Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

The CEO of Emirates Now Leases Planes To American Airlines

by Gary Leff on December 17, 2020

Dec 17 2020

Now that airlines have been getting direct subsidies from the U.S. government during the pandemic, and they’re on the cusp of more, they no longer oppose airline subsidies.

One of the arguments they deployed during their campaign against Mideast airlines, though, is that the Gulf carriers weren’t just subsidized by their governments but their fortunes were too intertwined with those of the state. They pointed out that the CEO of Emirates, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, is a member of Dubai’s ruling family and in addition to founding the airline also serves as President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.

For New Transportation Secretary, United Airlines Gate B5 At Chicago O’Hare Will Always Be Special

by Gary Leff on December 17, 2020

airport

Dec 17 2020

Mayor Pete Buttigieg has no particular experience in transportation policy or running a large bureaucracy, but he did propose to his husband at Chicago O’Hare – though it wasn’t because of any particular love of aviation. Still, O’Hare has already changed its twitter profile and United Airlines is memorializing gate B5 online.

After 9 Years, Delta Drops Draconian Award Change/Redeposit Rule

by Gary Leff on December 16, 2020

Dec 16 2020

Nine years ago Delta started requiring all changes or cancellations of award travel be made at least 72 hours prior to departure. If you had a last minute change of plans, you’d have to forfeit your ticket and buy a new one. If better award space opened up close to departure, you were out of luck.

Delta has finally dropped the 72 hour requirement to change or cancel an award.

JetBlue Elite Status Comes With Companion Pass At The Start Of 2021

by Gary Leff on December 16, 2020

jetblue plane

Dec 16 2020

JetBlue was on a cost-cutting trajectory going into the pandemic. They haven’t eliminated change fees the way other U.S. airlines have on non-Basic Economy fares. But they’re having to turn to their loyalty program to drive bookings.

And they’ve announced several changes that make it easier to earn elite status, and more valuable to do so. They’re introducing lower qualification thresholds, several months of a companion pass, and new bonuses.

American Airlines Finally Offers Free Inflight Messaging On Most Domestic Aircraft

by Gary Leff on December 16, 2020

airline cabin

Dec 16 2020

American Airlines now offers free inflight messaging on ViaSat-equipped aircraft using Facebook Messenger (and Messenger Kids). That means it’s offered on all American Airlines Boeing 737’s (including 737 MAXs), Airbus A321s, and legacy American A319s.

Legacy US Airways A319s and Airbus A320s have Gogo internet and are not included. Widebody planes with Panasonic internet are not included.

Russian Airline Aeroflot Creates “Anti-Mask” Seating Section

by Gary Leff on December 16, 2020

Dec 16 2020

Would you like to sit in the Covid or non-Covid section, sir?

Southwest Airlines Adds Two New Cities, Including (A Return To) Fresno

by Gary Leff on December 16, 2020

Dec 16 2020

Southwest has aggressively added destinations during the pandemic. Some, like Chicago O’Hare, because of a unique opportunity to gain access to an airport that was full prior to 2020. Others are leisure destinations where they’re seeking new revenue opportunities for planes that have nowhere to go.

Over the past couple of years Southwest growth has been constrained with the grounding of the MAX. They haven’t had the planes to add new destinations. Now they have a surplus of planes because they haven’t needed the frequencies they used to offer, especially on business routes between major cities. And with the end of ‘middle seat blocking’ on Southwest they have even less need to add incremental flights in those markets.

Just Joining American AAdvantage Now Gets Better Boarding Privileges

by Gary Leff on December 15, 2020

american airlines lounge

Dec 15 2020

American Airlines is making the AAdvantage program friendlier for new members, who are the people that are flying today. They’re introducing better boarding just for joining the program, after eliminating telephone booking fees for award redemptions for all members and eliminating mileage redeposit fees, too.

Frontier Airlines Promises New, Uncomfortable Seat Will Be Good For The Environment

by Gary Leff on December 15, 2020

Dec 15 2020

Frontier Airlines announced today that their 156 Airbus planes on order, which begin delivering in March, will receive Recaro’s slimline SL3710 seats. Slimline seats are known for passenger discomfort. They have less padding, and therefore take up less space. That lets airlines squeeze more passengers into the same amount of space. Frontier claims the sufferiing, though, is good for you because it’s good for the planet. Is that true?

Passenger Reportledy Died Of Covid-19 On A Flight Yesterday

by Gary Leff on December 15, 2020

Dec 15 2020

A passenger with Covid-19 died yesterday on a domestic flight, as reported by a fellow passenger on twitter. The passenger is LAX-based, and the other flight I’ve found to or from LAX which diverted yesterday was UA591 from Orlando. United confirms it diverted for medical reasons.