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Kayak CEO Says Online Travel ‘Still Sucks’ and He Wants to Stay ‘Until It’s Fixed’

Dennis Schaal | 15 seconds ago

Twenty years later, Google is the leading global player in travel metasearch. Steve Hafner can do little about that but argues travelers can snack on Google but they should come to Kayak for better results when they are ready to book.

Latest Travel News

Automatic refunds for flyers: here’s how it works in europe.

11 hours ago

Soho House Check-Up Months After Dire Report: What the Latest Numbers Show

The Expedia CEO Transition: The Challenges Facing the New Boss

Tour Operators

Dubai Gains Ground In The Tours And Activities Market

Editor’s Picks

2024 u.s. election won’t scare off tourists, but it will make advertising more expensive, major airlines absent from government hearing probing loyalty programs and credit cards.

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• Soho House Check-Up Months After Dire Report: What the Latest Numbers Show May 10, 2024
• Hilton Grand Vacations: Weak Yen Dents Japanese Appetite for U.S. Timeshares May 9, 2024
• Hyatt Signals Strength in Business Travel, Loyalty, and All-Inclusives May 9, 2024

Online Travel News

• Kayak CEO Says Online Travel ‘Still Sucks’ and He Wants to Stay ‘Until It’s Fixed’ May 11, 2024
• The Expedia CEO Transition: The Challenges Facing the New Boss May 10, 2024
• MakeMyTrip Is Bringing Back Experiences. Plus: CEO on Latest Spending Patterns May 8, 2024

Airline News

• Automatic Refunds For Flyers: Here’s How it Works in Europe May 11, 2024
• Major Airlines Absent From Government Hearing Probing Loyalty Programs and Credit Cards May 9, 2024
• JetBlue Slashes its Winter Transatlantic Schedule — A Sign of Weakness or Strength? May 9, 2024

Tourism News

• Dubai Gains Ground In The Tours And Activities Market May 10, 2024
• 2024 U.S. Election Won’t Scare Off Tourists, But It Will Make Advertising More Expensive May 10, 2024
• Saudi Wants More Female Travelers, But Admits to a ‘Perception’ Problem May 9, 2024

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• Vacasa Laid Off 13% of Its Workforce May 9, 2024
• Airbnb CEO: ‘We Are Ready to Step on the Gas’ for International Expansion May 8, 2024
• Google Search Claims Another Victim: Tripadvisor Lowers Outlook May 8, 2024
• Choice Hotels Boosts Global Pipeline May 8, 2024

Skift Travel 200 Vs. S&P 500

The Skift Travel 200 (ST200)  combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number, making it easy to track travel industry performance for the first time ever. See more on travel company stock performance .

Latest Skift Research

• How Technology and AI are Transforming Airline Revenue Management May 9, 2024 by Ashab Rizvi
• Skift Travel Health Index: March 2024 Highlights April 25, 2024 by Saniya Zanpure
• A Deep Dive into Google Travel Part III: Hotel Distribution From East to West April 23, 2024 by Pranavi Agarwal
• Tying the Knot Abroad: Market Sizing Indian Wedding Tourism April 4, 2024 by Varsha Arora
• The Opportunity for Long-Haul, Low-Cost Airlines April 2, 2024 by Ashab Rizvi

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Cwt meetings & events top exec departs as amex acquisition looms, does remote work make less of an impact on the environment, tourism diversity matters picks up the pieces, 7 ways to deliver authenticity and adventure, hotel business news, marriott international expands canadian pipeline, banyan tree to run singapore rainforest resort, choice hotels repurchases more and more shares, lost in renovation: park hyatt tokyo closes for one year, skift events calendar.

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New Report: Reimagining Loyalty to Engage Today’s Consumers

In the face of shifting consumer expectations, the business case for loyalty is evolving. This report delves into various aspects of modern loyalty programs, from the importance of creating an emotional connection and simplifying reward redemption to extending value across the travel journey and into retail engagement.

