business

Max Knoblauch4/15/25

American Airlines ends its holdout, becomes the last major airline to offer free Wi-Fi

As the US aviation industry grips the armrest through trade war turbulence, American Airlines has decided at last to join the free Wi-Fi club.

The airline said free in-flight internet will be available to its loyalty members on 90% of its flights beginning in January 2026 through a partnership with AT&T. American began testing the service early last month.

American had been holding out on free Wi-Fi and even free messaging on its flights and falling behind rivals. Delta Air Lines started the service in 2023, while United Airlines last year announced plans to outfit its airplanes with Starlink beginning in May. Southwest Airlines offers free messaging and entertainment — something American in 2017 said it was planning to add but never did.

American currently sells a connection plan for $35 on cross-country routes, one of the industry’s priciest scrolling fees. It made an estimated $8.4 billion in ancillary revenue (bags, Wi-Fi, in-flight food, etc.) in 2023.

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Hyunsoo Rim, David Crowther

Kering to sell its beauty arm to L’Oréal in a €4 billion cash deal

The Gucci owner is looking to shrink its mountain of debt, while its star brand continues to slide in sales.

Gucci boutique, Milan, Italy

Amazon Web Services AWS advertisement ad sign closeup in underground transit platform in NYC Subway Station, wall tiled, arrow, side

Amazon Web Services outage takes down major websites including Reddit, Snapchat, and Venmo

It’s a good reminder of just how big AWS is — powering more than 76 million websites globally.

Claire Yubin Oh10/20/25

We’re way past peak TED Talk — maybe a new “Vision Steward” can revitalize the nonprofit

It’s a new chapter for TED, which seems likely to lean further into edtech.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt at TED2019: Bigger Than Us

business

Max Knoblauch10/16/25

Uber launches “digital tasks” in the US, paying some drivers to train AI

Beginning later this fall, US Uber drivers will be able to earn money by completing short “digital tasks” like uploading restaurant menus or recording audio samples.

CEO Dara Khosrowshahi teased the new gig income stream back in June at the Bloomberg Tech conference.

At that time, Khosrowshahi said drivers and couriers were “labeling maps, translating language, looking at AI answers, and grading AI answers.” According to Thursday’s announcement, the tasks won’t be so focused on Uber’s business, but instead on connecting workers with “companies that need real people to help improve their technology.”

Per Uber, digital tasks can be done when drivers aren’t on a trip, be it at home or when not driving, and will take only “a few minutes” each.

Uber’s having drivers train its AI while partnering with robotaxi companies that could replace them

Uber’s having drivers train its AI while partnering with robotaxi companies that could replace them

At that time, Khosrowshahi said drivers and couriers were “labeling maps, translating language, looking at AI answers, and grading AI answers.” According to Thursday’s announcement, the tasks won’t be so focused on Uber’s business, but instead on connecting workers with “companies that need real people to help improve their technology.”

Per Uber, digital tasks can be done when drivers aren’t on a trip, be it at home or when not driving, and will take only “a few minutes” each.

United Airlines posts stronger-than-expected profit but weaker sales in its third quarter

United’s full-year profit outlook falls somewhere in between the dual forecasts it issued back in April.

United Airlines Airplanes at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey

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