For more than six years I’ve been saying that inflight internet will eventually be free. Since I started making that prediction JetBlue introduced free inflight internet, Aer Lingus has announced usage-capped free wifi, and Delta’s CEO has started saying it’s going to happen.
American Airlines isn’t going to lead the industry to deliver this. Their model “will be charging for wifi.” However they could get dragged into offering free wifi if major competitors do it.
So much for notions of membership. A US airline club used to be a members-only club not just an extra amenity to pay to add onto your ticket. You could access it as a member. In the old days when you didn’t need a same day ticket to clear security you could go wait in the lounge to meet an arriving passenger.
As an historical vestige of that some airline clubs would even let you request gate passes after 9/11 as a service to its members.
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.
On a Southwest Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Dallas this week a man — who admits to using methamphetamines the day prior to travel and to overdosing on heroin two days before that — says God was speaking to him on Flight 859. His God, apparently, is not a part of the #MeToo movement because he proceeded to lean “closer to her and put his arm over her armrest and onto her leg” and then “play footsie.” He also “kept pulling on her sweater, asking her to go out after the flight and if she was staying alone in her hotel room.” She changed seats with the help of a flight attendant. He “tried going over to [her] with a drink.” The pilot diverted to Albuquerque. In the man’s statement he claimed that they…
Members are going to have different views of these reported changes, which have not been confirmed by Hyatt.
My own view is that while I like the value cash and points offers now at the category 2-6 level, now that full points redemptions earn elite night credit cash and points is no longer as crucial a part of my arsenal.
Meanwhile premium suites is huge — the major constraint on my travel is time rather than points. Since I’m not working hard to stretch each point I’d rather use them for the best experience possible.
Delta, Alaska, and Southwest Airlines all offer free inflight texting. In September 2017, at American’s Investor and Media Day, the airline announced they would offering free inflight texting however that never happened. Last month I asked them about it and was told they aren’t doing it after all.
American got its media for improving customer experience, and then didn’t have to actually improve customer experience.
Other passengers may try to take your belongings from the overhead bin. Usually though it is other passengers, rather than crew.
Don’t leave thousands of dollars lying around the cabin outside of your control.
When the seat belt sign is on, wear your seat belt. When the seat belt sign is off, but you’re in your seat wear your seat belt.
Yesterday’s Aerolineas Argentinas flight AR1303 from Miami to Buenos Aires provided a strong reminder of this important lesson. Our of 192 passengers on board 15 were injured in turbulence after the plane reached cruising altitude, including 8 who were taken to the hospital on arrival in Buenos Aires.
Meeting customers where they are and want to be is important. I’m looking forward to giving this a test drive, to see if the same options are offered in the app as online, once my own app updates on my phone. That said booking ease isn’t among the top five challenges that the program faces.
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.
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 »
