2025 Airlines and Airports

A Delta Airlines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam made an emergency stop in Minneapolis after encountering severe turbulence. There were several injuries and 25 passengers required treatment at area hospitals.

It’s the latest in a series of commercial aviation mishaps that began with the January 29, 2025 collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter in Washington, DC, killing all 67 people aboard both aircraft. Since then, there have been a number of accidents and close calls.

Non-fatal commercial accidents

Delta Airlines Flight 4819 ( Toronto, Canada)

A Delta regional jet flipped over while landing on a Minneapolis to Toronto flight when a landing gear broke. There were no fatalities but 18 people were treated for injuries.

JetBlue Flight 488 — July 4, 2025 (Orlando, Florida)

While taxiing at Orlando International Airport, the Airbus A320 experienced a hydraulic issue and veered off into the grass. No injuries; passengers evacuated safely back to the terminal. FAA investigating.

American Airlines Flight 1665 — June 25, 2025 (Las Vegas, Nevada)

The Airbus A321 en route to Charlotte experienced an engine issue shortly after takeoff and returned safely to Las Vegas. No injuries, investigation ongoing.

GoJet Flight 4423 (CRJ‑700) — July 1, 2025 (St. Louis, Missouri)

Reported possible smoke onboard; the flight returned to Lambert International Airport without injuries. FAA investigating.

American Airlines Boeing 737 Max - July 27, 2025 (Denver, Colorado)

Passengers aboard an American Airlines Boeing 737 evacuated using emergency slides after a landing gear caught fire during an aborted takeoff. One passenger was hospitalized with minor injuries.

Close calls

Southwest Flight 1496 — July 25, 2025 (Burbank -- Las Vegas)

The Boeing 737 performed a dramatic descent after receiving collision alerts to avoid a Hawker Hunter jet. Two flight attendants were injured; flight landed safely. FAA is investigating.

Army Helicopter Separation Violations — May 1, 2025 (Washington, D.C.)

Army Black Hawks violated separation standards near Reagan National Airport, causing at least two near misses with commercial flights (Embraer E‑170, Airbus A319). FAA restricted military helicopter operations near the Pentagon afterward.

B‑52 Bomber / SkyWest (Delta Connection) Near-Collision — July 18, 2025 (Minot, North Dakota)

A U.S. Air Force B‑52 bomber and a SkyWest passenger jet (Delta Connection) came within close proximity. The passenger jet performed an aggressive go-around and landed safely. Investigation ongoing.

The incidents follow two decades of remarkable airline safety. The January 29 mid-air collision in Washington was the deadliest in the U.S. since 2001, prompting ongoing National Transportation Safety Board hearings and legislative proposals to require military and all aircraft to use ADS‑B tracking systems.

• Assigned seating option becomes available for flights starting January 27, 2026

• Customers can select Extra Legroom, Preferred, and Standard seats during booking

• New group-based boarding process also debuts to streamline boarding experience

In a major shift from its long-standing policy of open seating, Southwest Airlines has announced that beginning July 29, customers booking flights for travel on or after January 27, 2026, will have the option to select their seat at the time of booking.

The change marks a significant evolution for the airline, which has operated with an open seating model for more than 50 years. The move aims to offer passengers greater choice and control over their travel experience, while addressing frequent customer feedback.

“Our Customers want more choice and greater control over their travel experience,” said Tony Roach, Executive Vice President of Customer & Brand at Southwest Airlines. “Assigned seating unlocks new opportunities—including the ability to select Extra Legroom seats—and removes the uncertainty of not knowing where they will sit in the cabin.”

Seat selection and fare bundles

The new system will allow passengers to choose from fare bundles that include access to different seat types:

• Extra Legroom

• Preferred

• Standard

Customers can also purchase upgrades to access more desirable seats or enhanced travel perks.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers—depending on the card they hold—will be allowed to select seats at booking or up to 48 hours prior to departure, regardless of fare type, including Basic Fares. Additionally, A-List and A-List Preferred Members will receive seat selection benefits at booking on any fare.

