Why You Could Lose Your Seat The Next Time You Connect On American Airlines

by Gary Leff

american airlines lounge
May 09 2023

American Airlines has a new system for automatically rebooking passengers when their flights are delayed or cancelled. It’s more powerful than what they’ve used before, but there’s also the potential to cause problems for passengers who would have made their flights – passengers who may come in off of a delayed flight, run through the airport hoping to make their connection, and find that even though the door is still open for their next flight their seat has been given away.

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Inside The Political Theater Of President Biden’s Airline Compensation Plan

by Gary Leff

May 09 2023

There’s a strong likelihood we do not see this rule happen unless President Biden is re-elected because promulgation of a final rule would quite likely not occur prior to the end of the President’s first term, which comes perhaps just a year after a proposed rulemaking is published.

There still needs to be a public comment period on the as-yet released proposed rule. Then DOT will have to consider each comment, respond, and update its rule based on comments received.

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The #1 Thing That Kills New Airlines Is Where To Send Planes During The Off-Season

by Gary Leff

May 08 2023

Some airlines are silly ideas from the start. A local business leader decides the best opportunity for a new airline happens to be flying from their city. But even where there are good ideas for an airline – an underserved market, a new product, a lower fare that stimulates demand – many such markets aren’t good all year round. And upstarts have a more difficult time since it’s harder to diversify their flying across more routes and established bases of customers.

The challenge any new airline faces, starting up to serve a highly seasonal set of routes, is what do you do during the off-season?

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President Biden Announcing That Airlines Will Have To Pay Out Cash When They Delay Or Cancel Flights

by Gary Leff

May 08 2023

According to a White House official, President Biden and Transportation Secretary Buttigieg plan to introduce new airline regulations along the lines of Europe’s EU261 compensation rules that require payment to passengers for flight cancellations that are within the carrier’s control as well as in the event of significant delays.

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Is Four Seasons The Most Mid Luxury Hotel Chain?

by Gary Leff

May 07 2023

A Four Seasons near Walt Disney World is going to be a sanctuary away from Disney, just as the Four Seasons in Vegas is a sanctuary from Vegas. And compared to other Disney properties it’s going to stand out. The Grand Floridian, even, is in desperate need of refurbishment and will get it. So what are your luxury options? As a result modest luxury is going to seem more special.

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