How can you make the loyalty program more relevant for the travelers slowly returning to the skies over North America? Points and travel are not a compelling as they were last year, but American Airlines is hoping that its AAdvantage members will consider spending some of their account balance to gain a bit of extra comfort and privacy during their travel day through the Five Star Services program.
lounges
Air Canada revamps services as Maple Leaf Lounges reopen
The buffet is out while masks are in. Air Canada begins the reopening its Maple Leaf Lounges this week with a new set of rules and services for passengers.
July’s magic: The Weekly Wrap–3 July 2020
As the calendar rolled over to July the global aviation community saw significant wins. Borders reopened, airlines resumed or increased flight levels. And, perhaps most exciting, lounges are reopening, too. Get details on that and lots more in this edition of The Weekly Wrap
Qantas lounges reopen in Australia, inflight wifi service resumes
Qantas will reopen eleven of its airport lounges to kick off the month of July as travel and venue restrictions ease across Australia. The lounges shuttered on 23 March owing to government restrictions. The reopened lounges will welcome fewer passengers owing to new capacity limitations, and operate slightly differently than they did earlier this year.
Air Canada brings back inflight meals, lounges, middle seat passengers
Travelers on Air Canada flights will soon have a few more of the creature comforts they’re used to when traveling. But they’ll also be sharing them with more creatures. The carrier joins a growing list of airlines halting the process of blocking middle seats.
Slivers of normalcy: Air New Zealand lounges reopening
Demand for air travel is up significantly in New Zealand, though still massively below 2019 levels. And now some passengers will have a slightly more comfortable travel experience as the carrier’s airport lounge network begins to reopen.
Delta, United extend elite status by a year, adjust other benefits
Frequent flyers at two of the world’s largest airlines received a reprieve over the weekend. Delta Air Lines and United Airlines announced major changes to their loyalty program, extended previously earned elite status and other benefits. The moves are dramatic, affecting millions of program members. [A]s coronavirus continues to dramatically impact travel across the globe, […]
Airport lounges shutter as airlines slash capacity
The lounges are closing. Not every airline and not every location, but for the trickle of passengers still flying opportunities to duck into a private space in the terminal for a bit are starting to disappear.
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.
United Airlines’ new "Aspire" economy class seat takes flight
It was a busy week for United Airlines where the biggest news may have been lost in the shuffle. It isn’t as sexy as lie-flat seating but the new Aspire economy class seats now flying deliver some real improvements for passengers. And one significant drawback, too.