Video Interview: Rethinking Loyalty in the Age of AI

In this video interview, Jason Perocho, vice president of product marketing at Amperity, discussed highlights from a new research report that explores how generative AI can help travel and hospitality companies put their customer data to its highest and best use, enabling them to earn loyalty in the new era of travel.

How Azerbaijan Is Creating Its Niche in Winter Travel

As nature-based travel gains global traction, Azerbaijan is leveraging its diverse landscapes to redefine its winter tourism appeal. The country is investing in luxury resorts and unique winter activities to attract travelers looking for authentic experiences.

Focused on connecting companies with Skift’s unique ecosystem of travel industry influencers and decision makers, our in-house marketing studio creates engaging, insightful content and experiences for brands.

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Love reading the latest airline news? You've come to the right place. From American Airlines to ZIPAIR Tokyo, we have it all at Simple Flying!

Copa Airlines Delays US Debut Of Boeing 737 MAX 8 To Florida & Washington DC

Aircraft delivery setbacks have reduced the carrier’s capacity estimates by as much as four percent this year.

Condor's New Airbus A330neo Lands In Boston Ahead Of Summer Rush

Up to six weekly flights this summer.

Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant Pay Is So Bad, 1 In 10 Live Out Of Their Car

Alaska Airlines' flight attendants share their economic insecurity with low pay.

American Airlines To Operate Record-Breaking Summer Schedule From Its Largest Hub Dallas Forth Worth

More than 97,000 flights will be scheduled between May 17 and September 3.

Air France Boeing 777 Diverts To Montreal After Cabin Goes Dark

An Air France representative confirmed that the Boeing 777-200ER landed safely in Canada.

Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia Owner IAG Posts $73 Million Profit From Strong Travel Demand

Despite the operating profit, the International Airlines Group (IAG) was still loss-making during the quarter.

Scots Can Bag £1 Flights To Istanbul With Edinburgh’s Newest Airline

A new low-cost airline, Pegasus, is set to make its debut in the Scottish capital next month.

How Soon Can Iberia Launch IAG's Airbus A321XLRs On US Flights After FAA Raises Fuel Fire Concerns?

With the FAA mandating Airbus' compliance with special conditions for the A321XLR, can Iberia launch its flights to the US in time?

The Simple Flying Podcast Episode 217: Emirates A350 Routes, Global's Airbus A380 Arrives In The UK

Join the Simple Flying team as we discuss some of the biggest events in aviation this week.

United Airlines Flight 166 Declares Emergency Returns To Fukuoka Airport: Reported Boeing 737-800 Wing Issue

The Boeing 737-800 entered a holding pattern after departing from Fukuoka Airport (FUK) and safely returned to the airport 40 minutes after departure.

Nigeria's Former Aviation Minister Granted Bail In $1.9 Million Fraud Case

The minister appeared before the High Court Justice in a fraud case involving Nigeria Air.

Alaska, Breeze & Sun Country Shift Terminals As Raleigh-Durham International Airport Adjusts For Growth

The airport will undergo massive infrastructure upgrades in the years to come.

Southwest Airlines Announces Passing Of The Brand's Iconic Heart Creator 'Industry Legend' Colleen Barrett

Barrett was 79 and passed away surrounded by loved ones.

Iberia Launches Avios 'Points Planes' To Santorini And Sicily

The new Iberia Plus Flights reward frequent flyers with Avios-only flights to exotic island destinations.

11 Injured As Air Senegal Boeing 737-300 Veers Off Runway

The incident forced a temporary closure of Dakar Airport.

Staff Shortage: FAA Delays Rest Rule Implementation For Air Traffic Controllers

Staffing shortages have paused the FAA's plan to implement changes to the air traffic control (ATC) rest rules.

FlySafair Faces Hearing On Alleged Breach Of 75% Domestic Ownership Licensing Rule

South African carriers have challenged the basis of Flysafair's license and ownership structure.

EU Court Upholds Ryanair's Complaint Against Condor State Aid

Ryanair cannot challenge the decision's contents since it failed to prove that the state aid impacted its competitive position.

