Southwest system meltdown that stranded passengers won’t be the last, industry expert says
ORLANDO, Fla. — By midday Tuesday, airlines had canceled around 2,900 flights nationwide, and more than 2,500 of those cancellations came from Southwest Airlines. Industry experts are expecting more mass cancellations in Southwest’s future, and are putting the blame on the airline’s outdate scheduling system. Southwest’s union said its system has effectively lost track of where planes, pilots and flight attendants are. “This is a very, very complex problem, and you have to start from, really, flight by flight.”He said because of this, he expects this won’t be the last system meltdown for Southwest. In a statement, the U.S. Department of Transportation said in part:“The rate of cancellations and delays on Southwest Airlines is unacceptable and dramatically higher than other U.S. carriers.
wftv.comUS bid to kill American-JetBlue partnership goes to judge
Lawyers for the airlines said the partnership has spawned new routes that are good for travelers. They argued that during a monthlong trial, the government failed to show any evidence that the deal has hurt consumers. Soon after President Joe Biden took office, however, there were rumblings that the Justice Department was taking a closer look, and it sued to kill the deal in September 2021. “The Justice Department has a very good case,” said Florian Ederer, an antitrust expert and economics professor at Yale University who has followed the matter. The judge was careful during the trial not to indicate if he leaned one way or the other.
wftv.comAmerican Airlines to remove first-class cabins on all international flights
ORLANDO, Fla. — Officials with American Airlines have decided to drop its first-class cabins on all international flights. The airline plans to replace them with more business-class seats. Read: Powerball jackpot hits $680M after no one wins Monday’s top prizeThe move was announced in response to customer demand. Watch: JetBlue officially settles into Terminal C at Orlando International AirportThe company’s chief commercial officer said more business class seats are “what customers mostly want or are most willing to pay for.”Read: USAF Thunderbirds to headline Orlando Air and Space Show this weekendClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. ©2022 Cox Media Group
wftv.comJetBlue officially settles into Terminal C at Orlando International Airport
ORLANDO, Fla. — Tuesday is a big day for JetBlue and its customers at Orlando International Airport. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 10 JetBlue at Orlando Int'l Airport JetBlue officially becomes Terminal C's anchor tenant at Orlando Int'l Airport on Tuesday. Airlines Relocation ℹ️On October 11th, @JetBlue moved their international arrivals to Terminal C. The relocation of JetBlue's international departures & domestic arrivals/departures will be on October 25th. pic.twitter.com/SOnmS6aDyB — Orlando International Airport (@MCO) October 12, 2022Now, two weeks later, JetBlue’s full-on move-in has become a reality, with international departures and domestic arrivals and departures also based at Terminal C.The airline boasts 10 gates there. JetBlue joins other carriers like Caribbean Airlines, Emirates and Aer Lingus that have already settled into Terminal C at Orlando International Airport.
wftv.comAmerican Airlines CEO defends JetBlue deal to federal judge
The Justice Department and six states are suing American and JetBlue in federal court over their regional partnership in the Northeast, which government lawyers call a de facto merger. Isom defended the arrangement, which has been in effect for well over a year, as JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes did last week during a trial in federal court in Boston. Hayes, however, once had misgivings about the deal — called the Northeast alliance, or NEA — because of American’s size advantage over JetBlue. Despite Hayes' concerns, American and JetBlue announced their deal six months after Laurence’s text message. American and JetBlue say the government has no evidence that the deal is hurting consumers.
wftv.comUS case against American Airlines and JetBlue heads to court
DALLAS — (AP) — The government's antitrust lawsuit against American Airlines and JetBlue begins Tuesday and the outcome could determine how closely the Biden administration examines other airline deals, including JetBlue's pending attempt to buy Spirit Airlines. The Justice Department and six states are suing American and JetBlue to break up their partnership in the Northeast, namely New York and Boston. Under the alliance, American and JetBlue sell seats on each other's flights and share the revenue. The Justice Department seems to be expressing buyer's remorse about many previous airline mergers that went largely unchallenged. Consumer advocates say those mergers have led to higher prices and lower service, particularly from the four biggest airlines: American, Delta, United and Southwest.
