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Here’s where American Airlines is adding flights to Europe in summer 2025

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Here’s where American Airlines is adding flights to Europe in summer 2025

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, from American Airlines company, taking off from Barcelona airport, in Barcelona on 24th February 2023. 

JanValls | Nurphoto | Getty Images

As social media feeds make their seasonal shift from the Parthenon to pumpkin patches, airlines are busy preparing for the 2025 Europe travel season, a bet that strong demand for international travel will continue next summer.

American Airlines on Thursday unveiled new routes to Europe for spring and summer next year. The carrier rolled out nonstop service from Chicago to Madrid starting March 30; Philadelphia to Milan starting May 23; Philadelphia to Edinburgh, Scotland, beginning May 23, back for the first time since 2019; Charlotte, North Carolina, to Athens, Greece, beginning June 5; and Miami to Rome from July 5.

Rivals United Airlines and Delta Air Lines are expected to release their 2025 travel plans in the coming weeks.

American said its trans-Atlantic capacity next summer will be up low-to-mid-single digits over this year, with executives confident that consumers will continue to prioritize travel.

“In ’23 when people saw this demand to Italy and Greece, some people speculated that it was a one-year thing. But then this year, that strength just kept going and our flights are full and the yields are strong,” said Brian Znotins, American’s senior vice president of network planning. “More capacity is warranted to address the demand.”

Why airlines like American are scrambling to make engines last longer

American’s data shows that travelers, including on other airlines, are often connecting in Europe to get to Athens, in particular, Znotins said. Next year, American said it will have four daily nonstops from the U.S. to Athens from “more U.S. airports than any other,” and that more travelers will be able to connect through American’s hubs like Charlotte.

The carrier is also bringing back other Europe flights from its Philadelphia hub to Naples, Italy; Nice, France; and Copenhagen, Denmark, as well as extending winter seasonal service between Miami and Paris into the summer season.

Boeing’s delivery delays of 787 Dreamliners over the past several years prompted American and other carriers to rethink some of their flying and cut certain international flights that the long-haul airplanes serve. American is also in the middle of reconfiguring some of its older Boeing 777s to build a bigger business class cabin.

Znotins said he and his team drew up next year’s map with both things in mind.

“There’s some level of uncertainty obviously in the aircraft delivery world and there’s a level of uncertainty with our reconfigurations,” Znotins said. “We’re confident we’ll be able to fly these routes as we’ve published them, but in an uncertain world it’s always nice to have a backstop” like other hub cities serving Athens, for example, should a passenger need to be rerouted.

Read more CNBC airline news

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INAUGURAL MALAYSIA FURNITURE FURNISHINGS MARKET (MFFM) ESTABLISHES VIBRANT WHOLESALE B2B FURNITURE PLATFORM

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INAUGURAL MALAYSIA FURNITURE FURNISHINGS MARKET (MFFM) ESTABLISHES VIBRANT WHOLESALE B2B FURNITURE PLATFORM

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Malaysia Furniture Furnishings Market (MFFM) 2024 officially opened today at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL), with the honourable YB Datuk Larry Sng Wei Shien, Chairman of Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), presiding over the ceremony.

MFFM 2024 officiated by Datuk Larry Sng Wei Shien, Chairman, Malaysian Timber Industry Board, accompanied by Karen Goi, Project Director of MFFM, and other VIPs.
MFFM 2024 officiated by Datuk Larry Sng Wei Shien, Chairman, Malaysian Timber Industry Board, accompanied by Karen Goi, Project Director of MFFM, and other VIPs.

The inaugural edition of MFFM hosts 50 exhibitors across 8,000 square meters of exhibition space at WTCKL. Alongside prominent Malaysian companies, the event has attracted exhibitors from China, Indonesia, and Japan. Pre-registration data indicates that over 5,000 trade buyers, including 500 overseas buyers from more than 40 countries and regions are expected to participate, sourcing a diverse range of furniture products.

As a pivotal industry for Malaysia’s economy, the furniture sector is globally recognised for its expansive reach, contributing significantly to both domestic and international markets. With rapid urbanization, increasing disposable incomes, and growing demand for modern furniture designs, the industry is poised for unprecedented growth. MFFM 2024 is designed to further this momentum by establishing a vibrant wholesale market platform that encourages closer collaboration between sellers and buyers, thereby enhancing business opportunities across the industry.

Strategically aligned with Asia’s prime furniture trading season in September, MFFM 2024 is set to enhance trading efficiency and dynamism within Malaysia’s thriving furniture industry.

“Malaysia has long been recognised as a reputable supplier of high-quality furniture to the global market. However, our exceptional products have yet to receive the same level of appreciation domestically. It’s time to change that narrative. There is immense potential within our local market, and manufacturers should seize the opportunity to expand their footprint here while continuing to strengthen their global presence,” said Karen Goi, Project Director of MFFM.

MFFM 2024 features a diverse array of products, including furniture, home décor, lifestyle products, and furniture fittings and materials. The event welcomes a broad spectrum of attendees, from importers and exporters to manufacturers, suppliers, e-commerce sellers, purchasing managers, and project owners. Notably, a special delegation from the Philippines, comprising hotel and restaurant owners, is among the overseas buyers visiting the show for product sourcing.

In conjunction with the exhibition, a factory visit tour has been organized for overseas buyers on 7 September, providing an opportunity to explore the production facilities of two exhibitors in Muar, offering a closer look at the capabilities of Malaysian manufacturers.

MFFM 2024 has garnered endorsement from the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (MPC), with support from the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), Malaysian Timber Council (MTC), and CTCS Worldwide Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of MTIB.

