Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

Today United Breaks Trust With Customers Who Bought Lifetime Club Memberships

by Gary Leff

food in bowls
Nov 01 2019

United has held firm that they can take a customer’s money for a lifetime service and change the terms (the “our fingers were crossed” rule). Unlike Delta and American, people who purchased lifetime United Club memberships cannot continue to use United Clubs unless they’re flying United or designated partners same day.

To me United’s decision undermines CEO Oscar Munoz’s credibility to claims that the airline is motivated by a desire to do the right thing for customers. It all come down to trust. But then what do you think their elimination of award charts means?

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New American AAvantage Award Calendar is Live

by Gary Leff

Oct 30 2019

Back in January when American Airlines introduced award redemption for premium economy they did it through a new award search tool. That new tool was not ready for prime time. After half a year that tool still lacked the ability to filter results, and the availability calendar still hadn’t been launched.

American has a new availability calendar. It still isn’t as useful as the old one. Here’s what to watch out for to get the best award deals.

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American AAdvantage New Award Option: Premium Economy Airline Partner Redemption

by Gary Leff

plane tails
Oct 30 2019

American Airlines was first among U.S. airlines to offer premium economy and expand it across their fleet. They introduced premium economy awards on their own flights back in January.

Now British Airways premium economy awards can be booked using AAdvantage miles. We can expect American to expand premium economy award redemptions further on other partner airlines as well, though they haven’t given a timeline for when to expect this.

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Leaked: New Flights and Route Strategies Coming From American Airlines

by Gary Leff

airport terminal
Oct 29 2019

After each quarterly earnings call American Airlines leadership gathers with employees for a ‘State of the Airline’ in which Doug Parker opens with an update on the airline and then opens the floor to questions. One of the most popular subjects is route planning – where will American Airlines fly? – and so Vasu Raja, the airline’s senior vice president of network planning, fields many of the questions.

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Airline Employee Reportedly Listed Passenger’s Clothing on Facebook Marketplace

by Gary Leff

Oct 28 2019

Checked baggage is always ‘at risk. American Airlines is now reimbursing a Tulsa passenger for $1000 after her lost luggage turned up on Facebook Marketplace, being sold by a baggage worker there. The passenger had them ‘dead to rights’ too – the bar code on the new Patagonia jacket being sold matched her receipt for the purchase, she says.

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When American Retired the MD80, CEO Doug Parker Was Burying the Old American

by Gary Leff

Oct 28 2019

For American Airlines CEO Doug Parker the retirement of the MD80 was symbolically the end to the old American.

Instead of MD80s with more legroom in first class, Main Cabin Extra, and coach the new American is Project Oasis with poorly thought-through seats up front, seats with very little padding in back, and seats closer together across the board.

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