washingtonpost.com - Struggling Airlines

Delta, NWA shareholders approve combination

JOSHUA FREED and HARRY R. WEBER — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:00:49 EDT

-- Delta Air Lines Inc. and Northwest Airlines Corp. shareholders gave the go-ahead Thursday to a combination that would create the world's biggest carrier, deciding that in their volatile industry they like their chances better together than on their own.

Alitalia official: time running out for bailout

ALESSANDRA RIZZO — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 18:55:52 EDT

ROME -- Alitalia's bankruptcy administrator on Saturday warned unions opposed to a rescue plan that time was running out for saving the Italian carrier, as flights were at risk of cancellation for lack of fuel and some workers would be laid off soon.

Investors walk out of rescue plan talks

ALESSANDRA RIZZO and COLLEEN BARRY — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:20:26 EDT

ROME -- It may indeed take papal prayers to save Alitalia after Italian investors tapped to take over the bankrupt national carrier walked away from talks with unions on Friday.

More Frustrated Fliers Taking to the Rails

Sholnn Freeman — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Jada Golden stood in the waiting lounge at Union Station, explaining why Amtrak is a better way to travel than an airline.

Struggling to Stay Aloft

Sholnn Freeman — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

LYNCHBURG, Va. -- American cities have long viewed a thriving commercial airport as a source of civic pride, a way to attract businesses and jobs, a selling point promising an easy connection to the outside world. Any community vibrant enough to support a respectable airport, the thinking goes, i...

Air Travel Failings Exposed Again by Weekend Storms

Sholnn Freeman — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The line of thunderstorms stretching from Albany to Washington over the weekend showed once again how broken the nation's air system is, according to travelers and activists.

House Passes Air Safety Bill To Limit FAA, Industry Ties

Kendra Marr and Simone Baribeau — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The House has passed legislation aimed at preventing the Federal Aviation Administration from having too warm of a relationship with the airline industry.

United, US Airways, JetBlue Report Losses

John Hughes — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

United Airlines parent UAL, US Airways Group and JetBlue Airways posted second-quarter losses yesterday as record fuel prices helped push industry-wide job cuts to 26,000.

American Airlines, Delta Post Steep Losses as Oil Costs Soar

Sholnn Freeman — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

American Airlines parent AMR and Delta Air Lines yesterday reported steep losses in the second quarter of the year, as the surging cost of oil began to push the industry into survival mode.

FAA's Oversight of Airline Safety Under Investigation

Sholnn Freeman — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The Federal Aviation Administration is facing a wide-ranging inspector general investigation into recent maintenance troubles at airlines.

American Pares Service To LaGuardia, 4 Cities

Sholnn Freeman — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

American Airlines, the largest U.S. airline, announced yesterday a deep round of service cuts that includes shrinking the number of flights from New York's LaGuardia airport and eliminating service to four smaller U.S. cities.

United Airlines to Put 950 Pilots on Furlough

Sholnn Freeman — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

United Airlines said yesterday that it would furlough 950 pilots, or 15 percent of its pilot ranks, in the biggest such reduction since the sweeping industry cutbacks after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Flying Is Going to Get Even Less Fun

Sholnn Freeman — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

For the past decade, airlines have lavished U.S. air travelers with more and more flights to far-flung domestic destinations at rock-bottom prices. But the rising cost of fuel, which has already roiled the nation's driving experience, is threatening to fundamentally alter the way Americans fly.

Sharing in the Pain

Post — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Airlines are charging or considering charging for items including checked bags, beverages and seats on the aisle. Analysts say travelers should expect fewer flights and more crowded planes -- and for ticket prices to continue to climb.

FAA Orders Jet Inspections After Emergency Landing

Michael J. Sniffen — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Federal regulators have ordered the immediate inspection of throttles on small personal jets manufactured by Eclipse Aviation after one plane made an emergency landing in Chicago on June 5.

United to Ground Its Ted Carrier

Sholnn Freeman — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

United Airlines said yesterday that it was dismantling Ted, its low-cost "airline within an airline" created in 2004 to compete with Southwest Airlines. United said Ted was the victim of soaring fuel costs.

