The Ups and Downs of Airlines and Air Travel

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

Southwest Airlines is getting rid of its trademarked "2 bags fly free" policy starting end of May.  Also, new flight credits from cancelled flights will once again expire.

[mike carey]

4 hours ago, Vegas_Millennial said:

Southwest Airlines is getting rid of its trademarked "2 bags fly free" policy starting end of May.  Also, new flight credits from cancelled flights will once again expire.

I've read they are also introducing a basic economy fare, so it will be interesting to see how it fares changing its business model so significantly, removing the things that made for a point of difference with other carriers.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

9 hours ago, Vegas_Millennial said:

Southwest Airlines is getting rid of its trademarked "2 bags fly free" policy starting end of May.  Also, new flight credits from cancelled flights will once again expire.

WN had no choice but to make changes that would bring in more money.

Their stock and reserves were taking a massive haircut, but the sitting board kept sitting on their hands.

Change hurts, but it very well may be the thing that keeps WN in the air.  We shall see.

[+ azdr0710]

On 3/17/2025 at 3:00 PM, mike carey said:

I've read they are also introducing a basic economy fare, so it will be interesting to see how it fares changing its business model so significantly, removing the things that made for a point of difference with other carriers.

yes, Southwest is apparently changing their popular "Wanna Get Away" fare (their cheapest) to a "Basic" fare......

https://www.thestreet.com/travel/southwest-wanna-get-away-fare

details to come later, of course, but expect some "pain".......all decreed by important minority stockholders, of course......

far and away my favorite airline, perhaps loyal Southwest passengers are spoiled and this was inevitable.....the legendary folksy and friendly vibe, if able to be maintained, could very well be the only thing that keeps those loyal passengers loyal

 

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

WN fliers had it good for a long while.  A lot longer than the legacy fliers have had it.

The WN Fuel hedge has been gone for 15 years.

No real changes to the program, until now.  

I can't say I blame them for wanting to...  run a profitable business.

Luggage is worth too much to an airline to keep it free.  You want a freebie?  Be loyal to one airline and earn it.

Problem is, most people don't do that.  They just want it both ways and then complain when they don't get either.

 

[mike carey]

Aviation is not just about the present, but also its storied past. One iconic piece of that history has just marked its centenary, the opening of Hong Kong's legendary Kai Tak airport, with that memorable sharply banking turn on approach. To mark the anniversary Cathay Pacific did a low level flypast of the old airport site, broadcast on big screens at Kai Tak stadium.

41K views · 594 reactions | Cathay Pacific’s A350 flyby of Hong...

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM

---

Executive Traveller is in Hong Kong.

 

[MikeBiDude]

1 hour ago, mike carey said:

legendary Kai Tak airport, with that memorable sharply banking turn on approach

I had the thrill of that once…maybe around 1981-1982ish?

[mike carey]

Just now, MikeBiDude said:

I had the thrill of that once…maybe around 1981-1982ish?

Same, in 1976 and 1981. I haven't been to Chek Lap Kok yet, although I was on the point of booking Cathay for my trip next week (I'm flying American, maybe to my regret, I'll report on Tuesday!).

[+ azdr0710]

the famous checkerboard back then and in its current state.........

[+ azdr0710]

and here's a big favorite of mine.....sound UP and go to full screen!....(have posted this before).......watch to the poignant end.......the music is from the 1964 movie "633 Squadron".......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PCOcyt7BPI

[Njguy2]

21 hours ago, mike carey said:

Aviation is not just about the present, but also its storied past. One iconic piece of that history has just marked its centenary, the opening of Hong Kong's legendary Kai Tak airport, with that memorable sharply banking turn on approach. To mark the anniversary Cathay Pacific did a low level flypast of the old airport site, broadcast on big screens at Kai Tak stadium.

41K views · 594 reactions | Cathay Pacific’s A350 flyby of Hong...

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM

---

Executive Traveller is in Hong Kong.

 

Had the fun of flying into Kai TaK Airport once.  When my ex (Qantas Purser) found out I was transiting thru Hong Kong he told me to get a window seat and be prepared for a fun ride and enjoy the views - he was totally on point.  On my next transit through Hong Kong it was via the new airport and anti-climactic.

