Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

7 U.S. Airlines Threaten They’ll Be Unable To Ship Vaccines Without A Second Government Bailout

by Gary Leff

Nov 19 2020

The CEOs of the 7 largest U.S. airlines told Congress that unless they get a second bailout by the end of the year, don’t expect them to ship vaccines. It’s an idle threat. They’re telling their own workers they’re ready and eager for the vaccine shipping business.

Subsidizing flight attendant salaries makes no sense if you’re talking about readiness of cargo flights. And there are better ways that funneling huge unrelated subsidies to airlines to ensure a business is ready to deliver on a big commitment. Just follow the Operation Warp Speed model and guarantee the purchase of cargo capacity to allow the airlines to plan for it.

Continue Reading »

Covid-19 Will Mean A Long-Term Drag On Business Travel, Even After A Widespread Vaccine

by Gary Leff

Nov 18 2020

Videoconferencing has become more accepted as a technology. More people know how to do it. And peopled being ‘zoomed into a meeting’ are no longer the outsiders, only half in the meeting with people in a room.

In-office visits are hard to coordinate. They can’t return until people are back in the office, but all people aren’t going back to the office all the time. If there are a quarter fewer in-office days overall, that makes coordinating business meetings harder and there will be fewer business trips.

Continue Reading »

Just 1% Of People Account For 50% Of Aviation Emissions

by Gary Leff

sulfur dioxide emissions
Nov 18 2020

1% of people are responsible for 50% of commercial aviation emissions. And this is not at all surprising, since only about 1 in 9 people in the world even fly at all in a given year. Air travel is far more common in North America and Europe than in Africa, for instance, though Africa’s aviation sector is growing.

People are using this 1% number to argue for new global restrictions on airlines, but let’s break down what it means.

Continue Reading »

Frontier Airlines Offering Elite Status Matches That Waive All Fees, Make Tickets Refundable

by Gary Leff

frontier plane docked
Nov 17 2020

Through December 1, Frontier Airlines is offering to give elite status to customers with existing status with another airline. Status is valid through the end of 2021, and they’re matching up to their top tier of status. That’s actually really interesting because while Frontier is a low fare, fee-based airline top elites generally see all of their fees waived for everything.

Base-level status comes with a free carry on bag and seat assignment, and extra legroom seats if available at check-in as some of its benefits. Mid-tier status adds bonus miles. And top tier status offers checked bags and makes all tickets refundable, for everyone on the member’s booking.

Continue Reading »

Is The New Air Canada Aeroplan Delivering Awards At The Prices They Promised?

by Gary Leff

air canada plane tarmac
Nov 17 2020

Aeroplan continues to work well for Americans, I think, and perhaps even for those who fly Air Canada with elite status or their co-brand credit card. Whether they work as well as promoted for the general member in Canada who doesn’t sign up for a card depends on how pricing of Air Canada flights is managed going forward (but the program still appears to be a real improvement over what was offered before, without fuel surcharges).

Continue Reading »

American Airlines Is Discounting Its Airport Concierge Service And Making It Available To More Passengers

by Gary Leff

Nov 17 2020

American Airlines is making its paid premium airport concierge service available to more passengers, at a lower price: parties of 3 or more receive a 50% discount on their booking. The discount applies when spending miles instead of cash too.

This service gets you airport meet and greet and escort through security, to the lounge and from there to the gate (there’s also service for connections and on arrival). It includes Admirals Club access, priority boarding, and assistance with flight re-accommodation during irregular operations.

Continue Reading »