Sep
09
2018
A roundup of 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.
Pilot Explains Why He Quit and Cheap Australia Awards
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for September 2018.
Be Careful Which Aircraft You’re Flying on American: 21 Planes to Avoid
Sep
09
2018
At the end of June American Airlines CEO Doug Parker told employees, “We’re not going through the whole fleet and adding a bunch of seats to airplanes or taking out larger bathrooms and putting in smaller ones.”
That wasn’t true. Not only is American Airlines taking delivery of new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with more seats squeezed into the same air frame than ever before, they’re going through their existing fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft and “adding a bunch of seats” (from 160 currently up to 172) and “taking out larger bathrooms and putting in smaller ones” (in order to fit more seats).
Why Raising Checked Bag Fees Won’t Help Airlines Make More Money
Sep
09
2018
The problem airlines face is that charging for things that are included in a ticket now, or raising fees, is really just a price increase. And passengers may not be willing to pay more, some may stay home or drive.
If a price increase meant more money for the airline, airlines would raise prices.
Uber Starts Kicking Passengers Off the Platform for Low Ratings
Sep
09
2018
Uber ousted their controversial founder as CEO and brought in the head of Expedia, which alone should have told you consumers wouldn’t be better off.
He’s been on a mission of appeasement, apologizing to governments and drivers. Last year they started letting drivers leave feedback on customers. Now your low rating can get you banned from Uber entirely. in some countries
Fare Alert: Several US Cities to Hawaii From $246 Roundtrip
Sep
08
2018
There are some amazing Hawaii fares out there in coach, such as $246 roundtrip. And the deals aren’t just from the West Coast either.
These aren’t mistake fares, it’s a fare war. Several airlines are in on it, and there are great Hawaii deals from several US cities to several destinations in Hawaii.
Don’t Forget That This is the High Point of the Marriott Program, It Gets Worse From Here
Sep
08
2018
The Marriott program is better than I expected it to be when the chain acquired Starwood. But don’t be lulled into complacency that this year’s experience is what you can expect. We know that things are as good as they’ll ever be right now because Marriott told us so.
Deal Alert: First Class Hawaii Fares Less Than $900 Roundtrip
Sep
08
2018
I love deep discount fares to Hawaii, but it’s a long flight and I’d much rather sit up front. I used to love it when Alaska Airlines $99 companion tickets were valid for first class travel, I’d buy first.
While first class can be cheaper to Hawaii than on similar-distance business routes, it’s rarely super cheap. So sub-$900 first class roundtrips from the West Coast are worth highlighting.
Deals are available on Hawaiian Airlines and on Delta.
Flight Attendants Revolt, Refuse to Offer Credit Cards Inflight
Sep
08
2018
TravelZork shares with me data on oneworld airline S7’s co-brand credit card acquisition. The most fascinating statistics center around what’s driving customers to sign up for their credit card. One data point in particular stands out: their inflight magazine is 5 times more effective than flight attendant announcements at getting customers to sign up for their card.
S7 Airlines had to discontinue their flight attendants promoting the credit card because their crews refused to do it.
“Project Direct” American Airlines Offering Non-Stop Flights to Connecting Passengers for $75
Sep
08
2018
American Airlines is a lot stricter with same day confirmed changes than their competitors are.
Only Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum and ConciergeKey members can same day change for free, everyone else pays $75. You have to keep the same number of stops and keep the same connecting city or cities. You can’t connect in Dallas instead of Chicago. You can’t move to a non-stop flight from a connection or vice versa. And you can only make a same day change when specific inventory is available.
When National Airport Puts Gate 35X Out of Its Misery, American May Start Flying Bigger Jets
Sep
08
2018
American Airlines President Robert Isom spoke about his airline’s future at Washington National airport this week.
As part of ‘Project Journey’ the airport authority is building a new course that will replace the current hated gate 35X. Isom shared what that changes that will bring.
