailouts, including relief rendered in the wake of the COVID pandemic, have included the entire industry.
"The Trump administration continues to monitor the situation and overall health of the U.S. aviation industry that millions of Americans rely on every day for essential travel and their livelihoods," White House spokesman Kush Desai told CNN.
Spirit only said that it continues to operate its business as normal.
FAA Investigating Military Chopper, UAL Flight Cross Paths
By Robert Taylor
West Coast Bureau
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating yet another close call involving a passenger jet and a military helicopter at a U.S. airport.
On Tuesday night, a Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter crossed in front of a United Airlines flight during its final approach at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California, with radar data showing the chopper and Boeing 737 being separated by just 525 feet vertically and 1,422.43 feet (about a quarter-mile) when crossing paths.
"They saw the helicopter and also received a traffic alert, which they responded to by leveling the aircraft. The United flight then landed safely," United said in a statement.
According to the California National Guard, the helicopter was conducting a "routine training mission" and was en route to Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos, traveling "along an established Visual Flight Rules route at an assigned altitude while in communication with air traffic control."
"A thorough review will be conducted in coordination with the appropriate agencies," the National Guard confirmed.
The incident comes just days after the FAA announced a new safety measure that suspends the use of visual separation between airplanes and helicopters and instead requires air traffic controllers to use radar to actively manage aircraft to keep them separated at specific lateral or vertical distances.
Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico Must Dissolve Joint Venture, DOT
By Suzanne Edgewater
West Coast Bureau
Partner airlines Delta and Aeromexico must dissolve their joint venture agreement, the Department of Transportation said Tuesday.
The two carriers formed the agreement in 2016, and it allows them to list flights together and share revenue. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said the partnership must end because Mexico is not being fair to United States airlines.
At the center of the issue is a disagreement about Mexico City’s two airports.
Duffy says that the Mexican government rescinded slots for U.S. airlines and all-cargo carriers at the capital’s Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) in 2022 and 2023 under the guise of upcoming construction projects.
However, that construction was never started, the DOT states. The U.S. cargo airlines were forced to move to the newer but less appealing Felipe Angeles International Airport (NLU) 30 miles from the center of the city.
“By restricting slots and mandating that all-cargo operations move out of MEX, Mexico has broken its promise, disrupted the market, and left American businesses holding the bag for millions in increased costs,” the DOT says.
The change provides an unfair advantage in the market to Delta and Aeromexico, according to Duffy. As a result, he terminated the airlines’ agreement and withdrew its antitrust immunity. The two carriers must wind down the joint venture by January 1, 2026.
The two carriers will need to end common pricing, capacity management, and revenue sharing, but the DOT says they will still be able to continue “arms-length activities,” like codesharing, marketing, and coordinating their frequent flier programs.
“Empty promises mean nothing,” Duffy said. “After years of taking advantage of the U.S. and our carriers, we need to see definitive action by Mexico that levels the playing field and restores fairness. Under President Trump’s leadership, we will continue to put America First and hold any country who thinks they can distort the rules accountable.”
The termination of the partnership follows a warning from Duffy in July that he would end the agreement if Mexico didn’t take any action to restore the U.S. airlines’ slots.
“We are disappointed that the Department of Transportation has chosen to terminate its approval of the strategic and pro-competitive partnership between Delta and Aeromexico, a decision that will cause significant harm to U.S. jobs, communities and consumers traveling between the U.S. and Mexico,” Delta said. “We are reviewing the Department’s order and considering next steps.”
The airline says that all of its flights will continue to operate as normal, unless passengers are contacted by Delta.
How US Airlines Are Responding to FAA Flight Reduction Plan
By Carla Martilotti
Foreign Bureau
The government shutdown’s effect on the U.S. air travel system is about to get even more noticeable to air passengers by the end of the week.
The FAA has announced that it will cut flight schedules by 10 percent at 40 major airports across the country as the nation faces short staffing among unpaid air traffic controllers.
The list of airports that will have reduced flights are among the busiest hubs in the U.S., including Chicago O’Hare, Dallas-Forth Worth, Los Angeles, and New York's JFK. Flight reductions will begin on Friday, November 7.