United, US Airways Call Off Talks on Combining 'For Now'

Dave Carpenter — Sat, 31 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

United Airlines scrapped its latest attempt to combine with US Airways and create the world's largest carrier, formally backing away yesterday from a deal that probably would have meant fewer routes and higher ticket prices.

Summer's Flight Plan: Delays and Rising Fares

Del Quentin Wilber — Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Passengers are likely to face higher fares, packed planes and a continuation of headache-causing flight delays this summer, according to outside analysts and a trade group that represents major air carriers.

Cause of Jet Crash Remains Elusive

Del Quentin Wilber — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

As the hulking passenger jet approached London's busiest airport after a long flight from China, the inexplicable happened: Both of the plane's engines sputtered and essentially died.

United's New Plan Could Cost D.C.

Del Quentin Wilber — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The next potential act in Airline Merger Mania 2008: United Airlines and US Airways are negotiating a tie-up that could have profound implications for Washington-area air travelers, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

Air Merger To Test Its Blue Sky on Hill Skeptics

Del Quentin Wilber — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Since announcing their proposed merger last week, executives at Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines have been promising the world -- in more ways than one.

Fuel Costs Squeeze U.S. Airlines

Del Quentin Wilber — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Faced with skyrocketing fuel bills, major U.S. airlines have announced nearly $1 billion in losses for the first three months of the year, a financial toll that is forcing carriers to slash flight schedules, cut jobs, add passenger fees and even seek potential merger partners.

It Rains, It Pours

Cindy Skrzycki — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

As if U.S. airlines don't have enough to worry about, with rising fuel prices, mergers and bankruptcies, a safety-inspection crackdown and countless disgruntled customers. Now along comes a federal requirement to upgrade the drinking water on planes.

Groundings Prompt FAA Safety Overhaul

Del Quentin Wilber — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The nation's top transportation official yesterday announced steps that she said will improve oversight of airlines' compliance with safety mandates and ensure that last week's mass groundings and flight cancellations do not recur.

Mapping Out an Airline for a New World

Del Quentin Wilber — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Executives of Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines yesterday made their case for completing a merger and creating the largest air carrier in the world. Their pitch essentially boils down to this: The new Delta would be a massive and growing global operation designed to survive tough economic ti...

Delta, Northwest Agree to Merger

Del Quentin Wilber — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines last night announced a proposed merger that would create the world's largest carrier and possibly spur an industry-wide round of restructuring that could vastly change air travel for millions of Americans.

Frontier Becomes 4th U.S. Airline in Month to File for Bankruptcy

Kendra Marr — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Frontier Airlines, a low-cost carrier based in Denver, filed for bankruptcy protection yesterday, becoming the fourth U.S. airline to apply for Chapter 11 in the past month.

More American Flights Canceled Over Jets' Wiring

Del Quentin Wilber — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

American Airlines' chief executive apologized yesterday for stranding tens of thousands of passengers this week as his carrier continued to reinspect hundreds of jets for wiring that failed to meet federal safety standards.

American Cancels 1,000 Flights

Del Quentin Wilber — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

American Airlines canceled more than 1,000 flights yesterday, stranding tens of thousands of passengers as the carrier's mechanics scrambled to reinspect wire bundles on jets grounded as recently as two weeks ago for similar checks.

Airline Passengers Face Even More Fees

Del Quentin Wilber — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Airline passengers, already enduring persistent flight delays and other customer service headaches, are confronting another aggravation: mounting fees for everything from checking a second bag to sending a child alone on a trip.

American Cancels Flights Again to Inspect Wiring

Del Quentin Wilber — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

American Airlines yesterday canceled as many as 500 flights so mechanics could re-inspect planes to ensure that wire bundling on the jets met federal safety standards.

Airline Safety Alarms Unheeded

Del Quentin Wilber — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Federal aviation safety inspectors told members of Congress yesterday that they repeatedly ran into roadblocks when trying to report oversight lapses that allowed Southwest Airlines last year to operate passenger flights with planes in need of key safety checks.

Airlines, FAA Under Fire on the Hill

Del Quentin Wilber — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Crossed wiring led two United Airlines jets to skid off runways.

Court Rejects Air Travelers Bill of Rights

Frank Ahrens — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A federal appeals court struck down a New York law yesterday designed to make life a little easier for airline passengers stuck on tarmacs for hours on end.

