Troubled Virgin Australia has asked the Australian government for a financial lifeline. Qantas has aggressively responded, denouncing a government bailout for a “badly managed” company and arguing for a “survival of the fittest” model as the economy enters recession....
Florida Quarantining New York Travelers: More Domestic Flight Restrictions Coming?
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that all airline passengers arriving from the New York-area will face a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Are more domestic flight restrictions around the corner? DeSantis announced the ban Monday evening, warning that, “I would...
Would You Support Airline Bailouts If Executives Chipped In Themselves?
I’m curious, would you be more likely to support a bailout for the airline industry if executives returned the bulk of their compensation or chipped in from their own pockets? Richard Branson, for example, is worth over $4BN, but...
If The Airline Refund Doesn’t Impute, You Must Dispute…
Let me put it bluntly: if your flight is canceled and an airline doesn’t issue a prompt refund, you should dispute the charge with your credit card company. In 1994, charismatic attorney for O.J Simpson Johnnie Cochran told the...
An Extortion Proposal From US Airlines To Congress
U.S. airlines have banded together to warn that absent immediate aide from U.S. Congress, jobs will soon be lost. The letter amounts to extortion, even as U.S. airlines finally begin to take on a more sensible narrative. Let’s start...
American Airlines Backs Downs On Mask Ban
American Airlines (wisely) backed down on its ban on masks for flight attendants, now allowing them to wear masks onboard and in airports if they so choose. If the U.S. government is to believed (and that’s sadly not a...
Reversal: United Reinstates Longhaul International Flights
Earlier today I reported that United would slash all of its longhaul service in April, leaving only international service to a few cities in Mexico. Already, United has reversed that decision and reinstated a number of longhaul flights. United...
My Favorite Airline Comfort Food, One Last Time
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. My last...
The Future Of Live And Let’s Fly In Our New World…
Dear Readers, I’ve received an uptick in nasty email and comments this week celebrating the imminent collapse of Live and Let’s Fly. I’ve also received notes and comments from many concerned about me and my family as we adjust...
United Airlines Warns Of Mass Layoffs Absent Government Bailout
The message from United Airlines is clear: bail us out or we are going to start laying off massive number of workers. Earlier today I shared that United Airlines will reduce international service by 95% in April. Domestic service...
United Airlines Will Reduce International Schedule 95% In April, Cut All Longhaul Service
Blaming depressed demand and government restrictions, United Airlines will cut 95% of international travel in April, leaving service to only a handful of cities in Mexico. United Airlines Suspends All Transatlantic Service United is suspending all service to Europe,...
The Last Supper In The Polaris Lounge…
United has shuttered all of its Polaris lounges, hopefully just on a temporary basis. What are we missing during this time? Dinner In United Polaris Lounge Newark Last week, I enjoyed linner (lunch and dinner in one sitting) in...
Are Flight Attendants Onboard ONLY For Safety And Security?
In the new world of COVID-19, are flight attendants onboard only for safety and security? A comment in a story I wrote earlier today, has left me scratching my head. Lisa, who presumably is a flight attendant, commented on...
Labor War Reignites At American Airlines
Flight attendants are “highly offended” at American Airlines over disparities in treatment between themselves and pilots as well as about their working conditions and options for leave. In an open letter written by Lori L. Bassani, National President of...
United Airlines Closes Additional United Clubs
3/20/20 Update United will close five more clubs; two effective today and three on Saturday: Now closed: Raleigh-Durham – RDU – United Club London Heathrow – LHR – Arrivals Lounge Tomorrow (3/21), the following three lounges will close: Mexico...
Even Emirates May Ground A380 Fleet
When it comes to Airbus A380 operators, there are many airlines. Then there is Emirates, the outlier with over 100 in its fleet. But even Emirates is mulling the grounding of its A380s. Already, we’ve seen Lufthansa, Air France,...
First Impressions: Air Canada Signature Suite Toronto
The Air Canada Signature Suite in Toronto exceeded my already-lofty expectations with great service and delicious food. I spent several hours in the Signature Suite at Toronto Pearson (YYZ), enjoying a very tasty multi-course meal and several great cups...
Why I Oppose Bailouts For Airlines, Hotels, And Especially Boeing
I’ve chewed on this issue for several days, trying to place logic over emotion and seek pragmatism over pettiness. But I simply cannot support the sort of widescale bailouts that airlines, hotels, and even Boeing are now seeking. First,...
How Delta Air Lines Will Combat Falling Demand
In a note to employees, Delta CEO Ed Bastian outlines the aggressive steps Delta is taking to address growing fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Bastian notes “it is safe to travel, but always make sure you are taking the...
Social Distancing Is Hard Work For This Restless Traveller…
It’s only day three of my self-imposed social distancing campaign and this is proving to be very difficult. This traveler is just not a homebody. Monday was supposed to be the start, but I went into the office…I’m just...
