airlines

Virgin Atlantic has agreed a rescue deal with shareholders and creditors worth 1.2 billion pounds ($1.5 billion) to secure its future beyond the coronavirus crisis, the British airline said on Tuesday. The private-only deal removes the need for government support that had previously been sought by founder Richard Branson and is expected to be completed …

Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly told employees on Monday it needs a dramatic jump in passenger demand or it will be forced to take new steps to reduce staffing. Employees face a Wednesday deadline whether to participate in a voluntary incentive program to leave the airline. “Although furloughs and layoffs remain our very last resort, …

Boeing is scrambling to shore up financing for the 737 Max as it awaits regulatory approval for design changes after the plane was grounded following two fatal crashes, industry sources said. The company is anxious to resume deliveries once regulators declare it safe and airlines agree on training. But confidence in the jet has been …

American Airlines will resume filling planes to capacity starting July 1, the company announced Friday. “As more people continue to travel, customers may notice that flights are booked to capacity starting July 1,” the airline said in a statement. “American will continue to notify customers and allow them to move to more open flights when …

Following numerous accounts that airlines were not enforcing their own mask policies, Delta, United and American Airlines have all announced they will now be banning passengers who refuse to cover their nose and mouth. “So far, there have thankfully only been a handful of cases, but we have already banned some passengers from future travel …

Labor unions for aviation workers want Congress to pass another $32 billion bailout to protect hundreds of thousands of jobs as the coronavirus pandemic keeps airlines in a chokehold. Six unions warned lawmakers that “mass layoffs are inevitable” without another round of payroll aid to keep airline workers employed through at least the end of …

Delta Air Lines says an estimated 500 employees have contracted coronavirus during the pandemic — and the virus has killed at least 10, according to a report. CEO Ed Bastian said at a sharehlders’ meeting earlier this month the “vast majority” of the employees have recovered from the dangerous illness, Newsweek reported Wednesday. “We have …

A major US pilots union said on Wednesday it has begun discussing with key lawmakers a plan for the government to purchase seats on each flight to prevent passengers from having to sit next to strangers. The idea, launched by the Allied Pilots Association, representing American Airlines’ 15,000 pilots, is aimed at easing a return …

Delta Air Lines said on Monday it would resume flights between Seattle and Shanghai on June 25, making it the first US airline to restart operations between the US and China after flights were suspended in February due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The flights will operate twice a week in June and once a week …

You’re free to move about the cabin — but not without a mask. Major US airlines may ban passengers who fly without face coverings as they strengthen enforcement of rules meant to curb the coronavirus. Seven carriers plan to punish customers who flout mask requirements amid concerns about passengers taking them seriously, industry group Airlines …