FedEx Boeing 767 Cargo Plane Successfully Lands In Istanbul Despite Front Gear Failure

Videos circulating online show the nail-biting moment when the aircraft's nose made contact with the ground.

Fire Induced Emergency Evacuation: Delta Passengers Flee Airbus A321neo At Sea-Tac

A few people had minor injuries, including a woman who said she twisted her ankle coming down the slide.

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8 Incidents in 2 Weeks: What’s Going on With United’s Planes?

While no one was injured, most of the mishaps required emergency landings or diversions. One safety expert said the incidents were not the result of “systemic problems.”

By Christine Chung

An engine fire sparked by plastic packaging wrap , a tire lost shortly after takeoff and a plane veering off the runway : These are among the eight incidents that have occurred over the past two weeks on flights operated by United Airlines. While no injuries — or worse — have been reported, the mishaps have generated headlines and stoked rising anxiety about aviation safety among federal officials and passengers alike.

All of the incidents happened on flights that took off from or were headed to airports in the United States, and five involved airplanes made by Boeing, a manufacturer already under intense scrutiny. In January, a door plug blew out of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner in mid-flight, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing.

United, one of the world’s largest airlines, flies aircraft manufactured mainly by Boeing and Airbus. In an email United began sending to customers on Monday, the company’s chief executive, Scott Kirby, wrote that while the recent incidents were unrelated, they were “reminders of the importance of safety.”

“I want you to know that these incidents have our attention and have sharpened our focus,” he continued, adding that every case was being reviewed by the airline and would influence its safety training and procedures.

Here’s what travelers should know about the latest in airplane woes.

What exactly happened on or to the planes?

Most of the incidents reported in the last two weeks required emergency landings or diversions.

March 4: A Boeing 737-900 departing from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston returned to the airport to make an emergency landing after one of the plane engines ingested and burned plastic wrap .

March 7: A Boeing 777 leaving San Francisco for Osaka, Japan, made an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport after the aircraft lost a tire .

March 8: A Boeing 737 Max 8 veered off the runway upon landing at George Bush Airport in Houston and tilted onto the grass .

Later that day, a flight leaving San Francisco for Mexico City was diverted to Los Angeles after the Airbus A320 experienced issues with its hydraulic system.

March 9: An Airbus A320 heading to Salt Lake City turned back to Chicago O’Hare International Airport after it reported maintenance issues .

March 11: A Boeing 777, flying from Sydney, Australia , to San Francisco, turned back after takeoff because the plane had a hydraulic leak.

March 14: An Airbus A320 that departed from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport had a hydraulic leak shortly before it landed in its scheduled destination, San Francisco.

Later that day, a Boeing 737-800 that took off from San Francisco landed at Rogue Valley International Medford Airport in Oregon missing an external panel .

Are the recent issues typical, or cause for concern?

The mishaps were not the result of “systemic problems,” said Robert Sumwalt, a former chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board who now heads a new aviation safety center at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

“Some of these issues are things that happen occasionally, but often don’t get reported in media,” Mr. Sumwalt said, though he emphasized that none were acceptable.

Kyra Dempsey, who writes about aviation accidents in a blog called Admiral Cloudberg, said that United’s recent issues were being “falsely conflated with Boeing’s troubles.”

“While it’s bad luck that United had so many incidents in such a short period, in general such incidents happen frequently around the world and they aren’t on the rise overall,” Ms. Dempsey said.

How has United responded?

Mr. Kirby’s 270-word message to United customers, including to members of the airline’s frequent flier program, started to be sent on Monday morning, said Josh Freed, a spokesman for United.

Starting in May, United pilots will have an extra day of in-person training, a change that was already planned before the incidents, Mr. Kirby wrote. The airline will also use a “centralized training curriculum for our new hire maintenance technicians” and will dedicate additional resources to the carrier’s supply chain.

What government agencies oversee these issues, and how are they responding?

