Lufthansa Group has introduced a new $10 million lounge at Newark Liberty International Airport, enhancing the experience for premium passengers. The 6,370-square-foot lounge, located in Terminal B, caters to first-class and business-class travelers flying with Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, and Swiss International Air Lines. Additionally, passengers with Hon Circle or Senator status are granted access.
Recent Airline News & Updates
Delta Airlines Faces Surge in Cancellations Following CrowdStrike Outage
Introduction
Delta Air Lines, typically known for its reliability, experienced a significant spike in flight cancellations in July, placing it at the bottom of the U.S. airline industry. This decline was primarily due to the prolonged recovery from the CrowdStrike software outage that struck on July 19.
IndiGo Introduces Gender-Specific Seating Feature for Female Travelers
Introduction
India's largest budget airline, IndiGo, has introduced a pioneering feature that allows female travelers to avoid sitting next to male passengers on flights. This innovative option, a first for any airline, is currently being trialed on IndiGo flights.
Advocacy Group Urges Southwest to Maintain Customer of Size Policy Amid Seating Changes
Introduction
As Southwest Airlines prepares to transition to an assigned seating policy, the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) has launched a petition urging the airline to retain its industry-leading Customer of Size policy. This request comes amid concerns that the new seating arrangement could adversely affect plus-sized and disabled travelers.
Delta Airlines Meltdown: Thousands of Passengers Stranded as Flight Cancellations Persist
Introduction
Delta Air Lines is experiencing a severe operational meltdown, with flight cancellations and delays continuing for the fifth consecutive day following last week's global tech outage. As of 2 p.m. ET, the airline had canceled 466 flights, with its regional carrier Endeavor Air canceling another 28. This crisis has affected an estimated half a million passengers, disrupted travel plans, and prompted a federal investigation.
Alaska Airlines Tightens Economy Rows to Add More Premium Seats
Introduction
Alaska Airlines is set to reconfigure its narrowbody aircraft fleet to introduce more first-class and extra-legroom seats. The airline will reduce the space between economy seat rows from 31 inches to 30 inches, adding more premium seating options without reducing overall capacity.
Alaska Airlines to Expand Premium Seating on Boeing 737 Fleet
Introduction
Seattle, WA – Alaska Airlines has announced plans to increase the number of first-class and Premium Class seats on its Boeing 737-800, 737-900ER, and 737-9 Max aircraft. This initiative will see more than 200 planes retrofitted, with work starting this fall and expected to conclude by summer 2026.
American Airlines Announces First Scheduled Service Between U.S. and South Caicos
Introduction
American Airlines has announced plans to launch the first scheduled service between the United States and South Caicos in the Turks and Caicos archipelago. This new route will connect Miami to South Caicos with twice-weekly flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays, beginning February 15.
The airline will utilize an Embraer 175 aircraft for the service, featuring 64 economy seats and 12 first-class seats. The service will be available year-round, providing travelers with regular access to this lesser-known Caribbean destination.
United Airlines Flight Loses Wheel During Takeoff, Prompts FAA Investigation
Introduction
In the latest of a series of troubling incidents for United Airlines, a Boeing 757-200 lost a wheel during takeoff from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Monday. United Flight 1001, bound for Denver, experienced the issue shortly after departing at 7:15 a.m. Despite the lost wheel, the aircraft landed safely in Denver at approximately 10 a.m. with no reported injuries among the 174 passengers and crew.
Boeing to Plead Guilty to Fraud Charges Over 737 Max Crashes
Introduction
Boeing will plead guilty to a criminal fraud charge related to two fatal crashes involving its 737 Max jetliners, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced late Sunday.
The crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, which killed 346 people, prompted federal prosecutors to accuse Boeing of deceiving regulators about the safety of the aircraft and its pilot-training requirements. This decision follows the determination that Boeing breached an agreement that had protected it from prosecution for over three years.