Cranky Flier

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• Cranky on the Web (November 14 – 20)

  First Space Hotel Set to Open in 2012 – Asylum.com I was asked about travel to space. Fun topic, but I don’t see it anytime soon. Milwaukee sparks air wars – BusinessRockford.com A thorough piece on what the low cost carrier expansion... Posted Nov 21 2009, 03:12 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: Atlantic Southeast, BNET, Delta, ExpressJet, Frequent Flier Programs, United

• United and Continental Now Have Reciprocal Upgrades But That Doesn’t Mean They’re Merging

  I suppose it’s inevitable. Any time two airlines move closer together, the speculation that it means they’ll merge picks up. Right now, the noise surrounding a United-Continental merger is deafening thanks to the announcement that elite members... Posted Nov 19 2009, 04:00 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: Continental, Frequent Flier Programs, United

• United Ditches More 50 Seat Jets, Mesa Takes Hit

  If you think back 15 years ago, the 50 seat regional jet was the hot commodity. People seemed to be willing to pay for jet comfort over a turboprop, and airlines raced to add as many as they could. It’s pretty much been all downhill from there.... Posted Nov 09 2009, 03:53 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: Bombardier, CRJ, Mesa Airlines, United

• Cranky on the Web (Nov 2 – 6)

  Cranky Concierge watches your back – Hartford Courant More on Cranky Concierge. It’s picking up steam. Delta Air Lines Rips Into International Association of Machinists – BNET The IAM has postponed its representation efforts for Delta’s... Posted Nov 07 2009, 05:09 AM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: Continental, Delta, Labor Relations, United

• United Retires The 737 (Trip Report)

  Yesterday was something of a flashback for me. When United offered just a couple days ago to give me a seat on the last 737 flight before retirement, I figured, yeah why not? You’d think I would have been more excited, but I have mixed emotions... Posted Oct 29 2009, 03:08 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: 737, Trip Reports, United

• Cranky on the Web (October 19-23)

  United Learns That Some People Don’t Want Free Upgrades – BNET United has now made upgrades free for all elites, but that doesn’t mean everyone is happy. They’re taking away benefits as well. Slight Gains in Premium Traffic in... Posted Oct 24 2009, 05:59 AM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: BNET, Cranky Concierge, Frontier, Schedule Changes, United

• United, US Airways Receive Big Fines for Maintenance Problems

  Both US Airways and United received a present from Uncle Sam yesterday in the form of some hefty fines ($5.4 million and $3.8 million, respectively) for maintenance violations. Should we all run away screaming from these airlines? I don’t think... Posted Oct 15 2009, 03:49 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: Government Regulation, Maintenance, United, US Airways

• Continental Reshapes Its LA Operation, Expands Hawai’i

  It looks like Continental has decided to join in the Hawai’i sweepstakes with some interesting new west coast routes, including the first Orange County – Honolulu flight since Aloha folded. But while those are interesting, I’m more intrigued... Posted Oct 08 2009, 06:50 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: Continental, United

• United’s Annual Bag Fee is a Smart Move

  Earlier this week, United announced that it would stop charging you fees for your first and second bags . . . if you’re willing to pay $249 up front. Is it a good deal for fliers? Maybe in some cases, but it’s really only some families that... Posted Oct 07 2009, 03:43 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: United

• Cranky on the Web (September 21 – 25)

  July Premium Traffic Shows Gains – BNET It’s premium traffic monitor time again, and traffic is still in the tank. But it’s not quite as bad, so that’s good. Delta’s SkyClub Promotion Slightly Misses the Mark – BNET... Posted Sep 26 2009, 03:34 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: Alliances, BNET, Delta, Emirates, Mergers/Finance, Schedule Changes, United, US Airways, V Australia

• American and United Add $10 Surcharge For Peak Holiday Travel

  It looks like United and American have decided that you don’t pay enough to travel on the peak holiday travel days, so they’ve added a $10 surcharge. Is this a new fee? Nah, I think it’s just the lazy man’s fare increase. You’re... Posted Sep 25 2009, 04:31 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: American, Fares, United

• United Introduces Elite Status for Anyone Who Wants to Buy It

  United fliers will now be able to purchase elite status on a flight-by-flight basis. Is this a smart move? While I can see the merits of both sides, I find myself scratching my head here. This seems like a gamble that could backfire. There are now two... Posted Sep 16 2009, 03:25 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: Frequent Flier Programs, United

• Cranky on the Web (September 8 – 11)

  American Turns to HP Over SABRE For Next Reservation System – BNET Even though SABRE was American’s greatest invention, the airline has decided to go elsewhere. This has been coming for awhile. August 2009 Traffic Numbers – BNET August... Posted Sep 12 2009, 03:04 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: American, BNET, Frontier, IND - Indianapolis, United

• Cranky on the Web (August 24 – 28)

  United Aggressively Responds to “United Breaks Guitars Part 2″ – BNET Part 2 of Dave Carroll’s musical crusade against United is out, but this time, United responded well. NBTA Day One Wrap-up – BNET It was a busy first day... Posted Aug 29 2009, 03:10 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: Baggage, BNET, Continental, PR, Southwest, United

• An Onboard Wifi Update

  I’m at the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) conference this week, and I spent awhile chatting with the folks at AirCell (provider of wifi fun) yesterday. That made me think it was a good time for a wifi update, especially since there... Posted Aug 25 2009, 04:05 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: AirTran, Alaska Airlines, American, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Technology, United, US Airways, Virgin America