Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

All Emirates Airbus A380s – With Bars And First Class Showers – Expected To Be Flying Again By April 2022

by Gary Leff

private airplane bar
Jul 06 2020

Emirates has 115 Airbus A380s. Those offer a lot of capacity when flying is at such low levels. And Emirates is an international airline, they aren’t flying domestic routes which have fewer restrictions around the world. Their on board bars are designed precisely not to social distance. And showers, while in normal times cleaned between each use, are both an expensive amenity (carrying all that water means burning fuel) and represents use of the same space by multiple passengers.

To bring the A380 and its amenities back means air travel recovers, and social distancing is no longer required to fly.

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Why Do HEPA Air Filters Protect Us From COVID-19 On Planes?

by Gary Leff

Jul 05 2020

We know that people carry the SARS-CoV-2 virus with them from one country to another, one city to another, one planes. However we haven’t traced outbreaks to contact on planes anywhere in the world. One of the reasons that’s usually cited for this is the use of high efficiency particulate (HEPA) air filters.

What are HEPA air filters, do all planes have them, and why do they work?

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After Winning Credit Card Disputes, Passengers Are Getting Bills From One Airline’s Trustee

by Gary Leff

Jul 04 2020

The advice when an airline goes bankrupt is to get your money back for future tickets from your credit card company. If a business doesn’t provide the services you paid for, your credit card company will get you your money back (usually).

German law has an interesting quirk though. Apparently people who pay for services they haven’t received are considered unsecured creditors in bankruptcy, and getting your money back via a credit card chargeback is considered ‘queue jumping’.

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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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