Monthly Archives

Monthly Archives for April 2024.

New American Airlines Suites Will Fix A Big Mistake From Current Business Class

by Gary Leff

Apr 17 2024

Within the confines of what American Airlines is going to be willing to do – space on the aircraft comes at an incredible premium, so I while I wish the space for midflight snacks was larger I accept certain tradeoffs – they’ve clearly gone much further in working on the details of this product.

Of course I haven’t seen it in person yet. The first plane hasn’t been delivered, and we’re a couple of months until the first Boeing 777-300ER goes in for retrofit to create a model for future work. But the imagery that’s coming out is exceeding my expectations.

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SkyMiles Stagnation: Delta’s Loyalty Program Hits A Ceiling As Competitors Climb

by Gary Leff

delta airplanes on tarmac
Apr 17 2024

Delta may have tapped out the potential of SkyMiles. With 30% of active members already holding their credit card, that explains the move last fall to push their most engaged members to spend more on their cards – or lose the benefits of status. They can’t just add more cardmembers to grow, and there’s no more money to take from American Express for existing business.

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American Airlines Will Offer A New Product Above Business Class This Fall

by Gary Leff

Apr 17 2024

American Airlines is the last remaining U.S. carrier to sell a true ‘first class’. Ever since Continental Airlines began selling a ‘premium business class’ that they called BusinessFirst, and dropped first class, the trend has gone in that direction. Delta has had a first class cabin in years, and United’s top product is now business class.

Now American plans to eliminate first class, too. Or do they?

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American Airlines Unveils New Business Class Experience With Upgraded Meals, Bedding, and Amenities

by Gary Leff

Apr 17 2024

A year and a half ago I revealed that new amenity kits, bedding, and meals would be introduced when American Airlines rolls out business class suites that will be arrive with new delivery Boeing 787-9 aircraft, and eventually be added to Boeing 777-300ERs.

The idea is that an elevated business class seat would be accompanied by new investments in other elements of the product. And it turns out we’ll see this new business class soft product Memorial Day weekend – even before the new seats arrive.

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American Airlines Bumps Passenger Off Flight, Agent Says They “Do Not Care About DOT Rules”

by Gary Leff

Apr 16 2024

Michael Trager, who runs frequent traveler and casino loyalty site TravelZork, had one of the most interesting “bump” stories I’ve heard in a long time. He was involuntarily denied boarding on an American Airlines flight last week, and airport staff refused to provide him any compensation saying that they “do not care about DOT Rules.”

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From Pregnancy To Pilot Prohibition: Union Head Sara Nelson Blasts Breeze Airways Conduct Rules ‘Out Of 1952’

by Gary Leff

Apr 16 2024

Flight attendants union head Sara Nelson, who is trying to organize at JetBlue founder Dave Neeleman’s startup Breeze Airways, took to social media to blast the airline’s employee handbook as antiquated and outdated. She compares their conflict of interest policy to a “pregnancy and the weight program” from 1952. Except the airline’s policies seem… downright reasonable?

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