Category Archives for Airlines.
Doug Parker, Chairman and CEO of American Airlines, told employees on Thursday at a town hall question and answer session, that they’ll be watching what United’s new plan for seat back video screens – along with Delta’s current screens – means for competition. This could force the airline, he says, to install seat back screens again as well.
American Airlines revealed that in June the airline made a contribution through its PAC to an objector to the certification of the Presidential election: Sam Graves from Missouri. However American defended this saying that he may have went along with stopping the democratic process and calling into question the election – but he supports government subsidies for airlines.
It used to be common for airlines to insist on seeing the credit card used to purchase a ticket, to combat fraud. With one reader, Delta insisted on seeing the credit card used to purchase a ticket that wasn’t even purchased with a credit card. That meant it was impossible to check in. And now the passenger is out real money.
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly says he – and the airline lobbying group he leads – wants to see the federal transportation mask mandate end September 13 and he also says he believes airline passengers should be able to follow the same guidance set out by the CDC for everyone else – that no mask is needed if you’ve been vaccinated.
Delta has offered up to lifetime Platinum status (’75k tier’), along with an annual gift, for million milers. Now they’ve introduced lifetime Diamond status at the 6 million mile level, including qualifying miles from all sources (including spend on premium credit cards).
During the question and answer portion of Thursday’s American Airlines earnings call, airline President Robert Isom was asked about the airline’s removal of seat back entertainment screens from its domestic aircraft, and whether they have any regrets since both Delta and United will be offering what many customers see as a more premium product?
A read out from an employee meeting at United details the headaches the airline is going to face at Newark over the next few months, and what that means from passengers. They’ve also detailed how they’re using the crisis to get the government to limit competition from other airlines in the Newark market.
Business travel seems to be coming back, with airlines generally reporting that it’s returned to about 40% of 2019 levels, heading towards 60% in the current quarter, with two primary drivers that will lead to its further return.
United Airlines reports that while frequent flyers still make up a reduced percentage of travelers overall – they are “7 to 8 points below normal” for even MileagePlus members on a given flight – three quarters of elite members have either flown or booked travel this year. They believe those elites who haven’t are primarily people who fly to international markets that have been closed. United also claims that 84% of MileagePlus members are vaccinated.
Tailwind Air will begin selling tickets this week with two round trips a day, growing to four flights each way on August 23. These will be seasonal, running between March and November and will be scheduled at 90 minutes dock-to-dock (75 minutes in the air). Seaplanes don’t operate at night or bad weather.
American Airlines has introduced boxed (cold) meals to flights over 900 miles. In an employee meeting last week, Jodi Spicer (Managing Director of Onboard Dining), argued that this is a return to pre-Covid meal service.
A year ago American planned for cheaper catering when service returned. Lets hope these boxed meals are just the bridge to something better and not the destination themselves.
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 »