Travelers should keep in mind that if their flight is canceled, they’re entitled to a full cash refund if they do not wish to rebook.
Here’s a look at how U.S. airlines are responding to the flight cuts.
Dallas-based American Airlines said that most passengers’ flights should continue to operate as scheduled.
“We expect the vast majority of our customers’ travel will be unaffected,” the airline said in an emailed statement to travelers. For those fliers who are affected, no action is necessary.
“Any customer whose flight is impacted will be proactively notified by American Airlines,” the carrier said. “We will do our best to notify customers as early as possible.”
The airline apologized to customers for any potential disrupted travel and encouraged passengers to check their flight status on its website or mobile app.
Similarly, Delta noted that it expects to operate “the vast majority of our flights as scheduled, including all long-haul international service.”
However, the Atlanta-based carrier said that it would be offering additional flexibility to passengers flying amid the air traffic reduction plan. Customers with travel plans during that window will be allowed to change or cancel their flights at no charge, even if they booked a basic economy fare.
“We will work to give customers as much notice as possible about any changes to their flights and apologize for any inconvenience these changes may cause,” the airline said.
Chicago-based United Airlines said its long-haul international flying and hub-to-hub domestic routes will not be affected by the schedule reduction. “That's important to maintain the integrity of our network, give impacted customers as many options as possible to resume their trip, and sustain our crew pairing systems,” United CEO Scott Kirby said.
The cuts will instead focus on regional flights and domestic mainline routes that don’t travel between the airline’s hubs. The airline “will continue to make rolling updates to our schedule as the government shutdown continues so we can give our customers several days' advance notice and to minimize disruption,” Kirby noted.
Any United customer flying during this time will be eligible for a full refund if they don’t want to fly, even if their flight is unaffected by the reduction plan. “That includes non-refundable tickets and those customers with basic economy tickets,” according to Kirby.
According to JetBlue’s website, the airline is monitoring the FAA’s planned flight reductions and evaluating the potential effect on its own schedule. However, the New York-based carrier didn’t specify which types of routes might be on the chopping block.
“If your flight is affected, we’ll reach out using the contact information in your reservation,” the airline told passengers. The carrier said that in most cases, it will rebook impacted passengers on the next available flight. Travelers with canceled flights who no longer wish to travel will receive a refund.
Southwest Airlines
Budget carrier Southwest said it would notify any customers affected by the flight reductions via the contact information provided at booking.
“In most cases, we will automatically rebook you on another flight,” the airline said. “You will receive a follow-up message once you’ve been rebooked.”
Travelers can also rebook their flight if their new itinerary doesn’t work for them. Affected fliers who do not wish to travel on their new itinerary should cancel their reservation at least 10 minutes before departure time to avoid triggering the airline’s no-show policy.
The airline apologized to customers for any inconvenience. “We know that these FAA-imposed cancellations can impact an important moment in your life. We appreciate your understanding,” Southwest said.
United Airlines Launching Lie-Flat Bed in Economy Class
By Paul Pearson
West Coast Bureau
Airline seats that convert to lie-flat beds with plush mattress pads usually are the stuff of business class dreams only.
But one airline is launching a makeshift lie-flat bed for passengers on long-haul flights in the economy cabin.
United Airlines just announced plans to allow travelers to convert a special row of three economy seats into a couch-like bed where they can stretch out on longer routes.
The new product, called United Relax Row, is set to debut in 2027 on the airline’s Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft that operate international flights. The Relax Row area will be located between the economy and Premier Plus cabins, and each aircraft will have up to 12 Relax Row sections per plane. The carrier expects to offer the service on 200 widebody aircraft by 2030.
The United Relax Row of three seats will feature leg rests that fold up to a 90-degree angle to create a wider space for travelers to get comfortable and fall asleep.
Travelers who book the United Relax Row will also receive a custom-fitted mattress pad, blankets, extra pillows, and even a stuffed plush toy for children. The product is designed for all types of travelers, including families with small children, couples, and solo travelers.
United is the first carrier in North America to offer a couch bed to economy fliers. Other international carriers, like Air New Zealand with its SkyCouch product, have been flying with the concept for several years.
