Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

Customer Missed Birth Of Their Child After Being Downgraded By American Airlines

by Gary Leff

american airlines planes
Jan 09 2020

n America Airlines passenger tells the story about buying a paid transpacific business class ticket on American Airlines but being downgraded for their Chicago – Tokyo flight a few weeks ago when their inbound Boston – Chicago flight was delayed.

The passenger says their Boston – Chicago flight was running late due to crew availability (a flight attendant “had woken up late and was on her way”) and that meant arriving into Chicago 45 minutes late. They had to run to their connecting gate, but they made it while the Tokyo flight was still boarding.

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Willie Walsh Retiring As Head Of IAG, and British Airways CEO Doesn’t Get The Job

by Gary Leff

plane tails
Jan 09 2020

Willie Walsh is stepping down as CEO and from the board of of IAG, the parent company of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling effective March 26 and retiring June 30. He’s 58 years old and has talked about retiring by 60, though this is ahead of schedule. He’ll be replaced by Luis Gallego, CEO of Iberia – and not by the CEO of British Airways.

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In Leaked Employee Address Southwest Airlines CEO Promises To Never Adopt Basic Economy Fares

by Gary Leff

Jan 08 2020

Southwest though has a long history of profits and margins that have eluded much of the industry, and they haven’t gone down the same fees and restrictions rabbit hole. They are the largest domestic airline in the country. They do not have change fees or checked bag fees (for up to 2 bags per passenger). They don’t have seat fees, without assigned seats, but they do charge to be at the front of the boarding queue which means earlier dibs at seat selection.

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In Midst Of Heightened Tensions Boeing 737 Crashes In Iran

by Gary Leff

Jan 08 2020

Ukraine International Airlines flight PS753 from Tehran to Kiev crashed into an open field in a Tehran suburb minutes after departure. The three year old Boeing 737-800 with 176 souls on board ceased broadcasting from its transponder as it climbed through 8000 feet.

Several Iranian sources and a Dubai-based news agency reported the cause as an accidental missile strike although it is too early to offer any conclusions. Initial reporting on such incidents is often wrong.

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Delta CEO Ed Bastian Gave a CES Keynote: What Tech Changes Did He Reveal?

by Gary Leff

Jan 07 2020

Delta has been promoting their CEO Ed Bastian’s keynote at the Computer Electronics Show as a Really Big DealTM, the ‘first airline’ to do such a thing, as though that suggested on its own that Delta is a leader in technology. At CES you find virtual reality, 8k TVs and next gen wearable devices. And Delta has tech to unveil that’s so big it’s a keynote at the conference. Given the prominence of the forum and the buildup, what did he reveal? Free inflight wi-fi someday, with no specifics. They say this is an area where other airlines have struggled although of course JetBlue offers free wifi and American has just been waiting to see what Delta announces so they can copy it. Biometrics in partnership with the government to track you throughout your journey.…

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How Much Is Boeing Paying American Airlines To Settle 737 MAX Claims?

by Gary Leff

Jan 07 2020

American Airlines has previously said they’ve lost about $580 million from the grounding of the MAX. I actually don’t believe they’ve lost anything close to that since they’ve largely cut what they believe are the biggest money losing flights.

However the fact that American is saying they’ll contribute an additional $30 million to employee profit sharing gives us some indication of the value of the settlement.

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