Air travel faces record-breaking summer despite high costs.

Air travel is expected to surge to pre-pandemic levels this summer, posing a significant challenge for an industry already grappling with staffing shortages and near-collisions. The Federal Aviation Administration is about to lose its acting head, with no permanent leader in sight. Airlines have hired tens of thousands of people since last year and staffing levels are more than 9 percent higher than they were pre-pandemic. The FAA has encouraged airlines to fly fewer planes that can fit more people, which could ease the burden on airlines and the air traffic control system, but will mean fewer options for passengers trying to plan travel or rebook after a canceled flight.