News and notes from around the interweb:

• The mobile passport app just became less useful unless you pay. They’ve converted the basic app to paid, and if you stick with the free version you’ll get ads and have to re-enter your passport details every time you use it.

• The American Airlines Business ExtrAA program now lets you confirm upgrades and book awards online. (HT: JT Genter) Apparently the new process only works for mainline American travel and for one passenger in a reservation.

  It’s still amazing that customers cannot confirm AAdvantage upgrades online of course, though American’s process entails reticketing AAdvantage (mileage and instrument) upgrades but not reticketing Business ExtrAA ones.

  

• 15% off JetBlue awards book by Thursday April 25, travel April 29 – June 20 (excluding May 22-May 28, 2019). For Monday – Thursday travel only. Excludes Friday, Saturday and Sunday travel and the discount doesn’t apply to business class (“Mint”). (HT: One Mile at a Time)

  

• Star Alliance member Asiana Airlines is getting a government bailout. Its lead creditor is the government’s Korea Development Bank. South Korea’s finance minister announced that creditors are providing $1.4 billion, and the airline’s largest shareholder is being pushed to divest its holdings within a year.

  

• Emirates new first class will be on the Dubai – Maldives route this summer

• Views from Chicago O’Hare’s new control tower