News and notes from around the interweb:
- Delta CEO Ed Bastian spends company money to hang out with Tom Brady and flew to Paris for the Olympics while the airline was melting down operationally in July. Now he’s planning for a CES keynote at the Sphere in Las Vegas. It sure seems like he’s lost the plot of running an airline.
Sphere of Fear 2024 ( @jblockheads) pic.twitter.com/dbfz0MDP0y
— Las Vegas Locally (@LasVegasLocally) October 22, 2024
- Doug Parker guest co-hosts the Airlines Confidential podcast. And he didn’t make my head explode.
- An improvement over United’s usual business class fare tbh
@united frozen food in Polaris. Do better. pic.twitter.com/dGicWOYgV9
— Brian (@FsuNoles4life) October 22, 2024
- Several days ago I shared a link to my appearance on the Miles To Go podcast, turns out there’s actually YouTube as well:
- Lifetime oneworld sapphire status for $450,000 in credit card spend. Japan Airlines U.S. credit cards have never been interesting, but this one is even if sort of niche? Certainly better than the initial card bonus of a plush toy they once offered – but only for those who acted quickly enough!
- Finnair devalues American Airlines award pricing
- Austrian Airlines lets you reserve a customized, private check-in counter at the Vienna airport for 99 euros
The airline describes this as a perfect option for a honeymoon trip, bachelorette party, or family vacation. The idea is that you not only get access to a check-in area that’s exclusively for you, but you can even customize the area, by adding a personal touch. The check-in counter can be booked online for €99 per 30-minute block.
- An improvement over United’s usual business class fare tbh
Maybe Bastian should instead fly up to Detroit and fix the catering mess.
@ Gary — He should just retire. Haunenstein, too.
Actually, I could imagine the private check-in would be something I’d consider, given the low price. I could easily imagine one reserving it for, say, their parents 50th anniversary trip or their kid’s honeymoon.
CEO Ed Bastian = Premium! No other airline even comes close to Delta. Our 30 year old, I mean their 30 year old 757s and 767s are the best in the sky.
we all realize that Gary is trying desperately to stay relevant but Delta has been at CES for years including in a major sponsoring role.
And regarding aircraft, DAL’s fleet will be getting younger in 2025 because it is using new deliveries to retire older aircraft including some 757s and 767s.
in contrast, UAL retired about 10 aircraft in the first half of the year and still might not get as many new aircraft as Delta so its fleet will not only age – it was already older than Delta’s – but there comes a point, not many years from now, when United has to use whatever Boeing can deliver to United for fleet replacement.
Southwest now has a shrinking fleet because Boeing cannot deliver enough aircraft including the MAX 7 and WN has to retire aircraft due to age.
DAL is receiving 14 new Airbus widebodies, UAL was supposed to receive 8 in 2024 but MIGHT receive 3.
Gary loves to generate page clicks but only rarely takes the time to focus on real industry issues even though, when he does, he does well.
btw, AAL did “well” on its earnings but generated much less revenue than leader DAL or even second place UAL while LUV settled with Elliott… a far bigger deal than a recurring role at CES
Wow, Bastion did 3 events in 6 months?!? Shocking. Yeah that’s really dereliction of duty. I don’t like the guy, but come on.
Agreed…clickbait and I fell for it. Yes, Ed flew to Paris for the opening of the Olympics. Delta is the prime carrier for the USA Olympic team. He’s not only the CEO but an “ambassador” for the company. As CEO, he has spoken at CES before. Nothing new here. Glen Hauenstein (get the spelling correct if you’re gonna condemn him too) is also a great executive. He’s the “route guru” and has been very successful at this. He and his team continually “massage” the schedules and routes for optimum RSM and…they are pretty good at it, too. The bad news is, yeah…Delta had a massive meltdown caused by numerous issues BUT…I guarantee you, the company learned and will try to prevent something like that from happening again. As for the food in Detroit, please name any US carrier that doesn’t use an outside vendor for foodservice. Companies must rely on their vendors to follow all protocols. As SOON as the contamination issue came to light, the company immediately stopped all foodservice (what should they have done otherwise?) and made a hasty switch of vendors. Better that than finding mold, a mouse or other stuff later on.