Federal Mask Mandate Could Become Law, And Cabin Crew Given Vaccine Priority In Future Pandemics

by Gary Leff

Feb 09 2021

Airlines already had mask rules before the President directed the bureaucracy to make it a mandate. Penalties aren’t really greater than before (just $250 for a first refusal), and there are more exceptions – for instance airlines now have to allow medical exemptions to mask wearing which American, United, and Southwest didn’t offer before.

The mask order, which runs until rescinded by the CDC or until the Secretary of Health and Human Services rescinds the declaration of a public health emergency, could become a law, and airline workers could be given priority for as-yet-undiscovered vaccines with uncertain benefit profiles in future hypothetical pandemics. In other words, just your average week in Congress.

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American Airlines Launching Miami – Tel Aviv And 6 Other New International Routes

by Gary Leff

Feb 08 2021

As part of their soon-to-launch relationship with JetBlue, American will begin New York JFK – Tel Aviv, the most crowded Israel market but also the biggest.

Now they’ve announced the route that seemed to make sense six years ago when it looked like they’d go it alone to Israel: Miami – Tel Aviv. They’ve also announced six other new international routes, and two domestic Saturday-only regional jet routes. To several Latin cities they’ll be bigger this summer than they were in 2019.

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The Worst Travel Writer In America Says Who’s Been Naughty And Nice During Covid

by Gary Leff

Feb 08 2021

Christopher Elliott has naughty and nice list for travel companies during the pandemic. He sees some behaving as though “they think COVID-19 is a hoax.” That seems like an odd position to take considering their billions of dollars of losses. But what he’s saying is that airlines and hotel companies are making travel more comfortable or fun, that encourages travel, and that’s bad. And the self-styled consumer advocate glosses over a company that tried to steal customers’ money because they promise to make employees take vaccines.

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How To Think About Making Travel Plans Now

by Gary Leff

Feb 07 2021

I am making fully refundable bookings using points. However I’ve been avoiding transferring American Express and Chase points when I do not have to, because while awards can be redeposited into an airline frequent flyer account the points cannot usually be moved back from the airline account to Amex or Chase. When you transfer flexible bank points there is a cost in lost flexibility.

Domestic travel should be mostly doable this summer, especially for the vaccinated. We’ll likely be able to travel to hard-hit destinations with vaccination and a negative test, though countries that have quashed the virus will probably stay closed longer.

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