“Customers traveling in United Economy on long-haul flights deserve an option for more space and comfort, and this is one way we can deliver that for them," said Andrew Nocella, United's executive vice president and chief commercial officer.
The plan to debut the Relax Row comes as United just announced a major fleet expansion that will see the carrier add more than 250 new aircraft over the next two years.
Airlines Waive Change Fees Ahead of Winter Storm Gianna
By Carla Martilotti
Foreign Bureau
U.S. airlines are waiving change fees for weekend travel ahead of Winter Storm Gianna.
The bomb cyclone is threatening to snarl travel from the Southeast to New England in the coming days and carriers are preparing for flight disruptions by encouraging customers to rebook at no charge.
American Airlines has issued a travel alert for nearly 30 airports across the Southeast, including hubs in Atlanta and Charlotte. Customers must be scheduled to travel through one of the affected airports between Friday, January 30 and Monday, February 2, and rebook by February 2 for travel by Friday, February 6, to avoid a fare difference.
Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines has also issued a notice for travelers flying into or out of more than 20 airports in the Southeast on Saturday, January 31 or Sunday, February 1. Customers must rebook and travel by Wednesday, February 4, to avoid any potential added costs.
United Airlines' waiver covers Friday, January 30 to Sunday, February 1, and customers have until Sunday, February 8 to complete rebooked travel.
Southwest Airlines and others have followed suit so travelers in the storm's path are encouraged to check with their carrier to learn all of their options. As always, travelers are advised to check their flight status with their airline before arriving at the airport.
Spring Break 2026: Why Your Airfare Might Actually Cost Less
By Jane Sandoval
West Coast Bureau
Good news, spring break travelers: Your airfare is likely far more budget-friendly this year than in 2025.
A new analysis conducted by Points Path shows that economy airfare for spring break travel between February 21 and April 13 is trending lower year over year, with international routes seeing the biggest price drops.
In particular, international economy airfare is down 7.16 percent compared to 2025. Domestic economy tickets, meanwhile, are 3.51 percent cheaper this year.
“This spring break is shaping up to be one of the best chances travelers have had in years to find a deal especially for international trips,” says Julian Kheel, CEO and founder of Points Path.
Here’s a closer look at where some of the best airfare deals are showing up.
U.S. Mountain West ski destinations
Late-season softness and below-average snowfall are driving meaningful price declines to popular ski hubs — making spring break ski trips more affordable even without fresh powder. Some of the most notable destinations seeing price declines include:
- Salt Lake City: -6.57%
- Aspen: -11.65%
- Vail: -13.91%
Major European hubs
Transatlantic airfare is also down during what’s typically a high-demand window, offering travelers lower prices, fewer crowds, and milder spring weather, per Points Path. Notable bargains include:
Paris: -12.24%
London: -7.86%
Rome: -13.76%
Tokyo during cherry blossom season
Tokyo is one destination I would typically recommend avoiding in spring. (That is, if crowds flocking to see the cherry blossoms and the accompanying high prices are not your thing.) But Points Path suggests that despite the peak seasonal demand, airfare to Japan is trending lower:
Tokyo: -12.62%
Cash fares down...but points can cost more
One more all-important note while we’re on the topic of spring break airline ticket prices.
The cost of cash prices are indeed falling for airline tickets, but the same cannot be said for award tickets pricing. According to Points Path the costs here are moving in the opposite direction, with travelers often needing more points or miles for the same flights.
It seems premium cabins remain especially expensive (not entirely shocking):
Domestic premium cabin cash fares: +5.98%
Domestic premium cabin award pricing: +17.37%
UAL Reaches Tentative Deal With Flight Attendants
By Sandy Rogers
Foreign Bureau
United Airlines and its flight attendants’ union, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), have tentatively reached their first new labor agreement in about six years. If ratified, this would make United the last major U.S. airline to finalize a post-pandemic deal with its cabin crews.
It would mean bigger paychecks, better scheduling and other long-overdue changes for the carrier’s roughly 30,000 flight attendants. The tentative contract is subject to approval by the AFA-CWA’s Master Executive Council, including all Local Presidents, and must also be ratified by its flight attendant membership.
