Skift Power Rankings: Pete Buttigieg
As Transportation Secretary, Buttigieg has made an often-overlooked department relevant.
Meghna Maharishi is Skift’s Airline Reporter, where she covers everything from loyalty programs to policy-making in Washington, D.C. She previously covered the airline industry at The Points Guy, worked on the investigative desk at CNBC, and did data visualization at CNN Politics. Send tips to Meghna on Signal at mmaharishi.61.
Skift Power Rankings: Scott Kirby
From his blunt takes on ultra-low-cost carriers to Boeing, Kirby has become one of the most influential — and candid — voices in the airline industry. And under his watch, United has managed to become one of the most profitable U.S. airlines.
Elliott Owns Enough Southwest Shares to Call for a Special Meeting
Elliott is amping up the pressure on Southwest. Now that it's crossed the threshold in owning 10% of the carrier's common stock shares, the hedge fund could call a special meeting to force a vote on whether to oust Southwest CEO Bob Jordan and chairman Gary Kelly.
Lufthansa Seeks 19.9% Stake in TAP Air Portugal, Report Says
The German airline group wants to avoid purchasing a controlling stake in TAP because it doesn't require approval from European Union antitrust authorities.
United Airlines Is First U.S. Carrier to Bring Back LAX-Shanghai Flights
As Western carriers continue to pull out of China due to capacity restrictions and the closure of Russian airspace, United relaunched its nonstop service from Los Angeles to Shanghai.
United Airlines Raises Concerns Over Alaska-Hawaiian Merger
United’s issue is its multiple business agreements with Hawaiian — including one on loyalty. Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci has previously said he envisions a loyalty program that would house the two brands if the merger is approved.
United Airlines Flight Attendants Take Step Toward Strike — 99.9% Vote Yes
United flight attendants are the latest to vote overwhelmingly for a strike as flight attendant negotiations have become particularly contentious this past year.
Inside One of the Most Profitable U.S. Airlines You Haven’t Heard of
As ultra-low-cost carriers like Spirit and Frontier falter, Sun Country has been able to routinely stand out as one of the most profitable airlines in the U.S.
Delta Refutes CrowdStrike’s Claims, Says Offer of Help Came Too Late
In the latest tit-for-tat between Delta, CrowdStrike and Microsoft, Delta is claiming that CrowdStrike’s offer of onsite assistance came after it restored most of its critical systems.
‘This Is Not a PR Campaign for Boeing’: NTSB Chair Rips Into Boeing During Hearing Over 737 Max
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy’s comments come as the agency is hosting a two-day long series of hearings over what happened in the lead-up to the Alaska Airlines January 5 accident.