Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

Federal Government Seeks Authority To Impose Airline Mask Mandates, Court Date Set For January 16th

by Gary Leff on October 17, 2022

Oct 17 2022

The Biden administration declared that they would stop enforcing the mask mandate. They said they’d appeal… if the CDC said it was important to do so. They swung at a pitch in the dirt, because the CDC then said it was necessary to defend a broad scope for their authority. This put the Biden administration in the position of having to pursue a mandate in court that they themselves no longer wanted to enforce. But they were in no rush. Oral arguments have been scheduled for… next year.

American Airlines Brings Back Elite Status Challenges, Based On Loyalty Points Not Flights

by Gary Leff on October 17, 2022

Oct 17 2022

American Airlines hasn’t had an ongoing status match or challenge program since launching Loyalty Points as the new way to earn status, where most AAdvantage activity counts and no longer just flights.

However they’ve brought back status challenges, called Instant Status Pass, and these will now be based on how many Loyalty Points you earn (whether from credit card spend, online shopping etc.) and not just how many trips you take.

Etihad Increases Pet In Cabin Fee Sevenfold To $1500, But Falcons Still Fly Free

by Gary Leff on October 16, 2022

Oct 16 2022

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways is raising its pet in cabin fee from $200 to an incredible $1500 on October 15. This fee can be paid in cash or miles at a per-mile value of just below $0.007 (which is itself awful). And even if you buy a separate seat for the animal, you still pay the pet fee. That extra seat is even mandatory in premium cabins.

Wife Refuses To Go On Vacation When Husband Books Himself In First Class, Her In Coach

by Gary Leff on October 15, 2022

Oct 15 2022

A woman took to the internet to gauge whether she was overreacting. Her husband often travels alone with his best friend, but this time invited her along. He bought her a ticket in coach, while he buying tickets in first for himself and his friend. The man explained that she flies coach because the woman – a stay at home mom – has “no job” even though she reports they’re easily able to afford first class.

They left the kids with the wife’s mother, and got ready to travel, which is when she learned she’d be in economy and he wouldn’t.

What’s Really The Difference Between Business And First Class, And Is It Worth It?

by Gary Leff on October 15, 2022

Oct 15 2022

Is better inflight food a post-pandemic change? Is the difference between first class and business class really bigger than ever before? I’m not so sure. Here’s the real difference between premium cabins.

The British Airways New York Move Begins Next Month, Readying New Premium Lounges

by Gary Leff on October 15, 2022

Oct 15 2022

There’s a new shared premium check-in area and revamped larger joint premium lounges with a dedicated premium path directly to the lounges.

Flagship First check-in is being enlarged, renovated, and rebranded, since it will be used for both BA and American. Lounges are being redone as well, with a total capacity for 1000 passengers. The most premium lounge – replacing First Dining – will include a champagne bar, a sit down dining room and a fireside lounge.

American’s Outsourced Curbside Check-In Has Gotten More Expensive

by Gary Leff on October 14, 2022

Oct 14 2022

What American has accomplished is to turn curbside bag check from an expense (they paid employees to do it) into a revenue generator (they get a cut of the fees received from the franchise).

Now Available: Luggage Tags Made From Downed Russian Aircraft In Ukraine

by Gary Leff on October 14, 2022

Oct 14 2022

The project is Recycle Russia: “Russia’s fighter jets and helicopters terrorize Ukrainians. They kill with bombs, missiles, and salvos. Ukrainians defend their homeland and turn Russian war machines into scrap. We recycle this scrap into luggage tags. The money we raise goes to support Ukraine’s defenders.”

Lufthansa Unveils New First Class Suites, Business Class With Walls

by Gary Leff on October 14, 2022

Oct 14 2022

In March I wrote to expect Lufthansa to introduce a new first and business class product next year and that first class would be suites with doors initially on the airline’s 10 new Airbus A350-900 aircraft to be based in Munich.

We now know a bit more about the products.

Delayed Lufthansa Elite Status Changes To Be Announced In December, Start January 2024

by Gary Leff on October 14, 2022

Oct 14 2022

A week and a half ago I wrote about leaks that Lufthansa would change how their elite status is earned in 2021. That’s now confirmed. Here’s some of the details.

Airlines

Federal Government Seeks Authority To Impose Airline Mask Mandates, Court Date Set For January 16th

American Airlines Brings Back Elite Status Challenges, Based On Loyalty Points Not Flights

Etihad Increases Pet In Cabin Fee Sevenfold To $1500, But Falcons Still Fly Free

Wife Refuses To Go On Vacation When Husband Books Himself In First Class, Her In Coach

What’s Really The Difference Between Business And First Class, And Is It Worth It?

The British Airways New York Move Begins Next Month, Readying New Premium Lounges

American’s Outsourced Curbside Check-In Has Gotten More Expensive

Now Available: Luggage Tags Made From Downed Russian Aircraft In Ukraine

Lufthansa Unveils New First Class Suites, Business Class With Walls

Delayed Lufthansa Elite Status Changes To Be Announced In December, Start January 2024

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About Gary Leff

	Bilt Mastercard® Earn Points Paying Rent (up to 100,000 each year) plus earn 3x at restaurants; 2x on travel; as long as you make at least 5 purchases per month. No annual fee.
	Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months (See rates and fees)
	Citi® / AAdvantage Business^TM World Elite Mastercard® For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening. AAdvantage miles are the currency I've redeemed most.[See rates and fees]