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.
The Asterisk in American’s Big Boast About Inflight Wifi
Headlines blare “American Airlines offers satellite WiFi to its entire mainline fleet” and therefore “You Shouldn’t Have to Struggle for a Good Connection”.
I think it’s great that American Airlines has invested in faster satellite internet for most of its domestic narrowbody aircraft. However coverage of American Airlines completing its project to add satellite wifi to planes is being overclaimed.
Cathay Pacific Cuts First Class From Several Routes
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.
Qantas Announces ‘Biggest Overhaul’ in its Frequent Flyer History
Qantas is keeping award charts and not moving to dynamic award pricing so if there’s a silver lining in redemption pricing that along with a reduction in scam charges is it. The move towards recognition of non-flying but still important program members and recognition of lifetime elite status up to Platinum are improvements, as are the introduction of new redemption partners.
What Credit Card Does Airbus Accept When Buying New Planes?
It wasn’t really a $13 billion deal as reported, new planes buyers usually pay about half of list price. It’s incredible to contemplate even 9.75 billion Membership Rewards points however.
Citi Prestige Limits Access to Good Hotel Rates for 4th Night Free Over Two Months Early
I wrote off the fourth night free hotel benefit when the changes were announced in November, capitalizing it as though the restrictions were already in place. It looks like the limitation on what rates can be booked may already be in effect.
Data Shows How Badly Mechanics are Hurting American Airlines Reliability
American Airlines shared performance stats with employees yesterday after “three weeks on the books for the 2019 peak summer travel season [and] 11 1/2 more weeks remaining.”
American Just Ordered 50 Airbus A321XLRs: Expect Direct Aisle Access Lie Flat Seats, Premium Economy
Two weeks ago I wrote that American Airlines was likely to order the Airbus A321XLR at the Paris Air Show. They’ve now done exactly that.
Here are some of the routes and aircraft configuration to expect, according to American’s President Robert Isom.
Air Canada’s Internal Memo to Employees About SkyTrax Results
Skytrax named Air Canada the North American Airline of the Year. They’ve won it 3 straight years and 8 out of 10. That says more about the competition than about Air Canada.
So how is the airline recognizing the accomplishment? Here’s the internal message about the award from Air Canada’s CEO.
With Summer Promotion, Marriott Bonvoys You!
This is the kind of promotion you run when you don’t want to run one, but it lets them say they have one. The marketing budget must have been blown on TV ads and putting out IT fires.