3 Airlines Match Increases In Fares to Help Pay for Fuel

Post — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and US Airways yesterday all matched round-trip fare increases of as much as $50 by United Airlines and Continental Airlines.

Southwest Grounds 38 Jets for Inspection

Kendra Marr — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Facing federal and internal investigations of its maintenance practices, Southwest Airlines grounded 38 jetliners for fuselage inspection Tuesday night.

Will Mergers Fly?

Del Quentin Wilber — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

Even before any of the nation's major airlines make formal overtures that could lead to mergers, lawmakers from both parties are voicing concerns about the potential pitfalls of consolidation.

Fliers Happy to End Holiday Travel Pains

Del Quentin Wilber — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

The holidays brought no respite to air travelers like Sean Fox.

Maxjet Halts Flights, Files For Chapter 11

Alejandro Lazo — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

Maxjet Airways, the all-business-class carrier based in Dulles, yesterday ceased operations -- canceling flights on Christmas Eve -- as it filed for bankruptcy protection.

2007 on Pace to Be Worst Year For Airlines' On-Time Performance

John Hughes — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Almost one in three U.S. airline flights failed to arrive on time in August, the second-worst performance ever for the month, as 2007 stayed on a record pace for delays.

Anger Over Airline Delays Spurs Passengers' Coalition Into Action

Del Quentin Wilber — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Just a few months ago, Kate Hanni wasn't thinking much about the woes of air travelers.

Delta Names Richard Anderson As CEO

HARRY R. WEBER — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 22:21:35 EDT

ATLANTA -- Delta Air Lines Inc. fought hard during bankruptcy to avoid being taken over by another carrier. Less than four months after exiting Chapter 11, it reignited speculation Tuesday about a future merger by naming former Northwest Airlines Corp. CEO Richard Anderson as its next chief...

Northwest, Pilots Reach Workload Deal

JOSHUA FREED — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 06:52:09 EDT

MINNEAPOLIS -- Northwest Airlines Corp. and its pilots made a deal Wednesday that would ease pilots' workloads in an effort to stop the end-of-the-month cancellations that have plagued the airline.

Northwest, Pilots Reach Workload Deal

JOSHUA FREED — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 23:48:51 EDT

MINNEAPOLIS -- Northwest Airlines Corp. and its pilots made a deal Wednesday that would ease pilots' workloads in an effort to stop the end-of-the-month cancellations that have plagued the airline.

Boeing Comes Soaring Back

Del Quentin Wilber — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

In the 13 years since Boeing last introduced a new jetliner, it has slogged through one of the toughest stretches in its lengthy history, enduring corporate scandals, major production problems, executive turnover and even questions about whether it should abandon the commercial airplane business.

Who's Buying

Post — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

A look at some of the airlines that have ordered the 787 Dreamliner:

New Jets Smooth Bumps on Regional Routes

JOSHUA FREED — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 15:47:28 EDT

MINNEAPOLIS -- Airlines are rushing to add new regional jets with first-class seats, roomier cabins and, in some cases, hot food.

Northwest Exits Bankruptcy Protection

JOSHUA FREED — Thu, 31 May 2007 21:19:37 EDT

MINNEAPOLIS -- With Northwest Airlines out of bankruptcy on Thursday, the nation's largest carriers have reorganized to compete better in a world of discount carriers and higher fuel prices.

Northwest Exits Bankruptcy Protection

JOSHUA FREED — Thu, 31 May 2007 00:48:56 EDT

MINNEAPOLIS -- Northwest Airlines Corp. is emerging from Chapter 11 a little smaller, a lot more efficient, and with some of the lowest costs among the major carriers.

Turbulence Over Executive Pay

Del Quentin Wilber — Tue, 22 May 2007 00:00:00 EDT

FORT WORTH -- American Airlines executives should have been celebrating last week during their annual stockholders' meeting, the first in six years at which they could spotlight an annual profit.

A Pair of Flying Leaps

Del Quentin Wilber — Fri, 04 May 2007 00:00:00 EDT

The airline industry is littered with the corpses of failed start-ups.

