Why No One Will Build An Engine For Boom’s Supersonic Plane

by Gary Leff

Sep 22 2022

It’s possible to build a supersonic plane, but efficiencies and regulation killed the Concorde. Boom can presumably develop a plane, and a top engine manufacturer can produce an engine for it. But will it sell to airlines who see themselves able to operate enough of the planes, to enough places, with enough frequency – given a market that will pay a premium for the option – in order to buy enough planes and engines where the whole thing works out as a business? Engines can cost billions of dollars to design and tens of millions of dollars apiece to purchase.

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Marriott Revamps Premium Credit Card, Launches Two New Mid-Tier Cards

by Gary Leff

Sep 22 2022

Marriott is introducing two new mid-tier cards – Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express® Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card from Chas – and the premium Marriott Bonvoy BrilliantTM American Express® Card is getting a new slate of benefits.

I don’t quite see the argument for the mid-tier cards, but the premium card product is going to appeal to a lot of customers that stay with Marriott but don’t earn Platinum status or above on their own.

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No, There’s No ‘Ghost In The Machine’ On Board American Airlines Aircraft

by Gary Leff

Sep 21 2022

The P.A. system is wired – it is not wifi or bluetooth-enabled. My first reaction when I saw this was, that’s simply not possible, right? It does not seem to be.

American Airlines inspected the Boeing 737-800 as well as the P.A. system itself after these reports. They tell me that maintenance “determined the sounds were caused by an issue with the PA amplifier. There was no external access to the system.”

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Rendering Reveals American’s New Better Than Business Class “Row 1 Premium Seat”

by Gary Leff

Sep 21 2022

With American Airlines dropping Flagship First Class in favor of a new business class suites product with doors, I wrote to expect a ‘better than first class seat’ within the cabin in row 1 at least on widebody aircraft.

This isn’t just speculation or inside leaks, though. It actually appears to be an Easter egg in the cabin rendering that American Airlines shared with their announcement.

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Premium Economy From Several U.S. Cities To Europe Over Half Off (From $860 Roundtrip)

by Gary Leff

picture of airline cabin
Sep 21 2022

Transatlantic airfares have been exceptionally high in all classes of service. I haven’t seen much like premium economy (think: domestic first class plus a foot rest) at reasonable pricing until now.

Delta and its partners are offering roundtrips starting at $860 for premium economy between October and May, a wide period of time that includes peak travel periods. And it’s available from numerous U.S. cities to several cities in Europe and back.

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