The CEO of American Airlines Lays Out His Vision for Low Revenue Over a Quality Coach Product

airline seats
Jul 22 2018

Recently I saw someone’s comment on my Facebook feed that what you think about American Airlines corresponds directly to whether you fly mostly international business class and premium cabin transcon flights (New York – Los Angeles / San Francisco) or whether most of your travels are on their domestic network. That seems right to me.

American Airlines has made a huge investment in its product — but not where most people sit. Internationally we get good fully lie flat business class seats, better bedding, and better lounges while domestically even in their premium cabin we get less legroom and removal of seat back entertainment. They’re moving seats closer together throughout their aircraft which they say they’re making up for with thinner, less comfortable seats that have less recline.

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Delta Has Filed for a New Joint Venture With Air France KLM and Virgin Atlantic, Alitalia is Out

soap over tv show
Jul 21 2018

Delta, Air France KLM, and Virgin Atlantic filed their request for anti-trust immunity for a transatlantic joint venture yesterday.

Joint ventures seek anti-trust immunity to allow airlines to work together on schedules and pricing, and to split up the revenue they earn together on designated routes. This removes competitors, since members work together instead.

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American Airlines CEO on DFW: ‘We’re Not Going to Let Customers Have Another Option’

american plane
Jul 21 2018

At this week’s employee Crew News forum, an American Airlines captain asked the carrier’s CEO Doug Parker what he thinks about United’s growth strategy which is at double the rate of American’s.

Comparing United’s position in Chicago to American’s at DFW, he offered this perspective his airline’s strategy.. United is growing its neglected hubs. American would never let another airline offer flights from DFW that they don’t match.

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Is This The End for Me With BankDirect? (American Miles for Checking Account)

calculating money via paper and calculator
Jul 21 2018

I’ve been a BankDirect customer since July 2003, fifteen years ago this month, and I have earned a ton of miles as a result. I’ve stuck with them through all of the limits on mileage-earning, through their addition of a monthly fee regardless of minimum balance with the bank, but they may have just pushed me too far with a security protocol change.

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CEO Interview: Aeroplan Changes Coming After Air Canada Breakup

air canada plane tarmac
Jul 20 2018

I spoke with Jeremy Rabe, the new CEO of Aeroplan’s parent company Aimia, about what changes to expect for premium cabin awards, fees and surcharges, and what transfer rates they’ll offer for points moved to other frequent flyer programs.

He also shared reactions to selling points cheap (he’s a board member of LifeMiles) and the future of spinning off frequent flyer programs given Air Canada’s breakup with Aeroplan and the air berlin topbonus bankruptcy.

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