An American Airlines A330-300 did not divert due to a spilled cleaning product. Instead, an oil leak is likely to blame, even as AA denies it. Last month, AA729, pushed back from the gate at London Heathrow on schedule at...
Bonvoyed: Deceptive Redemption Prices Frustrate, Annoy
Marriott’s new Bonvoy program has not been the success CEO Arne Sorenson has suggested it is. Bonvoy’s award redemption nights don’t just deceive members, they also frustrate and annoy them. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a...
United Will Operate More Boeing 787s From Chicago
United Airlines will concentrate more Boeing 787 Dreamliners at Chicago O’Hare next year. In August, United announced the 787 was finally coming to Chicago, United’s home base. That included service to: Brussels (starting on March 28, 2020) Frankfurt (starting...
Employee Groups Wage Proxy Boeing Fight for Southwest
The Boeing 737 MAX is a very delicate issue. Airlines are owed for down time but getting passengers back on the planes may be tough. Southwest employee groups are effectively fighting Boeing for Southwest by proxy. If you are...
Austrian Airlines Announces Cuts, Blaming “Brutal Competition” In Vienna
We learned about cuts at Lufthansa earlier this week to the onboard product. Today, Lufthansa announced it would make cuts, including staff cuts, at its troubled Austrian Airlines subsidiary. Austrian followed with further clarification. Trouble At Austrian Airlines After...
Scary: American Eagle Embraer E175 Diverts After Pilots Lose Control
An American Eagle Embraer 175 safely returned to Atlanta after encountering severe flight control issues during takeoff. The situation is eerily similar to an Air Astana Embraer 190 incident that occurred just under a year ago. On November 6,...
Swede Busted In Australian Airport With Lethal Drugs In Lining Of Suitcase…
A Swedish man was caught trying to smuggle over $8 million worth of drugs into Australia using the lining of his suitcases. The man had originated in Turkey and was traveling with two suitcases. Officials pulled him aside for...
How A Cockpit Photo Outraged China
A pilot lets his girlfriend sit in the cockpit. She posts it on social media. A blogger notices and complains on Weibo. Outrage grows. Many are punished. The pilot is banned for life. But was the reaction a bit...
“LAXit” Will Expand After Rough First Week
Los Angeles International Airport will significantly expand its new “LAXit” pick-up lot for rideshare vehicles and taxi after a chaotic rollout last week. One week ago, LAX banned taxi, Uber, and Lyft from picking up passengers curbside at LAX....
American Airlines Flight Attendants Refuse to Fly the 737 MAX, Southwest Pilots Sue Because They Can’t
Boeing’s 737 MAX has been a divisive issue amongst airlines employees and the traveling public. American Airlines flight attendants refuse to fly it while Southwest pilots sue Boeing because they can’t. What?!? If you are considering booking travel or signing up...
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...
United’s New 3D Seat Maps Take Mystery Out Of Seat Selection
United Airlines will soon let you see your plane before you step on it, with 3D, high-definition virtual cabin images that allow you to see the plane that you will soon step on. Unveiled by Linda Jojo, United’s Chief Digital...
Could the 737 MAX Grounding Bury Boeing?
Boeing’s 737-MAX has been grounded for the better part of a year with no end in sight. But with clearance out of their control, is the aircraft manufacturer helpless against mounting losses? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for...
U.S. Tightens The Screws On Cuban Tourism
The United States is targeting tourism in Cuba with new sanctions on leased aircraft from the USA. Citing its repression of its own people and support for the “illegitimate” Maduro regime in Venezuela, the U.S. Bureau of Industry and...
Counterpoint: United Changes Better For Flyers
United Airlines announced some unpopular changes to their frequent flyer program, Mileage Plus. While most met the changes with criticism and contempt, it may actually be better for flyers. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit...
Europe’s Fastest Growing Airline…I’ve Never Heard Of it
I like to stay up-to-date on airlines from all over the world, but admit Europe’s fastest growing airline took me by surprise. In fact, I had never even heard of it. I’m talking about Pobeda, a low-cost subsidiary of...
JetBlue’s Win-Win Marriage Of Convenience With Norwegian
I’m not saying that JetBlue wants Norwegian to collapse…but let’s just say that the new marriage of convenience raises some questions. A friend of mine, around 30 at the time, once was asked who he was looking for in...
Serial Stowaway Marilyn Hartman Strikes Again!
Serial stowaway and folk hero Marilyn Hartman is losing her touch. She didn’t even make it past the TSA checkpoint in her latest caper. I’m just going out on limb, but I think Hartman was emboldened by the recent...
Walmart Boss Is New CEO Of Air New Zealand
What’s the difference between a discount retail chain and Air New Zealand? Not much, apparently, if Air New Zealand’s CEO is any indication. I say that jokingly, but only half-jokingly, for reasons I will explain below. But indeed, Air...
Protest Targets Turkish Airlines At SFO
As Turkish tanks rolls deeper into northern Syrian, some Bay Area residents have used Turkish Airlines as a proxy for the Turkish government. Nearly 100 people showed up to the Turkish Airlines ticket counter at San Francisco International Airport...
