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American Airlines Pilot Chatter: New Heathrow Flights, Giving Up On LAX – And Growth

by Gary Leff on May 27, 2022

May 27 2022

Last week I flew Austin – Washington Dulles and a flight attendant told me American was planning to start flying Austin – Washington National. She was sure of it! I explained the perimeter rule to her and how American cannot fly Austin – Washington National without the Department of Transportation assigning ‘beyond perimeter’ slots that are created in law. It turns out she’d heard this news from… a passenger.

That said sometimes there are real tidbits of news, or at least interesting opinions. So I thought I’d pass along these ‘pilot tidbits’ shared to twitter by serial airline newsbreaker JonNYC along with context for what they mean.

American Airlines Launching New Service To New Zealand, Dropping Israel And India Routes

by Gary Leff on May 27, 2022

May 27 2022

American Airlines is launching a new long haul Pacific route, Dallas to Auckland, complementing Qantas Dallas – Sydney service. They won’t restart Los Angeles – Auckland, though, and they’re dropping the idea of Dallas – Tel Aviv. The long-expect Seattle – Bangalore flight, which was supposed to be American’s first return to India, won’t happen until (at least) summer 2023 if it comes to fruition.

There are several more route changes as American adjusts its international strategy as well.

Which Hotel Program Is Really The Best?

by Gary Leff on May 22, 2022

May 22 2022

We’ve seen re-launches of several hotel programs during the pandemic. Smaller programs like GHA Discovery and Shangri-La Circle are brand new. GHA, which has around 500 hotels but is adding several hundred more, was just a benefits program – but now offers cash rebates to spend at their properties (‘Discovery Dollars’). I really wish I had more opportunities to stay with both chains.

IHG Rewards has branded as IHG One Rewards – the one meant to signal that they’ve now ‘unified’ their brands, with all new elite benefits that even apply at Kimpton and Intercontinental hotel properties. With all these changes, which program is best?

What It Looks Like Flying Out Of Shanghai Right Now

by Gary Leff on May 11, 2022

May 11 2022

One face of the lockdown is what it’s like to travel, for those few people who can. Residents in a locked down city can’t simply go to the airport. They aren’t allowed to move freely. You have to have a Covid travel permit to cross districts. If someone in your building tests positive the whole building is locked down. And if you can get to the airport, the road to international departures has frequently been closed.

American Finally Found Their Luggage. Then The Delivery Service Stole It.

by Gary Leff on May 5, 2022

May 05 2022

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.

[LIVE} Bilt Adds United Airlines, Cathay Pacific As Transfer Partners

by Gary Leff on May 4, 2022

May 04 2022

Bilt Rewards, the first major loyalty program for people who rent their homes or apartments, is bringing on two new instant points transfer partners: United Airlines MileagePlus and Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles. This gives Bilt transfers to two major U.S. airlines (2 of the big 3!).

Shangri-La Hotels Launches Brand New Loyalty Program, Shangri-La Circle

by Gary Leff on April 26, 2022

Apr 26 2022

The loyalty program for Shangri-La Hotels, the luxury Hong Kong-based chain with over 100 properties, is among the first of the major chains doing an across-the-board refresh as we emerge from the global pandemic.

I think the Shangri-La Circle program refresh gets a lot of things right. At the entry level, less frequent guests still get value out of the program by earning points that can be used in small amounts, and all spending (even online spend) earns. Even the first elite tier gets 11 a.m. check-in and breakfast while upper-tier elites get more special benefits. And the program’s treatment of the very top customers is just extraordinary.

South Korean DJ ‘Forced To Take Off Her Pants’ In Front Of American Airlines Flight Crew

by Gary Leff on April 26, 2022

Apr 26 2022

Thirty six year old South Korean DJ Hwang So-hee, known as DJ Soda, headlines Asian music festivals, streams online, and at least attempts to fly American Airlines.

She was flying New York JFK to Los Angeles on Monday while wearing sponsored pants, clothes she was paid to wear by the designer, and that’s how she ran into problems. So-hee reports she was “harassed and humiliated” and “forced out of the plane” and required to take off her pants “in front of the flight crews at the gate.”

Singapore Airlines And United Bury The Hatchet?

by Gary Leff on April 25, 2022

Apr 25 2022

Singapore Airlines joined Star Alliance 22 years ago. You’d expect that when they look to feed passengers to and from their U.S. flights they’d work hand-in-hand with United. Except that’s not what’s happened over the years.

Review: American Airlines Flagship Lounge New York JFK

by Gary Leff on April 17, 2022

Apr 17 2022

The American Airlines Flagship Lounge New York JFK is fantastic – a great space with great food and friendly people – and a reason to show up a little bit early for your flight.