Organised by Derrisen Sdn Bhd, MFFM 2024 will run for three days until 9 September. The event is free to attend, with on-site registration available. For more information, please visit www.mffmfurniture.com.

Notes to Editor:

About Malaysia Furniture Furnishings Market (MFFM) (www.mffmfurniture.com):
The Malaysia Furniture Furnishings Market (MFFM) is the latest trading platform designed to offer a dynamic, efficient, and convenient experience for both exhibitors and buyers in the furniture and furnishings industry. As a premier B2B event, MFFM aims to establish a robust wholesale market within the region, fostering closer collaboration and partnerships between sellers and buyers. By providing a comprehensive showcase of furniture and furnishings products, MFFM aspires to enhance business opportunities and drive growth within the industry.

About Derrisen Sdn Bhd (www.derrisen.com):
Derrisen is a specialist in delivering impactful trade events and conferences for businesses and industries to create sustainable high performance and growth. With more than 25 years of experience in organising mega furniture trade show in Malaysia, we bring you a deeply passionate and experienced team of organisers to deliver leading industry and lifestyle portfolios in Southeast Asia to help our clients achieve their business goals and shared purpose of building positive relationships for long-term success.

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Pagoda Makes Its Mark at Asia Fruit Logistica 2024: Launching Overseas Expansion, Starting with Indonesia

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Pagoda Makes Its Mark at Asia Fruit Logistica 2024: Launching Overseas Expansion, Starting with Indonesia

SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On September 4th, the 17th Asia Fruit Logistica opened at the Asia World-Expo in Hong Kong SAR, China. As China’s largest fruit retailer, Pagoda debuted at the event under the theme “United in Diversity, Thriving Together”, announcing its entry into the international consumer market. The exhibition attracted over 750 professional exhibitors and buyers from 40 countries and regions worldwide.

Pagoda showcased its comprehensive supply chain and global logistics advantages, featuring signature fruits such as melons, green grapes, apples, and prunes. The display included 11 categories with 15 Excellent  fruits and a variety of “Three Zero” organic vegetables. The Pagoda booth was bustling with visitors from around the globe, including international and domestic buyers, partners, and exhibition attendees.


Mr. Zhu Qidong, Deputy General Manager of Pagoda Group and General Manager of the B2B Business Group and Overseas Store Development Business Unit, stated that Pagoda will leverage its more than 20 years of experience in the entire supply chain, along with its successful experience in B2B overseas expansion and thorough market research, to formally launch its consumer market entry abroad, starting with Indonesia.

Notably, Pagoda’s B2B overseas operations have demonstrated significant success, expanding across multiple countries and regions, with a growth rate near 30% in the first half of 2024.


Mr. Zhu further emphasized that entering the consumer market overseas is a strategic move for Pagoda to go global and achieve long-term development. Currently, there are few specialized fruit retailers operating internationally, and even fewer that provide a well-structured product and service experience. Companies with mature B2B and B2C expertise and a comprehensive supply chain advantage are particularly rare. However, many countries boast impressive development levels and purchasing power, yet there is a stark contrast between the demand for high-quality, cost-effective, and well-serviced products and the current offerings. Addressing this gap is precisely Pagoda’s strength and a prime opportunity.

Industry analysts highlight that Indonesia, as the largest economy in Southeast Asia with a large population where fruits are a staple in daily diets, especially with the rising middle class, presents a significant market opportunity. The disparity in local fruit quality and the lack of membership systems and after-sales standards make Indonesia a promising choice for Pagoda’s overseas debut.

Pagoda has revealed that its selected partner in Indonesia shares a similar brand ethos and philosophy. This partner has extensive experience in successfully operating high-end markets and is well-acquainted with local policies and market conditions, making the collaboration a natural fit. Pagoda plans to open its first store in Indonesia by the end of the year, aiming to establish a robust Indonesia-based model before expanding to other countries and regions.

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Millennial, Gen Z men take better care of their mental health than Gen X-ers, baby boomers — but are worse about annual physicals, survey finds

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Millennial, Gen Z men take better care of their mental health than Gen X-ers, baby boomers — but are worse about annual physicals, survey finds

American men are concerned about staying healthy, but different generations go about it in different ways, according to a new survey. Cleveland Clinic found that 95% of men of any age in the U.S. consider their health a top priority, and 87% are worried about making sure their current habits and practices will help them maintain better health down the road. That’s good news, experts say. But Gen X could stand to take some cues from their younger counterparts, according to the survey’s findings, and Gen Z would do well to pick up some of the boomers’ preventative habits.

Here’s what to know.

Nearly 60% of millennial and Gen Z men say they are taking care of their mental health, according to Cleveland Clinic’s survey of more than 1,000 U.S. men. Men with mental health conditions still seek help at lower rates than women, but their use of psychological care has risen, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. “Seeing that the younger generation is talking about [mental health] more is really promising,” Dr. Peter Bajic, director of the Center for Men’s Health at Cleveland Clinic, tells Yahoo Life.

It’s particularly good news, given the “epidemic” of mental health issues that’s overwhelmed men and women alike in recent years, Dr. Joseph Alukal, a Columbia University urologist who heads up the university’s Men’s Health Program, tells Yahoo Life. “As a group, the stigma around mental health that existed previously for older men has thankfully been eroded a ton.” Alukal credits celebrities, including Michael Phelps, for setting a good example for younger men by speaking out about their mental health struggles. “I think it’s gone a long way to helping young people understand that these are a real set of health conditions like any other that you would get treatment for,” he adds.

