- The FAA is beginning to review electronic devices and whether passengers can one day use them at all times during a flight. The agency is forming a committee to review the issue, even accepting input from the traveling public.
- American Airlines posted a net income of $135 million for July 2012, the second straight month of profitability. The carrier incurred $54 million of bankruptcy-related charges during July.
- American and Air Tahiti Nui officially launched their codeshare agreement today for travel September 10 and beyond. American added its code on Air Tahiti Nui’s Papeete flight out of LAX, and Air Tahiti Nui did the same on American’s flights out of LAX to 15 destinations.
- Coach passengers flying Virgin Australia will receive free meals beginning September 26 on flights from Perth to the East Coast of Australia, matching a service Qantas passengers currently enjoy.
- Hertz has agreed to buy Dollar Thrifty for $2.3 billion. Avis could still come in and outbid Hertz as the deal has a 30-day window during which time Dollar Thrifty can entertain and accept higher bids.
- A computer malfunction caused the JFK AirTrain system to shut down on Saturday, stranding 140 passengers heading to/from the terminals. Air conditioning broke down, communication failed and some passengers were stuck for a couple of hours and had to walk more than a mile to “freedom.”
- Denver’s Brown Palace Hotel will join the Autograph Collection of boutique Marriott properties next month. It opened in 1892 and is the second oldest hotel in operation in Denver.
- Ron Akana, United’s longest serving flight attendant, retired over the weekend. He worked for United for 64 years and flew his final flight as a crewmember on Sunday from Denver to Honolulu. Congrats on a wonderful career!