The deals were negotiated through labor unions representing Spirit’s air crews, specifically the Air Line Pilots Association and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. No details were provided, but Spirit implied in a statement that one or both worker groups took a pay cut.
Spirit’s senior leaders have “committed to taking a salary reduction at a percentage not less than the pilot group’s reduction,” the carrier said.
The agreements must still be ratified and signed off on by the court overseeing Spirit’s bankruptcy. If the deals are approved, they would create enough savings for the airline to unlock another draw from its debtor-in-possession financing facility.
A Spirit Airbus aircraft (Photo: Shutterstock | Carlos Yudica)
“These agreements reflect the shared commitment of our team members and principal labor unions in securing a successful future for Spirit, and we thank ALPA and AFA leadership for their partnership and collaboration,” President and CEO Dave Davis said in a news release. “We’re grateful to our pilots and flight attendants for their professionalism, resilience, and unwavering commitment to safety and our guests as we work to build a stronger airline that Americans can count on for many years to come.”
Spirit declared bankruptcy for the second time in August. It is now working to reduce its debt and operating costs by slashing routes, canceling aircraft leases, and laying off staff. Hundreds of workers and flight attendants have been furloughed over the last several months, and this week Spirit confirmed that about 150 salaried corporate and operations positions had been eliminated.
If the airline’s restructuring plan is successful, officials predict a return to profitability by 2027.
Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of commercial aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.
Airport Appointee Vows to Retire Dulles Mobile Lounges
MWAA nominee pledges modernization of Washington Dulles International Airport during Senate hearing.
Mobile lounges at Washington Dulles International Airport. (Photo: Shutterstock | Lokyo Multimedia JP)
A nominee to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Board of Directors told lawmakers this week he plans to phase out the over 60-year-old mobile lounges at Washington Dulles International Airport if confirmed to the post.
Trent Morse appeared before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on Tuesday as part of his confirmation hearing. His nomination, submitted by President Trump for a term expiring May 30, 2030, would place him on the 17-member board overseeing both Ronald Reagan Washington National and Dulles airports.
“The people mover is a relic of the past,” Morse said during opening remarks. “It’s an embarrassment that international travelers, visiting the capital of the most powerful nation in the world, are transported back to the sixties. If I have the privilege of being confirmed, I will work tirelessly with my colleagues to make Dulles the airport we should be proud of.”
Morse said his top priorities would include maintaining safety and security across the MWAA system and supporting continued modernization efforts at both airports. “With the recent events at DCA and the plans for continued modernization and expansion, I will uphold the highest standards of safety, ethical integrity, and transparency,” he told senators.
He added that MWAA’s “mission to ensure that every passenger receives the highest level of safety and customer service will remain my guiding focus,” noting that the authority “plays a vital role in connecting our nation’s capital to the world.”
‘People Movers’
Dulles’ mobile lounges, also known as “people movers,” were introduced when the airport opened in 1962. Designed by Eero Saarinen and built by Chrysler and the Budd Company, the vehicles were intended to transport passengers directly between the terminal and aircraft parked on remote stands.
The concept was innovative for its time, but became increasingly outdated as air traffic and terminal facilities grew. Over the years, the airport has gradually shifted most passengers to the underground Aerotrain system, though most international arrivals and remote gates still rely on the mobile lounges.
A Dulles Airport Plane Mate (Photo: Noah Escobar)
MWAA executives have stated that the mobile lounges will be around for decades to come, calling them a critical part of the airport’s infrastructure. The mobile lounges “will remain essential for the next 15 to 20 years,” Thomas Beatty, chief operations officer for MWAA, told board members in September.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is governed by a 17-member board representing multiple jurisdictions. Members are appointed by the governors of Virginia and Maryland, the mayor of the District of Columbia, and the President of the United States.
A Plane Mate attaches to a Boeing 787 at Dulles Airport (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ryan Ewing)
“If confirmed, I will work diligently and collaboratively with this Committee and my fellow Board members to advance the mission of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (and get rid of the people mover),” he said. “It would be an honor to serve in this position, and I look forward to your questions.”
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
About 800 flights to, from, or within the U.S. were canceled as of Friday morning, according to tracking website FlightAware. Chicago O’Hare, Atlanta, Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and Phoenix – all targeted for flight cuts – saw the highest number of cancellations.
According to the FAA, a 4% reduction in flights will take effect on Friday, ramping up to 6% by Nov. 11, 8% by Nov. 13, and 10% by Nov. 14.
