ASIA

Search Results for "ASIA".

Alaska Airlines Is Buying Hawaiian Airlines. Ok For Customers But A Kind Of Dumb Deal?

by Gary Leff on December 3, 2023

Dec 03 2023

Alaska Airlines has announced a deal to buy Hawaiian Airlines for $1 billion cash and assumption of $900 million in Hawaiian Airlines debt. They will keep the two separate brands, though combine their loyalty programs. The deal is expected to close in 12-18 months, subject to approval of Hawaiian’s shareholders and making it through anti-trust review.

For Mileage Plan and oneworld frequent flyers this is great. For Hawaiian customers this should be fine-to-positive. It’s Alaska shareholders that may not benefit from the merger integration costs in order to swallow an unprofitable airline. Although perhaps the biggest beneficiaries will be the transaction and anti-trust lawyers whose billable hours will be immeasurable.

Delta Air Lines Expected To Order New Planes By End Of Year

by Gary Leff on December 1, 2023

Dec 01 2023

A year ago I wrote that, while it wasn’t public at the time, Delta was looking to buy Airbus A350 widebody aircraft. It seemed like a deal could be announced soon, but crickets.

Then in late spring major media picked up on the story that Delta was looking to buy both Airbus A350-1000s and Airbus A330neos. Now that order appears out to happen – this month.

Bypassing Southwest for a Premium American Airlines Connection: My Business Class Journey to Chicago

by Gary Leff on November 29, 2023

Nov 29 2023

I wouldn’t normally connect flying between Austin and Chicago but for this trip it worked out perfectly.

Etihad Bringing The First Apartment And Residence Back To New York JFK Route

by Gary Leff on November 29, 2023

Nov 29 2023

When Etihad brought back the A380 to London Heathrow, award space (often for the full cabin) was wide open. That’s how I grabbed three seats for myself, my wife and my daughter to fly London – Abu Dhabi and back earlier this month, using American AAdvantage miles.
I’ll be looking to see whether the first apartment opens up on New York JFK – Abu Dhabi, and if it does I’ll make several speculative bookings if possible – as a way even to get to India, the Mideast, and even Africa and Asia (even if booked as separate awards). I’ve flown this product many times and it’s really special.

Say What? Sushi Delivered Direct To Airport Baggage Claim Belt [Roundup]

by Gary Leff on November 24, 2023

Nov 24 2023

A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

Why Is Service So Bad When We Supposedly Tip To Get Good Service?

by Gary Leff on November 23, 2023

Nov 23 2023

U.S. tipping culture is insane, it’s gotten out of control and what’s worse is that it’s getting exported to the rest of the world. Workers should be paid by their employer, not by an uncomfortable system where customers are supposed to pay extra – on top of posted charges – paying some amorphous amount meant to supplement an employee’s wages.

Some people believe that the scheme is meant to encourage better service, to align incentives, because apparently companies are bad at managing their workers, creating a customer-focused culture, or providing the incentives needed to deliver a quality experience.

Introduction: Etihad First Apartments And Park Hyatt Mideast Suites Trip Report

by Gary Leff on November 23, 2023

Nov 23 2023

Back in July, when Etihad loaded the return of their Airbus A380 to the London – Abu Dhabi route, there was wide open award space for First Apartment award seats. That seemed like a great reason to put together an award trip with my wife and daughter.

We flew British Airways business class to London, Etihad A380 first class to Abu Dhabi and back, and stayed on points in suites at the Park Hyatts in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and at the Hyatt Regency The Churchill in London.

Bilt Black Friday And Rent Day: Earn Up To 16X On Dining And Five Days Of Double Points

by Gary Leff on November 22, 2023

Nov 22 2023

For Rent Day, the first of each month, Bilt Rewards offers regular promotions like double points and transfer bonuses to its travel partners. For the upcoming month Rent Day offers start early to coincide with Black Friday and Cyber Monday. And they have (7) offers overall.

Shocking Racism and Assault Scandal At Marriott Renaissance Center

by Gary Leff on November 19, 2023

Nov 19 2023

Allegations have surfaced against the private security force at the Marriott Renaissance Center, originally founded by General Motors, involving over a dozen years of racially motivated abuse and violence against African American guests and visitors. Incidents include a severe beating resulting in a brain injury to guest Demarko Brown, the detainment and humiliation of an African American woman, and other cases of harassment and excessive force, raising serious concerns about racial discrimination and safety at the facility.

Maximizing The New Alaska Airlines Award Chart With Negative Price Stopovers (Better Than Free)

by Gary Leff on November 16, 2023

Nov 16 2023

The best value from distance-based charts often comes from maxing out distance, for instance flying West Coast – Tokyo to stay within a distance band and avoid going over… but also sometimes by booking two awards to get the pricing of two shorter distance bands rather than the combined higher-distance band. I’d like to explain this a little bit more.