Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

U.S. Government Warns Against International Travel. COME HOME NOW.

by Gary Leff on March 12, 2020

Mar 12 2020

On the heels of the confusing statement by the President ostensibly banning flights from Europe other than the U.K. for 30 days, but really banning entry by non-U.S. residents who have been to the Schengen area of Europe in the past 14 days, the State Department is now warning against all global travel.

My recommendation: It would be a good idea, if you’re an American traveling abroad, for you to arrange to return home as quickly as possible before it becomes more difficult to do so.

U.S. Considering Ban On Flights To And From Europe

by Gary Leff on March 11, 2020

Mar 11 2020

The U.S. is discussing banning travel to and from Europe, though they may also opt to warn against all European travel and to impose a quarantine on European arrivals.

I’d avoid European travel at this time simply because it may be more difficult to get back in the event of potential extreme policy responses.

United Airlines Hates Its Customers. For Short-Term Survival That’s a Good Thing.

by Gary Leff on March 11, 2020

Mar 11 2020

Right now United isn’t thinking about the long run, they’re preparing to survive the short run. Scott Kirby made clear everything else comes later.

Expect to see other airlines shift into that mode – hopefully seeing customers as partners rather than as potential marks for cash.

Former FDA Chief: There’s 3 Things Airlines Should Do To Protect Passengers And Crew (But They Aren’t)

by Gary Leff on March 10, 2020

Mar 10 2020

Dr. Scott Gottlieb, FDA administrator from 2017-2019, has been a helpful source on coronavirus. He was one of the first people with a real microphone sounding the alarm about lack of testing in the United States.

He says airlines aren’t doing enough to prevent spread of the virus, focusing on three things he’s seen in his own travels.

American Airlines Is Focused On Long-Term Growth, ‘Not Breaking Out The Distress Playbook’

by Gary Leff on March 10, 2020

Mar 10 2020

At an investor conference this morning, after first talking about coronavirus, American Airlines CEO Doug Parker pivoted to talk about the airline’s operational performance, and growth plans including from new gates coming online in Charlotte and upgauging regional jets next year at Washington National airport.

American just has a real difference in perspective. Parker said they are “not breaking out the distress playbook..that’s not where we are.” I hope he’s right of course. They talked about the effect of sales on bookings, their cash balance as a cushion, and the possible accelerated retirement of the Boeing 757.

Holy Smokes: United Planning For Revenue Down 70%, Domestic Net Bookings Already Down 70%

by Gary Leff on March 10, 2020

Mar 10 2020

United Airlines President and soon-to-be CEO Scott Kirby keynoted the J.P. Morgan 2020 Industrials Conference today. He took a far more aggressive stance on how deep to cut, how bad things can get, than other airline executives. And he was more willing to share specific data on how bad things already are.

How Delta Is Cutting Back As Travel Dries Up In The Current Environment

by Gary Leff on March 10, 2020

Mar 10 2020

Delta has suspended share buybacks and is reducing pension contributions. They have instituted a hiring freeze and are offering voluntary leave to employees with an eye towards reducing staff count through retirement. They are “[p]arking aircraft, and evaluating early retirements of older aircraft.”

They’re also starting to implement $500 million in capital expense reductions, and they’re cutting flights.

American Imposing Major Flight Reductions, Expect More To Come

by Gary Leff on March 10, 2020

Mar 10 2020

United Airlines already announced a 20% cut to its international route network and 10% cut domestically. American is out with route and frequency reductions and I don’t think they are done.

International reduction for summer is 10% (55% reduction in transpacific flying). Domestic reduction in April is 7.5%.

Florida Asked All Arriving International Travelers To Self-Quarantine, Then Changed Their Minds

by Gary Leff on March 9, 2020

Mar 09 2020

Florida health officials asked all arriving international travelers to self-quarantine for 14 days. Now they’ve retracted the recommendation.

This recommendation no longer applies only to people who have been in (or in contact with people arriving from) Italy, China, Iran and South Korea. Miami is a primary gateway for flights to and from Latin America, where there are relatively far fewer cases so I’m not sure arriving off a flight from Colombia or Panama is a current risk factor.

American Airlines And Hyatt Introduce Elite Status Challenges

by Gary Leff on March 9, 2020

Mar 09 2020

Last year American Airlines and Hyatt announced a new partnership offering bonus points and elite status challenges.

Both Hyatt and American are back with elite status challenges for 2020.

Airlines

U.S. Government Warns Against International Travel. COME HOME NOW.

U.S. Considering Ban On Flights To And From Europe

United Airlines Hates Its Customers. For Short-Term Survival That’s a Good Thing.

Former FDA Chief: There’s 3 Things Airlines Should Do To Protect Passengers And Crew (But They Aren’t)

American Airlines Is Focused On Long-Term Growth, ‘Not Breaking Out The Distress Playbook’

Holy Smokes: United Planning For Revenue Down 70%, Domestic Net Bookings Already Down 70%

How Delta Is Cutting Back As Travel Dries Up In The Current Environment

American Imposing Major Flight Reductions, Expect More To Come

Florida Asked All Arriving International Travelers To Self-Quarantine, Then Changed Their Minds

American Airlines And Hyatt Introduce Elite Status Challenges

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