The Schengen Area ban on non-resident travel to the United Sates is expanding to include the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, effective Monday evening. Vice President Mike Pence shared the news at a press conference earlier this afternoon....
The Only Thing We Have To Fear Is Fear Itself…
It has been quite a week, hasn’t it? My week started at Frequent Traveller University in Washington, DC followed by a pair of United flights from Washington National to Cape Town via Newark. Less than a week later, the...
Ironic: Delta Asks For Government Aid (But This Is Different…)
In a sobering note to employees, Delta CEO Ed Bastian shared about the sudden and rapid collapse in demand that is posing the greatest threat ever to face Delta Air Lines. Now Delta wants a handout from Uncle Sam....
Denmark Closes Border: What Country Is Next?
The Kingdom of Denmark sealed its borders earlier today for a period of one month, blocking most foreign nationals as it attempts to contain the spread of COVID-19. Will this happen across Europe and around the world? Per Danish...
United Airlines Reduces Service To Latin America, Halts Buenos Aires
The spread of COVID-19 in Latin America has depressed demand for airfare in a region that was until recently better insulated than Asia and Europe. United Airlines is responding by a series of suspensions and frequency reductions. United Suspends...
First Impressions: Air France A350 Business Class
I enjoyed a lovely flight from Paris to Toronto onboard the new Air France A350-900. The food and service was excellent onboard, cementing Air France as one of my favorite airline soft products. Air France used the same seats...
What European Routes Will American, Delta, And United Cut?
With a ban on foreign nationals entering the United States who have visited the Schengen Area over the last 14 days set to go into effect at midnight tonight, U.S. airlines are re-adjusting schedules to Europe in anticipation of...
United Rescinds Onerous Schedule Change Policy, But It’s Still 3X Worse Than Before
United Airlines (as I predicted) rolled back its onerous (and downright unethical) schedule policy that only explicitly permitted refunds if the schedule change was 25 hours or more. But in its place United still has a rule that is...
My Travel Dilemma…Wait Or Return To USA Now?
I may be spared from the European travel ban, but I’m not looking forward to a potential quarantine upon reaching the USA… I listened to President Trump’s speech last night from the bed of my hotel…in Accra, Ghana. My...
United Airlines Suspends Service To Italy, Reduces Service To Israel
United Airlines will suspend service to Italy and reduce service to Israel in light of developing threats and government bans. United Suspends Service To Italy With Italy on nationwide lockdown and all but essential services like grocery stores and...
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...
USA Bans European Travel For 30 Days Effective Friday, UK Excluded
In an Oval Office speech to the nation, President Trump announced the USA would suspend all commercial and cargo travel from Europe for 30 days for non-Americans, effective Friday. The United Kingdom and Ireland, which are not part of...
United’s Doomsday Strategy May Lead To Kirby Kutbacks…
Earlier today I wrote about United’s aggressive steps to combat an unprecedented drop in demand and revenue. But what might some of these measures mean for customers? Are Kirby Kutbacks Coming? Incoming United CEO Scott Kirby has been a...
United Airlines Enters Survival Mode
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst is a catchphrase United is aggressively embracing in light of continued uncertainty over domestic and international travel. In a startling keynote address at the J.P. Morgan 2020 Industrials Conference yesterday, incoming United...
Emirates Emphasizes Cleanliness Over Glitziness
Emirates has produced a new promotional video it will now show before the safety video onboard its flight, showcasing the efforts it is taking to keep aircraft lean. It’s a change of pace from the carrier’s usual appeal to...
Lufthansa Battles LOT Polish Over Condor Acquisition, Climate
Lufthansa has condemned LOT Polish Airlines’ proposed acquisition of Condor, stating that it represents “dubious, competition-distorting” state interference by Poland. In a combative charge that takes a page out of Delta’s longstanding playbook against Qatar Airways, Lufthansa labeled LOT...
Coronavirus Politics: Should Senior Citizens Fly?
There’s hysteria. Then there’s common sense. And as we try to make sense of what is hysteria and what is not, a big question is whether senior citizens should fly. Sadly, that question has become a political issue. The...
United Airlines Suspends 13 Routes
In April, United Airlines will suspend service on 13 routes and reduce service on 170 more as coronavirus fears continue to depress travel demand. Last week, I wrote that United planned to cut April international capacity by 20% and...
Ouch: Thai Airways A330 Rips Off Tail Of Private Jet
A Thai Airways Airbus A330-300 jet ripped off the tail of a Gulfstream IV jet in Laos, rendering both aircraft unserviceable. The accident occurred yesterday as TG575 was preparing to depart from Vientiane (VTE) to Bangkok (BKK). During initial...
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...
