Monthly Archives

Monthly Archives for February 2023.

New All Business Class Airline BeOnd Plans To Serve 60-80 Destinations From A Hub… In The Maldives?

by Gary Leff

Feb 25 2023

New all business class airline BeOnd plans to launch with a hub in Male, capital of the Maldives. If there’s a luxury resort destination attracting a clientele that might spring for such a service, the Maldives is on the short list. But the business model of flying 68 premium seats on board A321neos to 60 – 80 destinations seems.. insane?

They plan to launch with the neo but ultimately fly A321XLRs to reach Europe and Australia. And they claim they’re going to be subsidized by the government of the Maldives, to which I have to wonder.. why?

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Always Claim Up To $200 Compensation When You’re Denied Marriott Elite Benefits

by Gary Leff

Feb 25 2023

It can be a pain to ask for the benefits guarantee, and Marriott will often deny it in the first instance based on the hotel claiming to have been compliant when they obviously weren’t. But it’s worth claiming the money because – since Marriott doesn’t do enough to keep hotels delivering on program benefits – consistently having to pay out for their elite benefits misdeeds is what will keep properties in line.

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What Happened To The Passenger Accused Of Being Child Predator For Offering Up First Class Seat

by Gary Leff

economy seats
Feb 25 2023

Here’s an update on the American Airlines ConciergeKey member accused of being a child predator by airline staff, after he asked a flight attendant to give his first class seat to an unaccompanied minor in coach.

After a flight attendant thought it was inappropriate, they had an American Airlines representative meet the flight on arrival in Dallas to confront the first class flyer. After the issue received attention, though, American Airlines contacted the passenger – who shared with me what happened next.

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Lightning Strike Forcibly Separates Fuselage Of American Airlines 787

by Gary Leff

Feb 25 2023

Photos of damage to the fuselage of an American Airlines Boeing 787-9, registration N839AA, caused by a lightning strike, are spreading through social media. The incident occurred on Monday’s Tokyo Narita to Dallas – Fort Worth flight.

The plane, originally delivered in October 2018, has been on the ground in Dallas since the – and should remain there for some time as work is done on the aircraft.

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Virginia Passed Emergency Legislation To Let Chase, Capital One Lounges Serve Alcohol

by Gary Leff

Feb 24 2023

Sometimes the easiest route to serving alcohol in an airport club is just to… change the law. That’s what’s happening in Virginia. And it’s going to get you served in new Capital One spaces at Washington Dulles and National airports, and at the Chase ‘The Club’ collaboration at Dulles.

Virginia’s legislature has passed an ’emergency’ law (i.e., goes into effect right away rather than waiting until July 1), to extend “mixed-beverage carrier licenses to financial institutions, their subsidiaries or contractors.”

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After My First-Ever Upgrade On United Airlines, I Was Hooked – And Did Crazy Things To Stay Up Front

by Gary Leff

Feb 23 2023

I flew what seemed to me like a lot growing up. My parents were divorced and lived on different coasts, and I went back-and-forth. And living in New York I naturally found myself in Florida over winters as well. (My very first flight memory is a drive to the airport for a flight to Florida, probably when I was three.)

But I always flew coach, and I remember thinking to myself as boarded a widebody flight once that I would always travel in back. I’d never be wealthy enough to sit up front, and even if I was why would I waste my money that way? I had no idea what it cost, but it just seemed so… extravagant to be more comfortable for a few hours.

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It’s (Almost) Time For American Airlines To Raise The Fee For Admirals Club Lounge Membership

by Gary Leff

Feb 23 2023

American Airlines seems prepared to raise the price of access to its Admirals Club airport lounges, but this will make sense only if they improve the lounge product. I alluded to this in my explanation of how each of the major U.S. airlines is at a crossroads. Fortunately the lounge product is improving and this will make a higher fee worth it.

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