Monthly Archives

Monthly Archives for August 2020.

IHG Hotels Says Their Flexible Cancellation Policy Is Ending October 1

by Gary Leff

skyscrapers in city
Aug 31 2020

IHG hotels, the chain that includes Holiday Inn, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and related brands, is bringing its flexible cancellation policy to an end. All of the major hotel chains have sought to encourage new bookings by making them very low risk for consumers. IHG says, though, ‘no more’ after September 30.

There’s a huge desire to get hotel pricing and restrictions ‘back to normal’ but I don’t think the world is back to normal yet, and if other chains don’t follow IHG will be at a competitive disadvantage.

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Delta Copies United’s Elimination Of Change Fees, Doesn’t Go As Far As American

by Gary Leff

Aug 31 2020

It isn’t often that Delta copies United but, like American, they’re also going to waive change fees. All three of course are copying Southwest Airlines – which doesn’t charge baggage fees either.

While Delta’s announcement was rushed out because of United’s move, they’ve actually been considering doing this for some time. They were talking about rethinking change fees at the beginning of 2020.

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American Airlines CEO Still Thinks Buying Back Stock Was A Good Idea

by Gary Leff

depressed businessman leaning his head below a bad stock market chart
Aug 31 2020

After taking over at American Airlines, management spent $12.4 billion buying back stock over a six year period at an average price of $39.76 per share. Now they’re facing over $40 billion in debt and looking for a second government bailout this year.

At an internal Crew News session at the end of last week, a pilot asked the airline’s CEO Doug Parker if the airline is able to claw its way back, whether he’d change the way the airline is run – paying down debt instead of buying stock?

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Boeing 737 MAX Likely Ungrounded In October, Flying Passengers In December

by Gary Leff

inside plane
Aug 31 2020

At the end of last week American Airlines told its pilots that based on conversations with the FAA and Administrator Stephen Dickson that they “see the finish line, it’s making good progress” bringing the Boeing 737 MAX into service. Their “targeted timeframe… [is] end of October-ish for the ungrounding to occur” for the aircraft. American intends to fly passengers in commercial service with the MAX starting in the second half of December.

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American Airlines Expects All Furloughed Workers Back Next Year, To Fly More Before Passengers Return

by Gary Leff

Aug 31 2020

Speaking to a group of pilots at the end of last week, a recording of which was reviewed by View From The Wing, American Airlines CEO Doug Parker laid out plans not to cut flights further during the winter this year and to grow the schedule for next year even in advance of passenger demand.

With all of the employees that have taken early retirement, that should mean recalling everyone that’s being furloughed.

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United Airlines Permanently Eliminates Domestic Change Fees And Standby Fees

by Gary Leff

united plane
Aug 30 2020

United Airlines is offering free same day standby starting January 1, and eliminating change fees on domestic tickets (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands but not other territories) effective immediately though this excludes basic economy tickets. A waiver of change fees for basic economy and international ticket purchases is being extended through the end of the year.

All MileagePlus elite members can confirm same day changes at check-in provided the same fare class is available. Currently complimentary same day changes are only available to Gold members and above.

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