Delta’s Total Collapse: Hundreds Of Thousands Stranded, Unable To Even Talk To The Airline, While Others Recover

by Gary Leff

Jul 21 2024

Delta is a good airline that is not doing very well right now. But it’s also an overrated airline, a result of its own PR machine that persistently beats the drum about how premium it is despite workhorse Boeing 767s whose premium passenger experience lags that of both American and United. This is a strong reminder that though it performs marginally better much of the time, and its crews are marginally friendlier, it’s still an airline and can underperform peers in dramatic ways.

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Senate Transportation Chair Reveals Her Picks: 4 Airlines Backed For DC’s New Airport Slots

by Gary Leff

Jul 20 2024

Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chair of Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation – the committee that oversees DOT and that drafted the FAA Reauthorization Act language which created these slots – didn’t just write the law that created new slots at Washington’s National airport.

She didn’t just draft language that virtually assigns those slots to specific airlines. In case her point wasn’t clear enough, she’s written to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, in the regulatory docket, explaining who she believes should get the new slots that permit flights greater than 1,250 miles from National airport.

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Alaska Airlines Mulls Airport Lounge Price Increase: Will Members Pay More For Showers, Spas, And More Food?

by Gary Leff

Jul 20 2024

Alaska just raised the cost of basic lounge access by $50, and inclusive of partner lounge access by $100, on February 1. It’s interesting to see them consider another price increase so soon, though presumably they’ll promote it in conjunction with a plan for more lounges, amenities, and food and beverage offerings – though many things they’d add will take time to roll out or won’t be available in all locations.

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American Airlines Reaches Contract Agreement With Flight Attendants

by Gary Leff

Jul 19 2024

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants has updated its members, sharing that they’ve reached a tentative agreement with American Airlines. Knowing that they were negotiating this week in Phoenix, not D.C. and without the involvement of federal mediators, it was clear that they were close to a deal and simply had to finish up details.

This allows American to trumpet putting labor unrest and substantial risk behind them heading into their second quarter earnings call on Thursday of next week.

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