Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

Wide Open Europe Business Class For 90,000 Miles Roundtrip

by Gary Leff on March 18, 2022

Mar 18 2022

“Fifth freedom” routes are sometimes the easiest to book on miles, and the most fun to fly. Emirates, the Dubai-based carrier, actually operates two flights between the U.S. and Europe – New York JFK to Milan and Newark to Athens. And the Newark – Athens flight is wide open for awards in business class.

Moreover, while Emirates’ program often charges quite a lot of miles for first class, relatively short distances like U.S. – Europe in business class are quite reasonable. In fact this one is a steal at just 90,000 miles roundtrip and $220.

Alcohol, Snacks For Sale Return To American Airlines Coach April 18, First Class Gets Multi-Course Meals

by Gary Leff on March 18, 2022

Mar 18 2022

Real service elements begin coming back on American Airlines starting April 13, and alcohol and snacks for sale start back with the expected end to the federal mask mandate on April 18. Here are the details of what to expect.

The One Thing That Could Extend The Air Travel Mask Mandate Past April 18

by Gary Leff on March 17, 2022

Mar 17 2022

The federal transportation mask mandate should have been lifted, or allowed to expire March 18. However it was extended – for just one month. And the broad expectation is that it will end in mid-April, as part of the administration declaring victory on Covid-19. There’s a strong political reason to do so before the mid-term elections. And it makes good sense, too.

But one thing could still change this.

It’s Time To End The Covid Testing Requirement For Travel To The U.S.

by Gary Leff on March 17, 2022

Mar 17 2022

Any advocate for testing travelers entering the United States needs to articulate what benefit the testing provides now, why it’s enough of a benefit to justify the restriction, and what condition needs to exist to remove the rule. No one has even tried to do that, because the testing rule isn’t about protecting the country from Covid-19 (it cannot do that) it’s about optics.

Several European Airlines Now Refusing To Enforce Government Mask Rules

by Gary Leff on March 16, 2022

Mar 16 2022

Much like in the U.S., Dutch mask mandates are falling away everywhere… except on airlines and in airports. So four Dutch airlines led by KLM have decided this is so stupid, they’re just going to stop enforcing it starting March 23.

British Airways, meanwhile, announced an end to their mask mandate – but reportedly has told crew the rule remains in place definitely anyway.

Senate Votes To End Air Travel Mask Mandate

by Gary Leff on March 16, 2022

Mar 16 2022

The federal transportation mask mandate was extended through April 18 for no good reason, other than political fear from the Biden administration (that some new variant would come along) and political opportunism (they weren’t yet ready to declare victory and removing the ban will be useful as part of that).

The Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate has now voted 57-40 to overturn the transportation mask mandate. Here’s what to expect,

Doug Parker Is Leaving American Airlines And He’s Got Some Stock Advice

by Gary Leff on March 15, 2022

depressed businessman leaning his head below a bad stock market chart

Mar 15 2022

Outgoing American Airlines CEO Doug Parker spoke at the JP Morgan Industrials Conference today and suggested that since he’s leaving and won’t be responsible for results after this quarter, he shouldn’t talk about American’s future forecasts. Instead he talked about the airline industry – and revealed something about his own investing in competitor stocks.

Brave Russian Pilot Goes Viral Announcing Ukraine Invasion Is A Crime And Must Be Stopped

by Gary Leff on March 15, 2022

Mar 15 2022

A Captain for Russian government-owned low cost carrier Pobeda, a subsidiary of Aeroflot, demonstrated real bravery by announcing to his flight that his government’s invasion of Ukraine is a crime and must be stopped. Caveating that he was speaking for himself and not the airline that had brought passengers to Antalya, Turkey, he asked passengers to do everything they could to bring the war to an end. Passengers cheered.

British Airways Becomes Largest Airline To Drop Mask Rules

by Gary Leff on March 14, 2022

Mar 14 2022

British Airways has followed the lead of some other U.K. carriers in announcing the end of its mask mandate effective March 16, except where they’re required to continue imposing one such as flights to the U.S. and to Italy.

Man Upgrades Himself On 12 Hour Flight While Leaving Wife In Coach, Internet Brands Him Scum

by Gary Leff on March 13, 2022

Mar 13 2022

A man posted to Reddit and literally got branded an ‘a-hole’ on the site (with flair!) after sharing that he upgraded himself on a 12 hour flight while leaving his wife in economy, and expressed surprised that she was upset by this.

The 25 year old US expat living in Japan said his 24 year old wife was traveling with him to the U.S. for a month and they’d booked seats together. He spent miles for his own upgrade. He asked if he was being a jerk and the internet said yes.