Alaska Airlines was an early believer in the efficiency and advantages passenger kiosks could bring to the airport check-in lobby. Now the airline believes that era is over.
ancillary fees
Finnair trims inflight services in cost-cutting push
Finnair’s “shortcut” connection between Europe and the far east via Helsinki is no longer compelling and it has scrambled to rebuild its operations given the new normal. That now includes cuts to the inflight catering, including a switch to buy-on-board for the second meal on two long-haul routes.
Free seat assignments for kids: Competition or anti-regulatory ploy?
Three airlines made announcements this week around fees for kids to sit with their parents. Almost certainly driven by a push for regulations, is it enough to hold that off??
Zipair pick SpaceX Starlink for IFC update
Japanese long-haul airline Zipair plans to fit its fleet with inflight internet from Starlink. The company announced it would become the first Asian airline to offer the service, fitting out its 787s.
Porter Air bringing premium economy(ish) to E195-E2 fleet
Porter Air will add an almost premium economy offering, dubbed PorterReserve, as part of its E195-E2 product launch. The offering will be one of three seating options on board the carrier’s first jets, and include other benefits in the terminal and on board as well.
Frontier closes a major gap in the GoWild! pass
Just one day after launching the product, however, the airline substantially improved the offering, while also extending the initial pricing discount.
GoWild! with unlimited* flight pass from Frontier
Frontier Airlines is getting into the subscription flight pass business. The carrier formally launched its GoWild! Pass, touting access to the carrier’s entire US route network for a full year. The pass is priced at $599 to start for a limited number of buyers. After that – and for renewals – it prices at $1999 per year.
Could Allegiant deliver an interline win?
Allegiant typically operates any given route only on limited days of the week. For travelers looking to book a longer or shorter trip, the company loses out on that potential ticket sale. And, more importantly to the business model, it loses out on the associated hotel, rental car, and other ancillary bookings.
Air Europa adding NFTicket platform
Air Europa arguably* made history earlier this year, selling the first plane ticket as an NFT. Now the carrier is moving to expand on that effort, launching an NFTicket platform to sell regular flight bookings as NFTs, in addition to its normal reservations process.
Alaska Airlines going digital to slash bag check-in time
Alaska Airlines has grand visions for growth, targeting a 40% increase in passenger count over the next five years. Digital solutions are a large part of the plan to meet that growth, touching every facet of the business, including the tags on checked bags.