News and notes from around the interweb:
- I flew an American Airlines Embraer E-175 regional jet that’s been upgraded to satellite wifi, and it was fantastic. These planes still don’t have ovens, but as they finally get working wifi they go from avoid to seek out. I was in an “A” seat in first class (it’s both window and aisle), I had power, and I was able to work. That makes me a happy flyer.
Some of these planes will go dark in between losing air-to-ground wifi and activating satellite connectivity. But once we’re through the transition at the end of the year I’ll actively seek out these regional jets.
CR-7 and CR-9 regional jets get satellite wifi too, but CR7 overhead bins can’t take full-sized carry-on bags so you are forced to check those planeside. I’ll still avoid the smaller E-145s, though, because those have no plan for internet at all.
- Ernst & Young earned $4.3 million failing to privatize Pakistan International Airlines
- Reminder that the world’s two most populous countries have no direct air service links with each other.
- American Airlines employees at DFW airport, a love story
Credit: American Airlines - Flight passenger reveals how to outsmart seat squatters if you choose an undesirable seat nobody would want, then nobody will try to steal your seat assignment?
- Using past credit card points transfer bonuses to predict when future ones will occur
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club one elite status level upgrade for completing a business or first class roundtrip in March
As a 737 guy, I don’t mind riding in the ERJ-175. They operate for United as well as AA. The great thing about them is that there is no middle seat. That one factor makes a big difference in creature comfort.
Not that I blame the majors for the middle seat. It is very difficult to make a profit in the airline business, and for many years, very few airlines were profitable. Passengers holler about the small seats and cramped conditions, but on the other hand, they continue to mostly purchase the cheapest, most cramped seats in the back of the plane rather than pay a little more for a better seat. You can’t have it both ways.
I regularly fly on Embraers on another airline. For short hops, they’re absolutely fine. The toilet is small but not too small. Whereas, CRJs are not fine. The carry-on issue that you mentioned plus the toilet requires one to be a contortionist.
@ArrowSpace90 – A fellow 737 guy, nice! I feel the same way. About bunch of my flights recently have been AA regional both on Embraces and CRJs and it’s been great for basic economy since the flights are shorter and the there’s no worry about getting assigned a middle seat. To @Fred’s and Gary’s point though I can see why the planeside check-in is a pain on the CRJs, been fortunate to just have a backpack on those trips.
Very interesting on the no nonstop flights between certain very populous countries, guess I never thought about it. For some reason I thought I saw Jakarta at a US airport gate recently but guess I’m wrong…
175 has been the best ride going for a while, as long as you don’t care about TV screens.
I’d fly cross country in 1A if I could. Best seat in the air.
*lie flat aside
@ Steve — I like this seat very much, but across country in that? Not so much…