World Famous Cellist Banned From Delta Has Passed Away

by Gary Leff

May 29 2020

Harrell’s cello was naturally a valuable item and he used to purchase an extra seat on the plane for the cello when he traveled. He was a Delta frequent flyer, and he thought that if the cello had a seat that the instrument should also be a member of SkyMiles accruing points for the ticket purchases. Delta warned him in 2001 that SkyMiles membership was limited to people, but Harrell persisted. He continued earning miles for his cello successfully for many years and then eventually in 2012 was banned from the SkyMiles program.

His story was featured on The Colbert Report where I appeared in defense of Delta.

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Las Vegas Centurion Lounge Receiving 50% Expansion

by Gary Leff

May 29 2020

With Las Vegas preparing to re-open, American Express is making a bet on the future of travel and the gaming resort city. They’ve announced this morning that they’re expanding their Las Vegas airport Centurion lounge by approximately 50%. The lounge, once it re-opens, will stay open throughout most of the construction periods with only brief closures.

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Here’s Delta’s Internal Program To Convince Employees To Leave

by Gary Leff

May 28 2020

Employees with more than 25 years at Delta are being offered a retirement package, while most employees are being offered a voluntary ‘early out’ that should be more attractive than being let go when CARES Act restrictions lift.

It’s sad that it’s come to this. Delta’s projections for a smaller workforce are in line with those of United and American. In the end I wouldn’t be surprised to see more employees let go by one or more of those airlines beyond what’s been outlined so far.

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United Airlines: No Plan For Bankruptcy, Will Use MileagePlus To Raise Cash

by Gary Leff

united plane
May 28 2020

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby spoke at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference and spoke confidently about shedding costs and preparing for a rebound in air travel. He offered that bankruptcy isn’t a strategic option, that airlines are foolish to retire fleets too quickly, and that MileagePlus is going to be a great source of cash – whether by selling a ton of miles or borrowing against the program.

Overall (9) claims Kirby made seemed both new, compared to previous statements, and struck me as noteworthy.

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American’s Full Message To Managers About 30% Layoffs

by Gary Leff

May 28 2020

Last night I broke the news exclusively that American Airlines would shed at least 30% of management and support staff, and I outlined the two voluntary packages being offered to most employees and what the involuntary package would look like.

A couple of correspondents – a throwaway account on Twitter, an anonymous email – complained to me that the airline had to move up their notice to employees because I had the scoop. They weren’t going to inform staff of the layoffs last night.

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American Airlines Will Terminate At Least 30% Of Management And Support Staff

by Gary Leff

May 27 2020

American Airlines is about to inform management and support staff that they expect at least 30% to be let go, according to internal documents reviewed by View From The Wing. The airline wants some of these layoffs to be voluntary, and they’re taking both a carrot and stick approach.

One of the enticements being offered is 250,000 to 350,000 American AAdvantage miles.

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