Passenger Arrested After Opening Emergency Exit Door
By Eric Hanson
Foreign Bureau
A passenger was arrested after opening the emergency exit and deploying the slide on a JetBlue flight as it was taxiing ahead of takeoff at Boston's Logan International Airport on Tuesday.
According to NBC Boston, the incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. local time after the man allegedly argued with his girlfriend aboard the flight, which was bound for San Juan, Puerto Rico.
"Two people directly behind me, they were arguing, boyfriend and girlfriend," passenger Fred Wynn said in a video recorded on the flight. "I guess the boyfriend wanted to see the girlfriend's phone, and she wouldn't let him see."
Wynn said the man "got up, ran down the center aisle, grabbed the emergency door."
No injuries were reported but the flight was delayed as a result. Massachusetts State Police boarded the plane to take the man into custody and said in a statement that the passenger "wanted to deplane" and "opened an aircraft door suddenly and without warning."
The unruly passenger is expected to be arraigned on charges in East Boston District Court on Wednesday.
JetBlue Stock Is Rising
By Suzanne Edgewater
Foreign Bureau
It’s the four words that CEO’s and other company executives love to hear – The stock is up.
Despite a slow bounce-back from COVID as well as some dubious financial decisions, investors are in love again with JetBlue Airways.
JetBlue hit a 52-week high of $8.25 per share, riding a nearly 50 percent increase in its stock. That included several key decisions that were generally accepted on Wall Street, including a change in CEO’s and the announcement of first-class domestic flights coming in 2026.
Morgan Stanley has also given an "Equalweight" rating and the airline is making the switch to more fuel-efficient Airbus planes. JetBlue will also use Airbus equipment at a key critical hub in Boston, as well as in Madrid and Edinburgh.
There have also been rumors that JetBlue maintains a strong relationship with Alaska Airlines and have discussed a merger.
In Las Vegas, they would say that JetBlue is on a heater.
The Most (and Least) Powerful Passports of 2025
By Suzanne Edgewater
West Coast Bureau
The 2025 Henley Passport Index is here to tell us which countries boast the world’s most powerful passports—and which ones are the most restrictive.
The Passport Index, which ranks all 199 passports based on how many destinations to which they provide visa-free access, uses data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The Most Powerful Passports of 2025
This year, Singapore passports are once again the most powerful in the world, with visa-free access to 195 out of 227 destinations across the globe.
In second place is another Asian country: Japan. With visa-free travel to 193 countries, including China, Japanese passports remain one of the most powerful.
Third place is tied between four different countries in the European Union along with two others: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Finland and South Korea all rank third, offering visa-free access to 192 destinations.
Seven nations within the European Union all tie in fourth place, each offering access to 191 destinations without a visa. These are Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. In fifth place are five countries, with access to 190 destinations: Belgium, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland and the UK.
Where The United States Ranks
The United States ranks 9th globally, with access to 186 destinations without a need for a visa. It saw the second-largest drop (after Venezuela) between 2015 and 2025. Back in 2015, it held second place. Only 22 countries' passports dropped in rankings during the past decade—Canada and the UK have also dropped.
Interestingly, US nationals are the single largest demographic applying for alternative residence and citizenship, comprising 21 percent of all investment migration program applications. Wealth migration is a growing trend globally, which Henley & Partners expects to grow in 2025.
“Even before the advent of a second Trump presidency, American political trends had become notably inward-looking and isolationist,” said Annie Pforzheimer, Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “Even though US economic health relies heavily on immigration, tourism, and trade, voters during the 2024 presidential campaign were fed a narrative that America can (and should) stand alone. Ultimately, if tariffs and deportations are the Trump administration’s default policy tools, not only will the US continue to decline on the mobility index on a comparative basis, but it will probably do so in absolute terms as well. This trend in tandem with China’s greater openness will likely give rise to Asia’s greater soft power dominance worldwide.”
