aviation

Does Return of Private Jets Mean Recovery Is Here?

After years of growth, private business aviation went into a steep nosedive in 2008. Over the past year, the industry has made a comeback, but does its double-digit growth signal a sunny future for the aircraft industry alone, or is it a sign of brighter days ahead for the economy in general?

Flyers, Get Ready to Pay More to Take Off

The price of a plane ticket is heading sharply higher. That's because airlines face steeper fuel costs and continue to cut capacity to keep profits from falling. You can still find some relative bargains, but it's going to take a lot more planning ahead.

Former Northwest Employees Sue Delta Over Pay Discrepancy

A half-dozen Delta Air Lines flight attendants sued the carriers for what they say is discrimination in the form of smaller profit-sharing paychecks for former Northwest Airlines employees, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

Will Higher Airfares Ground More Flyers?

Cathay Pacific CEO Tony Tyler says when airlines last raised fares in 2008, most travelers kept on flying. But as Mideast upheavals send oil prices skyward and airlines hike fares again, the impact on the bottom line could be quite different.

New Apps & Common Sense Can Help Air Travelers

Air travel delays can sometimes seem like the last straw for frustrated passengers. But new software, such as delay-prediction app FlightCaster, combined with some commonsense planning, can help keep air travelers sane and on schedule.

U.S. Air Travel Woes Reflect Bigger Infrastructure Issues

A scant few U.S. carriers took home honors from this year's "Best of Business Travel" awards from Business Traveler magazine. The apparent malaise affecting U.S. airlines may involve something more fundamental than the economy.

Bill for Damage to Quantas's Airbus A380: At Least $70 Million

The Qantas Airbus A380 engine explosion earlier this month caused at least $70 million worth of damage to the plane, according to a new report from insurance-consulting company Aon. And the bill from the incident, which caused no injuries, could fly much higher.

Are Air Cargo Costs About
to Go Sky High?

The discovery of two explosive devices found in packages on U.S.-bound cargo planes Friday raises new questions about security in the air-freight industry -- and its potential cost. How big is the risk, and how much is security worth?

American 3Q Revenue Per Seat Mile Rises by 10.8%

American Airlines third-quarter revenue per seat mile is likely to see a double-digit increase from a year earlier, as the largest U.S. airline benefits from what appears to be a rebound in travel spending.

Are U.S. Defense Contractors Abandoning California?

Boeing's plan to relocate two major defense programs from California to Oklahoma could signal the start of a major shift in the locations of defense contractors, and how they work. For the areas attracting the companies, it's about jobs. For the contractors, it's about remaining competitive.

U.S. Airlines Got Added Lift in August

American Airlines and Delta Air Lines both reported traffic increases for August, while Continental Airlines will recall 132 furloughed pilots, further indicating that air travel is on the rebound.

Unique Financing Keeps Airport Rail Link on Track

Work is moving forward on a new light rail link from downtown Denver to its airport, backed by an unusual combination of federal loans and private investment. The project will create thousands of jobs, and add a much-needed public transit option for reaching the nation's fifth-busiest airport.

Will Passengers Pay for WiFi in the Sky?

Airlines plan to nearly triple the number of planes with in-flight Internet access this year, but fewer than one in 50 passengers currently pay for the service. When will WiFi revenues start to take off?