Aircraft engines are causing more than their share of issues these days. Failures on the ground and in the air are raising lots of questions.

Also in this episode:

* Sun Country Stranded Passengers (interlining with AS still place)

* We now some some bits about the new Marriott loyalty program. Who got screwed?

* Some links for the engine issues stories, including the 787s, 737s, and private jets.

* United just took delivery of its first 737 MAX 9

* A question came in from listener Jonathan about AAdvantage routing rules and we've got the easy answer as well as a more involved discussion about choosing programs and optimizing efforts. Including some thoughts on when over-optimizing is a bad plan.

* United seems to finally be hitting its stride in Polaris retrofits. It will still take a couple years to complete the rollout and Premium Plus is now part of the work, too.

https://twitter.com/LAflyr/status/984874494761189376

* Aviation relations between the US and Russia appear strained, including overflight rights and Visas for Russian crews

* Swaziland gets a new name

* Cal Jet Shutting Down to Grow

* Miami passenger tasered, taunts cops

[wandrad adid=2]

Also, Stephan really likes this GIF: