View from the Wing

Airlines Can’t Ban Carry On Bags on Flights to Europe

by Gary Leff on February 24, 2019

Feb 24 2019

United proudly is the only major airline that has kept the ban on carry on bags for basic economy customers. In fact they’re more punitive than that, even. A basic economy customer who isn’t checking a bag isn’t allowed to check-in online or via app. They have to show up at the airport early in order to stand in line to check in, so an agent can personally verify they don’t have a carry on.

Airlines have rolled out basic economy fares between the US and Europe but the carry on bag restriction didn’t take hold for transatlantic travel. Now it seems like it might not be able to even if airlines tried.

Is American about to Lose its Etihad Partnership to United? Redeem Miles Now.

by Gary Leff on February 24, 2019

Feb 24 2019

There’s a great deal of discussion of a rumor that Etihad could sever ties with American Airlines and partner with United or even join Star Alliance instead.

I first covered these discussions over the summer but now it’s getting much broader attention.

Southwest Mechanics are Hamstringing the Airline, and it’s the Culture that May Suffer

by Gary Leff on February 24, 2019

Feb 24 2019

The airline has been consistently down aircraft over the past couple of weeks and they haven’t been able to fly a portion of their schedule. The carrier has been down 60 planes a day because a group of mechanics are writing up everything they can find to write up.

The airline is almost certainly right that there’s a coordinated illegal job action on the part of mechanics, and it’s causing damage to the airline. However the carrier has maintained a strong culture of working with its employees. It didn’t engage in layoffs during economic downturns. It has managed to retain a culture where employees generally like their jobs. Southwest Airlines isn’t the same place it was under Herb Kelleher but these sorts of confrontations chip away at what’s left of the culture little by little.

Beware: Several Marriott Hotels Charging Thousands of Dollars Cash When You Redeem Points

by Gary Leff on February 23, 2019

Feb 23 2019

Significant cash deposits are being required by some Marriott properties when booking an award. They say they’ll charge you cash up front and give it back at the end of your stay.

What’s more these are very poorly disclosed during the booking process, the credit card charges would come as a complete surprise to most people.

Marriott Compounds Their Massive Data Breach, Fails to Deliver on Promises

by Gary Leff on February 23, 2019

Feb 23 2019

In the fall Marriott revealed one of the biggest data breaches in history, and certainly the biggest known breach in travel.

In all 383 million records were hacked including 5.25 million unencrypted passport numbers, 8.6 million payment cards (most expired). Marriott has not revealed whether the notes they’ve taken on you were revealed.

Leaked Details of New Southwest Airlines Snack Service for Hawaii Flights

by Gary Leff on February 23, 2019

Feb 23 2019

After many years of speculation, sixteen months ago Southwest finally announced they would fly to Hawaii. How long have we been waiting? In December 2010 they advertised for an ETOPS manager suggesting they were planning long overwater flights.

They have yet to begin selling tickets but details of their plans have been trickling out ever since. Last year they confirmed several Hawaii routes: Oakland, San Diego, San Jose, and Sacramento will see Hawaii service and they’ll fly to Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, and Lihue.

And now we know what they will serve inflight, too.

Boeing 747 Pilot Takes a Nap in Cockpit Mid-Flight, the Co-Pilot Rats Him Out and Gets Disciplined

by Gary Leff on February 23, 2019

Feb 23 2019

A pilot of a China Airlines Boeing 747 is filmed – by another pilot int he cockpit – taking a nap during a flight. The SkyTeam member airline and Delta partner has disciplined the sleeping pilot along with the co-pilot whose video ratted him out.

As Airlines Raise Drink Prices, Man Carries Giant Beer Through the Airport

by Gary Leff on February 23, 2019

Feb 23 2019

The price of inflight beer and wine – like all other airline fees – has gone up. You may now pay $9 for a drink. And just like the movie theater you aren’t supposed to bring your own snacks, but at those prices how can you not at least consider it?

That looks to be what happened at Washington Dulles airport as a man is seen carrying a giant beer on one of the airport’s mobile lounges between concourses.

How Flight Attendants Avoid Kidnappings in Venezuela and Cabin Crew Satisfaction Scores

by Gary Leff on February 23, 2019

Feb 23 2019

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.

Nagoya Declares Itself “Ninja Airport” With Staff Directed to Dress as Ninjas

by Gary Leff on February 22, 2019

Feb 22 2019

Nagoya airport in Japan runs the Samurai Ninja Project to introduce the history of Central Japan to tourists.

The airport’s staff dressed up as ninjas for Ninja Day which is the 22nd day of the 2nd month because the Japanese word for two is ni (transliterated, natch) and ni ni ni is like Ninja. So it’s sort of like how May 4th is Star Wars Day because ‘May the Fourth be with you’.

Airlines Can’t Ban Carry On Bags on Flights to Europe

Is American about to Lose its Etihad Partnership to United? Redeem Miles Now.

Southwest Mechanics are Hamstringing the Airline, and it’s the Culture that May Suffer

Beware: Several Marriott Hotels Charging Thousands of Dollars Cash When You Redeem Points

Marriott Compounds Their Massive Data Breach, Fails to Deliver on Promises

Leaked Details of New Southwest Airlines Snack Service for Hawaii Flights

Boeing 747 Pilot Takes a Nap in Cockpit Mid-Flight, the Co-Pilot Rats Him Out and Gets Disciplined

As Airlines Raise Drink Prices, Man Carries Giant Beer Through the Airport

How Flight Attendants Avoid Kidnappings in Venezuela and Cabin Crew Satisfaction Scores

Nagoya Declares Itself “Ninja Airport” With Staff Directed to Dress as Ninjas

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About Gary Leff

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