Category Archives for Airlines.
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.
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.
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.
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.
JetBlue is grappling with significant financial instability and mounting legal troubles. Amidst this turmoil, the airline’s employees are reportedly in open revolt, further intensifying the crisis and raising concerns about the company’s future prospects.
Delta Air Lines co-pilot, Jonathan Dunn, part of the Federal Flight Deck Officer program, pulled a gun on his flight’s captain, threatening him multiple times against diverting the plane for a passenger with a medical emergency.
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.
United Airlines faces another lawsuit from flight attendants claiming discriminatory practices in choosing crew for sports team charter flights, alleging a preference for “white, young, thin women who are predominantly blond and blue-eyed.” Despite having selected diverse crews in the past, the recent removal of older and minority attendants from such flights, combined with previous controversies, raises questions about United’s selection criteria and potential biases.
American Airlines is strategically targeting disenchanted elite members of Delta and United by offering a status match challenge with no participation fee.
Since Southwest is no longer selling Early Bird check-in on every flight, and not selling it on the flight I wanted to buy, I simply… didn’t buy the Southwest Airlines flight. And I won’t buy Southwest flights without it most of the time, and certainly not for a two and a half hour flight.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