The agency is scaling back air traffic in an attempt to ease the workload of air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay since the start of the federal government shutdown on Oct. 1. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said this week that, at some facilities, controllers have been working 10 hours a day, six days a week to make up for staff who have called out sick.
The cancellations will likely cause headaches for thousands of passengers across the country. CNN reported Friday that some travelers are preemptively canceling their bookings and will either scrap their planned trips or go by car.
United said Friday that it has readjusted its flight schedule through Sunday and will let passengers know about future changes, including cancellations, as soon as possible. The carrier added that its long-haul international routes “will not be affected,” nor will flights that connect its hub airports, specifically Chicago O’Hare, Denver, Houston Intercontinental, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington Dulles, and Newark, New Jersey.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. (Photo: Shutterstock | TJ Brown)
American said Thursday that it will let customers know about potential disruptions affecting their flights. The airline will waive fees for passengers who opt to book a different flight or cancel their trip.
Delta said it still expects to operate the “vast majority” of its scheduled flights while honoring the FAA’s reductions and will work to minimize the impact on passengers. It also promised increased flexibility for passengers to change or cancel their flights.
Alaska Airlines said most of its planned cancellations are on high-frequency routes, which allows most customers “to be reaccommodated with as little disruption as possible.” The carrier also said it is working to ensure that small and remote communities that rely on its service are “protected” from disruptions.
Southwest announced that it preemptively canceled about 120 flights at 34 airports on Friday. It is now working to firm up Sunday’s flight schedule, when less than 100 flights are expected to be canceled.
The carrier is allowing passengers booked through Nov. 12 to adjust their travel plans at no cost or request a full refund.
Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of commercial aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.
FAA Names All 40 Airports Subject to 10% Traffic Cut
The restrictions will go into effect Friday morning.
The agency’s list includes the busiest airport in the nation, Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, along with Los Angeles International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago O’Hare, and the three major airports in the New York City metro area.
The FAA is cutting flights in an attempt to ease the growing strain on air traffic controllers, who are working without compensation during the federal government shutdown. The agency has seen an uptick in the number of air traffic controllers calling out of work sick, increasing the burden on those who continue to come in. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that financial stress and the potential need to take on a second job could degrade controllers’ performance if the shutdown continues for much longer.
A 4% reduction in flights will take effect on Friday, before ramping up to 6% by November 11, 8% by November 13, and 10% by November 14, the agency stated.
The official list of affected airports appears below:
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Boston Logan International Airport
Baltimore/Washington International Airport
Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of commercial aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.
UPS Identifies Pilots Killed in Louisville Crash
The accident’s death toll has climbed to at least 12 people.
In a statement, the company identified the pilots as Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Captain Dana Diamond.
UPS offered condolences to the families of those killed, all of its employees, and the Louisville community.
“This continues to be an incredibly sad time for our entire UPS family,” the company said.
UPS Airlines Flight 2976 crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11F appeared to have lost an engine before hitting an industrial area near the airport. The aircraft’s descent, impact, and explosion were caught on camera by bystanders on the ground, and by vehicle dashcams.
At least 12 people have died as a result of the crash, and local emergency officials have said that figure could rise.
The NTSB is investigating the cause of the accident, and confirmed pieces of the No. 1 engine were found on the runway. The jet’s flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were also located.
Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of commercial aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.
Starlink Wi-Fi Coming to British Airways, Aer Lingus, Other IAG Brands
The first flights with Starlink-enabled internet will operate in 2026.
In a statement, IAG said Starlink Wi-Fi will be made available on over 500 aircraft operating both short- and long-haul routes for British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Spanish airlines Level and Vueling. The first flights with Starlink internet will operate in 2026.
IAG did not say which of its airlines will get the technology first.
In its own statement, Iberia said it will make Starlink internet available to passengers in all classes for free, but it is not clear if the other carriers in IAG’s portfolio will do the same.
An Aer Lingus Airbus A320 sporting the carrier’s new Euro-white colors. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Once the installation is complete, IAG will be the largest operator of Starlink-connected aircraft in Europe.
“Staying connected in the skies is increasingly important to our airlines’ customers,” IAG CEO Luis Gallego said in a news release. “The introduction of high-speed Wi-Fi from Starlink will transform onboard connectivity, improving both the connection speed and reliability for customers… This demonstrates how IAG is working together as a group to drive innovation and secure major deals to benefit all our stakeholders.”
Starlink offers wireless internet speeds comparable to or faster than most home connections, allowing passengers to work, stream, shop, and game much as they would on the ground. The service is currently being rolled out by carriers such as United, Alaska Airlines, WestJet, and Air France.
Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of commercial aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.
Breeze Pulls Back on Three Planned Routes
The airline is dropping three yet-to-launch routes following Alaska’s move into the same markets.
A Breeze Airways Airbus A220 aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Breeze has canceled three planned routes from Burbank, reversing course on a portion of its upcoming expansion from Southern California.
The carrier had previously announced service from Burbank to Eugene, Oregon; Pasco, Washington; and Spokane, Washington. The flights were set to begin in early 2026.
Alaska Pressure
However, the airline has now withdrawn those routes, coinciding with Alaska Airlines’ entry into similar Pacific Northwest markets.
Alaska recently began new nonstop service from Burbank to Eugene, Pasco, and Redmond on Oct. 26.
“While we never enjoy cutting service, especially before it begins, we occasionally need to make adjustments to our schedule in order to maximize our limited resources,” a Breeze spokesperson told AirlineGeeks. “These cuts are rare, and Breeze continues to maintain one of the highest market retention rates in the industry. While we regret that we will not be able to begin service in EUG and PSC as planned for the time being, we still believe these markets are a great fit for our model and hope to be able to revisit bringing service to these markets in the future.”
The Utah-based carrier is still scheduled to link Burbank and Eureka, California, as well as Provo, Utah.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
A JetBlue Airways Airbus A220 prepares for landing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
JetBlue will add a new destination in Florida next spring, marking its first service to the state’s Panhandle region.
Beginning March 5, 2026, the airline will launch nonstop flights to Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport from both New York–JFK and Boston. Each route will operate five times weekly, using Airbus A320 aircraft.
Neither route is currently served by any other airline.
The New York flight will depart at 7 a.m. and arrive at 9:08 a.m., with the return leaving at 10 a.m. and arriving at 1:38 p.m. The Boston service will depart at 12:40 p.m., arriving at 3 p.m., and return at 3:55 p.m., landing at 7:51 p.m.
JetBlue’s new service to Destin/Fort Walton Beach (Photo: gcmap.com)
“Florida continues to be a place where JetBlue’s combination of great service and value resonates strongly with travelers,” said Dave Jehn, JetBlue’s vice president, network planning and airline partnerships, in a news release. “By adding Destin–Fort Walton Beach to our map, we’re bringing more choices to customers in Boston and New York while opening the door for Emerald Coast residents to connect easily to the Northeast and beyond.”
Florida has long been one of JetBlue’s strongest markets, with major operations in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach, and Fort Myers. Earlier this year, JetBlue said it had launched or announced more than 30 new Florida routes.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
An MGM Grand Air 727 in Las Vegas. (Photo: JetPix, via Wikimedia Commons)
Grounded is AirlineGeeks.com’s look back at airlines that once shaped the industry but no longer take to the skies. Each story revisits a carrier that influenced routes, fleets, or fares—and explores what ultimately led to its final descent.
Like something out of Wall Street or Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, MGM Grand Air typified 1980s-style luxury with plush seats, champagne, and liberal gold plating. Passengers queued for their flights in private terminals with couches and desks, walked red carpets to their airplanes, and, once in the air, enjoyed a seemingly-endless parade of gourmet food, drinks, entertainment, and likely famous company. With an experience closer to a private jet than commercial flying, the airline won over actors, musicians, and executives who wanted to get from one coast to the other without hassles, delays, or inconveniences.
As one former flight attendant later recalled, the flights were like one big party in the sky.
MGM Grand Air flew high and burned bright, but after only six years in business, the party was over for good.
Grand Plans
The airline was the creation of Kirk Kerkorian, the flamboyant owner of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and developer of the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Kerkorian had financed earlier ventures that flew celebrities and high-rollers to the Strip, but he envisioned a proper airline with transcontinental reach. To that end, he acquired three Boeing 727-100 aircraft and had their interiors redesigned to accommodate 32 swiveling leather seats, a bar, and extra rooms for dining, sleeping, and work. On the tails, he painted an oversized version of MGM’s instantly recognizable corporate logo, a roaring lion in gold.
An MGM Grand Air DC-8. (Photo: Richard Silagi, made available via Wikimedia Commons, [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/])
MGM Grand Air launched in 1987 with two daily flights between Los Angeles and New York, and occasional service from those two cities to Las Vegas.
From the start, the carrier had a reputation for over-the-top luxury.
Cabins were adorned with velvet window coverings, mirrors, smoked glass dividers, and high-quality carpets; bathrooms with Italian marble vanities and gold fixtures. Space in the cabin was divided between a main seating area, a bar, a dining room, a conference room, and, in the rear of the airplane, private “staterooms” with queen-sized beds and privacy curtains.
