The ubiquitous blue vans will be no more after the end of the year. They’ve been pulling out of several airports in recent weeks. Now they’re pulling the plug worldwide.
Don’t Fall For The Hype: Qantas Hasn’t Pulled The Trigger On “Project Sunrise”
Qantas announced today that they have selected the Airbus A350-1000 for ‘Project Sunrise’ ultra long haul flights such as Sydney – New York JFK and Sydney – London.
The news here is that they’ve deferred a decision, not that they are doing anything. And their aircraft selection just means they’ve tentatively decided not to order the Boeing 777X. It doesn’t mean they’ve ordered ultra long haul planes. And it doesn’t mean they’re going to fly these routes.
Leaked Seat Maps Show United’s 787s Are Getting A Scott Kirby Retrofit
United’s Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 fleet – the latter which flies United’s longest flights to places like Sydney, Singapore, and Capetown – have still had the old Diamond 2-2-2 seats that most passengers with a choice avoid.
We finally have a look into United’s retrofit plans for these aircraft, and it isn’t pretty.
Drip, Drip, Drip: American Pushes Out the Return of the 737 MAX to Service Again
The return of the 737 MAX is like every other delay on American Airlines. You show up at the gate before scheduled departure time, because the flight board says you’re leaving on time. But there’s no aircraft at the gate, so that’s impossible.
The plane pulls up, passengers flood out into the terminal, and you stand there waiting. American updates your new departure time, but it isn’t until after that time passes that the departure time gets updated again. You have a mechanical delay and American keeps pushing your scheduled departure out 10 minutes at a time, updating with a new time only after the last one passes.
No New Crackdown on American Airlines Inflight Credit Card Marketing After All
Earlier today I noted Lewis Lazare‘s Chicago Business Journal story that a new American Airlines memo to flight attendants was aiming to rein in their inflight credit card marketing.
The piece said American was telling flight attendants not to market the card when passengers are trying to sleep, or during emergencies, and to read the card announcement script verbatim. However an American Airlines spokesperson tells me that Lazare got it wrong, he didn’t have a new memo to flight attendants, just their standard training.
Avianca Planning Layoffs and a Smaller Fleet
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.
American Airlines Cracks Down On Inflight Credit Card Pitches
American Airlines issued a memo to flight attendants on improving the inflight Barclays card announcement experience for customers. It shouldn’t be made early morning or late night, it should only be made once, and it should be read verbatim from the script.
Delta Shakes Up Private Jet Disruption Industry By Pooling Resources With Startup Wheels Up
What we can assume is that Delta is getting a sweetheart deal, will have a say in how the company is run, but will provide enough heft to Wheels Up that could push the company over the line to become the winner in the space or at least a solid long-term viable competitor.
Emirates Will Introduce a New Cocktail Bar In Business Class
Dubai-based Emirates Airlines was the first airline in the world to put showers in international first class. Even though Etihad, whose home airport is a mere 72 miles away in Abu Dhabi, added showers to their Airbus A380s the Emirates shower suite remains the gold standard.
They also installed a bar at the back of business class. They’re hardly the first airline to do this, but they dedicated significant real estate to the bar. It’s tended throughout the flight, there are snacks and good libations on offer.
20% Off Alaska Airlines Travel, Book By Friday
Starbucks has a Happy Hour discount with Alaska Airlines. Book flights by this Friday, December 13th for travel January 7, 2020 through March 4, 2020 (excluding February 13-23, 2020) at up to 20% off