American Airlines And Pilot Union Reach Agreement On New Contract

by Gary Leff

cockpit with pilot
May 19 2023

It’s believed that the contract is for four years, with pay rates comparable to Delta’s new deal (which we’ve already expected and the company had publicly committed to) and some improvements for pilots on scheduling (limitation on the kinds of trips the company can require pilots to work).

Delta’s pilot contract costs it $7 billion more over the course of four years. The exact costs to American isn’t yet clear because the details haven’t been released – although the increase likely wipes out the carrier’s current run rate of profits.

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Spirit Airlines Demands Passports For Flight To Puerto Rico: It’s A Whole Different Country!

by Gary Leff

May 19 2023

Mere days after we learn that refused to rent a car to a Puerto Rican and called the cops who threatened to have the customer deported, because he wasn’t carrying a passport inside the United States comes a story that Spirit Airlines is just as challenged which probably comes as little surprise. Americans working for travel companies aren’t very good at geography or American history, it seems?

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Passenger Kicked Off Flight After Turning Her Coach Row Of Seats Into A Fort Using Plastic Wrap

by Gary Leff

May 18 2023

Airlines will usually be happy to sell you more than one seat for your trip although they really don’t advertise it. One woman, with three seats to herself, felt that wasn’t quite enough and decided to build a fort.

She turned her row in coach into a business class suite with walls, using plastic wrap. She even gave herself a roof while a passenger across the aisle from her filmed the pre-departure construction project.

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Flight Attendant Who Refused Covid-19 Vaccine Sues United Airlines Over Lack Of Pay

by Gary Leff

May 18 2023

A Boston-based United Airlines flight attendant, who was granted a religious exemption to the airline’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate, is suing the carrier because the form of her exemption was unpaid leave and she reports she did not have income for six months as a result.

In her filing made Wednesday she suggests she would be unable to go to Heaven when she dies if she became vaccinated – somewhat oddly only vaccines which are not “scientifically proven, safe, and effective” are precluded.

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Large Size Model Demands Wider Aircraft Aisles After Struggling To Make It Through United Business Class

by Gary Leff

May 18 2023

Usually the complaint is that seats aren’t large enough, that people who don’t fit in them have to buy bigger seats in order to fly.

“Big Curvy Olivia” points to a different issue entirely: she says it is discrimination that aircraft aisles are so narrow, and posts video of herself struggling to get through a United Airlines Polaris business class cabin.

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Air Canada Selling Miles For 1.24 Cents Apiece (110% Bonus, Good Deal)

by Gary Leff

May 18 2023

I don’t write about a lot of mileage purchase offers, because they usually aren’t a good deal. Even with a bonus of 85% or 100% the points still frequently cost more than they’re worth.

One exception to the rule on why I don’t cover too many airline mileage sales is this one from Air Canada Aeroplan: up to 110% bonus on purchased miles, no tax for U.S. residents, and a favorable exchange rate. That brings the mileage cost down to $0.0124 per point. I value Aeroplan miles at 1.4 cents apiece.

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New “Star System” Holds American Airlines Gate Agents Responsible For Mechanical Delays, Lack Of Crew

by Gary Leff

airport
May 18 2023

American Airlines has a new rating system for gate agents, ranking each one on a five star scale. Based on details from multiple agents, this rating system includes everything related to the flight – including things they have no control over whatsoever. If they touch a flight that delays, that’s on them, even when it’s a maintenance delay.

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