Top Air Travel Stories From November
An Eventful Month
It was an eventful month of November for the airline industry.
It started out great, as the U.S. rescinded restrictions and began allowing international travelers back into the country, and ended great with a strong Thanksgiving holiday.
But in between was a cautious concern as a new variant of the COVID-19 virus reared its ugly head.
Buttigieg Considers No-Fly List
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttegieg said on November 2 that a federal no-fly list, similar to the federal terrorist watch no-fly list, could be used to help curb and punish passengers who resort to physical violence on planes.
American Incentivizes Employees to Work Holidays
In a precedent-setting move on November 6 that was quickly copied by other carriers, American Airlines offers workers bonus pay as an incentive to work the holidays. The airline was one of three domestic carriers that suffered massive delays and cancellations during the year due in part to short staffing.
International Travel to the US Starts With a Flourish
The Biden Administration lifted travel restrictions on international visitors to the U.S. on November 8, and it re-started with a flourish. American Airlines carries more than 40,000 passengers on the first day that international visitors are allowed back.
Boeing Agrees to Pay Victims of 737 MAX Crash
On November 11, airplane manufacturer Boeing Co. agreed to pay the families of victims of the Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX plane that crashed in 2019.
United Resumes Hard Liquor Service
On November 15, United Airlines restarts its service of hard liquor on flights of 300 or more miles. Given the issues surrounding physical and verbal abuse of crew members during flights, it is a controversial decision.
Where Did All the Money Go?
Remember all that money that the government gave to airlines last year in grants and loans to help fight the effects of the pandemic? Well, on November 21 Congress said it wants an accounting of where it all went.
American/JetBlue Alliance asks for Suit to be Dismissed
The Northeast Alliance between American Airlines and JetBlue Airways on November 23 asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit against the partnership filed by the government, which claims it would create higher fares and upset competitive balance.
DOJ to Crack Down on Violent Passengers
The Department of Justice on November 24 said it will crack down on physical violence by passengers on airline flights by instructing state attorneys general to prioritize prosecution. It is a federal offense to interrupt and endanger an airline flight.
New COVID-19 Variant Emerges, Stocks Tumble
The travel comeback hit a snag on November 27 as several travel-related stocks suffered a setback on this day. It came in the wake of the U.S. and several other countries putting a ban on travel to and from South Africa and eight other southern African nations in the wake of the discovery of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus.