Jun
26
2015
A collection of the most interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click.
Queen’s Guard Draws Gun on an Annoying Tourist, Plus How Middle East Airlines Can Finance Aircraft When the Koran Bans Interest
American Shuts Some Major Domestic Cities Out of Ever Redeeming a Saver Award
Jun
26
2015
On Sunday I wrote about American’s unwillingness to offer even a single saver award seat in any class of service for any of their Buenos Aires flights more than a month out.
On several routes American is getting absurdly tough on domestic routes as well.
New Pyongyang Airport Terminal is Absolute Perfection! Built in Harmony With Modern Aesthetic Taste and National Character!
Jun
26
2015
Earlier this week, Kim Jong Un visited the new domestic terminal of Pyongyang International Airport.
The terminal was ordered built in July 2012 because the existing domestic terminal was seen as too run down compared to what countries around the world had. Last November much of the work was ordered torn down and redone because the project didn’t “reflect North Korea’s “Juche” (self-reliance) philosophy and national identity.” (The official in charge was purged.)
Oops, I Did it Again!
Jun
25
2015
Here’s the TSA’s plan to make screening less efficient on purpose and what the revelations that the TSA doesn’t actually stop bombs or weapons means.
But that’s just analysis. Here, the TSA boy band gives their rendition of a Britney Spears hit. Because, I’m not sure why.
Virgin America Just Broke the Internet With the Most Shocking Tweet Ever.
Jun
25
2015
US Airways tweeted plane porn and called it an accident. Virgin America’s tweet was on purpose, and over there they just call it marketing.
A Nose Under the Tent that Could Help Bring Competition to the US Airline Market
Jun
25
2015
European discount carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle has both lower costs than their US and European counterparts and lower fares. They fly to the US, and are awaiting approval for their even lower-cost Irish subsidiary to do so. US airlines (and labor groups) want to stop Norwegian also because of the airline’s lower costs.
Today’s big airline news is that Norwegian has announced that they will separately take advantage of Europe-US Open Skies agreements by flying from French Caribbean islands to the US using new Boeing 737s.
American Airlines Actually Sells International First Class Seats to Hong Kong
Jun
25
2015
Remarks by American Airlines’ Doug Parker and Andrew Nocella in Hong Kong celebrating the first anniversary of service there shed some light on the carrier’s current direction.
Making a big deal of a Hong Kong service anniversary — such that they sent the CEO and the Chief Marketing Officer — signal strongly that American values the Hong Kong route, and their Asia Pacific expansion.
They share thoughts on international first class, Tokyo Haneda, and the dispute with the Mideast carriers.
Is it Possible to Have Lounge Access on Arrival, or Only Departure?
Jun
24
2015
Are lounges for departure only or can you get in after a flight, too? Here’s when you can and why you’d want to as I answer a reader’s specific question of where they’ll go at London’s Heathrow airport.
Proposal to INCREASE Taxes on British Airways Awards, an 18 Month Old Sues Sabre, and American’s New Phone Agents
Jun
24
2015
A collection of the most interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click.
No, Hyatt’s Confirmed Suite Upgrades Aren’t Capacity Controlled. Why Do You Ask?
Jun
24
2015
There’s been some confusion online about Hyatt’s suite upgrades, and especially about whether and how certain discounted rates can get into suites. There’s an incorrect notion out there, for instance, that capacity controls apply to Diamond Suite Upgrades when used in conjunction with cash and points awards.
But to correct the misunderstanding, I first need to walk through Hyatt’s suite upgrade options, how confirming upgrades work at a hotel level, and how cash and points awards work. Then it may make more sense why — as I have confirmed with Hyatt — there aren’t any capacity controls on confirmed suites with Hyatt.
