Monthly Archives

Monthly Archives for April 2021.

American Airlines Is A Marketing Company That Flies Planes, What Should Change From That Insight?

by Gary Leff

Apr 23 2021

Before the pandemic American Airlines was losing money flying planes – the sale of frequent flyer miles accounted for its profit.

During the American Airlines first quarter earnings call Stifel analyst Joe DeNardi asked CEO Doug Parker whether he realized how profitable the AAdvantage program is, and why he doesn’t devote more time during the earnings call to discuss it?

He offered that “in 2019, your loyalty program generated roughly the same amount of EBITDA as Marriott did” and wondered “”why don’t you allocate 40% of the time on these calls to the loyalty program” given its importance?

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American Airlines Mocks United Adding Video Screens At Seats As “Prettying Up Old Planes”

by Gary Leff

airline cabin
Apr 23 2021

Reminiscent of Qatar Airways CEO declaring that ‘Delta flies crap plans’ Chief Customer Officer Alison Taylor suggested United is adding seat back video to older aircraft “to pretty up old planes, and we should be proud about our new planes and aircraft.”

CEO Doug Parker explained they’re removing video at passenger seats because that’s what passengers want.

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Several US Cities To Tokyo From $198 Roundtrip, Available Into 2022

by Gary Leff

Apr 23 2021

There’s a fare war to Tokyo going on from a variety of U.S. cities, and roundtrip fares start at just $198 roundtrip for Cleveland – Tokyo. Other great fares in the $200 – $250 range are available from Fort Lauderdale and Miami; St. Louis; Raleigh; Washington D.C.; Philadelphia; Dallas Fort-Worth; Charlotte; and Phoenix – and probably others. These fares aren’t going to last long.

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How To Make Your Airline Seat Back Pocket More Useful (And Clean!)

by Gary Leff

Apr 23 2021

What’s grosser than gross? Reaching into the seat back pocket in front of you and finding a used tissue. During the pandemic. Which then also makes you realize that all of the ‘clean commitments’ that your airline made aren’t really being carried out.

Fortunately there’s a product to both ensure a sanitary tray table and seat back pocket, and make that seat pocket more useful so you can have all of your items well-organized in front of you.

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Don’t Buy Airline Tickets Too Far In Advance Right Now

by Gary Leff

british tail plane
Apr 22 2021

During the American Airlines first quarter earnings call, the airline’s Chief Revenue Officer Vasu Raja dropped a hint about finding the best airfares. The landscape booking airline tickets is changing rapidly and they’re afraid of selling future flights too cheap. They’re keeping prices high for late 2021 holiday travel on purpose so that people don’t buy their travel yet.

In response to a question by CNBC journalist Leslie Josephs, Raju explained that ticket sales are up in the near term but looking further out where bookings are falling, it’s because of a conscious decision by the airline “so that we don’t sell out Thanksgiving too soon” – they are keeping prices high so they don’t fill up planes too cheaply.

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