Airplane technology is getting better, but flight lengths have gotten longer. Schedule padding, otherwise known as padding, gives airlines additional time to complete a journey in an effort to keep flights punctual despite potential delays. 

In lieu of improving services, airlines have taken previous delays into consideration and accounted for them in padding. Consequently, airlines have little incentive to increase effectiveness; the pressure to be as fast as possible is lessened.  

The 2019 Airline Quality Rating has determined that Delta Airlines ranks highest among major American airlines, followed by JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. The ranking is based on data collected on mistreated luggage, punctuality performance, involuntary refused boarding, and guest grievances. 

American Airlines’ Five Star Service, which can be purchased with a ticket in an American Airlines premium cabin, has been updated in Los Angeles International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport. Now, Five Star Service guests traveling through those airports have a private screening, private suites access, and off-terminal entry point, and use of Blade, which is a helicopter service that will circumvent traffic on the ground. 

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, recently, has had two notable changes. JetBlue began its nonstop, daily route from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood to St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport on Thursday, Feb. 14. United Airlines, on Monday, Feb. 4, unveiled its renovated United Club in Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. 

American Airlines, the biggest airline in the world, has unveiled its aspirations in the new year. Titled, “One Team, One Plan 2019,” an infographic details the components of three main objectives: (1) make culture a competitive advantage, (2) build American Airlines to thrive forever, and (3) create a world-class customer experience. 

Flyers of United Airlines are now able to purchase Premium Plus seating on select routes beginning on March 30, 2019. The new class will have larger seats for travelers, as compared to Economy Plus, by approximately two inches. 

The larger seating is, additionally, nearer to the front of the aircraft. It is arranged so that there are two seats, an aisle, three seats, an aisle, and, finally, two seats. The seating comes with increased legroom and reclining ability and a larger screen to watch in-flight entertainment. 

United Airlines is following the path of its competitors, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, and now charging more to customers who would pay to evade sitting in the back of the plane. The seats are basic economy and do not come with any of the additional perks, such as additional legroom, that would be offered on higher classes. 

There's good news for corporate travel coming. Delta has announced they will be offering free WiFi to all their customers on all their flights. 

American Airlines recently announced that they will now have free live TV on 100 of their domestic planes. Offering the service through Dish Network, they now have twelve live channels, including NBC, USA, Telemundo, CBS, Disney, CNBC, NFL Network, ESPN, CNN, FOX, TNT and Bravo. Future plans are in place to have internet and live TV on all of their domestic planes by the end of next year.