William Macgee travel tips

Airline safety—something that many travelers take for granted in the US—has been top of mind this year. Passengers everywhere might be feeling some nerves after a panel of a Boeing 737 Max 9 blew out during an Alaska Airlines flight in early January, a shocking incident that's been followed by accusations of quality control issues on Boeing’s production lines, and possibly those of its contractors.

Airport delays. Air ticket refunds. The size of your airline seat, and those annoying fees for being able to select a specific seat. These and other perennial hot-button items for fliers were among a slew of issues that were addressed in Congress recently, as lawmakers debated provisions in a massive piece of legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the next five years.

Reclining seats are one of the most controversial airline amenities. For some, it's a necessity for getting comfortable on long flights. But for others, it's a source of broken laptops, spilled drinks, and mid-flight arguments.

Alaska Airlines’ proposed $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, announced earlier this week, has the potential to alter the existing U.S. air travel landscape significantly. Whether that would prove to be for better or worse remains to be seen, but plenty of experts are already weighing in with predictions.

Seattle-based Alaska Airlines recently announced it plans to buy Hawaiian Airlines for the sum of about $1.9 billion—a historic deal that, if finalized, could create both benefits and setbacks for the flying public.