The Least Powerful Passports of 2025
Afghanistan ranks last in the global list at 106th, able to visit just 26 destinations without a visa. By comparison, Singaporeans at the top of the list can visit 169 more destinations without a visa than Afghans.
Syria ranks 105th, with access to 27 destinations; Iraq is third-to-last, with 31 destinations; Yemen and Pakistan share 103rd place with access to 33 destinations without a visa; and in 102nd place is Somalia, with visa-free access to 35 destinations.
TSA Discovers Stunning Number of Firearms in 2024
By Carla Martilotti
Foreign Bureau
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that officers intercepted a total of 6,678 firearms at airport security checkpoints in 2024.
Last year’s total was a decrease from the 6,737 firearms discovered by TSA agents in 2023, which comes after the government agency unveiled the “Prepare, Pack, Declare” public awareness campaign throughout 2024.
TSA screened over 904 million travelers last year, with officers discovering 7.4 firearms per million people, a decrease from 7.8 in 2023. Of the 6,678 guns confiscated, around 94 percent were loaded.
“One firearm at a checkpoint is too many,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said. “Firearms present a safety risk for our employees and everyone else at the checkpoint. It’s also costly and slows down operations.”
“If individuals who carry a firearm intend to travel, we remind them that the firearm must be unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case, declared to the airline at the check-in counter and transported in checked baggage,” Pekoske said.
While traveling with a gun is permitted when done correctly, people who try to go through a TSA checkpoint with an undeclared firearm face a maximum civil penalty of $14,950 in addition to any action taken by local law enforcement.
Uptick in Travel Drives Increased Demand for Security
By Eric Hanson
Foreign Bureau
In 2024, an increase in travel has prompted a significant rise in the demand for security advisory and extraction protection services, according to the Global Rescue Spring 2024 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.
Global Rescue is a leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services around the world. For the study, the company polled 2,000 of its current and former members to discover their behaviors, attitudes and preferences when it comes to current and future travel plans.
A notable 63 percent of seasoned travelers indicated they would purchase security extraction protection services if the U.S. State Department travel advisory for their intended destination was rated Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) or Level 2 (exercise increased caution).
Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce, highlighted the impact of current global conflicts on travel security decisions. “Travelers are saying the war in Ukraine, the Hamas attacks on Israel, or other violent conflicts make it more likely they will add security extraction and advisory protection to their travel protection packages,” he said.
The survey findings further revealed that nearly a third (31 percent) of respondents would seek additional security travel protection when traveling to areas prone to terrorism, civil unrest or regions neighboring war zones. Additionally, 27 percent would obtain such protection for any international travel, regardless of specific regional threats.
Correspondingly, Richards revealed that his company is seeing a significant increase in demand for these protection products. "We're experiencing double-digit growth in membership sales for both medical evacuation and security protection services. As travel booms, we’re seeing an understandable increase in traveler safety concern worldwide,” he said.
Another notable finding from the survey is the shift in travel preferences regarding the customarily popular destination of Paris. Nearly 90 percent of respondents indicated they would avoid the French capital city in 2024 altogether.
The attitude of these experienced travelers toward Paris seemed to stem from a mix of safety concerns about potential protests and civil unrest, the anticipated crowds from the upcoming Summer Olympic Games and a general preference for less traditional travel destinations.
The Most On-Time Airlines and Airports of 2024, Revealed
By Michael Sinclair
Foreign Bureau
The most timely airlines and airports of 2024 have been revealed by aviation analytics company Cirium’s Annual On-Time Performance Review—and the most on-time airlines and airports might just surprise you.
Mexico’s flag carrier, Aeromexico, was the most on-time global airline of the year. The airline was on-time 87 percent of the time. Saudia was second, boasting an on-time rate of 86.35 percent. Delta Air Lines, the most on-time airline of North America, took third place globally, taking off on-time about 83 percent of the time.
North America’s other leading airlines are, in order, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines.
Regionally, Iberia Express was the most on-time airline in Europe, while Japan Airlines was the most on-time in Asia.