About a third of younger men reported receiving annual physical exams, compared to 61% of boomers and Gen Xers. And millennial and Gen Z men were less than half as likely to get all the screenings and tests their health care providers recommended compared to older men (23% vs. 48%, respectively). Bajic does point out that younger men aren’t at risk for as many health problems that require constant care. “But I do think these younger generations are more likely to seek care for problems through online health platforms that, many times, offer easy fixes to problems without offering help for the underlying root of the problem.” He adds that having an established relationship with a health care provider can ensure that you’re being monitored for any changes and know how to address any nascent issues.

The American Heart Association, for example, recommends that all adults ages 20 and older get their blood pressure checked every two years and have their cholesterol levels checked every four to six years. “That’s an important piece of preventive health care,” Alukal says. “If I can identify blood pressure or cholesterol issues at that [younger] age, I can make interventions that make it far more likely that in his 50s or 60s or even 40s that he’s not dealing with heart disease.” But, he adds, that “requires that person putting himself in front of some sort of health care provider at least once a year.”

3. Young men are more likely to seek health advice online — but everyone does it

Even baby boomers — 5% of them, per the new survey — turn to social media for health advice or information. Not surprisingly, Gen Z is most likely to consult TikTok or Instagram, with 33% of men in the generation looking to social media for wellbeing tips. Just shy of a quarter of millennials do the same. Alukal isn’t convinced that’s altogether bad, with some caveats. “Last I checked, everybody is doing that, irrespective of age,” he says. “Sometimes it’s right, sometimes it’s wrong — we should teach [patients] to take what they find there with a grain of salt.”

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., and while 60% of baby boomers and Gen X-ers surveyed by Cleveland Clinic avoid using cigarettes or e-cigarettes, only 43% of millennials and Gen Z-ers say they don’t smoke or vape. “The younger generations have really wholeheartedly embraced vaping,” says Alukal, who wishes these men would take note of the lessons learned from decades of cigarette-related health problems. Older generations, on the other hand, are “really having a hard time leaving alcohol in the past,” he says, while full sobriety and occasional drinking have become popular among young people.

What younger generations can learn from older ones — and vice versa

Experts are encouraged to see that young men are embracing mental health care, and would love to see older generations follow their lead. Alukal has been impressed by the fact that his younger male patients also tend to be more conscious of their fitness and diet, and are more proactive.

Older patients “could learn a degree of that self-sufficiency,” he says. But on the other hand, he’d like to see younger men learn to follow the rules the way their elders do. If older men are told to get a colonoscopy every three years, for example, they do it, according to Alukal (although, notably, the survey found that 31% of Gen X-ers and boomers who should be getting screened for colorectal cancer haven’t been). “The younger group needs to look at the older group and say, ‘I should do the same.’”

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Passengers often ignore in-flight safety videos. But this ‘honest’ one has 8.4 million views

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Passengers often ignore in-flight safety videos. But this ‘honest’ one has 8.4 million views

“Greetings from the cockpit. This is your captain speaking.”

It’s a phrase frequent flyers know well.  

Only this isn’t a pilot. And what follows isn’t the same ol’ in-flight safety talk.

Rather, it’s the opening salvo of a now viral YouTube video from travel journalist Doug Lansky, who delivers a near 7-minute “honest pre-flight safety demonstration … that airlines are afraid to show you.”  

The tongue-in-cheek video has racked up 8.4 million views, an impressive achievement for a fake version of a safety briefing that most travelers ignore.

Lansky said he was inspired by a discussion he had with a pilot he sat next to on a flight years ago.   

When the safety demonstration video began, “I noticed he wasn’t paying attention to it. And if you travel a lot, nobody really does,” said Lansky. “So I said ‘What would you say, if you could say anything?’ And he rattled off a bunch of stuff.”

Lansky said he then posed the same question to others in the aviation industry.

The video, he said, is “a composite of these different conversations I’ve had with pilots over the years — what would they say if they could do the safety test, and they weren’t bound by the legal team of the airline?”

Keeping it ‘real’

The premise of the video is that the aircraft’s entertainment system is down (“so we can’t show you the $2 million safety video that an ad agency did for us”), and thus the pilot is going to deliver a “real safety talk” to passengers.   

The video advises passengers to practice unbuckling their seatbelt (“I know you all know how to use it but that’s because you’re not losing your sh*t right now”). Lansky said that research shows that when people are panicking — say they’re upside down or in a smoke-filled cabin — they tend to press the seatbelt buckle, as if it had a button like a car seatbelt.     

“You really need to kind of visualize actually lifting the flap,” Lansky told CNBC Travel. “You need that muscle memory, and most of us have that more with a car than with an airplane.”

The video also stresses to passengers that they must leave their bags on the plane in the event of an emergency evacuation.

“In the event of something like an engine fire, we need you all off the plane in about 90 seconds,” it states. “My first officer and I will also be trying to get off this plane, and the last thing we want is to be cock-pit blocked by your roll-on.”

As to whether the crew will be working to maximize your time to move about the cabin — don’t bet on it, the video advised.

“We’ll probably keep the seatbelt sign on for nearly the entire flight because our flight crew doesn’t like to be bothered in the galley,” it states.  

Is this true? “Oh yes,” a U.S. flight attendant with more than two decades of experience told CNBC Travel.

“Especially during [food or drink] service,” she said. “Or when someone decides to come stand over you and chat while you’re eating. It’s funny — people act a lot differently on the airplane than they do in normal life.” She asked to remain anonymous because her employer advises against making public statements to media outlets.

To make the video, Lansky said he spoke with many in the aviation industry and conducted his own research, leaning on his 20 years of experience as a travel journalist.

Source: Doug Lansky

And those life jackets under your seat? “Forget about it,” advises the video. “They’re less likely to save your life than those little airline pillows.”