[mike carey]

I just read a Facebook post from Sydney Airport that from 9 Apr American Airlines and CBP have begun a trial of allowing inbound passengers from Sydney with onward connections in the US to skip collecting their checked bags at LAX to clear customs, and then dropping them off again after doing so. The post doesn't go into details (and I guess I could google them) but it sounds like they are doing what happens to international visitors who transit through Canadian airports (YVR being the main one for Australians) en route to the US. I assume that passengers will still clear both customs and immigration at LAX but sans bags. The trial will only apply to flights on AA metal, so just AA72.

It's good to see, it will be one less thing to do, but customs was always the quicker part of the clearance process at LAX.

Of course, I flew that route on AA on 8 April.

[+ glutes]

Good thing I fly the Gulfsteam into Teterboro!

 

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

On 4/25/2024 at 12:38 PM, Vegas_Millennial said:

On 4/25/2024 at 12:08 PM, BenjaminNicholas said:

LHR T3 has some of the best airline lounges in the world.

I agree.  Although my airline lounge experience is minimal (only 8 lounges visited to date), my own conclusion was that LHR T3 has some of the best.  The only better lounge experience I had was at Sydney; and that was partly because I wasn't even aware of airport lounges before that trip.

On 4/25/2024 at 12:08 PM, BenjaminNicholas said:

Cathay F and Qantas are my favorites: Always a stop at both (one for noodles, the other for gin) when flying out of LHR.

I spent my time at Cathay Business Class.  The showers and shower amenities alone were a memorable experience!  I'm not much of a noodle fan so my plan was to use the showers at Cathay then hop on over to Quantas for their food and drink.  But I stayed at Cathay Business the entire time because Quantas was at capacity the day I was at LHR.

On 4/25/2024 at 12:08 PM, BenjaminNicholas said:

Were you on a BA flight with the 'new' Club Suite?

 

Were you on a BA flight with the 'new' Club Suite?

Yes, I was.  As a big and tall guy myself, I was amazed at how small I made the enclosed suite look in a picture!  Like jam on an English Muffin, I filled every nook and cranny 😂.  WestJet had a similar seat product on my return trip, but without the door I believe, and I found it just as comfortable if not more so.  The door really doesn't matter to me now that I've experienced it.

On 4/25/2024 at 12:08 PM, BenjaminNicholas said:

What I did like was BA's flight crew.  They were fantastic.

I've always had fantastic flight crew flying Business or First Class.  What set British Airways above the rest, for me, was the food and drink selection and quality compared to other airlines.  And, it was the first time I ever ate a full English Breakfast, which was delightful 🙂

For comparison, I've only flown long haul business class on British Airways, WestJet, and Hawaiian Airlines.  This autumn I fly Air Canada business class for the first time.

Since this post, I have flown in Air Canada's lie-flat business class and JetBlue's Mint.  I have to say, for flying solo, JetBlue's Mint product wins hands down.  Its single person "throne" seats in rows 2 and 4 are more comfortable and spacious than any other business class lie-flat seat I've experienced (British Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, West Jet, and Air Canada). 

I'm still very much looking forward to a full English breakfast on my British Airways flight across the pond next week.  If prices and schedule are tied, I British Airways menu is the deciding factor for me to choose BA.  I don't mind LHR airport as long as I have several business class lounges with showers from which to choose.

And I won't be disappointed if I never have to transfer flights at another Canadian airport again (cons of traveling Air Canada or West Jet, which otherwise have very nice business class at a competitive price).

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

5 hours ago, Vegas_Millennial said:

I'm still very much looking forward to a full English breakfast on my British Airways flight across the pond next week.  If prices and schedule are tied, I British Airways menu is the deciding factor for me to choose BA.  I don't mind LHR airport as long as I have several business class lounges with showers from which to choose.

What equipment are you flying BA's J service in?

I was just in their Club World Suite product from JFK-LHR and then from CDG-JFK.  The seat is basically the same design as AA's J seat, except BA ordered theirs with sliding doors to close off the pod.

BA's setup is also far superior to AA as they felt-lined the interior walls of the seat to cut down on cabin noise.  It works well.

My only issue with BA is their anodyne service.  It's really hit or miss. 

[MikeThomas]

Is there any worse airline app than BA’s?

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

4 hours ago, MikeThomas said:

Is there any worse airline app than BA’s?

I don't know, I have never used an airline app.  I always walk to the counter and let the desk agents service me.  I don't add my passport or identification information before my flight.  I've heard too many stories of flyers who were denied boarding because they made a typo entering their information to the airline's app or website.  I always just let the ticket agent or gate agent handle it.  There's no line, because everyone else is using an app!

