News and notes from around the interweb:
- Silver Airways furloughs 20% of pilots when your prop planes are being repossessed you don’t need pilots.
- Visualization of 2024 airline operating profits without loyalty programs
- Bilt Rewards acquires Banyan getting them transactions-level data from receipts. They were already using Banyan with Walgreens to identify purchases eligible for FSA/HSA reimbursement.
The technology enables targeting bonuses not just as merchants but specific purchase types at a given retailer “like cleaning supplies, paper goods, and pantry staples when Bilt members move into a new neighborhood” or triggering a complimentary Lyft ride with purchase of a specific entree or appetizer at a restaurant.
The acquisition is intended to accelerate Bilt’s expansion into new merchant categories beyond dining, fitness, and pharmacy to include grocery, gas, parking, and more—creating a comprehensive neighborhood commerce network.
- “Truthiness” as a word has fallen out of favor but describes this perfectly:
Denver International Airport superimposed on Europe https://t.co/jEmXuvPTt8 pic.twitter.com/f8oi6lw3on
— vik (@vikhyatk) March 12, 2025
- 20% bonus converting Singapore Airlines miles to Marriott through March 31 Too much value lost in the process to be worthwhile to most.
Receive 1,800 Marriott Bonvoy points (Usual: 1,500 Marriott Bonvoy points) for every 3,000 KrisFlyer miles converted.
*A minimum of 3,000 miles is required for a conversion, with a total maximum of 180,000 KrisFlyer miles per calendar year.
- Egads. (HT: JonNYC)
The world's busiest airport is also home to the world's longest jetway – Gate E42 @ATLairport pic.twitter.com/mD9fiCNgAE
— Matt Cochran (@MattCVaHi) March 13, 2025
- “Can $30B Fix LAX? An Airport Transit Expert Explains”
On Silver: Get the morphine ready. Just cease operations–let the adults run those routes. I feel for the crews and anyone else who had money tied up with these jabronis.
On the airlines as loss-leaders article (profits without loyalty revenues): Did Elliott Management see this? Because, from the looks of it, they are ‘killing the golden goose’ over at SWA by ruining loyalty. Wow. There must be some benefit to them doing what they’re doing…oh, wait, they’re a hedge fund. Yeah, there’s something corrupt going on there for sure.
Denver airporr is not that big. Nor is Colorado.
You mean lying?
I think they’re doing the same old venture capital game. They’ll end up stripping WN of cash, turn try to sell/merge it with another carrier. If so, WN will become a shadow of its former self or disappear entirely. I’m not optimistic for their future.
@James — Probably more ‘joking’ than ‘lying’ (like, with intention to deceive). But, since he used Sharpie, it kinda reminds me of a storm forecast from 2019. Anyone else remember Hurricane Dorian? Coulda thought for sure it was headed to Alabama… At least for next time, NOAA won’t even exist, so whatever the Sharpie says is the ‘truth.’ (I think that was Gary’s original point. Is he ‘woke’?)
Oh, gather ‘round travelers, let me tell you the tale,
Of a keyboard warrior who will never set sail.
He talks about airlines like he owns every row,
Welcome, my friends, to the 1990 Show!
You wanna book a ticket? Well, you better beware,
‘Cause 1990’s got an opinion to share.
First class? Economy? He’s got all the stats,
Too bad half his facts are as real as his plats!
It’s the 1990 Show, he’s the king of the thread!
A monsoon of comments, straight outta his head!
Planes, points, and policies—he’s never off track,
Except when he is, which is most of the time, in fact!
A post goes up—he’s the first to reply,
With a 12-paragraph rant ‘bout United’s new lie.
He swears Delta’s doomed, he predicts AA’s fate,
Yet somehow his takes always age like milk left out too late!
Oh, Gary, dear Gary, it’s out of control,
Your blog’s been hijacked by this points-loving troll!
Can’t you put up a firewall? Maybe a gate?
Or must we all suffer his wrong takes on rates?
It’s the 1990 Show, and he’ll never log out!
From mileage schemes to devaluations, he’ll scream and he’ll shout!
He’s the ruler of comments, the sultan of snark,
Too bad his predictions miss their mark!
Oh, you thought we were done? Yeah, you thought we were free?
Nope! 1990 just posted his post number three…
Mike,
You issued the stanza on his political diatribes.
@Mike Hunt — You made my! That you took the effort to do so, is honestly, quite thoughtful. I presume, it could have been with the assistance of an AI language model, but if not, then wow, that just upped the ante, ten fold.
Now, if only fellow regular @Matt could ‘pile on’ and add his ‘consider Delta’ bit, then we’re getting into ‘best day’ territory. And if there are any others who wish to contribute, please, do join in. All are welcome here. Get as ‘spicy’ as you desire.
@Mike Hunt — *my day (goodness).
Dear jester, a quick fix: We mustn’t upset the king. Delta is doing just ‘fine’–it’s Southwest and the others that are ‘doomed.’ Be careful, or you’ll awaken the dragon, our dear friend, @Tim Dunn.
@Steve — Did you mean ‘missed’ (rather than ‘issued’)? If so, I agree. It was missed. *clap clap* Jester! @Mike Hunt Come back! Do another! *clap clap*
If JetBlue was in better financial shape, it could pick up Silver for a song and a dance. A re-branded Silver (BlueXpress or JBExpress) could provide feeder service to:
– FLL (B6 hub) and the Bahamas
– SJU (another B6 hub) and the surrounding islands
– JFK & BOS (more B6 hubs) and the surrounding area and let AA piggyback if the NEA is re-instated
However, the current pilot’s contract forbids a regional afflaite.
@Paper Boarding Pass — I’m with you. Everything you said makes sense to me, as a consumer. When did a ‘contract’ ever stop a powerful corporation from doing what they want? This is an era of ‘shoot first, ask questions later’–might as well pay the ‘gratuity’ at Mar-A-Lago, then just do it. Find a friendly judge in a red-state, delay, delay, delay, the pilots will all go bankrupt or quit. Again, just remember: Pay. The. ‘Gratuity.’ *wink wink nudge nudge* Sorry, was that too cynical for some of you? Welcome to the USA, 2025.
@ Mike Hunt . . . AI or not, well done. And that’s from one who appreciates brevity.