What are the 10 Fastest Growing Aviation Markets — and What Does That Tell Us About the World?

by Gary Leff

Sep 29 2015

Thailand is one of the world’s fastest growing aviation markets, so Thai Airways’ challenges can’t be pinned on the overall economy there or the military coup.

China is only number 14, and number 22 looking just at year-over-year data (not surprising given its slumping economy). Still, China is the second largest airline market in the world behind the United States although the US market remains more than 70% larger than the Chinese one.

The fastest growing aviation markets – based on the number of departing seats over the past 5 years are…

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American Just Promised to Give “Plenty of Advance Notice” When Making Changes to AAdvantage

by Gary Leff

Sep 29 2015

In light of the mistaken posting of lower earning rates in American AAdvantage on discount British Airways and Iberia fares, American’s Laura Nedbal makes one thing clear to me about changes like this: “[I]f we were to issue changes like this we would be certain to give plenty of advanced notice.”

All of the messaging from AAdvantage for the past year and a half has been that they’ve internalized the importance of giving members advance notice of changes.

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Delta Relaxes Award Blackout Dates

by Gary Leff

Sep 28 2015

In August Delta split up blackout dates on Korean Air by region, improving one of the most frustrating things about booking award travel on partner airlines using Delta miles.

Now — effective October 1 — they’ve fixed that for another partner as well: China Southern. That’s especially useful because award availability on Guangzhou-based China Southern is fairly good across the Pacific and beyond to destinations in Asia and also Australia.

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When It Makes Sense to Spend Your Miles for Magazine Subscriptions

by Gary Leff

Sep 28 2015

Using miles for things other than travel has been an increasing trend, the loyalty programs have been offering several new options over the past few years — whether it’s redeeming miles for other travel like hotels and rental cars, or for LCD toasters.

The idea is that miles are a general currency, they can be spent like money. Heavy travelers may not want more flights. And if there are limited award seats available getting members to spend miles on other things satisfies those members rather than frustrating them.

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