Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

One Of The Four Men Who Gave Us The First Frequent Flyer Program Has Passed Away

by Gary Leff on April 23, 2020

Apr 23 2020

Rolfe Shellenberger, who with a couple of other executives under American’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Tom Plaskett (once considered a possible successor to Bob Crandall) worked with consultant Hal Brierley to launch American AAdvantage as the first mileage-based frequent flyer program in 1981.

Many forget that Shellenberger’s AAdvantage was introduced as a promotion, and wasn’t made indefinite until April 1983 two years into its life. It wasn’t obvious at the start how big this would become. He wasn’t just known for frequent flyer programs, but also took credit for putting pianos on 747s.

American AAdvantage Seems To Be Terminating Accounts For A New Reason

by Gary Leff on April 22, 2020

Apr 22 2020

There seems to be a new reason that American is shutting down accounts, that I had not seen before: fraudulently submitting rental car receipts for credit.

Requiring Social Distancing On Planes Will Mean Higher Prices, Fewer Flights

by Gary Leff on April 22, 2020

Apr 22 2020

There’s one wild card that could throw a monkey wrench in the story about cheap flights as a result of limits on travel, concern about travel, and economic recession all combining to depress demand – and that’s government social distancing requirements that could be in effect in the future.

An Airline That Doesn’t Actually Exist Applied For $15 Million Airline Bailout

by Gary Leff on April 22, 2020

Apr 22 2020

Avatar Airlines applied for $15 million in CARES Act funding seeking a portion of the federal airline bailout – even though by their own admission they “have no flights, no overhead, administrative expense, or fixed costs at the present time.”

Stimulus Checks Going Out The Door… To Airlines

by Gary Leff on April 21, 2020

Apr 21 2020

So far $2.9 out of $25 billion has been disbursed “to 54 smaller passenger carrier and two major passenger airlines,” and agreements have been reached with Allegiant, American, Delta, Southwest, Spirit and United.

It turns out the government has put itself on a payment plan to fulfill its bailout commitments.

American Picked The Wrong Week To Raise Checked Bag Fees On Europe Flights

by Gary Leff on April 21, 2020

Apr 21 2020

American Airlines today has increased first check bag fees on flights between North American (or Central or South America) and Europe on basic economy fares from $60 to $75.

Branding Videos Are Tough During The Pandemic. American Airlines Pulls It Off.

by Gary Leff on April 21, 2020

Apr 21 2020

American is out with a new video, You Are Why We Fly. That’s not one of American’s new slogans (e.g. “caring for people on life’s journey”) but does harken back to one of the airline’s more important messages of the past: we know why you fly.

‘You are why we fly’ speaks to why they keep going in the face of unprecedented challenges, why they continue the business with fares so low and planes so empty, why employees travel from place to place and continue to interact with customers at the airport and on board even in the face of the global pandemic.

Bailout Double Cross: We Gave Airlines Money Not To Reduce Worker Pay, They’re Doing It Anyway

by Gary Leff on April 20, 2020

Apr 20 2020

The airline bailout provided cash to continue to pay employees. They aren’t allowed to involuntarily lay off employees or reduce rates of pay through September 30. However one U.S. airline found a workaround: requiring unpaid time off. That way they keep the money to protect shareholders at the expense of employees.

A New Wave Of American Airlines Locked Accounts, With A Happy Ending This Time

by Gary Leff on April 20, 2020

Apr 20 2020

It appears these account shutdowns were based on a belief that they could be the victim of hacking. In this case, accounts that were suspected to have been hacked are being replaced by brand new accounts with miles transferred – though apparently the transfer of elite status, systemwide upgrades, and the like is not instantaneous.

Norwegian Air Declares Four Subsidiaries Bankrupt

by Gary Leff on April 20, 2020

Apr 20 2020

Norwegian’s failure was one of 10 things I told you to expect from the coronavirus crisis. They’re now putting four subsidiaries which employ crew into bankruptcy and terminating other staffing agreements. They’re blaming the choice on which companies to put into bankruptcy on lack of subsidies by the governments of Sweden and Denmark.

Airlines

One Of The Four Men Who Gave Us The First Frequent Flyer Program Has Passed Away

American AAdvantage Seems To Be Terminating Accounts For A New Reason

Requiring Social Distancing On Planes Will Mean Higher Prices, Fewer Flights

An Airline That Doesn’t Actually Exist Applied For $15 Million Airline Bailout

Stimulus Checks Going Out The Door… To Airlines

American Picked The Wrong Week To Raise Checked Bag Fees On Europe Flights

Branding Videos Are Tough During The Pandemic. American Airlines Pulls It Off.

Bailout Double Cross: We Gave Airlines Money Not To Reduce Worker Pay, They’re Doing It Anyway

A New Wave Of American Airlines Locked Accounts, With A Happy Ending This Time

Norwegian Air Declares Four Subsidiaries Bankrupt

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About Gary Leff

	Bilt Mastercard® Earn Points Paying Rent (up to 100,000 each year) plus earn 3x at restaurants; 2x on travel; as long as you make at least 5 purchases per month. No annual fee.
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