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  • Eww: “Wet” Seats On Southwest Raise Eyebrows

    Eww: “Wet” Seats On Southwest Raise Eyebrows

    Alright, fellow flyers, buckle up (just maybe not in this particular pair of seats). Southwest, the airline with the seating policy that’s a cross between a lottery and the Hunger Games, has found a new way to make your flying experience a tad more, umm, interesting.

    A Reddit post by u/Zorbaing shows a row on a Southwest flight with a clear “do not occupy” placard on both the aisle and middle seats. Why? Well, according to the post, these seats are apparently “wet.” And sure, the window seat is technically up for grabs, but who knows what olfactory adventure awaits next to the damp duo? Cue the collective “eww.”

    Do you take the window seat next to the “wet” seats?
    byu/Zorbaing inSouthwestAirlines

    Personally, I’m all for personal space, but even I would have to draw the line at this lone window seat. Call me a germaphobe, but I’d rather not play detective with mysterious liquids at cruising altitude. In the golden age of wipeable, pleather seats, a spilled drink should be a quick cleanup job. Taking a seat out of commission is no small matter, and leads me to believe that this was likely a biohazard situation rather than a simple spill.

    And while this “wet” seat saga might be an exceptional outlier case, it’s hard not to wonder if Southwest is keeping its planes as spick and span as they should be. Remember the pandemic? Even during the height of airlines and airports taking extreme measures to mitigate the spread of the virus, Southwest seemed to miss the memo on the whole “cleaning” thing, continuing to prioritize quick turns and cost savings over cleanliness. Pandemic or not, I don’t think not being forced to sit in someone’s mess for hours on end is too big of an ask.

    So, what’s your take on this soggy situation? Would you have risked the lone window seat, or is personal space more precious than a row to yourself? Share your thoughts below.

  • New Marriott Option Coming to WDW – and Soon

    New Marriott Option Coming to WDW – and Soon

    Marriott loyalists and Disney enthusiasts, listen up! There’s a new Bonvoy property entering the game at Walt Disney World, and it might be happening sooner than you may have expected. Thanks to the sharp eyes of one of our readers, Mike Jones, we’ve got the scoop on the latest addition to the Marriott WDW lineup. Enter the Renaissance Orlando Resort and Spa.

    Nestled conveniently at 1905 Hotel Plaza Boulevard, this property is just a stone’s throw away from the bustling Disney Springs shopping & entertainment district, within the boundaries of WDW property and the hotly-debated Reedy Creek Improvement District Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. But this property isn’t a new build, and that’s why it may come online sooner than you’d expect. For those who frequent the House of Mouse, this address may ring a bell – it’s the same spot currently operating as the B Resort & Spa. And it looks like it’s transforming into a Renaissance.

    According to the B Resort & Spa website, they’re knee-deep in renovations, with active areas of renovation off-limits to guests. Guests are advised to expect some alterations to services and operating hours. It does seem they are very much renovating, indeed… into an entirely different brand.

    We are renovating our resort!

    Pardon our Dust. We are currently renovating our resort, and active areas of renovation will not be accessible to guests. During this time, certain services and operating hours may be altered. Our team will update all arriving guests of those changes.

    B Resort & Spa Website

    Now, the Marriott website tantalizingly mentions that the Renaissance will be swinging its doors “open” come March 2024. However, as of now, you can’t book your spot in this new gem through any of Marriott’s platforms.

    No official announcement has dropped from either side, nor do we have any concrete info regarding Disney benefits at this new Bonvoy property. But if history is any indication, we’re looking at a setup similar to the current B Resort & Spa situation. So, keep those Mickey ears to the ground for updates on that front.

    What’s particularly exciting about this addition is the prospect of using your hard-earned points on WDW turf. Disney might be a magical kingdom, but it’s also a place where cash is king. Opportunities to use your points on Disney property are as rare as a hidden Mickey, making this Renaissance a potentially welcome game-changer.

    Now, the burning question: how many Bonvoy points will it take to stay at such a convenient location on Disney property? Well, that remains a mystery since the property isn’t yet bookable through Marriott’s platform. But fear not – as soon as those details drop, you’ll be the first to know.

    So, mark your calendars for March 2024, keep an eye on your Bonvoy apps, and get ready to add another Marriott option to your WDW playbook. The magic is expanding, and this time, it’s in the form of a Renaissance. Stay tuned for more details.

  • United Announces Israel Service Resumption, Then Promptly Retracts

    United Announces Israel Service Resumption, Then Promptly Retracts

    Amidst the eruption of the ongoing conflict in Israel, major airlines swiftly halted their services to the region. United, in particular, found itself in a peculiar situation as one of its flights from SFO became a unintentional “flight to nowhere” when it had to turn back mid-air due to the eruption of hostilities during the course of the flight. The rapid escalation saw thousands of rockets launched towards Israel, including at Ben-Gurion Airport (TLV), prompting a suspension of flights to the country by most foreign airlines.

    United Airlines announced the resumption of its EWR-TLV service starting on November 24, a day after Thanksgiving. However, this announcement was promptly retracted, with the airline clarifying that flights to Tel Aviv would remain suspended until conditions permit their safe resumption.

    In the midst of this uncertainty, El Al, Israel’s flag carrier, emerged as one of the only airlines maintaining services to and from Israel. Notably, they continued operations even during the Sabbath, something which the carrier hasn’t done in decades. I previously delved into El Al’s utilization of C-MUSIC, a system designed to protect passengers from heat-seeking anti-aircraft missiles.

