Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

There’s No Federal Mask Mandate, But The FAA Is Fining Two Airline Passengers Anyway

by Gary Leff

Dec 19 2020

There’s no federal mask mandate. All U.S. airlines require passengers to wear masks. So most people assume that the only penalties for non-compliance are imposed by airlines. That’s not true.

Airlines only impose penalties, other than asking a passenger not to fly, when enforcing mask rules leads to an altercation. But when an altercation occurs, the FAA can impose penalties too. In other words, you don’t need a federal mask mandate to punish passengers for bad behavior.

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What United Airlines Is Telling Employees About The Passenger With Covid-19 Who Died Onboard Monday

by Gary Leff

united plane
Dec 18 2020

I believe I was the first to report on the passenger with Covid-19 who died on a United Airlines flight on Monday. Initially the airline tried to wave me off the story. Now they’re acknowledging it.

United Airlines flight 591 from Orlando to Los Angeles diverted to New Orleans Monday evening. Passenger aoverhead the man’s wife telling medical personnel about the man’s Covid-19 diagnosis. Here’s what they’re telling employees.

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Which International Flights Won’t Return After Covid?

by Gary Leff

plane tails
Dec 18 2020

International route networks are currently very limited, often only flights that can be supported by cargo with passengers a plus are operating. That’s both because of limited travel demand, with business travel non-existent and a raging virus keeping people at home, and because of travel restrictions and local restrictions too (there have to be activities at a destination happening to make the travel worthwhile).

But which routes are going to come back, and which ones are gone for good?

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Singapore Airlines Brings Back Daily Non-Stops To 3 U.S. Cities – And Its Premium-Heavy Airbus A350

by Gary Leff

Dec 18 2020

Throughout the pandemic Singapore has flown non-stop from Los Angeles. Now they’ve announced daily non-stops from New York, LA and San Francisco and will fly their premium-heavy long range A350 to New York and San Francisco.

There’s going to be a lot of excess business class seats flying all over the world for a long time, and this is a great example of adding capacity ahead of demand which will make this a flyer’s market for some time.

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The CEO of Emirates Now Leases Planes To American Airlines

by Gary Leff

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.

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

by Gary Leff

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.

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

by Gary Leff

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.

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

by Gary Leff

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.

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American Airlines Finally Offers Free Inflight Messaging On Most Domestic Aircraft

by Gary Leff

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.

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