News and notes from around the interweb:
- My most controversial take with airline executives is that if you only get part of the seat, you should only pay part of the fare. Or – in the extreme version – if the airline doesn’t deliver the product you purchased they shouldn’t be able to keep your money.
Airlines advertise a product you’ll enjoy but fall back on an adhesion contract that claims they only have to transport you from one place to another. American even once argued that all they have to do is transport you – you aren’t even entitled to sit in a seat.
@AmericanAir missing my armrest , coming from certification background in aviation @FAANews pic.twitter.com/bSfhlM1ALF
— Harshit Shah | who is our Future? (@harsht12) April 18, 2025
- What 10 hotel CEOs were paid in 2024 – and why (Skift)
- Archer Aviation lays out its plan for air taxi service in New York and beyond, of course subject to FAA approval.
- Now we know the rest of the story.
Turns out a director of operations is a legal requirement if you are operating a helicopter tour company. Seems like something important for a helicopter tour CEO to know!
— andi (e/alb) (@Nexuist) April 17, 2025
- What my home airport looks like at the start of a three-day weekend.
- Hilton employee and friends and family rates are profitable
Brother, wait until you see the seats without backs, the broken/missing tray tables that will skewer you in an accident, and 100 other failure modes that the FAA just allows AA (and other airlines, but especially AA) to continue flying.
Not all aviation regulations should require blood to be spilled. Some things are just common sense, and a broken seat shouldn’t be legal to transport folks on.
Someone is complaining about not having an armrest between them and the isle? Seems like a bonus to me, given how narrow the seats are.
That’s funny with the NY Helicopter Tours — I mean, not the crash, that’s tragic, but laying off a required position and getting immediately decertified.
@ Gary — It is obscene how much these people get paid.
For an elevated and thoughtfully-curated flight on an aircraft with mostly intact and operating seats, please consider Delta.
PREACH GARY! With you 100% on the ‘over-promise, under-deliver’ anti-passenger “adhesion contract” mis-treatment by many airlines. EU/UK 261 and Canada’s APPR are good starts, but Congress needs to legislate. We deserve better consumer protections. We should get what we pay for, especially when we pay a premium for specific seats, and schedules, within reason.
On the recent NYC helicopter incident, I was surprised that VFTW didn’t post about it sooner. Happened very close-by to me. Literally heard the ‘odd’ helicopter noises by the Hudson around 3:15PM last Thursday. So sad. Very disturbing what that company is doing after, too.
@Matt — Yusss! Keep Climbing!
I’d like to meet the American Air MBA who concocted the note: “TV is inoperative. Please do not use it!
That Hilton article says the program generates revenue, not profit. It’s almost certainly profitable if they are selling spoiling inventory but the article doesn’t specify that.
Regarding the section from the airline CEO on getting passengers from point A to B.
He may want to look up Code of Federal Regulations: (CFR’s) title 14, Section 1 Subchapter G, Part 121 Subpart K, Subchapter 121.311
Combio:
Much of this recent history of aircraft mishaps, falls on the failure of the findings and recommendations of the FAA to be implemented into all aspects of aviation.
It is: The Normalization of (the new) Deviance (in order to increase share-holder returns).
LOL. How cute, US airlines issuing a refund. What planter do you live in?
The current administration does not give a d@mn about the little people without their own jets and will never issue a regulation that gives you the right to a refund or discount. You will get whatever the airline gives you and be thankful, or else it’s a trip to El Salvador, this one free. Where have you been?
I just will not fly either u people cuz u won’t listen to me n u wint change n to many of u sheep just go on supporting the rich saying it’s thier right to d us over which I do not get or condone.