airlines

When luggage and its owner can't be reunited, airlines sell it to a store in Alabama, where its contents are sold to the public. The result is a grab bag of normal and odd things people travel with.

American Airlines is drawing the largest fine ever keeping passengers on delayed flights without giving them a chance to leave the plane. The U.S. Department of Transportation said Monday it fined American $4.1 million for more than three dozen violations of the so-called tarmac-delay rules, which took effect about a decade ago.

The union representing mechanics with Southwest Airlines unanimously approved a new collective bargaining agreement the same day the Dallas-based carrier reporting a $638 million second quarter profit.

The 27-year-old airport worker took his own life in San Antonio on Friday, the local medical examiner said. The incident marked the second fatal aviation engine ingestion so far this year.

Once accepted into the Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway program, students at the US Aviation Flight School will receive a conditional job offer with the airline.

In ongoing contract negotiations, pilots at major airlines are pushing for changes in scheduling, to allow for more time at home and fewer missed birthdays and other celebrations.

Several airlines are waiving the fees to change flights as snow storms, high winds and low temperatures are expected across the U.S.

Delta, United, Southwest, American and Alaska Airlines and other say masks are now optional for travelers on their aircraft.

Millions of Americans are returning to the skies this holiday season. Crowded airports, staffing shortages, bad weather and disruptive passengers all could make the experience miserable.

A group of United employees had asked the court for a preliminary injunction to block United's policy of putting workers with religious or medical exemptions on unpaid leave.

Southwest Airlines will let unvaccinated employees keep working past early December instead of putting them on unpaid leave if they apply for an exemption on medical or religious grounds.

The airline says 99% of its U.S. workforce has either gotten the shots or applied for religious or medical exemptions, while fewer than 600 employees will be fired for refusing to comply.