Last summer Eurowings — Lufthansa’s low cost carrier — started flying non-stop between Cologne, Germany and Seattle twice weekly. At first it seemed like they were receiving a warm welcome into the market. That didn’t hold true this week, though.
Airlines
Category Archives for Airlines.
Double British Airways Points (Even American Codeshare Flights) Through End of Year
British Airways is offering double points through the end of the year. This applies to all British Airways flights, as well as to British Airways codeshare flights on American Airlines, Iberia and Finnair when traveling between the US and Europe. Registration required.
I love double miles. There are three things, however, that I do not like about this promotion.
American Will Add a 5th Row of First Class to Airbus A321s — and More Coach Seats
The new American Airlines configuration for the Airbus A321 will have 20 first class seats (one more row of first class) and 176 coach seats.
American will begin taking delivery of Airbus A321neo aircraft in January (‘new engine option’) and they’ll have this new configuration. Then, as I reported back in August, American will begin to retrofit existing Airbus A321s (A312ceo or ‘current engine option’).
British Airways Just Fired All Its Hong Kong-Based Flight Attendants
Although London and Hong Kong are two of the most premium traffic heavy cities in the world, British Airways recently disclosed that their London – Hong Kong twice daily service lags in performance. They’ve pointed out that it suffers in comparison to Cathay Pacific’s (better, more frequent) flights.
British Airways is closing its Hong Kong crew base at the end of October. And today they’ve pink slipped all 85 Hong Kong-based flight attendants.
Not the Onion: American Airlines Named Five Star Global Airline
American Airlines CEO Doug Parker spoke at the Airline Passenger Experience Association event in Boston, and his airline was awarded the distinction of being a ‘Five Star Global Airline’ at the APEX event.
13 Hot Takes on American’s Decision to Raise the Price of Inflight Beer and Wine
American Airlines is raising the price of beer, wine, and liquor in coach by $1 effective October 1.
I think there are several ways to understand American’s latest ancillary fee increase.
The CEO of American Airlines Defends Squeezing Seats Closer Together
Doug Parker used the opportunity of a friendly interview to defend his new standard domestic product and argue that cramming more seats into their narrowbody fleet is actually good for the customer.
American had 31 inches as their standard domestic distance from seat back to seat back in economy. They considered squeezing to 29 inches before settling on a 30 inch standard. But, they tell us, not to worry about seats being closer together because less padding in the seats means you have just as much room.
American Launching New Buy On Board Meal Partnership, Will Affect First Class Too
It’s been quite some time since American Airlines refreshed their buy on board offerings in coach. Today they announced a new partnership with Zoës Kitchen. New items will be available for purchase starting December 1.
Star Alliance Member South African Airways Bankrupt, Asking For Another Government Bailout
South African received a bailout a year ago to help with a new CEO’s plan to stabilize the airline by convincing banks they would continue to exist. Despite government cash infusions the airline’s debts now exceed their assets.
A report to the company’s board says the airline faces “rampant corruption, low pilot productivity, a significantly weak balance sheet, liquidity problems, loss of confidence from suppliers, a lack of critical skills and fragmented IT systems.”
Singapore Airlines Non-Stop Business Class Awards Bookable With Air Canada Aeroplan Miles
Singapore Airlines usually makes premium cabin awards available only to their own KrisFlyer members. You can transfer points from Chase, American Express, and Citi into the KrisFlyer program, so their miles are relatively easy to get.
If you want to fly Singapore’s business or first class on more than an intra-Asia flight you aren’t going to be able to use miles from United, Aeroplan, or other Star Alliance programs — most of the time.
Six years ago there was a brief window where Singapore Airlines awards were bookable by partners but there hasn’t been anything like it since.