Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

Icelandair Fires 45 Boeing 737 MAX Pilots

by Gary Leff on June 6, 2019

Jun 06 2019

The world airline trade group IATA says the Boeing 737 MAX could fly again in August. Not everyone is so sure. Different countries’ regulators are taking different approaches, though the US is pushing for many countries to re-certify the plane at the same time — and quickly.

Icelandair has leased aircraft to pick up the slack for grounded 737 MAXs, and in a move that reveals a shocking lack of confidence in the aircraft returning to their skies any time soon the airline has let go of 45 Boeing 737 MAX pilots.

Don’t Try to Transfer Points to Lufthansa, They Just Go Into Limbo

by Gary Leff on June 5, 2019

Jun 05 2019

Yesterday I wrote about Lufthansa’s “Mileage Bargains” — roundtrip business class awards between the US and Europe for just 55,000 miles.

Commenter Tim noted that “Lufthansa says that as of May 24th 2019 they no longer are accepting Marriott points for transfers to Lufthansa miles.” It turns out the problem is not limited to Marriott transfers.

British Airways Visa is Being Revamped, New Benefits Coming This Fall

by Gary Leff on June 5, 2019

Jun 05 2019

Chase and British Airways renewed their US co-brand credit card deal. They have partnered for 26 years and last announced an extension of their relationship in May 2015.

Last month I wrote that Chase was surveying customers about how to redesign an airline card. And now the bank and airline have announced that “[i]n the fall of 2019, Chase, Avios and British Airways will announce new enhancements to the British Airways Visa Signature Card that were developed with cardmember feedback in mind.”

Inside Delta’s Brand New Tumi Business Class Amenity Kits (Plus Something for Coach Too!)

by Gary Leff on June 4, 2019

Jun 04 2019

Delta has introduced new Tumi amenity kits, and the business class kits contain Le Labo products. Perhaps most notably all long haul passengers flying Delta receive an amenity kit, including coach passengers, although the separate kits for coach and Comfort+ extra legroom seats aren’t branded… but are still creative.

American Airlines Won’t Fly Washington Dulles – London Heathrow

by Gary Leff on June 4, 2019

Jun 04 2019

Swapping which carrier in the revenue-sharing joint venture operates which route could both match capacity to market and better optimize schedules for customer demand. One theoretical option to do this was having American operate out of Washington Dulles.

That was the rumor a year ago. However sources at American Airlines tell me that is now off the table.

Qantas Adding Two New U.S. Routes: San Francisco and Chicago – Brisbane

by Gary Leff on June 3, 2019

Jun 03 2019

Earlier today the US government announced its approval for American and Qantas to join forces in an anti-trust immunized revenue-sharing joint venture across the Pacific.

The combination is already announcing they’ll roll out two new routes, including the longest Qantas route from the U.S. and fourth-longest flight in the world.

Delta Has a New Hub City: Boston

by Gary Leff on June 3, 2019

Jun 03 2019

The last major airline to add a hub was Delta — at Seattle — in 2014. Now Delta, which has been building its presence in Boston and taking on JetBlue there, has declared that city to be a hub. Although with 150 peak day departures I see Boston more as a ‘hublet’.

Great American Airlines First Class Award Space West Coast – Europe Without Fuel Surcharges

by Gary Leff on June 3, 2019

Jun 03 2019

West Coast – Europe award travel is tough, getting premium cabin to Europe on American Airlines (and thus not paying surcharges) is tougher still. This is definitely worth taking ‘AAdvantage’ of. And if you have a stash of Etihad Guest miles, ring up about your preferred itinerary to see if they can book for 50,000 miles each way in business (vs. 57,500 from American) or 62,500 in first.

However if there was any doubt that American’s married segment award availability logic was in play for premium cabin awards now (and with ensuing negative consequences for making changes to awards) this should illustrate the extension beyond coach — and is a part of dynamic availability if not pricing.

US Government Tentatively Approves Anti-Trust Immunity for American Airlines and Qantas

by Gary Leff on June 3, 2019

Jun 03 2019

Three and a half years ago American Airlines and Qantas announced an expanded joint venture. American was launching Sydney and Auckland service, Qantas Sydney – San Francisco. And they indicated there would be more new routes in the offing as a result of the partnership.

They proposed to extend their partnership to coordinate schedules and pricing and share revenue on Pacific flights (but not Hawaii routes). The Obama administration said no. The Trump administration has now said yes.

The Destruction of 6 Dallas Love Field Gates Could Be Headed to the Supreme Court

by Gary Leff on June 3, 2019

Jun 03 2019

Southwest Airlines started out as an underdog fighting government cronyism meant to keep it from flying. Now it’s the beneficiary of government cronyism meant to keep others from flying. The Supreme Court isn’t going to undo that, though Congress should. However the court could fix an important precedent that allowed Love Field gates to be taken from their owner without payment.

Airlines

Icelandair Fires 45 Boeing 737 MAX Pilots

Don’t Try to Transfer Points to Lufthansa, They Just Go Into Limbo

British Airways Visa is Being Revamped, New Benefits Coming This Fall

Inside Delta’s Brand New Tumi Business Class Amenity Kits (Plus Something for Coach Too!)

American Airlines Won’t Fly Washington Dulles – London Heathrow

Qantas Adding Two New U.S. Routes: San Francisco and Chicago – Brisbane

Delta Has a New Hub City: Boston

Great American Airlines First Class Award Space West Coast – Europe Without Fuel Surcharges

US Government Tentatively Approves Anti-Trust Immunity for American Airlines and Qantas

The Destruction of 6 Dallas Love Field Gates Could Be Headed to the Supreme Court

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