American Airlines is pausing pilot hiring as it reevaluates its growth plans for the year. The carrier said it would temporarily pause new pilot hiring in September, October and November.
02.06.2024 - 13:31 / skift.com / Scott Kirby / Glen Hauenstein / Ed Bastian / Delta Air Lines / Vasu Raja / Delta Ceo / Robert Isom / United Airlines / Delta Air-Lines / Gordon Smith / Delta
If last week was one American Airlines would rather forget, consider 2024 the year Delta Air Lines never wants to end.
Speaking on Saturday, Delta CEO Ed Bastian delivered an upbeat assessment across multiple key metrics for the airline. “Business is doing quite well, summer is progressing strongly and looking healthy. We expect our full-year [results] to be well within the guidance.”
It was a message echoed by Delta President Glen Hauenstein, who described “continued strength through the spring and into the early summer.” Hauenstein said further record revenues were predicted, with the airline able to “fill up aeroplanes at very good fares.”
Both Bastian and Hauenstein were speaking to reporters in Dubai on the eve of the IATA Annual General Meeting – the year’s largest gathering of senior airline leaders.
Asked by Skift if missteps by American on its fare distribution strategy had directly benefited Delta, Bastian delivered a measured response. “We’re not going to talk about our competitors’ strategies, but we certainly use NDC [New Distribution Capability] as a form of distribution. Our strategy is very simple, we’re going to serve our customers where they’d like to be served.”
NDC refers to a new-generation technology platform that can offer airlines and other travel stakeholders greater upselling opportunities and personalization options. While it is broadly accepted as the logical next step in the ongoing digitalization of travel, how and when it is adopted is deeply controversial.
American Airlines, under the lead of outgoing chief commercial officer Vasu Raja, took a hardline stance on the rollout of NDC. Travel agencies faced a July 11 deadline that would have seen its AAdvantage miles no longer earned on certain bookings.
American CEO Robert Isom said last week that the airline had now dropped the idea. He acknowledged that the airline had lost business due to the botched project and said American had threatened “too many sticks” and not enough carrots.
Asked by Skift if he agreed with United’s Scott Kirby that so-called ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs) have “a fundamentally flawed business model,” Bastian suggested the sector was in transition: “I think the ULCCs have well-documented challenges in the market. Over the past few years, they’ve had a hard time finding profitability. Anytime you’re an airline that hasn’t been able to find its ace of profited return and positive cash flow, you’ve got some work ahead of you.”
Pressed on if he thought consolidation was inevitable within the U.S. airline industry, the Delta CEO said: “I think there’s work to be done, and I think that could take various forms,” without going into further detail.
Although JetBlue’s tie-up with Spirit was canned,
American Airlines is pausing pilot hiring as it reevaluates its growth plans for the year. The carrier said it would temporarily pause new pilot hiring in September, October and November.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Thursday, June 20, 2024. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
JetBlue is making a big change to its baggage policy. From September, the airline will allow all passengers — even those on its most restrictive ‘Blue Basic’ fare — to bring a carry-on bag for no extra charge.
Time to hit the slopes. It’s officially summer next week, and Delta Air Lines is already thinking about winter.
While the summer travel season is well underway, one major airline is looking ahead to make enhancements for ski season. Delta Air Lines announced today it will operate their largest-ever flight schedule to popular ski destinations starting this year. The Atlanta-based carrier will operate a higher frequency or begin new service to the following popular ski destinations including: Aspen, Bozeman, Jackson Hole, Montrose/Telluride, Steamboat Springs, Sun Valley, and Vail. “With our latest winter schedule, customers have more choices than ever, with up to 190 weekly flights to places our customers want to fly to most, paired with the premium services and amenities our customers always enjoy,” Delta’s Senior Vice President of Network Planning Joe Esposito shared in a release about the new service. In Los Angeles, Delta will reintroduce daily flights to Bozeman, Montana, Vail, Colorado, and Saturday flights to Sun Valley, Idaho.
New Zealand is eager to get its tourism sector back to full-throttle after the country was entirely shut during the pandemic. One way to do this is to attract more tourists beyond the popular December to February months.
Have you been to Amsterdam? If so, there’s a good chance you’ve flown on a plane without knowing it. The company, better known by its catchier acronym KLM, is the flag carrier of the Netherlands and the world’s oldest airline operating under its original name.
Delta Air Lines and American Express are making it easier to plan a summer getaway with new card offers, offering up to 110,000 bonus miles when card holders sign up.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom is offering its flight attendants a 17% wage increase as they weigh a potential strike.
U.S. airlines are getting ready for fall with a flight special schedule to college towns — especially with big game days in mind.
Ultra-low-cost airlines are taking one out of left field.
Delta Air Lines will resume flights to Tel Aviv this week, becoming the latest airline to relaunch its route.