Latest news with #airlines
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Free upgrades are more likely to be given out at a specific time BEFORE boarding, reveals travel expert
Paying hundreds, often thousands, for a business class or better seat is unattainable for most of us - but the occasional surprise upgrade can happen. If you're dreaming of turning left instead of right on your next trip, then taking heed of an expert tip could see mission accomplished. While it's rare to be one of those lucky souls upgraded for logistical reasons such as overbooked economy cabins, says Julian Kheel, founder and CEO at Points Path, it does happen, and timing is apparently everything. The expert told Travel + Leisure that making the approach at just the right moment could see your date with a fancy lunch and a flat-bed happen. He said: 'It's nearly impossible for the average traveler to get a free upgrade to business or first-class today. [It's] extremely rare, but it does happen once in a while.' The secret is all about not making the approach at the wrong time, such as when airline staff who make the decisions on last-gasp upgrades look harassed. He says mentioning it as fellow passengers are queuing to board is almost certain to fail, and piping up just as the doors are closing is also an unwise move - but go in early with the request instead. If you have a special reason - such as a birthday or anniversary, you might be able to charm your way into an elevated cabin. Those in the know say waiting to get on the plane is one way to kill your chances - because airborne cabin crew rarely make the decisions on upgrades, even if you can see empty rows in business or first. One airline cabin crew worker shared on Reddit recently: 'At my airline, [flight attendants] are not allowed to upgrade [passengers] to first class. 'Talk to [the] gate agent or ticket agent when you check your bags. They are the ones who assign seats and can upgrade you.' They did reveal a tip that might bring out the mile-high vandal in you though, saying one of the only ways to get moved up when you're in economy is if the seat you've been sold is broken or doesn't work. The cabin crew employee wrote: 'If you're on the plane and there's something physically wrong with your seat, like a broken armrest or tray table, that can also be a reason to ask if you might be moved to a better seat up front.' Earlier this year, Dawn Morwood, co-director of Cheap Deals Away UK, revealed her top tips too, advising passengers on 'how to position yourself as a prime candidate' for a free of charge upgrade. The first tip from Dawn is simply just to ask. She told the Express: 'When you check in, smile warmly and simply ask, 'Are there any upgrade opportunities available today?' 'This phrasing is important - it's polite, direct, and shows you understand upgrades aren't guaranteed.' But the timing of this question is also just as important, says Dawn. She explains: 'Check in early, when more premium seats are likely available, but not during peak busy periods when staff are rushed. 'And always ask discreetly - never demand an upgrade in front of other passengers.' Even your clothes could also make all the difference, so Dawn recommends choosing your airport outfit very wisely – and making a bit of an effort with your appearance. She says: 'Smart-casual clothing sends a signal that you'll 'fit in' with the premium cabin environment. 'Think neat jeans or trousers, a collared shirt or nice top, and clean, decent shoes.' Telling the staff you're celebrating something like a honeymoon or big birthday could also lead to cabin crew giving you special treatment. Dawn adds: 'I've seen couples get upgraded because they mentioned their anniversary. One pair even received complimentary champagne in business class.'
Skift
15 hours ago
- Business
- Skift
Regional Air Travel Startups Raise Over $85 Million: Funding Roundup
The biggest airlines are behind on updating their tech systems and operations; regional airlines are even further behind. Travel Startup Funding This Week Each week we round up jd@ if you have funding news. Each week we round up travel startups that have recently received or announced funding . Please email Travel Tech Reporter Justin Dawes atif you have funding news. One big theme for travel startups this week is regional air travel. Three companies raised money toward their efforts to modernize various aspects of the industry, from software to aircraft themselves. The biggest airlines are behind on updating their tech systems and operations; Regional airlines are even further behind. Like the rest of the flying taxi startups, one such company on the list seeks to create a new type of commercial travel. Over the last week, six travel startups announced fundraises totaling more than $100 million. Expliseat: $42.1 Million Expliseat, which develops and manufactures lightweight seats for commercial aircraft, has raised $42.1 million (€36 