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Google is changing how other sites use its flight data
Google is getting serious about its role as a travel service. Come April 10, 2018 the search giant will shut down access to its QPX Express API that's used by the likes of Kayak and Orbitz for airfare data, as spotted by Hacker News. This could seriously affect those sites' customers. Travel listings are one thing, but if you've stored a ton of reward points with one and it isn't able to fetch flight times and prices for your a trip next summer, that could cause some headaches.
Delta phone app automatically checks you in for your flight
Modern air travel is full of hassles, but one of the most arbitrary is the check-in. Why do I have to manually confirm that I'm flying when I've already paid for tickets and chosen seats? A few airlines around the world have eliminated that drudgery, but now it's coming to a major American airline. Delta has updated its iOS app (there's no update for its Android equivalent yet) with automatic check-in -- you'll get your boarding passes 24 hours before takeoff. In theory, the days of frantic last-minute check-ins are over.
DHS won’t expand its laptop ban to all US-bound flights just yet
In a statement today, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly announced expanded security measures for US-bound flights. Kelly said the new measures were in response to terrorist groups' "renewed interest" in targeting airlines. "We cannot play international whack-a-mole with each new threat. Instead, we must put in place new measures across the board to keep the traveling public safe and make it harder for terrorists to succeed," he said.
In a bid to improve its service, Emirates introduces....AR
Emirates is looking to boost customer service and improve the travel experience with the help of AR. The airline wants to equip its staff with AR goggles that would help them tailor service to each customer.
US won't ban laptops on European flights, at least for now
After weeks of discussions, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has said it won't enforce a ban on laptops and other personal electronics on flights to the US from Europe. While officials remain keen to "implement any and all measures necessary to secure commercial aircraft" flying into the US, airlines and European officials appear to have sufficiently stalled negotiations on the blanket ban mooted earlier this month by Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly.
British Airways IT failure cancels many flights out of London (updated)
Airline glitches and the ensuing pandemonium are nothing new, but they've just hit one of the world's largest travel hubs. British Airways has suffered a global IT system failure so serious that it cancelled all its flights out of London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports before 6PM local time on Saturday. Some parts of BA's website and check-in features were unavailable, too, and passengers on London-bound BA flights also faced delays. They frequently can't even book new flights to make up for the old ones.
Start racking up Delta SkyMiles with your Lyft rides
Lyft is no stranger to offering perks with every trip. Its latest bonus will be more than a little useful if you're a frequent flier, though. The service just unveiled a partnership with Delta that has you earning SkyMiles with every ride. After you link your Lyft and SkyMile accounts, you'll earn one mile for each dollar you spend. There's also a promo running until August 31st that will triple your miles whenever you travel to or from the airport.
Delta will test face-scanning for checked baggage this summer (updated)
This summer, Delta will test a facial recognition system for checking luggage. The airline says that the move is an effort to save customers time and further streamline the pre-flight process. "One machine will be equipped to test facial recognition technology to match customers with their passport photos through identification verification," the press release says.
US considers banning laptops on all flights from Europe
The Department of Homeland Security is considering banning all carry-on laptops on flights from Europe to the United States. This rule change would represent an expansion of previous regulations banning carry-on laptops and tablets on flights from some Middle Eastern and African countries.
Emirates will hand out Surface tablets on flights from Dubai
In mid-March, the US hastily instituted an indefinite ban on electronic devices larger than a cellphone from being carried on to the flights of nine Middle Eastern airlines. Reportedly, it was to prevent terrorists from sneaking an explosive-laden fake iPad into the cabin, though few details on the specific threat have emerged in recent weeks. To compensate travellers for the hassle of spending hours on a flight without their trusty laptops, Emirates has begun offering complimentary Microsoft Surfaces for the durations of affected flights.
iPad bomb threat led to recent device ban on flights
When the US and UK banned people from carrying large devices aboard flights originating in the Middle East and northern Africa, they only made vague claims about this being in response to threat reports. But just what were those threats, exactly? We might have an idea. A Guardian security source understands that the bans were prompted in part by a plot to tuck explosives into a fake iPad. This wasn't the only motivation -- there was a "combination of factors," according to the newspaper -- but it played an important role. It's not clear where and when this faux tablet bomb would have been used.
Alaska Airlines: Goodbye 'Virgin America,' hello comfier flights
Virgin America has been the airline of choice for many travelers due to its on-board amenities, including comfy seating, mood lighting, Netflix and Spotify. However, the name won't be around much longer. Alaska Airlines, which bought the airline last year, announced this week that it plans "to retire" the Virgin America name and logo "likely sometime in 2019." As you can imagine, many were upset the beloved brand was being shuttered, including Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson.
