News and notes from around the interweb:

• Baby born on plane awarded a million miles. Other airlines are known to give a lifetime of free flights. The miles are less costly to the airline, and hooks them into the marketing machine early.

• Earlier in the week I noted data from Cranky Flier about how United has reduced flying substantially over the past decade.

  Matthew argues argues that United hasn’t actually de-hubbed. In reality, he offers reasons why it’s no longer practical for United to offer the kind of connectivity that they used to, which explains rather than refuting the claim that they no longer try to be the carrier in Los Angeles that takes you anywhere (especially intra-California) and that feeds international flights from everywhere. It’s the difference between a connecting hub and a focus city.

• After a 3 year investigation, Australia’s safety regulator concludes “airlines need to keep a sharp lookout while reversing their jets.”

• Delta boosting free meals in coach on Atlanta, New York JFK, and Minneapolis – Honolulu flights

• What is your Virgin America 50,001 plan?

• Air New Zealand #CockpitKaraoke (HT: Paul H.)