Tomorrow the US Will Try to Convince the World to Quickly Re-certify the Boeing 737 MAX

by Gary Leff

inside plane
May 22 2019

On Thursday, May 23rd the FAA is convening a meeting in Dallas with regulators from around the world. That’s what American Airlines CEO Doug Parker told the airline’s employees in his most recent Crew News question and answer session.

He explained “at that time the FAA is going to show the other regulators their views on the fix.” He says that the FAA “will be at least very close to re-certifying the aircraft, weeks not months.” He says not every country will go along and blames “politics are at play” for any reluctance.

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VIDEO: Spirit Airlines Passenger Lights Up at His Seat, Man Across the Aisle Narcs Him Out

by Gary Leff

spirit plane
May 22 2019

United Airlines introduced the first ‘non-smoking section’ on its planes in 1971. Smoking on US domestic flights was first banned in 1988 (for flights up to two hours) with all domestic and international flights required to be smoke-free by 2000. Since passengers sometimes disobey the law you’ll still find ashtrays in lavatories.

Usually though passengers aren’t so brazen as to just sit at their seat and light up. But our hero on a Spirit Airlines flight decided to throw caution to the wind. And it was captured on video.

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United Discounting Economy Plus Seats

by Gary Leff

airline seats
May 22 2019

United is offering 35% off economy plus (extra legroom) seat assignments for June travel if you pay by May 27. Not valid for basic economy tickets.

They actually ran 50% off for travel during the second half of March. United, it seems, upsells to economy plus seats the same way that American Airlines sells miles. They maintain a high regular price so they can frequently offer seats at a discount.

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American Agrees to Support a New DFW Terminal and Kinda Sorta Clean Up Aging Terminal C

by Gary Leff

airport map
May 21 2019

American Airlines and Dallas Fort-Worth airport announced an agreement to support up to $3 to $3.5 billion for terminal improvements including piecemealing a new terminal F and refreshing terminal C.

The airport is in the midst of negotiating its new master lease, and American represents 86% of passenger traffic, so they have the lion’s share of say. (Indeed, together with their joint venture partners they’re able to exercise de facto control.)

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Resort Fees May Be About to Crack as Online Travel Agency Starts Taxing Them

by Gary Leff

las vegas hotel
May 21 2019

Priceline’s Booking.com, the major competitor to the Expedia group’s behemoth of online travel booking sites, will start charging hotels commission on resort fees.

They believe the shift away from selling consumers a total rate, and moving money into the resort or destination fee bucket, cheats them of revenue. And of course it has reduced commissions that hotels pay.

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American Airlines Taking its Mechanics to Court Over Work Slowdown Affecting 125,000 Customers

by Gary Leff

american-airlines-plane
May 21 2019

American Airlines has gone for an injunction against their mechanics’ union, accusing them of a work slowdown leading to “650 flight cancellations and more than 1500 maintenance delays” affecting 125,000 customers, according to a letter sent to employees. They contend that the degree of issues they’ve faced would be “one-in-one billion” if left to chance rather than the result of “concerted activity.”

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Delta’s New Austin Club Has a Sky Deck — and It’s Gorgeous

by Gary Leff

airport lounge
May 20 2019

Delta’s new SkyClub in the Austin airport opens Tuesday morning. It’s gorgeous on the inside, features more substantive food options than the United and American clubs in the same airport, and features an furnished outdoor observation deck area with misters for the summer heat and heat lamps for the few days each year it’s cold.

For an outstation hoping to become a focus city like Austin this new club is an absolute winner — and will be a draw for flying Delta.

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