Korean Air is considering removing first class entirely from their fleet. Before the end of the Chase partnership I transferred a bunch of points to the Skypass program. I’ll still get use out of them but my intention was as a backup way to get to Asia in first class when needed. That plan could… change.
United pajamas are given out in business class on flights over 12 hours. Now United is introducing new pajamas that are tighter (smaller size, odd for an airline primarily serving Americans) and that – in a leaked internal United photo – look horrible.
Domestically Delta works to earn a revenue premium by leveraging its two advantages: non-union mechanics and front line employees. Delta’s TechOps drive an on-time operation less likely to cancel flights, and acts as a profit center doing maintenance for other carriers. Delta customer service is generally friendlier than competitors. However the U.S. market is mature and domestic aviation is not a growth business.
Delta owns stakes in Aeromexico, China Eastern, Gol, Air France KLM and Virgin Atlantic. These investments both help Delta align the interests of those carriers with their own, and diversify their exposure beyond the U.S. market.
There’s been a trend towards airline-hotel chain tie-ups, where each loyalty program tries to capture the business of members of the other program. These are expensive to offer, granting points and frequently privileges, but they’ve expanded because their proponents have reported that they work.
Now we’re seeing the first Crossover Rewards-style offering in Europe, with the launch of a dual points-earning offer and points conversion between Air France KLM and Accor Hotels.
The brand new Southwest Peformance Business Card is fast out of the gate with what may be the deal of the year, an 80,000 point initial bonus offer — which count towards a companion pass — and benefits like A1 – 15 boarding four times a year and inflight wifi reimbursement up to 365 times a year.
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.
Headlines blare “American Airlines offers satellite WiFi to its entire mainline fleet” and therefore “You Shouldn’t Have to Struggle for a Good Connection”.
I think it’s great that American Airlines has invested in faster satellite internet for most of its domestic narrowbody aircraft. However coverage of American Airlines completing its project to add satellite wifi to planes is being overclaimed.
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.
Qantas is keeping award charts and not moving to dynamic award pricing so if there’s a silver lining in redemption pricing that along with a reduction in scam charges is it. The move towards recognition of non-flying but still important program members and recognition of lifetime elite status up to Platinum are improvements, as are the introduction of new redemption partners.
It wasn’t really a $13 billion deal as reported, new planes buyers usually pay about half of list price. It’s incredible to contemplate even 9.75 billion Membership Rewards points however.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