But here’s where our fake pilot may go a step too far, said a first officer for a major U.S. airline who asked to remain anonymous because he also is not authorized to speak to media.

He said the video is “certainly written by someone who knows the ins and outs of airline flying,” but that he doesn’t agree with dismissing life jackets.

As for the accuracy of the video’s advice, most of it is true, the first captain said.  

“But you would obviously never really hear it from a flight crew,” he added.  

Researching in-flight injuries

Lansky said he came across some astounding figures while researching the statistics cited in the video.

For example, passengers tend to worry about crashes and severe turbulence, but statistically they are much more likely to be injured by their own luggage, he said.

“Over the years, more people have been hurt, by far, from their own duty-free bottles falling out of the overhead compartment and whacking them on the head … after they’ve landed, than any kind of turbulence,” he said.

“That is awesome!” a flight attendant told CNBC Travel, after viewing Lansky’s now viral video.

Enviromantic | E+ | Getty Images

The drink cart is another improbable source of injury, Lansky said, adding that flight attendants told him they regularly hit passengers whose body parts encroach on the aisle.  

He said he asked flight attendants how many times they bump passengers elbows, knees and feet on long-haul flights.

The most common answer? About 20, he said.

“That was asking about 20 or 30 different flight attendants,” he said. “They don’t break knees or elbows or wrists each time, but they bump into that many people per flight.”

Views come ‘in waves’

The video wasn’t an instant success, said Lansky, who posted it about four years ago.

“It kind of went in waves,” he said. “When I first put it online, it had like 200 views for a couple months, and then somebody found it, and it went bananas.”

Doug Lansky is a journalist, author and speaker about travel and sustainable tourism.

Source: Doug Lansky

Lansky said he’s a huge fan of “The Daily Show,” “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and other evening political shows because “they cut thru the BS and keep things entertaining, intelligent and real.” Shows like those shape the travel industry commentary he provides on his YouTube channel “ReThinking Tourism,” he said.

The viral video brought attention to Lansky’s career, which now focuses on tourism consulting and conference speaking but, he said, its success has hit closer to home for him. As a verifiable YouTuber, with a viral video, he won newfound respect from his daughter, he said.  

“My teenage daughter was giving me a hard time for trying to do something on YouTube,” he said. But when the video reached 2 million views, “her chin hit the floor.”

“That was the best thing that came out of it.”

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SwitchBot Expands the Environment Meter Product Portfolio with Advanced Meter Pro & Meter Pro (CO2 Monitor)

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SwitchBot Expands the Environment Meter Product Portfolio with Advanced Meter Pro & Meter Pro (CO2 Monitor)

TOKYO, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — SwitchBot, a rising brand in smart home retrofitting and automation, is thrilled to announce the expansion of its popular environmental meter product portfolio with two innovative products designed to provide smarter and more precise environment monitoring, SwitchBot Meter Pro & Meter Pro (CO2 Monitor).

SwitchBot Meter Pro & Meter Pro (CO2 Monitor)
SwitchBot Meter Pro & Meter Pro (CO2 Monitor)

This new collection can display indoor and outdoor temperature & humidity, time & date, and comfort level, alongside weather forecasts when used with a SwitchBot Hub. Additionally, SwitchBot Meter Pro (CO2 Monitor) can now precisely monitor the CO₂ status of the house.

Multi-functional Smart Environment Meter for Indoors and Outdoors

Equipped with Swiss-made sensors, SwitchBot Meter Pro & Meter Pro (CO2 Monitor) detect indoor temperature and humidity data every 4 seconds with accuracy within ±0.2°C and ±2%RH, ensuring accurate and rapid feedback. Meanwhile, based on the indoor temperature and humidity data, the devices can also display the comfort level according to prompts set by users themselves.

Moreover, with SwitchBot Outdoor Meter, users can easily access outdoor temperature and humidity data, eliminating the need to step outside. Nonetheless, used with SwitchBot Hubs, the new devices can access online data to display local temperature, humidity, and weather forecasts for up to 12 hours. This feature significantly enhances users’ ability to plan their daily activities and outdoor ventures with greater accuracy.

Monitor Air Quality in a Smarter Way

Highlighting this launch, SwitchBot Meter Pro (CO2 Monitor) features advanced Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) technology to monitor CO₂ levels with precision. It can update CO₂ levels as frequently as every second (every 30 minutes in battery mode and every minute in charging mode by default) with an accuracy of ±50ppm within a range of 400-9000ppm, ensuring timely and accurate air quality feedback.

3 Alert Methods for Real-Time Environment Awareness

To keep users informed of any significant environmental changes caused by the changes in temperature, humidity, or CO₂ levels, both devices offer three types of alerts:

  • Sound Alerts: Emit up to 100dB alarm sound with adjustable volume settings in low, medium, and high, which can be muted through the physical button or app;
  • Visual Alerts: Alert through number flashing and three different colors on the screen to guide daily activities;
  • Online Alerts: Send app notifications or emails while users are away (SwitchBot Hub required);

Seamless Smart Home Integration for Enhanced User Experience

Designed to integrate seamlessly into the SwitchBot Ecosystem, these devices can trigger automated actions when environmental data exceeds the preset limits, such as activating the SwitchBot Circulator Fan or Evaporative Humidifier, while used with a SwitchBot Hub.

Both devices also support voice control via Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri Shortcuts, IFTTT, and SmartThings. Users can easily monitor and manage settings through the SwitchBot app, including adjusting the content displayed on the screen. Also, SwitchBot Meter Pro is Matter-compatible, enabling easy integration with various smart home systems when used with SwitchBot Hub 2 or Hub Mini Matter Enabled.

