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.
Phoenix Will Replace Small Priority Pass Space With New 10,000 Square Foot Lounge: Whose Will It Be?
Currently Phoenix Airport’s terminal 4 B concourse has a Priority Pass-accessible “The Club” lounge. It opened in 2014 and it quite small, 2985 square feet. It has food and drink, but the furniture is dated and there are no restrooms inside the lounge.
This space — and an additional 7000 square feet — will be turned into a new lounge. The airport’s RFP provides clues as to whose lounge it will be.
American Changing Upgrade Priority for Companions
Last fall I wrote that American was changing how they wait list mileage upgrades and systemwide upgrades. Companions would begin inheriting their upgrade sponsor’s elite status for upgrade priority effective January 1.
That didn’t happen, the IT wasn’t ready. However it’s now gone into effect.
United Confirms Cuts to Meal Service on Flights Under 4 Hours
Wednesday United’s website indicated they were eliminating full meals on flights under 4 hours outside of dinner time. I reached out to United and they confirmed the change. This looks like a major cut to me.
50 Live Crocodiles Seized at London Heathrow
Last Friday 50 crocodiles were found at London’s Heathrow airport. The saltwater crocodiles were all about one year old and were supposed to be headed for a farm where they would be bred for their meat. In my experience crocodiles taste like chicken.
These crocs originated in Malaysia and were being shipped illegally — because of how they were packed.
Hyatt May Buy Another Hotel Brand and How Airbus Rose to Compete With Boeing
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.
Air France CEO Commits Corporate Seppuku, Labor Unions Notch Victory in France
While it’s not clear yet what the shakeup will mean, a union official says planned strikes Monday and Tuesday will “probably” go forward.
For now the unions have a scalp. It’s unclear whether the company appoints someone more conciliatory and caves to wage demands, or whether they’ll dig in to maintain a line on costs.
Nurse Boarding Houston Flight Had $41,000 Confiscated – Money Meant For a Medical Clinic
The government confiscated $41,000 on the jetway from a 59 year old nurse departing Houston back in October. She was never charged with a crime.
The woman, a US citizen living in the Houston suburb of Katy, had taken her savings with her to start a medical clinic in Nigeria. She was bringing medical equipemnt and supplies on the flight along with the cash. Customs and Border Protection stopped her during boarding.
United Express Flight Attendant Accused of Flying Drunk, Making Bizarre Announcement
A passenger from onboard United Express flight UA4689 from Denver to Williston, North Dakota posted a photo to twitter yesterday of a flight attendant that she said was “drunk and disorderly” on Thursday.
Reportedly “police and an ambulance were waiting for the plane when they landed Thursday afternoon.”
American’s Vice President-Planning Explains Killing Chicago – Beijing, Swapping Routes with BA
In American Airlines weekly employee podcast Vasu Raja, Vice President of Planning for the airline, explains Chicago O’Hare as a connecting hub and their decision to cut Beijing flying.
He says they are profitable on “every flight Chicago – West” though presumably here that means domestic. And they’ve tried a number of Chicago international routes – Delhi, Helsinki, Moscow, Frankfurt, Beijing – that they’ve killed.