The deal would result in immediate pay increases upon approval, with top hourly wages climbing to $100 by the end of the contract, making United’s flight attendants the top-paid in the industry. It also adds compensation for boarding times, covers long stretches between flights and includes a signing bonus package worth a total of $740 million.
If it’s ultimately accepted by all parties, the contract would be valid for five years before becoming amendable again.
According to CNBC, this new deal comes after flight attendants rejected a previous labor contract in July 2025 that would have included immediate pay raises of 26 percent.
The timing is also worth noting, as United has been investing heavily in upgrading its premium cabins with new seats that convert to lie-flat beds and providing improved onboard dining options.
Buried Watchdog Report Warns of Serious Security Risks
By John Stutz
West Coast Bureau
Maybe we should be taking our shoes off after all when going through airport security checkpoints.
A new internal watchdog report, largely buried by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has identified "serious vulnerabilities" in TSA screenings at U.S. airports, according to CBS.
The vulnerabilities called out by the watchdog report include the Trump Administration's decision to allow travelers to keep their shoes on during airport security screenings.
That decision marked a shift from the longtime 'shoes off' checkpoint policy, which had been in place since 2006 and was initiated by the so-called 2001 'shoe bomber' plot. On December 22, 2001, just four months after the 9-11 attacks on the World Trade Center, a man named Richard Reid boarded an American Airlines flight with 10 ounces of explosives in his shoe.
The new watchdog report about the Trump Administration's security checkpoint changes was provided to DHS five months ago. DHS, which until recently was led by Kristi Noem, has not responded to the concerning findings, according to internal communications provided to House Homeland Security Committee staff and reviewed by CBS.
The report in question was developed after a classified inspector general audit deployed what’s known as "red team" testing at various U.S. airport checkpoints. As part of those audits, undercover investigators tried to slip simulated weapons or explosives past TSA screeners. The results of that effort raised what CBS is now describing as “serious concerns about vulnerabilities in TSA screening procedures.”
Investigators are questioning whether the politically expedient decision to allow Americans to keep their shoes on outpaced the technological capabilities of U.S. airports to identify threats concealed in travelers' footwear.
While Noem previously told lawmakers on Capitol Hill that her agency responded to and addressed the concerns in the inspector general's report, that does not appear to be the case. A recent March 4 memo from Inspector General Joseph Cuffari says his office has not received any evidence to support Noem's claim.
Per CBS, auditors say they are still waiting for even the most basic step in the oversight process: A formal "management decision" explaining whether TSA agrees with the report’s findings, along with any corrective actions that may be on the horizon. Under federal law, agencies like TSA must provide a "management decision" within 90 days. Moreover, the decision must make clear whether the agency in question agrees with the inspector general’s findings and what actions will be taken in response. According to documents reviewed by CBS News, that process has not yet even begun.
Noem was recently dismissed from her job following the killing of two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
The news of the rushed decision to allow travelers to keep their shoes on while passing through security comes at a time when U.S. airports and TSA are already under intense strain. Hundreds of TSA agents have quit amid the partial government shutdown that began on February 14 due to disagreements in Congress over a funding measure.
Democrats are refusing to fund the Department of Homeland Security without meaningful reforms for ICE agents following the shooting deaths of Good and Pretti in Minneapolis. Democrats have tried several times to vote unanimously to fund the TSA and other agencies that are now operating unpaid, like the Coast Guard and FEMA.
Republicans however, have refused to fund these agencies without funding ICE. President Trump is also not bringing the parties together to find a compromise. Instead Trump has demanded that Republicans reject any funding agreement that does not also pass the SAVE America Act, a measure voting rights activists have condemned as a voter suppression bill that would disenfranchises as many as 69 million women — by requiring Americans to produce a passport or birth certificate that matches their current legal name to register to vote.
Frontier Airlines Will Shrink Fleet by Dozens of Aircraft
By Mike Sanchez
West Coast Bureau
Low-cost-carrier Frontier Airlines is shrinking its existing fleet and delaying plans to buy additional planes in an effort to make operations more profitable.