The Federal Aviation Administration regulates the country’s aviation system and investigates safety incidents on U.S. airlines, while the N.T.S.B. investigates the causes of accidents, collisions and crashes involving planes flown by U.S. carriers, in addition to other accidents involving commercial and mass transit operators. Both agencies have discretion on what they investigate, Mr. Sumwalt said.

Currently, the N.T.S.B. is investigating the incident that occurred on March 8 in Houston, when the plane veered off the runway, an agency spokesperson said. The N.T.S.B. is also looking into a Feb. 10 Los Angeles-to-Newark flight , operated by United, that experienced severe turbulence, leading to injuries among more than a dozen passengers. (The Boeing 777 landed normally, but the flight was met by medical personnel.)

Safety experts said some issues don’t necessarily rise to the level of an investigation by either agency.

For example, partial loss of some of an airplane’s multiple hydraulics systems is common, said Michael McCormick, an assistant professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a former F.A.A. control tower operator. The F.A.A. may or may not get involved for this kind of issue, unless there’s a pattern, Mr. Sumwalt said.

The January episode involving the blown door plug aboard the Alaska Airlines jet is under investigation by the N.T.S.B. and the Justice Department.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Christine Chung is a Times reporter covering airlines and consumer travel. More about Christine Chung

Boeing: A Company in Turmoil

A New Investigation: The F.A.A. has opened an investigation  into Boeing after the plane maker told the regulator that it might have skipped required inspections involving the wings of some 787 Dreamliners.

A Huge Loss: Boeing reported a $355 million loss  for the first three months of the year, as it deals with a quality crisis stemming from a Jan. 5 flight during which a panel blew off one of its planes.

A CEO to Fix Boeing: The plane maker, which is searching for a new chief executive, is likely to consider a small number of people , including several former Boeing executives.

Mishandling Parts to Meet Deadlines: A former Boeing manager said workers at the company’s Everett factory felt such pressure to keep production  moving that they would find unauthorized ways to get the parts they needed.

Dish Soap to Help Build Planes?: An F.A.A. audit of the production of the 737 Max raised a peculiar question. Was it really appropriate for a major supplier  to be using Dawn dish soap and a hotel key card as part of its manufacturing process?

Airlines must cough up cancellation cash and can no longer hide fees under new federal rule

A federal rule announced Wednesday will require airlines to quickly give cash refunds — without lengthy arguments — to passengers whose flights have been canceled or seriously delayed, the Biden administration said.

“Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them — without headaches or haggling,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.

The rule from the Transportation Department says passengers who decline other reimbursement like travel credits are to get cash refunds.

It applies when a flight is canceled or has a “significant change,” the administration said.A “significant change” includes when departure or arrival times are three or more hours different from the scheduled times for domestic flights or six hours for international flights, and when the airport is changed or connections are added, it said.

Passengers are also to get refunds when their baggage is 12 hours late in delivery for domestic flights.

The new rule comes after promises to hold airlines accountable after major disruptions that made travel hell for passengers, including the 2022 Southwest Airlines meltdown , which resulted in almost 17,000 significantly delayed or canceled flights and a missing baggage nightmare.

The Transportation Department said that the new rule means refunds are automatic and that "airlines must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops."

Also announced Wednesday was a rule requiring airlines to more clearly disclose so-called junk fees upfront, such as surprise baggage or other fees, the department said.

It said that rule is expected to save fliers around $500 million a year.

The surprise fees are used so tickets look cheaper than they really are, and then fliers get the unwelcome surprise of fees on checked bags, carry-on bags or reservation changes — or even discounts that are advertised but apply to only part of the ticket price, officials said.

Airlines will also have to tell fliers clearly that their seats are guaranteed and that they don't have to pay extra to ensure they have seats for flights, according to the Transportation Department.

Airlines for America, an industry trade group, said that its member airlines “offer transparency and vast choice to consumers from first search to touchdown” and that they do offer cash refunds.

