Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

Delta Bans The Navy SEAL Who Killed bin Laden And Refuses To Wear A Mask

by Gary Leff

Aug 20 2020

Nine years, seven months, and 20 days after the September 11th attacks that took 2977 American lives, United States Navy SEALs of the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Development Group (“Seal Team Six”) executed Operation Neptune Spear, along with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and the CIA’s Special Activities Division, raided Osama bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

During that raid, bin Laden was killed. Now, nearly a decade later, the member of the SEAL team on that raid who says he’s the one that pulled the trigger refuses to wear a mask on a Delta flight, posts to social media about it, and gets banned.

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How American Airlines Is Threatening 15 Small Towns In A Craven Play For A $6 Billion Government Bailout

by Gary Leff

man speaking on microphone
Aug 20 2020

American Airlines CEO Doug Parker’s whole career is built on government subsidies. His airline is the most vulnerable to bankruptcy. So when the chips are down they’re playing the game that’s worked out best for him: threatening small cities where American Airlines has a virtual monopoly on air service, and announcing cuts to 15 cities that impose pain on 28 different Senators.

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Delta Says They’ll Keep Blocking Middle Seats Through January 6, But It Isn’t True

by Gary Leff

Aug 20 2020

To avoid assigning any middle seats on a narrowbody aircraft with six seats across, that means blocking one-third of the seats in coach (67% load factor). Delta has been capping sales at 60% of the seats in coach. Starting October 1 they are going to be selling more seats, up to 75% of the seats in coach on each plane. That means filling each cabin 25% more than before.

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In A Real First, Virgin Atlantic Will Give Elite Status Miles For Award Flights

by Gary Leff

virgin atlantic
Aug 20 2020

Virgin Atlantic like all other airlines is struggling during the pandemic. They’re in the midst of a restructuring and they’ve only just restarted flying last month to 6 cities.

Previously they had only extended member elite status by six months. They’ve gone ahead and made that now a full year, extending elite vouchers too. And they’re introducing changes to their frequent flyer elite program that are actually positive. The biggest change is that award travel will earn elite qualifying credit starting September 1. You’ll be able to transfer points from a credit card, fly, and earn top tier elite.

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Fewer Flights And International Border Restrictions Put Travelers In Limbo When Things Go Wrong

by Gary Leff

united plane
Aug 19 2020

United Airlines flight UA79 was delayed three hours on Sunday due to a crew scheduling issue. Flight delays happen all the time, and a three hour delay of an international flight isn’t usually devastating during normal times.

However with limited air service, as a result of depressed demand during the pandemic, and international border restrictions a small delay can turn much more challenging for travelers – especially those trying to connect between secondary cities.

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The Only Honest Case For Another Round Of Airline Bailouts Comes From Ben Baldanza

by Gary Leff

Aug 18 2020

Former Spirit Airlines CEO is a JetBlue board member and naturally thinks more of that sweet, sweet taxpayer cash ought to flow to airlines. He lays out what he calls misconceptions about government aid to airlines as he makes the case for the second government bailout of the industry this year.

Baldanza’s piece is a breath of fresh air though because it honestly talks about government subsidies as more than just an unemployment program. He takes seriously government support as an airline bailout, ensuring airlines are providing capacity to the economy, and doesn’t offer the fiction that it’s only about supporting the workers.

Now we have serious arguments worth answering.

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