Flight attendants distributed menus and hot towels, then fetched drinks and appetizers like shrimp, paté, and caviar. Formal meals of beef, poultry, and seafood were served on fine china.
Aside from eating, drinking, and socializing, passengers could watch movies or listen to music, since all the airplanes in the fleet were equipped with VHS and cassette players. The setup was considered state-of-the-art at the time.
An MGM Grand Air DC-8 at Los Angeles International Airport. (Photo: JetPix, made available via Wikimedia Commons, [GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2])
Hollywood embraced MGM Grand Air’s service wholeheartedly. The airline’s reported client list reads like a who’s-who of the era, with Robert De Niro, Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, Michael Jackson, Eddie Murphy, Johnny Carson, and O.J. Simpson all making appearances.
Ticket prices ranged from $1,000 to $1,400, which the carrier’s management advertised as just slightly more expensive than a first-class seat on a larger commercial airline. Adjusted for inflation from 1987, those tickets would cost between $2,900 and $4,000 today.
Despite its cultural cachet and glowing reviews, MGM Grand Air’s extremely limited number of seats per flight made it impossible for the airline to turn a profit. Larger DC-8s were added to the fleet in 1990 and a more economical “Grand Class Coach” cabin was installed, but neither change pulled the business out of the red. Scheduled service was discontinued in 1993, and by 1995 MGM Grand Air’s assets had been sold off to a small Minnesota-based aviation company called Front Page Tours.
Gone But Not Forgotten
Under new ownership, MGM Grand Air was renamed Champion Air and reoriented toward charter flying. Champion was best known for flying professional sports teams to and from games, but it gradually expanded its clientele to include vacation wholesalers and government agencies.
Champion went out of business in 2008, when its CEO announced the carrier could not survive in a world of “$110 oil, a struggling economy, and rapidly changing demand.”
MGM Grand Air is long gone, but it made a lasting impression. Former customers, staff, aviation enthusiasts, and ‘80s nostalgics still find something to admire in the go-for-broke gaudiness that perfectly reflected the decade’s financial excesses and fusion of celebrity and business culture.
“It wasn’t like any other plane I’d ever flown in,” actress and radio host Sandra Bernhard told The Hollywood Reporter in 2015. “That thing had more rooms than a mansion. And everybody was flying it, models and celebrities, so you’d always be running into people. There’ll never be anything like it again.”
Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of commercial aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.
A320’s Sudden Descent Linked to Faulty Computer
New report cites uncommanded pitch-down event in cruise flight.
The Oct. 30 incident occurred while the aircraft was in cruise from Cancun to Newark, New Jersey, when it unexpectedly pitched downward without pilot input. The flight crew operating Flight 1230 initiated a precautionary descent and diverted to Tampa, Florida, where the jet landed safely.
The FAA classified the event as a “warning indication” discovered during the cruise phase of flight.
According to the report, the autopilot remained engaged throughout the event. Maintenance technicians later determined that one of the aircraft’s elevator/aileron computers — known as ELAC 2 — had malfunctioned, causing the uncommanded pitch movement.
The faulty unit, manufactured by Thales, was replaced following data analysis and troubleshooting procedures outlined in the Airbus maintenance manual. Post-replacement tests were successful, and the system was cleared for continued service.
ELAC System
On Airbus fly-by-wire aircraft such as the A320 family, the Elevator Aileron Computers (ELACs) are critical to the aircraft’s primary flight control system. Each A320 is equipped with two ELACs that manage the elevators, stabilizer trim, and ailerons by interpreting pilot stick inputs and sensor data. The ELACs also monitor flight envelope parameters, applying built-in protections that prevent excessive pitch attitudes or aerodynamic loads.
A JetBlue A320 (Photo: Shutterstock | CarterAerial)
The ELACs operate in conjunction with three additional computers known as SECs (Spoiler Elevator Computers) and two FACs (Flight Augmentation Computers). In normal operations, ELAC 1 is the master unit for elevator and aileron control, while ELAC 2 serves as a backup or takes over specific control channels depending on system configuration. If one computer fails, the system automatically reconfigures to maintain control authority through alternate or direct control laws.
The affected A320, registered as N605JB, had accumulated roughly 76,785 flight hours and 27,805 cycles at the time of the event. It returned to revenue service on Wednesday, nearly a week after the incident.
Both the FAA and JetBlue are investigating the incident.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
