Several States Go Farther Than the DOT – Criminalizing Fake Support Animals

by Gary Leff

Aug 17 2019

The Department of Transportation offered final guidance on its enforcement priorities with respect to emotional support animals.

They haven’t issued regulations – they’ve just told airlines the conditions under which they aren’t going to do anything in the event of a complaint by a passenger, essentially giving airlines license to deny carriage to emotional support animals of certain kinds, to place limits on the number of animals an individual may bring on, and to require paperwork from passengers claiming to need a support animal.

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American Begrudgingly Refunds Checked Bag Fees for Lost Luggage – But Only for Canada Passengers

by Gary Leff

baggage claim
Aug 17 2019

Most provisions of Canada’s new Air Passenger Protection Regulations went into effect July 15. They lay out new rules that apply to flights to, from, and within Canada – including connecting flights.

One of the rules is that when an airline damages or loses luggage they must refund checked baggage fees they collected. After all, they didn’t provide the service they charged for – prompt transport of luggage from one place to the next, delivering it in the condition it was received (outside of normal wear and tear).

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Miracle on the Hudson Flight Went ‘In the Drink’ and Now It’s a Las Vegas Cocktail

by Gary Leff

Aug 17 2019

This past weekend a Ural Airlines Airbus A321 landed in a field after a double bird strike drawing comparisons to the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ US Airways flight 1549 ten years earlier.

Captain ‘Sully’ Sullenberger became an American hero as the captain of that US Airways flight, and Tom Hanks played him wonderfully on the big screen. Now he’s being ‘honored’ in a different way.

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Delta Private Jet Upgrades: What Happened to Delta’s Promised Surprise and Delight?

by Gary Leff

Terribly Named Flewber Offers Private Flights for $400 One Way ($700 Roundtrip)
Aug 17 2019

This week a video went viral of a Delta passenger living his dream as the only on on board his Delta flight from Aspen to Salt Lake City. Even on that 292 mile regional jet hop it’s a cool experience.

Seeing it described in a variety of media as being ‘like a private jet experience’ though reminded me that four years ago Delta announced elite upgrade opportunities to private jets. What ever happened to Delta’s private jet upgrade program?

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New Airline Ad Campaign Attacks American, Delta, and United

by Gary Leff

jetblue plane
Aug 17 2019

The Wright Brothers first took flight but JetBlue is using the ‘Alright Brothers’ to describe what’s wrong with fly on other airlines as part of their new campaign that seeks to describe what’s different about the airline.

Most airline advertising fails because it doesn’t tell you why you should fly the airline or because it can’t do so with a straight face.

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Thai Airways Wants to Crowdsource Cost Cutting Ideas From Passengers and Other Hair-brained Schemes

by Gary Leff

Aug 16 2019

Star Alliance member Thai Airways, whose President says there’s “never a day without a problem,” has a six point plan to return to profitability.

It involves getting passengers to e-mail in ideas for cost-cutting, sell more services through its mobile app, add a new route to Japan, and partner with a Thai cafe chain that’s found inside of gas stations.

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