Alitalia’s struggles continue. The carrier still needs a fresh infusion of cash to pay off the bridge loan from the Italian government and some sort of long-term plan. And, for the latter, Alitalia will soon find itself forced to be more independent than it is today. Ouch.
Lufthansa Group
Which airline doesn’t hate its connectivity provider?
When senior airline executives are willing to trash their vendors in public that's usually bad news for everyone involved. Welcome to the inflight connectivity world, where airlines are almost as unhappy as the passengers struggling to stay online in the sky. Alas, only part of that frustration is grounded in reality.
A not-quite-Basic Economy across the Atlantic
Fares are going up across the Pond. All three major alliance JVs now offer some sort of Basic Economy for transatlantic travel. The Star Alliance A++ group launched its version this week, with sales starting 5 June 2018. No checked bag, no changes and no upgrades are the main limits, though there is more nuance in the details.
Finding détente in the airline-GDS cost battle: Air France/KLM and Amadeus make peace, progress
Peace is possible between the airlines and GDS platforms! Air France/KLM and Amedeus agreed to waive distribution fees in some cases, benefiting passengers in the near term. But it is the longer term plans around NDC content distribution that hold real potential for an improved passenger experience.
Behind the Miles&Cash numbers at Miles and More
Cash & Points awards make loyalty program members happier and more engaged. That’s the theory and it usually seems to hold true. But some stats from the year old Miles and More version of such raise an interesting question about member retention.
Which airline is next for Inmarsat’s EAN?
Inmarsat's hybrid EAN service is on track for entry to service in 2018. Could it have a new airline customer to come along with that launch? Signs point to an interesting opportunity within the Lufthansa Group of airlines.
Revenue-based loyalty? Ja! Miles and More is next
It is not always wise to believe the claims that the shfit to evenue-based earning is to help simplify loyalty programs. The Miles and More changes announced this week are a great example of complicating a system rather than simplifying it.
Details Emerge on Lufthansa’s new Business Class Seat
Lufthansa released more details on its new Business Class seat launching on the 777X fleet in 2020, plus changes to the existing offering, starting in 2018.
Lufthansa shows off new Recaro CL6710 business class seats for 777X
Catch a glimpse of the new Lufthansa Business Class seat set to fly in 2020 on the 777X fleet. The carrier shared some images today, featuring the new Recaro product.
Lamenting the proliferation of flat-bed business class
Who do you know that would call the proliferation of flat beds in business class “an unfortunate development?” Can’t think of anyone?