In order to comply with the sequestration budget cuts which became effective as of March 1, 2013, air traffic controllers are being furloughed by the Federal Aviation Administration as of yesterday — and FlyerTalk members are starting to experience the effects. While it is no doomsday scenario, the furloughs of air traffic controllers may have a significant impact on commercial aviation in the United States in the form of extensive ground delays — especially at major airports. As a precautionary measure to its customers, the following commercial airlines in the United States have already issued advisories and statements pertaining to this potential impact…

The commercial aviation industry in the United States performed at its second-highest level in its history, according to the 2013 Airline Quality Rating report, which was recently released. Of the 14 airlines operating in the United States which were included in this report, Virgin America scored the highest score in 2012; while United Airlines scored the lowest. A spokesperson for United Airlines reportedly disclaimed that…

A Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by Alaska Airlines carrying 116 passengers and five flight crew members was diverted to Portland International Airport earlier this week on its way from Los Angeles to Seattle because a pilot lost consciousness during the flight supposedly as a result of an unspecified medical condition. The pilot reportedly collapsed in the aisle in front of passengers after…

Alaska Airlines is the latest airline to join the bandwagon of implementing a policy of no longer “through-checking” passengers’ baggage when they have been ticketed on separate tickets on separate airlines, effective as of January 15, 2013. As reported here at The Gate, both US Airways and Delta Air Lines — as well as Hawaiian Airlines back in April — have either already implemented similar policies or have plans to do so. As has been the case, some FlyerTalk members are disappointed, frustrated and upset about this policy — and it may be inevitable that other airlines will follow. In the meantime, some FlyerTalk members have resorted to…

FlyerTalk member missydarlin and her son are highlighted in a small article on page 15 in the Spirit of Alaska section in the November 2012 issue of the official in-flight magazine of Alaska Airlines. Petty Officer Third Class Jaimeson Whiteley — who is the son of missydarlin, whose real name is…