The 11 largest U.S. airlines returned $10.9 billion in cash refunds last year, an increase over $7.5 billion in 2019 but slightly down from $11.2 billion in 2022, the group said.

“U.S. airlines are providing more options and better services while ticket prices, including ancillary revenues, are at historic lows,” Airlines for America said.

Left out of the federal changes announced Wednesday are those involving "family seating fees," but the Transportation Department said in a statement that "DOT is planning to propose a separate rule that bans airlines from charging these junk fees."

Travelers have complained to the Transportation Department that children weren’t seated next to accompanying adults, including in some cases young children, department officials said last year.

Fees on bags specifically have made up an increasing amount of airline revenues, the Transportation Department said Wednesday in announcing the new rules.

A Transportation Department analysis found that airline revenue from baggage fees increased 30% from 2018 to 2022, while operating revenue — which is from the flights themselves — increased by only half that amount, the department said.

Jay Blackman is an NBC News producer covering such areas as transportation, space, medical and consumer issues.

Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.

Video shows FedEx cargo plane land on its nose in Istanbul after landing gear fails

A Boeing-767 type cargo plane operated by FedEx ran into a couple of bumps and sparks as it attempted to land at Istanbul Airport in Turkey without its front landing gear Wednesday.

The cargo plane, operated by FedEx, was flying from Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport, according to a statement by Turkey's Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu , when the pilot of the aircraft informed the control tower at Istanbul Airport that its landing gear had failed to open. The official said airport officials sprang into action and assisted the aircraft in touching down, while managing to remain on the runway. Emergency response, medical teams and necessary fire extinguishing equipment was also deployed on standby, Uraloğlu said.

Video footage from the landing shows the plane touching down on the runway before it tilts forward and starts dragging on its nose the runway creating a cloud of dust and sparks. It eventually comes to a stop with its fuselage touching the ground. As the plane comes to a halt, fire trucks douse the plane with water.

"With the successful guidance of our staff, the aircraft landed smoothly on its fuselage," Uraloğlu said.

No injuries reported

Two pilots were onboard the aircraft, according to Uraloğlu's statement, and were medically assessed after the landing. No injuries were reported.

The runway where the plane had landed was temporarily closed for all flights as multiple agencies gathered on site. A video shared by the minister shows crews and officials gathered around the aircraft while a fire truck and ambulance are parked on the side.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing, said Uraloğlu without going into further details into why the landing gear had failed.

Another Boeing plane issue? Don't fall for the headlines.

The freight aircraft involved in the accident is nearly 10 years old and was delivered to FedEx in 2014, according to a Boeing spokesperson. Following delivery, operators oversee ongoing maintenance for airplanes in operation. Reuters reported that Boeing 767 freighter is one of the most common cargo planes.

FedEx, meanwhile, in a statement to USA TODAY, said that the FedEx Express Flight 6268 was flying from Paris to Istanbul when it experienced an issue during landing.

"There were no reported injuries to our crew members," FedEx said. "We are coordinating with investigation authorities and will provide additional information as it is available."

While Boeing incidents have been in the news in recent months after a series of high-profile incidents, aviation experts maintain you shouldn't worry about flying .

“We don’t have to worry that there’s something systemically wrong with aviation,” Clint Balog, an associate professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, previously told USA TODAY.

Contributing: Staff, USA TODAY

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @saman_shafiq7.

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Delta flight makes emergency return after exit slide separates from Boeing aircraft

A Boeing 767 passenger aircraft of Delta Air Lines arrives from Dublin at JFK International Airport in New York as the Manhattan skyline looms in the background on Feb. 7, 2024. Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

A Boeing 767 passenger aircraft of Delta Air Lines arrives from Dublin at JFK International Airport in New York as the Manhattan skyline looms in the background on Feb. 7, 2024.

A Delta Air Lines flight that departed from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City was forced to make an emergency return to the airport Friday morning after an emergency slide came apart from the Boeing 767, the airline said. A search for the slide was ongoing.

