Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

American Relaxes Basic Economy Restrictions Today, Admits It Was All About Making You Pay More

by Gary Leff on September 5, 2018

Sep 05 2018

American Airlines Basic Economy fares are highly restrictive. The purpose of these fares is to make the travel experience worse, in hopes that you will spend more money to avoid them. However they need to balance that with the risk that you will just give up on them and choose to fly someone else instead.

American Airlines President Robert Isom, speaking at the Cowen and Company Global Transportation Conference, admits that “the premise of basic economy, it wasn’t a price cut…[but] an upsell.”

This Worst Thing a Passenger Can Do Keeps Happening and We’re All at Risk

by Gary Leff on September 2, 2018

Sep 02 2018

While passengers urinating on seat opponents doesn’t happen frequently compared to the number of flights and number of passengers each year, it happens frequently enough to make me wonder whether an airline would attract business by requiring passengers to certify that they’re potty trained, and to blow into a breathalyzer at the boarding gate. And it makes me wonder if airlines not doing this suggests they’d rather have the ticket revenue than discourage the behavior.

For fee-happy airlines like Spirit, Allegiant and United another approach could be onboard sale of Depends.

How – and Why – You Can Almost Always Get Four First Class Award Seats to Europe

by Gary Leff on September 2, 2018

Sep 02 2018

I absolutely hate fuel surcharges. They’re a scam which is basically just a tax on frequent flyers’ loyalty. On some itineraries they can amount to $1000 roundtrip. Although bear in mind that you may pay lower fuel surcharges when you book two one way awards than a roundtrip.

When I’m in an absolute pinch I can talk myself into paying fuel surcharges for a first class award. I think of it as a discount coach ticket which doesn’t earn points but where I’m spending miles for a confirmed triple upgrade.

Great Award Availability If You Want to Shower in the Sky: Emirates First Class, Many Cities

by Gary Leff on September 2, 2018

Sep 02 2018

Emirates has one of the world’s best first class products. Their business class wouldn’t come close to ranking, and their new first class is only on a limited number of planes. But their decade-old first class, while a bit tight on space for its fully enclosed suites with doors, is still a marvel with great amenities, good alcohol and catering, and generally good service.

It’s very very available using miles. Perhaps that’s because there are so many first class seats on so many flights and very few people know how to redeem for these seats at a reasonable price.

Air France Premium Economy Awards Half Off, New York – Paris From Just 22,750 Miles

by Gary Leff on September 2, 2018

Sep 02 2018

Routes are often discounted when flights aren’t full, suggesting that there should be good availability which is what we’re seeing for New York JFK – Paris Orly premium economy.

You can connect elsewhere in Europe if you wish. American Express, Chase, and Citibank points all transfer to Flying Blue.

The Star Alliance Routes to Asia That Have 4 Business Class Award Seats Every Single Day

by Gary Leff on September 1, 2018

Sep 01 2018

If you want to go to Asia with the family in business or first class, there’s one airline that’s got you covered and even one best route though there are several good routes.

Star Alliance member Asiana simply offers fantastic award space. The United website is great for seeing this quickly at a glance. Their award calendar will show you which dates have availability — in this case non-stop availability from Los Angeles to Seoul for four passengers. Dates with solid lines have coach award space and dates with dotted lines have premium cabin award space.

Alert: United Business Class Saver Awards Wide Open to Australia (May/June)

by Gary Leff on September 1, 2018

Sep 01 2018

One of the toughest award redemptions for US-based frequent flyers is Australia. It’s a long flight. It’s a premium route. Airlines are loathe to make saver award space available up front. So when it opens up I try to alert you.

United is Raising the Price of Checked Bags, But What Do We Get for Our Money?

by Gary Leff on September 1, 2018

hand holding hundreds of dollars in cash

Sep 01 2018

It seems to me that if checked bags are going to be separately charged, then customers should be refunded if their bags are lost and offered compensation if their bags are delayed. But it’s a special type of gall to raise the price of checked bags and not offer such basic assurances in return.

American Airlines Says They Love Unionization, But Unions Don’t Love Them

by Gary Leff on August 31, 2018

Aug 31 2018

As we enter Labor Day weekend, it’s important to remember that union shop or not management cannot abdicate its responsibility to select and retain the best talent while transitioning out employees who aren’t a good fit for the company — ensuring that everyone inside the business is able to respect the contributions of their colleagues. And management has to set a vision that inspires employees to be their best.

United Becomes First Big US Airline to Increase Checked Bag Fees

by Gary Leff on August 31, 2018

Aug 31 2018

At the beginning of the week JetBlue increased checked bag fees to $30 for first bag. At the time I suggested that the larger US airlines were certainly looking at it, but that a major airline especially Delta needed to do it before we could say everyone would.

United turns out to be the large US airline to go first.

Airlines

American Relaxes Basic Economy Restrictions Today, Admits It Was All About Making You Pay More

This Worst Thing a Passenger Can Do Keeps Happening and We’re All at Risk

How – and Why – You Can Almost Always Get Four First Class Award Seats to Europe

Great Award Availability If You Want to Shower in the Sky: Emirates First Class, Many Cities

Air France Premium Economy Awards Half Off, New York – Paris From Just 22,750 Miles

The Star Alliance Routes to Asia That Have 4 Business Class Award Seats Every Single Day

Alert: United Business Class Saver Awards Wide Open to Australia (May/June)

United is Raising the Price of Checked Bags, But What Do We Get for Our Money?

American Airlines Says They Love Unionization, But Unions Don’t Love Them

United Becomes First Big US Airline to Increase Checked Bag Fees

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About Gary Leff

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