2024 was the best year yet for ATX Jetsetter and we’re starting 2025 on a strong note. With that in mind, I wanted to try something new in 2025 by adding weekly recaps of the top stories from the site each week. The monthly reviews will continue into 2025 but hopefully this helps consolidate the top stories for everyone more quickly.
While many people had a nice, relaxing week spending time with family for the holidays, the travel world had a few surprises up its sleeve as the calendar turned from 2024 to 2025.
British Airways Makes Massive Changes to its Loyalty Program
British Airways closed out 2024 by announcing some massive changes to its loyalty program. As of April 1, 2025 British Airways Executive Club will be replaced with The British Airways Club. While the name is changing slightly, the major news here is that the carrier will move to a spend based program.
Many travelers, including myself, found value in the Executive Club earnings calculator, especially flying with partner airlines. My British Airways Gold status allows me to access American Airlines Admirals Clubs and Flagship Lounges when flying domestically on American. While I was never going to hit Gold in 2025, I had a very good shot at Silver but, that’s out of the window with the new requirements going into effect.
Silver Airways Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Silver Airways rang in the new year by filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. The Florida based turboprop operator announced the bankruptcy in an open letter to customers, though it stated that there are no interruptions expected to its operations. The airline expects to have the bankruptcy process completed in the first quarter of 2025.
JetBlue Penalized by the DOT Due to Chronic Flight Delays
The United States Department of Transportation hit JetBlue with a $2 million fine for chronically delayed flights. This is the first time the DOT has fined an airline for what it describes as a prohibited unrealistic scheduling practice which can harm both passengers and fair competition across the airline industry.
Half of the fine will be earmarked to compensate passengers harmed by either the chronically delayed flights or future flight cancellations/delays of three hours or more caused by JetBlue within the next year.
A SWISS Crewmember Becomes the First Fatality for the Airbus A220
On December 23, 2024, a Swiss International Air Lines Airbus A220 operating a flight from Bucharest to Zurich was forced to divert to Graz, Austria after the cockpit and passenger cabin became filled with smoke. Unfortunately, one of the cabin crewmembers was injured during the incident and passed away on December 30, 2024. This marks the first fatality for the Airbus A220 family of aircraft.
Review: Aloft New York Chelsea
While I haven’t done much travel recently, I was able to get up to New York for a quick work trip. Due to the holidays, I had to forego my usual hotel in the city as the prices were astronomically high. Instead, I took the opportunity to check out a new property and settled on the Aloft New York Chelsea.
Summary
Thanks for taking the time to read through the first ever ATX Jetsetter Weekly Recap. The first week of 2025 is in the books, 51 more to go!
(Images courtesy British Airways, ATR, and JetBlue)
