Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

How American Airlines Pilots Took Down The Austin Focus City

by Gary Leff

Nov 05 2023

The airline is required under its pilot deal to have 85% of its regional flying in and out of hubs (defined as the legacy American Airlines hubs, plus airports where they operate 100 or more flights). Austin isn’t a 100-plus flight city. American runs a peak of 78 flights (low 50s on Saturdays, 60s on Tuesday and Wednesday). They don’t have the gate space for more than that, and even if they did that would likely mean more losses. So Austin regional flying to non-hub cities falls under the pilot contract 15% of total regional flying cap.

American isn’t allowed to build an operation which doesn’t support mainline pilot union jobs, and given passenger demand and gate limitations in Austin that means they aren’t allowed to build an Austin focus city as they’ve been doing.

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Why Airlines Make You Gate Check Bags When There’s Still Overhead Bin Space Free

by Gary Leff

overhead bin
Nov 04 2023

One of the most common complaints I see about airlines in social media, paired with photos, is overhead bins with plenty of space after a passenger is forced to check their carry-on bag because, the gate agent had said, ‘the bins were full’.

This is frustrating for customers, who aren’t just inconvenienced (separated from their belongings, they have to wait at baggage claim – and risk getting lost). It’s also perplexing. Why was the gate agent lying to us? The reason is actually simple.

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Monopolies in the Making? Delta Pulls Strings Behind The Asiana-Korean Air Merger

by Gary Leff

korean air
Nov 02 2023

The Asiana-Korean Air merger is set to consolidate the two major Korean airlines, potentially affecting competition on key international routes, despite concerns from US and European regulators. Virgin Atlantic’s proposed Seoul route hinges on the deal’s approval, underscoring the complex interplay between airline alliances and market competition.

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Loyalty as the New Gold: How Reluctant Airlines, Like JetBlue, Are Changing Their Tune

by Gary Leff

Nov 02 2023

JetBlue, initially hesitant about its loyalty program, has significantly enhanced its TrueBlue program in recent years, especially in light of its partnership with American Airlines. Amidst the financial challenges faced by ultra-low-cost carriers and smaller airlines, many are realizing that loyalty programs, once viewed as cost centers, are now profitable avenues, with airlines like Frontier, Spirit, and Allegiant doubling down on their loyalty initiatives.

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Mom Sues American Airlines & Wins: Was Told Kids Aren’t Entitled To Seats, Can Get Kicked Off For Any Reason

by Gary Leff

Nov 01 2023

A mom flew American Airlines passenger from Portland to Dallas to Tallahassee with her two 18 month old twins. Since only one child can fly on her lap, she bought the other child their own seat using her miles, but a flight attendant refused to allow them to use it, saying children under two weren’t allowed in seats without a car seat. This was wrong. The passenger sued American because they wouldn’t refund the seat they’d purchased but weren’t allowed to use.

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Decoding Southwest: Redeyes on the Horizon & DFW’s 2025 Game-Changer

by Gary Leff

southwest plane
Nov 01 2023

Southwest Airlines is hinting at launching service to Dallas – Fort Worth by 2025 and has begun introducing overnight flight connections, foreshadowing potential redeye flights. However, constraints like the Wright Amendment and Southwest’s dominance at Dallas Love Field, coupled with a current shortage of pilots, play pivotal roles in shaping these future endeavors.

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Senators Seek Investigation Of Frequent Flyer Program Devaluations, Masking Hidden Agenda

by Gary Leff

Oct 31 2023

Senators Dick Durbin and Roger Marshall have requested an investigation into airline frequent flyer programs, alleging unfair changes to point systems. However, the senators’ motives may not be genuine consumer protection, as they have proposed a bill that could lead to significant devaluation of these programs, suggesting a hidden agenda to undermine objections to their legislation on credit card interchange.

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