View from the Wing

Southwest Flight Diverts When a Human Heart Was Discovered On the Aircraft

by Gary Leff on December 13, 2018

Dec 13 2018

The symbol of Southwest Airlines is a heart. This has been a theme of the airline’s since the beginning. They launched at Dallas Love field. Their flight attendants wore pink hot pants (designed by founding airline President Lamar Muse’s first wife). Automated ticket machines were called “Quickies.” Peanuts at Southwest were once known as ‘Love Bites.’ Their New York Stock Exchange ticker symbol remains LUV.

On Sunday, though, it took on a whole new meaning because one of their planes had to turn around because a human heart was left on board.

United Introducing New ‘Pick Up Pan’ Drink Service for Short Flights

by Gary Leff on December 13, 2018

Dec 13 2018

There’s a change in policy coming to short United effective January 1. Instead of trying to offer a full drink service to economy passengers, flights attendants will pre-pour a selection of beverages and place those onto a “pick up pan” for customers.

It’s a quicker drink service that is easier to complete and also means less choice for customers. Flight attendants will choose what to pour, though they’re encouraged to offer coffee on morning flights.

American Announces Several New Domestic and International Routes From 7 Hubs, Some Surprising

by Gary Leff on December 13, 2018

Dec 13 2018

Yesterday United Airlines made a big announcement of new flying from San Francisco. Today American Airlines is out with their own announcement of new flying as well.

American is expected to grow at both Dallas Fort-Worth (in 2019 with new gates coming online) and Charlotte (in 2020 with new gates coming online) and at Washington National (by operating larger regional jets at the dreaded gate 35X is replaced with a new regional concourse). The airline says these are their most profitable hubs.

American Airlines Elite Status Clearance Sale

by Gary Leff on December 13, 2018

Dec 13 2018

American Airlines will let you buy back your status if you aren’t going to requalify. On the one hand it’s expensive. On the other if you were going to mileage run to reach the status level, this saves you time.

American may realize their prices are too high, or at least that they have plenty of time to market to members in different ways. If a member doesn’t buy, why not put elite status on a clearance sale?

How Badly Does the US Treat Some Citizens Coming Back into the Country?

by Gary Leff on December 13, 2018

Dec 13 2018

A US citizen is suing Customs and Border Protection because when he returned to the U.S. from his native Nigeria, where he traveled for his late father’s memorial service, he was put through extreme measures.

Here’s why the federal government says they suspected him of smuggling drugs (which has since been proven false).