general

Boeing executives are closing in on one of their most important decisions of the decade: whether to plough an estimated US$15b into a new jetliner family. The aircraft nicknamed the 797 would feature Boeing’s first all-new design since the 787 Dreamliner’s unveiling in 2004, while shoring up its product line against recent Airbus advances. Designed for economical flying on mid-range routes, the Boeing jet would have the potential to transform air travel by spawning a new breed of longer-distance budget carriers -- think new flights from Chicago to Berlin, or more economical hops from New York to Los Angeles. But the decision on whether to move forward hasn’t been easy. A misfire would cannibalise sales of the 787 Dreamliner and endanger the cash bounty that has made Boeing a darling of Wall Street. <br/>

The travel troubles from Monday's snowstorm in the Midwest, combined with forecasts calling for more snow and icy conditions in the South and Northeast, have already forced airlines to cancel more than 1,000 Tuesday flights. Atlanta is Tuesday's biggest trouble spot, with nearly 300 flights to and from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International canceled as of 9:30 am Monday. The situation isn't as bad at Chicago O'Hare international. Nearly 160 flights to and from O'Hare have been canceled, compared with a final tally of nearly 1,200 canceled flights Monday as Chicago dug out from an overnight snowstorm. Nationally, Southwest Airlines has canceled the most Tuesday flights. The airline has canceled 538 flights, or 14% of its scheduled flights. <br/>