This week in aviation updates,
the “old” Southwest Airlines
is set to conclude next week as the airline initiates
a new policy
This will increase costs for numerous customers; the Federal Aviation Administration puts restrictions on flight operations.
Newark Liberty International
As it grapples with numerous setbacks caused by various issues, Delta Air Lines declares its intention to acquire a minority share in a different international carrier. Meanwhile, the Justice Department decides to abandon litigation against Southwest over allegations of persistent scheduling delays. New regulations regarding the transportation of portable batteries and charging devices aboard planes are being implemented because of safety worries related to potential fires. This autumn, Lufthansa intends to reintroduce its biggest aircraft model into San Francisco’s route map. Additionally, Phoenix is set to inaugurate direct services linking it directly to destinations in Asia for the very first time. In further developments, United Airlines expands its offerings across the Atlantic Ocean. LATAM Airlines alongside Etihad Airways have announced their intentions to incorporate additional connections within the U.S. market. Furthermore, American Airlines inaugurates two brand-new high-end lounging areas located strategically at its facility in Philadelphia. Moreover, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport has scheduled enhancements which will see Terminal F expand through doubling its total gate count. Lastly, efforts towards environmental sustainability progress as Oakland Airport commences transitioning all vehicles used for transporting passengers between car parks and terminals toward fully electric models.
May 28 is a significant date for those flying with Southwest Airlines.
That’s when the airline intends to
It will discontinue its long-standing policy of permitting passengers up to two complimentary checked bags and begin imposing fees for this service similar to those implemented by other leading airlines.
Southwest has not yet disclosed specific details about these new charges beyond stating that they aim to align with standard practices within the aviation sector. Typically, major American air carriers impose around $35-$40 as a fee for each piece when checking luggage domestically, with an extra cost of approximately $45 for a second item. However, anyone booking through southwest.com before May 27th remains eligible under current policies which allow unlimited complimentary baggage check-ins without regard to departure date.
Similar to competitors, Southwest intends to exempt certain customer groups from this upcoming adjustment in pricing structure via special provisions. As outlined on the company’s official webpage, such surcharges shall affect patrons purchasing tickets categorized into tiers including ‘Basic’, ‘Wanna Get Away Plus’, and ‘Anytime’. Conversely, buyers opting for higher-end options like the ‘Business Select’ ticket class retain access to unrestricted free-of-cost checked baggage allowances per person.
Furthermore, frequent flyers holding status levels denoted as either “A-List Preferred” or simply “A-List”, along with members enrolled in rapid reward programs linked specifically with credit cards issued by Southwest Airlines, benefit differently based upon tier designation; premier individuals enjoy full coverage whereas regular participants secure reimbursement solely against initial consignment costs alone. Additionally, local inhabitants commuting across Hawaiian archipelagos maintain eligibility concerning dual-free cargo handling irrespective of overall journey expenses incurred elsewhere globally.
Lastly, companions joining main registrants during group bookings extending upwards towards maximum allowable configurations encompassing total counts nearing eight souls collectively qualify simultaneously under identical terms applicable initially granted individually amongst principal attendees themselves.
A Pennsylvania-based FAA facility managing air traffic at Newark Liberty International Airport experienced a short-term radio frequency disruption earlier this week.
In just a matter of weeks, this marks the fourth instance of equipment malfunction — following which, the FAA declared a compulsory decrease in flight activities at EWR during discussions with various airline companies. Over recent weeks, Newark has faced persistent and extended holdups in flights attributed to multiple reasons including technical glitches, insufficient numbers of air traffic control personnel, and ongoing works that have rendered one primary runway out of service. Starting right away, according to the FAA’s statement, the operation frequency at EWR shall be capped at 56 flights per hour—comprising both landings and takeoffs—at 28 each—until the majority of the runway refurbishment concludes around mid-June; however, this limit will persist for Saturday schedules as well as certain adjoining time slots through December’s end. Post-construction phases, the FAA intends to elevate the upper threshold of daily flight movements back up to 68—an even split between incoming and outgoing planes totaling 34 apiece—up till October 25th. Previously, the facility was capable of managing upwards of 77 flights within every hourly slot.