The Denver-based airline said on February 11 that it is arranging an early return of 24 Airbus A320neo planes that are currently in operation to its aircraft lessor AerCap Holdings.
Leases on the 24 planes were set to expire within the next two to eight years, according to Frontier. The airline expects to complete the returns by the end of the second quarter of 2026.
As part of the deal, AerCap will also agree to 10 future sale-leaseback transactions for aircraft scheduled to be delivered in 2028 and 2029.
The move “represents a significant milestone in our new strategy to improve the productivity of the airline by a disciplined right sizing of our fleet,” said Frontier President and CEO Jimmy Dempsey. “We are delighted AerCap will remain one of our largest lessors, and we look forward to expanding our partnership with an additional ten sale‑leaseback transactions."
In its annual earnings call on February 11, the low-cost airline announced a net loss of $137 million for 2025.
Frontier executives also announced on the airline’s earnings call that the carrier has reached a non-binding agreement with Airbus to defer 69 new Airbus A320neo planes that had been scheduled to be delivered between 2027 and 2030.
“As we look ahead to fiscal 2026, we are encouraged by demand trends and are laser focused on returning Frontier to profitability, strengthening our competitive position and driving enhanced value for our stakeholders,” Dempsey said about the 2025 earnings report. “To achieve this, we're executing a strategy centered on four key priorities: rightsizing our fleet, strengthening our cost discipline, reducing cancellations and improving on-time performance, and maturing customer loyalty."
Despite its smaller fleet, Frontier has announced the launch of 23 new routes across the U.S. and Mexico that are scheduled to begin in March and April. The airline confirmed in its earnings report that those route launches will be moving ahead.
A Lifetime of Crafting Award-Winning Children's Stories
By Carla Martilotti
Foreign Bureau
Big changes have been rolling out at security and customs checkpoints at airports across the United States.
Earlier in July, the TSA ended its shoes-off policy for travelers in the regular security line, making the screening process in that lane faster and less of a hassle. Meanwhile, Customs and Border Protection has launched a new program called Enhanced Passenger Processing, which allows travelers a faster screening option using facial recognition at nine U.S. airports and two international airports, even if they’re not Global Entry members.
But with TSA’s and CBP’s normal lanes getting faster and easier, does that mean that programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are losing their value? We asked air travel experts for their thoughts on whether travelers should still shell out for the known traveler memberships.
One thing to keep in mind is that even though keeping shoes on will help regular TSA lines go faster, the screening process is still more complicated.
PreCheck is still “different than the regular line considering you don't have to remove large electronics, and you go through a metal detector, which doesn't require emptying your pockets the same way as in the regular line,” says Brett Snyder, president of air travel assistance firm Cranky Concierge.
Indeed, PreCheck lines are still faster than the regular lane even after the shoe policy change, with PreCheck wait times averaging less than 10 minutes, according to TSA.
Snyder also points to another PreCheck perk that’s not as obvious: access to Touchless ID, the program that allows travelers to use a facial scan to access the security screening area instead of showing an ID and boarding pass.
Touchless ID is an ultra-fast option, but is only offered to fliers with PreCheck flying on airlines and through airports that participate in the program. (American Airlines, Delta, United, and Alaska Airlines all participate in the program at 14 major U.S. airports.)
Plus, TSA has a long way to go before its expedited memberships become obsolete. “We’ve dispensed with the shoe carnival, but the war on water continues,” says Gary Leff, an airline expert and author of the aviation blog View From the Wing. “That might change – it would be a huge win! – but it’s difficult to predict. Although PreCheck members are subject to the same 3-1-1 liquid restrictions as travelers in the regular line, they at least don’t need to remove their liquids, which shaves off a precious few moments. “In the past TSA has said they won’t lift liquid restrictions until the 2040s, when they finish rolling out new scanning technology. That should be an embarrassment to the agency, that it will take them another 15 years. But the DHS Secretary says it could come soon. Who knows?”
