basic economy

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A Big Movement Is Coming To Re-Regulate The Airlines, And Make Air Travel Worse

by Gary Leff on September 22, 2023

Sep 22 2023

There’s a shot across the bow of aviation – an intellectual case is being made for airlines to revert to the status of public utilities. Sitaraman’s upcoming book can be seen as a starting gun for arguments over regulating the airline industry. The arguments for this used to be unserious, by folks like Robert Kuttner. That’s changing, and with a direct line to people in power.

People who care about not making air travel worse need to wake up to the threat, though there is also much we should be doing that would make air travel better.

Hawaii Wants Europeans To Learn To Be More “Respectful” Before Visiting

by Gary Leff on September 20, 2023

Sep 20 2023

Hawaii has awarded a new tourism marketing contract for a campaign that lays out what kind of travel they want to attract. In particular, as they’re desperate to drive a resurgence in Maui visits, they want Europeans to be more respectful and spend more.

UK Media Says I Am To Blame For The Climate Crisis. What The Actual…?

by Gary Leff on August 22, 2023

Aug 22 2023

A piece in Britain’s The Independent argues that frequent flyer programs shouldn’t exist. It claims that programs designed to encourage loyalty to one airline over another incentivize flying. Flying is bad. And sites like View From The Wing encourage you to take advantage of these programs that are bad for carbon emissions.

Chris Guillebeau’s Self-Recommending “Gonzo Capitalism” Is Out Today

by Gary Leff on August 22, 2023

Aug 22 2023

Chris Guillebeau is out with his latest book, Gonzo Capitalism. It comes with book blurbs from Daymond John, Gretchen Rubin, and Dan Pink.

He’s written extensively on the new economy, entrepreneurship, and finding personal freedom in an unfree world. He founded the World Domination Summit where thousands of people descended on Portland, bringing their own dreams and schemes and bound together by a desire to live life by their own rules and still live it well. Self-recommending.

Is Domestic First Class Air Travel For The Poors?

by Gary Leff on June 21, 2023

Jun 21 2023

Airline domestic first class isn’t a marker of wealth, since a large subset of passengers able to pay for air travel can pay for first class as well as it often isn’t that much more. But it hasn’t really ever been a marker of wealth.

Twenty years ago 90% of seats up front were going to upgrades, which frequently meant business travelers who weren’t poor by any stretch but often in the middle rungs of the corporate ladder. Who is flying up front has changed a bit, especially with managed business travel still down, but it hasn’t matched the mythology of the product in decades.

Penelope Cruz Signs On To Promote Emirates, What Do Airlines Get Out Of Celebrity Ads Anyway?

by Gary Leff on May 25, 2023

May 25 2023

The point in a celebrity campaign is to associate the brand with something. At its worst, the celebrity’s gravitas rubs off, or their likeability. It’s good enough for this person, I’m sure to like it!

But at its best – and nobody does celebrity advertising like Nike – it creates a brand purpose that makes the product a celebrity. Nike celebrates the athletes they have endorsement deals with. They celebrate greatness in sport. And though they’re selling a commodity (shoes, but in many ways airplane seats are similar) they become something consumers want an attachment to as a result.

Husband Flies First Class, Wife And Kids In Back. Is That Selfish?

by Gary Leff on May 20, 2023

May 20 2023

He says it’s too costly to get everyone premium cabin tickets, and he doesn’t want to buy first class for his wife because then their “kids might feel alone.” And she wants to know if this is unfair?

Customers Are Getting Scammed When They Google Airline Phone Numbers

by Gary Leff on May 12, 2023

older gentleman taking a selfie with smartphone

May 12 2023

The customer thinks they’re dealing with the airline. They’re told they have no other options but to pay. And travelers, desperate for help, clearly agree to be charged.

State Senator, Who Got Into Mask Altercation, Is Suing Over Air Travel Ban [Roundup]

by Gary Leff on April 27, 2023

Apr 27 2023

A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

The Sheraton Damascus Is Now A Prison, Guests Must Pay Percentage Of Their Wealth To Check Out

by Gary Leff on April 5, 2023

Apr 05 2023

The Sheraton Damascus is being used as a prison for the country’s business elite where the government extracts payments in exchange for their freedom. This has been an ongoing use for the hotel property for the past two and a half years.

Hotel guests are told they have to “deposit US dollars into the central bank in order to help stabilise the Syrian lira, or they would not be released.”