Chris Rocheleau, who was serving as Acting FAA Administrator, stated in a press release on Tuesday that the organization aims to ”
alleviate significant inconveniences for travelers caused by prolonged flight delays attributed to construction, staffing difficulties, and recent technical problems
, which grow larger as they propagate throughout the National Airspace System.” The administration mentioned that the updated restrictions on flight activities might be adjusted higher or lower depending on their advancement in decreasing delays.
Delta enjoys taking significant ownership shares in the global airlines it collaborates with, and it intends to expand this collection by adding yet another airline.
Delta mentioned that they are collaborating with their partner Korean Air for this acquisition.
a 25% equity stake in Canada’s WestJet
Delta plans to invest $330 million for a 15% share, whereas Korean will acquire a 10% stake worth $220 million, as stated in a news release from May 9. According to Delta’s statement, they and Korean have both collaborated with WestJet through codesharing agreements over several years now.
These enhanced partnership efforts aim at providing greater advantages for passengers globally, promising them a superior and smoother traveling journey ahead. It should be noted that Delta currently holds stakes in various airlines such as Air France-KLM, Latin American carrier LATAM, Aeromexico, Virgin Atlantic, China Eastern Airlines, along with Hanjin KAL which oversees Korean Air.
The Justice Department under the Trump administration has terminated a lawsuit against Southwest.
That accused the carrier of running ”
chronically delayed
According to Reuters, “two routes were affected: Oakland-Chicago Midway and Baltimore/Washington-Cleveland. The lawsuit was initiated earlier this year by the Biden administration during some of its last major aviation enforcement efforts. These violations took place in 2022. A chronic delay, as defined by the Transportation Department, occurs when a flight runs at least ten times per month and is over thirty minutes late more than fifty percent of those instances. Earlier this January, the Transportation Department under President Biden imposed a fine of $2 million on JetBlue Airways due to their operation of four consistently tardy domestic flights.”
Portable chargers and power banks for air travelers have become the newest focus of regulatory attention.
And at least one prominent U.S. airline following the FAA’s report
22 confirmed incidents involving lithium batteries have occurred so far this year.
that caused “smoke, fire, or intense heat” onboard an aircraft. Starting from May 28, Southwest Airlines will
no longer permit travelers to store these items in their cabin baggage
According to the Washington Post, this rule mandates that the electronic devices must be placed in an observable and easily reachable location, such as a tray table or seat pocket. Additionally, the Transportation Security Administration has implemented this measure.
updated its baggage rules
to require that phone chargers, portable chargers or power banks that contain a lithium ion battery must be packed in carry-on bags, not in checked luggage.
In an update regarding the scheduled changes for its winter timetable,
,
On October 26, Lufthansa intends to reintroduce the giant Airbus A380 aircraft for its daily service from San Francisco International Airport to Munich.
, substituting an A350-900. As reported by Simple Flying,
Lufthansa’s final flight with an A380 to San Francisco was in early 2020.
, and its return, with 509 seats, will position the German airline as the third carrier at SFO to operate the large Airbus aircraft, joining British Airways and Emirates. Pending governmental approval, Taiwanese carrier Starlux Airlines aims to introduce Phoenix’s inaugural nonstop flights to Asia early next year when it
launches a new route between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Taipei
On Tuesday, the airport made an announcement. The airline intends to run between three to four weekly flights using an A350-900 aircraft. According to the press statement, this new route was launched shortly after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, a key player in semiconductor production, revealed intentions to pour $165 billion into expanding its facilities in Phoenix.
As for other updates on international routes,
United launches its seasonal service on May 24 from its Washington Dulles base to Nice, France.
