Category Archives for Airlines.
Along with extending elite status by a year American Airlines is also extending systemwide upgrade certificates. Any systemwide upgrade expiring by January 31, 2021 will be extended to July 31, 2021.
But what about getting new upgrades when status is extended? And what about upgrades from last year that have been applied to 2020 travel?
Southwest Airlines announced an extension of members’ elite status, Companion Pass benefits, and the validity of travel vouchers.
They’re also making it easier to earn elite status this year, as well as to earn a Companion Pass and extending the life of travel credits, in some cases giving up to an additional 2.5 years to use those credits.
In light of the government’s bail out of U.S. airlines, United Airlines cannot furlough any employees until October 1. United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz and President Scott Kirby want employees to know that many of them will probably be let go on October 1.
Business travel and international travel may take awhile to recover. Domestic travel, not just in the U.S. but elsewhere, should come back faster.
Without borders to navigate, and with blocked middle seats and deep cleaning of planes to give customers confidence, low fares should bring back passengers according to one airline CEO.
The plan is to do testing on all passengers prior to boarding flights to countries that require COVID-19 test certificates for entry. For the first time a finger prick test was used prior to today’s Dubai – Tunis, Tunisia flight.
If this is feasible at scale, then expect it to be a practice that spreads (and makes it easier for countries to require such a practice). Expect it to add to the time, hassle, and expense of travel, but also to open up borders faster.
The coronavirus crisis will have long-lasting effects on travel. I don’t think travel companies have internalized this reality yet, with many still projecting a bounce back in the summer and fall and a return to 2019 levels of travel next year or at least by the year after. That’s unlikely.
Air France KLM sees travel returning gradually over the course of the year. They expect to run 20% of normal capacity in June, 40% in July, 60% in August and then hover around 75% of normal for the rest of the year.
Despite currently losing an average of 20 million euros per day, they’re still planning to accept delivery of Airbus A350 aircraft in May and June.
American Airlines announced that it will receive a $5.8 billion bailout: $4.1 billion grant, and $1.7 billion loan. They will also apply for a separate $4.75 billion loan.
Southwest Airlines announced that it will receive $3.2 billion: a $2.3 billion grant and a $1 billion loan.
Delta Air Lines is losing $60 million a day and not paying over a third of its employees who took leaves. It has parked the majority of its fleet. And i’s preparing to accept billions of dollars in government bail out cash.
Yet last week it appears to have placed an order for 10 Airbus A350s. Airbus announced the order, but refused to confirm the airline involved.
Te Department of Transportation reinforced that when airlines cancel flights they are required to give a customer back their money. They cannot keep money for services that aren’t rendered.
However it’s worth underscoring that refunds for future airline tickets aren’t just due to you in the event the flight you booked is cancelled. Refunds are also required in the event of a significant schedule change as well.
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 »
