All things considered, we’ll do just fine. Still, a KLM video showcasing safety throughout the travel experience projects the dreary new norm of travel. KLM Highlights Safety At Airport + Onboard As travel is set to ramp up further in June, KLM wants to assure customers it has taken steps to maximize safety onboard, creating […]
Loose Lips Sink Ships: Boeing CEO Sends Airline Stocks Plunging
Tuesday was a rough day for U.S. airline stocks, with major airlines sinking 3-5%. One culprit? The loose lips of Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun. Yesterday, Calhoun was on NBC’s TODAY show and predicted that a major airline would go out of business due to COVID-19. GUTHRIE: Do you think there might be a major U.S. […]
Exclusive: United Airlines Cuts Compensation Limits By Up To 85%
Those $10,000 offers to take a later flight when your flight is full? Another relic of the past. United Airlines will now limit voluntary denied boarding compensation to a maximum flight credit of $2,500, a 75% reduction. It is also reducing maximum compensation for involuntary downgrades to $1,500, an 85% reduction over present levels. Generous […]
13 Nations Demand EU Suspend Mandatory Refunds For Cancelled Flights
13 European nations have formally asked the European Union to stop requiring refunds for cancelled flights. Will the EU finally cave in at the expense of consumers? I’ve already written about how Germany has backed Lufthansa’s efforts to deny refunds in favor of future flight credit. Although not stated directly, it seems that Germany would […]
UPDATE: Earning MileagePlus Elite Status On Partner Flights + Waivers + Timeline
A few updates for you on the news this morning that United is dramatically slashing the number of elite status points you can earn on partner flights. PQP Limit Is Per Segment, Not Ticket When United updated its website with the new information last night, it was not clear whether the limit (see table below) […]
United Socks It To MileagePlus Flyers Outside USA With New Earning Cutbacks
Hoping to earn United Airlines MileagePlus elite status by flying partner airlines? It just became much harder. For those outside the USA, the latest move further diminished the value of crediting flights to United. I wrote about the “loophole” here in great detail. Put simply, by strategically crediting inexpensive partner flights to United, you could […]
Airbus Warns Of Steep Production Cuts, Job Losses
Any hopes of a quick recovery and return to the old normal have been dashed, with Airbus now weighing painful cuts as it fights to adapt and survive. Airbus CEO Warns Of Painful Cuts Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, told employees that the European planemaker is burning cash far too quickly and would need to […]
American AAdvantage Bolsters European Award Travel
American Airlines AAdvantage has re-designated Morocco from Africa to Europe, a move that will be an objective net positive for most AAdvantage members. You’ll now have more options for using your miles to travel between North America and Europe at cheaper prices. American offers a region-based award chart with fixed costs on partner awards. But […]
United Airlines Sells 22 Jets To China
United Airlines, in an effort to raise cash, sold 22 of its jets to Bank Of China Aviation. It plans to lease them back. Bank of China (BOC) is one of the largest state-owned commercial banks in China. The deal includes: 6 Boeing 787-9 16 Boeing 737-9 MAX No purchase prices were announced, but BOC […]
Doublespeak: Airlines Desperate for Future Customers, Priced for Peak Economy
Airlines across the world are finding the most challenging environment they’ve ever faced. But their post-coronavirus outlook is confusing based on planned staff reductions and forward pricing. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us […]
Americans Trapped In Moscow Airport After Aeroflot Flight Ordered Back To Gate
After abruptly and unexpectedly suspending international air traffic yesterday, hundreds of Americans and thousands of others find themselves trapped in Russia. One asthma-stricken man remains stuck without a visa in Moscow Airport almost out of medication. Yesterday, April 3, 2020, an Aeroflot flight was supposed to operate to New York to repatriate Russians trapped in […]
United Airlines’ Strategic Fleet Retirement Plan
Earlier I wrote about the revenue challenges United is facing during this time. That was not the only issue discussed during yesterday’s virtual “town hall” meeting with employees. United has also identified which aircraft it will retire and in which order if depressed demand continues. Which Aircraft Will United Retire If Demand Continues To Slump? […]
Airline Unemployment Has a Curve Too
The world just learned about the importance of flattening the curve of coronavirus, but airline unemployment has a curve too and we need to flatten that as well. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add […]
Things A Travel Blogger Cannot Say About Coronavirus
Believe it or not, there are just some things a travel blogger cannot say about coronavirus and the current lockdown around the world. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today. Caveat: I don’t […]
Why I Oppose Bailouts For Airlines, Hotels, And Especially Boeing
I’ve chewed on this issue for several days, trying to place logic over emotion and seek pragmatism over pettiness. But I simply cannot support the sort of widescale bailouts that airlines, hotels, and even Boeing are now seeking. First, let me note the unique time we live in. Like the events of 9/11/2001 and consequences […]
How Long Before Employees Refuse to Work Coronavirus Flights?
Coronavirus is spreading and those who travel the most (flight attendants and pilots) have reason for concern. But how long before employees refuse to work coronavirus flights? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us […]
Coronavirus Creating Opportunities for Brave Travelers
The novel Coronavirus-19 is spreading concern worldwide, but for those brave enough to travel during this period, it’s also creating opportunity. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today. Coronavirus Spreading The Novel Coronavirus […]
SFO Airport Was Made For Jennifer Garner
San Francisco International Airport was made for Jennifer Garner. Well, at least she made herself at home during a recent visit. I haven’t seen it at other airports, but SFO Terminal 3 has this amazing moving walkway that is bouncy…it feels like you are on a little trampoline. For over a decade, I have skipped […]
Delta Should Think Twice Before Dancing On Air Italy’s Grave
You can bet that there was euphoria in the C-Suites of Delta Air Lines over the news of Air Italy’s collapse. But the untimely demise of Air Italy does not excuse Delta of hypocrisy nor validate its longstanding protest against Air Italy. From Air Italy’s inception, Delta cried foul, arguing the market could not support […]
World’s “Nicest” Airline? Here’s What It Looks Like
This week, airline pioneer David Neeleman introduced Breeze Airways, a new airline that will begin flying in the United States later this year. He dubbed it “world’s nicest airline” but offered few details how it would achieve that title. Here are my suggestions. No Change Fees Southwest claims it makes more money by not charging […]
