Spirit Airlines says it will sell internet access on planes by summer 2019 to improve customer service and the discount carrier’s image. The Miramar, Florida-based airline said Friday on average it will charge $6.50 per flight but sometimes more. That’s less than WiFi on other carriers, although some offer free content or mobile messaging. Spirit…

Twice in less than a month, a major airline was paralyzed by a computer outage that prevented passengers from checking in and flights from taking off. Last month, it took Southwest days to recover from a breakdown it blamed on a faulty router. On Monday, it was Delta’s turn, as a power outage crippled the…

Two major unions at Southwest Airlines are demanding that the carrier replace CEO Gary Kelly because of the technology outage that caused the airline to cancel or delay thousands of flights in July. The unions representing pilots and mechanics said Monday that Southwest is spending too much on buying back shares and not enough on…

Southwest says it has fixed computer problems that caused hundreds of flights to be canceled, but it is telling passengers to get to the airport early because there could be long lines. The airline has already canceled more than 220 flights on Thursday. Several of the airline’s technology systems were affected by an outage that…

Southwest Airlines agreed to pay $2.8 million to settle a lawsuit by the federal government over fuselage repairs that a contractor performed on dozens of planes. The Justice Department said Monday that Southwest also agreed to pay up to $5.5 million in additional penalties if it fails to improve oversight of contractors it hires to…

The three largest U.S. airlines are banning hoverboards because of the potential fire danger from the lithium-ion batteries that power the devices. Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines said Thursday they are banning hoverboards in checked or carry-on luggage. JetBlue Airways has already prohibited them. Hoverboards are motorized, two-wheel, skateboard-sized scooters that users…

A pilot who ordered an emergency evacuation after smoke was detected coming from one of the jet’s engines is suing Allegiant Air for firing him. The 43-year-old pilot says Allegiant is putting profits above safety. Allegiant says the evacuation was unnecessary and put passengers at risk — several were injured sliding down inflatable escape chutes.…

A union group is suing American Airlines, claiming supervisors are pressuring mechanics to release planes before they are safe to fly. Local 591 of the Transport Workers Union says that union officials who raised objections were threatened with termination or even arrest. American Airlines denies the allegations, saying that it complies with federal safety rules.…