Monthly Archives

Monthly Archives for October 2018.

Why American’s Partner Finnair is Flying an Air Italy Plane, Despite Doug Parker’s Attack on Air Italy

by Gary Leff on October 13, 2018

Oct 13 2018

Air Italy — which is 49% owned by Qatar Airways and has leased aircraft from Qatar — loaned an Airbus A330-200 to Finnair. This was after a loading vehicle at Chicago O’Hare took out a Finnair A330-300.

Finnair of course is a member of the oneworld alliance, and an anti-trust immunized joint venture partner across the Atlantic with American Airlines (along with British Airways and Iberia). And they’ll be using the Air Italy plan until October 31 for flights to Chicago and Miami.

Here is, as they say, ‘the rest of the story’.

Business Class Fare Alert: East Coast – Europe From $1490 Roundtrip

by Gary Leff on October 13, 2018

Oct 13 2018

Pulling up Royal Air Maroc fares between Washington Dulles and Barcelona brings up pricing around $1700 which is great in itself. They fly Boeing 787s with lie flat business class between Washington Dulles and Casablanca. From there it’s a short 737 flight to many destinations in Europe.

But it gets better. Skyscanner is coming up with sites selling it even cheaper — from $1490 roundtrip. Roundtrip business class fares are available between $1500 and $1700 to several other destinations like Madrid, Paris, Lisbon, Rome, Milan, and Amsterdam.

What Top Consultants Are Telling Airlines They Should Do to Change Their Programs

by Gary Leff on October 13, 2018

Oct 13 2018

McKinsey & Co has a new report “How to improve airline customer-loyalty programs.”

It begins by outlining the challenge airlines face managing the balance between printing miles and making award seats available for redemption.

Inflight CNN May Get Expensive and More Wealth Coming for Uber Drivers

by Gary Leff on October 13, 2018

person holding phone near steering wheel

Oct 13 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.

What Cuts Will American Airlines Announce This Month?

by Gary Leff on October 13, 2018

Oct 13 2018

American Airlines stock has plummeted. The price of fuel is way up. The markets haven’t liked their big capital expenses, in new aircraft and facilities.

Their third quarter earnings call is scheduled for the morning of Thursday, October 25. And they need to walk in with a narrative Wall Street might like.

New Low Value Mileage ‘Upsells’ Will Make Delta Elite Upgrades a Rarity

by Gary Leff on October 13, 2018

Oct 13 2018

During the airline’s earnings call yesterday CEO Ed Bastian says Delta is now up to monetizing “about 60%” of their first class seats. So they’re behind goal (though they’re apparently ahead of their peers who are likely still in the 40’s).

One way they plan to increase the number of seats they’re upselling to customers, rather than offering as complimentary upgrades, is to offer payment by miles as an alternative to cash.

Air Canada Bans Grandma Who Wanted Flight Attendant to Pick Up Trash

by Gary Leff on October 12, 2018

Oct 12 2018

In a post-9/11 world it’s important not to challenge a flight attendant’s authority because you may wind up confronted by law enforcement. I’ve seen passengers express concern when a flight attendant moved their stuff in the overhead bin, and immediately face an “are we going to have a problem today?” response.

So it doesn’t surprise me that a situation with a 71 year old grandmother flying with her grandchildren ended badly.

The Unabomber’s Home Will Soon Be a Hyatt and Why Hooters Air Failed

by Gary Leff on October 12, 2018

Oct 12 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.

Amazing Cathay Pacific Business Class Award Space for 4+ Passengers

by Gary Leff on October 12, 2018

Oct 12 2018

What’s striking is how much availability exists on Cathay’s routes between the US and Asia. In fact with so many ways to get to Hong Kong there’s usually a means to do it for the family with some flexibility if you’re booking far in advance.

25% Discount on Turkish Airlines Domestic Awards

by Gary Leff on October 12, 2018

Oct 12 2018

Citibank added Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles as a transfer partner last year. That means plenty of people have access to Turkish frequent flyer miles.

As a result it’s worth sharing that Turkish is running a 25% discount on domestic award tickets for booking and travel through the end of the year.

Monthly Archives

Why American’s Partner Finnair is Flying an Air Italy Plane, Despite Doug Parker’s Attack on Air Italy

Business Class Fare Alert: East Coast – Europe From $1490 Roundtrip

What Top Consultants Are Telling Airlines They Should Do to Change Their Programs

Inflight CNN May Get Expensive and More Wealth Coming for Uber Drivers

What Cuts Will American Airlines Announce This Month?

New Low Value Mileage ‘Upsells’ Will Make Delta Elite Upgrades a Rarity

Air Canada Bans Grandma Who Wanted Flight Attendant to Pick Up Trash

The Unabomber’s Home Will Soon Be a Hyatt and Why Hooters Air Failed

Amazing Cathay Pacific Business Class Award Space for 4+ Passengers

25% Discount on Turkish Airlines Domestic Awards

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About Gary Leff

	Bilt Mastercard® Earn Points Paying Rent (up to 100,000 each year) plus earn 3x at restaurants; 2x on travel; as long as you make at least 5 purchases per month. No annual fee.
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