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

15 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

What equipment are you flying BA's J service in?

I was just in their Club World Suite product from JFK-LHR and then from CDG-JFK.  The seat is basically the same design as AA's J seat, except BA ordered theirs with sliding doors to close off the pod.

BA's setup is also far superior to AA as they felt-lined the interior walls of the seat to cut down on cabin noise.  It works well.

My only issue with BA is their anodyne service.  It's really hit or miss. 

I'll be on BA's Airbus A350-1000, which is what I was on my last time with them.  Last time, due to a glitch on their website, I was able to choose a window seat for no extra fee.  This year, all the window seats are already reserved so it looks to be my first time flying lie-flat first class without a window.  The window is not too much of a plus nowadays because the flight attendant automatically dim every window on long flights, so there is not much to see even when over land.  But I did appreciate being able to see Greenland on my first return crossing back to the States.

[+ tassojunior]

On 5/6/2025 at 7:49 AM, MikeThomas said:

Is there any worse airline app than BA’s?

Iberia

[MikeThomas]

4 hours ago, tassojunior said:

Iberia

Well, British and Iberia are both owned by the same holding company

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

On 5/5/2025 at 7:17 PM, BenjaminNicholas said:

My only issue with BA is their anodyne service.  It's really hit or miss. 

I just returned from a round-trip Las Vegas to London Heathrow on British Airways Business Class (Club World), and 2 flights within Europe in Business Class (Club Europe).  BA service was fantastic on every flight segment, and every flight had at least one good looking steward for my eyes to enjoy as in-flight entertainment between complimentary drinks 🍷.

Edited June 5 by Vegas_Millennial
Clarified Business Class is known as Club World or Club Europe on British Airways

[BSR]

I always rolled my eyes when hearing Mile High Club stories because every airplane bathroom I had ever seen was so claustrophobically cramped that 1 person could barely fit in there, forget 2.  I’m sure people do have sex in airplane bathrooms, but they had to be doing it just for the bragging rights because there’s no way in hell it was a fun or pleasant experience.  In such cramped quarters, it had to be more akin to torture.

Welp, my eyes grew as big as saucers when I saw the bathroom on my Madrid->Buenos Aires flight.  One (just one, the other was shoehorn size) of the business class bathrooms was big enough to easily and comfortably fit 3 people, 4 if one was OK with sitting on the toilet.  There was an Argentine who looked like a supermodel (but more rugged than pretty) on my flight, but alas, he was just fantasy fodder, no mile-high fun with the porteño supermodel.

For you jet nerds out there, the plane was an A330-200, and it was the starboard bathroom.

[+ Just Chuck]

The Denver airport is rebuilding some portion of their runways currently and has a reduced capacity because of it.  A LOT of flights through Denver are being cancelled or delayed.  I'm going to avoid connecting through Denver for the rest of 2025 at least.  

I had a flight that was supposed to connect through Denver early in June.  Denver delayed my flight's arrival and cancelled my connection.  I found a hotel for the night then they cancelled my flight in the morning and rebooked me for the afternoon.  Then they notified me that flight was unlikely and to pick a standby flight. The soonest standby flight available was three days later.  I rented a car and drove 820 miles instead.

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

2 hours ago, Just Chuck said:

The Denver airport is rebuilding some portion of their runways currently and has a reduced capacity because of it.  A LOT of flights through Denver are being cancelled or delayed.  I'm going to avoid connecting through Denver for the rest of 2025 at least.  

I had a flight that was supposed to connect through Denver early in June.  Denver delayed my flight's arrival and cancelled my connection.  I found a hotel for the night then they cancelled my flight in the morning and rebooked me for the afternoon.  Then they notified me that flight was unlikely and to pick a standby flight. The soonest standby flight available was three days later.  I rented a car and drove 820 miles instead.

I've tried to avoid Denver even before this construction.  It's good to know, thank you.

More and more Americans, myself included, are willing to pay a premium for direct flights and avoid connections at any airport.  I'll fly with 8 different airlines in any given year because no one airline has non-stop flights to all the places I travel.  I'd rather forgo the perks of building airline loyalty status than constantly transfer planes on my journey.

[+ Lucky]

I remember the old airport in Denver, Stapleton, I think. It was close to the city so we were upset when the new "state of the art" airport opened way out in the boondocks