To save fuel, should planes fly unpainted? Here’s the surprising answer
While walking through an American Airlines office I saw a post that said, “It’s a fact — Replacing paint with decals can reduce aircraft weight by 400 pounds and, across the fleet, save approximately $19 million in annual fuel costs.” If that is true, why are all the other airlines slathering their planes with paint?
American’s baggage rules pushed into the headlines
American Airlines has been the subject of lots of bad press over charging Army reservists going to active duty additional baggage fees. The airline, through its company spokesman, said it was only following procedure and that eventually the reservists would be reimbursed by the Army for their third bag.
What’s the real truth with the situation between American Airlines and Kayak?
The reasons for American Airlines flight displays disappearing from kayak.com are still a bit cloudy, but it appears that Kayak removed the flight listings because American demanded an all-AA-fares-or-nothing display. They got nothing.
AA cuts its nose off to spite its face
Airline actions are hard to fathom. The latest tiff between American Airlines and Kayak.com is mystifying. AA is pulling its directly-bookable fares leaving buyers the option of only purchasing through agencies that cost AA more in booking costs. Very strange.
Brace yourself for check-in chaos on American Airlines
To get an idea of how poorly planned this new $15 charge for the first piece of checked baggage fee is, consider what American Airlines is saying about it. The airline is giving two contradictory sets of instructions to employees and passengers. Chaos will be inevitable.
Airlines’ first priority? Putting customer service last
American Airlines did it. Then United Airlines did it, followed almost immediately by US Airways. Am I talking about the controversial $15 fee for the first checked bag. No. I’m talking about putting customer service last.
American scrambles to collect baggage fees, plans customer service later
American Airlines has launched a public relations campaign to convince the flying public that paying $15 for the first bag checked is a deal. Unfortunately, the airline has to scramble with a lot more than only pricing.
More international cuts for American Airlines as alliance repositions
The demise of American Airlines’ JFK-Stansted (London) service appears to have taken no one by surprise. The canceled route served its purpose — to drive the new all-business-class airlines into bankruptcy — and is no longer needed.
American shocks industry with international cuts, ‘B word’ whispers
American Airlines has announced the first capacity cuts to its system and surprised the industry with reductions to its international route structure, Chicago to Buenos Aires. The news shocked American Airlines employees working international routes who thought they were insulated from possible layoffs.
The new math of airline luggage
About two years ago he wrote a column predicting that the airlines would soon be charging for luggage. Charlie Leocha hates it when he’s right. But now what?