News and notes from around the interweb:
- Let’s check in on what American Airlines is serving in international Flagship First Class since they suspended printed wine lists.
Ernest Rapeneau Brut. Literally. Not even a vintage. I say $30 which is cheap for F, but it’s not even a good $30 Champagne. It’s as bad as “real” Champagne gets…it sure seems that they’re just dumping whatever they have from their current/previous supplier, no matter how cheap or bad it is.
American Airlines first class champagne, up until now, has been the only respectable thing served up front. When I last flew it was 2012 Drappier Grande Sendree Brut. Though in business they moved to an Italian sparkling in lieu of champagne.
Predeparture champagne from Sydney wasn’t even in proper glasses - Two Starbucks have joined Priority Pass I don’t know if I love this or hate this. They aren’t lounges, but they are new options. From Priority Pass’s perspective, anything to get a card swipe (since they get paid). I’d love for Chase to pick up my coffee in the terminal, too. (Amex and Capital One Priority Pass cards, sorry!) But I worry an expansion of this dumbs down the benefit so much that Chase finally pulls the plug on non-lounge uses of Priority Pass too.
- It does seem likely that January 6th defendants are in the targeting database.
Jan 6 defendants often reference the trouble they have at airports and while flying.
In newly submitted letter to court from James Rahm III, he references TSA experiences when asking for leniency ====> pic.twitter.com/3Rokx8a8jj
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) January 22, 2024
- Air France adding Phoenix – Paris.
Air France will launch flights to Phoenix (PHX).
The airline will begin flying from Paris (CDG) to PHX starting May 23 with a 3x weekly Boeing 787-9:
• AF68 Depart CDG 10:10 AM Arrive PHX 12:10 PM
• AF69 Depart PHX 2:10 PM Arrive CDG 9:15 AM (next day)PHX is Air France's… pic.twitter.com/nfIlq74eBL
— Ishrion Aviation (@IshrionA) January 22, 2024
- Rainn Wilson Shares Heartfelt Napkin Note Slipped To Him By Flight Attendant
I didn’t even see who dropped this on my lap at the PDX airport but I greatly appreciate the sentiment, flight attendant Melanie of Alaska Airlines. So humbled to be a part of a show that affected, touched, comforted and inspired. And continues to do so! It’s so fucking rare. A… pic.twitter.com/5h8gxP5j8t
— RainnWilson (@rainnwilson) January 20, 2024
McFarlane. Poor baby
Should have thought out what illegal activity you were getting involved in.
Now you are paying the price like a criminal because you are one.
Loser!
Here we go again adults crying about a lousy drink.
And what it was served in.
As I explained to you many times before the glamorous way of flying is long gone.
Now it’s shuffling people from point A to point B. And cutting corners where it can!!!
How long will it take for all you to realize this !!!!
If glamorous flying is what you want, charter yourself a private jet , most likely you’ll get all your Champagne, caviar, fine dining premium drinks. Fine glassware. Etc etc etc.
Just saying!!
That AA whiner is getting what they deserve! If that had been smart and flown the world’s #1 premium airline, they would have enjoyed the finest Cook’s and Korbel that Delta had to offer!
I would put my spend toward British for my transatlantic flights, but the redemption fees for miles in business are 65% of what tickets cost now, I’m sort of forced into American.
I make sure to board drunk with a coupl’a bottles of whisky so no choice of good wine bothers me.
A core value at American Airlines is dumpiness.
@Frequent Flyer: Totally wrong. Check out Emirates, Singapore, etc.
AA flight attendants (not their fault) should stopping calling it champagne when they offer me that swill
Luxury and AA do not belong in the same sentence. Tolerable is about a good as it gets…unremarkable works.
I get this attention when flying from EU to the US. The ol SSSS. My crime? Flying Turkish one way IST to FRA. These real criminals are just a bunch of privaleged nit wits.
Well there was real champagne in MIA’s and LAX’s Flagship Lounges yesterday. Piper-Heidsieck. No complaints
Typical comments from someone who wants to see American Airlines liquidated.
Question: Isn’t getting to and from one’s destination safely more important than the brand of champagne being served?
First thing I’d do is check if the cup is warm. That looks suspicious to me.
