Delta introduces new in-flight perks, announces YouTube partnership
Delta Air Lines has unveiled new perks for those looking to fly. The airline announced innovative updates to its in-flight experience during its 100th-anniversary celebration at CES.
The airline is soon phasing out wired headphones on its flights. The new in-flight entertainment system includes a partnership with YouTube, offering SkyMiles members ad-free access to their favorite creators, music and podcasts while flying.
AI-powered travel assistant
Delta also unveiled its new “assistant” powered by artificial intelligence, Delta Concierge, which is on track to roll out this year. The assistant will provide travel guidance, including passport expiration alerts and visa requirement updates, enhancing the customer experience.
Collaboration with Thales Aviation
The airline is teaming up with aerospace technology company Thales Aviation. This partnership aims to improve air traffic management and elevate in-flight entertainment.
Starting in 2026, Delta plans to roll out hardware and software upgrades, including:
4K HDR QLED displays.
Bluetooth capabilities in all cabins.
96-terabyte storage system for content and streaming.
Recommendation engine to tailor content to customer preferences.
“Do Not Disturb” seat back feature.
“Whether through fast, free Wi-Fi, our industry-leading seat back screens, or other personalized channels in Delta’s digital ecosystem, we’re committed to creating a seamless and enriching experience for our SkyMiles members,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian.
Earn miles with Uber
Delta’s new partnership with Uber offers SkyMiles members 15% off all Uber rides to and from the airport. Customers can join the waitlist now to receive the latest updates on this feature.
Texas cities consider renewable-powered aerial gondolas for future transit
A new mode of urban transit may eventually glide across the Texas skyline, as several cities explore the potential of electric gondolas powered by renewable energy. However, these potential projects have drawn criticism, with some questioning the costs, commuter value and the reliability of similar endeavors in the past.
Swyft Cities, the company that implements the proposed aerial system dubbed Whoosh, aims to bring zero-emission cable cars to Texas. The company touts benefits such as quick installation times, flexible nonstop routes and a reduced environmental footprint.
Google originally showcased this transportation infrastructure, before the team developing it left the tech giant to commercialize the product.
According to Swyft Cities, the Whoosh system could be built in months. It also said it offers a faster timeline than many other conventional mass transit projects.
The gondolas are modeled after on-demand services like Uber and would run continuously. They would also have the ability to take flexible routes by navigating an elevated guideway.
The company claims its gondolas require only about one-sixth of the power used by typical buses or rail. It also claims a one-hour ride uses the same amount of energy as a 10-minute shower.
“Whoosh provides the ’perfect Uber’ – fast, on-demand, nonstop trips with a great view. Vehicles are waiting for you at stations, instead of the other way around,” Jeral Poskey, CEO of Swyft Cities, said. “Whoosh can connect places across North Texas in new ways that will get you there quickly and conveniently, enabling you to glide over street traffic with zero emissions.”
Several Texas cities, including Arlington, Dallas, Frisco, DeSoto and Plano in the northern part of the state, and Sugar Land in the Southeast, have expressed interest.
Meanwhile, local critics cite high costs and question its feasibility. They point to the Las Colinas monorail outside Irving, Texas, which eventually ceased operations in 2020.
Although Whoosh hasn’t launched in any U.S. city, Swyft Cities’ engineering partners are moving forward with a pilot project in Queenstown, New Zealand. That project is expected to go live by 2027.
Uber wins case based on terms and conditions agreement over 2022 crash
In what may serve as another reminder to read the fine print, a court blocked a New Jersey couple from suing Uber after a crash left them with broken bones and hefty medical bills. The cases dismissal reported by several outlets on Wednesday, Oct. 2, is because the couple accepted the terms and conditions from the rideshare app before taking the ride, which requires any complaint to be handled outside of court.
The pair tried to take Uber to court for a jury trial after their Uber driver ran a red light and got hit by another car in 2022, but an appeals court judge sided with the rideshare giant instead.
