American AAdvantage President Leaving The Airline

by Gary Leff

Jun 03 2020

American Airlines is shrinking with a goal of at least 30% fewer management and support staff. That runs throughout the airline, including Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents.

Over the past two days rumors have been swirling about which members of top leadership will depart, as the airline offers buy out packages. (At this level buy outs are richer than what’s been publicly reported for management staff.)

Very soon we’ll know which members of top management are leaving. I’ve heard whispers of top names all day.

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UK Considers Revoking British Airways Heathrow Slots After BA Cuts Flight Attendant Pay Up To 50%

by Gary Leff

plane tails
Jun 03 2020

With British Airways terminating all of its cabin crew and offering to re-hire about 70% for as little as half what they were making before, the U.K. parliament is taking up my suggestion that the BA shouldn’t be able to keep its free gift of London Heathrow slots – their most valuable asset, which protects them from competition.

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U.S. Will Ban Chinese Airlines Starting June 16

by Gary Leff

Jun 03 2020

The Trump administration has announced a plan to stop Chinese airlines from flying to or from the U.S. beginning in June 16. This comes after the Chinese government has prevented United and Delta Air Lines from restarting their own services to China.

The Chinese are currently limiting airlines to service levels based on frequency in late March, when U.S. carriers had already suspended Chinese operations. The Chinese government has offered one flight per week.

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Huge: Air Canada Aeroplan Introduces Etihad Awards (Combine With Star Alliance Flights, Too)

by Gary Leff

airline bed
Jun 03 2020

A year ago Aeroplan accidentally announced a partnership with Etihad Airways. That deal wasn’t ready for prime time, but now it’s live. You can earn and redeem Aeroplan miles for travel on Etihad, which is huge in my opinion – especially with no fuel surcharges.

You can combine Etihad flights with Star Alliance airlines in a single award and travel to India, the Mideast, the Maldives and more.

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Storm Troopers Enforce Disney’s New Coronavirus Rules

by Gary Leff

Jun 03 2020

Disney has been using Star Wars storm troopers to enforce social distancing requirements and compliment guest on their face masks at the Disney Springs shopping and dining complex near Disney World, which re-opened May 20. The characters “tell people to ‘stay in your sector’ and ‘move along.’”

This “could indicate how the theme park plans to utilize its colorful cast of characters to enforce safety measures” as theme parks prepare to re-open.

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Sigh Of Relief As Virgin Atlantic Brings Frequent Flyer Program Back Online

by Gary Leff

virgin atlantic
Jun 03 2020

Virgin Atlantic has been looking for – but hasn’t yet received – a government bailout. They’ve presented themselves as insolvent without one.

To conserve cash there are several airline frequent flyer programs that have suspended redemptions, or partner airline redemptions, that would require them to pay out funds. So when Virgin Atlantic’s frequent flyer program went offline due to technology issues, and some bank card transfer partners suspended points transfers (so the points wouldn’t disappear enroute), that raised alarm bells.

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What It’s Like Flying To China In The Era Of Coronavirus (Incredible, Photos)

by Gary Leff

Jun 02 2020

The country is especially cautious letting people in, because that risks re-igniting the virus. However there are Chinese nationals looking to return home. This is the story of what it’s like to fly today from Los Angeles to Beijing. Except you can’t actually fly to Beijing. Air China’s CA988 has actually been landing in neighboring provinces – either Shijiazhuang or Tianjin – for quarantine.

This trip cost $4900 one-way in coach on Air China, plus $1400 for hotel and food during a 14 day stay prior to release.

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Airlines Eliminate Onboard Food: Is It Coronavirus Or Cost Cutting?

by Gary Leff

Jun 02 2020

Airlines have cut back inflight food and beverage offerings both for social distancing (to reduce passenger – flight attendant contact) and for cost savings. I’ve written that post-pandemic I don’t expect inflight product investment to return right away, as airlines work to repair their balance sheets after borrowing unprecedented sums to stay in business.

Soon though airlines are going to have to differentiate the premium cabin experience to recover, or else they’ll be unable to sell premium fares.

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