Steven Slater was already having a bad day. He had just landed at JFK from Pittsburgh a tad late and his passengers were restless. One even got up to fetch her hand baggage while the aircraft was still on...
United States Will Charge Tourists $14 to "Promote Tourism"
Sometimes, I wonder why members of Congress display so little common sense. Then I remember what it was like to work for them. In an astute move displaying superlative wisdom and unparalleled foresight, Congress has voted to levy a $14 tax on...
Delta to Begin Service to Iceland Next June
Yesterday afternoon I received an e-mail that Delta was starting service to Reykjavik, Iceland next June. The once daily flights will depart late from JFK, arriving the following morning in KEF and return late morning from KEF, arriving just...
New Livery Coming to Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic has unveiled a new livery that will eventually be applied to all 38 of its aircraft. New technology, reportedly unique to VS, will give each aircraft a highly reflective metallic appearance. In a press release announcing the change, Virgin...
Feds Come Clean: Admit to Storing Body Image Scans
Last week on Upgrd 66 I voiced skepticism about TSA assurances that body scan images are immediately deleted and never stored. After all, if something was found on a passenger wouldn’t the image have to be stored to have...
Mexicana Files for Bankruptcy
Mexicana has filed for bankruptcy in the United States and Mexico, suspending a number of flights and positioning the troubled airline to cut labor prices as they attempt to remain competitive. Mexicana has put most of the blame for...
Bridge Linking Tijuana Airport to San Diego Proposed
I realize this won’t appeal to very many of my readers, but as an Angelino I was intrigued to read of a proposed bridge linking TIJ to the United States. An investor group involving billionaire Sam Zell received a key federal approval...
Richard Branson Celebrates 60th Birthday by Adding 60 Planes to Virgin America Fleet
The title sums up the post nicely, but I like the way Richard Branson thinks: "I am happy to celebrate my 60th birthday this week and I can’t think of a better present than getting 60 new planes." Branson...
No More High Schoolers Piloting Regional Jets? Congress Enacts New Restrictions
In response to the Continental Express (Colgan Air) crash outside of Buffalo last year that killed 50 people, Congress has passed a new bill aimed at bolstering the safety of airline passengers: The legislation requires all airline pilots to...
Continental tests self-boarding at IAH
Tired of the grouchy attitude or bad breath of your gate agent? Well now there’s a solution if you’re flying through Houston! Self-boarding is being tested select Continental gates at IAH. Lufthansa has already offered self-boarding for years, as do...
Another Large Order for Emirates: 30+ Boeing 777s
Just a month after ordering 32 additional A380s, Emirates is adding at least 30 more 777s to its fleet. Fast-growing Emirates Airline of Dubai will announce Monday it is ordering over 30 Boeing 777 jets, a month after it ordered...
Emirates’ A380 returns to JFK
With 32 more A380s on the way, Emirates is bringing back the A380 to the Dubai-New York Kennedy route this fall. Beginning on October 31, you’ll have the chance to enjoy private suites, showers, and a cocktail bar if...
Swiss International Airlines Joins the Blogosphere
Swiss International Airlines has joined the blogging world. Check out their new blog here. In the innagural post, LX’s two-man blogging team, Christian and Parand, lay out this goal: Having been active on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter...
DOT Tarmac Delay Rules Seem to be Working
Count me as one of the surprised. When the DOT announced new tarmac delay guidelines last December, I opined that the rules would hurt the very people they intended to help. I am not ready to eat my hat...
TSA Recruiting on Pizza Boxes
Some call it creative. Others call it a sign of desperation. I call it stupid. The TSA is hiring at Washington Dulles and Reagan National and has resorted to a peculiar medium of advertising…pizza boxes. photo courtesy: Michelle Basch, WTOP...
Pet Relief Areas Now Available at Dulles and National
Complying with new federal guidelines mandating that airports provide “service animal relief areas” for animals that accompany passengers, Frodo now has a place to play if you are traveling through WAS. Both Reagan National and Dulles have made available...
United 757 Sidelined in ANC After Plowing Into Jetbridge
A United Airlines plane struck a jetbridge yesterday in Alaska as it was taxiing to the gate. …No one was injured in the mishap at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport involving a Boeing 757 shortly before 1:30 p.m. Thursday,...
Changes Proposed to DCA’s Perimeter Rule
Do you ever wonder why there are so few transcon and longer flights scheduled to/from DCA? Like similar restrictions at LaGuardia and Dallas Love, a perimeter rule prohibits most flights longer than 1,250 miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National...
United Orders Musician to Purchase First Class Ticket…For His Cello
What is it with United and musical instruments? First it was broken guitars. Now comes a story from the NY Post about a cello "forced" to fly in first class. I love the way the Post sensationalizes things, so...
“King Solomon couldn’t start a U.S. domestic airline these days”
“King Solomon couldn’t start a U.S. domestic airline these days,” said Hubert Horan, an aviation consultant. “No matter how well they’re run, it’s tough for any airline that’s small to survive.” For an interesting take on competition and structural...