Old Hand Steadies the Ship

Del Quentin Wilber — Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 EDT

ATLANTA -- Gerald Grinstein took the helm of Delta Air Lines at an age when many chief executives have given up the corner office for leisurely days of fly fishing or sailing. He stepped in at the urging of Delta's board in 2004 to help rescue the reeling airline -- battered by problems in the la...

Delta Waves Goodbye to Bankruptcy

HARRY R. WEBER — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 19:30:55 EDT

ATLANTA -- Delta Air Lines Inc. waved farewell to bankruptcy protection Monday and put down a welcome mat for a redesigned logo after surviving a hostile takeover bid during a 19 1/2-month reorganization that saw it shed billions in costs.

Day for Delta to Exit Bankruptcy Arrives

HARRY R. WEBER — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 20:16:04 EDT

ATLANTA -- Delta Air Lines Inc. has undergone a major facelift during more than a year and a half in bankruptcy, but other changes are on the way as the nation's No. 3 carrier exits Chapter 11 on Monday.

At JetBlue, a Pattern of Delays

Del Quentin Wilber — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 00:00:00 EST

JetBlue Airways, which has come under fire for stranding passengers for hours on an icy taxiway last week, ranked among the worst carriers in long waits on tarmacs last year, federal statistics show.

Flying Late, Arriving Light

Del Quentin Wilber — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 00:00:00 EST

Air travelers had a tough year getting to their destinations on time -- and with bags in hand.

Delta Creditors Reject Merger

Del Quentin Wilber — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:00:00 EST

US Airways lost its aggressive takeover bid for Delta Air Lines yesterday when Delta's creditors rejected the $10 billion offer that would have created the nation's largest carrier.

US Airways Withdraws Bid for Delta

HARRY R. WEBER — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:37:28 EST

ATLANTA -- US Airways Group Inc. dropped its $9.8 billion hostile bid for Delta Air Lines Inc. on Wednesday after a key group of the bankrupt carrier's creditors said Delta would be better off emerging from Chapter 11 on its own.

US Airways Reports 4Q Profit, Eyes Delta

CHRIS KAHN — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 19:28:37 EST

TEMPE, Ariz. -- US Airways Group Inc., which is pushing to buy rival Delta Air Lines Inc. in a hostile takeover bid, on Tuesday said it swung to a profit in the fourth quarter, as strength in both mainline and express operations helped offset high fuel costs.

Comair, Pilots Nearing Deadline

LISA CORNWELL — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 19:06:20 EST

CINCINNATI -- Time is running out for Comair and its pilots to reach an agreement on wage cuts and other concessions.

An Airline That Isn't Bankrupt

George F. Will — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:00:00 EST

American Airlines' stock is over $37 and its shareholders have $8 billion in equity. The Wright brothers' machine might work out after all.

Delta Pushes Ahead on Standalone Plan

HARRY R. WEBER — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 04:36:10 EST

ATLANTA -- Delta Air Lines Inc., the nation's third-largest carrier, pushed ahead Friday with its effort to emerge from bankruptcy as a standalone company by formally asking the court to approve the disclosure statement to its reorganization plan.

Delta Price May Be Burden for US Airways

CHRIS KAHN — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 01:56:49 EST

PHOENIX -- Delta Air Lines certainly would be a huge prize for US Airways, but its proposed $10.3 billion price tag could become a heavy burden on the company's finances.

US Airways Raises Bid For Delta to $10.2 Billion

Del Quentin Wilber — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 00:00:00 EST

US Airways turned up the pressure yesterday in its hostile takeover bid for bankrupt Delta Air Lines by boosting its offer, setting a February deadline for action and sending its top executive to Capitol Hill to reassure legislators that a merger would not harm consumers.

US Airways Increases Bid for Delta

HARRY R. WEBER — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 21:36:34 EST

ATLANTA -- US Airways increased the pressure on Delta Air Lines' unsecured creditors to take its buyout offer by raising the bid Wednesday nearly 20 percent to $10.3 billion. Whether the deal would survive regulatory scrutiny may be the deciding factor.

US Airways: Delta's Self-Valuation High

HARRY R. WEBER — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 18:21:26 EST

ATLANTA -- Delta Air Lines' projection that it will be worth as much as $12 billion when it emerges from bankruptcy is "unrealistic," US Airways Chief Executive Doug Parker said Thursday as his company pushed ahead with its hostile bid to buy Delta.