Delta Announces Two New New York JFK Clubs, Including First Dedicated Business Lounge

by Gary Leff

Jan 17 2023

With the closure of New York JFK terminal 2 last week, Delta has consolidated its operations in terminal 4. Since that terminal was already crowded – it features the longest lines to get into any Sky Club – that didn’t seem like a positive for customers.

Fortunately relief is on the way for those accessing the Delta club at New York JFK, and not just because the airline is banning employees from using their lounges and charging more for memberships, banning non-elite customers from buying them, taking away access from elites flying coach on international trips and from club members who are flying on basic economy tickets.

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Why Do Hotel Chains Have So Many Brands?

by Gary Leff

brands
Jan 17 2023

Whenever a hotel chain adds a brand, like Marriott’s bringing on City Express as their 31st brand or Hilton launching Spark – a cheaper version of Hampton Inn, with splashes of light purple! – consumers react with confusion. How can we possibly need more hotel brands? Don’t the big chains already have more than enough?

Customers simply do not know which hotel brands are part of which chains, or what each brand stands for. This confusion must mean there are too many brands, yet brands continue to expand which must mean chains must believe doing this is profitable. After all, more brands means being able to open more hotels and attract more developers and owners.

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Air India About To Make One Of The Largest Aircraft Orders In History

by Gary Leff

Jan 16 2023

Air India is on the verge of announcing an order for 500 aircraft, which would give them an order book similar in size to United Airlines.

They are expected to order 400 narrowbody planes, and 100 widebodies. According to one of the biggest players in airline leases, the order will likely be Airbus A320neos, A321neos and 737 MAXs, plus 787s, 777Xs, and Airbus A350s.

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Great Business Class Award Space To Tokyo And Beyond From 8 U.S. Cities

by Gary Leff

Jan 16 2023

Many airlines don’t make award space available until closer to travel. They only want to let you spend the lowest number of points for seats they’re confident they will not sell. And they may not be sure what that looks like until closer to travel. That’s especially been true during the pandemic when it hasn’t been clear when countries would re-open for travel, or when travel demand would return.

Japan Airlines has returned to making business class award seats available at the start of the booking calendar, with great availability right now from all U.S. gateways to Tokyo for two or more passengers.

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How To Fly Singapore Airlines – Whether Coach, Premium Economy, Or Business – For 30% Fewer Miles

by Gary Leff

Jan 16 2023

Singapore Airlines is one of the world’s best carriers, some would even say the best overall. Their product isn’t just premium at the front end of the aircraft, they pay attention to little details in economy like a bit more legroom; cup holders and foot rests on long haul seats; quality food and one of the best entertainment systems. Service is known to be almost universally good.

What some people don’t realize is that they do not fly just to Singapore. They fly from Los Angeles to Tokyo. They fly from New York to Frankfurt and they fly from Houston to Manchester, England.

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Japanese Airline ANA’s Disappearing First Class Awards

by Gary Leff

Jan 16 2023

Star Alliance member ANA, a United Airlines partner, has offered one of the world’s best first class products for a long time – and it has kept getting better. Often underrated compared to Emirates, Air France and others, their new “The Suite” seat is outstanding; service is among the best in the world albeit tending towards Japanese formality; and the catering truly hard to beat, if not as varied as it once was.

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