Monthly Archives for September 2023.
Southwest Airlines filed a form 8-K with the SEC on Wednesday morning revealing a trifecta of bad news – for them, but that’s likely to replicating itself across the U.S. airline industry. Taken together, good times for the airline industry may be turning.
The new Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles has finally arrived. Capital One opened its first airport lounge at Dallas – Fort Worth in November 2021. Since then we’ve been awaiting expansion and it’s about to happen. The Washington Dulles lounge opens Thursday, September 7. Then we’re about a month away from Denver opening. Then next year we should see Capital One’s new restaurant concept with Jose Andres at Washington National and New York LaGuardia next year. I got a sneak peak of the Washington Dulles airport lounge. It’s really good, with I think the best food at the airport. But it’s too small, because cardmembers are going to want to visit and spend time here. And when you build a good airport lounge, passengers are going to stay longer and eat more. That’s true when…
So this is a little bit weird. Southwest Airlines is offering four ways to accelerate earning of a Companion Pass, yet advertises that the promotion offers just three ways. Still, you will want to register either way.
Delta Air Lines reservations agents are reportedly receiving training on upcoming changes to the SkyMiles program, slated for September 14.
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
United Airlines requested a nationwide ground stop for all flights, both mainline and regional, due to a computer issue. Flights are unable to take off, though flights already in the air continue to their destinations.
News reports were all over the place throughout the weekend about an American Airlines flight from Charlotte to Boston where a “criminal act” had taken place. Now we know more about what happened on board Saturday’s flight 1441 involving “a juvenile, a phone and a flight attendant.”
It was a hidden camera in the lavatory. And police boarded the aircraft when it landed in Boston.
All business class airline BeOnd, based in the Maldives, has received its Air Operators Certificate, and has announced its first two destinations: Munich (beginning November 15) and Zurich (starting November 17). The carrier has an Airbus A319 outfitted with 44 lie flat seats, and actually serves both via Riyadh, which is an unannounced third destination.
The CEO of Qantas, Alan Joyce, has been forced to step down amidst numerous scandals. But he’s leaving just two months earlier than planned, and pocketing big bonuses on the way out the door.
Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Brady Byrnes told cabin crew that during the second quarter FA4 and FA0 delays were “down 25%” compared to the airline’s goals, and that this was responsible for “point five” of the carrier’s overall improvement in D0, exact on-time departures.
Byrnes noted that not only are flight attendants showing up and doing their jobs (reduced FA0 and FA4 delays), but that the tools and procedural changes they’ve made are helping too.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
