Getting to Tahiti using your points (and in general) is not the easiest prospect. Two carriers fly from the continental US non-stop to Papeete–both from Los Angeles: Air France and Air Tahiti Nui (Hawaiian Airlines also offers once-weekly service...
Why United Airlines Will Have Trouble Winning Back Business Travelers
United Airlines announced a new push today to win back business travelers who have been leaving the carrier in droves for the competition. United will have to do more than plead to get these corporate accounts back– Is it...
TSA Will Remove Some Nude Scanners
Chalk this up as a small victory in the war on common sense. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) confirmed today that it will remove some airport body scanners that produce a naked image of travelers by June. These are the large...
United Announces Additional 787 Routes
Although United Airlines, with great fanfare, announced that the Boeing 787 would operate the carrier’s new Denver-Tokyo Narita route next year, that will not be the first route we will see United’s newest fleet addition on. Today, United filled us...
TSA: Groping is Okay, Unless it is One of Our Agents
Carol, a former Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screener, arrives at the airport security checkpoint in Ft. Myers, where she’s on her way to a funeral Cleveland. She is chosen for additional screening. A screener collects her belongings and leads...
Free Wi-Fi Coming to LAX in July
After years of gouging–yes, gouging–customers wishing to access internet at Los Angeles International Airport, T-Mobile’s reign ends next month and the LA City Council has voted to make internet free for all passengers. LA City Council’s Trade, Commerce, and...
Another Crate of Bad Apples at the TSA – Bribery at PHL
Gary brings us the latest example of how the TSA is keeping us safe: bribery and falsifying results on proficiency exams. Whodathunkit? An investigation has revealed that seven employees at Philadelphia International Airport were involved in a bribery scandal...
Checked Baggage Fees for First Class Passengers on Alaska Airlines
While “low-cost” Spirit Airlines may be leading airlines on a race to the bottom (with “optional” fees like the mandatory $2 Unintended Consequences of DOT Regulations Fee or mandatory $10 ticket booking fee), Alaska Airlines will soon become the...
Air France Captain "Diverted" on Flight 447?
Facts are still emerging about what exactly happened in the final moments leading up to the crash of Air France flight 447 in 2009, but one new piece of information has recently emerged–it seems the Captain was not traveling...
Analysis: Legality of EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)
Here’s a short paper I wrote recently on the legality of the European Union’s ETS. Enjoy! What happens when an airline suddenly finds itself forced to break a law? It has two possible courses of actions—one action violates law...
Jeff Smisek’s "Passionate Plea" to United Pilots
Jeff Smisek assumes the “good cop” role in a letter to United Airlines pilots concerning ongoing contract negotiations. Still, the United CEO does not dance around the highly contentious, primary issue of dispute: the scope clause. Dear Pilots: I...
American Airlines Hints at Potential Merger with US Airways
After weeks of repeated denials that it was even considering a merger with US Airways, American Airlines has agreed to “study” the prospects of a marriage between America’s third and fifth largest air carrier by traffic. American Airlines says...
Sacramento Opts Out of TSA Screening
After months of exploration, Sacramento International Airport has decided to replace federally-employed Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport screeners with private contractors. This is an opt-out I support. As a compromise to House Republicans over a decade ago, language in...
United Airlines Pulls a "Newark" at SFO
Responding to robust demand and added flights to Newark, Cleveland, and Houston, United Airlines has pulled a “Newark” on us at San Francisco International Airport. To understand what it means to “pull a Newark” you must be familiar with...
Israeli President Flies Air Canada over El-Al
If you are flying with oxygen, you might want to stay away from El-Al, the national carrier of Israel. Israel’s national airline has apologized to President Shimon Peres after attempting to charge him nearly $5,000 to bring an oxygen...
The Secret Story of American Airlines’ AAirpass Program
When I am in California, the Los Angeles Times is a critical component of my breakfast each morning. This morning, I was pleasantly surprised to find a fascinating article on American Airlines’ fight against alleged abusers of their AAirpass...
An Update on the Burma Business/First Class Fare Sale
The dust has now settled a bit in the latest airfare pricing extravaganza, but the fun has just begun. For those just joining the party, on Tuesday and Wednesday fares originating in Burma to just about anywhere in the...
TSA Agent Arrested for Throwing Hot Coffee on Pilot
This is an old story, but one I have been meaning to highlight for the last two weeks. Should a pilot have spoken up when he heard a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) using filthy language while in costume or...
US Airways Says Merger with American Airlines would Generate $1.2BN per Year
As American Airlines management continues to insist its goal is to emerge from bankruptcy as a stronger, leaner stand-alone airline, US Airways is upping the rhetoric on a potential merger: Speaking on a conference call with reporters and analysts...
Spirit Airlines’ Secret Service Sale: "Upfront payment is required"
Leave it to Spirit Airlines to poke fun at the Secret Service scandal with a “more bang for your buck” sale. Spirit is concurrently running a “More Bang for Your Buck!” sale on $19.80 flights to Cartagena, Colombia, where several Secret...
