I’m catching up with last week’s notable airline news items and American’s new boarding process, tested earlier this year, is a hot topic. Basically, American Airlines is now allowing those passengers without carry-ons requiring overhead bin space to board ahead of Group 2. The test of this new process, rolled out systemwide last Thursday, was…
Why Hoarding Loyalty Points Is Sometimes Worth It
Conventional wisdom in the miles and points arena is that you generally shouldn’t hang onto a huge loyalty program balance. “Earn and burn” is the more popular motto these days as redemption rates rise quickly and programs evolve to make using your hard-earned points more difficult. But let me tell you… am I ever grateful…
Just In: Woman Breaks Into United Airlines Headquarters in Chicago
CHICAGO – Earlier today, a woman was seen leaving the United Airlines employee parking lot headed West on Algonquin Road in her car, making a quick escape from the airline’s Executive Offices. Security cameras later revealed she pulled into the lot undetected and snuck through a door that hadn’t been securely shut alongside one of…
A Quick Look at the Refreshed ‘Denver West’ United Club
United Airlines is reportedly spending $50 million this year to renovate and refresh many of its United Club locations, and I had the chance to visit the recently redone Denver West location yesterday. Basically what they’ve done is swapped out the seating for new chairs, tables and counters identical to what’s in the newest club…
Vintage Airline Seat Map: American Airlines DC-10 ‘Standard’ from 1987
Last month I published a seat map of American’s “Standard†DC-10 from 1985 sporting a spacious coach cabin. I noted in that post that a mere two years later in 1987, this same aircraft was reconfigured with 22 additional seats in the rear cabin and promised to share the higher-density layout. Here, then, is American’s…
Update to TSA PreCheck ID Appearing on Boarding Passes
I posted previously about the TSA PreCheck identifier beginning to appear on boarding passes for those who qualify for the program. And having just checked in for my United flights, I can report a slight change from what the TSA announced. From the TSA blog (bolding mine): Eligible passengers will see a TSA Pre✓™ indicator…
Mileage Run Opportunity: $249.40 Nets 6,576 United Premier Qualifying Miles
Here’s a United mileage run with oodles of availability I found this morning that I haven’t seen posted elsewhere. This $99 one-way base airfare between San Francisco and Charlotte was filed back on April 26, and given it hasn’t been pulled yet, this post might stay useful longer than my last mileage run tip. It…
‘You’re All Going to Die’ Flight Attendant TV Commercial
Here’s a television ad you likely won’t see aired in the U.S. Anti-energy drink maker Zenonade from the Czech Republic launched a new ad campaign having a little fun with the flight attendant safety demonstration. I’ll let it speak for itself: I got quite a chuckle out of it given my closeness to the industry,…
Free American Airlines Admirals Club Day Pass for Klout Scores 55+
American Airlines and Klout, a web service that scores your overall social media influence, teamed up for a new contest. They’re giving away free Admirals Club day passes to anyone whose Klout score is 55 or above, plus an entry to win an annual membership. Just go to http://aa.com/klout and sign in with your Facebook…
TSA PreCheck for International Itineraries to Begin, Plus More
There’s good news out of the TSA today that those of us approved for PreCheck will no longer be denied access to the lanes if we’re on an international itinerary. Well, I should say most international itineraries. According to their announcement today (bolding mine): The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that beginning May 7,…