The report also reviewed airports by timeliness. The top spot in 2024 goes to Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, which had about 87 percent of its flights depart on time last year. Lima Jorge Chavez International Airport took second place, while third went to Mexico City Benito Juarez International Airport.
One American airport took fourth place and ranked in the top five globally: that would be the Salt Lake City International Airport, which had 84 percent of its flights depart on-time last year.
“In an industry defined by operational complexity, we are extremely proud to be celebrating the airlines and airports who have provided customers the most on-time flights and best performance in 2024, acknowledging their operational excellence,” said Jeremy Bowen, CEO of Cirium. “2024 was a difficult year for airlines, facing a large-scale IT outage, and unseasonable and severe weather patterns. Despite these challenges, these airlines and airports have worked tirelessly to ensure their customers have a smooth journey and reach their destination on-time.”
State Department Issues Overall Travel Warning
By Steve Fortz
West Coast Bureau
The United States Department of State has issued a warning to all Americans who are traveling abroad – be cautious.
The warning is because of rising tensions in many parts of the world and anti-American sentiment.
This is unusual because even though warnings are usually for specific areas or regions and not worldwide, there is a heightened sense of security.
There are currently wars in Ukraine and Gaza as well as terrorist attacks in the Middle East and protests on college campuses in the U.S. That’s not to mention issues in such places as Haiti and elsewhere.
The alert also mentions potential violence against the LGBTQIA+ community. Pride Month begins shortly, on June 1. There are numerous related parades and events set to take place so the State Department is urging vigilance. The department is concerned that foreign terrorist organizations will try to disrupt events.
It is also asking travelers to enroll in STEP, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, to receive real-time information and alerts.
“We are aware of the increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against LGBTQI+ persons and events and advise U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution,” the warning reads.
New Report: Worst Airports, Months for Travel Disruptions
By Jane Pearson
East Coast Bureau
Roughly one in four travelers experienced a flight delay or cancellation in 2024, according to a new report from air passenger rights company AirHelp.
The data also reveals a handful of airports where travelers were most likely to experience disruptions last year.
Travelers passing through a handful of popular Florida airports experienced headaches. North Carolina and other East Coast airports also felt the brunt of the impact.
The 10 Worst US Airports for Flight Delays and Cancellations (2024)
- Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (Aspen, Colorado) – 36 percent of passengers disrupted in 2024
- Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport (North Clarendon, Vermont) – 33 percent of passengers disrupted in 2024
- Vero Beach Regional Airport (Vero Beach, Florida) – 32 percent of passengers disrupted in 2024
- New York Stewart International Airport (New Windsor, New York) – 32 percent of passengers disrupted in 2024
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (Dallas, Texas) – 31 percent of passengers disrupted in 2024
- Concord-Padgett Regional Airport (Concord, North Carolina) – 30 percent of passengers disrupted in 2024
- Key West International Airport (Key West, Florida) – 29 percent of passengers disrupted in 2024
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) – 29 percent of passengers disrupted in 2024
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (Charlotte, North Carolina) – 29 percent of passengers disrupted in 2024
- Rickenbacker International Airport (Columbus, Ohio) – 29 percent of passengers disrupted in 2024
- Miami International Airport (Miami, Florida) – 29 percent of passengers disrupted in 2024
A Delta Air Lines plane at LAX Airport. (Photo Credit: Nate Hovee/Adobe)
When it comes to the worst months for travel, the busy holiday and summer travel periods are most likely to produce problems. Last year, winter weather made for a nightmarish January and July's crippling CrowdStrike global computer outage created unexpected hurdles for summer travelers.
The Worst Months for Flight Delays and Cancellations
- July 2024 – 33 percent of U.S. air travel passengers were disrupted
- May 2024 – 29 percent of U.S. air travel passengers were disrupted
- January 2024 - 28 percent of U.S. air travel passengers were disrupted
Regarding the best months for air travel, shoulder season continues to reign supreme as months such as February, September and October ranked among the best for flight disruptions last year.