The couple contended that it was their underaged daughter who clicked the most recent agreement with Uber Eats in 2022 while ordering a pizza. For that reason, the couple believes the case should move forward.
However, Uber argued back that it wasn’t their daughter who signed agreements in 2015 and 2021, both of which waived the couple’s right to a court trial with arbitration clauses. It also didn’t reportedly help the couple’s case that they couldn’t “surmise” whether or not their daughter actually clicked the button to agree to the terms.
The husband reacted to the judge’s ruling by saying that they are “heartbroken,” but said that they expect to attempt to bring their case to the New Jersey Supreme Court.
The lawsuit that was tossed by the appellate demanded that Uber pay for physical, emotional and financial damages the crash caused the couple.
It’s not the first time that this has happened, in fact, it happened earlier this year. In August, Disney used a similar defense, but later reversed course, on a dispute over terms of service in a wrongful death suit.
The case was brought against the entertainment company by a man whose wife died after an allergic reaction at a Disney resort restaurant.
Disney tried to have the lawsuit tossed because the plaintiff signed up for a Disney+ trial years earlier. However, after backlash, Disney said that the case can now move forward in court.
Uber Safari launching this week as company promotes conservation
Uber announced on Monday, Sept. 30, that it is getting into the safari business. The rideshare company said that it’s allowing customers in Cape Town, South Africa, to hail its services starting on Wednesday, Oct. 2, for a wildlife adventure.
Here how it works, Uber customers will be able to open the rideshare app and select “Uber Safari” on the home screen. Customers will then have to choose their date, pick-up and drop-off locations, and then wait to see if their trip is confirmed. Once confirmed, they’ll be swept away and have the chance to see lions, elephants, cheetahs, rhinos and more.
Uber said that every booking will “help protect endangered species and ensure the preservation of South Africa’s rich biodiversity.”
Reservations will open on Wednesday, Oct. 2, and be bookable for 90 days. Customers will need to give 24 hours advance notice before booking their safari and the experience is a flat fee of $200 for up to four guests. The service is only available on Fridays and Saturdays.
This isn’t the first attempt by Uber to branch out its services. Earlier this year, Uber offered luxurious “champagne-fueled trips” in France and last year it launched hot air balloon rides in Turkey.
Olive Garden teams up with Uber Eats amidst sales slump
Olive Garden is teaming up with Uber for food deliveries, after previously only sending employees to deliver on orders over $100. The multiyear delivery partnership announced on Thursday, Sept. 19, marks a major shift for the chain and its long resistance to third-party delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats.
Darden Restaurants, the parent company of Olive Garden, reported lower than expected earnings for its latest quarter. The move could be seen as a strategic move to bring sales back up.
Olive Garden CEO Rick Cardenas acknowledged the disappointing results, but remains confident. He said the company is taking the right steps to meet customer needs without sacrificing long-term stability.
Starting later this year, a select number of Olive Garden locations will begin offering delivery through Uber Eats, with plans to expand nationally to all 900 locations. The decision was driven by customer demand for more convenient delivery options.
Despite the dip in earnings, Darden’s stock actually saw a boost, rising about 10% in early trading. Meanwhile, the fine dining segment, which includes the Capital Grille and Eddie V’s, saw a 6% decline in sales.
Cardenas has suggested that consumers are tightening their belts, even those with higher incomes. And unlike some of its rivals, Olive Garden doesn’t rely heavily on discounts. The company did announce a comeback by reviving its popular “never ending pasta bowl” promotion to boost sales.
Olive Garden plans to offer delivery through Uber on its website only, not through the Uber Eats app.
Uber, Waymo unleashing fleet of self-driving taxis in Atlanta, Austin next year
Uber and Waymo announced the expansion of their partnership on Friday, Sept. 13, which will involve the release of a fleet of robotaxis in Atlanta, Georgia, and Austin, Texas, by early 2025. Riders will be able to get the autonomous taxis only through the Uber app, according to the press release.
The vehicles used for the service will be the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles that the companies say will “grow to hundreds over time.” However, the exact number of vehicles that will be on the streets of Austin and Atlanta has not yet been revealed.
