Nov 25th, 2009 at 12:00PM: After coming in last among large airlines in customer satisfaction surveys for two out of the last three years, United Airlines has been overhauling its operations in an effort to increase on-time performance and win back customers. Now the airline is working on the physical appearance of its planes and crew.
Every single one of the airplanes in United's fleet will be getting a make-over. The ...Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
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United plans for new image overhaul
Nov 25th, 2009 at 12:00PM: After coming in last among large airlines in customer satisfaction surveys for two out of the last three years, United Airlines has been overhauling its operations in an effort to increase on-time performance and win back customers. Now the airline is working on the physical appearance of its planes and crew.
Every single one of the airplanes in United's fleet will be getting a make-over. The ...Airlines: why it always has to come down to price
Nov 24th, 2009 at 8:00AM: Imagine what would be pretty much a perfect world, at least for airline CEOs. You're running a reasonable profit – let's say 10 percent, enough to keep the shareholders off their backs. And, they're growing annually at a low double-digit rate, as well. Again, the shareholders are seeing an upside, so there's no pressure on the airline's management. Since the numbers being posted are healthy, ...Airlines watch 15% of last year's revenue disappear
Nov 22nd, 2009 at 12:00PM: U.S. airline passenger revenue fell in October, completing a full year of dismal monthly performances. From October 2008 to October 2008, passenger revenue dropped 15 percent, according to calculations by the Air Transport Association. The study was based on a sample group of more than 24 air carriers. Falling ticket prices are said to be the problem ... which means we can trace it back to ...Congress to investigate airline fees ... but not for your benefit
Nov 14th, 2009 at 2:00PM: Congress is digging into all those new airline fees. Extra bags, special check-in situations ... you name it. Before you start cheering on our lawmakers, though, you should know that they aren't doing this from a sense of consumer advocacy. Frankly, Congress doesn't give a damn how much you pay for air travel. But, it does care how you pay. Why? A cash-strapped government is wondering if it's ...White House pushing for answers to airline industry woes
Nov 14th, 2009 at 12:00PM: The Obama Administration is taking a closer look at the airline industry with the hopes that something can be fixed. Transportation Secretary Roy LaHood is pulling together a panel that will investigate the problems the industry faces and hopefully come up with a solution. But, I don't think anyone's breath is being held.
The airlines are always swamped with criticism, with consumers unhappy ...United Airlines adds flights to Africa, the Middle East and Europe
Nov 10th, 2009 at 2:30PM: Starting May 2, 2010, United Airlines fans can fly the carrier from the US to Africa for the first time in the company's history. United will offer flights from DC to Accra, Ghana (and then on to Lagos, Nigeria). Beginning April 18, 2010, passengers flying from DC to Kuwait can also continue on to Bahrain.
Chicago to Brussels nonstop on March 28, 2010. The carrier also added several other new ...Continental moves to Star Alliance -- your impact as an everyday traveler
Nov 1st, 2009 at 7:00PM: Continental Airlines finally made its big move to the Star Alliance last week, a long awaited, much talked about transition from its former partnership with Delta and Northwest Airlines. It's a move that will affect the way that you earn and spend frequent flyer miles across the board, but what does it mean immediately to the every day traveler?
On the surface, not much. Continental will remain ...Man reconstructs entire Pan Am first class cabin in LA condo
Oct 26th, 2009 at 10:30PM: Airline nostalgia is a hobby of many hobbyists out in the travel world. I know that I've got an unwrapped deck of NWA playing cards from a 747 flight before the airline merged with Delta, and others I've met have collected things ranging from silverware to barf bags to life vests. Never, however, have I seen someone collect an entire first class cabin. As it turns out, it can be done. Anthony ...50% of air travelers will fly with the flu to avoid a fee
Oct 24th, 2009 at 11:30AM: I'm a one of the those people who always seems to get sick after a long plane ride. A few days post-trip, I suddenly get a runny nose, sore throat and all the other telltale signs of a cold, most likely contracted from a sick passenger. Usually it's minor, and I'm out of commission for only a few days.
