Tag Archives for FAA.
An FAA safety inspector is suing United Airlines for $12.75 million, claiming he was banned for life from flying the airline after reporting a torn seat pocket—a violation of safety regulations. He had been investigating United’s 737 MAXs and was taken off that duty.
A must-pass funding package to avoid a January 30 government shutdown is carrying quiet airline policy moves that will matter far more than the headlines about FAA dollars.
The major pilot union is celebrating “two fully rested pilots at all times,” but the language is really a spending restriction that prevents the FAA from studying new technologies that might improve safety, and separate language orders the Department of Transportation to revisit decades-old international aviation policy that has worked to open market access and foster competition.
The FAA has issued a warning for all operators to avoid Venezuelan airspace, even as international airlines cancel service. The timing aligns with reporting that Washington is pushing Ukraine toward a settlement tilted toward Russia in exchange for Moscow’s acquiescence on removing Nicolás Maduro.
The administration is handing out $10,000 bonuses to air traffic controllers who showed up every day during the government shutdown, but many in the workforce say the move is tearing units apart and creating real safety risks. Controllers argue the policy rewards presenteeism, pressures sick staff to work, and undermines a system already stretched thin.
The FAA just banned private flights at 12 major airports, but it’s a move that came too late — and focused on the wrong places. Most general aviation traffic never touches these hubs, meaning the new restrictions will do little to ease controller shortages or flight delays.
The FAA has issued a new order outlining changes to flight-cut requirements and airline obligations during the government shutdown. The directive adds penalties of up to $75,000 per unauthorized flight and temporarily limits passenger compensation rules as airlines coordinate nationwide schedule reductions.
For decades, the FAA relied on independent “fixers” — outside engineers who kept aircraft approvals moving when bureaucracy stalled. Now it’s dismantling that system, embracing the Boeing model of corporate self-oversight that once drew intense scrutiny.
In an aircraft fire, passengers have just 90 seconds to escape—and grabbing a carry-on or stopping for a selfie could be what dooms everyone behind them. The FAA wants safety videos updated to address passenger bags but that’s unlikely to help.
Pilots are forced into mandatory retirement at age 65 in the United States, regardless of their health or ability. This is appalling, and it’s time to change this rule.
The FAA’s move, announced without fanfare when it was granted earlier in May, allows Boeing to return to performing critical certification tasks on behalf of the agency. The ODA program delegates regulatory responsibilities to manufacturers, streamlining oversight while preserving accountability through FAA supervision. Boeing engineers, known as authorized representatives, can approve design and production changes under FAA authority.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
