Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

Thailand’s King Visited His Country Only Briefly, Returning To Quarantine With His Harem in Germany

by Gary Leff

Apr 17 2020

The king of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn, is self-quarantining in Germany with a harem of 20 women and servants.

His country has had a ban on international flights in place, and Thai Airways has suspended passenger operations. Nonetheless the national carrier operated Bangkok – Munich service, including a tag flight between Switzerland and Germany.. so that the king could attend a dinner party, and then once again flee the country with a stop to see his wife before returning to the German Alps.

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Southwest Asks For Labor Concessions, Their Biggest Union Responds ‘Full Pay Until The Last Day’

by Gary Leff

Apr 17 2020

United Airlines took a public approach telling all employees they expect to need fewer staff going forward and releasing the letter to media.

Southwest was more circumspect, holding private discussions with union leaders about how to avoid layoffs in the fall. They told unions that without concessions they expect to have to furlough employees. Southwest’s biggest union has gone public with a loud rejection.

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American Airlines Extends Expiration of Systemwide Upgrades (But Some Upgrades Will Be Lost)

by Gary Leff

first class cabin
Apr 16 2020

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?

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Southwest Extends – And Makes It Easier To Earn – Status And Companion Pass

by Gary Leff

Apr 16 2020

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.

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Emirates Is Now Performing Rapid COVID-19 Tests Prior To Some Flights From Dubai

by Gary Leff

Apr 15 2020

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.

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Why Business Travel Will Never Return

by Gary Leff

tsa
Apr 15 2020

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.

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How Air France Sees Travel Returning In The Coming Months

by Gary Leff

air france plane
Apr 14 2020

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.

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