For the Jan. 6th thug. That’s what you get for being a chump fool. To make you feel better, let’s have a cheer.
Let’s go chump!
I am aware of the deficiencies of FC service on ALL the USA carriers. I am planning a “bucket list” trip to Italy next year, and I am dutifully saving away for a BC ticket on ITA, nonstop to Rome from the West Coast. I believe I will have few to no complaints afterwards!
Given that AA intends to entirely eliminate F cabins, is it surprising that they are not “investing in the product” as the blogosphere likes to call upgrading the product in ways that don’t drive additional cash fare revenue?
Jan 6th protestors are victims of government overreach.
Again there was no “insurrection”.
AA is paying less than $20 each for the bottle, or <79¢ per ounce.
@Timothy Dunn Jr – Guessing your response was sarcasm, as you know a great deal about the industry. In any event, just to be sure: Delta is not even close to being the “world’s #1 premium airline”, Singapore Airlines has held that position for the last 20+ years. After them, there’s a half dozen more until you get to Delta.
Does it really matter what champagne an airline offers?
Indeed, the whole first/business class food concept seems a bit antiquated these days as the airlines (and the lounge pass credit cards) all provide better food/drink ON THE GROUND before takeoff. Having just flown 22 hours in business class yesterday, there was way too much decent food/drink available. Admittedly, I wasn’t offered any particularly good wine, but so what? I don’t think airlines should be in the business of having wine cellars, as almost nobody will pay for that benefit. You’re buying transportation, not wine.
It’s AA, what do you expect? If you want a good champagne, then fly a non-domestic airline.
Secondly and most importantly, AA is actually using their brain here. The vast majority of people in Flagship First are upgrades or redemptions from churning credit cards, so why should they spend the money on someone who’s not paying? In the old days, when people paid, yes, I would say this would be an issue, but these days, nope, I agree.
Living as an Expat now in Asia, the number of flights that go out with empty seats up front is mind-shattering after coming from America. It wouldn’t shock me if the US carriers slowly moved to fewer upgrades and free upfront seats, and if they want to bring back quality, then this is what they need to do. IMO, Delta attempted it last year and got a lot of blowback, so they eased off a little, but I foresee they will reimplement the changes over the coming years.
I know what’s going to be said: I am moving my loyalty to AA, UA, SW, etc., or I spend X on said carrier. Guess what? All carriers know that 92 to 98% of frequent travelers’ spending comes from their company, not the individual and that the result is from negotiated contracts. More company spending equals bigger perks and larger discounts. The same goes for your company credit cards; ever wonder why the company will either mandate the use of company cards or that they directly pay for airfare? It’s the rebates on the back end.
Companies use the likes of Concur, Emburse, Egencia, etc., to control what you see and spend. So many hate these products, thinking that something isn’t showing up in, say, Concur, but if they check the web, it shows up. This is all due to rules that your companies have added to the system to restrict what is displayed. Oh, and if you think when you get an “out of policy” warning that that doesn’t go anywhere, trust me, it does.
I got a bit off-topic, so my rant is over, but I’m glad to see AA make this move, and working in this industry all my life, I again foresee bigger changes in the future.
Look how many great airlines have been taken down by bean counters. I rest my case.
I flew AA for the first time in year from LGA to Charlotte, NC. I was in Business/First because the charge for a last minute booking was only about $100 more than coach. I was offered a drink, and when I mentioned that I was on my way to my daughter’s wedding and asked for champagne, the FA warned me that it wouldn’t be that great, and we both had a good laugh. It wasn’t undrinkable. She was one of the nicest FAs I had encountered in a long time.
@AndyS You’re right it wasn’t an “insurrection.” Just a fully engaged “RIOT.” With five fatalities.
‘”
BA (in reality the UK brand of a Spanish registered multinational) have been doing this and other bait and switch scams on refreshments for YEARS….
#BestAvoided
@AndyS and you are a victim of your own willingly culpable stupidity.
Please don’t call it champagne is it was never champagne. Even calling it sparking “wine” is a bit of a stretch.
Well try Swiss Air First Class from SFO to Zurich. It doesn’t get much better with a full twin size flat bed and three FA’s for 8 passengers and Krug or Salon champagne served all through the flight.