Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

Fare Alert: Business Class To Japan Just $1639 Roundtrip, The Most Interesting Business Product?

by Gary Leff on August 9, 2022

Aug 09 2022

ZIPAIR is a Japanese low cost carrier owned by Japan Airlines. It launched during the pandemic with a hub at Tokyo Narita airport and flights to Singapore, Seoul, Bangkok, Honolulu and Los Angeles. San Jose flights are planned at the end of the year. They fly 4 Beoing 787-8 aircraft leased from Japan Airlines with 8 business class and 272 coach seats.

Right now a business class roundtrip might run $4000 between Los Angeles and Tokyo, while ZIPAIR is selling business class for just $1643 – or less.

LAX CEO Says A Surprising Airline Could Launch Non-Stop Service To Vietnam

by Gary Leff on August 9, 2022

Aug 09 2022

Vietnam Airlines launched new service from San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) during the pandemic. They’ve been eyeing non-stop service to Los Angeles as well – but they’re not alone. In fact a surprising carrier may be first to launch the service, and receive two years of subsidies from the Los Angeles airports authority.

There are two airlines reportedly with Memorandums of Understanding in place to launch non-stop LA – Vietnam service, both may be surprising but talks with one have reportedly heated up.

Europe May Get Rid Of Strong Airline Consumer Protections

by Gary Leff on August 8, 2022

Aug 08 2022

Europe has strong airline consumer protection rules, at least in theory. In practice even when an airline owes you money for a delay, it’s tough to collect. We’ve seen customers literally send bailiffs to airline offices to collect and airlines even cancel flights to avoid having their aircraft impounded over $300.

Now they may even eliminate the protections in EU regulation 261 (2004) which requires airlines to compensate passengers between €250 and €600 cash for flight delays of over 3 hours, for cancellations, and for involuntary denied boardings due to overbooking.

Update On My Award Booking Service

by Gary Leff on August 6, 2022

Aug 06 2022

I started helping readers book their award travel with an award booking service, Book Your Award, in 2009. Ten years ago Steve Belkin came on as my partner. Steve literally wrote the book on large scale mileage exploits. He’s been famous in mileage circles for 30 years, we’ve known each other for 20 years, and for a decade now he’s helped redeem billions of miles.

I can’t do it all myself. There’s too much at stake. And there are very few people that I trust to deliver at the level I’m committed to. Steve, my partner and friend, has decided to step back from award booking after 10 years.

Passenger Video Goes Viral: Cracked Window On Southwest Flight To Vegas

by Gary Leff on August 5, 2022

Aug 05 2022

As a passenger this can be understandably scary. Fortunately the glass window panel didn’t actually break. There was no loss of cabin pressure. No one had to put on oxygen masks. The plane was safe to continue to its destination. Southwest did, however, give the passenger a $300 travel credit for the experience.

Indian Airline Will Start Deplaning Passengers From The Catering Door In The Galley

by Gary Leff on August 4, 2022

Aug 04 2022

The deplaning process of an aircraft turn, IndiGo says, could be cut almost in half through use of this third door. That seems a stretch. But every minute matters to profitability – squeezing out an extra flight, getting flights out on time, or even just ensuring all flights are scheduled at a time the passenger wants to buy.

Delta Flight Attendants May Unionize Even Though Unionized Crew Are Deeply Unhappy Elsewhere

by Gary Leff on August 3, 2022

Aug 03 2022

Airlines are one of the most heavily unionized industries in the country. That works out well for customers and investors at Southwest, but less well at other airlines. Delta, the other historically strong performer, is mostly non-union. Their largest unionized work group is their pilots. Delta’s dispatchers are also unionized.

The biggest flight attendants union is working hard to change that – even as they publish data that 97% of flight attendants they represent at United are deeply unhappy.

It’s Back: Earn American Airlines Elite Status With Uber

by Gary Leff on August 3, 2022

person holding phone near steering wheel

Aug 03 2022

There are several rebates and bonus offers available right now for Uber and Uber Eats, that you can stack for lower costs, points, and to earn American Airlines elite status all at the same time if you sign up for the offers and use the right credit cards. In fact there’s a triple-dipping opportunity.

Watch: Tug Get Stuck Underneath An American Airlines Boeing 737 At LaGuardia Airport

by Gary Leff on August 2, 2022

Aug 02 2022

The American Airlines Boeing 737-800, came in from Miami on Monday night. It was scheduled to fly as American Airlines 2036 from New York LaGuardia to Charlotte on Tuesday morning. That didn’t quite happen.

Instead, a tug got caught underneath the aircraft. It’s amazing and cringeworthy to watch at the same time. Thankfully everyone involved is ok.

Earn 50 American Airlines Miles Per Dollar For Cancer Donations

by Gary Leff on August 1, 2022

Aug 01 2022

Through September 30 American will reward Stand Up To Cancer donations with 50 miles per dollar if you pay with an American Airlines U.S.-issued cobrand Mastercard, on up to $10,000 in donations.