Top 10 safest airlines to fly on right now (2024)

Expect big crowds for the summer travel season -- and big prices, too

The unofficial start of the summer travel season is here, with airlines hoping to avoid the chaos of last year and travelers scrounging for ways to save a few bucks on pricey airfares and hotel rooms.

Flight delayed? United Airlines has an app for that, with new rebooking options, vouchers

United Airlines is tweaking its app to help out customers whose flights are delayed or canceled,adding options for rebooking and, in some cases, vouchers for meals and hotel rooms.

Want a climate-friendly flight? It’s going to take a while — and cost you more

When it comes to flying, going green may cost you more. And it’s going to take a while for the strategy to take off.

Delta passengers exit flight using jet slide after plane lands without gear extended

Officials say a Delta flight landed roughly but safely at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Wednesday without part of its landing gear extended. No injuries were reported and all passengers were taken to the terminal.

Fourth of July tips, what happened between Britney Spears and Victor Wembanyama, and more of the week's top news

American Airlines, Google say they can wipe out most contrails but more fuel required

American Airlines and Google were able to cut contrails made by jets by more than half during a small trial, a move that could significantly reduce the global-warming footprint of the travel industry.

Does Southwest have a dress code? American Ninja Warrior competitor ‘shamed’ for outfit on flight

“American Ninja Warrior” competitor Maggi Thorne says she was “shamed” for her outfit by a Southwest flight attendant, the latest such incident for the airline.

Delta Air Lines employees work up a sweat at boot camp, learning how to de-ice planes

The temperature says it's summer outside, but Delta Air Lines is training employees in how to de-ice an airplane — a critical part of flying during the cold winter months.

United Airlines rolling out plan that lets passengers in economy class with window seats board first

United Airlines will start boarding passengers in economy class with window seats first starting next week, a move that will speed up boarding times for flights.

Off-duty pilot said 'I'm not OK' before trying to cut engines midflight, charging documents say

An off-duty airline pilot who tried to cut the engines on a flight in midair told police he had been struggling with depression, that a friend had recently died and that he had taken psychedelic mushrooms about 48 hours before he attempted to cut the engines.

Averted disaster on Horizon Air flight renews scrutiny on mental health of those in the co*ckpit

An off-duty pilot’s attempt to shut down the engines of a Horizon Air flight is renewingscrutinyon the mental fitness of those allowed in the co*ckpit.

Biden administration takes on JetBlue as its fight against industry consolidation goes to court

A Biden administration fight against consolidation in the airline industrycould reshape the market for low-cost airlines — Spirit is by far the nation’s biggest budget carrier.

‘Near misses’ add urgency to FAA reauthorization efforts in Congress

The NTSB is currently investigating six near-miss incidents involving commercial airplanes that put hundreds of passengers’ lives at risk.

A 6-year-old boy traveling alone for Christmas was put on the wrong Spirit flight

A 6-year-old boy who left on a flight for the Christmas holiday to visit his grandmother in southwest Florida instead was put on the wrong plane and ended up 160 miles away in Orlando, Florida.

The key question about fiery crash at Tokyo airport: Did one or both planes have OK to use runway?

Japan's Transport Ministry released a transcript of traffic control communications from the minutes before Tuesday's crash.

Boeing faces new questions about the 737 Max after a plane suffers a gaping hole in its side

The Federal Aviation Administration required immediate inspections of some Max 9 planes flown in the U.S.

What to know about the Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 jet that suffered a blowout

An emergency landing by an Alaska Airlines jetliner has prompted U.S. federal authorities to ground some Boeing 737 Max aircrafts. Here is what to know about the incident and what comes next.

3 killed as a small plane crashes into a Florida mobile home

About 10 people had enjoyed a day of golf and were having drinks inside a woman's mobile home moments before the plane crashed into it.

Most Americans say air travel is safe despite recent scares, poll finds

Most Americans believe air travel is safe in the U.S., evenafter a Jan. 5 accident in which a panel blew off an Alaska Airlines jetliner 16,000 feet above Oregon, a new poll finds.

Frozen in time: Families of those on missing Flight 370 can’t shake off grief without answers

Ten years after the mysterious disappearance of flight MH370, families of the lost are coping with grief in different ways, but one thing is constant: their quest for answers.