If you can’t sell it, restore it? That’s the decision facing Thai Airways. Thai Airways’ A340-600 Problem Five years ago Thai Airways retired its last Airbus A340 aircraft. The four-engine planes were used for intercontinental travel, but relatively fuel...
So Cool: Final EL AL 747 Flight
Yesterday, EL AL operated its final Boeing 747-400 flight. The sendoff included a “special” routing enroute from Tel Aviv to Rome. Via Flightradar 24, take a look at the flight path of LY1747. The 747 “drew” a 747 over the...
My Perplexing Egg Dish On Ukraine International Airlines
Each week, my Meal of the Week feature examines an airline meal from my travels over the years. This may be a meal from earlier in the week or it may be a meal served over a decade ago. Would you...
Sad: American Express Centurion Lounge Crowding Getting Worse
I don’t know about you, but American Express Centurion Lounge crowding has been particularly bad lately for me. Sadly, it may not even be feasible for American Express to take more drastic action to curb the crowds. But it...
When Does An Airline “Joke” Impermissibly Cross The Line?
When does a joke cross from crass to simply inappropriate? When does it becomes grounds for a lawsuit. Those are the leading questions emerging from a flight attendant lawsuit against Southwest Airlines. For Renee Steinaker, a Southwest flight attendant...
I Stumped United CEO And President With A Softball Question
As we end the week at Live and Let’s Fly, I want to conclude on a lighthearted note. Last week at United’s media day, I stumped both United CEO Oscar Munoz and President Scott Kirby with an easy question....
Why? Lufthansa Ready To Invest 200 Million Euros In Alitalia
Alitalia is out of cash (again) and Lufthansa stepping up to offer 200 million euros ($223MN). Since when is Lufthansa in the business of losing money? While Lufthansa has officially said, “We are not commenting on this,” numerous reports...
South African Airways May Dismember Itself To Survive
South African Airways just received its first Airbus A350…and another government bailout. But this one comes with a few more strings attached, at least potentially. Among them: explore selling off its SA Express subsidiary. There was never much doubt...
American Express DOUBLING Annual Fee for Centurion (Black) Card
American Express will double the annual fee on its Centurion card, colloquially called the “Black” card, while adding additional benefits. Is it worthwhile? While the Centurion card is considered by many to be a status symbol more than anything...
Dear United, Do The Right Thing For Lifetime United Club Members
Dear United, Tomorrow marks a new era for United Club members. Staring November 1, 2019, all United Club users, including members and their guests, must be traveling on a same-day United, Star Alliance, or partner flight. This applies to...
Will Norwegian Add Russian Jets To Fleet?
Are 40 historically unreliable jets worth access to valuable airspace that would allow low-cost flights between Europe and Asia? That’s the question Norwegian is pondering. Norwegian is considering a lease of Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) aircraft for operations within...
How To Reconcile IndiGo’s Massive Airbus A320neo Order
If you wondered why IndiGo placed a firm order for 300 Airbus jets this week, start by looking at India’s aggressive five-year airport growth plan. IndiGo’s order of 300 A320neo family aircraft is huge. Not only is it huge...
A Cool New Airline Book For My Coffee Table
Maps and airlines are two of my favorite things. A new book maps the history of airline route maps. When driving home from my son’s swimming lesson yesterday, I had Marketplace on and caught a segment on a new...
Brazil Wants JetBlue To Offer Domestic Brazilian Service
Brazil wants foreign carriers to operate domestic routes and has stepped up its recruiting, targeting three airlines including JetBlue. I’ve written before the changing landscape of Brazil’s domestic commercial aviation market. Due to a recent change in Brazilian law,...
ANA Struggling To Fill Business Class As Profit Slumps
Even with a beautiful new business and first class product, ANA is struggling to sell premium cabin seats and facing an unexpected dip in profit. Blaming tightened corporate travel budgets, ANA is expected to report a decline in profit...
Exciting New LATAM Route To Falkland Islands
LATAM is expanding its service to the Falkland Islands with new widebody service from São Paulo, Brazil starting next month. The seasonal service will run from Brazil’s largest city to Mount Pleasant, the Royal Air Force base that serves...
The Two Most Popular Meals On United Airlines
For all the talk about healthy options and vegetarian dishes, United passengers love their comfort food. During his presentation at Flight Plan 2020 last Friday, Toby Enqvist, United’s Chief Customer Officer, talked about new plant-based options, expanded choices, and the...
Los Angeles To New Zealand For 5,000 American Miles? Don’t Be Fooled.
As nice as redeeming 5,000 miles to fly from Los Angeles to New Zealand using AA miles sounds, please don’t take your eyes off the bigger picture. These gimmicky redemptions come at great cost. Last night, American Airlines ran...
Southwest Comes Out Swinging Against Flight Attendant Who Alleged Voyeurism
Southwest Airlines has vowed to “vigorously defend” against a flight attendant lawsuit which alleges two pilots placed a hidden video camera in an aircraft lavatory on a flight to Phoenix. After initially failing to directly address the matter, Southwest...
Will Qatar Airways Bail Out Malaysia Airlines? I Doubt It.
Qatar Airways has been named one of three airlines on a shortlist to invest in troubled Malaysia Airlines. Meanwhile, Qatar Airways has sent mixed signals, making clear it will not acquire the airline, but leaving open the possibility of...
