Category Archives for Airlines.
The FAA plans to cut flights at 40 major airports starting Friday as controller shortages worsen during the government shutdown. Here’s the same strategy I’m using myself to stay ahead of cancellations — and how you can protect your trip before the chaos begins.
Qatar Airways has begun charging for business class seat assignments on award tickets booked in “U” class. The new policy applies to Avios redemptions and upgrades made on or after November 3, with free seat selection reserved for oneworld Sapphire and Emerald elites — or available to everyone starting at check-in.
The FAA is ordering a 10% reduction in flights at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports as air traffic controllers continue to skip shifts during the government shutdown. Absences have hit up to 40% at some facilities, forcing nationwide flight reductions that could ripple across the entire system.
On my Austin–Chicago flight, I was thrilled to see a smoked salmon bagel platter on American’s breakfast menu — until it arrived. The bagel was cold, the onions and capers were missing, and instead of cream cheese, they’d served butter. “Bagel, butter, and lox” isn’t a combination I’ve ever encountered in half a century of travel. American seems determined to check the “meal served” box — even when it forgets the basics.
Cathay Pacific is buying back the 9.57% stake in the Hong Kong-based carrier that’s owned by Qatar Airways for HK$6.97bn ($896 million, and about a 3.9% discount to the stock’s prior close).
Southwest’s decision to fire its skycaps and outsource curbside check-in has created an unexpected new loophole: tip the contract agent, and your bag might still fly free. It’s cheaper than paying the fee inside — and another example of how cutting labor costs can cost an airline in ways it didn’t plan.
Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle has confirmed what many flyers have waited years to hear: Wi-Fi is finally coming. After long resisting the cost of onboard connectivity, the ultra-low-cost carrier appears ready to join the rest of the industry online.
I’ve already reported that Delta plans to announce service to Singapore and Manila. They’re also planning to launch New York JFK and Los Angeles to Seoul, which leverages their joint venture with Korean Air and Korean’s Seoul-Incheon hub for onward connections in Asia.
As American Airlines touts its “premium” transformation, the cost-cutting behind the scenes continues. The carrier is laying off headquarters and hub managers across departments—including IT, accounting, and customer-service roles—raising questions of whether this is the price for a premium future or that they’re still more focused on cost-cutting than revenue generation?
Delta has unveiled its new Distinctly Delta uniforms for 65,000 employees — featuring Missoni-designed scarves and ties, Bombas socks, and a revived wrap dress from the airline’s early-2000s look. The collection begins wear testing in 2026 before rolling out systemwide in 2027.
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 »
