Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

Air Canada: At Least Double Miles On All Flights, And 40% Rebate On Business Class Awards

by Gary Leff

Jul 21 2020

Air Canada is running a duo of rich promotions. These aren’t going to move the needle to get most Americans to travel since actually visiting Canada isn’t feasible right now given quarantine requirements and connecting on Air Canada is of limited use given the number of countries that are closed to those carrying U.S. passports.

Nonetheless these are offers to watch, because they underscore what a loyalty program can do to help get members excited and because they’ll be gathering strong data on how much promotions can move the needle right now on travel in places where the virus seems under control.

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EEOC Is Suing United Because They Won’t Let Alcoholic Pilot Fly Without Attending AA

by Gary Leff

Jul 21 2020

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit Monday against United Airlines arguing that they violated a pilot’s religious liberty by insisting he attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, arguing he should be permitted to substitute a Buddhist alternative.

In 2018 the entered an alcohol treatment facility and lost his pilot’s license. There’s a process to regain his license. This includes completing a substance abuse treatment program geared towards pilots. At United Airlines that includes attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and completing “at least the first five steps of AA’s 12-step programme.”

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Other Airlines Will Furlough Thousands While Southwest Got 28% Of Staff To Take Leaves Or Retire

by Gary Leff

Jul 20 2020

With United warning of possibly furloughing up to 40% of employees and doing something similar it’s worth underscoring just how successful it appears Southwest Airlines to be as it works to reach a goal of not furloughing anyone at all.

Southwest Airlines has made the most generous offer to its employees to take an ‘early out’ or an extended leave.

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As U.S. Airlines Cut, Air Canada Introduces Celebrity Chef Meals In Coach

by Gary Leff

Jul 20 2020

Airlines are differentiating their approaches to the pandemic. Offering a better experience is a key strategy to winning business away from other airlines.

For U.S. consumers who do not live in an international gateway city, a connection is required. And as Air Canada brings U.S. flights back online, this matters because they’ve historically been the foreign carrier serving the most U.S. destinations – making the one-stop required for an international trip just as easy via Canada as via many U.S. cities. Air Canada is a direct competitor of U.S. airlines for U.S. passenger international trips.

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How Close Did American Airlines CEO Come To Losing His Job Last Year?

by Gary Leff

parker talking to somebody
Jul 20 2020

Before the pandemic American Airlines underperformed the industry. They had more debt and lower profit margins. They had managed to alienate customers, employees, and investors alike. Their own data shows they had chased away frequent flyers.

When American Airlines lost their LATAM partnership last fall the floodgates of criticism finally opened. People were openly asking how the Board of Directors could abide a plummeting share price and broken operation at an airline which seemed strategically adrift?

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Why First Class Meals Matter, And American Airlines Is Headed The Wrong Direction

by Gary Leff

Jul 19 2020

American Airlines is dropping meals on most domestic flights that are over 2200 miles as well as short haul international. These flights, that have been receiving single tray meal service in first class throughout the pandemic, will get a fruit and cheese plate instead.

Here’s why this ‘first world problem’ actually matters more now than ever.

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Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant Fired After Criticizing Union President’s Support For Abortion (‘Harassment’)

by Gary Leff

Jul 19 2020

Unions take political positions their members disagree with all the time. And members should feel free to communicate with their union leadership over those disagreements. It’s fair to proscribe the time, place and manner for those disagreements – but shocking for a union President to secure for the firing of a union member over an internal union matter.

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All Delta Tickets Are Now Refundable, Just Claim A Fake Exemption To The Mask Requirement

by Gary Leff

Jul 18 2020

U.S. airlines now require that passengers wear masks in order to fly. They’ve been lobbying the federal government to require it, but it seems like compliance on planes is actually better than average compared to many states where it’s a legal requirement.

Passengers who have medical reasons not to wear a mask are exempt from the requirement. Delta is going a step farther than other airlines (as they often do, for better and worse) requiring passengers who want to claim a medical exemption to have a medical consult prior to travel. If you’re faking, you get your money back.

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