I guess I've just been lucky that it hasn't been the flu, because, according to a recent ...Why people aren't flying. (Hint: It's not just the fares)
Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:00AM:
tweetmeme_url = 'http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/23/why-people-aren-t-flying-hint-it-s-not-just-the-fares/'; tweetmeme_source = 'Gadling';
Think that all airlines are losing business during the recession? Not quite. Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways saw their traffic jump 9 and 10 percent, respectively, in September, while United's was down 6 percent. Other airlines suffered traffic ...Road testing the Cranky Concierge
Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:00AM:
tweetmeme_url = 'http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/23/road-testing-the-cranky-concierge/'; tweetmeme_source = 'Gadling';
I've known Brett Snyder aka The Cranky Flier for a few years now, so when he started up The Cranky Concierge, an itinerary management service this past month, I was naturally intrigued.
The concept goes sort of like this: most people hate booking and micromanaging their ...Mileage runs, Flyertalk and obsessive compulsive flying: a film project
United to receive heavy fine for towel stuffed in engine
Oct 19th, 2009 at 10:30AM: US Airways and United Airlines both stand to receive multi-million dollar fines from the FAA for maintenance violations.
US Airways' violations include failing to inspect cargo doors and landing gear on a few plans and for failing to perform routine checks on dozen of others. US Airways responded quickly to the news, saying that the violations stem from the integration of their maintenance ...Will flights be less crowded next year?
Oct 17th, 2009 at 8:00AM: The number of passengers passing through planes in 2010 is expected to decline again. The Boyd Group, a consulting firm in this industry, forecasts a decline of 74 million passengers relative to 2008 - down to 675 million next year. This means you'll get a little more elbow room, as long as the airlines don't respond with more route cuts. The fact that unemployment is likely to break the 10% level ...Galley Gossip: How to get free beer in flight
Oct 16th, 2009 at 9:30AM: tweetmeme_url = 'http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/16/galley-gossip-how-to-get-free-beer-in-flight/'; tweetmeme_source = 'Gadling';
Recently I read an article on News.com.au about a passenger who stole a few cans of beer from a beverage cart and then tried to flush the evidence - the empty cans, not the liquid - on an Air Canada Jazz flight. The pilot diverted the plane and the nameless thief, 23, ...Five ways to spot awful customer service
Oct 14th, 2009 at 8:00AM:
tweetmeme_url = 'http://tweetmeme.com/story/217011779/five-ways-to-spot-awful-customer-service-gadlingcom'; tweetmeme_source = 'Gadling';
When I think I might have problems with patience, my wife is always happy to confirm it for me. Since I hate to wait in line, expect employees to know what they are doing and always be having a good day (at least as far as I can see), my standards are ...United to try checked luggage buffet
Oct 6th, 2009 at 4:00PM: Do you always travel with two bags to check? Some people don't travel light, and they know that, in this new world of airline fees, they're going to have to stomach an extra charge as a result. Under a new United Airlines plan, you'll be able to "subscribe" to extra bag privileges. Instead of paying $20 for the first bag checked and $30 for the next one, you can shell out $249, buffet-style, and ...British Airways offers free companion fare
Oct 1st, 2009 at 2:30PM: Fly on British Airways between now and January 29, 2010 and you could earn a free companion fare for your next flight.
To get the free ticket, you need to sign up for the Executive Club (which is free) and take a round-trip flight to any one of the 300 destinations to which the airline flies. Then, book another ticket January 4 to July 30, 2010 for travel January 11 to December 15, 2010. You'll ...Save time at checkin with elite status
Sep 26th, 2009 at 9:00AM: At 6PM on a Friday afternoon, New York's JFK airport is hopping. Part of it is, rather, just the check-in counter. The everyday, economy check-in counter, to be specific. Scores of passengers-to-be swarm the kiosks, some swiping credit cards, some punching buttions, some pulling their hair in distress. Those that successfully navigate the digital mayhem are funnelled into the luggage line, a mess ...Welcome to the first airline-owned restaurant!
Sep 21st, 2009 at 9:00AM: Airfarewatchdog visited recently a new restaurant in our neighborhood and boy were we surprised at what we saw on the menu. That's right, diners! This restaurant is under new management! At Trans Air Airlines, we sure weren't making money flying people places, so we thought what the heck, why not try the fine dining business to earn some "ancillary revenue" as we like to call it. While you're ...
