Monthly Archives

Monthly Archives for March 2020.

Travel Shouldn’t Get A Government Bailout

by Gary Leff on March 11, 2020

Mar 11 2020

President Trump said on Tuesday that the federal government would help the airline and cruise industries. Details, though, are limited. However economic stimulus proposals being batted around Washington are bigger in nominal dollars than 2008’s Troubled Asset Relief Program and the 2009 stimulus law.

When Congress starts talking big dollars, industries line up. After 9/11 Congressman Jim Moran said “It’s an open grab bag, so let’s grab.” And that’s what the travel industry seems to be starting to gear up for.

Why We Aren’t Seeing More Travel Discounts Right Now

by Gary Leff on March 11, 2020

Mar 11 2020

We keep hearing about doom and gloom in the travel industry – people aren’t flying, but mostly that forward bookings are down. Airlines are cutting flights and offering relaxed restrictions so that people are more comfortable buying travel. We’ve already seen Alaska Airlines come out with bonus elie qualifying miles for travel now.

But if things are so bad in the travel industry why aren’t we seeing more travel deals?

Former FDA Chief: There’s 3 Things Airlines Should Do To Protect Passengers And Crew (But They Aren’t)

by Gary Leff on March 10, 2020

Mar 10 2020

Dr. Scott Gottlieb, FDA administrator from 2017-2019, has been a helpful source on coronavirus. He was one of the first people with a real microphone sounding the alarm about lack of testing in the United States.

He says airlines aren’t doing enough to prevent spread of the virus, focusing on three things he’s seen in his own travels.

United Cut Their Schedule More Than The Entire Size Of Frontier Airlines

by Gary Leff on March 10, 2020

Mar 10 2020

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.

American Airlines Is Focused On Long-Term Growth, ‘Not Breaking Out The Distress Playbook’

by Gary Leff on March 10, 2020

Mar 10 2020

At an investor conference this morning, after first talking about coronavirus, American Airlines CEO Doug Parker pivoted to talk about the airline’s operational performance, and growth plans including from new gates coming online in Charlotte and upgauging regional jets next year at Washington National airport.

American just has a real difference in perspective. Parker said they are “not breaking out the distress playbook..that’s not where we are.” I hope he’s right of course. They talked about the effect of sales on bookings, their cash balance as a cushion, and the possible accelerated retirement of the Boeing 757.

Holy Smokes: United Planning For Revenue Down 70%, Domestic Net Bookings Already Down 70%

by Gary Leff on March 10, 2020

Mar 10 2020

United Airlines President and soon-to-be CEO Scott Kirby keynoted the J.P. Morgan 2020 Industrials Conference today. He took a far more aggressive stance on how deep to cut, how bad things can get, than other airline executives. And he was more willing to share specific data on how bad things already are.

New Yorkers Banned From Global Entry: Just Change Your Address?

by Gary Leff on March 10, 2020

Mar 10 2020

A reader shares that they had Global Entry conditionally approved when New Yorkers were banned from being approved for Global Entry. He arrived at New York JFK off of an international flight from London shortly after the announcement, but while his approval was still active, and sought to do his interview on arrival. No officer was available. A few days later his application was purged along with the rest of New Yorkers.

However he “immediately reapplied” using an address in another state. It worked.

How Delta Is Cutting Back As Travel Dries Up In The Current Environment

by Gary Leff on March 10, 2020

Mar 10 2020

Delta has suspended share buybacks and is reducing pension contributions. They have instituted a hiring freeze and are offering voluntary leave to employees with an eye towards reducing staff count through retirement. They are “[p]arking aircraft, and evaluating early retirements of older aircraft.”

They’re also starting to implement $500 million in capital expense reductions, and they’re cutting flights.

American Imposing Major Flight Reductions, Expect More To Come

by Gary Leff on March 10, 2020

Mar 10 2020

United Airlines already announced a 20% cut to its international route network and 10% cut domestically. American is out with route and frequency reductions and I don’t think they are done.

International reduction for summer is 10% (55% reduction in transpacific flying). Domestic reduction in April is 7.5%.

7 Coronavirus Developments Travelers Should Know

by Gary Leff on March 10, 2020

Mar 10 2020

Over the last day we’ve seen new travel restrictions around the world, such as the extension of Italy’s quarantine to the rest of the country – this isn’t like China where people couldn’t leave their homes, they can still go to work – and changes in airline and hotel policies for customers with existing travel bookings. Here are (7) things to be aware of:

Monthly Archives

Travel Shouldn’t Get A Government Bailout

Why We Aren’t Seeing More Travel Discounts Right Now

Former FDA Chief: There’s 3 Things Airlines Should Do To Protect Passengers And Crew (But They Aren’t)

United Cut Their Schedule More Than The Entire Size Of Frontier Airlines

American Airlines Is Focused On Long-Term Growth, ‘Not Breaking Out The Distress Playbook’

Holy Smokes: United Planning For Revenue Down 70%, Domestic Net Bookings Already Down 70%

New Yorkers Banned From Global Entry: Just Change Your Address?

How Delta Is Cutting Back As Travel Dries Up In The Current Environment

American Imposing Major Flight Reductions, Expect More To Come

7 Coronavirus Developments Travelers Should Know

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About Gary Leff

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