A new group-based boarding process

With the introduction of assigned seating, Southwest will roll out a boarding system tailored to the new model. Passengers will be grouped and boarded based on seat location:

• Groups 1–2: Passengers in Extra Legroom seats

• Earlier Boarding: Premium fares, tier members, and credit card members

• Optional Priority Boarding: Available for purchase beginning 24 hours before departure

The new process is designed to make boarding smoother and more efficient, reducing the confusion and seat-saving behaviors sometimes associated with open seating.

In typical Southwest fashion, the airline is leaning into its trademark humor to promote the changes. A new campaign titled “Are You Sitting Down?” plays on the irony of introducing assigned seats—a long-debated topic among frequent flyers.

A major shift in airline culture

The move to assigned seating is a bold change for Southwest, long known for its unique first-come, first-served boarding policy. While many legacy carriers have emphasized tiered seating and priority boarding for years, Southwest’s simplified approach has remained a defining feature of its brand.

With these changes, however, the airline is signaling a new era—one that maintains its commitment to “legendary Customer Service” while adapting to the modern traveler's expectations for flexibility, comfort, and predictability.

Passengers can learn more about seating options and boarding procedures at Southwest.com.

• Near-miss in North Dakota skies

• Delta regional jet makes evasive maneuver

• Military B-52 involved in close encounter

A Delta Airlines regional jet, operated by SkyWest Airlines, landed safely in Minot, N.D. after the pilot told passengers he was forced to take “aggressive action” to avoid colliding with a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber. The incident occurred Friday night, according to Aviation Source News.

Flight DL3788, an Embraer E175 Delta Connection operated by SkyWest Airlines, was en route to Minot from Minneapolis-Saint Paul. The plane was on final approach when the crew spotted the military aircraft. Passengers on board reported feeling the aircraft abruptly pitch downward before leveling off again within minutes.

“In front of you on the right-hand side, you probably saw the airplane sort of coming at us. Nobody told us about it, and so we continued,” the pilot reportedly said over the PA system, according to one passenger’s post on social media.

Applause from the cabin

The pilot reportedly apologized to the passengers for the sudden turn, but after he explained the reason he received applause from the cabin.

In a statement to the New York Post, a SkyWest spokesperson said: “SkyWest flight 3788, operating as Delta Connection from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Minot, North Dakota on July 18, landed safely in Minot after being cleared for approach by the tower but performed a go-around when another aircraft became visible in their flight path. We are investigating the incident.”

It was the second incident involving a Delta regional jet and a military aircraft this year. In late January a Delta regional jet landing at Washington Reagan National Airport collided with an Army Blackhawk helicopter, killing everyone on board both aircraft.

Friday turned out to be an eventful day for Delta. Delta Airlines Flight 446 reported an engine fire shortly after taking off from Los Angeles International Airport and was forced to return. The aircraft landed safely.

• Alaska Airlines grounded all flights late Sunday due to a sudden IT outage affecting operations across its network.

• The ground stop—impacting both Alaska Airlines and its Horizon Air subsidiary—lasted approximately three hours, with flights resuming around 11 p.m. PT (2 a.m. ET).

• Though operational systems have been restored, the airline warns of ongoing delays and cancellations as crews and aircraft are repositioned.

There was some weekend travel turmoil Sunday as Alaska Airlines initiated a system-wide ground stop affecting all flights—both its mainline and regional Horizon Air services—citing a significant IT outage. 

The disruption began at approximately 8 p.m. Pacific Time, prompting an immediate halt to departures. By 11 p.m. PT.  airline spokespersons confirmed that the issue had been resolved and flights were clearing for takeoff.

The Federal Aviation Administration acknowledged the ground stop but emphasized that no safety issues had been reported. The airline urged customers to check flight status and retain receipts for potential reimbursement of accommodations or other out-of-pocket expenses. 

Ripple effects

According to flight-data provider FlightAware, roughly 5% of scheduled flights were canceled on Sunday, and 36% were delayed. Into early Monday morning, an additional 26 flights faced cancellation and 21 more experienced delays. 

Passengers reported confusion and frustration, with some stranded on apron-bound aircraft and others facing lengthy queues for customer support. One traveler told Portland's KOIN 6 News: "They just saw a network system error… maybe try the 1‑800 number and see if that helps. And it was a 2.5 hour wait time." 

While operations are back online, Alaska Airlines cautions that recovery will be gradual. “As we reposition our aircraft and crews, there will most likely be residual impacts to our flights,” the airline said in a statement.

