American and Qantas Submitted Request to DOT Today to Collude on Schedules, Pricing

by Gary Leff

sydney opera house at sunset
Feb 26 2018

Two years ago American Airlines and Qantas announced an expanded joint venture. American was launching Sydney and Auckland service, Qantas Sydney – San Francisco. And they indicated there would be more new routes in the offing as a result of the partnership.

The Obama administration’s Department of Transportation indicated they were going to reject anti-trust immunity for the revenue-sharing partnership. They said they didn’t believe there would be greater growth in service compared to what they expected to happen anyway which was a novel approach. Qantas and American withdrew their application rather than having it rejected.

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Olympic Gold Medal Curler Got Upgraded on Delta After All – Watch the Champagne Toast

by Gary Leff

people toasting on plane
Feb 26 2018

Delta’s fairly stock social media reply to the gold medallist US olympic curlers has gotten a lot of play. The athletes tweeted hoping for an upgrade coming home from Seoul, and were roundly told no.

Except it turns out – despite all the media surrounding Delta’s initial response – that there was a celebration at the gate, a champagne toast onboard, and one of the medalists did wind up sitting up front.

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60,000 Mile Signup Offer for Avianca Visa

by Gary Leff

avianca visa
Feb 25 2018

The LifeMiles credit cards are promoting a special offer. Avianca’s LifeMiles is a Star Alliance frequent flyer program, you can use the miles on United, Lufthansa and more.

The website shows offers of 20,000 and 30,000 mile signup bonuses. However with promo code LM17WB those become 40,000 and 60,000 mile offers instead. There’s no minimum spend requirement, bonuses are awarded after one purchase.

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Power Brick Catches Fire in Overhead Bin, Passengers Evacuated

by Gary Leff

power brick on fire in bin
Feb 25 2018

There’s incredible video of a fire in the overhead bin of today’s China Southern flight CZ3539 from Guangzhou to Shanghai. A power bank in someone’s carry on caught fire prior to departure and passengers had to be evacuated from the plane.

A flight attendant and passenger tried to put out the fire with bottles of water and also juice, and then fire and security departments assisted in extinguishing it.

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