Lori Aratani

Washington, D.C.

Reporter focusing on transportation issues, including airports, airlines, and the nation's railroad and subway systems

Education: B.S. from Boston University

Lori Aratani writes about transportation issues for The Washington Post. Her beat includes airlines and airports and the agencies that oversee them. She also writes about innovation in the transportation sector and how new technology is changing the way people get to where they're going. She grew up in California and graduated from Boston University, where she learned the real meaning of cold weather.
Latest from Lori Aratani

TSA to require additional screening step for some travelers at airports

The change was spurred by concerns about Clear’s vetting procedures after a security breach last summer.

July 12, 2023

JetBlue won’t appeal ruling that blocks American Airlines partnership

The carrier said it hopes its move to end the Northeast Alliance would prompt the Department of Justice to reconsider JetBlue’s bid to merge with Spirit Airlines.

July 6, 2023

July 4 travel weekend breaks record as United tries to make amends

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby apologized for earlier disruptions as the carrier plans to issue frequent flier miles as a goodwill gesture.

July 3, 2023

July Fourth travel is here, but will it go smoothly? Here’s what to know.

Travel for the Fourth of July holiday weekend is underway, and record numbers of people are expected to hit the road and board planes before Tuesday.

July 3, 2023

As United’s woes hit fifth day, July 4 travel rush tests fragile system

United Airlines, plagued by hundreds of flight cancellations and thousands of delays, pledged to be ready as travel ramps up for the holiday weekend.

June 29, 2023

United Airlines suffers fourth day of heavy cancellations, delays

The airline suffered its worst week of disruptions since the early days of the pandemic, and ongoing bad weather in New York threatened July Fourth travel.

June 28, 2023

United Airlines blames FAA for disruptions affecting 150,000 passengers

The airline is on its third day with a double-digit percentage of flights canceled after the New York area faced a wave of thunderstorms.

June 27, 2023

Overheated power cable blamed for D.C.-area flight delays

The problems came after airlines and regulators spent months preparing for an onslaught of summer travelers.

June 26, 2023

Most infrastructure projects are late, over budget. He hopes to fix that.

After decades of studying why big projects go awry, Oxford University professor Bent Flyvbjerg offers advice on how to keep things on track.

June 24, 2023

Railcar that triggered East Palestine derailment hadn’t been recently inspected

The NTSB is conducting a two-day hearing in East Palestine, questioning witnesses and sharing almost 5,000 pages of records. The hearings and documents provide the most detailed account yet of the derailment and response.

June 23, 2023