million). Crédit Mutuel Innovation led the round, with support from the SPI fund (managed by public sector investment bank Bpifrance for the French government), Supernova Invest, Swen Capital, BNP Paribas Développement, GO Capital, and NCI. France-based Expliseat says it has invested heavily in research and development for lightweight seats, securing more than 100 patents. The company says that its flagship product, the TiSeat 2, weighs 30% less than traditional seats. The company says it has orders totaling $58.5 million (€50 million). Clients include Air France, Air Canada, and Jazeera Airways. Expliseat has a new facility in France that it says can produce 32,000 units annually. And it recently opened an office in Montreal as it seeks to expand business in the North American aviation market. The funding will go toward business expansion, along with continued R&D for the next generation of its products. The company also plans to move into rail and electric buses. Surf Air Mobility: $27 Million Surf Air Mobility, an airline owner that is also developing tech for regional airlines, has raised $27 million in a registered direct offering of common stock. The company sold roughly 10.8 million shares of common stock for $2.50 each. Surf Air Mobility's regional airline software includes products for operations efficiency, sales and sourcing customers, and aircraft utilization. The company owns two regional airlines — Southern Airways Express and Hawaii's Mokulele Airlines — as well as Surf Air, a website for booking private charter flights. Surf Air is also working to commercialize electric and hybrid-electric powertrains for regional aircrafts, including for the Cessna Caravan. Founded in 2020, Surf Air Mobility acquired the airlines as part of its debut on the stock market through a direct listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 2023. The funding will go toward operations and paying down debt. XTI Aerospace: $16 Million XTI Aerospace, which is developing a flying taxi for long distances, has raised $16 million. The funds come from an underwritten public offering of stock and warrants, priced at $1.75 each. Colorado-based XTI Aerospace is developing a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft called TriFan 600. It is designed to travel up to 1,000 miles at speeds of up to 300 miles per hour, and can carry a pilot and six passengers. The two turboshaft engines are designed to be fully compatible with renewable jet fuels, with future plans for electric engines. The company plans to primarily target the business and commercial travel industries, along with the ambulance industry. XTI Aerospace says it has 700 pre-orders for $10 million per aircraft. XTI Aerospace went public in March 2024 following a merger with Inpixon, which provides location tracking devices that factories can use to monitor equipment and inventory. Inpixon had gone public through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company in 2023. Chatlyn: $9.4 Million Chatlyn, which provides AI-powered guest management tech for hoteliers, has raised $9.4 million (€8 million) in a series A round. Smedvig Ventures led the round, with support from bus company Blaguss, individual investors Andreas Burike (AnyDesk founder) and Mathias Hiebeler (former owner of Grob aircraft, acquired by Helsing), and a group of angel investors. Vienna-based Chatlyn says its tech helps automate hotel operations, including front desk, reservations, marketing, guest services, and guest communication. Features include a public-facing AI assistant for booking, an AI chatbot for hotel guests, translation for more than 35 languages, and more. The startup says its tech is live in more than 1,000 properties, including St. Regis Mauritius, Singer Palace Rome, and InterContinental properties. The funding will go toward product development, geographic expansion, and hiring. StayVista: $4.7 Million StayVista, a property manager and booking site for luxury vacation rentals in India, has raised $4.7 million (400 million Indian rupees) in series B funding. JSW Ventures led the round, with support from DSG Consumer Partners and Capri Global Family Office. Mumbai-based StayVista says it manages 1,000 properties and has hosted more than 1 million guests. The funding will go toward expansion into new cities, hiring, and improving customer experience. Winalist: $1.2 Million Winalist, an online marketplace for booking ticketed experiences related to wine and spirits, has raised $1.2 million (€1 million) in seed funding. Investors included Plug and Play Ventures, Portugal Ventures, and Vessoa Private Equity. France-based Winalist says it partners with more than 1,700 operators in 10 countries. Users can book winery visits, tastings, private wine-pairing dinners, vineyard day-tours, and more. The funding will go toward opening a new branch in Porto, Portugal, as well as hiring, marketing, and increasing operational support for partners.
