Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

New “Midnight Regulation” Means Less Oversight Of Unfair And Deceptive Airline Practices

by Gary Leff

Nov 28 2020

The Department of Transportation is the primary avenue passengers have to see redress when being treated unfairly or otherwise harmed by an airline. Since airlines can’t be as heavily regulated as other industries elsewhere, and lawsuits against them are harder too, DOT was granted broad latitude to combat “unfair and deceptive” practices by airlines.

A new DOT rule defines unfair and deceptive more narrowly than in the past, and these new definitions will have to be used going forward when the considering consumer protections.

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U.S. Prepares To Drop European Travel Ban (In Order To Troll Joe Biden On China)

by Gary Leff

passport getting stamped
Nov 27 2020

It’s rather odd timing – when some health systems in the U.S. are being overloaded, and the virus is spreading widely in Europe – but the Trump administration is considering lifting the ban on arrivals from Europe and Brazil. They are not, apparently, considering lifting the ban on arrivals from China which has largely had its Covid-19 outbreak under control for more than half a year.

It would appear that the administration is looking to make this change before the handover of power, so that the story about any future relaxation of restrictions is specifically focused on China – rather than allowing a Biden administration to lift all restrictions at once, making the story about travel restrictions broadly.

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Delta Air Lines Flight Attendant Fired For Calling Out A Troll On Social Media

by Gary Leff

Nov 27 2020

Kiersten Bak, who was just hired as a flight attendant by Delta in March, was fired last month for posts she made on her Facebook account. She “called out a man who had been trolling her” and her comments were reported to her employer, which was identified based on a profile picture she used in her uniform.

She was questioned about a photo with her top sweater buttons unbottoned and, she says, asked whether she’s racist against white men, before being terminated for violating the airline’s social media policy.

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132,000 Miles And Star Alliance Gold Status For $855

by Gary Leff

Nov 26 2020

Star Alliance member TAP Air Portugal sells monthly mileage packages. For Black Friday (until November 30, 2020 in Lisbon) they’re offering more miles than usual at signup, more miles per month, and elite status as a signup promotion. The offer lets you buy miles at just over half a cent apiece and have access to United Clubs when flying United domestically.

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Why Delta’s Operation Is Melting Down Over Thanksgiving

by Gary Leff

Nov 26 2020

Delta Air Lines, which has developed a reputation for extreme reliability, has faced a Thanskgiving operational meltdown cancelling a more flights over the holiday weekend than they typically cancel in a year. So far on Thanksgiving day Delta has cancelled 259 flights, or 18% of its schedule. By comparison, American Airlines has cancelled 5 flights and United has cancelled 7.

What’s going on at Delta? Delta’s meltdown seems to be a combination of poor operational management, and failing to use the tools available to them which would incur costs.

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Air India Will Launch Non-Stop Bangalore Service, United And American Are Punching Air!

by Gary Leff

Nov 25 2020

Air India announced three-times weekly San Francisco – Bangalore non-stop service starting January 11, 2021. It will be Air India’s longest route, on board a Boeing 777-200LR.

American Airlines announced Bangalore service first, followed by United. American’s service will start last and appears to be the most vulnerable with this move.

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Yes, Airlines Will Transport Vaccines Without A Second Government Bailout, Why Do You Ask?

by Gary Leff

Nov 25 2020

Texas Senator John Cornyn is calling for more airline subsidies and the arguments being deployed now are even crazier than before.

These payroll subsidies have become more expensive and cover a shorter period of time, even though airline payrolls are lower than they were during the first bailout. And deploying the argument that vaccines won’t be transported without airline subsidies is both terribly cynical and untrue.

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