Jul
15
2020
Just as airlines cut amenities to reduce cost and blamed coronavirus hotels are, of course, doing that too.
Holiday Inn Cuts Down On Pillows, They Say To Protect You From Coronavirus (It Isn’t Really)
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for July 2020.
American Airlines Re-Opening More Admirals Clubs
Jul
15
2020
On June 22 American Airlines opened 11 Admirals Club and 13 Service Centers where club members can get help with their travel itineraries. Now they’re re-opening 4 additional clubs, including one that was just a service center previously. All re-opened clubs are at American Airlines hubs, while service centers are now strictly at outstations.
Why Furloughs Make Airline Cost Problems Worse
Jul
15
2020
For an airline doing major furloughs the average cost to crew a flight will be higher after the furloughs than it was before. Every flight will have nothing but flight attendants at the top of the scale. Not to mention increased benefits costs from an older workforce.
And that means that ultra low cost carriers are going to have an even bigger cost advantage against American, United, and Delta than they did before.
American Airlines Now Lets You Redeem Miles For A VIP Experience At 20 Airports
Jul
15
2020
Like Delta and United, American Airlines offers a high-touch airport meet and greet service called Five Star. (United’s service is actually outsourced.) What’s new is that American Airlines now lets you purchase their VIP airport service with AAdvantage miles.
After Furloughing 10 Years Of Hires, The Average American Airlines Flight Attendant Age Will Be 56
Jul
14
2020
On a straight seniority basis 8000 furloughs will include every flight attendant under 40 years old and some in the first half of their 40s. And it will include nearly every flight attendant hired in the last 10 years. Every one hired since US Airways management took over, though, can expect to be let go.
Alaska Airlines Considering Replacement For Guest Upgrades
Jul
14
2020
In early March I wrote about ideas they’re surveying about potential changes to the program. Now they’re researching ways to change elite benefits, especially the 4 annual confirmed upgrade certificates given to MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K members.
Sadly they appear to be looking at alternatives I’d consider to be less valuable than what they offer today.
Republic Airways, Which Flies For United, Delta, and American, Will Send WARN Act Notices To 40% Of Staff
Jul
14
2020
Republic Airways, a regional airline that flies for American Airlines, Delta, and United, is planning to notify 40% of their workforce that they may be furloughed October 1. Here’s their internal communication plan.
American Airlines Backtracks, Allows Change Fee Waivers On Basic Economy Tickets
Jul
14
2020
At the end of May things were looking really good for summer travel, and American tried to place limits on its change fee waivers. Since the beginning of the pandemic airlines have allowed a change fee waiver on ticket purchases, so that customers faced with uncertainty would have greater comfort buying travel.
As forward bookings have softened, though, and competitors haven’t followed American’s lead in restoring the ‘no changes’ rule to Basic Economy fares American too has backed off.
International Court of Justice Rules Blockade Of Qatar Airspace Illegal
Jul
14
2020
The International Court of Justice just ruled that the air blockade of Qatar by Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (but primarily by the UAE and Saudi Arabia) is illegal, by determining that the U.N.’s International Civil Aviation Organization – which already found it illegal – has jurisdiction.
Free $25 If You Used To Own An iPhone 6 or 7
Jul
14
2020
A class action settlement over iPhone device performance is expected to pay out $25 per person who registers.