, featuring four weekly flights; additionally, United offers daily services to Nice departing from Newark. According to reports from The Points Guy, South America’s
LATAM intends to relaunch its Miami-Buenos Aires service on December 1.
, using a 787 to offer daily service. The Points Guy also reported that next spring, Abu Dhabi’s
Etihad intends to introduce service to Charlotte, North Carolina.
– an American Airlines hub – becoming its sixth U.S. entry point. These routes are scheduled to commence operations next May and will run four times a week using a 787-9 aircraft. It’s worth noting that Etihad has previously declared its intention to launch services to Atlanta beginning in July.
On the domestic side,
The launch for Delta’s weekly summertime route from Los Angeles International Airport to Anchorage is set for May 24.
, a path that was discontinued four years back, as stated by AeroRoutes. This week,
United launched daily services from Albuquerque to its main hub at Washington Dulles.
. Frontier Airlines has
included a few more routes departing from Denver International Airport.
, providing three weekly flights to Boise, Idaho, and the
Same number for Spokane, Washington.
.
In airport news
,
The American airline had a dual celebration with new openings at its Philadelphia International hub earlier this week.
, inaugurating a new Flagship lounge along with an adjoining Admirals Club lounge. These newly established lounges have taken over from the previous Admirals Club located in PHL’s A-East Terminal and now reside in the A-West Terminal, specifically around Gates A15-A16. Spanning almost 12,500 square feet, the expansive Flagship lounge caters to travelers flying in business class for “eligible international, transcontinental, or certain domestic routes,” as stated in an announcement made by American Airlines on Tuesday. Additionally, the airline has
Flagship lounges
at LAX, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth and Miami International. The PHL Flagship lounge offers shower suites, a business center, a la carte dining, a full-service bar, a self-service wine station, a champagne cart, a fireplace and various seating options. The nearly 11,000-square-foot Admirals Club lounge, part of the airline’s paid-membership lounge program, has self-service food options, a full-service bar, specialty coffees and a kids’ area. A 24-hour day pass giving access to the Admirals Club lounge is available for $79 or 7,900 AAdvantage miles.
The expansion of the newly built American Airlines Terminal F at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is significantly increasing in size.
The airport announced on May 1 that it has reached an agreement with American Airlines.
over twice the initial count of the terminal’s gates, increasing them from the originally planned 15 gates to 31.
The increased scope has raised the project’s price tag to $4 billion. This upgraded facility will feature infrastructure capable of accommodating international long-haul aircraft, improved customer services, and consolidated areas designated for ticketing processes. Work on Phase One of DFW Airport’s Terminal F is anticipated to finish around 2027. As stated by the airport authorities: “American Airlines intends to utilize every one of the 31 boarding gate positions within this terminal, thereby enhancing operating efficiency significantly for the carrier and offering a superior travel experience particularly suited for those who transfer between flights—constituting roughly two-thirds of total passenger movements through DFW.” Additionally, the development program encompasses constructing another station along the intra-airport shuttle network alongside setting up walkways linking directly with Terminal D. It should be noted that Terminal F forms only a segment of broader modernization efforts currently underway at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Recently, the aviation hub managed to smoothly relocate several large-scale airframes during testing operations involving their proprietary ground handling systems.
megastructure modules
– one measuring up to 204 feet in length and 68 feet in width – spanning two closed runways overnight to place them within what will become Terminal C, set to feature nine additional gates by 2026.
Oakland Airport has added
Five new buses powered by electricity and batteries
for its fleet of parking lot shuttles
“The introduction of these five electric buses marks their debut into OAK’s operations and positions the airport well to comply with state-mandated electrification requirements,” stated OAK in an announcement made on May 16th. “This move sets the stage for transitioning all of the airport’s current RNG-powered shuttle buses towards full electrification down the line. This gradual shift toward a completely emission-free shuttle bus fleet will span across the coming ten years.”
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