The Government Has Now Given Out CARES Act Grants To 287 U.S. ‘Airlines’. There Aren’t 287 Airlines!

by Gary Leff

Jun 19 2020

When the Treasury Department first reported on airline subsidy payouts under the CARES Act I was shocked to learn that 96 airlines were receiving payroll support grants. Who knew there were 96 airlines?

The Treasury Department wasn’t done yet, and there were still a couple of billion dollars to hand out. This week they updated their report, and they’ve committed $24,157,445,417 out of an appropriated $25 billion in payroll support grants, and funds are going to 287 airlines. Who knew there were 287 airlines?

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Canada Transport Minister Defends Making Passengers Give Risky Interest-Free Loans To Airlines

by Gary Leff

air canada plane tarmac
Jun 18 2020

Air Canada, along with other Canadian airlines, hasn’t been refunding tickets when they cancel flights. The Canadian government has backed them, though for flights to or from the U.S. it’s a clear violation of U.S. law.

Telling customers they can only have a voucher, to use later, is effectively an interest-free loan (they hold onto the money until they earn it later) and a risky one (risk that the customer will have an opportunity to fly, and that the airline will still be in business).

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New “Explore America” $4000 Domestic Travel Credit Is A Terrible Idea

by Gary Leff

Jun 18 2020

The Trump administration is reportedly considering a domestic travel “Explore America” tax credit that would refund 50% of up to $8000 per household in air, hotel, rental cars and even event tickets and restaurant spend as long as you’re at least 50 miles away from home.

I would love for other people to cover $4000 of my travel expenses. But the idea is nuts.

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One Airline Requires Passengers To Re-Confirm Their Reservations Like It’s 1962

by Gary Leff

Jun 18 2020

No shows have been huge throughout the pandemic, which is odd, especially during challenging economic times you’d think people would cancel their trips to retain flight credit.

Interestingly one airline is doing something about no shows, by taking a detour to the past. For tickets booked before June 10, for travel July 1 – September 15, passengers have to contact Emirates to reconfirm their flight 21 days prior to departure.

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NBA Gives The Good Disney Hotels To The Top-Seeded Teams

by Gary Leff

Jun 17 2020

The precautions they’re taking are significant. They’re limiting the number of people each team can bring into the ‘bubble’ although reportedly in addition to an athletic trainer, equipment manager, and security officer each player can bring their private masseuse or security.

Everyone is going to have to wear Disney Magic Bans that’ll be used to check in for coronavirus testing. Anyone who tests positive will go into isolation housing, before being re-tested (given the risk of a false positive), and not be able to leave until consecutive negative tests. Players will also be able to track proximity and duration of time spent near others, as well as their temperature and heart rate.

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American’s Supply Chain Breaks Down, Can’t Get Sprite Zero

by Gary Leff

Jun 17 2020

As airlines move away from inflight alcohol to save money, soft drink selection takes on greater importance.

For domestic flights and for international flights departing the U.S. there appear to be ‘supply chain issues’. Flight attendants have been told that while “[o]n June 1, we began transitioning from Sierra Mist to Sprite” individual flights now may have either one but not both. And Sprite Zero may be replaced with Sprite.

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