The Months With the Least Flight Disruptions
- October 2024 – 16 percent of U.S. air travel passengers were disrupted
- November 2024 – 17 percent of U.S. air travel passengers were disrupted
- February 2024 – 18 percent of U.S. air travel passengers were disrupted
- September 2024 – 18 percent of U.S. air travel passengers were disrupted
Multiple Passengers Injured After DL Air Lines Flight Aborts
By John Stutz
West Coast Bureau
On Friday morning, a Minneapolis-bound Delta Air Lines flight was forced to abort its takeoff amid snowy weather at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
The incident, which was allegedly the result of an engine fire, injured four of the flight's 201 passengers, sending one person to the hospital.
The Boeing 757's slides were deployed and passengers had to be bussed back to the terminal.
Passenger Curtis James told CNN that, "on takeoff, something went wrong and the engine caught fire," prompting an emergency evacuation.
"Delta's flight crew followed established procedures to suspend the takeoff of flight 2668 from Atlanta (ATL) to Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) after an indication of an engine issue," the airline said in a statement.
"Four passengers are reporting minor injuries; one was transported, and the remaining three were treated on scene," airport officials confirmed in a statement.
The incident comes as Winter Storm Cora continues to wreak havoc across a large swath of the southern U.S.
Get Flights To Europe Starting at $99, But Hurry
By Suze Miller
Foreign Bureau
Icelandic budget carrier Play is observing Memorial Day with a special flash sale, which offers travelers the chance to book one-way flights to Europe for as low as $99. This promotion, which ends at 12:00 a.m. ET on May 27, covers travel dates from August through December 2024. It also extends to some of the Continent’s most sought-after destinations, including such as France, England, Iceland, Ireland, Germany, Greece and others.
“Summer is finally here and Play challenges travelers to get ahead on their shoulder season trips to take advantage of low prices and a calmer time of the year to visit top tourist destinations,” Einar Örn Ólafsson, Play’s CEO, told Travel + Leisure. “Getaways during the fall and winter are a perfect time to unwind after a hectic summer, and Play wants to make these trips more affordable with this Memorial Day Discount to kick off summer and travel planning.”
The sale includes $99 one-way flights to Reykjavik and $129 one-way flights to other popular European cities, such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Dublin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, London and Paris. These discounted flights are available from all of Play’s U.S. gateway airports, which include Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Play, which began operating in Europe in 2021 and launched its first U.S. flight the following year, uses a hub-and-spoke model wherein all flights connect through Iceland’s capital of Reykjavik before proceeding to various destinations across Europe. The airline currently serves more than two dozen European cities, offering a range of options for travelers looking to explore the Continent.
As a low-cost carrier, Play’s pricing is per flight leg, and it charges extra for such additional services as checked baggage, food and drinks, allowing travelers to customize their flying experience according to their budget and preferences.
And, while this limited-time deal will enable you to get to Europe without breaking the bank, it does come with some restrictions. Importantly, to qualify for the sale prices, travelers must book roundtrip flights, even though the pricing as listed is for one-way travel.
Would-be travelers should also note that the exact travel dates available and applicable blackout periods vary depending upon the destination. For instance, flights to Iceland, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London and Paris are available on Mondays from August 19 to November 25, and from December 2 to December 16.
Plane Owned by Former US President Trump Part of Accident
By Richard Alexander
West Coast Bureau
The private Boeing 757 owned by former United States President Donald Trump clipped another corporate airplane while taxiing at West Palm Beach International Airport in Florida on Sunday.
According to Reuters.com, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesperson confirmed that a privately-owned Boeing 757 was involved in an accident that saw it collide with an unoccupied corporate jet parked at the south Florida airport.
FAA representatives did not confirm that the former president owned the plane, but an investigation has been launched regarding the incident. The spokesperson said the contact occurred at an area of West Palm Beach Airport where the FAA does not direct planes.
A report from The Palm Beach Post found that a separate online FAA report said the Boeing 757 “struck the rear elevator of a parked VistaJet.” The same report indicated that no one was injured in the incident.
Trump’s Boeing 757 was purchased in 2010 for $100 million and heavily customized with “gold plated accents, two private guestrooms, three bathrooms, dining and conference areas and an extensive entertainment system.”
With Trump looking to become president again in November, TravelPulse’s Mia Taylor spoke with travel professionals to find out how they think a second term in office might impact the industry.
Online Travel Bookings To Reach $1.2 Trillion by End of 2026
By Carla Martilotti
Foreign Bureau
Enthusiasm for travel shows no signs of slowing down over the coming years and booking travel via online travel agencies (OTAs) is quickly becoming the dominate channel for consumers when making reservations.
A new report from Phocuswright shows that travel bookings overall will reach new heights in 2025, albeit climbing slowly from previous benchmarks. Global bookings are expected to rise from $1.6 trillion in 2024 to $1.72 trillion in 2025, a development that Phocuswright says marks “a steady but slower growth rate as the market matures.”
In addition, online bookings will gain significant traction, increasing to $1.2 trillion in 2026 from $1 trillion in 2024. By 2026, nearly 65 percent of global travel gross bookings will be made online, according to Phocuswright.
“The consistent rise in bookings in all areas highlights a growing consumer preference for online travel services. This trend reflects a continuing shift toward digital platforms, encouraging travel providers to improve their online booking experiences to remain competitive,” says the report.
The vast majority of online bookings are coming from the North American market, which accounted for $342 billion in such bookings in 2024, says the Phocuswright report. That’s followed by the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, which was the source of some $285 billion in online bookings last year. Europe rounds out the top three global source markets for online travel booking, generating $254 billion in sales during 2024.
Beyond the top three markets, the penchant for booking travel online declines dramatically with the Middle East in fourth place, recording a distant $47 billion in online bookings, followed by Russia/ Eastern Europe, which represented $40 billion in online bookings.
Offline bookings, however, continue to remain robust. In this category also, North America makes up the largest source market compared to other global regions, accounting for $202 billion in offline bookings last year, followed by the APAC region, which generated $166 billion in offline travel bookings. Europe once again rounds out the top three with $129 billion in offline travel bookings in 2024.
Looked at by country, the United States leads the market globally for monetary value of online travel bookings at $316.9 billion in 2024, a figure that represents a 5.9 percent increase over 2023.
But China saw the most significant year-over-year growth by far in online travel bookings between 2023 and 2024, growing to $121.4 billion in bookings last year, which amounted to a 20.2 percent increase from 2023.
Japan is also among the top markets for online bookings, generating $51.3 billion in such sales in 2024, a figure that was a 10.5 percent increase over 2023.
France accounted for $37.2 billion in online travel bookings in 2024, also showing significant growth from 2023, increasing by 15.3 percent. India meanwhile, experienced a 14 percent uptick in online travel bookings between 2023 and 2024 increasing to $23.8 billion last year.
Additional takeaways from the Phocuswright report include:
- Global online gross bookings for hotels are projected to increase from 55 percent of the market in 2024 to 58 percent by 2026.
- Phocuswright projects that the global travel market will continue to grow through 2026, with annual gains ranging between 6-9 percent. Online bookings will advance more rapidly, with annual gains from 8-12 percent.
- In 2025, the U.K. is expected to overtake France in gross bookings, reclaiming a spot among the top five markets for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Most Important Changes Coming to Air Travel in 2025
By Dorothy Sheridan
East Coast Bureau
Air travel reached record heights despite a rocky 2024 that included a handful of widespread flight cancellations, tragic accidents and near-misses highlighted by Boeing's 737 MAX debacle.
While inclement weather and unpredictable IT outages will keep passengers on their toes in 2025, efforts are being made to make air travel safer and more seamless.