IT vulnerability 

This marks the second grounding of the airline’s fleet in just over a year. In April 2024, a weight-and-balance system malfunction led to another full-ground stop. Last month, Hawaiian Airlines—also part of Alaska Air Group—faced a cybersecurity breach affecting its systems, though flight schedules remained intact.

Alaska Air Group operates 238 Boeing 737s and 87 Embraer 175s. The airline has not determined what specifically triggered this latest outage, but highlighted a broader trend: increased scrutiny around cybersecurity threats in aviation. 

Tech companies like Google and Palo Alto Networks have warned about advanced hacking groups targeting airlines, including the notorious “Scattered Spider.” It’s not yet clear whether this grounding is linked to that threat or to some other technical issue.

• Delta Flight 127 from Madrid to New York made an emergency landing on Terceira Island due to engine issues.
  

• All 282 passengers and 13 crew members were safely accommodated overnight before continuing their journey.
  

• The incident adds to a series of aviation-related events in 2025, raising concerns about airline safety.
  

An airline emergency that occurred last weekend is just coming to light. Delta Air Lines Flight 127, en route from Madrid to New York, was forced to make an emergency landing on Terceira Island in the Azores Sunday after losing power in one of its engines mid-flight. 

The Airbus A330, carrying 282 passengers and 13 crew members, diverted to Lajes Airport, a facility shared with a U.S. Air Force base on the Portuguese island.

Passengers reported hearing unusual noises and detecting a burning smell before the aircraft was diverted from its trans-Atlantic route, making a U-turn and landed safely. Delta Airlines released a statement saying that the flight crew followed standard procedures to divert the plane after indications of a mechanical issue with one of the engines. 

Following the unscheduled landing, passengers were accommodated in local hotels and provided with meals. However, NBC News reports, in the video below, that some passengers said they felt like they were on their own.

A replacement aircraft was dispatched from New York, arriving in the early hours of July 7, and transported the passengers to their original destination later that day. 

Delta Airlines has apologized for the inconvenience and is reaching out to affected customers to offer compensation. The incident is part of a series of aviation-related events in 2025, prompting discussions about airline safety protocols. 

• Delta Flight 1334 diverted after a passenger's backpack battery ignited mid-flight.

• No injuries reported; crew swiftly contained the fire.

• Incident underscores rising concerns over lithium-ion battery safety on aircraft.

Delta Air Lines Flight 1334, in route from Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale, was forced to make an emergency landing in Fort Myers on Monday after a lithium-ion battery in a passenger's backpack ignited mid-flight. The incident prompted immediate action from the flight crew.

Delta issued a statement to the media, saying that flight attendants extinguished the fire quickly but declared an emergency “out of an abundance of caution.”

According to communications between the cockpit and air traffic control, the device was inside a backpack when it began to smoke.

“Ok, so the backpack has been contained. We think it was a lithium battery that caused the smoke and the fire. It’s in a containment bag. No smoke in the cabin at this point. No active fire. It’s in the lavatory. We’re planning on taxiing clear of the runway,” the pilot told the Air Traffic Control Tower.

Troubling trend

Since 2015, lithium-ion battery incidents involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat have become increasingly common on commercial aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has documented over 500 such events, with a notable rise in recent years. Below is a selection of significant incidents:

Notable Lithium-Ion Battery Incidents on Commercial Aircraft (2015–2025)

Strict rules

In response to the increasing frequency of these incidents, airlines and regulatory bodies worldwide are implementing stricter measures. For instance, Southwest Airlines recently announced a policy requiring passengers to keep portable chargers visible during flights to allow for quick intervention in case of overheating.

The FAA continues to advise passengers to carry lithium-ion batteries in their carry-on luggage and to avoid placing them in checked baggage. They also recommend that passengers inform flight crews immediately if they notice any signs of battery malfunction, such as overheating or smoke.

There has been yet another airline incident that could have resulted in disaster. An American Airlines jet was engulfed in smoke on the tarmac at Denver International Airport Thursday afternoon.

The 172 passengers and crew were evacuated but 12 people suffered minor injuries and were treated at area hospitals. 

The video clip of a local TV news report shows American Airlines Flight 1006 covered in smoke. In the clip, aviation professor Steve Cowell said the footage appears to show the flames on the ground and not coming from the aircraft.

