British Airways Hints at Disrupting Its Loyalty Program and 8 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.

>>British Airways may be moving award bookings through its Executive Club to dynamic pricing, shifting the way that loyalty program members redeem free tickets. The move may render an already-troubled loyalty program to something even less competitive for elite flyers: British Airways Hints at Disrupting Its Loyalty Program in 2018

>>As airlines double down on investment in business class, there are some experiential table stakes for customers paying the money to sit up front: Business Class Must-Haves That Airlines Neglect at Their Peril

>>Alex Cruz is walking a fine line. On the one hand he wants British Airways to become a more cost-effective operation, but on the other he still wants to retain its reputation as a premium carrier: British Airways CEO Plots Return to a ‘Golden Era’

>>Those who book expensive airfares have much to look forward to with Flying Blue. Budget travelers, not so much: Air France-KLM Move to a Spend-Based Loyalty Program In 2018

>>Airlines have learned that standing up to the global distribution system giants can actually yield benefits. It has been a hard-earned victory: British Airways Surcharge Means Travel Agents Won’t Get Lowest Fares Through Sabre

>>Singapore Airlines has created one of the world’s most luxurious airline products. But is that enough to make the six-seat cabin profitable? Perhaps on a few routes. But we’re skeptical about others: Will Travelers Buy Singapore Air’s New Suites? — Airline Innovation Report

>>Business class is changing, but airlines need to stop overpromising and underdelivering on transformative experiences: The Evolution of Business Class — Corporate Travel Innovation Report

>>Many airlines have been undone by ambitious expansion plans, and while Wow Air is profitable now, extra planes mean extra costs. Can a small carrier like Wow Air survive in a sector that is moving toward further consolidation? Wow Air Looks to Outside Investment to Help Accelerate Growth

>>EasyJet’s choice for its new CEO is a bit of a surprise given that Johan Lundgren left his last job at TUI Group in May 2015 and wasn’t one of the many names linked with the job. Still he’s got plenty of travel experience, which will help him deal with the challenges in his new role: EasyJet Picks Surprise Successor to Outgoing CEO Carolyn McCall