Exceptional Longevity and Data Management

SwitchBot Meter Pro functions for up to 12 months on two AA batteries, while Meter Pro (CO2 Monitor) features two power modes: Type-C charging and a 12-month battery mode*.

For data storage, the Meter Pro supports 68 days of local storage and up to 2 years of free cloud storage (SwitchBot Hub required) and the Meter Pro (CO2 Monitor) supports 40 days of local storage and up to 2 years of free cloud storage (SwitchBot Hub required). Meanwhile, users can effortlessly export data from the SwitchBot app for accurate record-keeping.

*When CO₂ detection occurs every 30 minutes.

Pricing and Availability

SwitchBot Meter Pro & Meter Pro (CO2 Monitor) will be available on the SwitchBot Official Website Store and Amazon Stores in September, starting from $29.99 / £34.99 / €34.99, and $69.99 / £59.99 / €69.99.

For more information, visit SwitchBot’s official website or follow on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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Airplane engines are in short supply. The business of fixing older ones is booming

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Airplane engines are in short supply. The business of fixing older ones is booming

TULSA, Okla. — Parts and labor shortages. Delayed deliveries of new airplanes from Boeing and Airbus. An engine recall. Premature repairs. It’s all piling up, and aircraft engine shops around the world are overflowing. 

As travelers boarded planes in record numbers this summer, airline executives waited anxiously for repairs and overhauls of their engines.

The repair and overhaul of engines has swelled from a $31 billion business before the pandemic to $58 billion this year, according to Alton Aviation Consultancy. It’s a cash cow for engine makers like GE Aerospace and the hundreds of smaller specialists that service GE engines, and others made by Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce.

American Airlines‘ solution is to do more of the work itself.

“We just have one customer and that’s American Airlines doing our work,” American’s chief operating officer, David Seymour, said. “We can control our own destiny in that area.”

American Airlines workers perform maintenance on CFM-56 engine in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Erin Black | CNBC

At its bustling engine shop at the airline’s 3.3 million-square-foot maintenance facility at Tulsa International Airport, the largest such space in the world, American is on track to increase its overhauls roughly 60% from 2023 to more than 16 engines a month this year. That’s up from five a month in 2022. It’s added some 200 jobs there, as well more equipment like cranes to hang the 2-ton engines during overhauls.

The work focuses on CFM56 engines, made by a joint venture of GE and France’s Safran. They power American’s older Boeing 737 workhorse jetliners and many Airbus A320s. Those narrow-body airplanes make up the majority of American’s mainline fleet of more than 960 aircraft, according to an annual company securities filing.

“I can get these engines overhauled and through the shop in less than 60 days versus [outside] shops nowadays [are] 120 to 150 days, in some cases north of 200 days,” COO Seymour said.

Bottlenecks abound

American Airlines workers overhaul an engine at a hangar in Tulsa, Okla.

Leslie Josephs/CNBC

Much of the bottleneck in engine repairs stems from the industry’s rocky emergence from the pandemic, when companies shed thousands of skilled workers. Airlines that delayed maintenance during the travel slump then raced to get airplanes into shape to fly when demand snapped back, but faced worker and experience shortages and shortfalls of key items from engine components to aircraft seats.

Meanwhile, Airbus and Boeing are behind on deliveries of new, more fuel-efficient airplanes, forcing carriers, including American, to hold on to older jetliners longer than they planned.

Airbus this summer reduced its aircraft delivery forecast and announced cost cuts as it grapples with supply chain issues and late-arriving landing gear and engines.

“I would also call it the surprise factor for 2024,” Airbus CFO Thomas Toepfer said on a July 30 earnings call.

In addition to supply chain issues, Boeing aircraft have been delayed as the company navigates a safety crisis after a door panel blew out from one of its 737 Max planes midair at the start of the year.

With many engines needing overhauls about every 7,000 flights, keeping older airplanes longer means more routine maintenance and revamps, adding to demand when they’re due to come into the shop. Those weekslong overhauls are exhaustive: They can cost $5 million apiece and can go for double that for wide-body airplanes, according to Kevin Michaels, a managing director at AeroDynamic Advisory.

At American’s shop in Tulsa, workers remove hundreds of parts, replacing life-limited components and cleaning and inspecting others, which includes spraying them down with a a fluorescent penetrant so defects can be seen under a black light.

An American Airlines worker sprays florescent penetrant on engine components to check for defects at a hangar in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Leslie Josephs/CNBC

But key parts are hard to find and they must be flawless. Plus, they’re costly. The dozens of engine compressor blades can go for $30,000 a pop.

On top of that, some newer engines — which run hotter, take in more air and burn less fuel than older types — are coming into engine shops earlier than expected, frustrating airline CEOs.

“There’s no business which can digest not using the key assets to generate revenue,” said AirBaltic CEO Martin Gauss.

The Riga, Latvia-based carrier, an Airbus A220 customer, had to lease planes in recent years to make up for its grounded jets.

“Unfortunately, passengers are not happy when they can’t fly on new aircraft,” he said. “It is an issue which will be over one day. We thought it would be over by now. I would give it another two years and then we are through it.”

There’s another problem that’s clogging up engine shops: A Pratt & Whitney engine recall of some of its narrow-body engines. In light of the ongoing issues, some low-cost airlines, including JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines, are deferring new jet deliveries to try to save money.

“It’s kind of a wicked brew that’s had a significant impact on the engine supply chain,” said AeroDynamic Advisory’s Michaels.

Windfall for engine makers

American Airlines worker looks inside engine at maintenance shop in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Erin Black | CNBC

The high demand for engine overhauls has been lucrative for engine suppliers, which make billions from maintaining engines they sell with new airplanes.

