Jun 27 2015

American AAdvantage gives (8) confirmed systemwide upgrades each year to their 100,000 mile flyers (Executive Platinum members). In addition, four systemwide upgrades are awarded upon achieving lifetime Platinum status (2 million miles) and at each subsequent million mile threshold.

These can be used to upgrade one direction of flying on American flights on just about any fare.

Reader S. asked about using his American systemwide upgrades for a family of four traveling together on American Airlines.

Continue Reading »

Jun 26 2015

On Thursday I wrote “I’m looking forward to having my policy preferences affirmed by the Supreme Court tomorrow or Monday when it rules in favor of same sex marriage.” I’m just glad I didn’t jinx it.

Continue Reading »

Jun 26 2015

United is ending service at New York JFK October 24 and increasing the number of flights they operate to San Francisco and Los Angeles from Newark.

They’ve loaded those additional flights into the schedule. All are operated by internationally-configured Boeing 757s with lie flat beds in business class.

And award space is wide open.

Continue Reading »

Jun 26 2015

A collection of the most interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click.

Continue Reading »

Jun 26 2015

On Sunday I wrote about American’s unwillingness to offer even a single saver award seat in any class of service for any of their Buenos Aires flights more than a month out.

On several routes American is getting absurdly tough on domestic routes as well.

Continue Reading »

Jun 26 2015

Earlier this week, Kim Jong Un visited the new domestic terminal of Pyongyang International Airport.

The terminal was ordered built in July 2012 because the existing domestic terminal was seen as too run down compared to what countries around the world had. Last November much of the work was ordered torn down and redone because the project didn’t “reflect North Korea’s “Juche” (self-reliance) philosophy and national identity.” (The official in charge was purged.)

Continue Reading »

Jun 25 2015

Here’s the TSA’s plan to make screening less efficient on purpose and what the revelations that the TSA doesn’t actually stop bombs or weapons means.

But that’s just analysis. Here, the TSA boy band gives their rendition of a Britney Spears hit. Because, I’m not sure why.

Continue Reading »

Jun 25 2015

US Airways tweeted plane porn and called it an accident. Virgin America’s tweet was on purpose, and over there they just call it marketing.

Continue Reading »

Jun 25 2015

European discount carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle has both lower costs than their US and European counterparts and lower fares. They fly to the US, and are awaiting approval for their even lower-cost Irish subsidiary to do so. US airlines (and labor groups) want to stop Norwegian also because of the airline’s lower costs.

Today’s big airline news is that Norwegian has announced that they will separately take advantage of Europe-US Open Skies agreements by flying from French Caribbean islands to the US using new Boeing 737s.

Continue Reading »

Jun 25 2015

Remarks by American Airlines’ Doug Parker and Andrew Nocella in Hong Kong celebrating the first anniversary of service there shed some light on the carrier’s current direction.

Making a big deal of a Hong Kong service anniversary — such that they sent the CEO and the Chief Marketing Officer — signal strongly that American values the Hong Kong route, and their Asia Pacific expansion.

They share thoughts on international first class, Tokyo Haneda, and the dispute with the Mideast carriers.

Continue Reading »