News and notes from around the interweb:
- Now Boarding interviews me for their latest podcast on how I started blogging, favorite destinations and programs, who hates me, and I answer a lightning round of questions. Give it a listen.
- Delta was first out of the gate this year cracking down on emotional support animals. Now they are banning kittens and puppies as emotional support animals and banning all emotional support animals on flights 8 hours or longer effective December 18.
Whether you like or hate the new stricter approach US airlines are taking responsibility largely lies with the Trump administration which has been far more supportive of airlines imposing restrictions than the Obama administration Department of Transportation had been.
- Get 500 free Singapore Airlines miles when you join the program by the end of the year and use promo code KFLY. Singapore of course is a valuable program, transfer partners with Chase, Citi, American Express and now Capital One.
- United is now offering 50% elite credit on basic economy fares instead of nothing, matching American. Of course United still remains as the only US airline which doesn’t permit a full sized carry on for domestic customers (without elite status or a co-brand credit card) flying basic economy.
Since United is also now charging for more seats in coach that don’t even have extra legroom there’s little incentive to ‘buy up’ from basic economy for most customers — pay more for the right to pre-select a seat which will itself then cost more.
- A flexible ticket may not mean what you think it means Qantas charges woman $500 to fly home when her house catches fire.
- Lost in translation (or not…)
I suspect something has been lost in translation. pic.twitter.com/SypVqVfAsl
— Jon Ostrower (@jonostrower) December 10, 2018
- Republic Airlines, operating as United Express, is responding to criticism for not diverting when a passenger on board experienced seizures.
[A] “hero” tended to another woman who was suffering from seizures during [United flight 3466] from Houston to Cincinnati on Sunday, and she wants to know why the pilot didn’t land so the woman could get medical attention.
UA has different basic economy products domestically and abroad, only common in name. Offering 50% EQM is a downgrade from 100% on Intl Basic Economy, rather than an upgrade. Domestic basic economy is still 0%.
Actually seems like domestic basic economy is also showing up 50% EQM now. I suppose upgrade domestically, downgrade internationally. But simpler and more consistent.
United express? Isn’t that a parcel delivery service? That would explain why they didn’t divert.
Anyway, United Airlines will have to answer for not diverting the plane. We need to hear from their chief medical officer the guidelines for diverting. We need to.hear why the other passengers had to risk being part of herculaneum efforts to help if the passengers condition went from micro seizures to a full seizure. Was the ill passenger forcefully unbuckled to render aid, but the fasten seatbelt sign on?
Maybe we are missing some relevant facts from the article?
Delta and AA need to let the public know if they are not involved in decisions involving their branded affiliates. Otherwise, why would anyone purchase anything other than the cheapest ticket available?
More info before Morgan& Morgan makes an easy 40%.
A big YAY to the crackdown on emotional support animals, glad that Delta is putting the animal’s welfare ahead of the passenger’s stupidity!
United also is going to start allowing carry-on bags for basic economy fares on “some transatlantic flights” per that article. My flight to Rome on United now shows that a carry-on is free. It used to state only a personal item was allowed.