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Horrifying: Knife-Wielding Man Takes Flight Attendant Hostage Midflight – Passengers Respond With Brutal Beatdown

by Gary Leff

Nov 07 2024

A passenger was restrained by crew and other flyers on Copa Airlines flight 208 from Brasilia to Panama City after attempting to open an emergency exit door approximately 30 minutes prior to arrival. He was reportedly brandishing a plastic knife taken from his meal tray.

The disturbance began when the man grabbed a flight attendant and attempted to use the plastic knife to take her hostage while making his way toward the exit. Another flight attendant attempted to intervene but struggled to restrain him due to his strength. Other flight attendants began to scream.

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The First Hawaiian Airlines Flight On The Chopping Block After The Alaska Airlines Merger

by Gary Leff

Nov 03 2024

It’s clear that we’re going to see some long haul flying move to Seattle. That means some Hawaiian Airlines widebodies leave Honolulu. There will be fewer widebodies operating between Honolulu and the West Coast, perhaps, and fewer Honolulu – Pacific destinations. But it’s not just those markets that will see planes shift around.

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Two Recent Airline Changes Opened An Unexpected Way to Fly First Class For Less—Here’s How to Use It

by Gary Leff

Oct 26 2024

I’ll take it a step further and explain how airlines offering these buy ups actually discourages passengers from buying first class outright (and you should consider this as a strategy to buy first class for less).

The elimination of change fees during the pandemic mean that you should consider buying coach instead of first class.

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Passengers Try Business Class Check-in ‘Hack’ With Economy Tickets—Airline Staff’s Swift Response Ends The Ruse

by Gary Leff

Oct 22 2024

Priority check-in lines are generally for people traveling in a premium class of service. At some airlines this can even mean premium economy. It’s also for an airline’s frequent flyers who hold eligible status. And it can even be for a credit card customer.

The person minding the line, though, generally has no idea whether you’re eligible or not. They’ll ask you if you’re eligible, and if you say yes you can wait in line.

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Cathay Pacific’s ‘Halo Suites’: A Mind-Blowing Six-Year Journey To Perfect First-Class Luxury

by Gary Leff

first class
Oct 22 2024

It’s been expected that Cathay Pacific will call its new first class on the Boeing 777-9 “Halo Suites.” We’ve only seen concepts they were playing with for it. It’s delayed, because the 777-9 is delayed now by at least six years, to 2026.

But the commitment Cathey has to the product is extreme, delaying retrofits of Boeing 777s to retain first class until the new product is available, and the airline’s chairman believes when they reveal what is next it will be unrivaled.

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How United’s CEO Scott Kirby Shocked The Industry By Reinventing Himself—And The Airline

by Gary Leff

Oct 19 2024

I’m genuinely struck by the shift in United Airlines CEO Scoott Kirby since taking the reins at that airline. He was President of US Airways and American Airlines under Doug Parker, and known as a straight spreadsheet guy. At US Airways he wouldn’t even add inflight wifi until he could actually see customers booking away from the airline because they didn’t have it.

United is still careful with cost, and their new premium image often outstrips the reality of the product and experience, but they make investments in customer experience others aren’t making and take risks for payoffs that will be harder to quantify. And it’s working out for the airline.

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December 10th Showdown: Southwest Airlines CEO Faces Ouster—Investor Vote Will Decide The Airline’s Fate

by Gary Leff

Oct 14 2024

Elliott has been talking to institutional shareholders. I can’t imagine they call for a vote they don’t think they can win. And that would mean that Southwest ousts its CEO and more closely follows Elliott’s prescriptions which turn the airline into JetBlue and American Airlines – more fees, fewer perks.

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