GE Aerospace brought in $11.7 billion from engine maintenance, repairs and overhaul in the first half of 2024, making up 65% of its revenue.

“When it comes to engines, it’s a razor-razor blade business,” said Michaels, describing how buying shavers in a drug store can mean repeat business for replacement blades for years. “So the money is made in the aftermarket on the engine business.”

Read more CNBC airline news

GE Aerospace, which became an independent company in April, said in July that it will invest $1 billion to upgrade its engine shops around the world over the next five years.

Got spares?

For many airlines, there aren’t many alternatives to costly engine overhauls with demand on the rise for replacement engines, especially if the carrier has one type of aircraft or a model that only has one supplier.

An airplane engine at American Airlines’ test cell in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Leslie Josephs/CNBC

Rental rates for engines that match up with both old and new planes have skyrocketed. For example, a CFM56 engine used on the Boeing 737-800 was going for $96,000 a month up from $78,000 in 2017, according to aviation data firm IBA.

Both Pratt & Whitney and CFM engines that power the newer Airbus A320neo airplanes, meanwhile, have logged lease rates of $127,000 per month, up from $80,000 and $85,000, respectively, in 2017, IBA said.

Leasing firms like AerCap and Avolon have been snatching up spare engines because of the high demand.

It is still difficult to get into an engine shop, however.

Delta Air Lines, like American, overhauls, repairs and maintains its own engines. It also does work for other airlines, but CEO Ed Bastian says the shop is full.

“If you’re not on an existing contract, you’re not getting in,” he said in an interview in July. “It would be easier to get into a Taylor Swift concert.”

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Fliggy’s 2024 Summer Travel Report Shows Surge in Demand for Premium and Immersive Experiences

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Fliggy’s 2024 Summer Travel Report Shows Surge in Demand for Premium and Immersive Experiences

Highlighting a significant rise in both average bookings and customer spending year-on-year

HANGZHOU, China, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Fliggy, a leading online travel platform and wholly-owned subsidiary of Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA and HKEX: 9988), has released its 2024 Summer Travel Report, which reveals a significant year-on-year growth in average booking volume and spending per consumer as the industry continues to show growth. This trend in the data, consistent with patterns observed during the Labor Day and Dragon Boat Festival holidays, also reflects travelers’ growing desire for immersive experiences. In addition, Fliggy has announced that its Summer Protection services have provided protection to nearly one million travelers this season.

Zhang Chen, Vice President of Fliggy, said, “Our latest report shows the trend of travelers opting for higher-quality activities and personalized travel products is becoming a reality and the new norm. At Fliggy, we remain attuned to market trends and committed to delivering enriching experiences for all our customers. Fliggy will continue to enhance our offerings, expand the travel product portfolio, and reinforce service protection measures to meet the evolving needs of travelers.”

Domestic travel: quality takes center stage

Fliggy’s data indicates a significant increase in demand for premium travel services. The average booking per consumer for four- and five-star hotels, package tours, and car rentals in the domestic market have all shown impressive year-on-year growth. Domestic package tour bookings have seen double-digit growth and bookings for directly-operated brand hotels have risen by approximately 30% following a strong rebound in bookings last summer.

Self-driving tours are increasingly popular, with domestic car rental bookings rising by 60% year-on-year. Families are renting cars to explore more far-flung destinations such as Altay in Xinjiang, the Lesser Khingan Mountains, or the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop. In Northern and Western China, popular destinations like Heihe, Alar and Bijie have seen car rental bookings increase by over 200% compared to last year.

The release of the Chinese video game Black Myth: Wukong has also driven tourism to its featured locations, such as the Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Temple in Shanxi province. Fliggy’s data shows that ticket bookings for scenic spots in Shanxi have increased by over 60% year-on-year, while car rental bookings have risen by more than 130%.

Outbound travel: independent experiences dominate

Independent travel continues to lead the outbound travel market this summer, representing over 80% of total bookings. Consumers are seeking immersive local experiences, such as visiting historic sites and dining at Michelin-starred restaurants. The transaction volume for international cruises and car rentals has increased over 20 and 5 times year-on-year, respectively.

Long-distance destinations gain traction

As the longest holiday season, summer has seen a rise in long-distance travel. Fliggy’s data reveals that bookings for long-distance destinations such as France, Russia, Turkey, Egypt, and Serbia have all doubled year-on-year. Activities featuring rich local cultural elements ranging from Seine River cruises in Paris, ballet performances in St. Petersburg, and dune bashing in the Red Sea, rank high in terms of transaction volume.

Fliggy’s robust protection measures benefit millions

Starting July 1, Fliggy introduced six key measures to address common consumer concerns, such as flight cancellations, hotel price fluctuations, itinerary coordination for flights and hotels, and high-risk activities during travel. These measures aim to protect consumers from potential losses and provide reassurance around the travel decision-making process.

Nearly one million consumers have already benefited from Fliggy’s Summer Protection services, which provide eligible consumers with free cancellation options, price protection subsidies for hotel rate reductions, and RMB1 million (approximately USD137,000) worth of coverage for personal accident injuries and rescue services related to bookings of designated water sports activities.

About Fliggy

Fliggy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA), and is one of the leading online travel platforms in China. Fliggy places a strong emphasis on innovation in its products and services, catering to the increasingly personalized and diversified needs of consumers in both China and overseas markets.

Leveraging Fliggy’s advantage as part of the Alibaba ecosystem, merchants can benefit from the vast user base within the Group. Fliggy also collaborates with partners through a full-service management format, helping more merchants, especially small and medium-sized ones, easily and efficiently share opportunities enabled by digitalization.

