First class used to connote larger seats, your own TV screen, cold champagne and fresh-baked cookies. Now, it’s kicking into a higher level of service with United Airlines announcing 15.4-inch video monitors in international business class, flat-bed seats that become 76-inch-long reclining beds. Meanwhile, American Airlines is countering with in-flight entertainment systems with on demand…
If your name is Zeimer, I’d strongly advise you NOT to fly American Airlines this week. First, my twin brother’s flight on American from SFO to Athens this coming Friday was cancelled. Though it’s the height of the summer travel season and it seems like everyone and his brother (including mine) is going to Europe,…
According to the Associated Press yesterday, daily passenger flights between the USA and China will more than double by 2012. Also, air cargo companies will have virtually unlimited access to China as part of an aviation agreemement. “Piece by piece, we are making it easier, cheaper, and more convenient to fly people and ship goods…
When I started flying frequently on business about 20 years ago, I joined American Airlines AAdvantage Program. It earned me many free trips and upgrades to exotic locales worldwide. Next, I joined the United Airlines Mileage Plus program because my wife had more miles there. Now, we have a credit card with a third party…
You would expect Jet Blue to top the charts in passenger satisfaction because of its swank leather seats and its personal entertainment systems. But Continental? Now that’s a bit of a surprise. Jet Blue got the top ratings across the board in seven customer satisfaction categories, with 820 of a possible 1,000 points, or 81…
When I have enough miles to cash in or can afford to upgrade, I like to fly Business Class. It’s way better than Economy or Coach, especially for cross-country and cross-ocean flights. That extra legroom, gourmet cuisine, Mimosas, champagne, enhanced private entertainment system and the other amenities really make a difference when you’re flying for…
In the past, I’ve read that airlines often look at ways to squeeze out a profit every way possible. For example, switching to smaller peanut bags saved one airline millions per year. So American Airlines, which stopped serving hot meals to coach passengers on its domestic flights in December 2001, is going to convert its…
With the price of oil –– and air fuel –– continuing to climb higher than the jets it flies, Delta Air Lines raised its most expensive fares last week by $100. Continental, United, and Northwest Airlines, and American Airlines all quickly followed suit. Delta boosted its maximum fare to $599, up frm $499, for one-way, walk-up…