Cranky Flier

A Working Trip to Vegas (Trip Report)

The Cranky Flier — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:45:26 GMT

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)

The DOT Gets it Right With Washington/National Slot Awards

The Cranky Flier — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:45:02 GMT

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)

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

The Cranky Flier — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:45:15 GMT

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)

Cranky on the Web (May 7 – 11)

The Cranky Flier — Sat, 12 May 2012 10:45:29 GMT

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?

The Cranky Flier — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:45:06 GMT

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)

American Upgrades Business Class, Downgrades Coach on Widebody Fleet

The Cranky Flier — Thu, 10 May 2012 10:45:52 GMT

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)

One-Way Codeshares and Why JetBlue Likes Them

The Cranky Flier — Tue, 08 May 2012 10:45:50 GMT

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)

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

The Cranky Flier — Mon, 07 May 2012 10:45:07 GMT

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)

Cranky on the Web (April 30 – May 4)

The Cranky Flier — Sat, 05 May 2012 10:45:38 GMT

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)

Topic of the Week: Delta’s Bag Handling

The Cranky Flier — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:45:30 GMT

When I posted my trip report last week and mentioned that Delta damaged our stroller, a commenter requested that I report back. Well, we received notification from Delta on Wednesday that a check was in the mail to cover the stroller. While we did have...(read more)

Delta’s Oil Refinery Purchase is Either Brilliant or Insane (or Both)

The Cranky Flier — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:45:50 GMT

With fuel being an airline’s biggest expense, we all know that the airline and oil industries are tied together. But that tie got even closer this week when Delta announced that it would buy an oil refinery to start making its own fuel, or at least...(read more)

Want to Earn More Miles? Get a Credit Card and Help Cranky

The Cranky Flier — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:45:03 GMT

I’ve received a lot of expressions of support from readers over the years wishing that they could do more to help support Cranky financially. Until today, the main way you could help was by using Cranky Concierge, and that’s not changing....(read more)

Why Do Airlines Switch Airplanes on Flights with One Flight Number? (Ask Cranky)

The Cranky Flier — Tue, 01 May 2012 10:45:52 GMT

It’s time for another installment of Ask Cranky. This question is a great one, and I could have sworn I wrote about it before. But my intensive (read: 10 second) search didn’t turn up anything. Even if I have, it’s worth addressing again...(read more)

Vision Airlines Tries Myrtle Beach After Striking Out Elsewhere

The Cranky Flier — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:45:47 GMT

It’s been awhile since we talked about Vision Airlines here, but there has been plenty going on with the carrier as it desperately searches for a strategy that works. For the most part, it’s been bad news as effort after effort has failed...(read more)

Cranky on the Web (April 23 – 27)

The Cranky Flier — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 10:45:09 GMT

Airline Partnerships Are Confusing—Here’s What You Need to Know – Conde Nast Daily Traveler A quick rundown of the difference between interline, codeshare, and frequent flier partnership. In the Trenches: Do It Ourselves or Partner with Someone...(read more)