United Airlines is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its MileagePlus loyalty program. I’ve been a member for the majority of that time and the program has benefited me tremendously over the years. The tens of thousands of dollars in...
A Misleading CDC Study On Middle Seat Blocking
Don’t be fooled by the headlines or lead paragraphs in other media outlets: the latest CDC study promoting vacant middle seats on airplanes fails on so many levels to grapple with the issue in a meaningful way. Pointless CDC...
Now the Mainstream Media Realizes Airline Bailouts Weren’t Necessary…
It only took the passage of a $1.9 trillion economic relief passage including tens of billions of dollars in airline subsidies, for a New York Times opinion to question the wisdom of such spending. A Critical Look At Airline...
The Incredible Value Of Frequent Flyer Programs
The pandemic has clarified one issue we long-suspected but now have numbers to back-up: airlines are in the loyalty business to make money and those frequent flyer programs are the reason why airlines performed so well financially prior to...
Federal Mask Mandate On Planes Is Regress, Not Progress
Late on Friday night, the Centers for Disease Control issued its new order for wearing masks on airlines, which Live and Let’s Fly already covered in detail. The mandate creates broad new exceptions that will embolden poor behavior on...
Will The Death Of Change Fees Cause Airline Bumps To Surge?
In a huge and unquestionably positive development for travelers, major U.S. airlines have eliminated change and standby fees. Will a practical effect of this new policy be an uptick in oversold flights and airline bumps? Light Airline Loads Are...
The Strategy Behind The JetBlue – American Airlines “Strategic” Partnership
JetBlue and American Airlines surprised by the world by announcing a strategic partnership today that will introduce codesharing routes and reciprocal benefits for frequent flyers. While the “enemy of my enemy is my friend” argument comes into play, the...
A Scientific Basis For Blocking Middle Seats On Airplanes
We often debate the viability, practically, and benefit of social distancing on airplanes. But what does the science say blocking middle seats? The Science Behind Social Distancing + Middle Seat Blocking Onboard Airplanes Live and Let’s Fly has a...
Is Chinese Airline Ban From United States A Bluff?
As tensions escalate between the United States and China, the Trump Administration plans to block Chinese airlines from serving the United States. But the goal is not to block Chinese airlines, but to ensure great connectivity between the two...
The Existential Airline Dilemma: Refund Or Survive
I’ve been hard on airlines all week, noting they are breaking the law by refusing to issue refunds for flight cancellations. My opinion remains principally unchanged. Today, however, I want to look at the issue from the airline side....
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: 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...
Delta Should Think Twice Before Dancing On Air Italy’s Grave
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...
United Replaces Close-In Booking Fee…With A New Close-In Booking Fee
For months, United has proudly boasted that it is doing away with the $75 close-in processing fee for awards booked within 21 days of departure. What it did not mention was that that dollar fee for close-in bookings would...
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...
Analysis: Fundamental Changes To United MileagePlus In 2020
Last night, United Airlines announced radical changes to the way elite status is earned in the MileagePlus program, starting in 2020. What do these changes mean for you? First, let’s review the changes. Introduction Of Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF)...
Will Malaysia Airlines Shut Down?
Malaysia’s new government is talking about shutting down Malaysia Airlines. Is this a realistic threat? In a word, no. At least not likely. But let’s work our way there. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is in a bind. As the...
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...
Why I Question The Logic Of DOT Tokyo Haneda Slot Awards
I’m eating a little humble pie today…or at least humble mochi. My aviation predictions tend to be accurate, but not on the recent slot awards for Haneda Airport in Tokyo. Still, I question the logic of the DOT. Late...
Has Southwest Airlines Lost Its LUV?
Southwest Airlines has taken a lot of heat for the way it has handled the unexpected grounding of its Boeing 737 MAX fleet. Many customers are angry and argue that Southwest has acted very much out of character. But...
