United Revealed Plans For MileagePlus, Polaris, and Basic Economy in its Earnings Call

by Gary Leff

united-plane
Apr 19 2019

Plenty of reporters will be covering the United Airlines first quarter earnings call, but largely focusing on the airline’s revenue performance and questions about the fleet – especially the 737 MAX.

My interest is largely focused on customer experience – product, fares, and the loyalty program – and that’s something that gets discussed but not nearly as widely picked up in the coverage. So these are the things that struck me as interesting during United’s earnings call.

Continue Reading »

CEOs of Delta, American and United Take Out Full Page Ad for Protectionism

by Gary Leff

qatarplane
Apr 18 2019

Qatar Airways owns a 49% stake in Air Italy and is attempting to revive what was once Meridiana into the dominant airline in Italy. With Delta partner Alitalia struggling, that seems possible. Although given Alitalia’s challenges, draining subsidies from Air France and then Etihad and the government of Italy the Italian aviation market isn’t a place that’s likely to produce profits. Delta sniffed around looking to invest in Alitalia, but no deal has been done.

US airlines don’t want to compete with Air Italy, though. They don’t want to compete with anyone, and there’s always a chance to go to the administration and complain about foreigners.

Continue Reading »

US Government is Going to Clamp Down on Cuba Travel – Again

by Gary Leff

beach
Apr 17 2019

Under the Obama administration the US relaxed rules on citizens traveling to and spending money in Cuba. They even reached an agreement to put air marshals on planes so air marshals could party in Havana and Americans were allowed to bring back unlimited Cuban cigars from their travels.

The new Trump administration though moved to crack down on the ability of Americans to travel there. These travel restrictions required Americans to go as part of organized tours and forbade spending money anywhere owned by the military. Now get ready for a new round of even tougher restrictions on traveling to Cuba.

Continue Reading »