Monthly Archives

Monthly Archives for September 2015.

United, Smisek, and New Jersey: It’s Not the Crime, It’s the Coverup?

by Gary Leff on September 30, 2015

Sep 30 2015

Most readers are familiar with the Newark – Columbia, South Carolina flight that United operated at the behest of the Chairman of the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey (which oversees United’s hub at Newark). It was a money-loser that Governor Christie’s appointee David Samson, intimately tied to ‘Bridgegate’, asked for so he could more conveniently commute to and from his weekend home — and that United killed days after Samson’s resignation.

It now looks like there was a cover up in play…

Drunk Realtor Exposed Breasts, Refused to Put Out E-Cigarette on Flight, Blames Flight Attendant

by Gary Leff on September 30, 2015

Sep 30 2015

A woman questioned by the FBI after an Allegiant Air Las Vegas – Honolulu flight blames a flight attendant for her having exposed herself inflight, and her refusal to put out an e-cigarette.

Hilton Adjusts Points Prices of Several Hotels Effective October 14 (78% are Increases)

by Gary Leff on September 30, 2015

Sep 30 2015

After Hilton’s dramatic award chart gutting of nearly two years ago, there weren’t huge changes again this year.

Hilton decided to change the way they made changes to how they re-assign hotels to award categories. Instead of an annual change to tons of hotels (a schedule they really weren’t wedded to in the past anyway) they decided they would make rolling changes throughout the year. And instead of informing all members proactively of these changes, they would just post them on a web page in the name of ‘transparency’.

United Denies Boarding to a Nobel Prize Winning Economist. Does United Fail Econ 101?

by Gary Leff on September 30, 2015

Sep 30 2015

Nouriel Roubini tweeteed that 2013 economics Nobel Prize winner Robert Shiller and his wife were involuntarily denied boarding on United Express flight from Denver to Aspen.

Shiller’s wife thinks United has the economics of involuntary denied boarding all wrong. But are there important things the Shillers are missing?

American Airlines $99 Companion Ticket Deadline — and a Free Terrace Suite Stay in New York

by Gary Leff on September 30, 2015

Sep 30 2015

The most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

US Airways companion tickets get a reprieve – a few extra days to use yours. United’s new safety video. Boeing 747s for sale on the cheap. A hotel program eliminates expiring points and goes revenue-based. And more…

Delta Makes its Case for the Government to Redistribute Gates to Them in Dallas

by Gary Leff on September 30, 2015

Sep 30 2015

Delta makes its case that the government should give them gates at Dallas Love Field on its own terms, even though it refused to voluntarily pay United for those gates.

Cathay Pacific Aligns Elite Status With Fares… But Doesn’t Go Revenue-Based

by Gary Leff on September 29, 2015

Sep 29 2015

Cathay Pacific just announced a revamp of how their elite status is earned. And although it’s being reported in some circles as ‘revenue-based’ what they’ve done is adopt something like the British Airways system.. not the United/Delta model.

What are the 10 Fastest Growing Aviation Markets — and What Does That Tell Us About the World?

by Gary Leff on September 29, 2015

Sep 29 2015

Thailand is one of the world’s fastest growing aviation markets, so Thai Airways’ challenges can’t be pinned on the overall economy there or the military coup.

China is only number 14, and number 22 looking just at year-over-year data (not surprising given its slumping economy). Still, China is the second largest airline market in the world behind the United States although the US market remains more than 70% larger than the Chinese one.

The fastest growing aviation markets – based on the number of departing seats over the past 5 years are…

Which Is Better to Fly: First Class on a US Airline, or Business Class on a Foreign One?

by Gary Leff on September 29, 2015

Sep 29 2015

I’d pick Swiss over Lufthansa. I’d actually take American’s and Delta’s all aisle access fully flat Boeing 777s (and Delta’s 747) over Lufthansa business class! My general rule though is to always choose first class over business class.

You Know What More Than Half of America Doesn’t — and a Free Terrace Suite Stay in New York

by Gary Leff on September 29, 2015

Sep 29 2015

I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

Monthly Archives

United, Smisek, and New Jersey: It’s Not the Crime, It’s the Coverup?

Drunk Realtor Exposed Breasts, Refused to Put Out E-Cigarette on Flight, Blames Flight Attendant

Hilton Adjusts Points Prices of Several Hotels Effective October 14 (78% are Increases)

United Denies Boarding to a Nobel Prize Winning Economist. Does United Fail Econ 101?

American Airlines $99 Companion Ticket Deadline — and a Free Terrace Suite Stay in New York

Delta Makes its Case for the Government to Redistribute Gates to Them in Dallas

Cathay Pacific Aligns Elite Status With Fares… But Doesn’t Go Revenue-Based

What are the 10 Fastest Growing Aviation Markets — and What Does That Tell Us About the World?

Which Is Better to Fly: First Class on a US Airline, or Business Class on a Foreign One?

You Know What More Than Half of America Doesn’t — and a Free Terrace Suite Stay in New York

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About Gary Leff

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