Here are some notable changes coming to air travel in the year ahead.
New DOT Rule on Refunds
One of the Biden administration's biggest contributions to travelers has been the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) new rule regarding airline refunds.
The final rule on automatic refunds went into effect in late October 2024, making it much easier for impacted passengers to be reimbursed when their flights are canceled or significantly altered in 2025.
The hope is that these new requirements will eliminate the need for passengers to explicitly request refunds or jump through any hoops. Travelers are also entitled to refunds when their checked baggage is significantly delayed or a carrier fails to provide ancillary services that a customer purchased.
REAL ID Requirements To Take Effect
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will begin enforcing REAL ID requirements at airport security checkpoints nationwide starting May 7, 2025.
That means only state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards that meet the security requirements established by the REAL ID Act will be permitted for boarding commercial aircraft. However, travelers without a compliant driver's license can still board with a valid passport.
"Identity verification is foundational to security. I urge those who use a driver’s license or state-issued identity card as their primary form of identification to access federal facilities or board commercial passenger aircraft, to ensure these credentials are REAL ID-compliant," said TSA Administrator David Pekoske.
"We are committed to engaging with the public, licensing jurisdictions and states to facilitate a smooth transition to REAL ID enforcement beginning May 7, 2025, which this rule supports."
TSA will use a phased approach to enforcement. Nonetheless, all states are now issuing REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards.
Southwest Airlines' Transformation
For a long time, Southwest Airlines was the outlier among major airlines. It offered some of the lowest fares in the industry, allowed two free bags, and allowed travelers to pick their own seats.
Financial struggles forced the carrier to change direction in 2024, however, as Southwest revealed plans for an overhaul that will see it implement assigned seating like every other airline.
The low-cost carrier will start selling those seats in the second half of 2025 with assigned seating taking effect in early 2026.
While that has pros and cons, Southwest will also debut a premium seating option that's certain to be a hit with travelers willing to spend a little more cash.
"Southwest will offer extra legroom options with up to five additional inches of pitch for approximately a third of its seats while maintaining a standard economy seat pitch among the best in the industry," the airline said during an Investor Day meeting in Dallas with Southwest leaders this past September.
Fewer Firearms Seized?
TSA continues to uncover a head-scratching number of firearms each year but 2024 produced encouraging trend (if you can call it that).
Officers intercepted 6,678 firearms at airport security checkpoints nationwide last year, which was down from the 6,737 seized in 2023.
Not taking into account the COVID year of 2020, the figure had been climbing each year over the past decade so there's hope for more improvement in 2025.
While it's scary that 94 percent of those weapons seized in 2024 were loaded, the figure breaks down to an average of 18.2 firearms per day and 7.4 passengers per one million screened.
More Mergers and Drink Limits at Airports?
While there are undoubtedly some unforeseen changes coming to air travel in 2025 some potential impacts to watch for include more mergers following Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines approved merger in September 2024.
That acquisition followed a blocked proposed merger between JetBlue and Spirit Airlines, which also involved Frontier Airlines.
Some within the industry are also pushing for drink limits at airport bars to reduce unruly passenger incidents. Ryanair recently sought out a two-drink limit across Europe.
"It is time that EU authorities take action to limit the sale of alcohol at airports. Airlines, like Ryanair, already restrict and limit the sale of alcohol on board our aircraft, particularly in disruptive passenger cases," the airline said following a costly diversion due to a disruptive passenger.
If 2025 is anything like 2024, the next 12 months are poised to feature many ups and downs for travelers taking to the friendly skies. Some key changes are certain but there's a lot that remains to be seen.
Delta: 2025 Will Be Carrier’s ‘Most Profitable Year’
By Alex Johnson
East Coast Bureau
Delta Air Lines announced on Friday that it experienced a higher-than-expected fourth-quarter profit and forecast stronger earnings in the current quarter, all of which leads the carrier to forecast 2025 to be the most profitable year in the company's 100-year history.
