Feb
19
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.
Cheaper Access To American’s Flagship First Dining
The JetBlue Flight Attendant Who’s A Dead Ringer For Meghan Markle
Feb
19
2020
Thirty two year old JetBlue JFK-based flight attendant Christine Mathis says she first started getting confused for Meghan Markle in 2011 when passengers would say she ‘looked like that girl from Suits‘ on USA. It picked up when Markle married Prince Harry. She says passengers would ask her why she was working as a flight attendant after marrying a royal?
Now that they’ve been in the news constantly over Megxit she’s signed on with a talent agency as a professional lookalike.
Seriously, Who At American Airlines Thought This Was Food?
Feb
19
2020
One passenger shared the meal they were served in first class on an American Eagle breakfast flight from New York LaGuardia to Atlanta. It looks like a broken up granola pieces sandwich and that’s what the passenger thought that it was, describing it as “the driest sandwich known to mankind” although they “thought it was chorizo too at first.”
Airline, Hotel and Catering Conglomerate HNA To Be Taken Over By Chinese Government
Feb
19
2020
HNA group has struggled under a mountain of $100 billion worth of debt. They’ve been unable to pay employees or pay for fuel at Hong Kong Airlines. And that was before coronavirus.
In addition to airline stakes they own stakes in airline caterer Gate Gourmet and Hilton Hotels.
American Released Data to the SEC That Shows How Award Travelers are Doing
Feb
19
2020
It’s been tough to be an American AAdvantage member over the last several years if you actually want to use your miles to fly American. Since US Airways management took over in the final days of 2013, far fewer passengers have been traveling on American using their miles. That’s largely the result of a lack of saver award inventory.
The airline pledged to change that, and just released new numbers to the SEC that says how they’re doing.
Starting March 11 You’ll Be Able to Select Your Meal in Advance On American Airlines Regional Jets
Feb
19
2020
American Airlines started letting customers pre-select their meals online when they’re flying in premium cabins back in the fall of 2012. Delta didn’t roll out this feature until early 2019 and United is still in testing.
While American moved forward with pre-orders for buy on board in coach, they didn’t actually extend pre-orders to first class on regional jets. That’s finally changing.
Qatar Airways Increases Its Ownership Stake In British Airways To 25%
Feb
19
2020
Qatar Airways owns 9.99% of Cathay Pacific, 5% of China Southern (double American’s stake), and 10% of LATAM. They owned 49% of Air Italy before that carrier shut down. Their biggest remaining investment is in IAG, the parent of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling and soon Air Europa.
Qatar owned 21.4% of the British Airways parent – and has now increased that to 25.1%.
Two New American Airlines Paint Schemes Fire Back At Delta
Feb
18
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.
3 Cases Where American Airlines Gate Agents May Hold The Boarding Door For Passengers
Feb
18
2020
United has a program called ConnectionSaver to hold planes for connecting passengers where it won’t cause system or other passenger delays. United expects 25% of flights to arrive 10 minutes early (or more) every day. So holding plenty of flights still allows for on time arrivals.
American doesn’t defer to a computer for this. Their operations center can make the decision to hold a flight, for instance when there are a large number of connecting passengers they’ll have difficulty accommodating in the event of a misconnect. However there are 3 cases where gate agents are allowed allowed to hold the boarding door for customers past 10 minutes to departure.
$7000 Per Night North Island Resort Now Bookable With (The Wrong Number Of) Marriott Points
Feb
18
2020
In December Marriott changed its terms and conditions to say that category 8 high season pricing of 100,000 points per night is no longer the highest price a hotel can get.
It turns out that prospect was all about just a single hotel: the $7000 per night North Island in the Seychelles has now joined Marriott’s Luxury Collection. The hotel is now bookable at 365,000 points per night.