Fliggy’s long-term strategy is to promote the digital transformation of the tourism industry, using an open platform and mechanisms to help the industry make better use of digital business infrastructure for their operations.

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Shiperoo Pioneers Tech-led Retail Returns and Fulfilment with AUD 30 Million Investment in Robotic Automated Facilities in Australia and New Zealand

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Shiperoo Pioneers Tech-led Retail Returns and Fulfilment with AUD 30 Million Investment in Robotic Automated Facilities in Australia and New Zealand
  • Shiperoo, the latest tech-driven retail fulfilment and returns management provider, has announced AUD 30 million investment.
  • The investment will lead to strategically located urban distribution facilities across Australia and New Zealand, equipped with custom-designed, high-end robotic automation paired with Shiperoo’s proprietary software.
  • Shiperoo is geared to offer fast and efficient, automated fulfilment service for same-day shipping readiness, and provide end-to-end returns management for both physical and online retail sectors.
  • Shiperoo’s proprietary software is designed to manage the returns processing, including receipt, verification, quality check and real-time actionable restocking, reselling and recycling processes. It will also deliver powerful metrics and visibility on returns trends to help retailers recover significant lost revenue.
  • Shiperoo’s custom-designed automation system will enable high-density storage and powerful operational workflows allowing them to double their usable distribution space.

MELBOURNE, Australia, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Shiperoo, the innovative brainchild of supply chain tech entrepreneurs Nishan Wijemanne and Rizan Mawzoon, has announced a transformative AUD 30 million investment into high-end automation and strategic urban fulfilment locations across Australia and New Zealand.

Shiperoo Pioneers Tech-led Retail Returns and Fulfilment with AUD 30 Million Investment in Robotic Automated Facilities in Australia and New Zealand
Shiperoo Pioneers Tech-led Retail Returns and Fulfilment with AUD 30 Million Investment in Robotic Automated Facilities in Australia and New Zealand

This visionary venture is reshaping the retail returns and fulfilment landscape, fuelled by a tech-first approach and a commitment to same-day shipping readiness.

Shiperoo is setting the stage for an automated, seamless retail experience with its state-of-the-art facilities with custom-designed robotic automation systems allowing for high-density storage and fulfilment space.

The expansion plans include multiple locations across Australia and New Zealand, showcasing the company’s dedication to elevating fulfilment standards and boosting the circular economy.

Tackling a multi-billion-dollar challenge

The founders bring more than 30 years of industry experience and innovation, having previously revolutionised Australia’s supply chain by introducing Autonomous Mobile Robots to many retail operations. They now aim to transcend traditional third-party logistics, tackling head-on the multi-billion-dollar challenge of retail returns, an issue intensified by the e-commerce boom.

Expanding experience and footprint

The advisory board, consisting of John King (outgoing CEO of Myer), Glenn Keast (Former COO of Cotton On Group) and Paul Greenberg (Online Retail Entrepreneur and founder of NORA), brings a wealth of experience and a robust support system to the Shiperoo family.

Full visibility and analytics on returns

Shiperoo’s cutting-edge facilities will be designed with an all-encompassing tech stack consisting of robotics and the company’s proprietary software that will facilitate rapid, same-day shipment readiness. It will also manage end-to-end returns, providing retailers with a holistic returns service from receipt of the returns through to order validation, quality checks and instant decisions on resale, restock or recycle. All with have full visibility and analytics for retailers, who can use the data to monitor returns trends and improve their products and stock management.

Wijemanne and Mawzoon remain steadfast in their belief that Shiperoo’s robust model is not merely an answer to the pressing challenges of today’s retail landscape but is also laying the groundwork for sustainable growth. Shiperoo is set to make a formidable impact on reverse logistics and the circular economy by tackling returns with a comprehensive tech-led solution for retailers. In addition, it promises to offer automated multichannel fulfilment that is not only speedy but also strategically located close to urban hubs, revolutionising the industry’s approach to logistics and customer satisfaction.

Additional comments from Shiperoo:

Co-Founder Nishan Wijemanne:

“Shiperoo was born from the desire to turn the dream of efficient, cost-effective returns management into a reality.

“Our investment in Australia and New Zealand is just the beginning of our journey to become the cornerstone of tech-led retail returns and multichannel fulfilment powering efficiencies and cost-savings for both physical retailers and e-commerce retailers.”

Co-Founder Rizan Mawzoon: 

“Our proprietary AI-powered software and state-of-the-art automation are designed to revolutionise the fulfilment journey, offering unparalleled efficiency, visibility and data analysis to our retail customers.”

Non-Executive Board Member Paul Greenberg:

“The e-commerce landscape has been in dire need of a solution like Shiperoo. The cutting-edge approach is what sets them apart. 

“Shiperoo’s founders are esteemed solution providers, highly regarded by the retail and logistics community. I’m confident they’ll continue to innovate, particularly in sustainable logistics practices and the often-overlooked opportunity that is returns management.”

About Shiperoo

Shiperoo is a visionary tech-led company transforming the landscape of retail returns and multichannel fulfilment in Australia and New Zealand. Founded by industry experts Nishan Wijemanne and Rizan Mawzoon, Shiperoo leverages decades of supply chain innovation to provide same-day, ready-to-ship solutions and cutting-edge, end-to-end returns management for retailers. With a significant AUD 30 million investment in advanced automation and strategically located urban facilities, Shiperoo is poised to meet the rapid delivery demands of both e-commerce and physical retail sectors.

The company’s proprietary AI-powered software and state-of-the-art automation systems, provide retailers with unparalleled visibility, data analysis and transparency. Shiperoo’s commitment to the circular economy and sustainable logistics practices sets it apart as a leader in tackling the challenges of retail returns. Shiperoo is not just redefining 3PL services, but is also reimagining the future of logistics and fulfilment to be more efficient, responsive and environmentally conscious.

