CrowdStrike’s botched software update helped trigger one of the biggest airline meltdowns in years, stranding passengers and costing Delta alone more than $500 million. Now those passengers are being told they may not be able to sue a software company because of the Airline Deregulation Act.
United Airlines confirms its new Airbus A321XLRs will use blocked middle seats in coach so the planes can fly with fewer Flight Attendants. The move copies European-style business class seating and could turn two otherwise unusable middle seats into a paid extra space product.
Crowded airport lounges are looking less premium as passengers leave behind dirty tables, used plates, and even bare feet on furniture.
Flying Blue Gold status match ends Saturday for U.S. and Canadian members, offering Delta flyers free bags, priority boarding, and exit-row seats for $199. A family checking bags can recover that cost quickly.
The man hit and slapped the officer in the head and took the officer’s glasses. Las Vegas police responded and tried to detain him, but he fought them, flipped one officer over his back, and both fell to the ground. He grabbed an officer’s pen and tried to him with it, kicked a police officer twice, and kicked a TSA officer in the face. One police officer was injured and sought medical help.
A Frontier passenger was arrested after allegedly sneaking a second dog onto an Atlanta–San Francisco flight. Video shows a confrontation at the front of the aircraft before airport police removed her to the tarmac.
Southwest’s leadership drama appears to sideline Andrew Watterson as CEO-in-waiting. Deeper boardroom power struggles could reshape the airline’s famous culture just as it pushes through major changes to fares, bags, seating, and staffing.
United’s family mileage pooling is more useful now that pooled miles can be redeemed on most partners, with some odd limits for Hawaiian and Emirates. Also: Emirates tries insurance to bring travelers back to Dubai, a Delta passenger is accused of touching crew, and two cats fly to Japan in United’s cabin.
United may block middle seats on new Airbus jets so the planes can be certified with fewer flight attendants. The move could create a European-style premium economy row, but the real payoff may be cutting crew costs.
Former Delta President Glen Hauenstein explains how Delta turned first class from an upgrade giveaway into a profit center, why low-cost carriers struggle to go premium, and how Delta will address its own product slipping.
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 »
