msnbc.com: News

Airlines’ on-time marks improved in May

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 18:42:47 GMT

U.S. airlines have cut many flights and they are getting better at staying on schedule with their remaining flights, as more trips arrived on time in May than a year earlier.

Canadian’s song about United Airlines a hit

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:55:05 GMT

A Canadian musician has become an Internet sensation after posting a song on YouTube about United Airlines breaking his guitar.

NWA flight attendants challenge uniform sizes

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:01:34 GMT

The union that represents flight attendants who worked for Northwest Airlines before it was bought by Delta Air Lines is crying foul over Delta's failure to offer bigger sizes for its signature red dress uniform designed by Richard Tyler.

Ex-airline worker 'mortified' over gun on plane

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:04:40 GMT

A lawyer for a fired airline worker says he is "mortified" at the lapse in judgment that led him to help a friend get an unloaded gun on a plane.

Airfare from Hilo going up

Flights from Hilo to other islands may cost $20 more because the state is charging interisland airlines more money to use the passenger waiting lounge at the airport.

Jet returns to Calif. airport with engine problem

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:08:28 GMT

San Francisco International Airport officials say a Northwest Airlines jet carrying 194 passengers suffered an engine problem after takeoff, forcing it to return to the airport.

Rails and tales: Free programs for Amtrak riders

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 13:19:27 GMT

This summer, on-board volunteers are riding the rails, pointing out local landmarks and putting the countryside in context from Upstate New York to Southern California.

Boston airport tests radar to avoid bird strikes

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 19:16:49 GMT

Logan International is testing a specialized radar system the Air Force uses to protect its fighters and NASA uses to guard its $2 billion shuttles, as it considers stepping up its efforts at preventing collisions between birds and airplanes.

United fined for not revealing flight information

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 21:30:42 GMT

The U.S. Department of Transportation on Thursday issued a $80,000 penalty against United Airlines for failing to tell customers that the flights they were traveling on were operated by another carrier.

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Thu, 9 Jul 2009 21:30:42 GMT

Snubbed travelers to get warm Irish welcome

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 13:47:48 GMT

Three Texans who said they were denied entry into Dublin, Ireland, can pack their bags for another trip.

French tourists ranked as world’s worst

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 13:21:50 GMT

French tourists are the worst in the world, coming across as bad at foreign languages, tight-fisted and arrogant, according to a survey of 4,500 hotel owners across the world.

Turtles on runway delay flights in New York

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 23:27:21 GMT

A runway at John F. Kennedy International Airport was shut down briefly Wednesday morning after at least 78 turtles emerged from a nearby bay and crawled onto the tarmac.

EasyJet adds services to Israel, Morocco

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 12:48:05 GMT

Low-cost carrier easyJet PLC said Wednesday that it will open new services from London to Israel and Morocco later this year.

Traffic drop doesn't worry Atlanta airport boss

The world's busiest airport doesn't believe declining traffic, financial challenges and concerns raised in the past by its main tenant will scuttle an ongoing project to build a new international terminal, a top airport official said Wednesday.

‘It's tough out there’: Airline traffic falls again

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 00:22:38 GMT

Airline traffic fell again in June, providing another sign that most carriers are likely to report large financial losses for the second quarter.

Hawaii hotel occupancy drops to record low

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 13:57:49 GMT

Despite steep discounting and unprecedented incentives, hotel occupancy in Hawaii continues to slide to new lows because of the slowed global economy.

Southwest jet returns to airport after bird strike

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 22:59:59 GMT

Southwest Airlines officials say a flight headed to Providence, R.I., has returned safely to Baltimore's airport after at least one bird hit an engine.

76 get norovirus aboard German cruise ship

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 14:53:22 GMT

A German cruise ship operator says at least 76 people on a ship off the coast of Scotland have been infected with norovirus.

Airlines defend antitrust-immunity bid

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 15:04:41 GMT

Continental, United and eight other airlines say the Justice Department's opposition to their bid for broad antitrust immunity was based on shortsighted analysis that ignored conditions in the airline industry.

Airline crew bares all to get passengers’ attention

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 19:19:05 GMT

Air New Zealand has hit on a novel way to make sure even the most jaded flyers keep their eyes glued on its flight safety briefing.

Comoros crash spotlights 3rd-world travel risks

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 20:10:56 GMT

First there was smoke, then flames burst out of the aircraft engine. But I was having difficulty communicating with the Mozambican flight attendant who was fussing with warm sodas and soggy sandwiches and did not speak English.

Mexican passenger jet blows 2 tires, lands safely

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 19:46:22 GMT

A domestic passenger jet landed safely at the Mexico City airport Thursday despite blowing two tires on its landing gear as it touched down.

Pa. man pleads guilty to smuggling gun on plane

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 19:42:50 GMT

A Philadelphia man faces up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to boarding a US Airways flight while carrying a concealed weapon.

JetAmerica discount airline delays launch

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 19:57:01 GMT

A fledgling discount airline is having trouble getting off the ground.

Uffa! Hefty bill shocks tourists dining in Italy

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:46:37 GMT

They were looking for a bit of La Dolce Vita but what two Japanese tourists got in a restaurant in Rome left a bad taste in their mouths.

Flight diverted after man disrobes mid-flight

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 21:38:42 GMT

A cross-country US Airways flight was diverted to Albuquerque after a male passenger removed his clothing mid-flight.

Airports still battling bird strike problem

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 23:26:40 GMT

Despite renewed efforts by New York officials to keep skies around the city's airports clear of wildlife, a passenger plane was damaged after hitting a bird as it landed this week in what is a growing industry problem.

Turnover turmoil buffets air-control system

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:49:34 GMT

Thousands of air traffic controllers hired after the 1981 strike are reaching retirement age, creating a significant shortage of experienced controllers.

Old planes scrapped due to economics, not age

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:56:01 GMT

The Airbus 310 that crashed Tuesday was 19 years old, yet experts say older planes can keep going strong for years as long as companies are willing to invest what it takes to keep them sky-worthy.