Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

Etihad May Default on $1.2 Billion in Bonds

airplane docked
Feb 02 2018

In 2015 Etihad created an Amsterdam-based special purpose vehicle “SPV Equity Alliance Partners” which issued bonds for Etihad and other airlines it controlled. Etihad has since walked away from its investments in Alitalia and air berlin, each of which reportedly held 19% of the debt.

Etihad is discussing “how to support the bonds” given the “political and reputational pressure” not to default. It will be expensive for the Al Nahyans to cover the commitment, but embarrassing for them not to.

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Here’s How American’s New Passenger Compensation System Works

broken armrest
Feb 01 2018

A few weeks ago I wrote that American is giving flight attendants a new tool to hand out onboard compensation for service failures. If something bad happens during your flight, they can give you AAdvantage miles on the spot.

We now know something about what situations are programmed for miles (and what will get you bupkis) and how much you can expect to get.

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Good American Airlines Business Class Award Space to Barcelona

first class cabin
Jan 31 2018

American Airlines has been appallingly bad at offering award space on their own flights especially in premium cabins. When they’ve offered it, it’s been for a brief moment. And that space is crucial because awards on their primary transatlantic partner British Airways, while more available, incur punitive fuel surcharges.

We need American award space on American’s own flights, and when it’s available it’s worth jumping on.

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US-Qatar Agreement Even More Hollow Victory for US Carriers Than They Claimed

qatarplane
Jan 30 2018

There was no limitation on flights from Doha to the U.S. And it turns out that the actual agreement contains only a side letter indicating that Qatar’s civilian aviation authority is “unaware of any plans by Qatar Airlines to start” flights between third countries and the U.S. There is no promise about avoiding such flights in the future.

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