Boeing paid roughly $212 million to settle Norwegian’s 737 MAX dispute, with Norwegian ordering more MAX aircraft as part of the broader resolution. But aircraft-owning affiliates say they were not covered by that settlement and can still sue over the same alleged misrepresentations, meaning Boeing may have to fight another round of litigation over planes it thought it had already settled.
United put customer facing employees with approved religious vaccine exemptions on unpaid leave. The Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit let a lawsuit by 1,000 workers proceed as a class action. The airline is asking the Supreme Court to intervene.
United has made MileagePlus far more valuable for credit cardholders, with faster earning, cheaper awards, and better access to premium inventory. The United Business Card now looks like the sweet spot, especially with its extended offer of up to 110,000 miles.
Insiders argue American Airlines has reversed disastrous sales and distribution mistake while still running the same old strategy that left it weak in major markets. That critique is partly right, but incomplete: American’s Sun Belt focus was less a fresh strategic choice than the result of years of retreat from competition, premature aircraft retirements, slot and gate constraints, and a long-running failure to value the markets that drive loyalty and credit card spend.
A man allegedly living at Miami International Airport was arrested after police say he stole a passenger’s suitcase from an American Airlines baggage carousel and kept it so he could look like a traveler and blend in. The bag and its contents were valued at about $9,000, turning the case into a felony — and police found him weeks later back in the same baggage claim area, still with the suitcase.
A Florida man was arrested after allegedly trying to charge hotel drinks to room 666, claiming he was the son of God, refusing to leave a DoubleTree restaurant, and then attempting to get into a Rolls-Royce at valet.
Uber is cutting the value of its Uber One subscription program, reducing rebates on rides from 6% to 5%. That’s a 16.7% reduction. And Uber wants members to know it’s what you demanded. Here’s how they open their email on the change, We’re always looking for new ways to improve Uber One, evolving what we offer based on what members value most. We’re making a few updates and want to share what’s changing. Then comes the actual change: In the coming weeks, eligible rides will start earning 5% Uber One credits instead of 6%. Members will earn one-sixth fewer credits. Someone spending $1,000 on eligible Uber rides will receive $50 instead of $60. Looking only at ride credits, the spending required to recover Uber One’s $96 annual membership fee goes up from $1,600 to $1,920.…
American Airlines’ Contract of Carriage already bars passengers from flying barefoot or wearing offensive clothing, but some travelers still need the reminder. Also JetBlue’s first class seat moving toward installation, why airport food costs so much, Houston Intercontinental’s renovated Executive Club, and American’s latest “premium” service gaps.
Two American Airlines flights using the same flight number were airborne near Phoenix at the same time, on the same air traffic control frequency, and one accepted instructions meant for the other. The planes never lost required separation, but the communications close call highlights a strange problem facing major carriers: in a codeshare-heavy world, airlines are running out of usable flight numbers.
Citi Strata Elite arrives in a surprisingly premium package, but the real value is what the card earns. The current offer delivers 75,000 points and credits worth up to $1,200 in the first year, and its points now transfer to American Airlines AAdvantage.
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 »