The two companies called the relationship “mutually beneficial.” They said Uber will handle fleet management like repairing and cleaning the cars, while Waymo will oversee testing and operation of “Waymo Driver,” as well as handling roadside assistance and rider support. The two companies did not share how they would split profits.
The companies have not always been friendly with each other. In 2017, Waymo sued Uber over allegedly stealing its trade secrets and patent infringement. Waymo said Uber used its technology in Uber’s subsidiary self-driving truck known as Otto. The two companies eventually reached a settlement.
Waymo previously planned to partner with Lyft for robotaxis in 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic took that plan out of commission. Uber was also developing its own fleet of autonomous taxis to reportedly replace all human drivers years ago. However, that effort ended in 2017 after an Uber vehicle struck and killed a woman. A federal investigation found that Uber was partly responsible for the incident.
Uber and Lyft are joining NYC’s once exclusive club of screen advertising
Advertisements are iconic to New York City. Now, they are soon to be played in Uber and Lyft vehicles throughout the Big Apple after a new law was finalized on Friday, Aug. 16. The New York City Council passed a law in December 2023 that allows Uber and Lyft drivers to install screens filled with advertisements in their vehicles, just like what riders see in the city’s yellow taxi cabs currently.
The new rule requires that the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) allow Uber and Lyft drivers to install the tablets that have been exclusive fixtures in yellow cabs for years. The law also requires that drivers receive 25% of the revenue of any ad played in their vehicle.
Most Uber and Lyft drivers interviewed were reportedly in favor of the changes, saying that it will boost their income. Some drivers’ wallets have taken a hit in recent months after Uber and Lyft apps started kicking them off to comply with city-mandated limits on how long they can drive around without a passenger.
Some employees even said that they would like two tablets in their vehicles if possible.
The TLC is currently finalizing the rules on when and how the screens can be installed. Right now, the new tablets would not allow riders to tip their drivers through the screen. The lack of tipping ability has drawn some critics. It prompted a TLC spokesperson to disclose that the company is currently working on a way to tip drivers without having to add credit card readers in an employee’s car. Currently, riders can tip through the mobile app for both rideshare companies.
Uber partners with Chinese EV maker BYD to help its drivers make the switch
Uber has announced a new multiyear partnership with Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD, with an aim of getting a larger number of the rideshare app’s drivers in EVs and eventually also making rides more affordable for passengers. The deal includes lower prices and financing options for Uber drivers looking to get a BYD car, with some models retailing for under $10,000 in China.
“While Uber drivers are going electric five times faster than private car owners, driver surveys show the price of EVs and availability of financing remain the key barriers to switching,” Uber said in a statement. “In addition to their affordability, BYD vehicles have lower costs of maintenance and repair, and are well suited to rideshare due to the wide range of models, superior battery performance and excellent build quality.”
This plan between the two companies will initially be implemented with 100,000 BYD EVs making their way to Uber drivers in Europe and Latin America. While U.S. drivers will not benefit due to American tariffs on Chinese EVs, the partnership is expected to expand to other regions, including the Middle East, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Uber drivers in participating areas may access discounts on charging, maintenance, insurance and leasing offers for their EVs.
“Uber and BYD share a commitment to innovate towards a cleaner, greener world, and I am excited to work together towards that future,” Chuanfu Wang, chairman and president of BYD, said.
The two companies also plan to collaborate further on autonomous driving technology, with BYD working on self-driving vehicles for future use on the Uber app. The ride-hailing company’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said last year that self-driving vehicles could eventually make up a fifth of Uber’s offerings, potentially saving users money in the process.
This partnership follows Uber’s previous EV efforts, working with rental car company Hertz to make 50,000 Teslas available for its drivers, and also offering them incentives of up to $2,000 if they switch to a Tesla. These initiatives are part of Uber’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions in the U.S., Canada and Europe by 2030, and globally by 2040.
