Flights: Trending Stories from USA Today

Tucson gets another nonstop flight to New York City
Tucson is getting a new nonstop connection to New York City.

Name that airport … (Florence, Italy)
UPDATE: The photo in this week’s “name that airport” post is of Italy’s Florence Airport.

Fares are cheap, but airlines are trying to change that
Enjoy lower airfares while you can. Airlines taking steps to push prices higher by next year.

Saskatchewan’s capital is losing its last U.S. airline
Delta Air Lines is ending its service from Minneapolis/St. Paul to Regina on July 31.

Tiny Air Austral joins Boeing’s Dreamliner club
Airline plans to use the jet for flights to Paris from Indian Ocean island of Mayotte.

Airlines waive change fees on France labor unrest
American and Delta are waiving change fees for some passengers traveling in France, where transit strikes have been threatened on Wednesday and Thursday.

Norwegian Air announces another U.S. route
Route to London will give Norwegian Air four nonstop routes from Las Vegas.

Boeing lands Vietnam deal worth $11 billion at list prices
It’s also a ‘win’ for Boeing as airline had previously ordered only Airbus jets.

American says ‘so long’ to in-flight gate announcements
American Airlines has just scrapped one of its longtime in-flight features – and there’s a good chance that you won’t even notice.

May’s #avgeek gallery: 30 cool aviation photos
Check out our latest batch of fun airplane and aviation photos from around the globe.

Stuck in a security line? Share a smile
There are a few new tricks for making the time pass — and a shortcut or two.

Ask the Captain: Whatever happened to the DC-10?
Why did wide-body jets like the DC-10 and L-1011 did not become major factors in airline fleets?

Atlanta mayor: Manager of world’s busiest airport fired
ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed says the general manager of the world’s busiest airport has been fired.

KLM CEO discusses evolving strategy for U.S. market
KLM CEO Pieter Elbers calls North America “the backbone of our operation outside Europe.”

Name that airport …
Here is this week’s “name that airport” photo.

Alaska Air adds intra-California routes, touts international links
Routes help Alaska Air beef up California presence ahead of proposed Virgin America merger.

Summer airfare forecast: Where to find the deals
Super deals are in short supply during peak vacation months.

Southwest adds five new nonstop routes
Three of those five new routes are spread across the three D.C./Baltimore-area airports.

Seattle organizers: Delta-Alaska Air Gay Pride flap a ‘miscommunication’
Alaska Air employees can openly march in city’s Delta-sponsored Pride Parade, after all.

American Airlines paying $4 million to hire help for TSA
Airline thinks workers can help manage – and hopefully speed up – airport security lines.

Southwest, JetBlue tops in award-seat availability
According to a new study, the low-cost carriers not only deliver more awards, they provide a heftier return on travelers’ dollars in doing so.

First trip on a private jet? Here’s what you need to know
With more first-time private plane fliers heading into the skies, it’s important for travelers to know what to expect — and how to behave — on a private plane.

Name that airport … (Windsor, Canada)
UPDATE: The photo in this week’s “name that airport” photo is of the Windsor International Airport in Ontario, Canada.

Aer Lingus aircraft at London Heathrow

Aer Lingus CEO on U.S. growth plans, oneworld frequent-flier alliance
Aer Lingus is working to join the oneworld airline alliance and plans to expand in the U.S.

United Airlines, OTG announce overhaul at Houston Intercontinental

American Airlines, OTG announce overhaul at Philadelphia’s Terminal B

Airport upgrades coming to AA’s hub in Philly, United’s in Houston
Philadelphia’s Terminal B to get overhaul. Similar updates planned for Houston terminals.

Airline wars: Delta drops Atlanta institution over J-Lo concert for Qatar Air
In Seattle, Delta deal on Gay Pride bars Alaska Air workers from showing their carrier’s logo.

Australian Air Force plane blows tires on Waco runway; flights halted
Royal Australian Air Force C-27J was reportedly “shooting touch-and-goes” at time of incident.

‘Strong’ turbulence injures two Southwest attendants
Two Southwest Airlines flights attendants were injured late Monday when the Boston-to-Chicago flight they were working hit “strong” turbulence, the carrier said Tuesday.

Which airline is now the busiest in Pittsburgh?
A decades-long stranglehold has given way to a new airline at the top.

How to avoid long TSA lines on your next flight
The lines may only get worse as the summer travel crush adds more travelers.

Five questions about extremely long airport security lines
A look at the problem and what travelers should expect.

Long TSA line strands 450 fliers overnight as woes expand
The clamor over long airport security lines is growing and may get even louder as the busy summer travel season looms just weeks away.

What is TSA’s PreCheck expedited screening program?
Expedited screening program that can speed travelers through airport checkpoints.

New Dubuque airport terminal done 6 months early, under budget

New Dubuque airport terminal done 6 months early, under budget
Airport officials say facility will offer more comfort, hopefully draw more flights.