Category Archives: Opinion
Airplane Geek or Airline Dork?
I’ve been meaning to write this post for a while. It was inspired by Dan Webb, a junior at Bryant University and a well-known airline dork and budding airplane geek. Or perhaps I should capitalize Airplane Geek, as Dan is a co-host of the popular podcast, Airplane Geeks, where he often refers to himself as an Airline Dork.
Service in a Time of Disruption
In the face of the recent storm in the Northeast, many travelers are claiming that the airline’s customer service outlets failed. The trouble with customer service is that most businesses, not just airlines, see it as a money-losing proposition. They do not see it as an investment in customer loyalty and brand reputation.
Are Flight Amenities Returning?
Wi-Fi Has Beat out IFE Onboard
Last week, Delta, the most expansive installer of wi-fi enabled planes in the United States, announced it would add onboard wi-fi to 223 Regional Jets configured in a two class configuration. This includes Embraer 175, Bombardier CRJ700 and Bombardier CRJ900 planes. Installations will begin in January and will be complete by the end of next year.
Secure Flight Changes November 1st
Tomorrow, November 1st, is a key date in the TSA’s Secure Flight program. In short, the Secure Flight program requires the TSA to assume responsibility for watch lists from the individual airlines. which seems a good idea, if we much have watch lists.
Steven Slater is No Longer with JetBlue: Tensions in the Sky
NBC New York has reported that a spokesperson for JetBlue has said that flipped out flight attendant Steven Slater is no longer with the airline, bringing an end, hopefully, to the Steven Slater saga. But that still leaves many flight attendants who wouldn’t do what he did, still frustrated in the sky.
JetBlue to Add Boston to Newark Service – What is their Strategy?
JetBlue has announced an intention to fly from Newark Liberty Airport to Boston’s Logan Airport with four daily roundtrips effective May 2011. People often forget JetBlue is at Newark, but look at JetBlue in the New York area. Other than their hub at Kennedy Airport, they serve
Steven Slater Wants a Mulligan
The fleeing flight attendant, Steve Slater, apparently wants to return to work. This should prove once and for all the man is not a hero. For those who thought he was taking a stand for all the workers in less than desirable jobs…asking to come back does sort of disprove that.
Steven Slater 2008 on Steven Slater 2010
The Daily News reported this week on an account on airliners.net believed to belong to Steven Slater, the JetBlue flight attendant who rode the chute. Airliners.net is a popular forum site frequented by airline professionals and enthusiasts.
Followup: Air France Dispute
Last week, we talked about a man who had written us over his dispute with Air France. You can find that story here. This week, he sent us a followup, so we thought we would revisit the issue. It included a letter from the manager of customer care for Air France-USA as well as our reader’s response.
Steven Slater is Not a Hero: Another Opinion
Earlier, our editor expressed our opinion that Steven Slater is not a hero. However, not everyone agrees, but it is a hot button issue, so we got another member of the Flight Wisdom team, the Infrequent Flier, to share his thoughts.
Steven Slater is Not a Hero
Steven Slater has become something of a cult hero in the last twenty four hours. Someone even wrote a song about it. But why? It is normal to have dreams of quitting their job, telling off one’s boss. It is a form of stress relief. The behavior of Mr. Slater is, to quote Henry Harteveldt of Forrester Research, is “an insult to hard-working professional flight attendants on all airline worldwid
Airplane 30th Anniversary Screening at Lincoln Center
This evening, Flight Wisdom went out to the Airplane! 30th Anniversary Screening at the Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City. As long time fans of this movie, it was exciting to see it on the big screen, and listen to an audience full of people laugh at the movie, something even the writers said they hadn’t had a chance to do in years.
The Plane is Broken But Don’t Blame Us, it’s Force Majeure
Southwest quietly made a change to its contract of carriage last month, making us here at Flight Wisdom wonder if being forced to to announce material changes in the contract of carriage should be part of the DOT’s proposed rulemaking.
Fun with Signage: Gate Departure Board
There is no point to this post, per se. It’s just a bit of Aviation Geeky fun from Flight Wisdom HQ. The gate departure board that hangs on the wall, right after it was dusted, and our selection of alternate signage. What do you think we should acquire for it next? What destination, etc?
Flight Wisdom Briefing 23
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Welcome back. Our editor has been a bit behind with other things, but we’re trying to get back on track and back in the saddle. Stay tuned for more guests, and more information. For today, more from previous guest Dan Webb.
Thoughts on…Do Frequent Flier Programs Make You Dishonest
Yesterday, Chris Elliott posted an article on his blog which asked the question…Do Frequent Flier Programs Make You Dishonest. We thought we would respond where we felt he did not, and talk about the issue of frequent flier programs in general, which we don’t quite cover as much.
Five Airlines Promise Not to Charge for Carry-On Bags
Senator Charles Schumer, who publicly criticized Spirit Airlines for their announcement that they would begin charging for carry-on bags, has secured the commitment of five airlines that they will NOT follow Spirit in this practice.
Flight Wisdom Briefing 14
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[caption id="attachment_1706" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Lavatory - Virgin America A320"][/caption] This is the Flight Wisdom Guru with Briefing #14, once again reporting in from Flight Wisdom HQ…We ran a little long today, and will try to have a second briefing out tomorrow afternoon, to catch up before the weekend rush. Show Notes Virgin Atlantic to Launch…
Spirit Airlines Beats Ryanair at Bottom Feeding – Charges for Carry-Ons
Effective July 1st, for travel beginning August 1st, Spirit Airlines will now charge for carry-on bags. You will still be able to take your small personal item onboard, but if you wish a carryon bag in the overhead, that will be $30 before departure. If you are member of their $9 Fare Club(which oddly enough costs $39.95 a year), you get to pay only $20. And if you forget or miss notice of this new rule, you can pay $45 at the gate.
Flight Wisdom Briefing 13
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Helper Monkeys, new site developments, and a Fly Girls editorial….this time on the Flight Wisdom Briefing
The Big Deal – JetBlue and American – Our Take
There is a lot here to go over. JetBlue Airways and American Airlines have signed an interline deal, and American is ramping up in New York at both LaGuardia and JFK. So, let’s summarize the developments before we analyze them.
Can you Do TOO Much to Get an Airline to Fly to Your City?
Augusta Regional Airport is getting into the airline handling business. As part of their deal to bring in American Eagle for two daily flights to Dallas., not only are they waiving landing fees, but they will be handling ramp duties and passenger processing for the first year.
Flight Wisdom Briefing 8
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The British Airways strike continues, new and interesting news from Delta, and a blast from the past.