Category Archives for Airlines.
American Airlines CEO Doug Parker pressed the case for another bailout today, saying without more government aid they’ll eliminate service to some small cities. And that’s true, but misleading.
Avatar Airlines is the gift that keeps on giving. Barry Michaels has been trying to start an airline for about 30 years. Now he’s floating the idea that 22% of a business plan nobody wants (and that’s even garnered prison time) will interest British Airways to gift him 26 Boeing 747s.
How is it that spending on airlines, supported by both Republicans and Democrats, is what’s under consideration and nothing else. How did we get here?
Another airline bailout isn’t just something being snuck into a $2.2 trillion piece of legislation, but is the only standalone action Congress might take at this point. That may be shocking, but it also makes a lot of sense.
JP Morgan, in an investor note, says American Airlines would have to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection if they get down to $8 billion in cash. The airline has shared its loan covenants require it to retain $2 billion in liquidity, but that’s not the trigger for a filing.
JP Morgan’s Jamie Baker writes in an investor note that the deal United Airlines struck with its pilots union to avoid 3000 furloughs includes giving the pilots first class seats that might have gone to customers as upgrades.
It’s no surprise now to see him take to LinkedIn to tell the story of a flight attendant encounter, emphasizing why he sees more government subsidies for airlines as important. Only this time his argument is that his airline, which furloughed more employees than any other carrier by a wide margin, has gotten too old. Or at least that a flight attendant tells him that furloughing younger employees means they now miss the youth on board their planes.
American Airlines passengers have to wear masks throughout their journey – in all areas of the terminal controlled by the airline as well as on board (many airports require masks, too). Cabin crew have to wear masks as well throughout the flight. However pilots are allowed to take off their masks inside the cockpit.
Multiple pilots have reported being taken off of trips, forfeiting pay because they refuse to fly with another crewmember up front who won’t wear a mask.
Last month we learned details of the new British Airways first class seat, which will have a door for privacy.
They’ve taken delivery of their first plane with these seats, and photos have leaked.
Are HEPA air filters enough to stop a super-spreading event on a plane? Bankrupt Star Alliance member Avianca seemed determined to find out. They held a concert in the sky, with musicians who had holes cut out of their masks so that their mouths were unobstructed to play instruments.
Government subsidized loans had different employment rules than those contained in payroll support. They didn’t specify ‘no furlough’ they talked about the employment levels that airlines had to retain through September 30. Airlines receiving loan approvals did not meet these conditions.
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 »
