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The Hill • Rachel Tucker

JetBlue raises checked-bag fees up to $9, cites Middle East-driven fuel spike

JetBlue increased checked baggage fees by up to $9, saying higher jet-fuel and operating costs from the Middle East conflict necessitated the change; the carrier says the revenue will help preserve competitive fares and onboard services, including high-speed Wi‑Fi and customer experience.

2026-04-01T17:18:53.294826-07:00

Skift

Airbnb exploring flights as part of broader trip expansion, CBO says

2026-04-01T11:41:12.350863-07:00

Airways Magazine

Qatar Airways begins phased restoration of services after airspace closures

2026-04-01T10:35:39.493247-07:00

Runway Girl

Delta: Amazon Leo LEO connectivity is a 'launchpad' for new in‑flight experiences

2026-04-01T10:05:37.191314-07:00

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The Hill

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JetBlue raises checked-bag fees up to $9, cites Middle East-driven fuel spike JetBlue increased checked baggage fees by up to $9, saying higher jet-fuel and operating costs from the Middle East conflict necessitated the change; the carrier says the revenue will help preserve competitive fares and onboard services, including high-speed Wi‑Fi and customer experience.

2026-04-01T17:18:53.294826-07:00

JetBlue raises checked-bag fees up to $9, cites Middle East-driven fuel spike

Skift

Airbnb exploring flights as part of broader trip expansion, CBO says Airbnb Chief Business Officer Dave Stephenson said the company was “working on flights” before the Covid pandemic and is now adding “various parts of the journey,” describing flights as a potential component of Airbnb’s broader expansion strategy and experience offerings.

2026-04-01T11:41:12.350863-07:00

Airbnb exploring flights as part of broader trip expansion, CBO says

Airways Magazine

Qatar Airways begins phased restoration of services after airspace closures Qatar Airways has begun gradually restoring services after recent airspace closures grounded its operations, incrementally rebuilding published schedules, reintroducing frequencies and reopening previously suspended routes across its network to international destinations as regional restrictions ease and authorities permit resumed flying.

2026-04-01T10:35:39.493247-07:00

Qatar Airways begins phased restoration of services after airspace closures

Runway Girl

Delta: Amazon Leo LEO connectivity is a 'launchpad' for new in‑flight experiences Delta calls Amazon's Leo LEO satellite connectivity a 'launchpad' for new in‑flight experiences, signalling the carrier intends to leverage next‑generation low‑Earth‑orbit broadband to expand onboard passenger services, content offerings and digital revenue opportunities as airlines prioritise high‑capacity, low‑latency inflight Wi‑Fi.

2026-04-01T10:05:37.191314-07:00

Delta: Amazon Leo LEO connectivity is a 'launchpad' for new in‑flight experiences

thebulkheadseat.com

United adds real-time TSA wait times and AirTag location sharing to app at seven US hubs United's mobile app now displays estimated TSA security wait times in real time and lets passengers share AirTag-equipped lost-item locations with airline staff. The pilot is active at seven major U.S. hubs — ORD, DEN, IAH, LAX, EWR, SFO and IAD — improving pre‑flight visibility and recovery workflows.

2026-04-01T06:58:39.771560-07:00

United adds real-time TSA wait times and AirTag location sharing to app at seven US hubs

AeroTime

LATAM debuts Wi‑Fi on long‑haul 787‑9, launches >60‑aircraft rollout LATAM operated its first long‑haul flight with onboard Wi‑Fi using a Boeing 787‑9, becoming the first South American carrier to introduce connectivity on widebody routes. The rollout begins a programme to equip more than 60 long‑haul aircraft, backed by an investment of over US$60 million.

2026-04-01T06:32:17.768215-07:00

LATAM debuts Wi‑Fi on long‑haul 787‑9, launches >60‑aircraft rollout

AINonline

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Lithium‑ion battery thermal runaways average ~2 per week, mostly in cruise Industry monitoring indicates roughly two lithium‑ion battery thermal runaways occur each week on aircraft — most while in cruise. That cadence exposes a persistent in‑flight fire risk and underscores the need for effective detection, containment systems and crew response protocols to prevent escalation.

2026-04-01T05:07:06.762905-07:00

Lithium‑ion battery thermal runaways average ~2 per week, mostly in cruise

Cranky Flier

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Southwest abandons assigned seating after two‑month trial, returns to open seating After just over two months of assigned seating, Southwest has abandoned the experiment and restored its traditional open‑seating model. The carrier framed the rollback as a response to public reaction and operational friction tied to the change, reversing a key element of its recent service overhaul.

2026-04-01T03:59:59.785634-07:00

Southwest abandons assigned seating after two‑month trial, returns to open seating

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PaxEx News

JetBlue raises checked-bag fees up to $9, cites Middle East-driven fuel spike

Airbnb exploring flights as part of broader trip expansion, CBO says

Qatar Airways begins phased restoration of services after airspace closures

Delta: Amazon Leo LEO connectivity is a 'launchpad' for new in‑flight experiences

News Timeline