IAG’s New Low-Cost Long-Haul Flights and 7 Other Aviation Trends This Week

Throughout the week we post dozens of original stories, connecting the dots across the travel industry, and every weekend we sum it all up. This weekend roundup examines aviation.

For all of our weekend roundups, go here.

>>Budget travelers may be facing a tough landscape for airline loyalty next year. But there are still a few inexpensive pathways to airline elite status: How Earning Airline Elite Status Will Change In 2017

>>Business travelers have a new loyalty program to call their own for 2017 with Alaska’s Mileage Plan. Hopefully it sticks around through Alaska’s merger with Virgin America: Alaska Keeps Its Industry Leading Loyalty Program — Skift Business Traveler

>>The aviation industry was mostly quiet during the holiday period, but a few companies made news — and not for the best of reasons: 3 Aviation Stories You May Have Missed Over the Holidays

>>Though Virgin America and Alaska Air still run separate loyalty programs, the former seems to be shoring up partnerships in preparation to wind down: Virgin America Begins Shrinking Its Elevate Loyalty Program

>>Yes, this seems like a potential invasion of privacy, but the chances of airlines adopting this technology are low: Mastercard Could Share Your Height and Weight With Airlines, But Will It?

>>Two-tiered pay scales may seem like a good idea in the beginning. But what happens six years later, when one employee group earns far more than another, even though both do the same job? The British Airways Cabin Crew Strike, Explained

>>International Airlines Group likely has no choice but to try to take on Norwegian in London, Barcelona and elsewhere. The company likely learned its lesson from Ryanair and EasyJet: British Airways’ Parent IAG Plans New Low-Cost, Long-Haul Flights from Barcelona

>>Some airlines have done so much to pad their schedules that it’s difficult to know which carriers are actually the most punctual: 3 Charts Showing Top Global Airlines For On-Time Performance in 2016