According to Reuters.com, Delta expects earnings to exceed $7.35 a share this year compared to the expected $7.22 per share, with the airline reporting an adjusted profit of $6.16 a share in 2024.
The carrier reported that premium ticket revenue has been growing faster than main-cabin ticket revenue and is projected to outpace it by 2027. In the December quarter, premium revenue growth outperformed the main cabin by six percent.
“As we move into 2025, we expect strong demand for travel to continue, with consumers increasingly seeking the premium products and experiences that Delta provides,” CEO Ed Bastian told Reuters.
Earlier this week, Delta celebrated its 100th anniversary at CES 2025 in Las Vegas’ Sphere, announcing new technological advancements, including more personalized entertainment features in the air, a new AI-powered Delta Concierge debuting in the Fly Delta app and a new partnership with Airbus to create the next generation of aviation.
In addition, Delta customers will soon be able to earn SkyMiles when using ridesharing service Uber. The partnership, which launches in the spring, is available for travelers to register by joining a waitlist online. Travelers who link their SkyMiles and Uber accounts will enjoy earning 1 mile per dollar spent on UberX transfers to and from an airport, 2 miles per dollar on premium rides and 3 miles per dollar on Uber Reserve rides.
Why JetBlue Was Hit With a $2 Million Fine
By Stephen Miller
West Coast Bureau
This is probably more symbolic than punitive.
But a $2 million fine is still $2 million.
That’s how much JetBlue Airways was levied for chronically delaying flights according to the Department of Transportation.
This is a first-of-its-kind enforcement action by the government agency.
A chronically delayed flight is described as one that is 30 minutes or more later 50 percent of the time and is flown between the same two destinations at least 10 times per month. The Biden presidential administration has become known for its crackdown on the airline industry. The incoming Trump administration appears to be for conciliatory toward aviation and generally pro-business. Delta CEO said Trump will be a welcome change.
JetBlue said Friday it has invested millions over the past two years to minimize flight delays, especially those related to air-traffic control issues.
The airline did add that it is partly the responsibility of the customer to track flight time.
A delayed flight can have a variety of replicas.
Disney CEO Bob Iger Seeks a Smooth Transition
By Eric Hanson
Foreign Bureau
Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger only wants the best.
That includes his replacement.
In fact, he says he is obsessed by it. Maybe that’s because his first attempt at retiring didn’t go so well for his replacement.
“I think it would be safe to assume that I think about [CEO succession] all the time,” he told daytime television host Kelly Ripa. “I could say that ‘I’m obsessed with it’ would be probably an understatement, and actually, the board and I established when I returned that that would be among our biggest, if not our biggest, [priorities].”
Iger, who is in his 70s and said he will step down in 2026, is in his second stint running the entertainment giant. He first retired in 2020 and chose Bob Chapek to succeed him.
It did not work out.
Chapek resigned after two years following falling stock prices and a highly publicized feud with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Disney board member and former Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman will chair the company’s succession planning committee to find Iger’s successor. The new CEO will likely have to face challenges including reduced theme park attendance and a reorganization of ESPN.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he stays,” a Disney source said of Iger and told the New York Post. “He is ageless and there aren’t many internal successors who are ready.”
Boeing Addresses Alaska Airlines Mishap One Year Later
By Cedric Johnson
West Coast Bureau
It is a dubious anniversary, at best. On January 5, 2024, a door plug fell off an Alaska Airlines plane traveling at 16,000 feet in the air. The plane was manufactured by the Boeing Company.
The incident sparked investigations as well as scrutiny over safety protocols for the airplane manufacturer that continued to this day. A year later, Boeing addressed the issue.
The company said it is making tangible progress, despite the death and injury of nearly 200 people following a plane crash in South Korea over the weekend. The aircraft was manufactured by Boeing.
Alaska’s VP of Audit, Brooke Vatheuer, said in a statement the progress has come from both the airline and the manufacturer “on what we’ve learned and the progress we have seen in Boeing and its suppliers’ production line, its work processes, training and safety culture.”
