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’ long-delayed Airbus A321XLR finally appears ready for takeoff. Seat maps just loaded for Flight AA3 on December 18 show the debut of the carrier’s newest jet — featuring all-aisle-access business suites and premium economy cabins — confirming its first scheduled service between New York JFK and Los Angeles.
Southwest spent its earnings call congratulating itself on “record” results — but the numbers tell a very different story. Revenue is flat, profits are down, and the airline’s transformation into a fee-heavy clone of its competitors looks increasingly self-inflicted. Everything’s fine, apparently, except what they lit on fire.
American Airlines lost $114 million for the third quarter. We’re at an important point for American. They could really turn themselves around. They don’t have long to do it. Here are (6) takeaways from the American Airlines third quarter earnings call that you won’t read anywhere else.
Beginning January 1, Bilt Rewards will retire its Milestone Rewards program and replace it with cash credits that members earn on top of their points. The new structure adds spendable value across Bilt’s partner network—from restaurants to travel—making each transaction deliver both points and real money.
Marriott knows this hotel has been bankrupt and closed for weeks — yet it’s still letting guests arrive to find locked doors. It’s the same property I reported on last week, and nothing has changed.
After meeting with President Trump in Washington, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Air Force KC-30A diverted to St. Louis on the way home when falling luggage struck a crewmember in the head. The military jet, a modified Airbus A330, was bound for Honolulu before continuing to Sydney.
India asked the U.N.’s aviation body to stop foreign airlines from hiring away its pilots, mechanics, and flight attendants — arguing that worker mobility disrupts the “orderly” growth of its carriers. The proposal effectively claims airlines, and the government behind them, own the labor of their people — a mindset summed up in one chilling message to pilots: “You don’t own your life — we do.”
Airlines built loyalty programs that once defined premium travel. Now banks control the game. Their credit-card empires generate billions, fund airport lounges that outshine airlines’, and shape where travelers choose to fly. This $6 billion power shift is rewriting who really owns the premium traveler—and the future of airline loyalty.
A sweeping new California law targets AI pricing algorithms — this will mean big process changes for hotels but airlines remain shielded by federal law.
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 »
