American Airlines announces details of service cutbacks

by Grant Martin on

Like nearly every other airline operating in today’s tightened economy, American Airlines is cutting back its capacity. This means that smaller and less profitable routes are going to be subject to downsizing, while under served airports are subject to closing altogether.

People from large hubs such as Miami, Chicago or New York will feel a bit of the effect, but the brunt of the action will take place in small town America. So if you live in a small city served by the airline, now might be a good time to review the cutbacks and make sure that your town isn’t getting the ax.

A combination of American and American Eagle will be closing service to the following airports:

  • Oakland, Calif
  • London Stansted
  • Barranquilla, Colombia
  • Albany, N.Y.
  • Providence, R.I.
  • Harrisburg, PA
  • Samana, Dominican Republic
  • San Luis Obispo, CA.

Additionally, 62 flights out of Chicago, 43 in St. Louis and 42 out of Dallas and New York’s Laguardia will be scaled back.

Changes go into effect starting in November, so between now and then you still have time to enjoy the expanded service. Make sure you try out the expanded WiFi while you’re on board.

Internet: An airline extra that might be worth paying for

by Jamie Rhein on

American Airlines may have actually come up with a way to make more money without ticking people off. Instead of charging for a service that used to be free–did anyone say checked bags?–the airline is piloting a system to charge passengers for Internet privileges.

Yep, that’s right. While you’re winging your way through the skies, you can log on. Need to e-mail? No problem.

You’ll also be able to instant message, download videos, and connect to a smart phone through a secured network using your own laptop.

Passengers on one lucky flight today from Kennedy in New York to Los Angeles and a flight from Los Angeles to New York will be able to test the service for free.

In a couple of weeks, American will expand broadband to other flights on Boeing 767-200 jets. Flights to San Francisco and Miami are next.

These Internet capabilities are being developed through a partnership with Aircell LLC. Aircell’s network is large enough to handle a whole plane load of Web surfers.

Knowing that you need to diversify in business, Aircell is also working out details with JetBlue and Virgin America for similar services.

American Airline’s latest money scheme is one I like. Adding a new service and charging for it instead of wringing money out of folks who used to get the same thing for free seems smarter. The price isn’t bad either. Internet will cost between $9.95 and $12.95 depending on the length of the flight.

And in case you’re wondering about the chances of pornography showing up on the screen next to you–or on yours, not a chance–at least not much of one. According to the article, the flight attendant will stop the funny business. There are already policies against bringing pornography on the plane. The same applies to Internet, even though such sites won’t be filtered out . Blocking them might disrupt service. Mind your manners, and the skies will stay friendly. [via AP]

Adventures in Hostelling writing contest wants your words

by Jamie Rhein on

If you have 150 to 250 of the very best words–whether funny, romantic, thought-provoking, etc. etc., but true–every last word of them, try out your wordsmith mettle by telling your hostelling story.

Hi-USA Golden Gate Council of Hosteling International is celebrating its 50th anniversary by throwing a contest. Here’s what you do:

  • Think of that story
  • Write it down in 150-250 words
  • Send it in by July 15

Simple, right?

For your efforts you could win:

  • the Grand Prize of one round-trip voucher for international travel on American Airlines valid through March 9, 2009
  • a Jury Prize of a Flip Video Camera (there are three of these)
  • or an Honorable Mention of a one-year membership to Hosteling International

All winning entries will be published in a commemorative publication.

By the way, the story does need to thematically highlight the mission of the Hi-USA Golden Gate Council. What’s that you say? It’s to help travelers “gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hostelling.”

Before you send in your ONE entry, make sure you’ve made it as entertaining, perfectly written, and as relevant to the purpose of hostelling as you can. For further details, click here. To enter online, click here. Let us know if you win. No prize is too small.

Total words of this post: 220

Does 50 pounds weigh the same amount everywhere?: An airline math story

by Jamie Rhein on

Whenever I’ve played the “watch the scale game” at an airline check-in, seeing if I’m a winner without going over 50, the magic number, or if I’ll have to pull over to the side and repack, it has never occurred to me that the scale might be off.

According to a airline passenger letter that travel columnist Christopher Elliot received and posted on his blog, one Shawn Rabin discovered that his wife’s suitcase magically changed weight between Phoenix and Chicago. Not only is Chicago a top 10 destination this summer, but evidently, according to an American Airlines scale, items weigh more there.

Rabin weighed the suitcase at home before he arrived at the Phoenix airport and it weighed 45 pounds. At the airport it weighed 44 pounds. So far, so good, particularly if Rabin and his wife want to feel like they weigh less than they do. Their scale at home weighs one pound heavier. However, by the time the suitcase spent time in Chicago before ending up at the American Airline check-in counter there, the suitcase picked up six pounds. The scale said it weighed 52 pounds which cost Rabin’s family $50.

Before you yell out, ” souvenirs stupid,” consider this. According to Rabin, it was exactly the same suitcase with exactly the same things in it. The suitcase was again weighed in Phoenix after it made it back there and it had dropped down to 47.5 pounds along the way.

American Airlines, according to the letter Rabin received and Elliot posted, did give Rabin a $50 travel voucher for his family’s next trip to make them feel happier about American Airlines, but the airlines didn’t admit that the Chicago scale was wrong.

This story reminded me of a travel tip. When checking in bags, have a canvas bag of some sort, or even a plastic shopping bag handy. If you pull out a pair of shoes, and perhaps one other item, you’ll get that weight down by two pounds easy. Sling the canvas bag over you shoulder. Still, it would be nice to be able to trust the scales for sure.

This reminds me of the sharecroppers stories when they used to go up against the big guy during harvest time. A dishonest landowner would have weights that were off in order to tip the scale in his favor when it came to paying out. Not that that’s what airlines are doing, but perhaps this is a modern day version of a tale told through time.

(Thanks to bjearwicke of www.garrisonphoto for use of the pic)

Take 10% off your next American Airlines Flight

by Grant Martin on

Summertime fares giving you the blues? Me too. Tickets to Paris are in the 1200$ range and I’m not having any of it. Such is the nature of high season travel though.

At least American Airlines feels our pain (read: is cutting capacity and trying to generate profit) a little bit. They just released a 10% off coupon code for good for all domestic travel booked through the month of May. That means that the outrageously expensive fare that you were thinking about booking to Chicago is now just expensive. Sweet!

Make sure you combine your well priced ticket with the double miles promotion that American is still running. Maybe the thought that you saved a couple bucks and earned double miles will help alleviate the fact that a barrel of oil now costs more than a month’s salary.

Book anytime between now and June 6th for your 10% off using code AAMOBI10. You must travel by June 20.