Southwest CEO Signals Lounges Are Coming Soon in Premium Push Southwest Airlines Co. said it’s pushing ahead with a plan to introduce lounges, highlighting how the company is committed to a corporate makeover even as it absorbs higher costs from surging fuel pri...

Southwest CEO Signals Lounges Are Coming Soon in Premium Push

Via @bloomberg.com

#Avgeek

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Kirby spoke to Trump on February 25, just days before attacks on Iran. He pitched the idea that UA-AA would create a stronger competitor for international travel, appealing to Trump's wishes on addressing the country's trade deficits around the world.

#Avgeek

More on UA-AA tie-up:

- One Reuters source says there's skepticism on a merger; Trump admin is already focused on rising costs ahead of midterms and UA-AA could impact competition/prices.
- Will likely face strong antitrust resistance even with significant divestitures

#Avgeek

(Kirby has previously made comments on this in the past)

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“Kirby has made the case to Trump administration ⁠officials that a merged United-American would be a stronger competitor for international travel, the sources said, noting that the Trump administration has focused on U.S. trade deficits around the globe.”

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More on this: Reuters says Scott Kirby had a meeting with Donald Trump on February 25.

www.reuters.com/business/uni...

one person quips "This administration would allow it just so Trump could claim ownership of the largest merger ever"

bsky.app/profile/bloo...

I’ve seen those comments pop up too. I get it, but I dunno…

Any proposal on this is wild and can expected to be met with intense antitrust scrutiny, even with the current business-friendly Trump administration.

A merger here will create the largest airline in the world.

#Avgeek

United CEO Interested in Merger With American, Bloomberg Reports - Altitude Yes Kirby reportedly has pitched the idea to senior government officials.

United CEO Interested in Merger With American, Bloomberg Reports

altitudeyes.com/united-ceo-i...

United CEO Has Pitched Possible Combination With Rival American United Airlines Holdings Inc. Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby has floated a possible combination with American Airlines Group Inc., according to people familiar with the conversations, an audaciou...

This should be a gift link, for those who don’t have access to Bloomberg:

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

United CEO Has Pitched Possible Combination With Rival American United Airlines Holdings Inc. Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby has floated a possible combination with American Airlines Group Inc., according to people familiar with the conversations, an audaciou...

What a scoop by Bloomberg.

United CEO Has Pitches Possible Combination With Rival American

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Delta Unveils New Business Class Seats, Spotlights Further Premium Push Delta’s new business-class suites will enter service in 2027.

Delta Unveils New Business Class Seats, Spotlights Further Premium Push

metroairportnews.com/delta-unveil...

Noted

bsky.app/profile/wand...

Anyone have any experience with duplicate bookings on American Airlines?

Short story is I have to fly next Tuesday, but I’m not sure yet if I need to in the morning or evening. I’m thinking of getting 2 refundable tickets (one as a back up) but I’m wondering if AA will cancel one of them.

#Avgeek

Please don’t get rid of this, Hilton. This is awesome.

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The Hilton Boston Park Plaza has flight information in the lobby, but with old airline logos.

Peep the old Air France, Delta, JAL and a bunch of other logos here:

#Avgeek

For this week, we had:
- U.S carriers raise bag fees
- Delta’s first quarter earnings
- Delta CEO Ed Bastian on mergers and its potential benefits for the company
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s comments on consolidation

#Avgeek

More here:

altitudeyes.com/the-altitude...

Today I’m starting The Altitude Weekend, a weekly recap encompassing news and developments surrounding the business of the airline industry.

I’m going to summarize the week with snippets of my published articles and links from around the web that I think are worth a read.

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The Altitude Weekend: A Weekly Recap of the Airline Business, April 11, 2026

altitudeyes.com/the-altitude...

Delta posted a teaser on its Instagram on “what’s next,” and will unveil it on April 13

www.instagram.com/reel/DW9hYv2...

The AAdvantage program allows you to get access to the FIFA World Cup Final for the low low price of 1.2 million AA miles!

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American Updates Basic Economy Fares, Hikes Checked Bag Fees

metroairportnews.com/american-upd...

bsky.app/profile/byer...

Oil Falls, US Stock Futures Gain on Ceasefire Bets: Markets Wrap Crude oil slumped and US equity-index futures surged after President Donald Trump agreed to suspend bombing on Iran for two weeks, giving markets a respite following turbulence driven by the six-week ...

Oil Falls, US Stock Futures Gain on Ceasefire Bets: Markets Wrap

Via @bloomberg.com

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Delta Raises Bag Fees, Schedule Changes Persist as Middle East Conflict Lingers Higher checked bag fees on Delta mirror moves by rivals United and JetBlue, which both raised bag fees last week.

Delta Raises Bag Fees, Schedule Changes Persist as Middle East Conflict Lingers

metroairportnews.com/delta-raises...

MBTA says it will cost $80 for a commuter rail ticket to the World Cup Commuter rail tickets for the first five World Cup matches go on sale Wednesday. The roundtrip tickets are priced at $50 more than they were for the friendly match in late March.

The MBTA is playing the supply and demand game for the World Cup. $80 for a commuter rail ticket to Gillette Stadium:

www.wbur.org/news/2026/04...

Today’s AA miles well spent: I just booked American’s Flagship Business LAX-MIA on the 777-200 for 14.5K miles.

The ticket is a connecting flight, the other being MIA-LGA. 3 lounges (2 Flagship Lounges), Flagship Business, and Domestic First with a meal for 14.5K miles. Lol.

#Avgeek