You might be warned if your next flight allows WiFi calling
Between screaming babies, flatulent passengers and that guy ahead of you who insists on leaning all the way back, air travel can be pretty miserable. And that's before you think about the possibility of someone loudly making a call over WiFi during your flight. The Department of Transportation wants to address that last bit, though.
Panasonic's airline seat puts you in a high-tech cocoon
Panasonic has launched the most techie airplane seat we've ever seen, complete with its own app, user programmable mood lighting and a 4K TV. It revealed the product, called "Waterfront," at Hamburg's Aircraft Interiors Expo (yes, there's a show for everything), where it was spotted by The Points Guy. Since this is Panasonic's first foray into high-end airliner seats, it teamed up with B/E Aerospace, Formation Design Group and Denny e-bike designer Teague.
Tracking glitch grounds over 100 US flights
Hopefully, you weren't flying to or from the US East coast this weekend -- if you were, there's a real chance that a technical glitch ruined your trip. The Federal Aviation Administration reports that airlines cancelled legions of flights (around 134 in Baltimore and Washington DC, according to Flightaware) after an automated tracking system in Virginia went haywire. It's not yet certain exactly what went wrong, but the incident triggered a ripple effect that delayed several hundred flights. One thing's for sure: between this and United Airlines' network chaos, technology is becoming an ever-larger factor in your ability to travel on time. [Image credit: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin]
United grounds all its flights due to a network glitch (updated)
We really, really hope you didn't have to take a United Airlines flight this morning. The air carrier temporarily grounded all its flights due to a networking glitch that created "automation issues" across its fleet. United started returning things to normal around 9:20AM Eastern (initially for regional carriers), but not before it created serious chaos -- there are reports of staff having to write boarding passes and baggage tickets, not to mention flight delays that will likely continue throughout the day. It's not yet clear what exactly is at fault. However, this is the second time in as many months that the airline has had to bring everything to a screeching halt due to a network failure. That doesn't mean that you're looking at a systemic flaw, but it definitely underscores the importance of reliable transportation tech. Update: United blames its woes on a router that "degraded network connectivity" with some apps. [Image credit: Shutterstock]
Virgin America's in-flight entertainment will run on Android
To call most in-flight entertainment systems old and crusty would be generous when even the more advanced systems typically pale in comparison to your laptop or tablet. Virgin America might just narrow that gap, though. It's rolling out a beta version of its Red seatback platform that runs Android on a multi-touch screen, much like many mobile devices. The modern input gives you more sophisticated flight maps and games than you're used to seeing in mid-air -- you can play Pac-Man while you're waiting for your meal, if you like. The devices also have three times as much storage as before, which will let you watch 720p videos including Netflix staples like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black.
Why easyJet is banking on VR, drones and 3D printing
When you book a flight with a company like easyJet, it's usually for one of two reasons: you want the cheapest tickets possible, or it's the only airline operator flying to your destination. Nobody chooses easyJet for their in-flight entertainment, or the drinks and nibbles that are available while you're thousands of feet up in the air. But for the most part, that's okay. We're all looking for a deal, and provided the flight is on time and the seats aren't too uncomfortable, most of us are happy to forgo these luxuries in order to save some cash. easyJet knows its business model well, and that's why it's exploring new technologies that can help with its day-to-day operations. These are projects that could make its commercial flights cheaper, more reliable and ultimately less stressful for customers. Some are designed for the public and clearly visible, but others are being developed behind closed doors to improve training, manufacturing and repairs. To explain some of its more experimental ideas, easyJet crammed them all into an aircraft hangar in Milan.
Lufthansa will charge you extra for booking flights on other websites
Be careful when choosing a website to book that upcoming trip to Munich... you may end up paying more than you have to. Germany's Lufthansa Group is introducing a €16 ($18) fee for flights booked through "global distribution systems," such as Expedia, from September 1st onward. According to the company, it's "several times" more expensive to sell tickets through these providers -- it'd much rather point you toward its own websites. The move will theoretically help slash spiraling costs for Lufthansa, which reportedly pays hundreds of millions of Euros every year to deal with these outside transactions.
Court tosses United Airlines lawsuit over a cheap ticket website
United Airlines can't sue Skiplagged for exposing a loophole in ticket prices... at least, for now. A Chicago court has tossed out United's lawsuit because the airfare website doesn't operate in that jurisdiction. The move lets site owner Aktarer Zaman breathe a little, although he may only get a temporary reprieve. While United hasn't said whether or not it will sue again, it notes that the dismissal was based purely on "procedural grounds." The company still believes that Skiplagged's "hidden city" ticket shopping (where you stop at connecting cities, not the final destination) is verboten -- don't be surprised if it finds another way to take legal action. [Image credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images]
