View from the Wing

United Is Still Flouting DOT Refund Rules For Cancelled Flights

by Gary Leff on April 29, 2020

Apr 29 2020

United is effectively saying that they will not provide refunds for cancelled flights, only for significant delays, because cancelled flights do not exist. They are treating DOT rules – which specifically provide for two separate reasons for a refund – as though they only provide for one.

If an airline used to fly 8 times a day between two cities, and now flies just 3 times a day, that airline has cancelled 5 flights even though the airline can still accommodate the customer. United disagrees, but that is absurd on its face.

Program Meant To Subsidize Flights To Small Communities Will Now Pay Airlines Not To Fly

by Gary Leff on April 29, 2020

hand holding hundreds of dollars in cash

Apr 29 2020

The Essential Air Service program pays airlines to fly routes that aren’t economically viable. Now the program will pay airlines to not fly those same routes.

12 Nations Ask The E.U. To Allow Airlines To Steal Money From Customers

by Gary Leff on April 29, 2020

Apr 29 2020

Airlines are cancelling flights and downsizing their operations because of the global coronavirus pandemic. When they don’t fly the flights they’ve sold, they have to refund customers’ money.

The European Union’s rule 261 applies and requires these refunds. The E.U. reiterated that last month. However European airlines have been ignoring this and not processing refunds, at least for their European customers.

Now 12 European nations are siding with airlines against their people.

Wow: United MileagePlus Devalues Partner Award Travel

by Gary Leff on April 29, 2020

Apr 29 2020

Yesterday United Airlines removed partner award charts from its website. The only reason a loyalty program removes award charts is so that they can raise the price of awards while trying to hide what they’re doing. I have never seen a program eliminate award charts and become more valuable.

We now know exactly why United pulled these charts yesterday without any notice to members. Seriously, they’re doing this now?

People Aren’t Booking Travel, But Travel Searches Are Up Year-Over-Year

by Gary Leff on April 29, 2020

Apr 29 2020

Data shows people are still searching for trips – searches for April and May travel were down significantly, but travel searches for later in the year are way up compared to 2019.

There’s a Multi-Billion Dollar Airline Bailout You Haven’t Read About

by Gary Leff on April 29, 2020

Apr 29 2020

Airlines haven’t had difficulty borrowing billions of dollars against assets like planes, gates, hangars and parts. What’s not often pointed out, though, is that the liquidity Delta and other major companies are securing is itself part of another federal bailout program.

Hong Kong Airport Tests Disinfecting Booths To Take Temperatures, Kill Virus

by Gary Leff on April 29, 2020

Apr 29 2020

The Hong Kong International Airport is testing a new booth that people can walk through that will take their temperatures and disinfect their clothing and bodies. It does not test for the presence of viruses, though, or whether someone is contagious.

Virgin Australia Raided Its Frequent Flyer Program For $129 Million

by Gary Leff on April 29, 2020

Apr 29 2020

Velocity Frequent Flyer built cash in a trust and if the program failed it would, in theory, pay out money to members for their accumulated miles. That’s great in theory except… that trust lent AU$200 million [US$129 million] to the airline. Whoops.

This Private Pilot Is The Hero We All Need

by Gary Leff on April 28, 2020

Apr 28 2020

On Tuesday evening a private pilot took this flight over Maryland.

The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds performed a joint flyover, the Navy and Air Force squadrons performed a tribute to health care workers over Philadelphia, Trenton and New York. But this one solo pilot, I think, truly did the country proud.

Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK Airports Adopt New Access Restrictions

by Gary Leff on April 28, 2020

Apr 28 2020

Effective today the Port Authority of New York New Jersey is limiting access to Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK airports to “ticketed passengers, airport employees, and other with a need to enter for airport business.” Clearing security is already limited, so these new restrictions focus on pre-security areas of the terminals.

United Is Still Flouting DOT Refund Rules For Cancelled Flights

Program Meant To Subsidize Flights To Small Communities Will Now Pay Airlines Not To Fly

12 Nations Ask The E.U. To Allow Airlines To Steal Money From Customers

Wow: United MileagePlus Devalues Partner Award Travel

People Aren’t Booking Travel, But Travel Searches Are Up Year-Over-Year

There’s a Multi-Billion Dollar Airline Bailout You Haven’t Read About

Hong Kong Airport Tests Disinfecting Booths To Take Temperatures, Kill Virus

Virgin Australia Raided Its Frequent Flyer Program For $129 Million

This Private Pilot Is The Hero We All Need

Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK Airports Adopt New Access Restrictions

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About Gary Leff

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