wftv.comWall Street points down after rate hike, ahead of GDP report
Financial Markets Wall Street As the Federal Reserve announces a rate change, traders work and watch at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, Wednesday, July 27, 2022. The Fed's three-quarters of a percentage point rate hike announced Wednesday lifts the benchmark short-term rate to its highest level since 2018. An update on the economy will come later Thursday with second quarter U.S. GDP data. On Wall Street, investors welcomed the Fed's widely expected move with a broad rally on Wednesday. Rate increases like Wednesday's, the fourth so far this year, make borrowing more expensive and slow the economy.
wftv.comJetBlue agrees to buy Spirit for $3.8 billion
Budget Airlines Consolidation FILE - A line of Spirit Airlines jets sit on the tarmac at Orlando International Airport on May 20, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. Spirit Airlines shareholders could pick a preferred buyer for their airline Wednesday, July 27, 2022, when they are scheduled to vote on one of the offers for the budget carrier. Shareholders appear to be leaning against the bid preferred by Spirit’s board, a merger offer from Frontier Airlines that is currently worth more than $2.6 billion. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File) (Chris O'Meara)JetBlue has agreed to buy Spirit Airlines for $3.8 billion in a deal that would create the nation's fifth largest airline if approved by U.S. regulators. The agreement Thursday comes a day after Spirit's attempt to merge with Frontier Airlines fell apart.
wftv.comJetBlue to buy Spirit Airlines for $3.8B
After a deal between Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines fell through, a new sale agreement was reached between Spirit and JetBlue. >> Read more trending newsJetBlue has agreed to buy the low-cost air carrier for $3.8 billion, The Associated Press reported. The move will create the country’s fifth-largest airline. Check back for more on this developing story. ©2022 Cox Media Group
wftv.comA woman says she and her mother were locked out of an airport terminal after asking for a hotel room when her flight was canceled
Lenay Demetrious, 25, said security was called on her. "I felt not only scared, but I felt like I was being treated like an animal or a criminal for no reason."
news.yahoo.comR. Kelly accuser reacts to the singer’s 30-year sentence for sex trafficking, racketeering
After singer and producer R. Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison for federal sex trafficking and racketeering, one of his victims, Lizzette Martinez, spoke to reporters and said, “I never thought that I would be here to see him be held accountable for the atrocious things that he did to children.”
news.yahoo.comMerger vote at Spirit could reshape discount airline market
(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File) (Chris O'Meara)DALLAS — (AP) — The prospect of a takeover of Spirit Airlines threatens to upend the cheap-fare end of the industry much like a series of mergers among big airlines reduced choices for travelers. Spirit is the largest budget airline in the United States, but its days as a stand-alone company appear numbered. The big question is whether it is sold to fellow discounter Frontier Airlines or to JetBlue, which operates more like the four giants that dominate the U.S. airline business. Spirit shareholders are scheduled to vote Thursday on whether to approve a stock-and-cash offer from Frontier that is currently worth about $22 per share, or $2.4 billion, and give Spirit shareholders 48.5% of the combined airline. Frontier argues that its proposal will be better for Spirit shareholders in the long run, assuming that airline stocks recover to pre-pandemic levels.
wftv.comSpirit Airlines, a bidding war target, postpones buyout vote
JetBlue-Spirit FLE - A line of Spirit Airlines jets sit on the tarmac at the Orlando International Airport on May 20, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. The bidding war over Spirit Airlines continues, with JetBlue raising its offer for the discount carrier just days after Frontier boosted its bid. Spirit shareholders are also scheduled to vote Friday on Frontier's offer. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File) (Chris O'Meara)Spirit Airlines, the target of a budget airline bidding war, is postponing a Friday shareholder vote on whether to accept one of those buyout offers after a flurry of counter proposals from JetBlue and Frontier Airlines. The bidding war for Spirit has heated up in the past few days, with JetBlue attempting to allay concerns that the U.S. would block its acquisition.
