A top EU court ruled this past November that passenger protections for cancelled flights could be expanded to include flights delayed more than three hours. Airlines are fighting these changes.

Beginning in December, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will be scrutinizing passengers boarding any flight that will fly to, from or even over the United States. This includes flights leaving other nations as the requirement to collect additional data from passengers goes into full swing.

A strike threat looms over the fortunes of British Airways and the airline is taking steps to mitigate the effects of a walkout by its cabin crew members who recently voted for a strike. No date has been set for a strike but that's not keeping the airline from making contingency plans, including leasing aircraft and crew from other airlines.

New York's JFK International Airport already has the reputation as being one of the world's busiest airports and one of the most delay-plagued too. The closure of the airport's main runway begins in March and will last four months. Even if you're not flying to or from JFK Airport, your flight could still be affected.

Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) will be providing one lavatory on most of its international flights for women only. The airline says that it's in response to customer requests.

Airports Council International (ACI) has completed its annual survey of airport service quality and the top awards for best airports worldwide have gone to airports in the Asia-Pacific region. Seoul Incheon International Airport ranked best for the fifth straight year. How did other airports do?

Pilots at Lufthansa have suspended their four-day strike against the airline, a move that stranded thousands of flyers. British Airways cabin crews have just voted to strike, though no date has been announced, and American Airlines is trying to avert a strike by its ground workers who are asking to be released by mediators in order to start a strike countdown of their own. Oh, did we mention the strike by air traffic controllers in Paris? Welcome to another week in the airline industry.

First class travel has always been considered a luxury. If trends continue, it may also become a rarity as more airlines slash their premium offerings due to a decline in passenger numbers.

British Airways and Iberia Airlines are closing in on a merger agreement due to be signed this quarter. The union of airlines will become even more significant now that the two airlines, plus American Airlines, Finnair, and Royal Jordanian – all members of the oneworld® alliance – have received the go-ahead from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to strengthen ties. According to a Virgin Atlantic Airways boss, however, it's now up to Europe to stop it.

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In the airline business, it seems that fees are all the rage. For those who despise the "nickel and dime" effects of such airline ancillary charges, "all the rage" might describe a mood more than a trend.