Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

Here’s The Latest Southwest Airlines Strategy To Avoid Another Meltdown This Summer

by Gary Leff

May 24 2023

It’s been five months since Southwest Airlines experienced an unprecedented meltdown. They initially blamed weather, but they were cancelling over 60% of their flights a day even while other airlines throughout the country were operating normally. They found themselves short-staffed, and without the systems to recover. Their phone system broke. And they had to rebuild schedules manually, getting in touch with crews one at a time. And this went on for a week.

Now the airline is headed into summer – peak travel – so observers both inside and outside the company are asking whether they’re ready.

Continue Reading »

How Airlines Collude To Raise Prices, Right In Front Of Regulators

by Gary Leff

May 24 2023

The Department of Justice successfully sued in District Court to block American Airlines and JetBlue from continuing to cooperate in their ‘Northeast Alliance’ where they divvied up which carrier flew to which city, and shared revenue.

The judge’s decision cites some pretty interesting coordination over pricing that happens in the airline industry prior to and outside of this alliance. Competitors talking about pricing, and in particular how to raise prices, is forbidden, and yet they seem to do it in plain sight without actually saying “let’s do the crime” so that they can get away with it.

Continue Reading »

American Airlines Pilot Comps Drinks For The Whole Flight

by Gary Leff

May 23 2023

The captain of an American Airlines flight comes out into the cabin – into economy, no less – to talk to passengers about their flight delay. He explains what happened, that the aircraft had arrived late from Puerto Vallarta, and he offered that they planned to make up a few minutes in the air if they could. He even offered to take passenger questions. But talking to passengers in person isn’t all that the captain did.

Continue Reading »

A Federal Judge Didn’t Kill The American Airlines-JetBlue Partnershp, But JetBlue Might

by Gary Leff

May 22 2023

On Friday a federal judge rules that the American Airlines-JetBlue partnership violates anti-trust laws, since they go beyond frequent flyer reciprocity and divvy up which airline flies to a given destination and share revenue.

Most of the coverage of the ruling says that the partnership is over as a result of the judge’s ruling. As a matter of law that’s wrong – there’s plenty of avenue to appeal and drag this out for a long time. But maybe what kills the deal will be JetBlue?

Continue Reading »

Need Your Help TODAY To Secure 500,000 United Mile Matching Donation

by Gary Leff

May 20 2023

Give a Mile is a non-profit that helps people in need with air travel, using miles donated by members. First they began working with Air Canada. They also have a partnership with United. I’d like to see this grow and expand.

They are on a campaign to raise 1.5 million miles to help connect people to share the moments of life. Give A Mile raises miles and books award travel so that no one has to die alone.

Continue Reading »

American Airlines And Pilot Union Reach Agreement On New Contract

by Gary Leff

cockpit with pilot
May 19 2023

It’s believed that the contract is for four years, with pay rates comparable to Delta’s new deal (which we’ve already expected and the company had publicly committed to) and some improvements for pilots on scheduling (limitation on the kinds of trips the company can require pilots to work).

Delta’s pilot contract costs it $7 billion more over the course of four years. The exact costs to American isn’t yet clear because the details haven’t been released – although the increase likely wipes out the carrier’s current run rate of profits.

Continue Reading »