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.
first class
United, Bombardier launch the CRJ550
Behold the outcome of a battle between pilot scope clause and a shrinking pool of commercial airline pilots United Airlines and Bombardier announced the launch of the CRJ550 this morning. It is a CRJ700 frame, reconfigured to a maximum of 50 seats.
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.
Sun Country cuts premium seats, loyalty in quest for higher revenue
Sun Country’s pivot to a ULCC continues unabated. More than a year after the carrier announced plans for a new approach to the market the changes continue. Up next: further cabin reconfiguration and a revamp of the loyalty and co-brand credit card strategy that seem unlikely to make many customers happy.
WestJet Plus goes legit with Recaro CL4710
Euro-biz is going away on some WestJet planes. The carrier is upgrading its WestJet Plus offering to feature the Recaro CL4710 in a proper 2-2 cabin layout. This further moves the company away from its LCC roots and into a role as a global premium operator.
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.
United goes ultra-premium for LAX lounge option
Tired of waiting for the United Polaris Lounge to open at LAX? Or maybe you just demand the ultimate in privacy during the airport experience. For those willing to pay the price United now has an ultra-premium option available. And it is a hefty price to pay.
Emirates drops some business class middles seats
Emirates is finally getting rid of its middle seats in business class. At least a few of them. On some planes. And also scrapping first class on that sub-fleet at the same time. So, is that really a win??
Next-Gen personalization flying with Singapore Airlines and Panasonic
The past few weeks have been huge for premium cabin redesign news. Singapore Airlines and Emirates are not pulling any punches in their first class suite redesigns. Alas, those products are mostly irrelevant for most travelers. A first class suite doesn’t matter for the 99%+ of consumers. They’re not a factor for business travelers and […]
Video: The killer app in Emirates’ new 777 First Class Suite
The luxury in Emirates’ new 777 first class suites isn’t about the seat or the food. Video steals the show on board, with hints of what the industry will (eventually) be like for everyone.