Lufthansa Offers So-Called Apology For Incident Banning Jews

by Gary Leff

lufthansa plane
May 10 2022

Lufthansa “regrets the circumstances surrounding the decision to exclude the affected passengers from the flight” but nowhere in their statement do they say the word “Jews.” Instead they simply refer to “a large group” though they at least now acknowledge that this ‘group’ that shall not be named was banned whether or not any individual had acted improperly.

They apologize for “the offense caused and personal impact” while stating their ‘core values’ of ‘diversity and equal opportunity.’ They’re unwilling to simply say anti-semitism is unacceptable at Lufthansa. They felt the need to couch it in terms of their opposition to racism and to discrimination “of any type” though no other type was at issue here.

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Truly Caring Moment From A Flight Attendant

by Gary Leff

May 10 2022

We hear about stories of passengers beating up flight attendants, flight attendants having disputes with their airline or union, and flight attendants scolding customers. Maybe they’re kicking off passengers for their attire or – for much of the pandemic – over mask violations.

Most of the time, though, interactions between customers and cabin crew are genuine and human. We just don’t hear about it.

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I Can’t Get This Song Out Of My Head, And To Me It’s All About Airports

by Gary Leff

May 10 2022

There are certain sounds, sights, and flavors that evoke travel. It wasn’t originally intended this way, but George Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue means United Airlines. For years Portico’s ‘white ginger’ smell meant Hyatt Regency, though I suppose Westin’s ‘white tea’ smell is more well-known. The flavor of Tortas Frontera sandwiches is the sine qua non of Chicago O’Hare airport for me.

But maybe there’s a new competitor, because there’s a sound which bellows down the hallways at terminals in Los Angeles, Chicago O’Hare, Las Vegas and Austin that I just cannot get out of my head.

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Air Canada Announces Credit Card Spend To Keep Elite Status

by Gary Leff

May 10 2022

2022 is a weird year. Travel is booming, but only in certain places and only certain kinds of travel. What’s more, the Omicron surge meant the year started off slow for many members. So while we’ll see plenty of frequent flyers earning elite status, there are many still on the sidelines.

Aeroplan is out with a way for members to keep their status through 2023: earn 30,000 points with an Aeroplan co-brand credit card between January 1, 2022 and November 30, 2022. This is on top of elite status accelerators announced in February.

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Ex-Flight Attendant Union Boss Says Sara Nelson’s Union Behind Corruption Allegations Against Him

by Gary Leff

May 09 2022

Former American Airlines flight attendants union President Bob Ross had previously argued, in effect, that he shouldn’t be singled out among past union Presidents for financial impropriety, and that his improper financial practices had been approved by his subordinates.

Now he’s arguing, among other claims, that the accusations against him are all part of Sara Nelson’s plot to grow her power base.

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