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.
Why United is Uncompetitive, and Their Only Hope is Ignorant Customers Who Don’t Know Their Choices
I was looking at the 3:35pm United Express (GoJet) flight. The $53 fare was for Basic Economy. Customers don’t get preassigned seats, can’t make changes (of course change fees are normally $200, so it’s effectively full forfeiture anyway).
By having Basic Economy passengers board last the airline is able to segregate them and easily ban them from bringing full-sized carry on bags onto the plane.
Air Canada Launching New Frequent Flyer Program in 2020, Ditching Exclusive Deal With Aeroplan
Aeroplan announced last night that discussions with Air Canada on extending their relationship had broken down.
Air Canada announced this morning that it’s going to launch its own new loyalty program when Aeroplan exclusivity ends in June 2020.
Here’s what to expect.
Customs Even Worse Than TSA? Hazes Officers on ‘Rape Table’ to the Theme from Jackass
We give up our traveling freedoms in the name of security, even skeptics say ‘well of course we want 100% safety’ but occasionally criticize certain measures that do literally nothing to improve security or are actually counterproductive.
When in fact we don’t want 100% security.
Know Your Benefits: Amex Platinum Medical Evacuation Claim on Award Ticket Saves $275,000
Reader Arthur‘s parents were in Singapore on an award trip he helped to book using Membership Rewards points transferred to Singapore Airlines Krisflyer. Taxes were paid with his father’s American Express Platinum card.
They flew Atlanta – New York JFK on a Delta economy award and then New York JFK – Frankfurt – Singapore in Singapore Suites. During the trip Arthur’s father had a heart attack.
Laptop Ban Announcement Expected Tomorrow for Flights from Europe to US
On Monday I wrote that the electronics ban on flights to the U.S. from certain Mideast airports could be extended to European flights, with an announcement coming not earlier than today.
European security officials are saying the decision is made and an announcement will come tomorrow (Thursday).
The Powerpoint Slide American CEO Doug Parker Wishes He Had Never Shown
The CEO of the world’s largest airline appears to believe that the way you earn more money from customers is to provide the worst possible product which is less attractive than what’s offered by competitors.
Only it’s the exact opposite of what he was telling investors less than two months ago. Here’s the slide outlining American’s path to profitability growth — that they seem to quickly be turning 180 degrees from.
All The Cuteness You Need: Toronto Airport Rescues Baby Raccoon
Passengers waiting at baggage claim at Toronto Pearson airport Friday afternoon discovered a baby raccoon peaking out from the ceiling tiles above the luggage carousels.
American Will Offer Less Legroom, But Don’t Worry You Get Less Comfortable Seats and No Seatback Video Too!
BoardingArea blogger and teenager The Unaccompanied Flyer interviewed American Airlines CEO Doug Parker and asked about the airline’s plans to squeeze more seats into Boeing 737s — meaning less legroom. They’re going from a 31 inch standard in regular coach down to 30 in most seats and even just 29 inches in some rows.
Delta Brags About How They Stay So Humble and Economist on Passengers Flying to Wrong Cities
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.