Police warn of fake rideshare drivers luring riders at Atlanta airport
Atlanta police are cautioning travelers at the city’s international airport to be vigilant of impostors posing as rideshare drivers. Recognized as the busiest airport globally, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport saw nearly 94 million passengers navigate its gates in 2022.
Local news station 11Alive reported several individuals, masquerading as rideshare drivers, actively soliciting rides from unsuspecting passengers. These imposters offer lower rates and accept various payment methods, but their intentions might extend beyond financial gain — potentially including human trafficking.
The Atlanta Police Department has been engaging in undercover operations that have led to multiple arrests and citations. However, despite these efforts, travelers are still being targeted by repeat offenders.
Officials advise travelers to confirm their rideshare arrangements through official apps and to meet drivers only in designated areas. Additionally, police recommend that passengers ask drivers for the name of the person they are picking up, instead of offering their own name.
House GOP impeaches Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 14, 2024
In their second attempt, House Republicans vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. And a driver is killed after crashing into the emergency room of a Texas hospital, leaving others critically injured. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024.
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The GOP had the votes Tuesday night, Feb. 13, after failing to pass the measure on Tuesday, Feb. 6, thanks to the return of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., who had been absent while seeking blood cancer treatment. The articles of impeachment passed by a vote of 214-213, with three Republicans siding with Democrats to oppose impeaching Mayorkas. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that Mayorkas fueled “the worst border catastrophe in American history.”
While a spokesperson for DHS said the impeachment was done “without a shred of evidence or constitutional grounds.” The issue now heads to trial in the Democrat-controlled Senate, which is unlikely to vote to remove Mayorkas from office.
Tuesday’s vote marked only the second time in U.S. history that the House has impeached a cabinet member. The last time was in 1876.
Democrat Tom Suozzi wins NY election to replace George Santos
Voters battled through a winter storm to make it to the polls. With 93% of the votes in, Suozzi won 54% compared to 46% for Pilip.
Suozzi is returning to the House after giving up his seat in 2022 to run for Governor. He previously served three terms.
Driver dead 5 others injured after vehicle crashes into Austin ER
The driver was killed after crashing into an Austin, Texas, emergency room, while five others were left injured in the incident. Footage taken by a bystander right after the crash happened shows hospital staff and responders clearing the lobby and moving the injured through a cloud of smoke while the sounds of screeching tires continue in the background.
According to police, the crash occurred shortly after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, and does not appear to have been intentional. The crash left five people hurt. Two children and one adult were transported to a local children’s hospital. One of the kids is said to be in critical condition. Another adult was taken to a different area hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries. The fifth person injured was treated on-site at the emergency room.
According to the chief medical officer at the Austin hospital, eight others in the emergency room who were not injured in the crash were transported to other hospitals in the area so the emergency room could regroup after the incident.
Uber, Lyft, Doordash drivers to walk off job, hold rallies at airports
SpaceX postpones launch of private company’s moon lander
If you are looking to see a video of the latest launch of a private company’s moon lander, you’ll have to wait at least one more day. SpaceX is postponing Wednesday morning’s Feb. 13 launch of its Falcon 9 rocket carrying Intuitive Machines of Houston’s robotic lunar lander, Odysseus. SpaceX said a liquid methane temperature issue was the cause of the delay.
The launch is now scheduled for early Thursday morning, Feb. 15, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A Friday, Feb. 16 launch is also possible if another issue arises.
Should this mission be successful, unlike last month’s attempt by another private company, it will be the first American spacecraft to land on the moon’s surface since 1972.
Record spending on significant others expected this Valentine’s Day
It’s Valentine’s Day 2024. While The Beatles famously sang, “money can’t buy me love,” that won’t stop many from spending on their loved ones today. According to the National Retail Federation, people are expected to spend a record $14.2 billion this year on their significant others, or $101.84per person. Total spending is expected to reach $25.8 billion, with an average of $185 per person.
The top gift of choice? Candy, followed by greeting cards, flowers, and an evening out. Over half of Americans said they plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, while about a third of those who aren’t still said they want to mark the occasion by either getting together with single friends or treating themselves to something special.