This week’s featured link
Refund Policy for Travel Agents – Air Canada
Now that the Canadian government has finally provided financial assistance to Air Canada, the airline has relented and offered refunds for all impacted by schedule changes over the last year. It has been a long and painful road for travelers who were repeatedly told they couldn’t have their money back despite US law requiring it. Of course, it’s also shocking that Canada wouldn’t provide assistance until now considering that it was the government that effectively shut Canada off to the world, making a Canadian airline’s business impossible to operate. That doesn’t excuse Air Canada for what it did. I’m just glad this saga is over.
Two for the road
American-JetBlue Alliance Draws Increased Scrutiny From Justice Department – Wall Street Journal $SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED$
I normally hesitate to link to articles that require subscriptions, but this could be a very important story depending upon how it evolves. Besides, you can search the web and find others who have commented on this in more detail. If the new administration decides it doesn’t like this Northeast Alliance, it could shut it down or require remedies. It’s all very nebulous at this point, but I have more thoughts which will end up in a post in the near future.
The man recreating airplane meals to get through lockdown – CNN Travel
Welp, this puts my avgeek credentials to shame. This is impressive or insane… or both.
5 comments on “3 Links I Love: Air Canada Finally Refunds, Northeast Alliance Questions, Make Your Own Airplane Food”
The most remarkable thing about the JetBlue/American code-share agreement is how quiet the other carriers have been. There has been a paucity of public comment from the other carriers, excluding Spirit, over this alliance. I have read nothing from Delta, United, or Southwest on this very important topic. So that makes me wonder what’s going on in private, behind the scenes. Who is lobbying whom, and for what? I can’t help but believe that Spirit’s public objections are just the tip of the iceberg. Time will tell…maybe.
Remember American needs both Alaska & JetBlue more than the other way around. Without those partnerships American would little utility in the PNW & an ever shrinking utility northeast of Philadelphia unless to & from Dallas, Miami or Charlotte.
Hi- I’m guessing SY is doing so well because of all the Amazon flying it’s doing… that is giving the company a firm financial foundation to continue to fly regardless of what happens in the passenger sector.
Another point that SimpliFlying brought up on their podcast this week, is how challenged the international ULCCs are going to be these coming months, even if countries “open”, but require PCR tests prior to arrival, etc. You may pay GBP10 for your ticket to Seychelles, but if they require a GBP 90 PCR test, that’s really added a chunk of change to the price of your holiday – especially if you’re traveling with a family!! So the RyanAirs, et all will face headwinds and low psgr Load factors if the virus isn’t globally corralled in short order.
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American doesn’t “need” JetBlue or Alaska to survive. No single airline can be everything to everybody. Each has holes, and each has to find its profitable sweet spot.
Addressing New York: Southwest had an unparalleled run of profitability with a minimal presence in New York. Spirit is one of the most profitable airlines (on a percentage basis) in the U.S., yet has a rather small presence in the city. In other words, a massive presence in New York isn’t necessary for airline profitability. A combination of JetBlue with either United or Delta would have created a far more dominant carrier in New York than the JetBlue/American tie-up does. The JetBlue/American partnership simply brings the combined operation close to those two in overall market share in the region. Boston is a different matter, but it’s not nearly as important as an international business center as is New York. One of Jamie Baker’s criticisms of pre-merger American was how much more efficiently US Airways could connect people over Philadelphia than American could via JFK. That’s still the case, which is why I think Philly’s hub operation isn’t going anywhere. I’m guessing this is simply a ploy to get slots.
Addressing Seattle: American’s main network “hole” is in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle is a better connecting point to northern Asia from most of the Lower 48 than Los Angeles for a number of reasons. Delta realizes this as well, which is why it created its west coast Asian gateway there. That left both Alaska and American in an interesting position. Hence, the new cooperative arrangement between the two. Alaska, Delta, and American will all find their profitable international niches in Seattle. For example, Delta will fly from Seattle to Beijing Daxing. American codeshares with Hainan to Beijing Capital. Delta and American have different Chinese partners and will probably work with them to connect passengers from Seattle via their main hubs in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and possibly Hong Kong. And Japan Airlines could theoretically move one of its Haneda frequencies to Seattle, although it may be better off serving Godzilla’s favorite airport.
I have a credit with Air Canada for $2,700 for a scheduled flight to France last September that was cancelled. Of course I would like my money back. HOWEVER, the taxpayers of Canada should not be held responsible for my refund. The incestuous relationship between Air Canada and the Government of Canada (AC’s head office is located in Prime Minister Trudeau’s riding) is absolutely shameful. Air Canada is an embarrassment and unfortunately the hapless Canadian taxpayer is now on the hook. Out of principle I will not ask for a refund – just keep my fingers crossed that I can use the credit at some point in the not-to-distant future.