Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

Southwest Airlines: Seat Fees and Bag Fees Coming?

by Gary Leff on August 18, 2019

Aug 18 2019

Ariline Weekly founding editor Seth Kaplan writes at The Points Guy that Southwest Airlines may be doing worse at New York LaGuardia than at Newark, and they pulled out of Newark. He says they shouldn’t pull out of LaGuardia, though, and shouldn’t have left Newark.

The challenge of course is that at this point, given slot controls at two of the three New York airport and shortage of gates, it’s incredibly difficult to re-enter the market if you leave. Do they need to change their business model to succeed?

American Begrudgingly Refunds Checked Bag Fees for Lost Luggage – But Only for Canada Passengers

by Gary Leff on August 17, 2019

Aug 17 2019

Most provisions of Canada’s new Air Passenger Protection Regulations went into effect July 15. They lay out new rules that apply to flights to, from, and within Canada – including connecting flights.

One of the rules is that when an airline damages or loses luggage they must refund checked baggage fees they collected. After all, they didn’t provide the service they charged for – prompt transport of luggage from one place to the next, delivering it in the condition it was received (outside of normal wear and tear).

Miracle on the Hudson Flight Went ‘In the Drink’ and Now It’s a Las Vegas Cocktail

by Gary Leff on August 17, 2019

Aug 17 2019

This past weekend a Ural Airlines Airbus A321 landed in a field after a double bird strike drawing comparisons to the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ US Airways flight 1549 ten years earlier.

Captain ‘Sully’ Sullenberger became an American hero as the captain of that US Airways flight, and Tom Hanks played him wonderfully on the big screen. Now he’s being ‘honored’ in a different way.

Delta Private Jet Upgrades: What Happened to Delta’s Promised Surprise and Delight?

by Gary Leff on August 17, 2019

Terribly Named Flewber Offers Private Flights for $400 One Way ($700 Roundtrip)

Aug 17 2019

This week a video went viral of a Delta passenger living his dream as the only on on board his Delta flight from Aspen to Salt Lake City. Even on that 292 mile regional jet hop it’s a cool experience.

Seeing it described in a variety of media as being ‘like a private jet experience’ though reminded me that four years ago Delta announced elite upgrade opportunities to private jets. What ever happened to Delta’s private jet upgrade program?

Thai Airways Wants to Crowdsource Cost Cutting Ideas From Passengers and Other Hair-brained Schemes

by Gary Leff on August 16, 2019

Aug 16 2019

Star Alliance member Thai Airways, whose President says there’s “never a day without a problem,” has a six point plan to return to profitability.

It involves getting passengers to e-mail in ideas for cost-cutting, sell more services through its mobile app, add a new route to Japan, and partner with a Thai cafe chain that’s found inside of gas stations.

Stowaway Found in Baggage Hold of Flight from Havana

by Gary Leff on August 16, 2019

Aug 16 2019

A 26 year old worker at the Havana airport stowed away in the baggage hold of a Swift Air charter flight to Miami.

Apparently witnesses heard “what sounded like a dog barking in the cargo area” and upon investigation found the man who “asked for water.”

The “Thank You For Flying Southwest” Song Greets Arriving Passengers in Phoenix

by Gary Leff on August 16, 2019

Aug 16 2019

Scott is a Southwest Airlines agent in Phoenix. The day after a United Airlines passenger was dragged off a flight in Chicago, he came up with a song to let passengers know they were valued – and wouldn’t be dragged off on Southwest.

Now he greets arriving flights with his song, to the tune of the theme to The Golden Girls, it’s “Thank You for Flying Southwest”

Reading Between the Lines: China Forces Out Cathay Pacific’s CEO

by Gary Leff on August 16, 2019

Aug 16 2019

Cathay Pacific’s CEO Rupert Hogg, and the airline’s Chief Commercial Officer, have resigned. Hogg has been well-regarded in the role, driving a turnaround in the airline’s finances.

Ultimately the move is harmful to China’s ability to maintain Hong Kong as a business center, showing how the state will meddle in corporate affairs rather than adhering to “one country two systems.”

Incredible Video: Airbus A321 With 226 Passengers Lands in a Field, No Serious Injuries

by Gary Leff on August 15, 2019

Aug 15 2019

It was like US Airways flight 1549 – the Miracle on the Hudson – but in a field. A Ural Airlines Airbus A321 suffered a serious bird strike on takeoff from Moscow Zhukovsky airport. The flight was headed to Simferopol in the Ukraine and had 226 passengers and 7 crew on board.

The crew of the Ural Airlines aircraft did a truly heroic job landing their aircraft, wheels up in a field, keeping the fuselage intact. And fortunately there did not appear to be fuel leaking from the engines. Walking away from this is really special.

United Will Put Seat Back Video Screens on Some New 737s, Could Force American to Do the Same

by Gary Leff on August 14, 2019

Aug 14 2019

Delta continues to double down on passenger entertainment not just for international flights but across its domestic fleet. They’re now over 700 aircraft offering seat back entertainment screens.

United and American have been moving in the opposite direction. They have eschewed screens to save money – about a million dollars per aircraft – offering streaming content that customers can view on their own devices. In most cases this means passengers watching movies on phones.

Airlines

Southwest Airlines: Seat Fees and Bag Fees Coming?

American Begrudgingly Refunds Checked Bag Fees for Lost Luggage – But Only for Canada Passengers

Miracle on the Hudson Flight Went ‘In the Drink’ and Now It’s a Las Vegas Cocktail

Delta Private Jet Upgrades: What Happened to Delta’s Promised Surprise and Delight?

Thai Airways Wants to Crowdsource Cost Cutting Ideas From Passengers and Other Hair-brained Schemes

Stowaway Found in Baggage Hold of Flight from Havana

The “Thank You For Flying Southwest” Song Greets Arriving Passengers in Phoenix

Reading Between the Lines: China Forces Out Cathay Pacific’s CEO

Incredible Video: Airbus A321 With 226 Passengers Lands in a Field, No Serious Injuries

United Will Put Seat Back Video Screens on Some New 737s, Could Force American to Do the Same

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About Gary Leff

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