In a tumultuous year for U.S. airlines, numerous challenges and changes unfolded. Alaska Airlines faced setbacks following a malfunctioning Boeing 737 Max, while JetBlue’s merger with Spirit Airlines was blocked, leading Spirit to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Delta and United Airlines thrived, focusing on premium offerings, while Southwest Airlines initiated a major shift to assigned seating. American Airlines improved its outlook after leadership changes, and JetBlue aimed to cut costs. Meanwhile, Alaska successfully merged with Hawaiian Airlines, and Frontier sought a more upscale image. Overall, demand for air travel reached new heights, encouraging optimism for 2025.
