Dennis Schaal, Skift
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker may be posturing about leaving Oneworld, but he is indeed making alternative plans nonetheless.
2 days ago
Allan Leibowitz, Skift
It’s been one of the dirty secrets of the airline business for decades, but the #MeToo movement is now exposing sexual harassment among cabin crew in Australia. Accusations from a leading union have forced the airlines to issue strong denials about systemic problems.
2 weeks ago
Australia’s airlines are urging the government to rein in the airports, claiming they are abusing their monopoly power to extract unreasonable charges. It’s a tough call for Canberra, which wants to see more investment in airport infrastructure, but doesn’t want to be seen allowing price gouging from some of the most profitable airport operators in the world.
1 month ago
Angus Whitley, Bloomberg
Qantas' promotional efforts are in high gear even if its marathon flights are several years away. Movies and other in-flight entertainment won't be enough to while away the seemingly endless hours so perhaps flyers will be able to burn some carbs and flex their abs in a gym onboard.
2 months ago
David Fickling, Bloomberg
Yes, Qantas has a competitor with a well-known name — Virgin Australia. But that brand is not what it once was, and more importantly, the airline is suffering. Qantas nearly has a monopoly in the domestic market, which is great for its shareholders. But how long will it last?
Announcing record profit should please investors, right? Well, yes, but they've always got an eye on the future, and with fuel prices rising, times are going to get tougher for airlines like Qantas.
As the Air New Zealand-Virgin Australia alliance on services across the Tasman Sea comes to an end, Virgin will not take the snub from its Kiwi counterpart lying down. It is already flagging improved services and better frequent flyer rewards and trying to block rival Qantas from working with its former ally.
Brian Sumers, Skift
Few airlines take marketing and public relations as seriously as Qantas. The airline should be commended for its efforts to persuade passengers they want to spend 17 hours on a plane, when they have other options.
Travelers can leverage effective strategies to limit jet lag. There's only one problem. Most people lack the willpower to follow advice from the scientific community. That hasn't stopped Qantas, which hired a specialist to help.
3 months ago
Eric Rosen, Bloomberg
New airport lounges are emerging with spa elements and wellness options for business- and first-class passengers. The average flyer or business traveler, though, will still have to use the same old overcrowded lounges they're used to.
4 months ago
Ultra-long-haul routes are expensive to operate for many reasons, and with no layover, it hurts that the aircraft must carry every bit of fuel from first take-off.
Until Air France-KLM implements a long-term cohesive strategy, it probably will keep falling behind its main competitors, International Airlines Group and Lufthansa Group. But unless the macroeconomic environment changes, it should be OK. Even with rising fuel prices, now is a good time to be in the airline business.
5 months ago
