Southwest ends open seating after 54 years. Here’s what the last flight was like

Southwest ends open seating after 54 years. Here’s what the last flight was like

OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN — The 112 passengers on this Southwest Airlines red-eye flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles were the last in the airline’s more than 54-year history to scramble for a seat on board. Before dawn on Tuesday, Southwest ended its quirky (or anxiety-inducing, depending on the traveler) open-seating policy in favor of … Read more

American Airlines projects revenue growth for 2026, misses earnings estimates for fourth quarter

American Airlines projects revenue growth for 2026, misses earnings estimates for fourth quarter

American Airlines projected Tuesday that its focus on premium will “begin delivering results in 2026” as the carrier races to catch up to its far more profitable rivals and capitalize on strong demand from high-spending customers. The Fort Worth-based airline projected it will deliver nearly $2 of improvement in adjusted earnings per share at the … Read more

Airlines cancel hundreds of flights as massive winter storm sweeps across U.S.

Airlines cancel hundreds of flights as massive winter storm sweeps across U.S.

Airplanes on the tarmac during a snow storm at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, US, on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.  Ting Shen | Bloomberg | Getty Images Airlines canceled more than 1,300 flights scheduled for Friday as a massive winter storm sweeps across the U.S. with heavy snow and sleet in the … Read more

Allegiant to buy rival budget airline Sun Country in $1.5 billion cash and stock deal

Allegiant to buy rival budget airline Sun Country in .5 billion cash and stock deal

An Allegiant Airlines jet flies out of Las Vegas Airport. Nick Potts | Getty Images Allegiant Travel said Sunday it is acquiring fellow leisure carrier Sun Country in a $1.5 billion cash and stock deal, including debt, a plan that comes as budget airlines in the U.S. have faced a surge in costs following the … Read more

Airlines restore Caribbean flights after U.S. lifts airspace restrictions tied to Venezuela strikes

Airlines restore Caribbean flights after U.S. lifts airspace restrictions tied to Venezuela strikes

Passengers wait at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport as all flights are cancelled following US military action in Venezuela, on January 3, 2026, in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo | Afp | Getty Images United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and other carriers began restoring flights to Puerto Rico and other parts of the … Read more

Airlines cancel dozens of Caribbean flights after U.S. attacks on Venezuela

Airlines cancel dozens of Caribbean flights after U.S. attacks on Venezuela

Passengers sleep on the floor, after flights were delayed and cancelled when the airspace was closed due to U.S. strikes on Venezuela overnight, at Rafael Hernandez International Airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo Airlines canceled flights throughout the Caribbean on Saturday following U.S. strikes on Venezuela after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered commercial aircraft to avoid airspace in parts … Read more

Behind the mesh curtain: Why airline class wars will intensify in 2026

Behind the mesh curtain: Why airline class wars will intensify in 2026

Planes line up on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport on November 10, 2025 in New York City. Spencer Platt | Getty Images News | Getty Images From Spirit Airlines’ fight for survival to American Airlines‘ planned glow-up, from new international routes and brand-new airport lounges to stingier frequent flyer policies, class divides in the sky … Read more

Winter storm puts airlines to the test. Here’s what travelers need to know

Winter storm puts airlines to the test. Here’s what travelers need to know

A traveler near a departures board at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey, US, on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. Victor J. Blue | Bloomberg | Getty Images Airlines are letting flyers change their trips ahead of a major winter storm that will put carriers to the test during one of the busiest … Read more

American Airlines no longer lets basic economy flyers earn miles

American Airlines no longer lets basic economy flyers earn miles

American Airlines Grant Baldwin | Getty Images American Airlines customers flying on basic economy fares will no longer earn frequent flyer miles or points toward elite status, the carrier said this week. “We routinely evaluate our fare products to remain competitive in the marketplace. Customers who purchase a Basic Economy ticket on December 17, 2025 and … Read more

American Airlines starts flying the longest-range narrow-body Airbus plane. Here’s what’s inside

American Airlines starts flying the longest-range narrow-body Airbus plane. Here’s what’s inside

The economy cabin of American Airlines A321XLR. Leslie Josephs/CNBC American Airlines is about to fly passengers to California for the first time on a skinny, long-range plane that it hopes will change air travel. The airline’s head of network planning now has to decide where else it should fly. The first Airbus A321XLR for a … Read more