May
26
2020
A fantastic documentary on Pan Am, Across the Pacific is streaming online from PBS. The first episode ‘Airborne’ is now available.
New Online: PBS Pan Am Documentary
Airlines
Category Archives for Airlines.
80% Savings: Emirates Stops Adding Big Fuel Sucharges To Award Tickets
May
26
2020
Emirates has imposed some of the highest surcharges on award tickets in the world. Taxes and fees flying New York – Bangkok in business or first class were recently has high as $1736 roundtrip – and that’s in addition to paying with miles.
All of a sudden, though, that’s changed.
South American Mega-Carrier LATAM Files Bankruptcy
May
26
2020
South American mega-carrier LATAM, which recently left oneworld and entered a joint venture with Delta, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Southern District of New York. This follows a similar move by Avianca.
The bankruptcy filing includes LATAM Chile, Peru, Ecauador and Columbia but does not include Brazil, Argentina or Paraguay. Debtor-in-possession financing totaling $900 million is provided by existing owners the Amaro and Cueto families and by 10% owner Qatar Airways.
U.S. Airlines Are Now Pawns In The President’s Re-Election Saber Rattling Against China
May
25
2020
Delta and United are looking to restart flights to China. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is largely under control there. It is home to several important business markets. Delta owns a stake in China Eastern and has viewed Shanghai as a hub, while for United the country is their sixth largest international market. (For American, despite owning a stake in China Southern, the country has mostly been a place to light cash on fire.)
However they’re caught up in escalating tensions between the U.S. and China and the President’s re-election strategy.
Airlines Can’t Just Give Out Hand Sanitizer, The Process They Have To Go Through For Permission
May
25
2020
You don’t think airlines can just provide hand sanitizer to passengers, do you? On Tuesday the FAA wrote to American Airlines granting permission, and the letter they sent offers a window into process the airline had to go to in order to secure the government’s blessing.
Man Dons Womens Underwear As A Face Mask On Spirit Airlines Flight
May
24
2020
Airlines are generally requiring passengers to wear face masks on board. They aren’t necessarily enforcing the requirement, though. And though the requirement says face masks there’s not much definition of what constitutes an acceptable mask. One passenger decided to test the limits.
It’s Time To Sue Air Canada
May
23
2020
Air Canada continues to refuse to provide refunds for flights that they themselves cancel. If those flights are to or from the United States this is in violation of black letter law. It’s time for small claims court.
Today I Learned: Colt Manufactured A Special Gun Just For Pilots To Use In The Cockpit
May
23
2020
While the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program has had its scrapes and embarrassments, its record remains better than that of the Federal Air Marshal Program. Indeed frustrations with the air marshals are the reason that these post-9/11 efforts to arm pilots were hardly the first time this was considered.
Eastern Airlines commissioned a Colt revolver in the 1970s to combat hijackings. The charge was to develop a special revolver that wouldn’t cause problems for the aircraft if they penetrated the plane’s skin or its windows.
Airlines Can’t Make Money With Social Distancing, But They Can’t Make Money Without It
May
23
2020
Passengers keep complaining on social media that planes are too full. They aren’t subject to social distancing orders. They are, however, caught in a Catch 22. Blocking the middle seat makes people more comfortable, and people need to be more comfortable in order to return to travel. Air travel is a lot safer than people think but they need to feel safe and not all airlines are helping people do that.
Many people will stay away from flying precisely because there’s not going to be social distancing on planes, and they do not feel safe. Airlines can’t make money blocking all middle seats but they can’t make money until we decide we’re done with the need to block middle seats.
“Typhoid Mary” Passenger Tried To Fly After Testing Positive For COVID-19
May
22
2020
A person in Lansing, Michigan tested positive for COVID-19 and decided to go to the airport anyway. They were under a quarantine order but “attempted to board a plane” but were stopped “after local health officials issued a cease-and-desist order.”
