The proposed merger between British Airways and Iberia would be bad for consumers as the flag-carrying airlines would raise ticket prices on their competing routes, Michael O'Leary, CEO of discount Irish carrier Ryanair, told CNBC Friday.

Japan Airlines, which is seeking a state bailout, said it sank into the red in the first-half year as the global economic slowdown hit travel and cargo demand and refrained from issuing annual forecasts.

A merger between British Airways and Spain's Iberia looked imminent on Thursday as their boards held separate meetings to discuss a deal to create the world's third-largest airline by revenue.

British Airways swung to a first-half pretax loss of 292 million pounds, as business class passenger numbers continued to tumble, dashing hopes air traffic demand was recovering from the slump caused by the downturn.

People scared of flying can now press a button on their iPhone to help them deal with their panic.

Struggling US Airways said on Wednesday it will cut some 1,000 jobs next year, shift nearly all of its flying to its three hubs and Washington, and suspend several international routes.

Business air traffic is starting to stabilize, said Larry Kellner, CEO of Continental.

The first officer of the Northwest Airlines jet that missed its destination by 150 miles says he and the captain were not sleeping or arguing in the cockpit but he wouldn't explain their lapse in response and the detour.

Charles Lindbergh famously fell asleep while crossing the Atlantic, and despite strict federal rules against it, experienced airline pilots say it's not uncommon to sneak a nap inside the cockpit.

The Federal Aviation Administration may be expanding its investigation into suspected structural problems found in a small portion of American Airlines jets, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Last year, procrastinators were rewarded when they finally got around to booking flights for holiday travel. Back then, airlines were not prepared for the sharp falloff in travel and offered last-minute deals to fill up empty planes. This year? Dilly-dallying, even waiting just a few days, could carry a steep price.

University of North Dakota researchers found that pilots who ate the fattiest foods such as butter or gravy had the quickest response times in mental tests and made fewer mistakes when flying in tricky cloud conditions.

The national union representing flight attendants wants Congress to ban in-flight phone calls, and survey after survey of airline passengers shows strong opposition to allowing cellphones on planes.

Ever stood in an airport check-in queue and wished the airline boss could experience the same horror? Well the chief executive of budget airline Jet2.com did just that and wound up with a police caution for shouting expletives at his own staff, British media reported.