Cranky Flier

Delta to Shrink Its Fleet of Small Jets, Significantly Improve Customer Experience with New Pilot Agreement

2012-05-24T10:45:13Z

This week, Delta accomplished something incredibly rare… it came to a new tentative agreement with its pilots 6 months BEFORE the contract was amendable. How the heck did that happen? Both sides wanted something and there was time pressure for it Read More......(read more)

Cathay Pacific Lets Social Media Stars into Its San Francisco Lounge

2012-05-22T10:45:08Z

Cathay Pacific has recently embarked on what is at the very least, a truly unique and interesting experiment. Those who have a high level of influence in the world of social media will now be allowed to enter the airline’s lounge without charge Read More......(read more)

A Dark Future for Europe’s Legacy Airlines

2012-05-21T10:45:15Z

Over the last decade, Europe’s big three airline groups, IAG (owner of British Airways/Iberia), Air France/KLM, and Lufthansa Group, have all been in much better shape than their American counterparts. While US airlines floundered and filed for Read More......(read more)

Cranky on the Web (May 14 – 18)

2012-05-19T10:45:39Z

In the Trenches: Benefits – Intuit Small Business Blog The menu of benefits to be provided to employees is surprisingly large. They aren’t all paid, but it’s still a bit of a minefield. Read More......(read more)

Topic of the Week: Berlin Airport’s Big Delay

2012-05-18T10:45:33Z

With less than a month to go before Berlin’s new airport opening, it was revealed that it wasn’t ready to go. The delay is now rumored to stretch into 2013. This is hugely problematic since the new airport was replacing two separate airports Read More......(read more)

Delta Screws Up, Accidentally Shows Different Prices to Some Customers on Its Website

2012-05-17T10:45:31Z

Everyone makes mistakes, but some mistakes are worse than others. Delta had one fall into the “pretty bad” category recently when it decided to try out some new search functionality on its website. In some cases, those who were logged in ended Read More......(read more)

A Working Trip to Vegas (Trip Report)

2012-05-16T10:45:26Z

Last week, Allegiant paid for me to come out to Vegas and speak to the attendees at its annual conference for the airports it serves. This is a great event that lets Allegiant talk about its own business to the airports so that it can further beat into Read More......(read more)

The DOT Gets it Right With Washington/National Slot Awards

2012-05-15T10:45:02Z

There’s nothing I like more than ripping apart the Department of Transportation (DOT) for its poor rule-making abilities, but every so often, the department does something right. We might as well celebrate on the rare occasion when that happens Read More......(read more)

No Honest Customer Will Pay $100 to Carry a Bag on Spirit

2012-05-14T10:45:15Z

You’ve probably seen at least one of the dozens of stories reporting on how Spirit is going to charge $100 for a carry on bag. Those stories are incredibly misleading at best. If you’re an honest customer, there’s no way you’re Read More......(read more)

Cranky on the Web (May 7 – 11)

2012-05-12T10:45:29Z

A Preview of EVA Air’s New Flat-Bed Business Class Seats – Conde Nast Traveler Here’s a look at some pics of EVA’s new flat beds in business class. Read More......(read more)

Topic of the Week: Are You Still Unhappy with United?

2012-05-11T10:45:06Z

By most accounts, United is starting to get a handle on its phone hold times … two months after the system switch. But clearly some people aren’t happy as evidenced by this hi-larious sign that my friend saw this past weekend at a United gate Read More......(read more)

American Upgrades Business Class, Downgrades Coach on Widebody Fleet

2012-05-10T10:45:52Z

Last Friday I received an invitation from American to an event that would show off the “company’s aircraft modernization plans while onboard an American wide-body jet.” Sounded good, but that event was yesterday and with less than a Read More......(read more)

One-Way Codeshares and Why JetBlue Likes Them

2012-05-08T10:45:50Z

Yesterday I wrote about the possibilities for JetBlue to bring partners into Terminal 5 at JFK, but there was one other nugget in the earnings call that caught my eye. This one comes from Robin Hayes, JetBlue’s EVP and Chief Commercial Officer. Read More......(read more)

Will JetBlue Be Welcoming Its International Partners Under Its Roof at JFK?

2012-05-07T10:45:07Z

It’s earnings season, and that means it’s time for a slew of long analyst calls to talk about the events of the last quarter. I don’t listen to them myself, because I’d never get any work done if I did. Instead, I just read PlaneBusiness Read More......(read more)

Cranky on the Web (April 30 – May 4)

2012-05-05T10:45:38Z

Airlines charging extra for everything is good for consumers, report says (poll) – Cleveland Plain Dealer This article looked at a study showing that fees are good or travelers. I was asked to comment and of course I agree. In the Trenches: Preparing Read More......(read more)