Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

American Sends Bigger Planes to Chicago – Because They’re Taking Business Seats Away From Smaller Planes

by Gary Leff on October 11, 2018

Oct 11 2018

American Airlines is taking business class seats out of their Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Those planes are going from 28 business class seats down to 20, so that the “mini cabin” at the back of business class can be used for premium economy.

Chicago is American’s 787-8 city. The airline likes to base a specific aircraft type in each city to the extent possible, because it makes their operation simpler. When a plane goes mechanical, they have more of that aircraft. They have people used to working on those planes all the time. And they have the parts. They also have more crew qualified to operate the aircraft.

Murdered Oligarch Was Prepared to Testify About Aeroflot’s Role in Russian Spying

by Gary Leff on October 10, 2018

Oct 10 2018

Nikolai Glushkov was preparing for legal proceedings over claims that he looted over $100 million from Aeroflot when he served as the airline’s Deputy Director for Finance in the mid-1990’s. He had run out of money and was preparing to represent himself — until he was “strangled to death with a dog leash.” The Russian government has impugned the circumstances around his death, while the British government is investigating murder and notes that “a black van [was] seen near his home the night he was strangled.” Had his trial proceeded he was prepared to testify that Aeroflot was the centerpiece of Russia’s clandestine services. The airline, Ms. Litvinenko said her husband told her, was a centerpiece of the Russian spy services, which since Soviet days had used its global network of offices and air routes…

$1 Buys Both 1000 American Miles and Long-term WSJ.com Access

by Gary Leff on October 10, 2018

Oct 10 2018

About five years ago I took advantage of a free 6 month trial subscription to the Wall Street Journal. I have no interest in a paper copy, but I do value access to articles behind their pay wall. And I still have that access. That’s because I suspend paper delivery of my subscription. You can do that for two months at a time. When they aren’t delivering the paper they aren’t decrementing the remaining days on your subscription you still have full access to website content. Many people are more interested in the miles offered for trial subscriptions, and take advantage of various shopping portal signup offers. Right now for instance Frequent Miler points to a $1 offer for a two month Journal trial that earns 1000 American AAdvantage miles. This offer should be around…

Big Changes at Air India: Flight Attendants Have to Share Hotel Rooms, Can’t Upgrade Their Friends

by Gary Leff on October 9, 2018

Oct 09 2018

Government-owned Air India is a basket case. Part of the airline’s efforts to turn itself focus on cutting back on crew expenses and perks. Some of those efforts are reasonable, while others may be surprising.

American Airlines Stock Hits Two Year Low: What’s Going On?

by Gary Leff on October 9, 2018

depressed businessman leaning his head below a bad stock market chart

Oct 09 2018

American Airlines stock hit two year low. It’s down about a third this year. The market doesn’t seem to think their strategy is going to deliver results. Investors appear to be mirroring customer sentiment, judging from the comments and interactions I have with readers. It also appears to be mirroring employee sentiment, judging from what I hear from American’s front line.

The total value the market places on American Airlines right now is less than $16 billion. In contrast United’s market cap is $22 billion. Their stock has gone in the opposite direction from American’s this year. Southwest’s market cap is $34 billion and Delta’s is $35 billion.

JetBlue Founder’s Advice to Himself and How United, Delta, and American Fleets are Changing

by Gary Leff on October 8, 2018

Oct 08 2018

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.

Qatar Airways Threatening to Leave oneworld

by Gary Leff on October 8, 2018

Oct 08 2018

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker is not happy with oneworld members American Airlines and Qantas, and suggests it may not make sense for Qatar to continue in the airline alliance as a result.

He has already spoken with the head of oneworld about this and “will wait for him to come back before deciding what to do.”

A Grand Bargain With American Airlines For Bigger Lavatories: Credit Card Ads While You Go!

by Gary Leff on October 7, 2018

Oct 07 2018

Currently American Airlines is installing smaller lavatories across its domestic fleet, taking a few inches away from customers who have to go in order to squeeze in an extra row of seats.

The problem is that today American Airlines isn’t generating any revenue from its lavatories so it’s no surprise they’re trying to limit lavatory footprint.

United Says ‘Lavatory Leak’ Soiled All of Veteran’s Belongings, Will Take 8-10 Weeks to Compensate Him

by Gary Leff on October 7, 2018

Oct 07 2018

Dave Harris flew home to Colorado Springs on Friday after a six month deployment in the Mideast. He says his “whole life for six months” was in his checked bag. It contained his uniforms, “workout clothes, gifts for..family, jewelry” for his wife.

Friends picked him up. On the way out from baggage claim tot he parking lot they all noticed a disgusting smell coming from his bag.

Man Refused Boarding For Wearing Shorts

by Gary Leff on October 4, 2018

Oct 04 2018

United Airlines had some confusion last year over whether or not passengers in yoga pants were allowed to fly. They are.

But did you know there’s an airline where men aren’t allowed to travel in shorts?