Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

United Introducing New Seat Assignment Fees and New Benefits for Corporate Travelers

by Gary Leff

airplane seats
Aug 13 2018

This is all good news for corporate customers, especially big customers of United. Outside of change fee and reaccommodation waivers, the benefits largely come at the expense of flyers who are not corporate customers. Luckily the extra juice corporate customers are getting here is very much at the margin, a Platinum member’s upgrade will still trump a Gold member for instance.

More seats that require a fee isn’t surprising, but it does make buying up from United’s uncompetitive basic economy that much less appealing. Non-corporate leisure customers should increasingly consider American, Delta, or Southwest.

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Here’s How Much Airlines Made Off Their Frequent Flyer Programs So Far This Year

by Gary Leff

graph chart
Aug 13 2018

Frequent flyer programs create tremendous value for airlines. They’re highly profitable, and have been for years. When United filed for bankruptcy it was said to have to continue flying to support the underlying credit card business. The airline’s first call after seeing the judge each time was to Jamie Dimon.

The issuer of the United co-brand credit card provided debtor-in-possession financing to United, and co-led bankruptcy exit financing. As with other airlines, United received hundreds of millions of dollars in loans backed by future mileage sales to provide liquidity during the financial crisis.

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Lawsuit: American Airlines Baggage Handler Made Up Terrorist Threat Against Dying Passenger

by Gary Leff

american eagle plane
Aug 13 2018

This story is among the most egregious I’ve heard and as it proceeds it just gets worse and worse.

Debbie Cardarelli is suing American Airlines for more than $1 million over the experience her now deceased husband had last year as the two flew home from Miami to Rochester, New York via Philadelphia in March 2017. As they boarded their connecting segment to Rochester they were told the aircraft, an Embraer ERJ-145, wouldn’t have room onboard for their carry on and they’d have to gate check it.

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Can Prayer Replace the Need for Aircraft Mechanics — and Even New Planes?

by Gary Leff

airline cabin
Aug 12 2018

American Airlines is having trouble getting a mechanics contract done. They blame themselves for giving mechanics a mid-contract pay raise, so there’s not as much money for mechanics to get by agreeing to a contract. Mechanics are unhappy with the potential for the airline to outsource jobs.

But what if you didn’t even need mechanics to repair planes? The FAA hasn’t approved this, but televangelist Kenneth Copeland claims that G-d healed the corrosion on his private jet.

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American Airlines President Confirms They’re Considering Dropping More Chicago – Asia Flights

by Gary Leff

american airlines planes
Aug 12 2018

Last week a Chicago-based flight attendant asked American’s President Robert Isom about “the rumor that we’re going to lose all of our Asia flying” from O’Hare. Isom didn’t say no, Chicago won’t lose Asia service. Instead he explained how he sees American’s hubs.

American’s Vice President – Planning Vasu Raja added “the core of Chicago is an extremely profitable hub” because of connecting traffic in the Midwest and flying to partner hubs. “The only hubs that are more profitable than that are indeed Dallas and Charlotte.” However “the drags on Chicago are indeed Chicago to Asia flying.”

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American Airlines is Pleased With Their Total Loss Against Gulf Airlines

by Gary Leff

qatarplane
Aug 12 2018

According to its President Robert Isom at an employee forum last week “it is still a big issue.” Isom claims to have “made progress.. we’re pleased that there’s a recognition that when it comes to fifth freedom flights.. that that’s a problem.”

Isom concludes, “It’s still a focus area.. we’re pleased with the work we’ve been able to do with the Trump administration and we’re pleased with the results so far.”

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Mother Arrested in Dubai for ‘Drinking Glass of Wine on Emirates Flights’. True?

by Gary Leff

private airplane bar
Aug 10 2018

A 44 year old woman and mother of three arrived in Dubai off an Emirates flight on July 13. She learned her single entry visa, already used, was not valid for re-entry into the UAE.

It’s not clear why the woman wasn’t eligible for a new visa on arrival, however even if she was apparently the exchange became testy. She was with her four year old. She was asked whether she had been drinking (she was tested and came up 0.04. She acknowledged drinking a glass of wine on her Emirates flight.

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United Airlines Sued by the Federal Government For Failing to Stop Pilot’s Sexual Harassment

by Gary Leff

airplanes docked on tarmac
Aug 10 2018

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has announced a lawsuit against United Airlines for failing to discipline a pilot they say was harassing a flight attendant.

The government alleges this pilot “frequently posted sexually explicit images of a United flight attendant to various websites… referencing the airline’s tagline ‘Fly the Friendly Skies.” They argue United was aware of the harassment “but took no responsibility to put a stop to it.” Make no mistake these were x-rated photos.

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