Jun
09
2015
A collection of interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click.
Ask Google Flights Anything, and More
Why Delta and Lufthansa Want to ‘Control the Information’ and What They’re Doing About It
Airlines want lower costs to distribute their tickets and greater flexibility in how their fares are displayed — especially the ability to upsell unbundled products through whatever channels are distributing their fares.
Delta is limiting the sites that can display its fares. Lufthansa has declared that all ‘indirect channels’ (like travel agents, online booking websites) have to pass on a 16 euro fee for their tickets.
This is a war between airlines and their distribution partners, and they’ll bloody each other in the process. While not convenient for consumers, you won’t really feel the losses here.
American Having Problems Booking Etihad First Class Awards
Jun
08
2015
American AAdvantage is currently unable to ‘see’ Etihad first class award space. This isn’t like past glitches, business and economy awards appear unaffected.
Another Big US Airline Subsidy? $30 Billion in Net Operating Loss Carry Forwards Mean Airlines Pay Little Tax
Jun
08
2015
US airlines have about $30 billion in net operating loss carry forwards worth over $10 billion in tax savings. At a time of record profits, the US tax code won’t require them to pay much if any federal taxes. Is that a subsidy, or just plain fair? And should they be screaming about the subsidies they argue airlines in other countries receive?
What’s Inside the New American Airlines Snack Basket?
Jun
08
2015
American Airlines has refreshed its snack basket, and I had a chance to try the new organic, gluten-free, non-GMO and kosher cookie that is not in fact the ‘exclusive’ cookie of American Airlines. Here’s what’s in it… and what it tastes like…
Double Cash Back for Online Shopping, Kate Moss Removed from Flight, and the Tourist Gods Get Crazy
Jun
08
2015
A collection of interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click.
Could Unbundling Come to Business Class? Cheaper Tickets With No Miles or Lounge Access
Jun
08
2015
“Unbundling” which most passengers equate to checked bag fees but can include fees even for printing boarding passes could be coming to business class. Not only does British Airways want to exclude elite benefits from their cheapest economy fares, but Malaysia Airlines is looking at offering business class fares that exclude lounge access and don’t earn miles. Think elite members would be exempt? Think again.
Flavor Flav Flies Southwest, Gets Up in Aisle, Declares “Today the back of the plane is 1st class!!!!”
Jun
08
2015
On a Southwest flight from Phoenix to Las Vegas on Saturday Flavor Flav passed out peanuts and pretzels in a supposed effort to democratize the already relatively democratic (small ‘d’) airline.
An Upgrade Meant for Someone Else.. Gets Me the Biggest Room I’ve Ever Seen at the Westin Stonebriar
Jun
07
2015
I needed to be in Dallas over the weekend, and more specifically I happened to need to be in Plano and I flipped a coin between the Hyatt House Plan and the Westin Stonebriar — which is to say I actually picked the Westin because it was cheaper.
Throughout the stay they seemed to think I was someone else. And that, apparently, got me an upgrade to the largest room I’ve ever seen.
The EPA is About to Regulate the Airlines. And It’s Much Ado About Nothing.
Jun
07
2015
The EPA is likely to find – over the next few days – that aircraft contribute to global warming and thus they’re required to regulate aircraft emissions under the Clean Air Act. But the regulations they promulgate are likely to already be met by nearly all commercial aircraft. It wouldn’t actually much matter for global warming either way, since growth in air travel is occurring largely in places like China and not the United States.