Some say that even when the dreaded liquid rule is eventually overturned, and other hassles like removing large electronics go by the wayside, PreCheck lines will still be worth it. “Usually, the TSA Pre-check lines are shorter,” says Michael Boyd, president and CEO of aviation analytics firm Boyd Group International. “Yes, plan on the liquid restrictions going away for everyone. Plan on the nonsense of taking out laptops to go away. But still the lines at Pre-Check in terms of numbers of people will be less.”
Although PreCheck memberships seem like they will hold their value for years to come, it’s not clear if the same will be true for Global Entry. “At this point, I think most people will still find value in TSA Precheck, but fewer and fewer will see Global Entry as important,” Snyder says. Thanks to programs like the CBP’s Enhanced Passenger Processing, which is making regular customs checks faster. The program photographs “travelers using auto capture technology to provide a complete customs assessment (biometric confirmation, eligibility, enforcement) before they reach the CBP officer,” according to a CBP news release.
The experts believe that security and customs processes will only continue to become more streamlined, with more and more new technology making checkpoints faster. One recent example is the just-launched One Stop Security program, which allows travelers on certain connecting international flights to bypass a second security screening. Both American Airlines and Delta Air Lines have joined the initiative for some of their flights to and from London. “We’re already seeing tests of checked bags not having to be collected and dropped back off for connecting passengers arriving off of international flights, and tests of not having to pick up bags or even re-clear security,” Leff says. “I don’t expect rapid expansion of these projects, but both help bring us more in line with better processes from abroad.”
For the time being, each flier needs to assess their travel habits to know whether PreCheck and Global Entry memberships are still worth it. “Whether or not you want to go through the trouble of PreCheck depends on how frequently you travel,” Leff says. “If you’re a several-times-a-year-international traveler, Global Entry (or even better, Nexus) is a no brainer. A once-a-year traveler might find it a break-even proposition, unless the cost is rebated through a premium credit card.”
JetBlue Releases Statement Following Reports of Merger Talks
By James Stinton
West Coast Bureau
Aviation industry blogs are reporting that JetBlue has enlisted advisors to gauge the viability of a sale to one of its rival carriers.
Semafor was the first publication to report the development, citing individuals familiar with the developments. Reueters has also since picked up the story, which apparently involves the low-cost carrier exploring various potential sale scenarios involving its rivals. Those scenarios include a potential purchases by United Airlines, Alaska Airlines or Southwest Airlines, per the Semafor report.
Reached via email by TravelPulse, JetBlue declined to comment on speculation and rumors surrounding a potential sale. However, the spokesman said JetBlue has “made meaningful progress” on its multi-year JetForward strategy and is focused on executing that plan.
As part of that plan, the airline has been working to shrink costs, while also expanding its network and improving services for travelers.
“We’re confident JetForward is the right strategy to restore profitability and create value for our shareholders and opportunities for our crewmembers,” said the spokesman.
As of Tuesday, JetBlue’s market value was about $1.55 billion, per Reuters. Earlier in March, the airline reported that it was on target to post $850 to $950 million in incremental operating profit by 2027 thanks to its JetForward plan
Rumors of the airline’s potential sale follows the failed 2024 effort to merge with Spirit Airlines. A U.S. judge blocked that deal due to anti-competition concerns.
These US Airports Are Safety ‘Hot Spots,’ FAA Report Says
By Eric Hanson
Foreign Bureau
The FAA has released a new report warning of potential runway safety issues at dozens of airports nationwide.
The report identifies more than 150 airports in the United States that are at increased risk for potential ground safety issues, such as runway incursions—near misses that occur when planes or vehicles aren’t positioned properly—or aircraft collisions.
The FAA calls the airports in the report “airport surface hot spots” where pilots and ground operations drivers should exercise heightened awareness in the runway area. The agency keeps a rolling list of such hot spots that it updates periodically.
Among the scores of airports identified as hot spots in the report are some of the busiest hubs in the country, including Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), San Francisco (SFO), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), and all three major New York City airports: John F. Kennedy (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA), and Newark (EWR).
Just days after the updated list was released on March 19, a fatal collision occurred on a runway at LaGuardia when a regional plane landing at the airport crashed into a Port Authority fire truck, killing two pilots and injuring dozens of passengers. The deadly incident happened in the early morning of March 23.