wftv.comEarly gains fade on Wall Street as trading remains choppy
Stocks are off to a higher start on Wall Street Monday, June 6, 2022 led by more gains in big tech companies. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, file) (John Minchillo)NEW YORK — (AP) — Early gains for stocks were mostly gone by early afternoon on Wall Street Monday as trading remained choppy. Markets have had a bumpy ride in recent weeks as investors worry about rising interest rates and persistently high inflation. Banks gained ground along with rising bond yields, which allow them to charge more lucrative interest rates on mortgages and other loans. But, Wall Street is worried raising interest rates too quickly or by too much could cause a recession.
wftv.comStocks climb on Wall Street, led by more gains in tech
Stocks are off to a higher start on Wall Street Monday, June 6, 2022 led by more gains in big tech companies. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, file) (John Minchillo)NEW YORK — (AP) — Stocks rose broadly in morning trading on Wall Street Monday, led by more gains in big tech companies. Banks gained ground along with rising bond yields, which allow them to charge more lucrative interest rates on mortgages and other loans. But, Wall Street is worried raising interest rates too quickly or by too much could cause a recession. Meanwhile, higher interest rates put downward pressure on stocks and other investments.
wftv.comStocks climb on Wall Street, led by more gains in tech
Financial Markets Wall Street FILE - A Wall Street sign is shown in the Financial District, on Oct. 13, 2021, in the Manhattan borough of New York. Stocks are opening lower on Wall Street on Friday, June 3, 2022, putting indexes back into the red for the week. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) (John Minchillo)NEW YORK — (AP) — Stocks are off to a higher start on Wall Street Monday led by more gains in big tech companies. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported Washington plans to lift tariffs on Chinese-made solar panels and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said President Joe Biden was “looking at” ending other duties. Wall Street traders have been uneasy about the possibility Federal Reserve interest rates aimed at cooling inflation that is running at a four-decade high might tip the U.S. economy into a recession.
wftv.comUS Transportation Dept. lifts restrictions on Cuba flights
The U.S. Transportation Department on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 lifted restrictions on flights to Cuba that were established during the Trump administration. The restrictions had prevented U.S. airline flights and chartered flights from going to Cuban cities other than Havana. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa, File) (Ramon Espinosa)WASHINGTON — (AP) — The U.S. Transportation Department on Wednesday made it easier for Americans to travel to Cuba, lifting flight restrictions that were established during the Trump administration. The restrictions had prevented U.S. airline flights and chartered flights from going to Cuban cities other than Havana. Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent a letter to the Transportation Department on Tuesday asking it to revoke the restrictions, and the agency followed through Wednesday.
wftv.comStocks end mostly lower, extending losing streak for S&P 500
Stocks fell in morning trading on Wall Street Monday, continuing a losing streak that has brought the market down for six weeks in a row. (Courtney Crow/New York Stock Exchange via AP) (Courtney Crow)NEW YORK — (AP) — Stocks ended another wobbly day mostly lower on Wall Street Monday, extending a losing streak for markets. NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks edged higher on Wall Street Monday, but trading remains choppy as the market comes off six straight weeks of declines. U.S. crude oil prices rose 2.9% Monday and are up more than 50% for the year. Natural gas prices rose 3.9% and have more than doubled in 2022.
wftv.comStocks waver on Wall Street amid broader losing streak
Financial Markets Wall Street In this photo provided by the New York Stock Exchange, trader James MacGilvray works on the floor, Monday, May 16, 2022. Stocks fell in morning trading on Wall Street Monday, continuing a losing streak that has brought the market down for six weeks in a row. Technology stocks fell and tempered gains elsewhere in the market. U.S. crude oil prices rose 1.6% Monday and are up more than 50% for the year. Wall Street is closely watching how consumers react to pressure from inflation and will get several updates from the U.S. government and key retailers this week.
