Brian Sumers, Skift
The text messages between Boeing test pilots that came out recently may not be a smoking gun, but they don't look good. How will airlines respond? Let's hope with some backbone.
3 hours ago
Brian Sumers, Skift
This priority boarding craze is getting out of hand. Almost no one wants to get on an airplane 45 minutes before it departs. People go nuts over boarding early because they have overhead bin anxiety. Can we just start charging for bin space? It's a precious resource for which demand outstrips supply.
5 days ago
Brian Sumers, Skift
Fun fact: What airlines refer to as costs is not an absolute measure of how much a carrier spends. A massive global airline like United can spend a lot more money from quarter to quarter and still keep its costs in check so long as it grows capacity during the quarter.
6 days ago
Brian Sumers, Skift
Is this finally it? Is the Boeing 737 Max returning to service? American Airlines is more confident than ever that the airplane will be ready by January 16, but that remains to be seen.
2 weeks ago
Brian Sumers, Skift
This is a bad development for frequent flyers. Many Uber and Lyft riders value their time, and they don't want to have to hop on a shuttle bus to get to a rideshare pickup area. Here's a better idea: Let people arrange for rideshare pickups at the terminals — but only if they pay extra money for the privilege.
3 weeks ago
Brian Sumers, Skift
Allegiant Air wants more customers to know what it is, so it's putting its name on a new NFL stadium. It's an out-of-character move for America's most frugal airline.
3 weeks ago
Brian Sumers, Skift
American Airlines has made a lot of excuses for its performance this year. It blames so many of its problems on a labor dispute and the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max. But perhaps there's something more here?
4 weeks ago
Brian Sumers, Skift
The majority of U.S. travelers don't have to worry about how they'll upgrade on United Airlines. But United's most loyal customers, who contribute more than their share of revenue, care deeply about the process. United can't make things too difficult for them, or they will defect.
4 weeks ago
Brian Sumers, Skift
It's hard to think of the bus as a disruptive form of mass transportation. But who knows? Maybe this company, Landline, will revolutionize how Americans buy airline tickets.
4 weeks ago
Brian Sumers, Skift
JetBlue somehow makes free Wi-Fi work. But Delta hasn't figured it out yet. It has so many customers on so many flights, and it's worried free Wi-Fi might overwhelm Gogo's systems and degrade the system for everyone.
1 month ago
Brian Sumers, Skift
On a branding and product level, Virgin Atlantic has long punched above its weight. But overall, Virgin Atlantic is just another undersize airline trying to squeeze out a profit amid intense competition. Perhaps Heathrow's expansion will change that. But don't bet on it.
1 month ago
Brian Sumers, Skift
No doubt United President Scott Kirby has a high opinion of his talents. But he said United's Denver gamble would pay off. And by all accounts, it has.
1 month ago
