1948 ET UPDATE: I reported on this earlier today just as the story was breaking. Apparently it was not just a firecracker. See Hunter’s link below. More details and analysis as the story develops. Well, I can’t blame this...
What the new DOT Tarmac Delay Guidelines Mean for You
While a Passenger Bill of Rights in the United States remains gridlocked in Congress, the AP reports the Obama Administration has announced new rules that: Prohibit tarmac delays beyond three hours Require airlines to provide "adequate" food and drinking water for...
AA 737-800 Skids off Runway During Rainstorm in Jamaica
photo credit: Associated Press An American Airlines 737-800 skid off the runway in Kingston, Jamaica last night during a rainstorm, seriously injuring two passengers (as well as the pilot) and sending an unspecified number to the hospital. Thankfully,...
UPDATE: Man Violates Federal Law by Asking for Orange Juice on American Airlines Flight?
Last week I blogged about an alleged altercation between an AA FA and and a First Class passenger on a flight from Sacramento to Dallas in which the FA accused the passenger of "threatening, intimidating, and interfering with a...
British Airways Cabin Crew to Strike December 22-January 2
To commemorate the season of giving, BA cabin crews have decided to give their passengers a very special gift: the middle finger. I am not one who is completely unsympathetic to union concerns, but see if this makes sense...
Man Violates Federal Law by Asking for Orange Juice on American Airlines Flight?
I often lament the lackluster service of UA Flight Attendants, but apparently the grass may not be greener on the other side: Something went very wrong on American Airlines flight 614 from Sacramento to Dallas this Sunday, December 6th....
TSA Gives Away Its Secrets in Massive Security Breach
The story is not as bad as it sounds, but the TSA has embarrassed itself again: In a massive security breach, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inadvertently posted online its airport screening procedures manual, including some of the most closely guarded secrets regarding special rules...
United Orders 25 A350s and 25 787s
United announced today it will split its wide-body order evenly between Airbus and Boeing and has placed a firm order for 25 A350s and 25 787s. Justifying the split order, United stated: The breadth in size and capabilities of...
The Precarious Proposition of Airline Stocks: Fool’s Game or Viable Get-Rich-Quick Scheme?
Market analysts broadly agree that airline stock is a poor long-term investment. Robert Crandall, American Airline’s former CEO said of his airline, “It’s a great company that does important work. But airlines are not an investment.” (BTW, you might...
Too Fat to Fly? Dealing with Passengers of Size
photo credit to Flightglobal.com Discussing overweight passengers is like discussing politics or religion around the Thanksgiving dinner table with family: generally not a good idea. When I saw the picture above, though, I felt compelled to address the issue....
Mother Smothers Baby while Breastfeeding on a United 777 from Kuwait to Washington
Unlike my last mother-baby story (mother and newborn get free flights for life on AirAsia after mother gives birth onboard), this story does not have a happy ending: A baby girl died when her mum fell asleep as she...
United Airlines to Order Up to 150 New Jets Including A350s or 787s
The Chicago Tribune reports that United is close to finalizing a deal with either Airbus or Boeing to augment its long-haul fleet. UA plans to place a firm order for 25 jets with an option for up to 75...
Passenger Arrested in New Mexico for Refusing to Present ID to TSA
This story really makes my blood boil. A passenger scheduled to fly from Albuquerque to Seattle politely refused to show his identification to a TSA officer. The TSA officer called a supervisor. The supervisor came over and the passenger used his digital...
Reciprocal Upgrades Coming for United and Continental Elites and UA to Keep Regional Upgrades for 1Ks
Great news today for top-tier United flyers. First, 1K members will continue to earn confirmed regional upgrades. Details here: 1K® members will continue to earn Regional Upgrades Sometimes no change is good news. After our last announcement, we heard...
Drinking and Flying on Both Sides of the Flight Deck
With another arrest of a "drunk" pilot, this time a United Captain on a flight from LHR bound for ORD, should passengers be worried about their safety in the skies? The LA Times featured an interesting discussion of pilot...
UPDATE: United Kicks Man Out of First Class for Wearing a Jogging Suit
It appears that the gate agent who denied Mr. Alvarez a First Class upgrade believed Alvarez was a non-rev, was dealing with another customer during the interaction, and is a non-native English speaker. From Robin Urbanksi, United’s spokesperson: We...
Surprise Birth Leads to Free Flights for Life for Mother and Son
Sometimes, it pays to be in the right place at the right time. KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) – A baby boy who made a surprise arrival on board an AirAsia flight this week will be given free flights for life...
United Kicks Man Out of First Class for Wearing a Jogging Suit
Stories pop up all the time about gate agents making up their own rules or selectively enforcing others. This story takes the cake though: apparently a man’s upgrade cleared at the gate for his IAD-BDL flight on United (Express), but...
$40 Surcharge if You’re Flying Home for Thanksgiving or Christmas
Delta, American, United, and US Airways have recently added $20 o/w surcharges for flights during peak holiday travel this year. I have not bought my tickets to LAX yet for Christmas, so this is disappointing news. At the same...
Troubled Times for US Airways: More Cutbacks Ahead
US Airways announced series of cutbacks today as it faces stiff competition and dwindling demand during this troubled time in the airline industry: -Cutback of 1,000 employees (~600 airport, ~200 pilot, and ~150 FA) -Abandoning Las Vegas as a...
