Category Archives for Airlines.
Reminiscent of Qatar Airways CEO declaring that ‘Delta flies crap plans’ Chief Customer Officer Alison Taylor suggested United is adding seat back video to older aircraft “to pretty up old planes, and we should be proud about our new planes and aircraft.”
CEO Doug Parker explained they’re removing video at passenger seats because that’s what passengers want.
In a meeting last week with pilots, American Airlines CEO Doug Parker was asked what the airline is doing better than competitors, in particular Delta and United. And Parker’s immediate response was, “at the moment..?”
Then he offered a discussion which, I think, really points to what Parker sees as the most important thing for an airline: it’s schedule.
American Airlines is known for being particularly stingy with international business class award space on its own flights. I redeem AAdvantage miles more than any other airline currency, but almost always for flights on their partners.
Right now, though, there are some good opportunities to spend miles for summer business class to Europe – just as several European destinations plan to re-open at least to vaccinated Americans.
With the Department of Justice ramping up its investigation of American’s partnership with JetBlue at the behest of competitors, this ‘Northeastern alliance’ is out today with exciting new routes demonstrating the additional flying that becomes possible through the partnership – and just how much more formidable the competition with Delta and United becomes in the Northeast as a result.
What American has been doing in economy is providing a bag with small bottle of water, cookie, and sanitizer wipe. Instead beginning June 1 you’ll be able to have water, juice, or canned soft drinks plus pretzels or Biscoff cookies. And starting this summer they will bring back sale of alcohol and buy on board food in coach.
United Airlines is woke but American Airlines wants you to know that they aren’t just opposed to voting law changes that target people of color, they are “taking a stand..for LGBTQ rights and hate crimes legislation.
Last week American Airlines held ‘Crew News’ conversations between executives and its pilot and flight attendant groups. They featured both introductory remarks by Chairman and CEO Doug Parker, along with questions by front line employees answered by Parker and members of management brought in as subject matter experts. A recording of these meetings was shared with View From The Wing.
Here are 10 insights from these discussions regarding American Airlines strategy.
At an American Airlines employee meeting last week, a pilot asked CEO Doug Parker why the company needed to interject itself into political issues – like state election law – to please people in media and on twitter. After all, customers fly American to get from point A to point B, not for its position on voting rules, so why upset people on the other side?
There’s a future for international first class, and it’s sooner than many had thought. Singapore Airlines had zeroed out first class from sale through March 2022, but now they’re bringing it back in June.
Singapore Airlines had stopped selling first class last year because it wasn’t clear which routes would see a plane that offers a Suites or First Class cabin again, and when.
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 »