wftv.comStocks fall on Wall Street, continuing a losing streak
Stocks are opening modestly lower on Wall Street Monday, May 16, 2022 continuing a losing streak that has brought the market down for six weeks in a row. Spirit Airlines rose 7% after JetBlue said it would make a hostile offer for the budget carrier after Spirit rebuffed its earlier bid. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) (John Minchillo)NEW YORK — (AP) — Stocks fell in morning trading on Wall Street Monday, continuing a losing streak that has brought the market down for six weeks in a row. The sector has been a particularly heavy weight on the broader market as investors worry about high inflation and rising interest rates. Natural gas prices rose 5% and have more than doubled in 2022.
wftv.comWall Street opens modestly lower, continuing a losing streak
Financial Markets Wall Street In this photo provided by the New York Stock Exchange, trader James MacGilvray works on the floor, Friday, May 13, 2022. Stocks rallied on Wall Street Friday, but not enough to claw back all the losses the market has taken in this volatile week of trading. (Courtney Crow/New York Stock Exchange via AP) (Courtney Crow)NEW YORK — (AP) — Stocks are opening modestly lower on Wall Street Monday, continuing a losing streak that has brought the market down for six weeks in a row. Global shares were mixed and oil prices fell. South Korea's Kospi fell 0.3% to 2,596.58.
wftv.comWall Street points lower after sixth straight weekly decline
Financial Markets Wall Street In this photo provided by the New York Stock Exchange, trader James MacGilvray works on the floor, Friday, May 13, 2022. Stocks rallied on Wall Street Friday, but not enough to claw back all the losses the market has taken in this volatile week of trading. Last week, U.S. benchmarks logged their sixth straight weekly drop, the longest such streak since 2011. JetBlue will go straight to Spirit shareholders to ask them to reject a proposed $2.9 billion acquisition by Frontier Airlines. In energy trading, benchmark U.S. crude lost $1.16 to $109.33 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
wftv.comMike Tyson caught on video punching man on flight to Florida
Legendary former boxer Mike Tyson was caught on camera repeatedly punching a man on a JetBlue flight Wednesday night that was scheduled to fly to Miami from San Francisco International Airport, News 6 partner WPLG-TV and TMZ Sports reported.
Safety last: Risky investments soared at start of 2021
FILE - In this Tuesday, March 9, 2021, file photo, a JetBlue flight arrives at Salt Lake City International Airport, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)NEW YORK – Who needs safety when the world's about to get back to normal? Worries are also rising that one the worst enemies of bond investors, inflation, may be set to return. The drops in bond prices sent the average intermediate-term core bond fund down 2.9% in the first quarter, as of Tuesday, according to Morningstar. Higher interest rates are adding more pressure on high-growth stocks, which were often lagging the market during the first quarter.
Southwest Airlines resumes normal boarding policy
(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)Scrapping its coronavirus pandemic policy of boarding passengers in smaller groups, Southwest Airlines has resumed its traditional boarding procedures. The nation’s largest domestic carrier, which doesn’t assign seats, began boarding passengers in groups of 30 on March 15. It had been boarding passengers in groups of ten since it unveiled its “Southwest Promise” health and safety protocols last May. In early March, JetBlue stopped boarding passengers from back to front and resumed its traditional boarding procedures by groups. United and Delta still have pandemic boarding policies in place.
US jobless claims fall to 712,000 as pace of layoffs eases
A JetBlue flight arrives at Salt Lake City International Airport, Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Salt Lake City. The Labor Department said Thursday that applications for unemployment aid dropped by 42,000 from 754,000 the week before. Though the job market has been slowly strengthening, many businesses remain under pressure, and 9.6 million jobs remain lost to the pandemic that flattened the economy 12 months ago. AdAll told, 4.1 million Americans are receiving traditional state unemployment benefits. Even where restrictions didn't exist, many Americans for months chose to stay home to avoid the risk of infection.
