TIL: We Almost Got Rid Of The Worst Airport Gate In America 20 Years Ago. US Airways Quashed The Plan

by Gary Leff

airport escalators going down
Jan 15 2023

Washington National airport built an entire new concourse to replace one miserable gate. Gate 35X was a bus gate that served 14 remote stands for 50 seat regional jets. The new regional concourse supports 14 large regional jets. There’s a gorgeous Admirals Club in that concourse, too.

The new concourse was part of the 10-figure “Project Journey” which moved security screening so that all of the concourses and “National Hall” would be airside. It turns out we didn’t need to wait two decades to eliminate ‘the worst gate in the country’.

Continue Reading »

Flight Attendants Are Doing Two New Things On Their Devices During Boarding At American Airlines

by Gary Leff

Jan 15 2023

Now that American Airlines has rolled out new iPhones and iPads to frontline employees they’ve been given a new tool. The airline has been talking up how they’ll use ConnectMe for four years.

It’s now been extended to 17 airports (including all of the airline’s hubs) to improve communication between the gate and crew on board an aircraft that’s getting ready to depart. This way flight attendants don’t have to pick up the phone and gate agents don’t come running down the jetbridge. There are two new things cabin crew are using it for.

Continue Reading »

What We Know Now About Friday Night’s Near-Disaster At JFK Airport

by Gary Leff

Jan 15 2023

The American plane, a 22 year old Boeing 777-200 (registration N754AN) crossed in front of the Delta jet that was in its takeoff roll. Air traffic control saw this happening and at almost the last possible moment called out to Delta to abort takeoff, out of fear the two planes would collide (“Shit! Delta 1943 cancel takeoff clearance!”).

We know a little bit more than was immediately available when this incident was first disclosed.

Continue Reading »

Man Arrested For Urinating On Woman During Air India Flight Is Using A Classic Defense

by Gary Leff

Jan 14 2023

A man reportedly urinated on a passenger while flying Air India from New York JFK to Delhi on November 26. According to the woman in her 70s, the man “unzipped his pants, relieved himself and exposed me to his private parts” and the crew did little about it.

After media brought attention to the incident, the man was identified. He was fired by his employer. And he is being prosecuted. His defense is classic.

Continue Reading »

American Express Opening Centurion New York In Midtown With Food By Chef Daniel Boulud

by Gary Leff

Jan 14 2023

American Express has been opening a network of airport lounges over the past decade, because that’s where their cardmembers are. After initially trialing the first Centurion lounge with Centurion cardmembers only in Las Vegas, the program expanded significantly. New York is their biggest market, and it looks like they have a new space coming, at least initially for Centurion cardmembers only.

Centurion New York is expected to open in March on the 55th floor of One Vanderbilt, about a block from the Hyatt Grand Central (former Grand Hyatt), featuring food by Daniel Boulud.

Continue Reading »