The flight was diverted

However, there likely was some kind of problem aboard the aircraft, which was on a flight from Colorado Springs to Dallas-Fort Worth when vibration in an engine caused it to be diverted to Denver. According to later reports, an engine caught fire as the plane taxied to the gate.

Data suggest that incidents involving airliners may not be increasing but the public is being made aware of them thanks to social media and the 24-hour news cycle.

However, aviation industry experts say incidents involving commercial aircraft can be attributed to these factors:

• Aging infrastructure: Some concerns exist about the age and maintenance of air traffic control systems and aircraft.  

• Workforce issues: There has been recent scrutiny of potential workforce shortages and the experience levels of aviation professionals.  

• Environmental factors: Changing weather patterns and increased extreme weather events can pose challenges to aviation safety.

The sky is getting a lot more crowded. Not only are there a record number of scheduled commercial airline and general aviation flights, aerial photographers are launching more and more drones.

Now, get ready for flying cars. These vehicles have been in development for decades and are now becoming a reality. This month, Alef Aeronautics successfully conducted a flight test of its flying car, calling it "a significant milestone in urban mobility. "

The test, which took place over a closed-off city road in a non-densely populated area, demonstrated the car's ability to drive and take off vertically, a first in the history of automotive and aviation integration, according to the company.

The ultralight version of Alef's Model Zero was used for the test. The public street was closed to ensure no bystanders were under or near the flight path, and the surrounding area was selected for its low population density. Comprehensive safety equipment and personnel were on site to oversee the operation, which concluded without any incidents.

Alef Aeronautics released a video of the test, saying it is the first publicly available footage of a car driving and taking off vertically. Previous demonstrations involved cars using runways for takeoff or tethered flights of eVTOL flying taxis.

‘Real world city environment’

"This drive and flight test represents an important proof of technology in a real-world city environment," said Jim Dukhovny, CEO of Alef, in a stateement. "We hope it will be a moment similar to the Wright Brothers' Kitty Hawk video, proving to humanity that new transportation is possible."

Alef's flying car is fully electric, capable of driving on public roads, and equipped with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. The company said it has already received 3,330 pre-orders through its website, highlighting the growing interest in innovative transportation solutions.

The Federal Aviation Administration is currently working on regulations to cover the emerging technology of flying cars, focusing on pilot training and certification. 

In the early days of commercial aviation, passengers generally dressed up for the occasion. In subsequent decades, travel attire became more casual. Spirit Airlines has decided it’s gotten a little too casual.

In the latest update of its Contract of Carriage, Spirit has tightened its dress code. Among the new requirements, passengers must wear shoes – they cannot be barefoot. They must be adequately clothed.

Examples of unacceptable clothing include “see-through clothing; not adequately covered; exposed breasts, buttocks, or other private parts.” Passengers “whose clothing or article of clothing, including body art,” is deemed to be lewd, obscene, or offensive in nature” will be removed from the aircraft, or denied boarding.

Under the revised rules, a passenger with a tattoo can be denied boarding if a Spirit employee decides it violated the spirit of the non-offensive rule.  Some industry analysts suggest Spirit may be tightening its requirements – and spelling them out – to avoid viral videos like the one below:

The airline is also making it clear that there are penalties for running afoul of the dress code. The Contract of Carriage warns that If a passenger is not permitted to board and/or required to leave an aircraft for safety and/or regulatory reasons, there will be no refund.

Consumers will have a new way to pay for their upcoming JetBlue flights: Venmo. 

The airline announced that customers will now be able to book their airline tickets using the popular banking app. 

“We’re continually looking for ways to make it easier to book a JetBlue flight on our website and mobile app,” said Carol Clements, chief digital and technology officer, JetBlue. “Adding Venmo offers a seamless payment option for customers who enjoy the ease and convenience of the Venmo platform.”

“Travel is not just about the destination, but the people you go with and how you share the experience,” said John Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of consumer, PayPal. “The added ability to pay with Venmo for flights on JetBlue and manage travel costs during the trip through Groups helps solve the pain points of shared expenses from the time of booking to returning home.”

How it works

JetBlue is the first airline to offer Venmo as a payment option to its customers. 

