It’s Time For Airlines To Award Elite Status Based On Non-Flight Activity

by Gary Leff

scrooge mcduck diving into coins
Dec 22 2020

The margin on things other than airline tickets is generally much higher than that of air transportation. Selling miles is a high margin business. Selling preferred seats is too. A customer with a co-brand credit card who uses it on the airline’s shopping portal and buys upgrades is a high margin customer, and a customer worth fighting over – and treating well.

This is being recognized by airline frequent flyer programs around the world and it’s time this recognition come to the U.S. too.

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American Airlines Selling Off Its Stock Of Krug, The End Of Flagship First Dining?

by Gary Leff

Dec 22 2020

The future of American Airlines premium lounges is in question. Their international business class Flagship lounges have been closed for 9 months, and won’t re-open until international business class demand returns.

Inside three of American’s Flagship lounges are Flagship First Dining facilities, sit down dining rooms with cooked-to-order menus and private bars for first class passengers. They served Krug champagne, but the Krug is being sold off at a discount in nearby Admirals Clubs.

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EMT Falls Ill After Treating Passenger Who Died With Covid-19 On United Flight Last Week

by Gary Leff

Dec 21 2020

Three medical professionals on board administered chest compressions before the fire department arrived to the scene and removed the man to a hospital, where he passed away. There’s now video from onboard the plane during the time he was being treated by passengers.

EMTs among the passengers put themselves at risk to treat the man, whose mask had been removed, but that had been given an oxygen mask from the aircraft. One of them has since fallen ill with Covid-like symptoms.

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Family Of Two Year Old Kicked Off United Over A Mask Is Back In The Air, Without The Kid

by Gary Leff

Dec 21 2020

For parents of two year olds who have difficulty maintaining a mask throughout their flight, fly Delta which permits young children in that situation to be exempt from the requirement.

Flying Delta is exactly what the family did next but, oddly, without their daughter. They “had to get down to Palm Beach” but the two year old stayed home and mom Instagrammed a beach shot.

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Donald Trump Wants An Airport Named For Him

by Gary Leff

trumpl plane
Dec 21 2020

President Trump is asking about what airport will be named for him once he leaves office. However he’s concerned that whatever airport is chosen, it needs to be nice enough. He didn’t accomplish the infrastructure investment he campaigned on, but worries that a dilapidated airport will bear his name.

Grover Norquist raised a ton of money for the ‘Reagan Legacy Project’ to have something named for Ronald Reagan in every state. Trump has reportedly hoped for an organized effort like that around renamings for him.

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