In travel news for September 19, 2023 we talk about SouthWest Airlines facing a potential pilot Strike following four years of failed negotiations, American Airlines eliminates their corporate sales division, and Delta Air Lines expands their summer 2024 offerings.
Southwest Pilot Strike: What Travelers Need to Know for Holidays
The ongoing labor dispute between SouthWest Airlines contract negotiations with their pilots is reaching a critical point, raising concerns of a possible pilot Strike. The pilots union and the airline have been in negotiations for nearly four years, making Southwest the last major U.S. airline yet to finalize an agreement with their pilots. The main points of contention involve pilot scheduling and productivity. The union reports that pilots lost 35,000 days off due to involuntary assignments on their off days, and fatigue calls reached an all-time high in July 2023. Southwest's Vice President of Labor Relations expresses confidence in the mediation process but acknowledges the airline is a year behind in negotiations compared to its competitors. The situation puts Southwest in a vulnerable position, especially considering its past scheduling issues during the Christmas season.
American Airlines Shifts Sales: Impact on Business Travel
American Airlines is undergoing a major reorganization that includes streamlining its corporate sales division and folding it into other parts of the company. This is the second such restructuring this year and follows significant cuts to the travel agency sales staff earlier. As part of the reorganization, the airline's sales support team will now operate within the airline's reservations division. For travelers, particularly those in the corporate sector, this could mean adjustments in how bookings and customer service are managed. The shift also signals American Airlines' focus on direct and New Distribution Capability (NDC) channels for fare offerings, which could influence fare structures and availability. The restructuring comes as American acknowledges a slower recovery rate in corporate travel compared to other customer travel segments.
Delta Air Lines Expands Summer 2024 Offerings
Delta Air Lines is setting its sights on summer 2024, announcing several new routes and resumptions of popular flights. If you're a traveler who enjoys nature, you'll be pleased to know Delta is offering flights to gateways close to stunning locales like Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe. For instance, they're introducing daily nonstop flights from Atlanta to Santa Barbara and Atlanta to Fresno. They're also adding twice-daily flights from Seattle to Dallas-Fort Worth and making Aspen reachable year-round from Atlanta and Los Angeles. For those eyeing a Lake Tahoe trip, Delta is resuming its Atlanta to Reno route. The new routes are a nod to changing customer preferences, emphasizing scenic destinations.