Airlines are such a bad business that the smartest startup strategy is probably not building the most beautiful premium carrier, but finding a way to lose less money than everyone else. If I had to start one anyway, I would skip the glamorous dream model and focus on underserved leisure routes, modest costs, and selling more of the trip than just the seat.
Airlines
Category Archives for Airlines.
American Retired 40% Of Its Long Haul Planes During Covid — Many Are Now Headed To A New Airline
American Airlines retired roughly 40% of its long-haul-capable fleet during the pandemic, betting travel would stay weak and replacements would arrive when needed. Now some of those supposedly obsolete widebodies are heading to a new airline in Vietnam, a reminder that the planes still had life left — and that American’s decision cost it flexibility, profits, and strategic ground it never fully got back.
American Airlines Is Making Delay Meal Vouchers Easier To Get — Issuing Them To Entire Flights At Once
American Airlines is making it much easier for delayed passengers to actually receive the meal vouchers they are already entitled to, by letting agents issue them to an entire eligible flight at once instead of one traveler at a time. The change does not raise the voucher value, but it should cut down on long lines, missed eligibility, and the absurd process of stranded passengers having to beg individually for $12 after a controllable delay.
American Airlines: Your Loyalty No Longer Matters If You Buy The Cheapest Fare
If you fly expensive tickets for work, and then you’re cost conscious on a weekend trip with your family of four, you will be treated well when you fly those expensive tickets – but not on that trip with your family when it arguably matters most to you.
Florida Hotel Sues Southwest Airlines After Flight Attendant Floods Her Room On Layover
A Florida hotel is suing Southwest Airlines after a flight attendant on layover allegedly tampered with a sprinkler in her room, setting off flooding that spread through guest rooms and common areas. What makes it interesting is suing the employer, which has the deeper pockets but a more tenuous case for liability.
Air Canada Aeroplan Raises Award Prices June 1 — Long Haul Business Class Hit Hardest
Air Canada Aeroplan is changing its award chart again on June 1, and while a few prices go down, this is unmistakably a devaluation. The biggest pain hits long-haul premium cabins, where many of the most useful business and first class partner awards will cost meaningfully more.
White House Plan To Bail Out Spirit Airlines Is Illegal
The White House is trying to justify a $500 million Spirit Airlines rescue by claiming the carrier is somehow essential to national defense, even though Spirit is a failing ultra-low-cost airline with no obvious military necessity.
United CEO Says He’s In Talks To Buy Assets From Another Airline
United CEO Scott Kirby says the airline is in talks to buy assets from another carrier, a remark that immediately raises the question of whether he means pieces of Spirit or JetBlue. United has been openly hunting for ways to strengthen weak spots in Florida and New York without waiting for a full merger.
Etihad Grows To Double Daily In Chicago And Daily In Charlotte — It’s Not As Crazy As It Sounds
Etihad is expanding in two U.S. markets at a moment when Middle East demand looks shaky, adding a second daily Chicago flight and boosting Charlotte to daily service for the summer. On the surface that looks aggressive, but the real play is not local Abu Dhabi demand — it is feeding U.S. traffic to India and South Asia while the airline has aircraft available.
Emirates Plans First Class Suites With Private Bathrooms
Emirates says private bathrooms are the next frontier for first class, with president Tim Clark confirming the airline is developing suites that would have their own dedicated lavatories. If it happens, Emirates would move beyond its long-running shower spa concept and join a tiny group of airlines trying to make first class feel less like a premium seat and more like a private space in the sky.











