Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

‘Just Velcro It Back’: Footrest Detached, Power Dead, Inside the Neglect of American Airlines Business Class

Jan 12 2025

American Airlines is eliminating Flagship First Class on these Boeing 777-300ERs, and introducing business class suites with doors as well (and also on new delivery Boeing 787-9s). That project is delayed, so I wonder whether the ‘imminent’ replacement of seats is what leads to a more haphazard approach to cabin maintenance.

Continue Reading »

From Fresh-Baked Cookies To Cheap Pretzels: How American Airlines’ Cost-Cutting Backfired, Killing Its Premium Edge

Jan 10 2025

The biggest problem with American Airlines management is that they focus on costs instead of revenue. They think on-time performance is all they need to accomplish in order to succeed, and that might be true with commodity products but we’re less and less in a commodity product airline world. Products are differentiated, customers now choose on more than schedule, price and reliability, and American Airlines as a high cost airline needs to earn a revenue premium in order to be profitable.

Continue Reading »

American Airlines Wifi Overhaul: Why You’ll Be Left Completely Offline On Some Flights For A Year

Jan 09 2025

I’m really looking forward to these planes having functional wifi. It won’t be as good as the Starlink that United will be installing, and offering to passengers for free, but it will solve a pain point that’s kept me mostly off of them. However I’m going to have them even more off of my ‘do not fly’ list until the process is completed because the chance of no internet at all is even worse than slow internet.

Continue Reading »

American Airlines Flagship Suites Are Ready—But Federal Rules Could Keep Them Grounded

Jan 09 2025

The armrests on the seat lower to align with the seat platform and can bear over 500 pounds, facilitating transfers for passengers with mobility impairments. The seat design allows horizontal or assisted transfers without significant obstacles due to pitch of at least 42 inches.

It’s not enough for American to put the seats into service, and be subject to any complaints for violating accessibility rules. Any technical non-compliance requires prior exemption.

Continue Reading »