American laid out their strategic objectives for 2019 to employees. It breaks down goals into financial performance, employees, and customers. Here’s what you can expect from the airline.
Free Airport Burgers During the Government Shutdown and Human Bones Found at DFW Airport
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.
Lufthansa Devaluing Award Chart Effective May 9
Effective May 9 Lufthansa is making changes to their award chart. You can book at old rates until that time. In general premium cabin awards are going up around 6% or so, which isn’t terrible relative to trends in much of the world and that the chart has been constant for some time.
Family Kicked Off American Airlines Flight for Foul Odor, Claims Discrimination
A family was kicked off an American Airlines flight from Miami to Detroit on Wednesday. American says it was because they smelled. They say it’s because they’re Jewish.
They were given hotel and meal costs and rebooked to fly home today.
American Airlines Premium Economy Awards: Award Charts and Saver Space Are Live
Unlike Delta which no longer publishes award charts at all, and unlike United which doesn’t publish premium economy award pricing American has added premium economy to its published award chart pricing.
What’s more, unlike United which doesn’t seem to make premium economy saver awards available, American has made saver space for premium economy available at the get go.
American Has a New Award Booking Tool But It’s Quirky and Confusing
American Airlines has launched a new award search tool. It runs alongside – rather than, at this point, being a replacement for – their existing award search.
The calendar feature isn’t available yet and the ability to filter results isn’t either. This new tool also does not allow you to book new Economy Web Special awards either.
Earnings Release: American Airlines Lost Money Flying Passengers Last Quarter
American Airlines Group is earning a profit, albeit less than the minimum CEO Doug Parker promised they’d ever see. Whether or not they’ll ever lose money again though hinges on the success of their frequent flyer program — and whether they can recognize they aren’t offering a flight product that customers want to pay a premium for.
Student Calls In Bomb Threat to Keep Parents From Flying For a Visit
A 23 year old student called in a hoax bomb threat against easyJet flight 4319 from Lyon to Rennes in France last Friday January 18th. Apparently his parents were on board and he didn’t want them to visit.
Venezuela is Plunging into Chaos: Which Airlines Still Fly?
As the country has fallen apart, with mass shortages, rampant crime, and inflation over 5000%, American Airlines had found their Venezuela routes extremely profitable — because there was so little air service left.
Thanks to price controls on domestic flights, passengers waited at airports for days hoping to get on a flight. The National Guard pulls suitcases off of flights to loot them. Airlines complain they’re getting contaminated fuel.
With flight crews getting robbed by bandits airlines fly crews out of the country to overnight, and try to refuel elsewhere as well.
Drama-Laden Parker Meridien New York Rebrands Again, Now a Hyatt
When Starwood picked up Le Meridien hotels they integrated most properties into Starwood Preferred Guest but the Parker Meridien properties in New York and Palm Springs were noticeably absent (presumably not wanting to pay the 5% fee).
During the depths of the Great Recession though they realized they needed the marketing muscle and joined the program in late 2008. They allegedly began stealing from Starwood Preferred Guest almost immediately.