Lufthansa to Launch City Airlines in 2024

  Lufthansa Group announced the launch of City Airlines, with a planned launch in the summer of 2024.   Lufthansa City Airlines to Focus on Feeder Flights for Major Hubs Founded in 2022, the newest subsidiary of Lufthansa Group only earned its German Air Operator Certificate in June 2023. The …

Alaska Pilot Indicted for Alleged Attempt to Shut Down Engines In Flight

  NBC News reports the incident took place on a regularly scheduled flight on Sunday, October 22, 2023.   Pilot Allegedly Attempted to Stop Engines Using Shutoff Valves Horizon Air Flight 2059 was scheduled to fly from Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE) in Everett, Washington to San Francisco International …

Al-Bakar Quietly Resigns Chief Executive Chair at Qatar Airways

  The flag carrier announced Al-Baker will resign his position on November 5, 2023, to be succeeded by Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH) chief operating officer Badr Mohammed Al-Meer.   Baker Credited for Modernizing Airline and Controversial Comments Al-Baker spent his life in business and aviation, credited in his official …

How Texas A&M University Helped Me Find a Community 8500 Miles Away from Home

The Aggie Network is real. All of it. Come read how the Aggie Family helped me find my way in my new home of Sydney, Australia. The post How Texas A&M University Helped Me Find a Community 8500 Miles Away from Home appeared first on Andy's Travel Blog. Source: Andys …

After Customer Feedback, Delta Adjusts 2024 SkyMiles Program

  After some thought and promising to make changes “based on customer feedback,” the Atlanta-based carrier announced a new set of changes for SkyMiles flyers, including new loyalty thresholds and changed bonuses for credit card holders.   Earning Status Doesn’t Change, But Bonuses and Opportunities to Earn Medallion Qualifying Dollars …

Hilton Adds Big Benefits to Amex Surpass and Aspire Cards

  Hilton Honors announced the new benefits on Thursday, October 19, 2023, along with new limited-time offers for new qualified cardholders.   Upgrades Include At Least $200 in Statement Credits and National Car Rental Status For the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass card, three new benefits are coming for all …

Travel Apps Better Than Websites, But More Progress Necessary

  Those are the findings of the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Travel App Satisfaction Study and the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Travel Website Satisfaction Study, released on October 17, 2023.   Apps Provide More Satisfaction, but Further Work Needed to Catch Up One of the key findings of the study …

Southwest Adds LUV To 2024 Rapid Rewards Program

  The Dallas-based airline announced program changes coming for Rapid Rewards members, including offering a Cash + Points option for awards.   A-List and Credit Card Spending Tier Points Bonuses Decrease Following a bigger trend in airline loyalty, Southwest is offering flyers the opportunity to earn tier qualifying points faster …

Sumo Wrestlers Force Japan Airlines to Add Flights

  The Guardian reports Japan Airlines added an additional ad-hoc flight to their schedule after a group of sumo rikishi inadvertently created a potential weight hazard.   Sumo Group Accidentally Weighs Down Scheduled JAL Flights The issue took place during the week of October 9, 2023, as the group of …

After 26 Years, American Grounds Business Extra

  In an e-mail to members and notice on their website, the Fort Worth-based airline announced they would begin to close the program in favor of a new business-focused plan.   So Long Business Extra, Hello AAdvantage Business The current Business Extra program – run in connection with Oneworld partners …