Category Archives for Airlines.
Kevin Mitchell of the Business Travel Coalition argues that a federal face mask mandate for airlines and airports is crucial to bringing back business travel. But a mask mandate is likely to mean less mask wearing because it’ll have more exemptions than current airline policy. And business travel isn’t being held up by insufficient masking on planes.
Several airlines have allowed customers to convert cancelled ticket values into miles. The most useful so far for U.S. members has been the ability to transfer flight credits to miles with Southwest Airlines.
Alaska Airlines though has the most lucrative conversion offer to date but it’s only available through November 13.
Mom Air has sent out a press release, and promises a press conference November 11, announcing the launch of their new budget airline offering transatlantic flights out of Iceland. Bookings are supposed to open November 9 for travel March 1, 2021 onward.
In nearly every respect, including the logo, this appears to be a copy of Wow Air which failed even during better times for the airline industry – except they promise two free seats on every flight (you’ll be able to go to their website and search for available free travel), they’re putting gender equality at the forefront, and they plan segregated flights for those who have Covid-19 (or have been exposed and are quarantining) and those who do not.
Video captured what happens when a Tyrannosaurus Rex gives the inflight safety briefing on Eurowings, the Lufthansa-owned low cost carrier. It’s a little tough for a dinosaur to make nuanced movements, even leaving aside that they’re extinct.
The life vest doesn’t fit over his head and he eventually sticks it in his mouth in order to demonstrate pulling on the cord that would inflate it. Watch to the end, because grabbing the overhead bin with its mouth is priceless.
In the past when airlines struggled financially one of the first areas they cut back was cleaning, going over a year even without a deep clean. Despite Covid-19 being a bigger threat to airlines than 9/11 and the Great Recession combined, airlines have stepped up their cleaning to give passengers confidence to fly. It’s a welcome change that I hope continues even after the pandemic is done.
Nonetheless the FAA has concerns over some of the chemicals being used, and how they’re applied.
The President of Thai Airways says it “only has enough financial reserves to last until December” and they don’t even have the cash to pay severance to employees that have opted for early retirement as part of the carrier’s turnaround plan.
Without fresh capital and real reform Thai Airways will remain a zombie (or just a frozen food brand).
Star Alliance member TAP Air Portugal is putting cash and points redemptions on sale so that the miles portion of a one way trip is just two miles. This is available for Friday, November 6 long haul bookings only but you can fly next year.
A year ago United Airlines offered a 10% discount to 18-22 year olds who booked through the United mobile app. At the time I put this as “older people pay more” while many readers didn’t feel this was a fair characterization. Now a court will decide.
Alaska Airlines sent out a program update to Mileage Plan members informing that “Beginning April 1, 2021, Emirates will no longer allow partner access to First Class award bookings.”
It’s possible that this restriction – no first class awards with partner miles – is for Alaska Airlines only. However that’s not what this update says.
Every year, for many years – perhaps two decades – American Airlines offers the opportunity to buy status to members who haven’t quite requalified, and in recent years has offered an opportunity to buy up to the next level as well.
The offer is back this year, at around the same time, but just feels different. Didn’t requalifying for status based on your flying this year? Your status is being extended anyway. So the only relevant question is whether you want to buy up to a higher level.
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 »
