Grant Martin

Delta and Starwood's crossover program got even better last week for hotel elites with no airline status. Low-tier Delta elites however, may now face more competition for their premium seats.

United's rollout of its Polaris Business Class went very smoothly from a communications perspective. But now that passengers are beginning to see it appear, has the airline over-promised what it can deliver?

United's highest-paying customers have a new place to call home at Chicago O'Hare. The Polaris lounge opened late last week and will be followed with similar properties across the globe through 2018.

It's been a rough year for heavy business travelers as airlines slowly shifted towards revenue-centric products and loyalty programs. Five illustrations of this trend show how just how dramatically the landscape is shifting.

Strategic and smart budget travelers could once keep up with the business class flyers in the rewards earning world. That world has changed now.

United surprised the airline community when it announced that its basic economy fares wouldn't allow for free overhead carry-on luggage this week. To many, that makes its upcoming basic economy fare worse than the competition. But will mainstream passengers care?

As American plans to operate its first full year of a revenue-based loyalty program, it's slowly releasing details on how it works. Most of the program rules fall into line with competitors, which should surprise almost nobody.

Alaska is changing its loyalty program to add revenue considerations to its upgrade process. Beyond the immediate impact, that move may foreshadow a dark future for its loyalty program.

There's a bit more clarity into how and when American and Delta are launching premium economy cabins next year, but the big question of how it'll be marketed yet remains unanswered.

One might be surprised to find Phoenix Sky Harbor at the top of any analyst's airport ranking, but based on accessibility, amenities, and on-time performance, it appears to deliver the best package in the country.