American Closing 11 Clubs, Restricting Service In Others

by Gary Leff

Mar 18 2020

Due to low passenger volumes and suspended flights, American is closing 11 lounges so far. I expect that number to grow.

There are various state laws that are affecting service in Admirals Clubs. Perhaps the most extreme place you can social distance inside of an airport is in American’s Flagship First Dining. But they’ve had to close it at New York JFK because ‘restaurants’ are required to be closed. Some won’t let you take food with you, others won’t let you eat the food they give you there. And in some places alcohol cannot be served.

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American Airlines Asks Flight Attendants To Take Leave With No Pay

by Gary Leff

Mar 17 2020

American Airlines is telling flight attendants they have “great options” to choose from to voluntarily reduce the airline’s workforce: retirement and no pay but two years of benefits, or leave with no pay but benefits. Pilots are being offered about two-thirds of pay.

Unless there’s some sort of commitment not to furlough employees as part of taking the government bailout package airline CEOs and their lobbyists have been pushing for, I’d expect to see furloughs coming next.

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What Should Flight Attendants Be Doing To Stay Safe?

by Gary Leff

Mar 17 2020

Most coverage has been about passengers – being afraid to fly, not allowed to fly by their companies, being advised to avoid risk. The President of the United States is advising against discretionary travel that is still mostly permitted. Yet day in and day out airline crew continue to show up at airports, get on planes, and interact with passengers. They’ve continued to work flights to Europe and Asia that many passengers have been unwilling to take.

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When Everybody’s Bailed Out, Nobody Is

by Gary Leff

Mar 17 2020

Hotels are in line right behind the airlines looking for a bailout – even the Walt Disney Company. So are airport workers, and now Boeing is raising its hand too. We need to reserve government’s response for where it makes the most leveraged difference to society as a whole. There are lessons from China on what’s coming down the road.

The economic challenges aren’t primarily in travel, that’s just what’s slowing down first, and when everybody is bailed out no one is.

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Marriott Furloughs “Tens Of Thousands” Of Employees, Many Hotels To Close

by Gary Leff

Mar 17 2020

Hotels that are empty don’t need so many people at the front desk or servicing rooms. Restaurants that aren’t allowed to serve guests except on a to-go basis don’t need as many servers, even if they had guests. And so Marriott has furloughed ‘tens of thousands’ of employees who will not be paid, but will continue to receive health benefits. Many hotels will also be closing.

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Air Canada Signature Suite Vancouver Review

by Gary Leff

Mar 17 2020

The Air Canada Signature Suite Vancouver is now open, and like its counterpart in Toronto is one of the best business class lounges in the world.

At the end of 2017 Air Canada unveiled their international business class Signature Suite lounge in Toronto. In my experience it is the best business class lounge in North America, and perhaps the best lounge in North America. Dining there is genuinely fantastic. It is open only to paid business class passengers on Air Canada, not to Star Alliance customers, award passengers, or upgrades.

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New Golden Age For Frequent Flyers Is Just Around The Corner

by Gary Leff

Mar 17 2020

A lot of people are grounded right now. Most of us are going to travel again. And we’re sure going to be itching to do so.

No matter what happens with the business of any of the airlines, we’re going to have big airlines to take us where we want to go. They are going to have tons of empty seats for awhile – which means deep discounts, award availability, and aggressive mileage promotions.

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Paid Travel Subscriptions Need To Waive Fees For Several Months (Or Else You Should Cancel Now)

by Gary Leff

gogo plane
Mar 17 2020

Suspending paid services like Gogo and Expert Flyer makes sense. Don’t spend money on a service you aren’t using right now. From a travel company’s perspective they can generate some revenue from customers who forget to cancel, but it’s better to keep all of their customers long term by making it unnecessary to cancel. Many who give up the services temporarily won’t come back

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