Mar
02
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.
Fuel Spill On Delta Checked Baggage
Huge New Star Alliance Status Match, Mileage Purchase Under 1 Cent Each, and More
Mar
02
2020
Star Alliance member TAP Air Portugal has 280,000 frequent flyer members in the U.S. market, growing at about 12,000 members per month, and now serves 9 North American cities with 81 weekly flights. They’re even launching Boston to the Azores in June. And they acknowledge that their Miles & Go program “hasn’t been as relevant as it should be.” They aim to change that.
They are offering status matches up to their top elite tier, mileage on sale for less than 9/10ths of a cent apiece, 25% discounts on award redemption, and miles just for joining the program and referring others to join as well.
Today American Airlines Employees All Begin Wearing A New Uniform
Mar
02
2020
American Airlines launches their new uniform with about 50,000 employees putting on their new attire today. This comes after the new 2016 Twin Hill uniforms led to thousands of complaints about irritation and worse from another manufacturer.
As a result of these issues American’s employees have been allowed to use a makeshift combination of old uniforms, including old US Airways uniforms and some off the shelf options. This will be the first time, hopefully, that all legacy American Airlines and US Airways employees all have the same look and keep it.
American Coronavirus Copycats Alaska And JetBlue With A Strange New Offer
Mar
01
2020
American Airlines has come out with their own convoluted copycat of waiving change fees on new ticket purchases. It is simultaneously less generous and also more strategically useful than what JetBlue and Alaska have done in the face of weak bookings resulting from coronavirus fears.
Passenger’s MacBook Screen Got Crushed By A Reclining Seat And He Wants Compensation
Mar
01
2020
It’s a fool who tries to work on their laptop in regular coach, let alone who tries to do this without coming to some sort of an arrangement with the passenger in front of them. Nevertheless a man whose MacBook screen was cracked by a reclining passenger sought compensation from Delta – was offered it – and complained that it wasn’t generous enough and “I have a podcast.”
Passenger Flew Back From China To An Unapproved Airport, Skipping Over Extra Screening
Mar
01
2020
It turns out that the quarantine system that’s set up for arriving passengers from China has a loophole: not starting the air portion of the trip on the mainland and transiting an airport with U.S. immigration pre-clearance.
American Airlines Crew Refuses To Fly To Milan, Airline Suspends Service To The City
Mar
01
2020
American Airlines flight AA198 from New York JFK to Milan was cancelled Saturday evening after crewmembers refused to make the trip to Northern Italy over coronavirus fears. On Saturday the U.S. government raised the alert for travel to Northern Italy to its highest level.
The Weakest Air France KLM Promo Awards I Can Ever Recall Seeing
Mar
01
2020
I like business class awards at a discount, and 50% off premium economy can be useful. However 25% off premium economy from Seattle is only moderately useful and really only if you’re based in Seattle. 25% off economy redemptions aren’t great since you do pay some carrier-imposed surcharges. I need to see at least 50% off economy to suggest the awards as worth pursuing.
United Cracking Down On Flight Attendants In Overhead Bins
Feb
29
2020
United Airlines is cracking down on flight attendants posting photos of themselves online posing inside of overhead bins, known as the “Overhead Bin Challenge.”
It’s understandable that an airline wouldn’t want to have to take a maintenance delay if an overhead bin was damaged. And HR is certainly going to prefer to tell employees not to do it – it’s harder to sue the airline for an injury that way. On the other hand, heaven forbid a United Airlines flight attendant look like they’re having fun at their job… Last summer Southwest Airlines, for their part, backed up their flight attendant’s “brief moment of fun.”
Why American Airlines Was Cutting Ties With Alaska – And How They Changed Their Mind
Feb
29
2020
American Airlines gutted their partnership with Alaska Airlines and the most recent stage of the breakup was just announced in the fall so I was genuinely surprised by the about-face announced in mid-February of a newly-energized partnership including oneworld alliance membership for Alaska.
On Wednesday American’s CEO Doug Parker held one of the airline’s monthly ‘Crew News’ employee question and answer sessions, a recording of which was shared with View From The Wing. During his introduction Parker talked about the strategic shift that this represents.
