Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

British Airways European Business Class in Four Photos

by Gary Leff

back of airplane seat
Jan 19 2019

When you fly domestically in “first class” you get a bigger seat usually it’s two seats next to each other versus three in coach. You get something that passes for a meal, free drinks, and a checked baggage allowance. You get early boarding so you aren’t forced to get check your carry on bag when overhead bins fill up. But as a general matter there’s not a whole lot that’s special about the experience.

Many Americans are surprised – shocked even – at what passes for business class in Europe, though. And the remarkable thing is that over the past five or six years it’s generally gotten worse.

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United Temporarily Unable to Book Award Space on 3 Star Alliance Airlines

by Gary Leff

thai airlines
Jan 19 2019

Several blogs have reported that United Airlines is currently unable to book award space on Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways. In fact it goes beyond that to include TAP Air Portugal as well.

They are able to book the space sometimes — but when space gets cancelled out by a partner they’ve got a real problem on their hands. It makes sense to stop making these bookings until they can get the problem fixed, recognizing this is a huge inconvenience to members (especially those trying to change close-in travel plans).

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Why British Airways First Class is the World’s Second Best Business Class

by Gary Leff

airplane first class
Jan 19 2019

Six or seven years ago Lucky from One Mile at a Time and I debated whether British Airways first class was ‘the world’s best business class.’ At the time I still felt like BA’s first offered something approximating a first class product, even if it wasn’t one of the better or flashier ones.

Now that same product, which BA is still flying, doesn’t even qualify as the best business class out there.

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Should Airlines Pay TSA Screeners and Air Traffic Controllers During the Shutdown?

by Gary Leff

man speaking on microphone
Jan 17 2019

Security wait times have increased as TSA screeners call in sick — coming to work not knowing when they’ll be paid is demoralizing. Air traffic controllers are working without knowing when they’ll be paid, too. But is there any reason that has to be so?

Should US airlines hire the screeners and air traffic controllers and pay them directly?

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American Will Soon Stop Making You Gate Check Your Carry On Bags

by Gary Leff

inside plane
Jan 17 2019

In addition to faster internet American’s 737s and A321s are also getting bigger overhead bins. As long as each passenger only brings their allowable carry on bags and stows their personal item under the seat there should be no need to check a bag.

A change to the computer display at each gate rolled out December 11 to let agents know when the plane has this new interior and will have enough bin space for all passengers.

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