Category Archives for Airlines.
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.
ConciergeKey is American’s revenue-based top level, given to very high revenue customers and those who influence significant business for the airline.
They got priority for upgrades and other waitlists and have myriad other benefits including use of the airline’s business class Flagship lounges when flying domestically and now are being given tokens to visit American’s exclusive Flagship First Dining, too.
Just as they said to expect in January Alaska Airlines announced on their earnings call this morning that they will introduce Basic Economy fares in late fall.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
