A collection of the most interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click. And two videos you’ll want to watch.
This afternoon I popped over to Dallas to learn about upcoming catering changes at American. I was able to try some of the new entrees, that appear to be improvements, and most importantly signal that the airline is investing in product which has been an ongoing open question for the US Airways-American merger.
Here’s your chance. I will my best to cover your questions. Please leave requests in the comments section.
I’m giving away the EVA Air Hello Kitty service swag I received at the Taipei-Houston launch event last week. All you have to do to enter to win is leave a comment.
EVA Air ran Hello Kitty flights from 2005 through 2008, and brought them back in 2011. They’ve been running Hello Kitty flights ever since, and current Hello Kitty routes have some of the highest load factors in their system (around 85%). Of course they make smart business decisions about the routes, and while the Hello Kitty livery draws some passengers it’s clearly planes they’re filling and drawing enough revenue that justifies the expense of the onboard product. For instance, one of their Los Angeles flights had been operated with Hello Kitty aircraft but no longer is. The Hello Kitty Fleet Here are the current Hello Kitty routes: There are a total of (7) Hello Kitty planes currently: (3) Airbus A330-300s (2) Airbus A330-200s (2) Boeing 777-300ERs Which Hello Kitty Planes Fly Where? Hello Kitty Shining…
Two men were apparently stopped at the Guangzhou airport’s security checkpoint, seeking to bring through a tiger sculpture.
It was filled with ‘aphrodesiac wine’ costing 8000 Chinese yuan (~ US$1300). More than 3 ounces, apparently.
At the launch party for EVA Air’s Houston-Taipei service I had the opportunity to walk through their brand new 777-300ER Hello Kitty “Shining Star Jet” and have a look at all three classes of service.
Hello Kitty planes are a whole lot of fun. They offer a really nice enhanced soft product, bringing the Sanrio characters to life through video, meals, and a presence across the small items onboard like safety cards and even the toilet paper in the lavatories.
I value American AAdvantage miles quick highly — but for redemption on their partners, like first class awards on Etihad, and not for redemption on American’s own flights. In fact, all things equal, I would rather not redeem miles to travel on American (unless it’s redeeming 4500 British Airways points for an American flight under 650 miles).
Nonetheless, the lack of award availability on American’s international flights has become even worse, sometimes and some routes impossible.
Star Alliance member EVA Air has launched service from Taipei to Houston.
The inaugural flight was on Friday, and I turned up for its arrival and the launch party that the airline held in conjunction with the airport.
Airlines need to communicate far better with passengers when stranding them during an unplanned foreign diversion.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
