News and notes from around the interweb:

• Bankrupt Adria Airways is auctioning off its model planes

  The bankruptcy administrator of Slovenia’s former national flag carrier Adria Airways has put twenty collectable airplane models on sale in a bid to raise funds to cover over 87 million euros in claims being sought from the failed airline. The models of the Adria Airways Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft, sized 1/50 – 120 cm, are being sold as part of a single package at a starting price of 1.500 euros. The deadline for the submission of bids has been set for August 17.

• United will automate processing standby and upgrade lists at the gate

• Tour operator tries to use the Airline Deregulation Act to dismiss a lawsuit over a cruise An interesting argument that because they sell air transportation as part of a package, claims are pre-empted and subject to DOT jurisdiction, however the court ruled preemption didn’t apply “simply because air transportation was an element of a travel package.”

  Perhaps this points a way forward for distinguishing frequent flyer programs you can’t sue based on state contract law under Northwest v. Ginsberg where cases involve earning and burning for non-air activity (as should have been at least argued more extensively in the record before that case made it to the Supreme Court).

• Your bedroom can be an actual cockpit.

  A 747 decommissioned and converted to a hostel. Any of y’all #avgeeks stayed here? https://t.co/Kq7rcJ8wii pic.twitter.com/3KyS4o9dJP

  — Stephanie (@airport_girl) August 4, 2020

• Singapore Airlines will take over Silk Air Boeing 737s – but may not give them the expected flat beds in business class

• New Etihad mask amenity for premium passengers

  Etihad Airways has launched new antimicrobial treated snood style face masks for business and first class customers.

  The reusable snoods have been treated with “a broad spectrum antimicrobial treatment, laboratory tested and proven to reduce the presence of germs in fabrics”.

  The airline said that the Microbe Barrier fabric treatment adds a long-lasting protective barrier, enabling them to be washed and reused.

• Grand Hyatt Taipei will remain part of Hyatt