The new payment feature is currently available for those booking through the JetBlue website, and the airline says that customers using the JetBlue mobile app will see the Venmo option in the coming months. 

To pay for your next flight using Venmo, you’ll be prompted to log into your Venmo account once at checkout on JetBlue’s website. From there, you’ll have the option to pay using your Venmo balance, or any of the connected credit or debit cards or bank accounts linked to your Venmo account. 

The airline has also said that Venmo payments on its website are secure, meaning consumers should feel confident their data is safe and secure on the platform.   

Winning over consumers

The news of the new payment option may serve as an opportunity for JetBlue to work on winning over consumers. 

Most recently, the airline was fined $2 million by the U.S. Department of Transportation for “chronic flight delays,” with half of that money going to JetBlue travelers. On top of that, the airline decided to cut a number of its flight routes in the new year in an effort to increase profitability. 

On the heels of that news, the airline has now made an announcement that it’s hoping will make the checkout portion of traveling easier and more convenient. 

JetBlue has been slapped with a $2 million fine for "chronic flight delays," the Department of Transport said Friday, marking the first time the government agency has fined an airline on the issue as it investigates other airlines.

The order requires JetBlue to "cease and desist" its chronic flight delays and half of the $2 million fine will go to JetBlue customers who suffered from the flight delays within the next year, while the other half goes to the U.S. Treasury, the Transport Department said.

JetBlue ran four flight flights between John F. Kennedy International Airport and Raleigh-Durham that were often delayed for five months straight in a row, or longer, at least 145 times between June 2022 through Nov. 2023, the Transport Department said. 

Despite warnings, the Transport Department said JetBlue continued to operate more "chronically delayed" flights between Fort Lauderdale and Orlando and JFK, and between Fort Lauderdale and Windsor Locks.

A spokesperson for JetBlue told ConsumerAffairs that it has invested "tens of millions of dollars" to prevent flight delays over the past couple years, but a big reason there are delays is poor air traffic control.

"The U.S. should have the safest, most efficient, and advanced air traffic control system in the world, and we urge the incoming administration to prioritize modernizing outdated ATC technology and addressing chronic air traffic controller staffing shortages to reduce ATC delays that affect millions of air travelers each year," the JetBlue spokesperson said.

Are more airlines going to be fined for delaying flights?

This will likely not be the last time an airline will be fined for delays since the Transport Department said it is "has ongoing investigations into other airlines for unrealistic flight schedules."

“The department will enforce the law against airlines with chronic delays or unrealistic scheduling practices in order to protect healthy competition and ensure passengers are treated fairly," said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who leaves office in weeks.

Still, it remains unclear how the incoming Trump administration will take up the issue.

'A long time coming' for JetBlue

JetBlue has long been among the airlines with the highest shares of passenger complaints, cancellation rates and worst on-time rates, said Teresa Murray, consumer watchdog director at nonprofit U.S. Public Interest Research Group.

“This is the kind of wake-up call that’s a long time coming," she said. "The chronically delayed flights are just one part of a bigger problem."

Murray said the Transport Department should also start scrutinizing flights that are canceled more than seven days before departure.

“They’re considered 'discontinued,' not canceled, and aren’t tracked by [the Transport Department]," she said. "Yet this can be a huge problem for travelers if they have to scramble to rebook.”

It was a record year for air travel in 2024 and airlines had to scramble to keep up with the demand and operate at maximum efficiency. In it annual review, Cirium reports that Aeromexico had the best on-time performance last year, with 86.7% of its flights on time.

Saudia had the second-best rating at 86.35%, while Delta Air Lines secured third place with 83.46%.

Cirium also handed out five regional awards. Iberia Express was the most on-time airline in Europe, as well as the most On-Time Low-Cost airline globally. Japan Airlines was number one in the Asia-Pacific region, edging out All Nippon Airways.

Delta was number one in North America, while Copa Airlines had the best record in Latin America. FlySafair also won most on-time airline in the Middle East and Africa. 

As far as the best airports are concerned, Riyadh’s King Khalid Airport was number one in the Global Airport category, with nearly 87% of its flights leaving on time. Cirium said the Middle Eastern hub scored a victory in the “Large Airport” category.

Among “Medium Airports,”  Panama’s Tocumen International Airport took top honors. Ecuador’s  Guayaquil Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport was named the best in the Small Airport category.