US airlines adding jobs, extending rebound from October low
The Transportation Department said Tuesday, March 9, 2021, that the airline industry employed 713,949 people full-time or part-time in January. Cargo airlines have added jobs while passenger airlines have shed workers, mostly through incentives for workers to quit or take early retirement. The Transportation Department said Tuesday that 713,949 people held full-time or part-time jobs at airlines in mid-January, up from 694,638 in December and the low of 673,278 in October. American Airlines eliminated 8,700 jobs, or 8% of its workers, and Southwest shed more than 4,600 jobs, or 7.5%. FedEx's express-delivery division grew by about 24,000 jobs, or 9.8%, United Parcel Service added 183 jobs, or 2.9%, in its air-shipment business, and smaller cargo carriers such as Atlas Air also added jobs, according to the Transportation Department.
JetBlue to stop blocking middle seats on flights
All rights reserved)ORLANDO, Fla. – JetBlue is the latest U.S. airline to announce it will stop blocking seats on flights. The company says it will reduce the number of middle seats it leaves empty starting Dec. 1. [TRENDING: COVID-19 closes early voting location | Can you get COVID-19 twice? Airlines have been blocking seats due to the coronavirus pandemic. Southwest announced last week it will start selling middle seats after Dec. 1.
JetBlue is the latest airline to retreat from blocking seats
The days of airlines blocking seats to make passengers feel safer about flying during the pandemic are coming closer to an end. A spokesman for the carrier said Thursday that JetBlue will reduce the number of seats it blocks after Dec. 1 to accommodate families traveling together over the holidays. Southwest Airlines said last week that it will stop limiting the number of seats it fills after Dec. 1. Some airlines promised to block middle seats to create more distance between passengers. Southwest CEO Gary Kelly made a similar reference to “scientific evidence” that cabins are safe, but he also cited a strong financial incentive to stop blocking middle seats.
Airlines say transmission of COVID-19 in flight is rare but so is data to prove it
DeSantis reassured travelers flying would not increase their chances of catching the virus but didnt disclose what data or studies could prove that. DeSantis said we track the best we can what goes on in Florida and asked the airline representatives if theyve seen in outbreaks related to air travel. The research we have seen to date, and our own investigations with the worlds airlines, tell us that the risk of catching COVID-19 on a flight remains very low. In general, the longer you are around a person with COVID-19, the more likely you are to get infected, according to CDC information on COVID-19 and travel. However, social distancing is difficult on crowded flights, and sitting within 6 feet of others, sometimes for hours, may increase your risk of getting COVID-19, according to CDC.gov.
American Airlines, JetBlue form partnership during coronavirus pandemic
All rights reserved)American Airlines and JetBlue are joining forces to help deal with the dip in air travel demand due to the coronavirus. Under their new partnership, the airlines can now sell seats on each other's flights and share frequent flyer benefits. American Airlines is much larger than JetBlue. the airline has a strong market position in New York. It also has key routes between New York City., Boston and Florida.
’Fly it forward:’ JetBlue to give free flights to 100,000 health workers
JetBlue is giving 100,000 health care workers roundtrip flights for two to honor their work amid the coronavirus crisis. It’s starting by giving flight certificates to 10,000 health care workers in New York City. Then it's giving 90,000 pairs of flight certificates to medical professionals across the U.S. pic.twitter.com/4crUlLlsMD — JetBlue (@JetBlue) May 6, 2020The recipients can use the certificates when the time is right to travel anywhere JetBlue flies. Three planes will do the flyover at 7 p.m. Thursday to coincide with the daily clapping in the big apple to applaud health care and essential workers.