Repercussions still exist, however.
The update was made at the behest of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which mandated a plan of action for safety protocols from Boeing.
The FAA said that this was "not a one-year project." That’s how bad the culture at Boeing seemingly was.
Boeing said "FAA safety experts continually review the effectiveness of the changes; senior FAA leaders meet with Boeing weekly to review their performance metrics, progress, and any challenges they're facing; we have conducted an unprecedented number of unannounced audits; and we conduct monthly status reviews with Boeing executives to monitor progress."
How To Handle Winter Storm-Related Travel Disruptions
By Rick Jetters
West Coast Bureau
As the powerful Winter Storm Blair sweeps across the United States, travelers find themselves facing widespread flight delays and cancellations. With thousands of flights affected, passengers are left scrambling to navigate the chaos. While there is little that can be done to prevent such weather-related disruptions, the experts at InsureMyTrip have provided some essential advice to help mitigate travelers’ stress and inconvenience during this challenging time.
Know Your Rights
One of the most important steps travelers can take is to familiarize themselves with the latest Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. These new rules, which came into effect on October 28, 2024, require airlines to issue automatic refunds for flights that are canceled or significantly changed without the need for customers to request them.
One of SkyRefund’s airline compensation experts, Ivaylo Danailov, explained, “A significant change is defined as a delay exceeding three hours for domestic flights or six hours for international flights, changes to departure or arrival airports, increased connections, downgrades in service class, or flights with limited accessibility. Refunds must be processed within seven business days for credit card purchases and 20 days for other forms of payment”.
He added, "For domestic flights, U.S. airlines are not legally required to compensate passengers for delays. Each airline has its own policies regarding amenities or compensation during delays, which may include meal vouchers or accommodation, especially if the delay is within the airline's control. It's advisable to inquire directly with airline staff about available assistance during such events.”
However, it is essential to note that these regulations do not extend to cover other prepaid expenses, medical emergencies or trip interruptions resulting from weather-related cancellations. Travelers are encouraged to thoroughly review their rights and stay informed about airline policies.
Remain Proactive
InsureMyTrip advises passengers to monitor their flight status diligently and download their airline’s app. This way, you can easily check to see if your flight is on time before departing for the airport, saving yourself valuable time if disruptions appear early on. By staying constantly updated, you can avoid unnecessary time spent at the airport and adjust your plans accordingly. Signing up for text updates can also keep you apprised of gate changes and any potential delays as they occur.
Stephen Scott of Travel Hub 365 also recommends taking proactive steps ahead of the storm if you have advance notice of its impending arrival. “Take advantage of alternate flight options offered by the airlines a day or two before the weather affects your flight. The airlines prep for major weather disruptions days in advance and offer travel waivers up to a day or two prior which can offer you the ability to wait out the storm at home, somewhere in comfort, or get out a day earlier so that you don't miss something important. Waiting until you get to the airport to see a flight cancellation is not ideal.”
Build in Buffer Time
Arriving early at the airport can significantly reduce stress by allowing you ample time to make your way through security smoothly and navigate any unexpected disruptions. Additionally, booking longer layovers can minimize the risk of missing your connecting flights due to potential delays.
Purchase Travel Insurance
When it comes to travel insurance, timing is everything. InsureMyTrip experts emphasized that policies need to be purchased before a storm is named or recognized. They pointed out that travel insurance is designed to cover unforeseen issues, so buying it after a storm becomes known won’t offer coverage for related disruptions. Purchasing a policy well ahead of time helps ensure that you’ll be protected from potential cancellations or delays.
However, you’ll need to be sure you’re purchasing coverage that extends to weather-related events, because purchasing a policy does not necessarily guarantee that it will cover every scenario. Carefully reading through your travel insurance plan’s insurance terms and conditions is crucial, and you can always reach out to the company directly if you need clarification.