Under federal laws, airlines are prohibited from forcing passengers to sit on a plane for more than three hours. Frontier Airlines barely missed that deadline in Philadelphia this week, where passengers say they were stranded on a plane for just under three hours after enduring a series of delays. [More]
flights
American Airlines Flight Bound For L.A. Turns Around After Mystery Illness Spreads Through Cabin
By 1.28.16
It sounds like something out of a movie: a plane full of people and a sudden, mysterious illness that spreads through the cabin, taking down flight attendants and passengers alike. Except there was a real, puzzling malady afflicting people on an American Airlines flight last night, one that forced the pilot to turn the plane around and is still stumping officials. [More]
Thousands Of Flights Canceled, Delayed As Storm System Wreaks Holiday Travel Havoc
By 12.28.15
Even if you haven’t had to fly anywhere yesterday or today, you’re likely aware that there’s a large storm system currently duffing up air travel across the U.S. Time to break out the leftover egg nog and reconcile yourself to the inevitable nog hangover, travelers, as thousands of flights have been canceled or delayed already. [More]
Study: Airlines Padded Flight Schedules To Improve On-Time Performance Stats
By 11.30.15
So many things can delay a flight — weather, traffic, minor technical glitches to name just a few — and yet nearly three-quarters of all flights arrived at their destination on schedule last year. A new study suggests that this achievement might not just be the result of increased efficiency, but of padded schedules. [More]
Authorities Clear Two Paris-Bound Air France Flights Diverted Over Anonymous Threats
By 11.18.15
Two Air France flights bound for Paris from the U.S. that received anonymous threats phoned in while they were in the air have been cleared by authorities and declared safe. [More]
More Than 25M Travelers Expected To Hit The Skies This Thanksgiving
By 11.5.15
If you’re planning to fly the friendly skies in order to visit family and friends this upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, you’ll have plenty of company in the form of nearly 25.3 million other travelers. [More]
United Airlines Revamping Boarding Process, Coffee Options
By 10.22.15
With a newly appointed interim CEO at the helm, United Airlines is moving forward with plans to win back customers’ trust: testing a new boarding procedure and revamping one part of its beverage menu. [More]
Southwest Airlines Plane Grounded After Pilots Report Suspicious Object
By 10.16.15
Anyone who has traveled through an airport in the last decade will recognize the common loudspeaker announcement to be on the lookout for and to report any unattended, suspicious baggage or activity. It was one such item that caused Southwest Airlines to ground a flight and move passengers to another plane on Thursday night.
[More]
Union Claims Air Traffic Controller Shortage Could Lead To Widespread Flight Delays
By 10.13.15
Bad weather, aircraft maintenance, computer glitches, crew not showing up on time: these are just a few reasons why a flight might be delayed. But you may soon have to add “not enough air traffic controllers” to that list, as the union representing controllers says a lack of manpower will result in more late and canceled flights. [More]
NASA Creates App Aimed At Shortening Commercial Flights, Saving Fuel
By 9.23.15
There’s an app for just about everything. And that now includes one created by NASA and aimed at helping commercial airlines shorten flight times and conserve fuel. [More]
Lufthansa’s Pilots Ordered To End Strike, Wednesday Flights Remain Canceled
By 9.9.15
The Lufthansa pilot strike that led to the cancellation of more than 1,000 flights on Tuesday and Wednesday has ended after a German court ordered the pilots to return to work. [More]
Regulators Open Investigation Into American Airlines Flight’s Rough Landing Because Of Wind Shear
By 8.20.15
Federal regulators will investigate an incident in which an American Airlines flight collided with approach lights at the Charlotte Douglas Airport in North Carolina while attempting to land during a sudden change in wind patterns on Saturday. While dramatic shifts in wind are exceedingly rare when it comes to affecting an aircraft’s landing, it turns out the incident last week is the second in less than two months for the carrier. [More]
Ongoing Power Outage At LaGuardia Airport Delays Some Flights Three Hours
By 7.24.15
While a planned strike earlier this week by contracted baggage handlers and security workers was canceled, saving travelers from experiencing travel disruptions at two of New York’s airports, those passengers coming in and out of LaGuardia faced an interruption of their own on Friday morning when a terminal in the airport lost power. [More]
United Pilot Allegedly Threw Bullets In Plane’s Trash, Flushed Them Down Toilet
By 7.10.15
While it’s perfectly legal to transport ammunition on airplanes in checked luggage if it’s in a wooden or cardboard box specifically made for the purpose of transporting bullets, bringing those items in a carry-on and trying to dispose of them by throwing them in a trash can or down the toilet on an airplane is a big no-no. Just ask the United Airlines pilot accused of doing so. [More]
Southwest Passengers Removed From Plane After Engine Catches Fire
By 7.9.15
A short delay turned into an overnight stay for nearly 150 Southwest passengers when the aircraft they were on aborted its takeoff after an engine caught fire. [More]
United Flight Delayed In Belfast Because Of Crackers, Could Cost Airline $550,000
By 6.25.15
It’s amazing what a craving for a salty snack can do to people, like say, even divert an airplane. Or at least that’s the reason being given for a situation over the weekend in which nearly 300 United Airlines passengers crew members were stuck at a Belfast airport for nearly 24 hours. [More]
Four Alaska Airlines Crew Members Sue Boeing Over Toxic Fumes That Leaked During 2013 Flight
By 6.24.15
We imagine that working as a flight attendant can be a difficult job: serving hundreds of passengers each flight, traipsing from one city to another, and ensuring that the cabin of the aircraft is equipped and prepared for all situations. One thing these crew members shouldn’t have to worry about: working in an environment with toxic fumes. But that’s apparently what happened during an Alaska Airlines flight in 2013, and now four flight attendants are suing Boeing Co. [More]
Disruptive Passenger Leaves Fellow United Travelers Stranded In Belfast Terminal For Nearly 24 Hours
By 6.22.15
United Airlines had a decidedly less-than-stellar week when it came to dealing with larger-scale customer service issues. Just days after the company faced the ire of travelers who had to spend the night hunkered down at a cold Canadian military base, the airline found itself on the receiving end of more backlash after nearly 300 passengers and crew were made to wait five hours on the tarmac and sleep in a closed terminal after their flight was diverted. [More]
