New cabins on the horizon for economy and business class, short-haul and long; might travel get more comfortable rather than less? Plus some good news for travelers looking to get online in the sky or earn free travel with their points.
Loyalty
In search of premium: PaxEx Update (2019-08-23)
Where are the premium passengers at? United and Qantas are both pushing new projects that aim to deliver a compelling product and collect those higher yields. Plus a new inflight wifi solution hits an installation milestone and more!
American brings priority handling, NDC booking to corporate customers
How can an airline boost its corporate travel share? American Airlines trotted out a set of benefits this week that is comparable to some elite status or co-brand credit card perks, hoping to convert more potential customers into real elites with those CCs.
JetBlue eyes a more mature TrueBlue loyalty program
The co-brand revenue is great and JetBlue intends to continue expanding that stream. But the carrier also knows its TureBlue loyalty program needs a little more to become a mature offering for consumers. That should be good news for travelers, assuming the carrier can execute.
United Airlines partners with CLEAR, expands at hubs
United Airlines announced a partnership with CLEAR this week, expanding its participation in the biometric security screening program. The carrier will make a strategic investment in the company, including the addition or expansion of CLEAR locations at the carrier’s US hub airports.
Teasing the Jet Privilege value to investors
Loyalty programs are a profit machine for airlines, but they depend on the airline as well. Can Jet Privilege continue to deliver? Or is that a delusional dream??
Delta’s upgrade efforts continues to spread
Delta Air Lines is selling more upgrades than ever, which is both good news and bad news for the SkyMiles loyalty program. But probably more good than bad.
PaxEx Update: 2019-07-05
Welcome to the PaxEx Update for 5 July 2019, bringing you biggest headlines on what’s changed for passenger experience in the past week.
Mosaics Matter More: JetBlue trials improved IROPs benefits for elites
JetBlue will trial a new benefit for its TrueBlue Mosaic members this summer. Mosaic passengers on flights delayed two hours or more will receive a meal voucher at the airport to help ease the pain of the wait. Crew members were informed of the new program in an internal message this week.
Lufthansa fined for illegal award ticket taxation
Lufthansa owes the US government $25,000. The penalty is being assessed after the carrier accidentally collected nearly $125,000 from US-based passengers in “taxes” that were not applicable on “non-revenue international tickets” (i.e. frequent flier rewards).