Delta CEO: SkyTeam Failed, Airline Will Create Their Own International Network of Carriers

by Gary Leff

korean air
Sep 19 2019

Delta CEO Ed Bastian told Bloomberg that the SkyTeam, of which Delta is a part, hasn’t “brought a lot of great value to customers..[or] to member airlines” and so they’re trying to create their “own international network of carriers” with Delta “as the centerpiece.”

The Atlanta-based carriers is shifting away from an alliance focus and “taking a different approach” where they use local airline brands that can operate in local markets around the world and influence those airlines to be more efficient.

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Virgin Atlantic’s Big Expansion Plan is Fake

by Gary Leff

virgin atlantic
Sep 19 2019

Virgin Atlantic announced an expansion plan to become Britain’s second flag carrier, adding 84 new routes. They’d fly to 12 domestic destinations in the U.K., 37 European routes, and add 35 long haul routes to places like Delhi, Havana, Jakarta and Tel Aviv.

There is absolutely no chance of their announced growth plan happening. It simply isn’t real. It’s pure posturing to bolster their case for government handouts. In fairness, they’re correct that the handouts shouldn’t all go to British Airways – but they shouldn’t be given to Virgin, either.

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Government Says Mechanic Who Sabotaged American Airlines Plane May Have Connection to ISIS

by Gary Leff

american-airlines-plane
Sep 18 2019

What the mechanic did was truly beyond the pale, and both American Airlines and their mechanics unions say so. The government is going to be as aggressive as possible in going after him, invoking the specter of terror, especially since his name is Abdul-Majeed Marouf Ahmed Alani. So far the man seems more deranged than a terrorist.

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Register to Earn Double Avios On British Airways Flights Through June 30

by Gary Leff

airplane cabin
Sep 18 2019

British Airways is offering double Avios on flights, including not just British Airways flights but transatlantic BA codeshares on their joint venture partners (American, Iberia, Finnair) too.

Double Avios applies to your first 10 flights through June 30, 2020 as long as they’re booked by December 13. And unlike past versions of the promotion, already-booked flights earn double Avios too – this isn’t just for new bookings

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Qatar Airways Announces Record $632 Million Loss

by Gary Leff

qatarplane
Sep 18 2019

Qatar Airways announced a loss of 2.3 billion Qatari riyals (US$632 million) for the fiscal year ended March 31, for a -4.8% margin. That’s their second straight year of losses and ten times the loss of the prior year.

The airline basically gets a pass on its financial performance while the country is being blockaded by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt. That eliminates travel to 20 destinations in the region, and forces the airline to take circuitous flight routes – increasing fuel costs and flight times (and making the carrier’s schedules less desirable for customers).

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Which U.S. Airlines Have the Dirtiest Water?

by Gary Leff

Sep 18 2019

The New York City Food Policy Center tested for coliform bacteria as well as E. coli. They looked at the number of violations at each airline of the EPA’s s Aircraft Drinking Water Rule.

Study authors recommend not drinking any way water that didn’t come from a bottle, not drinking on board coffee or tea, and not even using water from the lavatory to wash your hands. Please wash your hands!

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