Jun
06
2018
United sent me a package highlighting some of their product updates. Here’s what was inside.
United Product Updates Coming July 1: More Gel Pillows, Mayonnaise and Jerky
Airlines
Category Archives for Airlines.
Qatar Airways CEO Says His Job Is Too Demanding for a Woman
Jun
05
2018
Last year Qatar’s CEO said that on “crap American carriers” you’ll “always be served by grandmothers.”
He’s the new Chairman of IATA, the International Air Transport Association which represents over 275 airlines in more than 110 countries. And he didn’t waste much time causing controversy with his (offensive) remarks — immediately after vowing not to.
American Airlines Gold Members Losing Discount on Extra Legroom Seats Midway Through Benefit Year
Jun
05
2018
Customers flew throughout 2017 for their elite benefits this year. They’ve been flying all this year on the promise of benefits they’d have for the remainder of the year (if a higher status) and next year. That’s why it’s terrible when a program takes away elite benefits during the program year.
American Airlines even sells elite status renewals. AAdvantage Gold, for instance, can sell for $699.
Etihad Is Cancelling One of Their Two New York A380 Flights, What Should I Do?
Jun
05
2018
Etihad has been pulling back from the U.S., just as they’ve been pulling back from investments in foreign airlines. They decided to stem their losses in air berlin and Alitalia. They’ve cut routes around the world as their appetite for growth at the expense of their balance sheet has subsided.
They eliminated their Dallas Fort-Worth flight after American severed its codesharing relationship. They eliminated their San Francisco flight after Air India starting San Francisco – Delhi.
American Pilot Landed With Cracked Windshields, Smashed Nose Cone, and “Turbulence Like a Roller Coaster”
Jun
04
2018
American Airlines flight AA1897 from San Antonion to Phoenix ran into strong storms over New Mexico. It was pummeled by hail.
The Airbus A319 with 130 passengers onboard had its nose cone smashed and windshield cracked. One of the pilots couldn’t see out. But they managed to get the plane on the ground safely in El Paso last night.
Cathay Pacific Makes Two Improvements to First Class
Jun
04
2018
Cathay Pacific will be rotating vintage champagnes in first class each month throughout the whole route network. This month will be 2004 Krug.
And they’re bringing back the predeparture amuse bouche for a three month trial on Hong Kong to Chicago, Boston, and New York JFK flights.
Star Alliance Looking at New Top Elite Level and More Low Value Redemptions
Jun
04
2018
oneworld has three elite tiers. Star Alliance and SkyTeam have two. Star Alliance says they’re considering a third, a new top tier. But they aren’t saying what that would look like but it probably would involve devaluation of Gold.
Star Alliance also wants to introduce ‘dynamic redemption’ in other words revenue-based ‘miles and money’ across the alliance, spending points from one program as cash to buy a seat on another.
New oneworld Membership Type Launches With Fiji Airways as First Member
Jun
03
2018
Star Alliance introduced the connecting partner model last year which is like ‘alliance lite’.
Now oneworld has announced the same thing and even called it a ‘connect partner’ (as opposed to a connecting partner). The first oneworld connect partner will be Fiji Airways.
Airlines Want to Outlaw Comparison Shopping Sites In Order to Help You
Jun
02
2018
Airlines have made the travel booking experience more complicated. There are checked baggage fees, seat assignment fees, and fares that don’t allow advance seat assignments or even full-sized carry on bags at all.
Now they want to dictate the way that all online travel agency sites display their fees. And they don’t even promise to give these sites the information that would allow them to do so. “I’m from the airlines and I’m here to help.”
LIVE: Choose Cash or Points Refund If You Paid British Airways Fuel Surcharges
Jun
02
2018
Yesterday I wrote about the class action settlement over fuel surcharges imposed by British Airways on U.S. customers between November 9, 2006 and April 17, 2013.
Commenter Steve reported the page to select your cash or points is now live: “They are offering me 35,000 Avios or $955. Not bad.”
