Biden Administration Considers Rule Change That Could End JSX And Small City Air Service

by Gary Leff

Aug 24 2023

When SkyWest proposed to mimic JSX’s model, in order to provide Essential Air Service flights, the big pilot union went ballistic. They see an end-run around hard-fought limits on entry into the pilot profession. People were able to fly with fewer than 1,500 hours – in fact, they were getting paid to build up hours that would qualify them to fly for major airlines. These hours are even better and safer that what most commercial pilots fly to qualify – real operations, not just 1,000 in clear weather flying Cessna doing touch-and-go’s at the same three or four airports.

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American Airlines To Restart Philadelphia Flagship Lounge Project

by Gary Leff

Aug 24 2023

Before the pandemic American Airlines was about to start construction on a dedicated business class lounge in Philadelphia.

With American’s returning focus to Philadelphia, after having lost its partnership with JetBlue and vision for growth in New York, they’ve re-engaged on a Philadelphia Flagship lounge. However I do not currently expect the lounge to be complete for summer 2024.

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American Airlines Introduces New $600 Inflight Wifi Plan

by Gary Leff

airline cabin
Aug 24 2023

Airline inflight wifi in the United States is converging around free, or for those carriers that charge the price generally hovers around $8 per flight. The exception to this is American Airlines, where connectivity for a single device on a flight can cost over $20.

Instead of paying per flight, I pay $49.95 per month covering a single device on their narrowbody aircraft (both ViaSat and Intelsat, formerly Gogo, equipment). American has just announced two new pricing options, and I’m confused?

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JetBlue Documents Reveal 40% Price Hikes After Buying Spirit Airlines

by Gary Leff

Aug 24 2023

JetBlue’s deal to buy Spirit Airlines isn’t just being challenged by the government. There’s a civil suit as well, because why not piggy back on government opposition for a payday? Only lawyers made an oops in redactions – and as a result exposed “internal company estimates of plans to hike fares on Spirit planes by as much as 40%.” And this could make JetBlue’s defense of the deal against government anti-trust charges that much harder.

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Maui Asks For “Tourism Emergency,” Desperate For Visitors To Return

by Gary Leff

hawaii
Aug 24 2023

Last week I wrote that Maui’s mayor said it was time for tourists to return to the island. Just stay away from the western part. They need visitors to Wailea. They need visitors to Kihei.

And many of you slammed me, calling me insensitive to the tragedy that had occurred on the island. Now the Governor is asking for people to return, locals are asking him for a state of emergency, and local unemployment has increased ten-fold.

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Why Philadelphia Is No Substitute For New York As An American Airlines Hub

by Gary Leff

plane model
Aug 23 2023

New Yorkers are left with less competition, one less viable competitor and an airline shifting its focus to “Filthadelphia.”

But New York wasn’t a distraction from Philadelphia, it was a better place to focus limited resources that did not work out – in part because of a change in administration, part because of whom they drew as a judge, and part because of JetBlue’s deal to buy Spirit that came after. Philadelphia on its own may even work to some degree, but ultimately Philadelphia is not New York.

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American Airlines Will Start Giving Customer Upgrade Seats To Pilots Instead

by Gary Leff

cockpit with pilot
Aug 23 2023

American Airlines pilots approved a new four year contract that increases pay by more 20% immediately and more than 45% during that the four years of the agreement. The deal includes many “quality of life” (work rule) concessions. 73% of pilots voting were in favor of the new deal. One of the items that pilots got in their new deal is first class deadheading – flying first class when not piloting an aircraft between segments that they’re working on a trip. (That’s different than commuting to and from their base if they live in a different city than where they’re assigned to start and end their trips.) This is broadly similar to a benefit that United pilots won three years ago. On the one hand, this promotes well-rested pilots. Larger seats are more comfortable and…

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