JetBlue Rethinks Elite Status, With Jury-Rigged 2022 Program And Real Change For 2023

by Gary Leff

Dec 18 2021

JetBlue used to seem a bit half-hearted about its loyalty program. It was always a bit of a me-too effort, from revenue-based accrual and redemption to a single-tier elite program that doesn’t even offer free extra legroom seats to its top customers.

Now that they’re (1) expanding internationally and (2) in an alliance with American Airlines, using American slots in New York to grow and taking traffic onto their flights from American’s long haul operation, they’re in a whole new ballgame. They’re even relevant to corporate business. And how you treat premium customers matters – more than just inflight in Mint (their business class cabin, which is quite good). So they’re beginning to get serious about an elite program.

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Southwest’s CEO Was Likely Infectious With Covid During Senate Testimony On Wednesday

by Gary Leff

airline seats
Dec 17 2021

Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly tested positive for Covid-19 “after returning home” from testifying in front of the Senate Commerce Committee with the CEOs of United Airlines and American Airlines, and an Executive Vice President of Delta. Flight attendants union head Sara Nelson was also there, and she reports speaking directly with Kelly after the hearing.

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American Airlines CEO Walks Back Senate Testimony On Masks, Does A Mandate Still Make Sense?

by Gary Leff

Dec 17 2021

At Congressional hearings this week, Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly said that masks provide little incremental benefit in air travel given the safety of the aircraft environment. American Airlines CEO Doug Parker chimed in, “I concur.” And has since been walking that back, though over the summer when virus prevalence was low he and the CEOs of United and Southwest were talking about ending the mask mandate.

So should we still be wearing masks on planes?

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American Airlines Won’t Let You Track Your AAdvantage Account With Award Wallet Anymore

by Gary Leff

Dec 17 2021

The best way to track and manage frequent flyer accounts for many years has been Award Wallet. You add your account information and they let yo know when your balance changes. They let you know when your flight plans change – from flight numbers and times to seats. They track airline fee credits,, free hotel nights, and suite upgrades. And they let you know if miles in a program are close to expiration.

American Airlines has told Award Wallet that they can no longer do this with AAdvantage accounts or American reservations. The position American Airlines is taking is going to make the lives of members and passengers harder, and it’s going to mean less engagement in the AAdvantage program.

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Group Of Women Pregame At Airport Security, Since TSA Won’t Allow Their Alcohol Through Checkpoint

by Gary Leff

Dec 16 2021

A group of young women flying to Miami tried to bring a bottle of alcohol through the TSA checkpoint. The bottle was flagged because it was more than 100 milliliters of liquid, and not inside a plastic freedom baggie.

In my experience when TSA stops someone with a bottle of water they’ll ask the passenger if they want to drink it or throw it away? These women weren’t going to let a perfectly good buzz go to waste.

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