View from the Wing

How Alaska Airlines Is Considering Changing Its Frequent Flyer Program

by Gary Leff on March 5, 2020

Mar 05 2020

Alaska Airlines is surveying potential changes to their program, including moving to revenue-based earning and offering elite tiers starting at just 5000 qualifying miles.

While programs survey potential changes all of the time, and many of the potential ideas being surveyed never see the light of day, since it’s reasonable to expect to see changes to the program coming as a result of the American and oneworld partnership, changes that Mileage Plan is surveying now become especially interesting.

Will Discounting Bring Back Travelers Concerned About Coronavirus?

by Gary Leff on March 5, 2020

Mar 05 2020

Last week hotel occupancy dropped in the U.S. I expect that the effect will be greater when we get the numbers for this week. However there are a couple of interesting things already going on in the numbers.

40 Years Ago Today Trans American Flight 209 Made a Miracle Landing in Chicago

by Gary Leff on March 5, 2020

Mar 05 2020

On March 5, 1980 Trans American flight 209 from Los Angeles made a miraculous landing in Chicago after the pilot Captain Clarence Ovuer and First Officer Roger Murdock suffered incapacitation due to food poisoning during the flight.

One of the flight attendants, Elaine Dickinson, managed to activate the aircraft’s auto pilot while a passenger on the flight, Ted Stryker, took the controls.

Should An Airline Hold A Plane A Few Minutes To Make Sure Checked Bags Are On Board?

by Gary Leff on March 4, 2020

Mar 04 2020

American Airlines President Robert Isom first tells a group of employees in Philadelphia that they need to do it all, but when it comes down to it he says run on time.

Leaked Memo: What United Plans To Do To Reduce Costs As Coronavirus Dries Up Travel

by Gary Leff on March 4, 2020

Mar 04 2020

The aviation world has been rocked by coronavirus, as demand for travel shrinks. Businesses are telling employees not to fly. Discretionary trips are being cancelled. And there’s tremendous uncertainty over the future.

While U.S. airlines have been healthy and better-positioned to handle what is so far a less extreme hit to their business as carriers in China, Hong Kong, and South Korea they’re certainly scrambling to figure out what’s next. United has been proactive communicating with employees, first with a note over the weekend and now with another message outlining drastic steps they’re taking to reduce costs given reductions in revenue.

How Expedia Eliminated 20 Million Customer Service Calls

by Gary Leff on March 4, 2020

Mar 04 2020

A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

Why Doug Parker Changed His Mind And Started Working Closely With Qatar Airways Again

by Gary Leff on March 4, 2020

Mar 04 2020

In making the announcement of the renewed codeshare with Qatar Airways this past week American said that “the issues [of subsidies] had been addressed” between the two airlines. That’s bullocks, the U.S. airlines failed completely in their effort to get meaningful government action against their Gulf rivals.

On Wednesday American Airlines CEO Doug Parker spoke to employees at an internal town hall, a recording of which was shared with View From The Wing. There he explained the carrier’s change of heart.

How’s This For A Creepy Tweet From TSA?

by Gary Leff on March 4, 2020

Mar 04 2020

The TSA responded to one of my tweets, divulging personal information about me, and it’s a reminder of how much freedom we’ve given up in the name of a false sense of security.

Man With Coronavirus Flew Delta On February 22 – And Other Passengers Aren’t Being Told

by Gary Leff on March 4, 2020

Mar 04 2020

A 56 year old man flew on Delta from Amsterdam to Atlanta on February 22. He had connected from Milan, Italy. A few days after the flight he showed symptoms of coronavirus. Other passengers on board aren’t being informed.

Marriott Lost The Iconic Four Points Niagara Falls, New York

by Gary Leff on March 3, 2020

Mar 03 2020

The property is slated to leave Marriott after today. It should tell you something though about the Four Points brand that the property is being required to invest in upgrades to meet Best Western requirements.

How Alaska Airlines Is Considering Changing Its Frequent Flyer Program

Will Discounting Bring Back Travelers Concerned About Coronavirus?

40 Years Ago Today Trans American Flight 209 Made a Miracle Landing in Chicago

Should An Airline Hold A Plane A Few Minutes To Make Sure Checked Bags Are On Board?

Leaked Memo: What United Plans To Do To Reduce Costs As Coronavirus Dries Up Travel

How Expedia Eliminated 20 Million Customer Service Calls

Why Doug Parker Changed His Mind And Started Working Closely With Qatar Airways Again

How’s This For A Creepy Tweet From TSA?

Man With Coronavirus Flew Delta On February 22 – And Other Passengers Aren’t Being Told

Marriott Lost The Iconic Four Points Niagara Falls, New York

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About Gary Leff

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