Aerospace

United Airlines opens a new grab-and-go lounge in Denver for time-crunched travelers

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A brand-new style of the lounge that United Airlines is introducing is one it hopes will be useful for rushed travellers. The Chicago-based airline will debut the new club on Saturday as demand for travel increases. Airlines are once again profitable thanks in part to consumers who are willing to pay more for trips, such as those that include access to airport lounges.

The United Club Fly lounge, which is roughly 1,600 square feet in size, is a “grab-and-go” setting with complimentary food options like sandwiches, wraps, and salads as well as more portable items like Noosa yoghurt cups and treats like Milk Bar Birthday Cake Truffles.

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There is a self-serve coffee machine and a water bottle refilling station in addition to a barista who will serve made-to-order coffee drinks like cappuccinos. There are only 16 seats available, with eight additional people able to stand at the bar. Instead of being able to bring guests like at regular United Clubs, travellers must scan their boarding pass to enter.

According to the airline’s website, access to United Clubs is included with any international business class or transcontinental ticket or with a membership, which typically costs $650 per year for frequent flyer members. For members with higher tier status, it ranges from $550 to $600. Access is also available with some credit cards.

Carriers are intensifying their marketing campaigns to attract customers willing to pay more for travel and working to improve the appeal of their lucrative co-brand credit cards.

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According to Henry Harteveldt, founder of the travel consulting company Atmosphere Research Group, “It’s a very wise move by United because airlines try to minimise the connecting time between flights for passengers.” “Once United launches this, I wouldn’t be surprised if other airlines start looking to do something similar.”

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Aerospace

Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences Expands Columbus Plant by 50,000 Sqft

Credit:Aurora Flight Sciences

Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, has launched a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi.

This ambitious project will add 50,000 square feet of new space, renovate 40,000 square feet of the existing facility, and introduce advanced automation equipment, robotics, and non-destructive inspection technologies. mcas boeing enhancements will support the growing demand for Aurora’s aerospace systems business.

Since its establishment, Aurora Mississippi has specialized in the production of advanced composite components and assemblies for both military and commercial aircraft. The company first opened in 2005 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory in Starkville before relocating to its current site in Columbus two years later.

Initially occupying 21,000 square feet, the facility has since grown to encompass over 120,000 square feet, featuring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement. Aurora’s latest expansion is a strategic investment aimed at increasing production capacity for composite components like boeing titanium used in executive jets and the MQ-25TM Stingray composite skins, a key project for its parent company, Boeing.

Additionally, the facility will produce components for NASA’s X-66 sustainable flight demonstrator aircraft, further diversifying its portfolio. Currently employing around 100 full-time staff in Mississippi, Aurora plans to hire more than 60 additional team members by the end of 2025.

Aurora’s expansion project underscores its commitment to Mississippi’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector. The company maintains strong partnerships with Mississippi State University (MSU) and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), contributing to research, higher education, and workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

Additionally, Aurora actively supports local K-12 STEM education through summer camps and collaborates with high school vocational education programs. The expansion and renovation project will be carried out in phases over the next two years, with completion expected by 2026. This development marks a significant milestone in Aurora’s ongoing growth and its role in advancing aerospace manufacturing in Mississippi.