Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

Tech Billionaire Builds “Office In The Sky” On American Airlines Flight, And I’m Here For It

by Gary Leff

Dec 05 2023

Indian tech billionaire Bhavin Turakhia choose American Airlines first class because of its “swivel seat” on the Boeing 777-300ER for long haul. That lets him set up his “rig” for working inflight with “laptop stand…keyboard, mouse, screen, power bank.” American Airlines endorsed the setup.

He brings a second computer screen, attaching to his laptop magnetically and connected via USB. Turakhia says it takes him just 30 seconds to get his inflight office set up and he claims a benefit of a 40% producitivty boost on a long haul flight. With this aircraft and seat he doesn’t even need to dismantle the electronic office for meals.

Continue Reading »

Alaska Airlines Is Buying Hawaiian Airlines. Ok For Customers But A Kind Of Dumb Deal?

by Gary Leff

hawaii
Dec 03 2023

Alaska Airlines has announced a deal to buy Hawaiian Airlines for $1 billion cash and assumption of $900 million in Hawaiian Airlines debt. They will keep the two separate brands, though combine their loyalty programs. The deal is expected to close in 12-18 months, subject to approval of Hawaiian’s shareholders and making it through anti-trust review.

For Mileage Plan and oneworld frequent flyers this is great. For Hawaiian customers this should be fine-to-positive. It’s Alaska shareholders that may not benefit from the merger integration costs in order to swallow an unprofitable airline. Although perhaps the biggest beneficiaries will be the transaction and anti-trust lawyers whose billable hours will be immeasurable.

Continue Reading »

From Passenger To Pilot: How A Quick-Thinking Traveler Took Over In An Emergency

by Gary Leff

Dec 02 2023

A passenger took the controls of a flight form Toronto to Punta Cana after one of the plane’s pilots became incapacitated. Air Transat flight 186 departed at 9:30 a.m. on November 20 with 299 passengers on board, and was scheduled into the Dominican Republic at 2 p.m. About three hours into the journey one of the pilots became ill. One of the airline’s pilots was among the passengers and replaced the member of the cockpit crew. Dramatic Rendering, Credit: DALL-E The flight continued to its destination, instead of diverting which would have been required with only a single pilot. Earlier this year a passenger stepped into the cockpit to fly after a Southwest Airlines pilot fell ill. Another airline’s pilot was on the Las Vegas to Columbus, Ohio flight and assisted, akin to a pilot…

Continue Reading »

Passenger Sues American Airlines After Flight Attendant Videos Teen Girl In The Lavatory

by Gary Leff

Dec 02 2023

Her family is suing and claims that American allowed the crewmember to erase the evidence.

The flight attendant apparently hasn’t worked a trip since the incident but is still employed by the airline and was not arrested. According to the FBI, there was no arrest because “by the time they searched his phone, they could not find any incriminating photo or video on it.” The suit accuses the airline of failing “to take immediate actions after the incident.”

Continue Reading »

Pilots Now Officially Higher Priority Than Customers At American Airlines

by Gary Leff

cockpit with pilot
Dec 01 2023

Under the new American Airlines pilot contract, for the first time, deadheading pilots receive upgrades ahead of customers to available first class seats at the gate. Officially, in American Airlines computer systems, these pilots are coded with a higher priority even than top status Executive Platinum and even Concierge Key members. AA: "Did know if you saw this but effective today, AA Deadheading pilots traveling under A1DP/A3DP status will now go on the upgrade list as a UPG0, ahead of CK and EP Something about their ratified contract" — JonNYC (@xJonNYC) December 1, 2023 Unsold first class seats now go to employees who are not piloting an aircraft between segments on a trip they’re working. That’s different than commuting to and from their base if they live in a different city than where they’re assigned…

Continue Reading »