American Airlines is about to charge more and provide less. The carrier is culling 75 aircraft from its fleet, which will definitely mean an 11-12 percent reduction in capacity and probably result in the elimination and not just reduction of service to some current cities. Additional bad news is that anyone booking flights after June 15 will paying $15 for the first checked bag -- unless s/he is flying full-fare economy, first class or business-first; is flying on a government or military fare or active military; has reached premium status on America's AAdvantage frequent flier program, or is connecting to/from a codeshare flight not operated by American. Plus, of course, American is also charging most passengers $25 for the second checked bag on all flights. The airline is adding or inreasing other surcharges. It's probably just as well that American is cutting capacity, because travelers will probably avoid the airline if there are options -- unless of course other carriers fall into line. These decisions are not sitting any better with employees than with customers. Employees reportedly picketed the airline's Fort Worth headquarters during annual shareholder meeting.
Singapore Airlines Converting Airbus 340-500 to All-Business Class
And for a glimpse at how the other half flies -- the "small half," that is -- consider Singapore Airlines' conversion of its A340-500s to and from the US, where front-of-the-pl
ane luxury will soon be all-of-the-plane luxury as the carrier converts all five aircraft to all business class. The airline just inaugurated nonstop flights to Singapore's Changi Airport (SIN) from Newark International Airport (EWR) three times a week, which will increase to daily service by the end of June. It also flies LAX-SIN and SFO-SIN and will becomne the first carrier with all-business class transpacific service. Cabins are configured with just 100 30-inch-wide leather seats that convert into full-flat beds, with singles by the windows and two in the century of this wide-body aircraft. (In a three-class configuration, this plane can carry up to 313 passengers, which gives you an idea of just how much space each business class passenger has.)This all-business class service includes new menus served restaurant-style and a new Passenger Corner area for socializing, drinks and snacks -- plus an enhanced inflight entertainment system. Passengers can now plug in their iPods, iPhones (for audio and video content only) and USB flash drives to view content on the system’s 15-inch-screen. Passengers on these flights won't be charged for checking bags.
British Airways to Upgrade JFK Facilities
Beginning next month, British Airways is also doing right by its front-cabin fliers as it furbishes its ground facilities at New York's JFK International Airport to the tune of $30 million. The 18-month project will enhance the check-in experience for for premium fliers with a dedicated curbside drop-off area for First and Executive Club Gold passengers; an upgraded check-in area for Club World and Executive Club Silver customers, and the renovation of lounges to the standards set at London's Heathrow Airport's new Terminal 5. Let's hope that the baggage handling system does not echo the problems when the new terminal at Heathrow opened in March, which I reported on here. After that fiasco, I am amazed that BA has the wherewithal to redo its JFK facility, but then again, with the strong pound and the weak dollar, it's a good deal for the airline now. The renewed JFK facility will aiming at Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
Southwest Announces More Denver Flights
In addition to new Denver flights services announced earlier, Southwest Airlines is adding three daily nonstop roundtrips between Denver and San Francisco and three daily nonstop roundtrips between Denver and Omaha. These new flights begin September 2.
Mesa Airlines Subsidiary to Cut Service to 16 Communities
By June 30, it will no longer be possible to fly Air Midwest to Lewisburg, WV; DuBois and Franklin, PA; Athens, GA; Ely, NV.; Merced and Visalia, CA; Prescott and Kingman, AZ.; Farmington, NM; Columbia, Joplin and Kirksville, MO.; Grand Island and McCook, NB.; and Little Rock, AR. That's because parent company, Mesa Airlines, is shutting down this commuter subsidiary. Keep in mind that Air Midwest is not the same carrier as Midwest Airlines, which last time I looked, was still flying.
Continental Inaugurates Cleveland-Paris Nonstops
Tomorrow is the first day first day of Continental's new seasonal nonstop flights beteween its Cleveland hub (CVG) and Paris -- that's France, not Texas where Continental is headquartered. Continental will use Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG); Continental already flies Cleveland-London but utilizes Gatwick rather than Heathrow. The CVG-CDG flight will operate daily through September 1 -- just before Labor Day.
Delta and Northwest to Merge -- Probably
I've avoided posting items about mergers of major US carriers, because other engagements have been called off -- i.e., Delta-US Airways last year; America West-USAir in 2005, a merger that occurred in 2006 to create US Airways; United-US Airways in 2000. However, it looks as if Delta and Northwest will indeed the knot -- though exactly when is still a question mark and what it will be called has also not yet been announced. What will it mean? Other than a joint pre-merger website, perhaps eventually fewer flights, even though they claim that it will create a "premier global airline" and "is a merger based on addition, not subtraction, and it will open a world of opportunities for customers and employees."
China Earthquake Relief Donations Net Mileage Plus Credits
United Mileage Plus members who contribute $50 online or more through the American Red Cross's China Earthquake Relief Fund will receive a one-time 500-mile bonus. In order to receive the mileage credit, you need to forward your electronic receipt from the American Red Cross to ChinaRelief-Miles@united.com.
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