American Airlines Is Focused On Long-Term Growth, ‘Not Breaking Out The Distress Playbook’

by Gary Leff

Mar 10 2020

At an investor conference this morning, after first talking about coronavirus, American Airlines CEO Doug Parker pivoted to talk about the airline’s operational performance, and growth plans including from new gates coming online in Charlotte and upgauging regional jets next year at Washington National airport.

American just has a real difference in perspective. Parker said they are “not breaking out the distress playbook..that’s not where we are.” I hope he’s right of course. They talked about the effect of sales on bookings, their cash balance as a cushion, and the possible accelerated retirement of the Boeing 757.

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New Yorkers Banned From Global Entry: Just Change Your Address?

by Gary Leff

passport
Mar 10 2020

A reader shares that they had Global Entry conditionally approved when New Yorkers were banned from being approved for Global Entry. He arrived at New York JFK off of an international flight from London shortly after the announcement, but while his approval was still active, and sought to do his interview on arrival. No officer was available. A few days later his application was purged along with the rest of New Yorkers.

However he “immediately reapplied” using an address in another state. It worked.

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How Delta Is Cutting Back As Travel Dries Up In The Current Environment

by Gary Leff

woman outside brick building
Mar 10 2020

Delta has suspended share buybacks and is reducing pension contributions. They have instituted a hiring freeze and are offering voluntary leave to employees with an eye towards reducing staff count through retirement. They are “[p]arking aircraft, and evaluating early retirements of older aircraft.”

They’re also starting to implement $500 million in capital expense reductions, and they’re cutting flights.

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7 Coronavirus Developments Travelers Should Know

by Gary Leff

Mar 10 2020

Over the last day we’ve seen new travel restrictions around the world, such as the extension of Italy’s quarantine to the rest of the country – this isn’t like China where people couldn’t leave their homes, they can still go to work – and changes in airline and hotel policies for customers with existing travel bookings. Here are (7) things to be aware of:

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Video: Cabin Crew Tackle Passenger Who Deliberately Coughed At Them

by Gary Leff

Mar 09 2020

China appears to have their coronavirus outbreak largely under control. However they’re now encouraging – even subsidizing – a return of international flights. I’ve worried that they would bring back infected passengers.

Naturally they’ve thought through this problem, and with the current low volume of international flying they are examining each passenger entering the country. Even at the current low volume of international travel to China, though, that’s backing up arriving flights by several hours in some cases. And that can cause unruly passengers.

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Florida Asked All Arriving International Travelers To Self-Quarantine, Then Changed Their Minds

by Gary Leff

Mar 09 2020

Florida health officials asked all arriving international travelers to self-quarantine for 14 days. Now they’ve retracted the recommendation.

This recommendation no longer applies only to people who have been in (or in contact with people arriving from) Italy, China, Iran and South Korea. Miami is a primary gateway for flights to and from Latin America, where there are relatively far fewer cases so I’m not sure arriving off a flight from Colombia or Panama is a current risk factor.

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