The Top Air Travel News From the Month of October

October's Top Air Travel News

1/20
Everybody knows that October can be a spooky month.

Some might even call it mysterious.

Well, there were some things that happened in the aviation industry that still remain a mystery to some. Unexplained, might be a better phrase.

Like what prompted an off-duty pilot to try and shut off the engines and murder more than 80 people? And why would United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby use his own conference call to announce earnings, coming off a successful quarter, to take shots at the low-cost airlines?

As John Lennon once sang, these are strange days indeed. Most peculiar, mama.

Here are the rest of the notable headlines from October.

Southwest Extends Schedule

2/20
Southwest Airlines is taking advantage of the increased demand for air travel. Southwest has extended its reservations through next August and will now have an all-time high of more than 4,500 departures.

 

Frontier to Expand Loyalty Program

3/20
Frontier Airlines, the low-cost carrier based in Denver, will have a new and expanded loyalty program for 2024. In fact, it is being advertised as one of the best, if not the best, programs in the country.

 

Off-Duty Pilot Charged With Attempted Murder of Passengers

4/20
This is certainly one of the most bizarre aviation stories of the year. And off-duty pilot who was flying as a deadhead tried unsuccessfully to stop the engines on a plane. He was overpowered by crew members, detained, and charged with 83 counts of attempted murder.

 

Union Warns Flight Attendants About Bed Bugs

5/20
The largest union for flight attendants in the country sent out a memo to its members. An unusual memo. It instructed flight attendants to carry certain items in a carry-on bag to search for bed bugs when they check into a hotel.

 

United CEO Calls Out Low-Cost Airlines

6/20
Them’s fightin’ words! United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby used the occasion of an earnings conference call to take shots at the low-cost airlines.

 

Leadership Changes at Frontier

7/20
Frontier Airlines decided to make some leadership changes. The Denver-based carrier now has a new president and a new chief financial officer.

 

FAA Investigating Near Miss

8/20
In a year of near-misses, the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating yet another one. This time there was almost a catastrophe at busy Newark Airport.

 

United's Forecast for Q4

9/20
United Airlines is coming off a good third quarter, but it doesn’t anticipate the fourth quarter being as good. UAL said it might have to lower its forecast because of rising fuel costs, labor issues, and the ongoing war in the Middle East.

 

American Unveils New Business Loyalty Program

10/20
Business travel is coming back, and American Airlines wants its share of the pie. To that end, the airline has unveiled a new business loyalty program.

 

New Tool Can Predict Airport Stress

11/20
We all know that a bad airport experience can set the tone for the day before you even set foot on the flight. Now a new tool can predict just how stressful the airport can be.

 

Flight Attendants Ready to Strike

12/20
Flight attendants have made it very clear. They are prepared to strike if need be. They want a renegotiated contract or they are ready to walk off the job.

 

United Makes Boarding Policy Change

13/20
In an effort to save time, airlines are forever tinkering with how we board a plane. Now United Airlines has come up with a novel approach to boarding. The airline will board passengers who sit in the window seats first, followed by those in the middle, followed by those in the aisle.

 

New England Patriots Sues Eastern Airlines

14/20
The New England Patriots of the National Football League are making headlines off the field. The team has filed a lawsuit against Eastern Airlines alleging that the carrier tried to renegotiate the terms of servicing the two private planes the team uses.

 

Avelo Averts Future Pilot Problems

15/20
Avelo Airlines has figured out a way to keep its pilots happy. It pays them. Avelo, without the threat of a bitter strike and the acrimony that comes with that, has once again raised the pay for its pilots.

 

Lufthansa Files Lawsuit

16/20
Lufthansa Airlines wants its compensation. The German national carrier has sued a group of climate activists for picketing and shutting down the Berlin Airport, which led to several cancelations.

 

American Airlines Threatens Discipline

17/20
It looks as if American Airlines is trying to discourage some of its flight attendants who want to unionize. Or at least those who want to advertise it. American Airlines has threatened to discipline any flight attendant who wears a union T shirt under their uniform.

 

United Makes Change for Wheelchair Users

18/20
A promising sign for activists for the disabled. United Airlines agreed to make some much-needed changes for wheelchair users.

 

SAS Out of Bankruptcy

19/20
Scandinavian airline SAS will fly again. The financially challenged carrier will continue its routes throughout Europe, thanks to a little help from its friends.

 

United's Pilots Ratify New Contract

20/20
We can’t speak for the weather, but there will be no pilot issues at United Airlines for the holidays. United pilots ratified a new contract offer said to be in the billions.

 

Next Slide > >

< < Prev Slide

Get To Know Us Better

Agent At Home

Helping leisure selling travel agents successfully manage their at-home business.

Subscribe For Free

Agent Specialization: Group Travel

Laurence Pinckney

Laurence Pinckney

CEO of Zenbiz Travel, LLC

About Me
Agent At Home

Helping leisure selling travel agents successfully manage their at-home business.

Subscribe For Free

Agent Specialization: Group Travel

Laurence Pinckney

Laurence Pinckney

CEO of Zenbiz Travel, LLC

About Me