Passengers won’t pay for more space on planes. This is the commonly accepted mantra and driving logic behind the ongoing “densification” efforts to squeeze more seats onto planes. And, for the most part, that’s proven true. A growing subset of travelers are, however, willing to pay more. Delta Air Lines’ Premium Select will expand across the widebody fleet to capture even more of that revenue.
Loyalty
Emirates Skywards swallows flyDubai OPEN
The long slog to full integration of Emirates and flyDubai continues apace. This week’s announcement brings the loyalty programs of the two carriers together. And the move looks an awful lot like a shotgun wedding, with minimal regard for the flyDubai OPEN members’ history with that program.
SkyTeam grows a Digital Spine
How can global alliances increase their relevance to member airlines? Better data sharing is good but enabling ancillary sales on top of that is great. SkyTeam’s SkyLink Digital Spine delivers that new connectivity and sales opportunity.
Star Alliance teases increased award availability, new top tier for travelers
More award seats? Better elite status recognition? Star Alliance hopes to deliver both thanks to its new digital middleware platform. But can these improvements be delivered without eroding the inherent value of points or the existing status tiers??
Fiji Airways signs on as inaugural oneworld connect member
Oneworld wants to grow its route network and it is willing to take on smaller airlines to deliver on that plan. Fiji Airways is the inaugural member in the new “oneworld connect” program allows limited alliance membership and limited benefits for passengers. But locking up the new connect member airlines is a smart move for the group.
Alaska Airlines launches hotel booking portal
Extending an airline loyalty program into hotel earn & burn is a common evolutionary step. Today’s play by Alaska Airlines follows the plan pretty well, but comes up short on delivering a solid, consistent value to program members.
Loyalty program changes: AsiaMiles gets the messaging right
Change happens. Getting the messaging about those changes right is a rare win for loyalty programs and their members. AsiaMiles is in that rare group, announcing changes this week and owning both the good and bad that come from such.
JetBlue goes semi-private, adds codeshare with JetSuiteX
How to grow in a highly competitive west coast market while limiting risk, staying small, and maintaining the better than average inflight product a company is known for? JetBlue tapped into the JetSuiteX offering to add west coast routes starting in May.
Air Canada launches Basic Economy fares
Air Canada joins the ranks of Basic Economy airlines this week. The carrier now has five fare families for its economy class passengers and this rollout may be one of the most advanced we’ve seen to date.
Yotel’s new not-really-a-Loyalty Program
Getting creative to launch a new loyalty program is no easy task. Just focusing on points is passé and doesn’t work so well. So what’s a company to do? Probably not what Yotel chose with its new “YOTEL Membership Programme” launched this week.