You can bet that there was euphoria in the C-Suites of Delta Air Lines over the news of Air Italy’s collapse. But the untimely demise of Air Italy does not excuse Delta of hypocrisy nor validate its longstanding protest against Air Italy. From Air Italy’s inception, Delta cried foul, arguing the market could not support […]
How U.S. Airlines Are Responding To New European Travel Ban
Last night, the USA announced sweeping and unprecedented new travel restrictions against foreign nationals who have visited the Schengen Area over the last 14 days. How are U.S. airlines responding to this new travel ban? For details on the travel ban, please read the post I wrote last night shortly after the President Trump’s White […]
American and United Match Delta’s More Flexible Change Fee Waiver
American and United quickly matched Delta’s decision to further loosen its change fee waiver, a move that was long overdue, but nevertheless better late than never. Up until this point, the “Big 3” U.S. airlines have used change fee waivers as a means to boost revenue. The hope was that by suspending change fees, consumers […]
Airlines: Remember Those Elite Travelers You Didn’t Need?
Airlines ramped up elite status qualifications over the last few years because they had too many elite travelers. But now, they need them more than ever, are they remorseful? If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today. Airlines Ramped Up Elite Requirements Over the last ten years, following massive airline consolidation, […]
Why Delta CEO Skipped White House Meeting…Again
Delta CEO Ed Bastian ruffled feathers by missing a White House meeting with President Donald Trump last July. Yesterday, airline CEOs again convened at the White House. Yesterday, Bastian was again missing. This time, though, no one is questioning his motives. Airline Executives Meet At White House Airline executives gathered at the White House yesterday […]
American Airlines: Better Late Than Never….
You wouldn’t be foolish for wondering if American Airlines was throwing everything against the wall lately, just hoping something would stick. But I’m going to give American Airlines a bit more credit. Yesterday, I discussed AA’s mad dash to innovate, including new longhaul service from Seattle and new partnerships with Alaska, GOL, and Qatar Airways. […]
The American Airlines Blitzkrieg
American Airlines has been so busy lately I have not had a chance to catalogue all the upcoming changes. Let’s take a look at the “blitzkrieg” American Airlines has embarked upon. 1. American Airlines Will Make Seattle A Strategic Focus City American Airlines will inaugurate new nonstop service from Seattle to Bangalore in October 2020 […]
My Beloved Air Italy Bites The Dust
In an unexpected move, Air Italy decided to cut its loses and shut down…effective immediately. This is a very sad day for a very special carrier. Investors accelerated an emergency meeting, originally scheduled for February 18th, to today. There, the decision was made to suspend further service. I’ve included the full press release below, but […]
Qatar Airways Accelerates Investment In Africa
Qatar Airways sees tremendous growth opportunity in Africa and has responded by picking a strategic hub: Kigali, Rwanda. Now Qatar Airways wants to invest in Rwanda’s national airline. Bugesera International Airport in Kigali is set to open in 2022, with the second phase slated for completion in 2032. When finished, it will be one of […]
Hey Delta, Where’s The Outrage Over Alitalia’s New U.S. Route?
Alitalia announced new seasonal service between Rome and San Francisco next summer. Did I miss the outrage from Delta? When Air Italy announced new service between Milan and San Francisco, Delta CEO Ed Bastian was outraged, penning a fiery op-ed: These Italian routes, already highly competitive and well-served by existing carriers, are simply not economically […]
Why Airlines Struggle In Italy
The joke goes that Italian airlines will be profitable…when hell freezes over. Why is it that airlines seem to struggle in Italy? In an article entitled, Good Luck To Any Airline That Tries To Make A Profit Flying U.S.-Italy, Ted Reed suggests it is due to Mideast subsides. I’ve called out Mr. Reed before for being a […]
A Middle East Subsidy American Airlines Loves
For all its condemnation of alleged Middle East subsidies, American Airlines certainly loves them…when it is the beneficiary of them. Last week, I wrote about AA’s new service between Dallas and Tel Aviv, set to commence in September of 2020. The new service will operate three times weekly and utilize a Boeing 787-9, opening up […]