Daily Mail
17 hours ago
- Daily Mail
American Airlines hit by outage leaving thousands stranded
American Airlines has been hit by a widespread outage that is impacting all flights. Reports of issues surfaced around 1:30pm ET, with travelers saying they are stuck on the runway or crammed in waiting areas. Some travelers have shared their frustrations on social media, saying they have been sitting at the gate for more than one hour. 'Sitting at the airport, they are saying AA flights everywhere are impacted by the maintenance system being down,' one user shared on Reddit . One flyer in Fort Myers said the Pilot told passengers that they are unable to 'get a flight plan, fuel report or passenger manifest.' 'Our team is awaiting the all clear to take the air, and we truly apologize for the added wait. We'll have you on the way very shortly,' American Airlines shared at 2:37pm ET. Downdetector, a site that monitors online outages, shows issues with the website, delays and logging into the app. A live outage map shows major cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, New York and Phoenix, are all in the red. Derick Bores, who is flying out of Dallas-Fort Worth, shared on X: 'Pilot just said he's considering deplaning because we've been sitting here so long.' 'He said many planes are now getting out with a manual signature of the maintenance form, but isn't sure how long they will take.' The American Airlines X account replied: 'We know you're ready to be off to your sunny destination. 'As soon as we have the final sign-off complete, we'll head for the skies! Thank you for packing your patience today.' The outage comes just days after five American Airlines passengers and flight attendants were taken to the hospital after being injured by extreme turbulence on the way to North Carolina. Panic spread through Flight 1286, traveling from Miami to Raleigh-Durham International Airport on Sunday night, when the 'unexpected' disturbance hit. Sudden altitude drops sent laptops, cellphones and other personal items flying through the aircraft, forcefully striking those aboard. Passengers alleged they saw a man knocked unconscious, a flight attendant scorched by spilled boiling water from a drink cart and another who sustained a broken arm. 'I would say it was absolutely horrific. People thought that they were going to lose their lives,' one anonymous passenger told WRAL. The airline said in a statement to that the plane landed safely around 10:50pm despite the terrifying event. Three flight staffers and two customers were taken to the hospital after landing. None of these injuries were life-threatening and all victims have since been discharged. Four other people were evaluated by EMS workers onsite, but refused care, CBS reported. While American Airlines said the situation was handled with grace, passengers have claimed otherwise. 'It took way too long for the captain to address what happened,' the anonymous passenger told WRAL. 'There were injured people aboard the aircraft. He should have stopped at the closest airport instead of flying another hour and 10 minutes when two people were in need of immediate medical attention.' The airline said the seat belt sign was on, but those on board told WRAL that was not the case. 'They wouldn't have been serving drinks if they knew turbulence was coming,' she explained. 'They were carrying hot water. I mean, there was ice flying everywhere, soda cans, cups. People by the carts, they just had things flying in every direction.' Another flyer, Cameron Autry, told WRAL he was in the 'absolutely worst place in the entire plane' when the turbulence struck - the bathroom.
CTV News
18 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Here's a list of all major airlines that have suspended flights to Middle East
An Air Canada plane taxies down the runway at the Ottawa International Airport in Ottawa on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Many airline services remain disrupted in the Middle East arising from the 12-day air war between Iran and Israel that ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that took hold on Tuesday. Air space closures and safety concerns continue to weigh on airline traffic in the region. Below are some of the airlines that have canceled their flights to and from the region: Aegean Airlines The Greek airline will proceed with flight cancellations from and to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, and Erbil up to and including the early morning flight on September 8. airBaltic Latvia's airBaltic said that all flights to and from Tel Aviv until September 30 had been canceled. Air Canada The Canadian carrier is suspending its flights from Toronto to Dubai until August 4. It had previously postponed resumption of service between Canada and Israel to September 8. Air Europa The Spanish airline said that it has canceled its flights to and from Tel Aviv until July 31. Air France The French flag carrier plans to resume its connections between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Tel Aviv, starting from July 7. It plans to resume its flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Beirut starting on June 28. KLM said that it had canceled all its flights to and from Tel Aviv until at least July 31. Air India The Indian airline will 'progressively' resume flights to the Middle East starting June 24 and will resume flights to and from the east coast of the U.S. and Canada 'at the earliest opportunity,' it said. Flights to and from Europe will also be reinstated from June 24. Arika The Israeli airline said all its flights to and from Israel are canceled until June 30, except to New York. Flights to Eilat are canceled until June 28. Delta Air Lines The U.S. carrier said that travel to, from, or through Tel Aviv may be impacted between June 12 and August 31. El Al Israel Airlines As of June 24, the Israeli airline began increasing flights and adding frequencies from key destinations. Starting next week, it added, flights will operate as scheduled, except for a few canceled flights. Etihad Airways Etihad said that it had canceled flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv until July 15. Emirates Emirates said that it had temporarily suspended flights to and from Iran and Iraq until and including June 30. Finnair The Finnish airline canceled its flights to and from Doha through June 30, as well as flight AY1982 on July 1. Finnair added that it was not flying through the airspace of Iraq, Iran, Syria, or