No one knows how much longer the 737 MAX will remain grounded. And, perhaps more worrisome, multiple regulators are skeptical that the FAA can be trusted to approve its return to service.
American Airlines
Evolving co-brand: AAdvantage adjusts soft benefits for cardholders
Should you buy miles at 2 cents each on a recurring basis? Probably not, but the Flight Cents program from AAdvantage and Barclays will almost certainly do brisk business.
American grounds 737s due to overhead bin issues
American Airlines grounded fourteen of its 737-800 aircraft today after discovering an issue with recent retrofit work. An “issue with the quality of work conducted on overhead bins” was discovered on two of the planes.
Five Star Select brings additional luxury options to American Airlines
Want to be treated extra special when flying? American Airlines’ newly expanded Five Star Select service adds Flagship Lounge Dining, private car transfers to the plane, and even Blade helicopter transfers between the airport and downtown locations. All for a price, of course.
Welcome to the 2019 Haneda Slot Lottery!
Which airlines and passengers will win the next round of Haneda slot allocations? Four carriers applied to add 19 flights for Summer 2020. Alas, only 12 slots are available.
PaxEx Premium: Huge boost for Viasat’s aero play
As the installed aircraft count ticks higher for Viasat so, too, does the share of revenue the company realizes from that segment. The growth rate will slow in the coming year as the American Airlines fleet completes its conversion (more than 450 aircraft installed to date) but CEO Mark Dankberg believes there is still runway left in the market. Even if it is going to be a little later than previously expected.
More free inflight entertainment on American, United
More media is now free on flights across North America. Announcements from United Airlines and American Airlines this morning will bring complimentary live television and streaming music to millions more passengers each year.
Haggling for Haneda, Clashing over China
Drama is unfolding in the battle for highly coveted route authorities. Haneda is, in theory, the focus but the fight is spilling over to China as well.
American Airlines brings premium transcon service to Boston
American Airlines’s premium transcon service will soon fly to Boston. The carrier is adding two daily trips between Los Angeles and Boston Logan on the A321T aircraft, making it the only airline to offer first class and business class on the route. The new service starts on 2 April 2019 with seats on sale beginning 3 December 2019.
Tiny lav market gets more crowded
Passengers and cabin crew hate them. Airline accountants love them. And this month the market for new, compact aft galley/lav combos became a bit more crowded. The Diehl Aviation SKYPAX offering will soon take to the sky. Delivery of the first shipset (for an unnamed Latin American carrier) took place recently for customer airline installation..








