Working for an airline can lead to a Pulitzer Prize

by Jamie Rhein on

Which Pulitzer Prize winning author, who I credit as writing the most wonderful book of all time, once worked as a reservation clerk for Eastern Airlines and BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation)? Eventually, friends gave her a year’s salary so she could stop working in order to have time to write, and write she did.

Harper Lee’s birthday was April 28, and in the tradition of The Writer’s Almanac, she was honored by Garrison Keillor who told about this morsel of her life on Monday. So for my last post of April, hats off to Harper Lee who brought us To Kill a Mockingbird after her stint in the travel business.

Perhaps, one of the people who is checking your bags, or telling you that your flight is delayed, has a prize-winning novel percolating. With the way the airlines are going these days, I hope that if someone does have a novel in the works, he or she has a rich friend who can pay his or her salary for a year.

Lee won the Pultizer in 1961.

Last business class only airline almost goes south, bailed out by UAE

by Grant Martin on

If you’ve been following the airline industry over the past few months, you may have noticed that things aren’t going so hot. Several airlines serving niche industries have gone under including Skybus (budget), Oasis Hong Kong (long haul budget) and Eos and Maxjet (business class only).

When the market is tight, niche carriers like above are particularly affected because passengers tend to revert back to the old trustables, legacy carriers that have a lower probability of going out of business and that can provide a sure thing. Effectively, the downturn in the industry creates a secondary problem for the company: in addition to now having to pay high fuel and operating costs, fewer passengers are now generating revenue with which carriers can operate.

Thus defines the problems faced by the half dozen or so carriers that have gone belly up in the last few months, and what is continuing to plague carriers that are still afloat.

Like other carriers, the last remaining business class only airline in operation, Silverjet, has been struggling in the recent market. It was only by a recent injection of $25m by a private United Arab Emirates investor that they’ve been able to stay afloat.

How long will Silverjet be able to last on this crutch? Will they be able to turn business around and operate with a profit in the current market? Is business-class-only a viable model? Your guess is as good as mine. Stay tuned to find out.

American Airlines executive calls Heathrow “a bit of a dump”

by Anna Brones on

I am sure that travelers who experienced the recent Heathrow Airport terminal 5 mess probably had a lot of negative comments to make about it. When flights are canceled and baggage is lost, it’s hard to stay positive. So we complain, and then complain again when our complaints aren’t heard.

When you are a top executive for an airline however, your negative comments regarding an airport are hard to go unnoticed. Such is the case of Don Langford, head of customer services Europe for American Airlines, who recently labeled Heathrow as “the worst of all airports” that American flies to in Europe. That’s right folks, Heathrow is officially “a bit of a dump.”

Langford’s comments come just weeks after American moved most of its London flights from Gatwick to Heathrow. Gauging from Langford’s remarks that Heathrow “is not just bursting at the seams. I think the seams have burst,” consolidating American’s flights to Europe’s busiest airport may not have been the best of decisions.

Heathrow operator BAA responded to Langford’s comments that “We are investing £4 billion over the next five years….. you’ve got to realize that if you are going to invest that kind of money it takes time to put things right.” Let’s hope things get put right real quick.

What strange things have been found on planes?


Click the image to read the bizarre story…

American Airlines decides to charge for second checked bag

by Anna Brones on

In February it was United Airlines, in March it was Delta Airlines, and now this week it’s American Airlines: starting May 12, checking a second bag on a domestic flight will now cost you an extra $25. That is unless you are an American Airlines frequent flier member with a certain status or you purchased a full-fare ticket. Bag number 3, 4 and 5 will all cost you $100 a piece, and if you are a real heavy packer, number 6 will tack on an additional $200.

The change in policy comes amidst rising fuel prices and first quarter losses for many of the major airlines. If the trend continues, passengers could be waving goodbye to many services that were once complimentary like curbside check-in and advance seat assignments. Most travelers — at least those that aren’t traveling in Business class – are already used to paying for meals, and in the case of Air Canada, even customer service. I’d say the days of the friendly skies are coming to a close.

Pilot of British Airways crashed 777 set to resign, humiliated

by Grant Martin on

Peter Burkhill, the captain of the British Airways (BA) 777 that crashed just inside of London‘s Heathrow Airport earlier this years has had some difficult times since the incident. Originally hailed as a hero with co-pilot John Coward, Burkhill has since taken leave for post-traumatic stress, only operating one flight since the incident.

As a result of his leave, BA have reduced his pay to reflect lost flying bonuses and are waiting to circulate him back into the roster after the investigation is complete. Unfortunately, this has taken the airline a substantial amount of time, leaving Burkhill to stand by idly while the bureaucracy plods along. Meanwhile, a few brave souls have questioned his actions in the final seconds of flight 038, saying that he froze during incident and criticizing his methods.

To the contrary, both British Airways and the Air Accident Investigation Board seem to indicate that Burkhill’s actions saved the flight from further disaster, but his efforts to expedite the investigation process, clear his name and get BA to publish his good deeds have so far been in vain.

Distraught, the captain has now started considering positions at other carriers. According to Britain’s Sunday Mirror, Burkhill sent a personal letter to Richard Branson asking for a position at Virgin and is also considering flying with Emirates. Perhaps these sort of threats will get British Airways to clear up the issue faster.