Israel. flydubai The UAE airline said it was planning to resume its full schedule across the network from July 1. It will resume operations to Damascus and Tel Aviv on June 26. British Airways IAG-owned British Airways said that its flights to Tel Aviv remain suspended until July 31 and flights to Amman and Bahrain are suspended up to and including June 30. The airline also suspended flights to and from Doha up to and including June 25. IAG's low-cost airline, Iberia Express, had previously said that it had canceled its flights to Tel Aviv until June 30. Iberia will resume its flights to Doha on June 27. ITA Airways The Italian Airline said that it would extend the suspension of Tel Aviv flights until July 31, including two flights scheduled on Aug. 1. Japan Airlines The Japanese carrier canceled its flights to Doha until July 2. Lufthansa Group Lufthansa said that it had suspended all flights to and from Beirut until and including June 30 and to and from Tel Aviv and Tehran until and including July 31. Flights to and from Amman and Erbil are canceled until and including July 11. The German airline added that it would also refrain from using airspace of the countries concerned until further notice. Pegasus The Turkish airline said that it had canceled flights to Iran until July 7 and flights to Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan until July 4. Qatar Airways Qatar Airways said that it had temporarily canceled flights to and from Iraq, Iran and Syria. Ryanair Ryanair said that it had canceled flights to and from Tel Aviv and to and from Amman until Oct 25. Tarom Romania's flag carrier said that flights to Tel Aviv will resume starting on June 26 and added that flights to Beirut will restart on the night of June 27-28. Tus Airways The Cypriot airline said it has resumed operations to and from Israel. United Airlines The U.S. carrier said that travel to and from Tel Aviv may be affected between June 13 and August 1. Flights to Dubai between June 18 and July 3 may also be affected. Wizz Air Wizz Air said it had suspended its operations to and from Tel Aviv and Amman until Sept. 15 and was canceling flights to and from the United Arab Emirates until June 30. The Hungarian airline will also avoid overflying Israeli, Iraqi, Iranian and Syrian airspace until further notice. Reporting by Reuters bureaus; compiled by Agnieszka Olenska, Elviira Luoma and Tiago Brandao, Editing by Matt Scuffham, Alison Williams.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: CAA records $272mln in 2024 revenue, highlights global safety rankings
Muscat – The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced on Wednesday that it recorded revenues amounting to RO105 million in 2024, underscoring its operational efficiency and financial sustainability. The announcement was made during the Authority's annual media briefing held in Muscat under the patronage of H.E. Dr Abdullah Nasser al Harrasi, Minister of Information. The event was attended by senior officials, strategic partners, and key stakeholders. Reviewing its performance over the past year, the CAA reported a 95.95 per cent compliance rate with aviation safety standards, placing Oman fifth globally in the effective implementation of aviation safety oversight. Major achievements included the activation of the southern runway at Muscat International Airport, the approval of the General Civil Aviation Policy, and the signing of nine international air transport agreements. The Authority also issued new regulations to enhance passenger rights protection and introduced a revised licensing framework for drone registration and air traffic management. As part of its digital transformation efforts, the CAA revamped 113 electronic services, implemented a document management system, obtained information security certification, and upgraded Oman's numerical weather prediction systems and wadi flood forecasting models. In terms of operational expansion, the CAA granted permits to 19 foreign airlines. Cybersecurity and aviation security policies were ratified, while operational manuals were activated for both Duqm and Marmul airports. Additionally, a new air navigation radar was installed in Jalan Bani Bu Ali to strengthen national airspace surveillance. Aviation performance indicators reflected growth, with a 2 per cent increase in passenger traffic compared to 2023, and over 120,000 flights recorded. Air cargo volumes surpassed 150,000 tonnes, while more than 540,300 aircraft transited Omani airspace – a 14 per cent rise year-on-year. The national meteorological monitoring network grew to include 80 stations across the country. Meanwhile, 520 consumer complaints were addressed and resolved efficiently. Internationally, Oman attained a 94.4 per cent compliance score in aviation security under the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Continuous Monitoring Approach. The sultanate ranked fourth among G20 nations and third in the Middle East. Oman also achieved full compliance with aviation facilitation standards under Annex 9 of the Chicago Convention. Looking to the future, the Authority confirmed that detailed design work is nearing completion for Musandam Airport, with accelerated progress anticipated in early 2025. The tender for construction of the passenger terminal at Sohar Airport is expected to be issued before the end of the year. Meanwhile, a new aircraft hangar at Muscat International Airport is set to be inaugurated later this year, positioning Oman as a regional centre for aircraft maintenance. The event also marked the launch of an upgraded digital platform for Oman Meteorology, offering real-time weather updates. A commemorative postage stamp was unveiled to celebrate 50 years of Oman's membership in the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). H.E. Eng. Naif Ali al Abri, Chairman of the CAA, stated that the year's achievements reflect Oman's unwavering commitment to aviation safety and its alignment with international best practices. 'These results are a testament to our clear strategic vision and the strong collaboration between all partners. The civil aviation sector is a pillar of national development and plays a vital role in enhancing Oman's global connectivity,' he said. The commemorative stamp, released in partnership with Oman Post, highlights the sultanate's enduring contribution to international climate cooperation since becoming a member of the WMO in 1975. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