To help prevent similar incidents, the FAA has been encouraging busy airports to install transponders on runway vehicles so air traffic controllers can see the location of every vehicle on the tarmac, according to the AP. Vehicles with the tracking equipment will trigger a system warning in the event of a runway incursion.
LaGuardia has this system in place, but early investigations show that the fire truck wasn’t using a transponder at the time of the collision.
In addition to major commercial airports, the FAA report also includes risk information for military airports and facilities that handle private air travel.
US Travel Association Slams New World Cup Travel Advisory
By Carla Martilotti
Foreign Bureau
The U.S. Travel Association is condemning a new travel advisory warning visitors to the U.S. about potential human rights abuses during this summer's 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Dignity 2026 Coalition, which includes dozens of advocacy groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), issued the advisory amid heightened anxiety less than two months before the tournament gets underway.
On Thursday, the ACLU warned that fans, players, journalists and other visitors to the U.S. could face "racial profiling and discrimination by law enforcement, invasive social media screening and searches of electronic devices, the suppression of speech and protest, and the risk of cruel or inhuman treatment, with some cases resulting in death, while in immigration detention facilities or custody."
"FIFA has unique leverage right now to pressure the U.S. government to respect the fundamental human rights of every person visiting and attending the games, as well as those working and living in the 11 U.S. host cities," the ACLU stated. "That's why the ACLU and other members of the Dignity 2026 Coalition have been urging FIFA to act. But FIFA has yet to offer meaningful assurances."
The advisory was unsurprisingly met with significant pushback from the U.S. travel industry, which deemed it a political ploy.
"Let's say the quiet part out loud: the campaign by civil society organizations to discourage World Cup travel isn't about protecting visitors. It's about using the livelihoods of American workers and businesses as leverage to influence policies they oppose," U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman said in a statement issued Thursday.
"That's not advocacy. That's sabotage."
Freeman conceded that there are "legitimate concerns about U.S. entry policies right now" that his organization has acknowledged publicly, but argued that progress is in the works and the advisory misrepresents the current situation.
"Has the Trump administration made progress in numerous areas? Unequivocally. Let’s deal in fact, not fiction. For example, the number of travelers detained at Customs to have their devices searched is a difference of less than 0.01% between the Biden and Trump administrations, according to official Customs and Border Protection data," said Freeman.
"We continue to oppose potential visa fees, social media screening, and policies that make the U.S. less competitive as a destination. We say that directly, including to the Administration itself," he added. "But discouraging travel by calling the U.S. unsafe for visitors is a different thing entirely. Sixty-seven million international travelers came to the United States last year. The notion that visiting America poses a meaningful safety risk is not a good-faith warning; it's a political tactic designed to cause economic harm."
"There are legitimate ways to challenge policies you oppose. Harming the livelihoods of American workers and businesses by frightening away visitors isn't one of them," argued Freeman. "We'll keep doing it differently: making the honest case, staying in the room, and fighting for an America that's open, competitive, and worth the trip."
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off on June 11, with 104 matches taking place across 16 host cities in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
Delta Air Lines Expands Flights to Hawaii From Mainland US
By Carla Martilotti
Foreign Bureau
Delta Air Lines announced plans to launch new nonstop service between Minneapolis–St. Paul and Maui, Hawaii.
The carrier’s new flights between Minnesota and Hawaii will operate daily during peak holiday and spring break periods, with five weekly flights scheduled through the winter season, operated on the Airbus A330-300.
Delta also revealed the return of nonstop service between Boston and Honolulu, with daily flights during peak late-December travel before transitioning to four weekly frequencies through the winter season, also using the Airbus A330-300.
In addition to the new and returning routes, the airline has broadened its Hawaii schedule with added frequencies, earlier seasonal service, and aircraft enhancements designed to support peak winter travel. Delta revealed the changes below:
Atlanta (ATL) – Honolulu (HNL): Second frequency operating three-times-weekly from January 4, 2027, through March on the Airbus A330-300.
Detroit (DTW) – Honolulu (HNL): Expands from three-times-weekly to daily service beginning November 9, 2026, operated by the Airbus A330-300.