"After the aircraft had safely landed and proceeded to a gate, it was observed that the emergency slide had separated from the aircraft," a Delta spokesperson said in a statement to NPR Friday afternoon.

In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration said Delta Flight 520 "returned safely to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York around 8:35 a.m. local time on Friday, April 26, after the crew reported a vibration. The FAA will investigate."

The Delta spokesperson said the airline "is fully supporting retrieval efforts and will fully cooperate in investigations."

American Airlines passenger alleges discrimination over use of first-class restroom

In an earlier statement, Delta said the flight crew had observed a "flight deck indication related to the right wing emergency exit slide, as well as a sound from near the right wing."

The plane, a Boeing 767-300 that was delivered to Delta in 1990, was on its way to Los Angeles International Airport, but had to return to JFK about an hour into the flight, according to FlightAware , a flight tracking site.

A passenger who was aboard the flight and did not wish to be identified while still in transit told NPR that there was a very loud sound coming from the plane, which made it difficult to hear announcements coming from the cockpit.

The passenger told NPR they felt "overwhelmed" and "really scared" by the experience.

A Delta flight was forced to return to its departure airport. FlightAware hide caption

A Delta flight was forced to return to its departure airport.

According to imaging from FlightAware, the aircraft circled the tristate area before returning to JFK.

"As nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people, Delta flight crews enacted their extensive training and followed procedures to return to JFK," Delta said in its initial statement to NPR. The airline said the flight crew declared an emergency with air traffic control to receive clearance to return to JFK. The aircraft then landed safely and proceeded to a gate under its own power, it said.

Delta told NPR that there were no pressurization issues on the aircraft. It said the plane has been removed from service and will be thoroughly evaluated.

FBI letter tells Alaska Airlines passengers they are 'a possible victim of a crime'

Airlines are ordered to give full refunds instead of vouchers and to stop hiding fees

An aircraft is generally operable for an average of 30 years before being decommissioned, according to Flexport , a global logistics workflow company. The aircraft involved in Friday's incident is around 34 years old, and its expiration date was previously May 2028, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

"We will defer to Delta for comment," a Boeing spokesperson said.

In June of last year, the same flight , Flight 520 from JFK to LAX on a Boeing 767-300, was forced to make an emergency landing in Utah following on-board technical difficulties.

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Turkey launches probe after Boeing plane lands without front landing gear

Boeing 767 cargo plane landed at Istanbul Airport without its front landing gear, says a transport ministry official.

A Boeing 767 cargo plane has landed at Istanbul Airport without its front landing gear, a Turkish Transport Ministry official said.

The official said there were no casualties and authorities had launched an investigation, the Reuters news agency reported on Wednesday.

Keep reading

Boeing hit with 32 whistleblower claims, as dead worker’s case reviewed, boeing whistleblower says firm is ‘putting out defective airplanes’, us officials probe new whistleblower claims against boeing.

A video on social media showed the Boeing 767 belonging to FedEx Express using the back landing gear and then dipping its nose with the front portion of the fuselage.

The plane was on the last leg of its flight from Paris to Istanbul when the pilots realised the front landing gear failed to open, state-run news agency Anadolu said.

The aircraft informed the control tower in Istanbul that its landing gear had failed to open and touched down with guidance from the tower, managing to remain on the runway, a ministry statement said.

Airport rescue and fire fighting teams were scrambled before landing, but there were no reported injuries.

It was not clear why the failure occurred.

The aircraft involved is a nearly 10-year-old Boeing 767 freighter, one of the most common cargo planes and based on the 767 passenger model dating back to the 1980s.

An official from Turkey’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure said its teams were conducting examinations at the scene as part of the continuing investigation.

FedEx said in a statement it was coordinating with investigation authorities and would “provide additional information as it is available”.

The runway was temporarily closed to air traffic, but other runways at Istanbul airport were still operating normally, the airport operator IGA said.

Manufacturers are not typically involved in the operation or maintenance of jets once they enter service, but Boeing has been under intense media and regulatory scrutiny following a series of incidents involving its 737s.