Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

Why Stronger EU Compensation Rules Will Cost Customers the Most

by Gary Leff on April 22, 2018

Apr 22 2018

Earlier I noted that an EU court ruled that airlines will have to pay compensation to passengers when they cancel flights as a result of labor actions. When unions organize a sick out, and there aren’t enough crew to staff a plane, airlines don’t just lose revenue from the flight they will have to issue checks to each inconvenienced passenger.

To a consumer that sounds great, right? The Court of Justice of the European Union handed unions a new gun to aim at airlines, and may make unofficial actions much more effective. That could make air travel less reliable, more costly, and less pleasant.

Lufthansa First Class Bookable in Advance Right Now

by Gary Leff on April 22, 2018

Apr 22 2018

Normally Lufthansa only makes first class award space available much in advance to its own Miles & More members. Star Alliance partner frequent flyer programs can only book that space within 2 weeks of departure.

Right now though some frequent flyer programs have access to Lufthansa first class space through the entire calendar.

Book Now: American Offering Up to 4 Business Class Award Seats to South America

by Gary Leff on April 21, 2018

Apr 21 2018

Right now there’s reasonably good business class award availability on American Airlines from Dallas to Santiago through summer and Miami to Santiago through end of year. Indeed availability isn’t just for two passengers but possible for four as well.

Delta Airlines Wants Court to Protect Its Right to Anonymous Speech

by Gary Leff on April 21, 2018

Apr 21 2018

We know that Atlanta has filed suit against building a second airport in order to protect Delta. And Delta required Atlanta to oppose a new airport as a condition of renewing their airport lease.

But Delta has never publicly admitted to funding the ‘neighborhood groups’ that oppose a second airport. And Delta has gone to court to prevent revealing that it funds those groups.

American Airlines President Explains the Downside to Giving Employees Raises

by Gary Leff on April 19, 2018

Apr 19 2018

Mechanics at American Airlines don’t have a new joint contract yet after the merger. There are US Airways and American legacy work groups, and everyone wants the best of both contracts. That would be far more expensive than the airline is willing to pay – and more expensive than what competitors pay.

American Airlines President Robert Isom explained to employees in Philadelphia this week that the raises the company handed out make getting to a new contract harder.

Cathay’s Improved Business Class Meal Service Won’t Be Dine on Demand

by Gary Leff on April 19, 2018

Apr 19 2018

Dine on demand is a great feature. There are many long flights with late departures, some passengers will eat in the lounge and want to go straight to sleep. Others will want to eat on board. However with large business cabins it’s a lot of extra work for flight attendants.

United Will Start Adding a Plane With New Polaris Business Seats Every 10 Days

by Gary Leff on April 18, 2018

Apr 18 2018

On this morning’s United earnings call Senior Vice President Andrew Nocella announced that they’ll be adding a plane with new Polaris business class seats every 10 days through 2020. If that turns out to be accurate it’s a real acceleration of pace for an airline that’s only retrofitted half a dozen planes in the two years since the product was announced.

Meanwhile two new Polaris lounges will open next month.

JetBlue Flight Attendants Will Unionize

by Gary Leff on April 17, 2018

Apr 17 2018

JetBlue’s flight attendants voted to unionize and will be represented by the Transport Workers Union. Over 85% of eligible flight attendants voted, and nearly two-thirds of those were in favor.

Breaking: Southwest Makes Emergency Landing After Passenger Hit By Shrapnel From Blown Engine

by Gary Leff on April 17, 2018

Apr 17 2018

Southwest Airlines flight 1380 from New York LaGuardia to Dallas Love Field made an emergency landing in Philadelphia after blowing an engine.

Reportedly “Shrapnel hit the window causing a serious injury.” One passenger said “there was bloody everywhere.”

United Actually Removing Seats from Planes to Add Premium Economy, More Business Class

by Gary Leff on April 16, 2018

Apr 16 2018

We’ve just learned United’s seating plans for its new Boeing 787-10s. They have 14 on order and are expected to take delivery of 3 this year.

United has also updated seat maps for Boeing 767-300ER, Boeing 777-200 and Boeing 777-300ER planes that show the configurations including premium economy.