New York-JFK – Honolulu (HNL): Expands from up to five weekly flights to daily service beginning April 1, 2026, on the Boeing 767-300.
Salt Lake City (SLC) – Kona (KOA): Daily service on the Boeing 767-300 will begin November 9, 2026, launching earlier than last year and giving Mountain West customers an earlier start to winter travel to the Big Island.
Los Angeles (LAX) – Kona (KOA): Beginning November 9, 2026, service will be upgauged to the Boeing 767‑300 for the winter season, providing customers with a widebody onboard experience to Hawaii Island.
Virgin Voyages Celebrates First Panama Canal Crossing
By Eric Hanson
Foreign Bureau
Thursday marked a major milestone for Virgin Voyages as the popular brand celebrated its inaugural Panama Canal crossing.
The "adult-by-design cruise line" live-streamed Brilliant Lady's trip through the historic waterway during a "Sea It Live!" eight-hour YouTube broadcast.
Launched in New York late last year, Brilliant Lady is heading west through the Panama Canal to begin her debut season in Los Angeles, before becoming the first Virgin ship to sail to Alaska this summer.
Since Brilliant Lady's three sister ships were never able to transit the Panama Canal due to its strict dimensional limits, Virgin Voyages' naval architects redesigned the ship with a custom davit system that pulls the lifeboats further inboard.
The aft overhang on Deck 7 was also removed entirely and select mid-ship balconies on Deck 8 were reconfigured into a new cabin category: the Slightly Smaller Sea Terrace.
"Bringing Brilliant Lady through the Panama Canal is a defining moment for our fleet and for our crew. This is one of the most technically demanding passages in the world, and it requires absolute precision from our marine and technical team," Frank Weber, SVP of Fleet Operations, said in a statement.
"From propulsion to bridge operations, every element of the ship has been carefully configured and planned to navigate environments like this while maintaining the seamless experience our sailors expect," added Weber.
Virgin Voyages' next Panama Canal crossing aboard Brilliant Lady will sail from Los Angeles to Miami on a 17-night voyage departing October 29, 2026.
SW Marks 'Turning Point' With Record First Quarter Results
By Robert Jeffers
East Coast Bureau
Southwest Airlines achieved a significant milestone this week, reporting first-quarter financial results after fully implementing an 18-month transformational plan.
The Dallas-based low-cost carrier reported operating revenues of $7.2 billion, a first-quarter record and up 12.8 percent year-over-year.
Other Q1 highlights included net income of $227 million and $0.45 earnings per share, which were in line with guidance.
The carrier's operating margin of 4.6 percent marked an improvement of 8.1 points year-over-year, while Southwest generated $1.4 billion in operating cash flow in the quarter and saw record first‑quarter passenger, operating and unit revenues.
Southwest said that approximately 60 percent of customers upgraded from the base product in the first quarter of 2026, up from approximately 20 percent in 2025. What's more, Rapid Rewards loyalty program engagement strengthened, with enrollments up 37 percent and tier‑status earners increasing 62 percent, year-over-year.
"First quarter 2026 marked a turning point for Southwest, as our broad set of commercial, operational, and cost initiatives is now translating into terrific results," President and CEO Bob Jordan said in a statement.
"Demand for our new product offerings drove record first quarter revenues, double‑digit unit revenue growth, and significant improvement in earnings and margins. These results were achieved despite significantly higher fuel costs, underscoring the momentum across the business and the strength of our transformed business model."
Q1 2026 saw Southwest roll out one of its biggest changes in introducing assigned seating.
"Our customers have embraced and value our new products, and that is reflected in our financial performance," added Jordan. "Demand continues to be strong, and we remain focused on controlling what we can control by managing costs, optimizing revenue initiatives, and directing capacity toward higher‑return opportunities. While the external environment remains uncertain, we are confident in our positioning and the strong momentum we are seeing at Southwest."
Looking ahead to the second quarter, Southwest will continue to navigate rising jet fuel costs. It joined other U.S. airlines in raising checked bag fees to help offset the rise earlier this month and anticipates its second quarter 2026 fuel cost per gallon to be between $4.10 and $4.15, up from $2.73 per gallon in Q1.