Travel

Alaska Airlines has agreed to acquire its rival Hawaiian Airlines in a deal valued at about $1.9 billion, as the companies make a push to expand along the West Coast.The purchase values Hawaiian Airlines at $18 per share, and includes the inheritance of $900 million of the company’s debt, according to a news release Sunday. Shares of Hawaiian Airlines closed on Friday at $4.86, giving the company a market cap of about $250 million.The transaction is expected to close in the next year or 18 months. The combined company will be based in Seattle, where Alaska Airlines is headquartered, and led by its CEO, Ben Minicucci.More stories from CNBCMeta’s AI chief doesn’t think AI super intelligence is coming anytime soon, and is skeptical on quantum computing Exxon Mobil CEO urges COP28 to focus ...

LONDON — The first transatlantic flight using 100% sustainable aviation fuel departed London for New York on Tuesday as the industry seeks to prove the viability of greener air travel.Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 787 is burning a blend of 88% waste fats supplied by AirBP, and 12% Synthetic Aromatic Kerosene made from plant sugars.Test flight VIR100, which is not carrying paying passengers, departed London Heathrow for New York JFK at 11:49 a.m. U.K. time (6:49 a.m. ET), according to Flightradar24 data. It is due to land shortly before 2 p.m. ET.Sustainable aviation fuel — also known as SAF — is an umbrella term for non-fossil-derived fuels, including biofuels derived from plant or animal materials, municipal waste and agricultural residues.It still produces emissions, but proponents argue t...

Cyber Monday is here and retailers are offering notable discounts on travel items, as well as other sales on kitchen, fitness and more.We compiled the best deals on travel that we think you’ll want to know about. We’ll continue to update you about new savings opportunities throughout the next few days. We also compiled a list of bestsellers so you can see what other NBC Select readers are shopping for during the sale event.SKIP AHEAD Best Cyber Monday travel deals | Best Cyber Monday travel salesBest Cyber Monday travel deals 2023All of our recommendations below are based on our previous coverage and reporting. We also included a handful of products we’ve tried, including NBC Select Wellness Award, Pet Award, Bed & Bath Award and Giftable Tech award winners. We’re running deals thro...

Black Friday is officially here, and retailers are offering notable discounts on travel items and brands during the event. Many of these sales run through Cyber Monday, and you can also find deals on tech, fitness and wellness.We compiled the best deals on travel that we think you’ll want to know about. We’ll continue to update you about new savings opportunities throughout the next few days.SKIP AHEAD Best Black Friday travel deals | Best Black Friday travel salesFEATURED LINK: BF/CM PILLAR OR BREAKOUTBest Black Friday travel deals 2023All of our recommendations below are based on our previous coverage and reporting. We also included a handful of products we’ve tried, including NBC Select Wellness Award, Pet Award, Bed & Bath Award and Giftable Tech award winners. We’re running dea...

The late crush of holiday travelers is picking up steam, with about 2.7 million people expected to board flights on Wednesday and millions more planning to drive to Thanksgiving celebrations.Airline officials say they are confident that they can avoid the kind of massive disruptions that have marred past holiday seasons, such as the meltdown at Southwest Airlines over last Christmas.Airlines have added tens of thousands of employees in the last couple years, and Southwest says it has bought more winter equipment to keep planes moving even during sub-freezing temperatures.Security lines at airports could be long because of the crowds. Delta Air Lines is telling passengers to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flight if they are traveling within the United States, three...

The days before Thanksgiving, usually among the busiest for travel, is expected to see severe weather that could affect holiday plans for millions of Americans headed to see loved ones. A powerful system will move east over the next few days, bringing several risks including heavy rain, strong winds and severe storms to the eastern half of the country that could severely impact travel. Monday was shaping up to be a volatile day, with 10 million people at risk for severe storms across an area spanning from east Texas, to the lower Mississippi Valley and into western Alabama. Storms were forecast to fire in the late afternoon across eastern Texas, then track across Louisiana and into Alabama during the afternoon and evening hours. Of particular concern to forecasters was the risk for stro...

This year’s post-pandemic travel boom is continuing into the holidays. Nearly half (48%) of Americans plan to travel between Thanksgiving and mid-January, up from 31% last winter, a recent Deloitte survey found. AAA expects 55.4 million travelers to venture at least 50 miles from home during the Thanksgiving period alone, a 2.3% increase from last year. That means if you’re hitting the roads or the slopes this season, you’ll have lots of company. Here’s what to expect as you pack your bags for a winter getaway or to visit loved ones. More affordable airfare Airline ticket prices are falling even as more Americans intend to fly. Deloitte found 33% of holiday travelers plan to take a domestic flight, up from 29% last year. Despite the strong demand, airfares were more than 13% cheaper la...

The New Orleans Coast Guard is searching a 200 mile area for a man that went missing on Monday from a Louisiana cruise ship bound for Montego Bay, Jamaica. The 8th District Coast Guard in New Orleans received a report that a 28-year-old male passenger was missing from the Carnival Glory cruise ship on Monday afternoon, after ship crews could not locate him aboard. Two aircraft were launched to conduct searches, following the ship’s track toward Jamaica. The passenger’s family identified the missing man as Tyler Barnett from Houma, Louisiana, who is the father of twin girls. His grandmother, Dirlean Tate Mason, said Barnett was on the cruise with his sister, uncle, and several other family members for a vacation. Coast Guard Third Class Petty Officer Anthony Randisi confirme...

United Airlines plans to make it easier for customers to earn elite status through co-branded Chase credit cards, the latest airline to tweak its lucrative frequent flyer program to reward big spenders. The airline isn’t changing overall requirements for elite frequent flyer status next year, a first for the carrier since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead, United said Thursday that in 2024, it will reward customers with 25 qualifying points for every $500 they spend on co-branded cards. Currently, customers get 500 points for every $12,000 spent. The carrier will also lift caps on credit card spending that can qualify toward elite status. Travelers need 5,000 qualifying points plus four flights to get to silver status, the lowest level, or have a combination of flights and po...

Passengers who were on a flight when an off-duty pilot allegedly activated the plane’s emergency engine shutdown system say they are suing the airline for breaching passenger safety in order to prevent similar incidents. Three passengers said they have suffered emotional distress including “nausea on later flights, insomnia, anxiety, and flashbacks of the incident,” in a class action suit filed at the King County Superior court in Washington state on Thursday. Matthew Dolan, Theresa Stelter and Paul Stephen were on the Alaska Airlines flight 2059 from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco on Oct. 22. The flight was operated by Alaska Airlines’ affiliate, Horizon Air, which is also named as a defendant. According to the complaint and a previous complaint filed in Oregon, Joseph E...