For more information on Shiperoo, visit shiperoo.com    

For media enquiries , contact: Rachita Naik, Chief Marketing Officer, Shiperoo
E:  rachita@shiperoo.com             M: +61 423 431 894

Shiperoo, the innovative brainchild of supply chain tech entrepreneurs Nishan Wijemanne and Rizan Mawzoon, has announced a transformative AUD 30 million investment into high-end automation and strategic urban fulfilment locations across Australia and New Zealand.
Shiperoo, the innovative brainchild of supply chain tech entrepreneurs Nishan Wijemanne and Rizan Mawzoon, has announced a transformative AUD 30 million investment into high-end automation and strategic urban fulfilment locations across Australia and New Zealand.

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Elle Macpherson says she refused chemotherapy after breast cancer diagnosis. Here’s what oncologists think.

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Elle Macpherson says she refused chemotherapy after breast cancer diagnosis. Here’s what oncologists think.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago, Elle Macpherson made a controversial choice: She refused chemotherapy, the model has revealed in her new memoir, Elle: Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust Yourself. Macpherson did undergo a lumpectomy — surgery to remove the malignant breast tissue — but she then went against the advice of 32 doctors and instead followed “an intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach,” the 60-year-old told Australian Women’s Weekly. Macpherson says she’s now considered in remission.

Coming up with a cancer treatment plan is a highly personal process that requires weighing the risks and benefits of treatments. The decision to use alternative or “holistic” therapies worries doctors, but they point out that it’s complicated. On the one hand, these treatments are unproven, and choosing them instead of chemotherapy and other evidence-based therapies could put a patient’s life in jeopardy. On the other hand, they say, there are some people who won’t get much benefit from chemotherapy, and many at least feel better if they incorporate complementary medicine into their cancer treatment plan, alongside proven therapies.

It’s rare, but not unheard of — and may be becoming more common. Late Apple CEO Steve Jobs declined standard treatment for pancreatic cancer, choosing dietary supplements, acupuncture and other alternative treatments instead (a decision his biographer, Walter Isaacson, said Jobs later regretted). Actress and singer Suzanne Somers also decided against conventional treatment during her battle with breast cancer; she died from the disease in 2023.

Less than 1% of patients with any type of cancer refuse treatment altogether, according to one study. But somewhere between 3% and 19% refuse some or all chemotherapy, the research found. A 2012 study found that just over 1% of people with advanced (stage III or IV) breast cancer refuse treatment. “Some people feel very strongly that if there’s not a huge benefit, they’re not going to take treatment that’s going to make them feel bad,” including chemotherapy, Dr. Eric Winer, Yale Cancer Center director and president of Smilow Cancer Hospital, tells Yahoo Life. Aside from the side effects, others cite distrust in the treatment and medical system as their reasons for forgoing treatment.

That’s a really thorny question, oncologists say. “I get nervous that people will read [about decisions like Macpherson’s] and assume it applies to their scenario,” Dr. Lynn Dengel, a University of Virginia surgical oncologist, tells Yahoo Life. “Having breast cancer is like having a car: One person has a Mack Truck, and another has a MINI Cooper” — meaning there are many different types and stages of cancers in general, and breast cancers specifically. The appropriate treatment plan is as individual as the person and the cancer, Dengel says.

Broadly speaking, the data is clear: People who choose alternative therapies as their first-line treatments are nearly five times more likely to die within five years than those who undergo standard treatment (often including chemotherapy) immediately, according to a large 2017 study of people with breast, lung and colorectal cancers.

Still, there are some exceptions. “Breast cancer is a disease that can recur many, many years later” — as Somers’s did, two decades later — “but chemotherapy only prevents the early recurrences,” says Winer. Moreover, some types are more likely to come back than others, so doctors and patients need to weigh the risks and benefits together, he explains.

While doctors discourage using alternative treatments such as acupuncture, nutrition and massage in place of standard-of-care chemotherapy, that doesn’t mean they’re against using these therapies in addition to whatever medical treatment your provider recommends. These are called complementary treatments.

However, natural oils, foods and other treatments commonly referred to as “holistic” have never been proven effective at combating, much less curing, cancer. (You can read about some of these false claims here.) But many holistic treatments can help to reduce symptoms of cancer or side effects of treatments, including chemotherapy. “I very often have patients using complementary medicine along with standard therapy, and they often have great results with that,” Dengel says. “It’s a very positive thing when we incorporate non-Western medicine into a treatment plan, but it’s rare that we see patients declining standard care.”

It’s not uncommon for people to use complementary medicine alongside standard medical treatments such as chemotherapy. One study found that a third of cancer patients used at least one form of complementary medicine, with herbal supplements being the most common. The problem, experts say, is that 29% of these patients, according to the study, don’t tell their doctors. That’s potentially dangerous, because a patient could be unwittingly taking a supplement that doesn’t mix well with their other treatments or has side effects they don’t know about.

If you want to try complementary medicines, that’s OK, say experts — but keep your doctor in the loop, even if that means you have to find one who won’t be judgmental. “When a patient says, ‘I might not want to do [standard treatment],’ as a doctor, you should not turn that person away, but continue to have a conversation and make sure they understand everything” rather than “get on a high horse,” says Winer.

Dengel agrees. “Recognize that many of us [doctors] are open-minded and believe complementary medicine has a lot of benefits,” she says. “If someone is not going to follow the standard of care, I’m still happy to maintain a relationship with patients and help them make the best decision at each time point” along their cancer journey.

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