Jun
20
2019
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Cathay Pacific Cuts First Class From Several Routes
Airlines
Category Archives for Airlines.
Qantas Announces ‘Biggest Overhaul’ in its Frequent Flyer History
Jun
20
2019
Qantas is keeping award charts and not moving to dynamic award pricing so if there’s a silver lining in redemption pricing that along with a reduction in scam charges is it. The move towards recognition of non-flying but still important program members and recognition of lifetime elite status up to Platinum are improvements, as are the introduction of new redemption partners.
Data Shows How Badly Mechanics are Hurting American Airlines Reliability
Jun
19
2019
American Airlines shared performance stats with employees yesterday after “three weeks on the books for the 2019 peak summer travel season [and] 11 1/2 more weeks remaining.”
American Just Ordered 50 Airbus A321XLRs: Expect Direct Aisle Access Lie Flat Seats, Premium Economy
Jun
19
2019
Two weeks ago I wrote that American Airlines was likely to order the Airbus A321XLR at the Paris Air Show. They’ve now done exactly that.
Here are some of the routes and aircraft configuration to expect, according to American’s President Robert Isom.
Air Canada’s Internal Memo to Employees About SkyTrax Results
Jun
19
2019
Skytrax named Air Canada the North American Airline of the Year. They’ve won it 3 straight years and 8 out of 10. That says more about the competition than about Air Canada.
So how is the airline recognizing the accomplishment? Here’s the internal message about the award from Air Canada’s CEO.
Don’t Believe the HUGE British Airways Boeing 737 MAX Order Announced Today
Jun
18
2019
IAG, the parent of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Vueling, announced an order at the Paris Air Show for 200 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. This is being trumpeted as a huge win for Boeing.
It isn’t meaningless. But it’s close.
United Club Membership Going Up to $650 Starting August 13
Jun
18
2019
United Airlines President Scott Kirby believes airfares should be 100% higher. He hasn’t been able to get there, but thinks there must be room in the prices they charge to access United Clubs.
Three years ago after raising lounge membership price, United said they hadn’t increased prices enough. Since people were “still buying” at the $550 general member price point, the airline believed it hadn’t “hit the sweet spot yet.”
The Turbulence Was so Bad a Flight Attendant and Beverage Cart Hit the Ceiling
Jun
17
2019
On Sunday, June 16 an ALK Airlines flight VBB-7205 from Pristina in Kosovo to Basel Mulhouse near the shared border point of France, Germany, and Switzerland provided even greater flight than promised when passengers booked their itinerary.
Video filmed by a passenger shows a flight attendant “flying up toward the ceiling of the aircraft, along with the drink cart, which spills over several passengers. One of the soaked travelers can also be seen praying immediately after the cart comes crashing down.”
American Airlines International Saver Award Space Has Totally and Completely Disappeared
Jun
17
2019
I’ve had several readers as me about the disappearance of all international saver award availability from American Airlines flights. This happened sometime between Friday evening and Saturday morning.
This appears to be across all routes, at least every single route that I’ve tried. It isn’t my usual complaint about lack of premium cabin inventory through end of schedule. Here I’m talking about even coach.
Passengers Show Up at Airports, Find Their Airline Doesn’t Exist. What Do Online Booking Sites Owe?
Jun
16
2019
Online travel agency websites complain that Google is delivering travel results directly to customers instead of sending people to their websites where they can collect a toll (commission) on the transaction. And they want the government to step in and force Google to deliver customers to them.
I say that online travel agency websites should be better, should add value to customers, so that customers will want and prefer the service that they’re providing.
