Chase is refreshing its Sapphire Reserve lineup this summer with a higher annual fee and higher fees for authorized users, but more rebates and strong additional perks for booking travel. Chase Sapphire Reserve Gets New Credits, Higher Fee, And...
Analysis: United Hopes To Contain Delta, Suppress American With JetBlue Partnership
Earlier today, United Airlines and JetBlue announced a new “Blue Sky” partnership that includes a return to JFK for United, an interline agreement, and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits. United CEO Scott Kirby has explained what is behind this move:...
Spirit, Southwest, JetBlue: Time to Rethink Perceptions
In just the last nine months, three carriers with distinct identities, Spirit, Southwest, and JetBlue have significantly shifted but public perceptions might be harder to change. We cling to airline stereotypes like old luggage—worn out, busted at the zippers,...
Kirby’s JetBlue Bromance Hints At United’s JFK Game Plan
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby’s messaging has been clear for years: United must return to New York JFK. But as the path to that return looks increasingly via JetBlue, Kirby is heaping a lot of praise on the carrier...
Trump’s Air Traffic Control Plan Needs Refinement, But It’s Progress
Cleared For Takeoff: Why America’s Air Traffic Control Overhaul Can’t Wait America’s air traffic control (ATC) system, once a marvel of aviation innovation, is now struggling under the weight of outdated technology and chronic underinvestment. Aging radar systems, some...
Scott Kirby’s Fox News Op-Ed On Newark Airport
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has written an op-ed for Fox News calling for the return of slot controls at Newark Liberty International Airport. Let’s take a look at Kirby’s argument and whether it is reasonable or purely self-serving...
United Airlines Slashes Newark Flights, Presses Trump Administration To Reinstate Slot Controls
Never let a good crisis go to waste. Facing congestion and air traffic controller shortages, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby is calling on the Trump Administration to reintroduce slot controls at Newark Liberty International Airport. It’s a move that...
JetBlue-United Partnership: What We Know So Far
After days of speculation, Reuters confirmed from “multiple sources” that United Airlines and JetBlue Airways are in talks over a partnership, however, the extent of that relationship is anything but clear. I have a few theories, though. JetBlue And...
Reagan Midair Crash: Cockpit Hesitation Proved Fatal
Even as we await a final report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on the collision of an American Airlines jet with an Army Black Hawk helicopter over a busy Washington, DC airport, the New York Times has...
Is Scott Kirby Praising Trump’s Tariffs To Win A JetBlue Merger?
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has once again praised President Trump’s tariff policy, arguing noble intentions of creating middle-class careers are the driving force. But is something else going on? Is Kirby courting favor with the Trump administration because...
United Airlines Says Competitors Are “Generations Behind”
United Airlines believes its competitors are “generations behind” and will never catch up, even if they begin investing in the customer experience. United Argues Competitors Are “Generations Behind” During Q1 Earnings Calls I always enjoy listening to the quarterly...
United Airlines Building Up SFO Hub On Multiple Fronts
United Airlines is investing in San Francisco (SFO) with 20% more flying in 2025 than in 2024 and a terminal refresh program that will further reinforce United’s dominance at its West Coast hub, with hopes of creating a fortress....
Insane: American Airlines Forbids Agents From Assisting With Standby
If American Airlines really wants to be a premium carrier, it needs to stop alienating passengers with ridiculous standby policies that could not be more customer-unfriendly. Come on AA, this is such a low-hanging fruit… A Silly Rule American...
Free Checked + Carry-On Bags On Frontier: An Unsustainable Business Model
I applaud Frontier Airlines for its clever free baggage promotion to woo disgruntled Southwest Airlines flyers, but it seems to turn the “ultra-low-cost” carrier’s business model upside down. Teasing a “permanent” change to allow free bags would require a...
Scott Kirby’s Dismissal Of A New “Premium” American Airlines Is Very Personal
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby does not think there is room in the USA for a third “premium” airline, dismissing the aspirations of American Airlines to join Delta Air Lines and United Airlines in putting more emphasis on the...
United Airlines CEO Explains Why Southwest Airlines Lost its Mojo
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby believes that recent changes at Southwest Airlines may be a necessary growing pain for the carrier, but will end up pulling more business from Southwest as it loses another structural advantage it enjoyed over...
Delta Air Lines Cuts Profit Forecast By 50-70%, Blames Eroding Consumer Confidence + Economic Uncertainty
Shares prices of Delta Air Lines are tanking after the Atlanta-based carrier sharply revised its profit forecast downward, blaming eroding consumer confidence and growing economic uncertainty over the US economy. Delta Air Lines Cuts Profit Forecast Citing Diminished Domestic...
Spirit Airlines Reports Bleak 2024 Financial Results
As Spirit Airlines emerges from bankruptcy protection, it reported its 2024 financial results this week and the numbers are bleak, suggesting a near-insurmountable hole the budget carrier must quickly climb out of. Can the carrier find a way forward?...
Southwest Airlines Introduces Basic Economy Fares…By Another Name
Without notice, Southwest Airlines massively devalued earnings on its most reasonable Wanna Get Away fares, effectively introducing basic economy fares by another name. Southwest Airlines Guts Earnings On Wanna Get Away Fares The value proposition of Rapid Rewards, the...
What Is Really Going On At Southwest Airlines?
Southwest Airlines is preparing to layoff 1,750 employees as part of its latest effort to cut costs and juice profits. But what is really going on at Southwest? Is Elliott Investment Management maliciously pulling the strings or are these...
