American Airlines Revamps Sydney/Auckland Flights to Make a Point to the Department of Transportation

by Gary Leff

sydney opera house at sunset
Apr 12 2017

Before the end of the Obama administration, the Department of Transportation rejected American Airlines’ application to expand its antitrust-immunized joint venture with Qantas, arguing that it would harm competition, even though Australia and New Zealand authorities had already signed off

American is making a bunch of changes that sure look like they want to show the Department of Transportation that they won’t offer as many seats across the Pacific, or give customers as many miles, without approval of the joint venture.

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New Video Shows What Really Happened BEFORE Passenger Was Dragged Off United Flight

by Gary Leff

david drao
Apr 12 2017

I’ve maintained that the Chicago Aviation Police, who appeared to respond with too much force when called, deserve more of the blame for the incident than they’re getting. I have caveated this noting that we didn’t have video of what transpired before the passenger was dragged off.

Now there’s video we hadn’t seen before of the disagreement between the doctor and a police officer, before the passenger is dragged off the flight and bloodied.

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What I’m Afraid is Going to Happen When Airlines Have to Deny Boarding to Passengers in the Future

by Gary Leff

david drao
Apr 12 2017

The world is aghast at the passenger who was dragged off a United flight by airport police on Sunday night. And rightly so. It’s big news because things like this rarely happen, but they sure feel like they could happen to most any of us who travel. No one wants to be put in that position.

Here, everything failed. However I’m afraid things really won’t get better.

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Here’s What United’s Oscar Munoz Should Have Done After Passenger Dragged Off Plane

by Gary Leff

Apr 11 2017

With the whole world melting down over a United passenger being dragged off a plane, United’s public relations response has been abysmal.

United needs to quell the hordes, both for their own immediate business needs and to avoid a reaction that brings about bad rules detrimental to customers and to their business. So what CEO Oscar Munoz should have done this this:

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