LAX becomes largest U.S. airport to allow Uber, Lyft pickups -- Los Angeles officials voted Thursday to allow ride services such as Uber and Lyft to pick up passengers at LAX, the largest U.S. city to grant full airport access to the rapidly growing app-based companies. The move could significantly alter the way thousands of Southern Californians and tourists navigate the nation's third-busiest airport, long criticized for traffic congestion and lack of a direct connection to the region's rail system. If the companies can quickly comply with the airport's rules, Lyft and Uber services - some offering lower fares than taxis - could be available by September, officials said. Laura J. Nelson & Katie Shepherd/Los Angeles Times Nick Green/Torrance Daily Breeze Cale Ottens/Los Angeles Business Journal

Uber overtakes taxis for business travelers, new report shows -- While Uber, Lyft and other ride-booking services may be getting kicked around like a political footballs this week, it hasn't stopped them from scoring some milestone business points. Los Angeles has moved toward becoming the biggest city in the U.S. to allow ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft to pick up passengers at the airport. Despite protests from taxi drivers who picketed the meeting, officials from Los Angeles International Airport voted in favor of the change Thursday. Scott Mayerowitz/AP

Op-ed: Honor Burbank, Bob Hope and flying history -- Bob Hope Airport's governing agency recently announced it was considering a name change - to Los Angeles Burbank Airport - which would be a mistake. It's not because the airport cannot afford to change the name. The airport's name has changed six times since 1930. It's not because the current name is commonly used - it isn't - and it is not because the proposed name isn't legitimate - an airport hotel goes by the Los Angeles Burbank Marriott - though it might be confusing, given that Burbank is not part of the city of Los Angeles. Scott Holleran/Burbank Leader

Previously unknown Amelia Earhart footage donated to Purdue archives -- Though she's been gone for nearly 80 years, fascination with Amelia Earhart's life, career and mysterious disappearance during her attempted round-the-world flight in 1937 continues to this day. Recently, a previously unknown 16mm film of Earhart and her Lockheed Electra plane was donated to Purdue University Libraries' Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives and Special Collections Research Center. Emma Flick/The Exponent

OC Fair celebrates 125th anniversary with special exhibition at John Wayne Airport -- County of Orange and OC Fair representatives, elected officials, art enthusiasts and even two clowns gathered at a reception held at John Wayne Airport on Wednesday to celebrate the unveiling of JWA's newest art exhibition, Fair Play by the OC Fair. In commemoration of the OC Fair's 125th anniversary, the exhibit is now on display at John Wayne Airport in the Vi Smith Concourse Gallery, located on the Departure (upper) Level, across from Gates 2 through 5 in Terminal A, Gates 18 through 21 in Terminal C and in the free-standing display cases across from Gate 14. JWA News Release

Airport Advisory Board opposes proposed development near Redlands airport -- The Airport Advisory Board has made a recommendation in opposition to a proposed residential development near the Redlands Municipal Airport. The board called a special meeting to discuss plans by Diversified Pacific LLC to build a 55-single family residential development on the north side of San Bernardino Avenue and east of Judson Street. Pilots at the airport during a public hearing held during the July 7 City Council meeting voiced their concerns over the threats residential developments pose to airports. Sandra Emerson/Redlands Daily Facts

New York airport workers planning strike for next week -- More than 1,000 security workers, airplane cleaners and baggage handlers at JFK and LaGuardia airports could go on strike next week. "By far," it will be the largest airport worker strike so far in the New York area, said Amity Paye, spokeswoman for 32BJ, which has been organizing airport workers. "It will also be the largest for the airports campaign nationally." It will also be the first time in the three-year union drive that security workers have gone on strike, according to the union. Dan Rubinstein/Capital New York

Delta announces $1 billion quarterly profit -- Delta Air Lines reported $1 billion in adjusted net income, or $1.27 per share, during the second quarter, the company announced Wednesday. That profit, based on lower-than-expected fuel prices and other operational savings, was 22% higher than the same months of April, May and June in 2014. The company returned $1 billion to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks. Bart Jansen/USA Today

The best coach-class airlines in the world -- You see a lot of "best airline" stories, but many look suspiciously like they were based on business and first class. For most travelers, however, what happens at the front of the plane stays at the front of the plane -- it's something to fantasize about, but prohibitively expensive and not even remotely achievable in this lifetime. As to real-world flying for real-world travelers, everyone knows that the coach or economy airline product in the back of the plane runs from miserable to unacceptable. Ed Perkins/SmarterTravel.com 

Why American Airlines could give Chicago ad shops a close look during its agency review -- American Airlines, now the world's largest airline, got the immediate attention of a lot of Chicago ad agencies this week when it said it is launching an ad agency review. Though American has worked with the New York-based McCann Group and its Dallas affiliate TM Advertising for more than 30 years - the equivalent of several centuries in the ad industry of today - the launch of an agency review isn't entirely surprising given where AA is at this moment in its history. Lewis Lazare/Chicago Business Journal

WOW Air offers $99 fares to Europe; What's the catch? -- Upstart Icelandic discount carrier WOW Air has created a stir by offering $99 one-way fares from the USA to Europe. So, what's the catch? The fares are legit, but there are some major limitations. WOW Air's limited flight schedule and small U.S. footprint mean the deal won't be available to most U.S. travelers. And return fares are only available for higher (but still generally modest) prices. WOW's sale covers flights from Boston and Baltimore - its only two U.S. destinations - to just two European cities: Paris and Amsterdam. Ben Mutzabaugh/USA Today

Court: Airlines get leeway when someone references a bomb -- A federal appeals court in New York says airline employees cannot be held liable if they fail to accurately describe a passenger's reference to a bomb when they report it to security authorities. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan gave the workers plenty of leeway Thursday as it rejected a lawsuit brought by a former female executive. The executive - Rosalinda Baez - had sued New York-based JetBlue Airways Corp., saying the airline falsely accused her of making a bomb threat at Kennedy International Airport in April 2008. AP

12 planes hit by blinding lasers in N.J. among dozens targeted in U.S. in one night -- A military aircraft and 11 commercial airliners in New Jersey were among dozens of flights throughout the country hit by lasers Wednesday night, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The pilots of three planes within 20 miles of Newark Liberty International Airport and five planes, which were all four miles south of the Outerbridge Crossing, reported that lasers were pointed at their aircraft, according to a statement issued by FAA spokesman Jim Peters. Erin O'Neill/NJ.com 

Public forum on high-speed rail set for Saturday -- A state assemblywoman opposed to all proposed bullet train routes into the northeast San Fernando Valley is convening a public meeting Saturday to update residents and hear their concerns. Assemblywoman Patty Lopez, D-Arleta, will host the High-Speed Rail Forum between 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club at 11251 Glenoaks Blvd., Pacoima. "People need to be heard, and she wants to hear them," said Jim Leahy, Lopez's chief of staff. Dana Bartholomew/Los Angeles Daily News

Army Corps board approves $1.3-billion L.A. River restoration proposal -- A plan to spend $1.3 billion or more restoring the Los Angeles River and redeveloping nearby land inched forward Thursday as a federal review board agreed to let the proposal proceed. The Civil Works Review Board of the Army Corps of Engineers unanimously approved the plan, echoing support pledged 14 months ago by Assistant Army Secretary for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy. Peter Jamison/Los Angeles Times