Airlines Are Not a Commodity Business and 4 Other Aviation Trends This Week

Every week we post hundreds of stories across various sectors in travel, connecting the dots across various global trends, and in these weekend posts we highlight the stories that tackle these trends. This one looks at top aviation trends.

For all of our trends roundups, go here.

>>Air Canada’s newish international business class is at least as good as first class was a decade or two ago. That’s probably why travelers who fly it tend to rave about it: Air Canada President: Business Class Customers Don’t Like Surprises

>>The old joke in the airline business is travelers choose their flight based on three factors — price, price and price. But maybe that’s not as true as some people thought: Routehappy CEO: Airlines, Like Coffee, Are Not a Commodity Business

>>The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly and Airfare Watchdog founder George Hobica agree that the value of loyalty programs is eroding. But around the edges, there’s still plenty of value to be found: Points Gurus Agree: Elite Frequent Flyers Are Disenchanted With Program Changes

>>JetBlue is surprisingly feisty in this filing, considering airlines ask for and receive extensions all the time. But Alaska is a major competitor of JetBlue’s, so maybe that explains it: JetBlue and Alaska Fight Over Rights to Fly to Havana

>>Given how many changes United has made at the top recently, it makes sense that airline may want to delay this new fare class. The new executive team probably wants to get it right: United May Delay Plans to Introduce a Basic Economy Fare