Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

Unclaimed Baggage Store Now Online Where You Can Buy Other People’s Stuff

by Gary Leff

Jul 03 2020

When checked baggage gets lost and can’t be reunited with its owner – or someone just doesn’t pick up their luggage – airlines sell the bags after 90 days to the Unclaimed Baggage Center which has built a monopoly in the niche business of selling used items out of luggage.

The store is in Scottsboro, Alabama. They buy bags sight unseen. They comb through the bags to find what to sell, and claim to dry clean clothing they plan to sell and wipe electronics before making those available. The store is a tourist attraction. And now they’re online.

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At The Worst Airline In The World, Bribery Will Get You Everywhere

by Gary Leff

pakitstan international airlines
Jul 03 2020

Over 30% of airline pilot in Pakistan were found to have fake licenses. But that’s hardly the only scandal. From sacrificing a goat for safety to flying with more passengers than seats (and making customers stand for 1700 miles), Pakistan’s flag carrier is the worst airline in the world.

Now comes a new story about ticket agent corruption that is – it seems – just another day at the airline.

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American Airlines Bringing Back Snacks To 2.5 Hour Domestic First Class Flights

by Gary Leff

Jul 02 2020

When people (1) fly because they have to, and (2) don’t have many competitive options because of reduced schedules, inflight product doesn’t drive business. And airlines are looking to conserve cash. Even when business turns around, it’ll take time for product to recover as carriers try to manage their debt burdens.

In the near-term, airlines are restoring their schedules (somewhat) on domestic routes and there are (some) more passengers willing to travel. That means competition starts to matter.

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Aeroflot Flying Passengers To U.S. And Europe Despite Russia’s COVID Travel Ban

by Gary Leff

flight attendants in red
Jul 02 2020

Aeroflot has been circumventing the Russian government’s ban on international passenger flights, according to media reports, by selling tickets to passengers on flights officially labeled as cargo-only.

This has included “flights to New York, Paris, London, Frankfurt, Seoul and Tel Aviv since at least early June” according to airline sources.

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Report: American Airlines Considers Restoring Seat Back Video Screens

by Gary Leff

airline cabin
Jul 01 2020

Just before the pandemic grew out of control, American Airlines data revealed that frequent customers represented a declining share of airline revenue.

It seemed that a combination of award chart devaluation (higher prices for the best awards), product devaluations (less space per passenger on domestic narrowbody aircraft) and making status harder to earn (minimum spend requirement and taking away the ability to earn as much towards that via credit card) had in fact pushed frequent customer share of wallet towards competitors.

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American Airlines Lays Out Brand New International Flight Strategy

by Gary Leff

Jul 01 2020

On Saturday I told you that a big international route announcement was coming from Americanincluding, quoting internal comments by CEO Doug Parker, “what we plan to fly next summer and what we don’t plan to fly.” That announcement is now out.

They’re revamping their international strategic focus, and bringing back many routes for summer while break-even load factors are so low thanks to the CARES Act. LAX is no longer their Pacific hub. They’re doubling down on close partnerships. And that means a lot of flight changes.

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