Is Qatar’s Bid for a Stake in American Airlines Real, and Would American Try to Stop It?

by Gary Leff

american airlines plane
Jun 23 2017

Normally the US would be mediating the dispute – successfully – between Qatar on the one hand and Saudi Arabia and the UAE on the other. After all, the US has a significant military base in Qatar. By not backing the Al Thanis the expected value of hosting a US base has fallen dramatically. It apparently doesn’t buy a country much protection.

New battle lines are being drawn in the Mideast. Qatar’s move to acquire a stake in American Airlines is part of a much larger story than simply an investment in a U.S. airline.

Continue Reading »

Why British Airways Customers Might Like It If Flight Attendants Went on Strike Forever

by Gary Leff

Jun 22 2017

After British Airways more or less broke its flight attendants union in 2010 — flight attendants went on strike, BA continued flying with replacement workers — the airline got a two-tiered wage structure. New flight attendants were paid substantially less, although at least for awhile customers found that they provided much better service.

But those new flight attendants are planning to strike… again.

Continue Reading »

Disgraceful: Air Canada Doesn’t Know Basic Lavatory Etiquette

by Gary Leff

Jun 22 2017

On domestic US flights I hear announcements all the time asking passengers to use the lavatories in their “ticketed cabin” only.

While in general I think there should be a preference to use the lavatory in your ticketed cabin, rather than just “whichever is closest to you” (so someone in the bulkhead of coach should still walk to the back of the plane to use the lav) I also think there are clear exceptions to this.

Continue Reading »