Monthly Archives

Monthly Archives for April 2021.

What Happened To The Sign From Gate 35X, And Other American Airlines Construction Projects

by Gary Leff

gate number
Apr 25 2021

Washington National airport built an entire new concourse to replace one miserable gate. Gate 35X was a bus gate that served 14 remote stands for 50 seat regional jets. The new concourse, in contrast, supports 14 large regional jets.

Just after the opening of this new concourse for American Airlines flights, which will also feature an Admirals Club, American Airlines shared some construction updates with employees as part of a question and answer session on earnings call day last week.

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Anti-Mask Politician Says Her Constitutional Rights Are Being Trampled After Airline Ban

by Gary Leff

Apr 25 2021

An Alaska Airlines state senator who “has sparred with Alaska Airlines employees over the mask policy” since January has been banned from the airline – although apparently just for 30 days even though mask refusal is supposed to result in an indefinite ban, at least until the end of the mask requirement. It remains to be seen if a temporary suspension will be converted to a longer duration.

Lora Reinbold was recently fined $250 for refusing to properly wear a mask in the state capitol. On Thursday she was captured on video having a disagreement over keeping her mask above her nose at the Juneau airport before a flight to Anchorage.

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It’s Time To Stop Using The Covid Excuse

by Gary Leff

Apr 24 2021

Marriott hotels – though not only Marriotts – ignore elite breakfast benefits because of Covid-19. In fact you now need to do a lot more research on hotels when considering a booking to find out whether they’re offering the facilities and services that you want and are paying for. No towels for the pool? Blame Covid.

Union boss Sara Nelson doesn’t want flight attendants working on flights because Covid. The CDC, apparently, needs to update its guidance on virus spread to include catching Covid-19 from aircraft galley ovens because the temperature of food is a risk – Nelson thinks flight attendants serving hot food is unacceptable in first class, but wrapped sandwiches are ok.

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Upgrades On American When Traveling With A Baby Just Got Cheaper

by Gary Leff

Apr 24 2021

When parents travel with a child under two years old, the child doesn’t need their own seat. A so-called ‘lap infant’ travels free when flying domestically. In general for international travel the lap infant will need a ticket, and so the parents have to purchase an ‘infant fare’.

Fortunately as of April 23, 2021 American Airlines no longer requires customers to pay more for their infant ticket when they upgrade which can mean a savings of hundreds of dollars – and a lot of headaches since the process used to be confusing.

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