Air Travel
How to Travel Solo During the Pandemic
The way we travel may be changing with the spread of Covid-19, but here are ways to stay informed and stay as safe as possible.
Why Airlines Are Fighting the 5G Rollout
Airline companies want more time to prepare for the potential impact of 5G frequencies on crucial safety equipment. Here's what that means for you.
Boom’s Quest to Make Supersonic Flights a Reality (Again)
Denver-based startup Boom already has orders for its commercial supersonic planes. But is supersonic travel really the future, or best left to nostalgia?
Are Green Jet Fuels Finally Ready for Takeoff?
A first commercial test flight shows how fuel made from plants, not petroleum, could make flying cleaner.
This Software Aims to Smooth Your Flight—and Help the Planet
Airplanes taxiing isn't just annoying—it's a big source of emissions. The FAA and NASA created a new system to save time and fuel.
As Travel Rebounds, Airlines Are Figuring It Out on the Fly
Business destinations are out, tourist spots are in. The old rules governing fares and flight schedules have been thrown out the window.
As the Nation Reopens, Americans Are on the Road Again
With Covid-19 travel restrictions relaxing, citizens are boarding planes, trains, buses, and rideshares in increasing numbers. This week, we look at how that’s going.
The Plane Paradox: More Automation Should Mean More Training
Today's highly automated planes create surprises pilots aren't familiar with. The humans in the cockpit need to be better prepared for the machine's quirks.
How Planes Keep Flying After an Engine Catches Fire
A Boeing 777 shed huge chunks of metal over a Denver suburb over the weekend—but wasn't in danger of going down itself.
The Art and Science of Boarding an Airplane in a Pandemic
Researchers and airlines that obsessed over efficiency have spent the past year worrying about safety too.
Airlines’ Pandemic-Driven Cargo Business Will Keep Flying
As Covid-19 shut down air travel, the industry quickly pivoted to hauling more stuff. It won’t be pivoting away anytime soon.
Planes Are Still Flying, but Covid-19 Recovery Will Be Tough
Air travel is down more than 90 percent from last year, and analysts say the rebound will be slower than following 9/11 or the financial crisis.
Gig Work Relief, Auto Care, and More Car News This Week
Ride-sharing drivers qualify for jobless benefits—with a catch. Plus, Google and Apple say they can track Covid-19 patients and still protect privacy.
How Airlines Are Trying to Boost Efficiency and Cut Emissions
Winglets. Better engines. Lighter materials. The industry is trying everything it can. But the best fix for the planet would be for us to stop flying so much.
Airlines Use Empty Passenger Jets to Ease the Cargo Crunch
People aren't flying because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, some carriers are putting planes back in service to carry freight instead.
Plane Contrails Have a Surprising Effect on Global Warming
The wispy ice clouds formed by jet exhaust help trap heat near the Earth's surface. But small changes in altitude can dampen the effect, a study says.
The Dangers of Delaying FAA Modernization
Opinion: Stuck with mid-20th-century technology, air traffic controllers cannot handle the ongoing rise of commercial airlines and drones.
How NASA Tests Shapeshifting Plane Wings
Shape memory alloys could make plane wings that flap, to reduce drag, or increase stability in supersonic flight.
Frequent Flier Miles Are Kaput—The Game's About Credit Cards Now
You may feel betrayed, but there's still a way to score rewards in the air.
Ahoy Travelers: These Are Your Rights When Airlines Screw Up
The law provides privileges to keep you safe, comfortable, and sane as you battle your way home.
Thanks, Climate Change: Extreme Heat Waves Will Keep on Grounding Planes
Forget about rain delays or missing flight crews. Climate change means the real problem for aviation will be heat waves.
Phoenix Canceled All Those Flights Because of Physics
Airplanes can't fly because it's too hot? That's crazy. No, not if you understand the science behind it.
So What's the Deal With Air Traffic Control Reform?
Breaking down the White House's latest foray into infrastructure.
A Laptop Ban Leaves Everyone Scared and No One Safer
In the rush to fetishize airplane attacks above all else, America's distorted perception of risk ultimately leaves everyone more scared and no safer.