business

Jon Keegan2/26/26

OpenAI may need to IPO or achieve AGI to get all of Amazon’s $50 billion investment

A month ago, word got out that Amazon was planning to invest up to $50 billion in OpenAI as part of a larger $100 billion funding round. Now, it seems that money might be dependent on OpenAI pulling off one of two massive goals: a successful IPO, or achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI).

OpenAI is in a heated race against rival Anthropic to be the first big generative-AI startup to IPO, which the former is reportedly trying to do by Q4 of this year.

AGI is still a squishy concept, but is generally described as an AI system that is better than humans at pretty much everything. When the much-hyped AGI goal might be achieved is the subject of rampant speculation.

The Information reports that negotiations between Amazon and OpenAI are still ongoing, but they may include an agreement for OpenAI to build custom models for Amazon, which could be used in Alexa.

The $100 billion fundraising round is reported to value OpenAI at around $730 billion.

Amazon’s $50 Billion Investment in OpenAI Could Hinge on IPO, AGI

Amazon’s $50 Billion Investment in OpenAI Could Hinge on IPO, AGI

OpenAI is in a heated race against rival Anthropic to be the first big generative-AI startup to IPO, which the former is reportedly trying to do by Q4 of this year.

AGI is still a squishy concept, but is generally described as an AI system that is better than humans at pretty much everything. When the much-hyped AGI goal might be achieved is the subject of rampant speculation.

The Information reports that negotiations between Amazon and OpenAI are still ongoing, but they may include an agreement for OpenAI to build custom models for Amazon, which could be used in Alexa.

The $100 billion fundraising round is reported to value OpenAI at around $730 billion.

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Max Knoblauch4/9/26

American Airlines joins the flock, hiking bag fees amid higher jet fuel prices

American Airlines on Thursday announced that it, too, will be hiking the fees it charges customers to check luggage.

With the move, all four of the major US airlines, which together control about 80% of the US market, have now hiked their baggage fees in recent days amid surging jet fuel prices.

The change will go into effect on tickets bought on or after Thursday, the same day Southwest’s hike begins.

Since late March, JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Canada’s WestJet, and Southwest have hiked their fees. Experts expect more major carriers to follow, and to potentially tweak the pricing of other ancillary revenue sources like seat assignments and carry-on luggage.

American Airlines updates bag fees and Basic Economy fares

American Airlines updates bag fees and Basic Economy fares

The change will go into effect on tickets bought on or after Thursday, the same day Southwest’s hike begins.

Since late March, JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Canada’s WestJet, and Southwest have hiked their fees. Experts expect more major carriers to follow, and to potentially tweak the pricing of other ancillary revenue sources like seat assignments and carry-on luggage.

business

Max Knoblauch4/9/26

Less than a year after implementing them, Southwest is also hiking its bag fees

Southwest Airlines has joined the growing list of airlines opting to hike their bag fees amid sustained higher jet fuel costs.

Starting today, the first checked bag at the carrier — which implemented bag fees less than a year ago — will jump from $35 to $45, and the second from $45 to $55. Southwest quietly disclosed the change Tuesday.

Southwest assigned the decision to “part of an ongoing analysis of the business and against the evolving global backdrop.”

As of Wednesday, jet fuel prices dropped to $4.16 a gallon, per the Argus US Jet Fuel Index, down from $4.81 on Tuesday following President Trump’s ceasefire announcement, which sent travel stocks soaring. Major airlines have shed some of those gains in premarket trading Thursday.

With the move to hike bag fees, Southwest joins JetBlue, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Canada’s WestJet, all of which also boosted fees this month. Experts expect more major carriers to follow, and to potentially tweak the pricing of other ancillary revenue sources like seat assignments and carry-on luggage.

Three US airlines have already hiked baggage fees. More are likely on the way.

Three US airlines have already hiked baggage fees. More are likely on the way.

Southwest assigned the decision to “part of an ongoing analysis of the business and against the evolving global backdrop.”

As of Wednesday, jet fuel prices dropped to $4.16 a gallon, per the Argus US Jet Fuel Index, down from $4.81 on Tuesday following President Trump’s ceasefire announcement, which sent travel stocks soaring. Major airlines have shed some of those gains in premarket trading Thursday.

With the move to hike bag fees, Southwest joins JetBlue, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Canada’s WestJet, all of which also boosted fees this month. Experts expect more major carriers to follow, and to potentially tweak the pricing of other ancillary revenue sources like seat assignments and carry-on luggage.

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