✈ What are your rights during a travel meltdown? JetBlue’s splashy 1st Paris flight, and more! ✈

July 5, 2023

Bracing for summer flight chaos

by Ben Mutzabaugh, Managing Editor for Aviation

Hello TPG readers!

“What are my air travel rights during a travel meltdown?”

That was the question on the minds of many passengers last week after a staggering wave of delays and cancellations. TPG’s Clint Henderson breaks down what flyers are entitled to. (Hint: The list is short.)

But, to rewind: How bad was it during the weeklong run-up to Independence Day?

More than 50,000 flights were disrupted. Hundreds of thousands of passengers were left scrambling for new flights. And a spat between one of the nation’s biggest airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration erupted into public view.

It all came after stormy summer weather mixed with a fragile air traffic control system to knock flights off schedule across much of the U.S.

It also left United Airlines as the latest U.S. carrier scrambling to defend a bumpy recovery, which dragged on for nearly a week – even as other airlines had largely righted their ships.

Things got so bad that United proactively offered up to 30,000 miles to customers affected by the disruptions. And the carrier faced a public relations hiccup after CEO Scott Kirby – facing the same schedule gridlock as customers – avoided the mess altogether by taking a private jet to Colorado. He later apologized to both passengers and crews.

Looking ahead, United may be dealing with fallout from the episode for months to come. Aside from its blame-game squabble with the beleaguered FAA, the carrier said it may have to cut back at Newark – the airline’s busiest East Coast hub and one that makes it a major player for the lucrative New York City market.

For now, though, passengers on all airlines are hoping last week’s episode will end up being remembered as an isolated summertime event. That’ll be put to the test starting today, as air travel begins to peak again from travelers making their way home from the holiday.

Stay tuned …

JetBlue’s 1st flights to Paris

After months of anticipation, JetBlue has officially launched nonstop flights between New York and Paris.

The new service continues JetBlue’s transatlantic expansion, giving the airline its first pin in continental Europe. The carrier already flies from New York and Boston to London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

As for Paris, TPG’s Zach Griff was on JetBlue’s inaugural flight. He recounts his experience in this inaugural flight recap.

JetBlue isn’t done yet in Europe. Amsterdam flights will begin in August, with even more destinations expected to be announced in the next year.

That’s all for now, and good luck to those traveling this week. Until next time …

– Ben Mutzabaugh, Senior Aviation Editor at TPG

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Photo Credit: BEN MUTZABAUGH/THE POINTS GUY.

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