Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Airline Fares by Weight? Fat Chance...






An economist in Norway suggested a "Pay-as-you-weigh" pricing for airline tickets.  The article postulates that as a matter of "efficiency and fairness", passengers who weigh more cost the airlines more and should therefore pay more.

Many airlines do have policies in place that partially addresses this issue, and there is no doubt that they they continue to look at revenue enhancing opportunities such as this.  Southwest and United have policies that if a passenger has difficulty fitting in one seat, he/she must purchase an additional seat.  There is no question that extra weight costs more fuel and has negative environmental impact.
Those who favor the Pay-as-you-weigh say that the average weight of the (U.S. traveler has increased substantially from the 1970's. As the airlines cram more seats, less room and pitch in close quarters is becoming a big problem on board. Just like you pay more for a larger and heavier packages to ship, why not reconsider the one-size-fits all, same price concept?  Airlines charge more for heavier baggage than smaller or lighter baggage.

Perhaps airlines should make an allowance for weight combination of the travelers and their luggage.  There will be an incentive to lighten up and save.  

Monday, March 25, 2013

FAA Makes Tower Closing Decision

FAA BULLTIN: IMMEDIATE RELEASE:



WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reached the decision that 149 federal contract towers will close beginning April 7 as part of the agency’s sequestration implementation plan. The agency has made the decision to keep 24 federal contract towers open that had been previously proposed for closure because doing so would have a negative impact on the national interest.
An additional 16 federal contract towers under the “cost share” program will remain open because Congressional statute sets aside funds every fiscal year for these towers. These cost-share program funds are subject to sequestration but the required 5 percent cut will not result in tower closures.
“We heard from communities across the country about the importance of their towers and these were very tough decisions,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Unfortunately we are faced with a series of difficult choices that we have to make to reach the required cuts under sequestration.”
“We will work with the airports and the operators to ensure the procedures are in place to maintain the high level of safety at non-towered airports,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.
In early March, FAA proposed to close 189 contract air traffic control towers as part of its plan to meet the $637 million in cuts required under budget sequestration and announced that it would consider keeping open any of these towers if doing so would be in the national interest.
The national interest considerations included: (1) significant threats to national security as determined by the FAA in consultation with the Department of Defense or the Department of Homeland Security; (2) significant, adverse economic impact that is beyond the impact on a local community; (3) significant impact on multi-state transportation, communication or banking/financial networks; and (4) the extent to which an airport currently served by a contract tower is a critical diversionary airport to a large hub.
In addition to reviewing materials submitted on behalf of towers on the potential closure list, DOT consulted with the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, and conducted operational assessments of each potential tower closure on the national air transportation system.
Some communities will elect to participate in FAA’s non-federal tower program and assume the cost of continued, on-site air traffic control services at their airport (see Advisory Circular AC 90-93A.) The FAA is committed to facilitating this transition.  The FAA will begin a four-week phased closure of the 149 federal contract towers beginning on April 7.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

American/USAirways Must Give Up Slots At Reagan National

The one likely outcome for the soon-to-be-approved merger of USAirways and American Airlines is that the combined carrier will have to divest slots at Reagan National.  If uncontested, the combined airline will control about 70% of takeoff and landing rights unnless the DOT and Congress intervene and force a divesture.

When asked by the Senate Judiciary Committee how many slots would the carrier give up, Doug Parker, the CEO-designate replied succinctly: "None".   Keeping this percentage will certainly harm competition and raise prices.  No carrier should be allowed to control that many slots for a restricted airport such as DCA.
www.premieretravel.com

Update: August 13, 2013
Blame Doug Parker for using the word "none" and expecting a rubber stamp approval for what clearly is a harmful move to consumers.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Avoid Miami International Airport As a Point of Entry

American Airlines is advising passengers about Customs and Immigration delays in Miami (MIA) due to lack of inspectors.  Passengers with connections in Miami may be at risk of missing their connections due to extra long lines and additional delays in processing.  Even "Premium" passengers will also be impacted.  When planning your trip in the near future, passengers should consider alternative connection points like Atlanta or JFK.
www.premieretravel.com

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Winds of Change Will Transform Frequent Flyer Mileage Programs

From Delta Website:
A CHANGE TO THE WAY YOU EARN STATUS.

LEARN MORE ABOUT UPCOMING CHANGES TO THE WAY YOU EARN MEDALLION STATUS.


We have read the fine print for our customers.  Essentially, Delta Airlines (soon to be followed by others) will no longer measure your status by the number of segments you fly or the mileage you travel but instead by the dollars you spend.  The higher the amounts, the higher the status.  Frequent Flyers will have to re-craft their strategies to achive higher status.www.premieretravel.com

Sunday, March 3, 2013

United Quietly Celebrates Merger Anniversary

March 3, 2012 was a date most travelers flying on United would rather forget.  Fast forward to March 3, 2013 and what a difference a year makes.  While some elite Mileage Plus members remain unhappy about sevral unnecessary changes made by United's (Continental) Management, occassional hiccups remain but certainly better than it was a year ago.  Tougher competition is looming for United domestically and internationally.  The soon to be rubber-stamped merger by USAirways and American Airlines will result in a carrier larger than United.  Delta is also positioning itself to be a formidable presence especially in New York and soon to be London Heathrow, thanks to the recently acquired Virgin Atlantic stake.  This means that United cannot afford any more major mistakes as the airline is ready to put the sloppy merger behind it.