American Airlines President Confirms They’re Considering Dropping More Chicago – Asia Flights

by Gary Leff

american airlines planes
Aug 12 2018

Last week a Chicago-based flight attendant asked American’s President Robert Isom about “the rumor that we’re going to lose all of our Asia flying” from O’Hare. Isom didn’t say no, Chicago won’t lose Asia service. Instead he explained how he sees American’s hubs.

American’s Vice President – Planning Vasu Raja added “the core of Chicago is an extremely profitable hub” because of connecting traffic in the Midwest and flying to partner hubs. “The only hubs that are more profitable than that are indeed Dallas and Charlotte.” However “the drags on Chicago are indeed Chicago to Asia flying.”

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American Airlines is Pleased With Their Total Loss Against Gulf Airlines

by Gary Leff

qatarplane
Aug 12 2018

According to its President Robert Isom at an employee forum last week “it is still a big issue.” Isom claims to have “made progress.. we’re pleased that there’s a recognition that when it comes to fifth freedom flights.. that that’s a problem.”

Isom concludes, “It’s still a focus area.. we’re pleased with the work we’ve been able to do with the Trump administration and we’re pleased with the results so far.”

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Fare Deal: Business Class For Less Than $2000 Roundtrip on Several Airlines

by Gary Leff

chinese temple
Aug 11 2018

United, Delta, and American are all offering business class roundtrips between Las Vegas and Beijing from $1901. These fares are widely available through the end of November. There are other cities where you can hop on cheap fares though they’re a few hundred dollars more.

We frequently see sales out of Toronto or Vancouver, or on Chinese airlines that have just recently started routes to the U.S. However seeing this kind of fare on the big 3 US carriers is rare indeed.

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Marriott-Starwood Merger Continues: the Moment a Sheraton Gets Copies of the Book of Mormon

by Gary Leff

cart with bibles
Aug 11 2018

Bibles have been in hotel rooms for over 100 years, dating back at least to 1908 at the Superior Hotel in Superior, Montana. The Gideons, which was formed by two men sharing a hotel room in 1898, give them away for free.

The average life of a hotel room bible is six years. Guests take them, even though they say ‘thou shalt not steal’ inside.

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LEAKED: New Marriott Rewards Terms and Conditions

by Gary Leff

hotel room
Aug 11 2018

Since announcing the new Marriott program in April there’s been inconsistent information about breakfast, about lounge access, and about redemptions for Starwood properties that previously charged double points compared to the standard award chart.

They haven’t been ready for prime time for instance they haven’t shared what would happen with travel packages redeemed prior to the start of the new program but where award certificates hadn’t yet been used for a reservation. And they hadn’t even published the terms and conditions for the new program. They don’t plan to share those things until the program launch on August 18.

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Here’s How Marriott Travel Packages Will Work in the New Program

by Gary Leff

outside marriott hotel
Aug 11 2018

Existing travel packages have been an outstanding questions. Members who redeem for a travel package, transfer points to miles, and hold onto the hotel stay certificate to use later have wondered ‘since Marriott’s award charts are changing, and my certificates are for a specific redemption category, what’s going to happen? what hotels will I be able to use them for?’

Marriott is sharing that travel packages are going to be adjusted so that they will be used on ‘similarly valued’ hotel categories.

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Watch: TSA Agent Grab a Smoking Bag at Security Checkpoint

by Gary Leff

smoking bag tsa
Aug 11 2018

On July 20 at the Savannah-Hilton Head airport the battery of an e-cigarette malfunctioned. TSA has just released video of the incident, because this happened, no one was hurt, and they didn’t even shut down the airport.

You can see the bag smoking once it’s gone through the x-ray. Initially the TSA screener saunters over, picks up the bag, and walks off. You can then see him on another camera speeding up.

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Ground Worker Stole and Crashed an Alaska Airlines Regional Plane Last Night

by Gary Leff

alaska airlines plane
Aug 11 2018

Last night a ground worker stole a Bombardier Q400 at Seattle Tacoma airport belonging to Alaska Airlines wholly-owned regional carrier Horizon Air. While much of the initial reporting suggested the plane was stolen by a mechanic, it was a 29 year old Horizon Air ground service agent.

The plane (N449QX) was taken from maintenance around 8 p.m. local time in Seattle and crashed on Ketron Island about an hour later.

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