    While Delta tentatively scheduled the return of its JFK-TLV route from November 21, no formal announcement has been made. Given the unpredictable nature of the war situation, it’s anticipated that scheduling adjustments may continue until there’s a substantial change.

    Live and Let’s Fly reported American Airlines listing TLV flights starting December 4, but it seems that’s already been pulled down from AA.com. While tickets were offered for that date, they all involved connecting flights with Oneworld alliance partners like British Airways in Europe, without direct options from the U.S. on AA metal.

    The situation remains fluid, but my prediction is that we won’t see any service resumption by U.S. carriers until the conflict subsides, and potentially much longer. It’s likely we’ll see widebody equipment, already in short supply, re-allocated to other routes such as those to Europe. Once those schedules are built and equipment committed, it could potentially take significant time to organize service to TLV again.

  • I Tried Out the Visitor Pass Program at TUL. It Didn’t Exactly Go Smoothly.

    I Tried Out the Visitor Pass Program at TUL. It Didn’t Exactly Go Smoothly.

    Update 11/15/2023: TAIT wrote me back via email. They have apologized for inconvenience and shared a customer service number for any issues with visitor passes. That number is (918) 838-5090. My hope is that the airport will update their instructions with this information, as I was unable to find it online. I’ll try again someday relatively soon when I have the time to make the trek out to the airport without a flight to catch.

    In a recent post, I explored the revival of visitor pass programs at US airports, a throwback to the pre-9/11 days when non-ticketed folks could roam freely through the sterile area, or meet loved ones at the gate (though now with some guardrails and vetting beforehand). My home airport, Tulsa International Airport (TUL), launched such a program this year, but I’m there often enough as a ticketed passenger that I hadn’t really felt a need to try the new program out for myself.

    That changed yesterday. I’ve been all over the state of Oklahoma this week, including (but not limited to) a day trip to OKC, and an evening back at my alma mater in Stillwater watching the Cowboys narrowly lose to Abilene Christian in basketball. Luckily cheap(ish) rental cars are still a thing if you know where to look, so I snagged one from Avis in an effort to limit the mileage I was putting on my personal vehicle. Upon returning my rental car, I realized I’d be facing significant rush hour traffic to get home, so I decided to wait traffic out and give the very creatively-named TUL Visitor Pass Program a whirl and watch the evening departure/arrival bank go in and out of KTUL. Spoiler alert: it didn’t quite go as expected.

    The application process seemed straightforward enough. The airport claims to process same-day applications within 15 minutes, and advance applications shortly after midnight on the day of your visit. So, armed with optimism, I filled out the necessary details on my mobile device while wrapping up my business with Avis. Legal name, date of birth, gender – the basics for a quick background check against the TSA Secure Flight database. You choose a one-hour timeslot in which you expect to arrive at the TSA checkpoint. You also need a valid email address, as that’s how you’re supposed to receive your pass (more on that in a sec). The program is totally free-of-charge, so no need for credit card details.

    The program does limit participants to 100 guests per hour, but we’re not exactly talking about Taylor Swift concert tickets here. Even during the day’s busiest timeslot, there were still 91 visitor passes up for grabs. The airport’s promotion efforts are a bit lackluster, with only digital signage near the TSA checkpoint, urging loved ones to not “say goodbye just yet” and flaunting a QR code to apply on-the-spot. It seems the general public isn’t fully aware that this visitor pass option exists at all.

    Even though you’re not catching a flight, the system generates a Passenger Name Record (PNR) number for you, which appears to be internal to the airport. This seems to be a precaution against any potential hiccups with TSA’s Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) machines.

    Now, here’s where the issues begin. Despite the promise of a 15-minute processing time, I received no email response, not even in my junk folder. Patiently, I explored the airport’s recent updates to the landside facilities while I waited. As TUL lacks any lounges, the airport lends itself to cutting it extremely close; I usually find myself rushing to the gate, rolling up around group 5 or 6. It had been a while since I’d been bored enough at TUL to give the landside facilities a proper exploration, and there’s been a remodel since then. As the top of the hour neared, meaning the end of the window I’d selected, I decided to reapply for the next timeslot using an email account on a totally different provider. Yet, the result remained the same – no response, not even in the dreaded junk/spam folder.

    I don’t think it’s at all plausible that I was outright rejected. I’ve been a longtime TSA PreCheck member, and just underwent another round of vetting by Uncle Sam for Global Entry. The only trusted traveler programs I’m not part of are SENTRI/NEXUS, so I think it’s safe to say I’m not on any lists with TSA or DHS. It’s plausible that the web app responsible for issuing visitor passes isn’t properly configured with an SMTP server for firing off confirmation emails. Alternatively, the FAQs do imply that each application may be manually reviewed by the TSA; maybe they had more pressing matters on their plate, prioritizing ticketed passengers over pass-seeking visitors.

    I eventually ended up throwing in the towel and retrieving my personal vehicle from the airport parking facility. Could I have used a fully-refundable ticket to enter the terminal if I’d really wanted to? Of course I could have. But aside from returning my rental car (and test-driving the visitor program), I really didn’t have a compelling reason to be there, so I didn’t find it to be worth the effort of giving Southwest a (very) short-term loan. I’ve seen what’s on the other side of that TSA checkpoint countless times, and it’s not going anywhere. Maybe if there’d been a lounge, I would have thought differently.

    In an attempt to get some clarity, I reached out to the airport for a comment. As of press time, I haven’t yet received a response. If they do decide to share their side of the story, I’ll be sure to keep you updated (and possibly give the program a second chance). Until then, my TUL Visitor Pass adventure remains a somewhat frustrating mystery.

  • United Makes Changes to Elite Status Qualification… and It’s Good News?

    United Makes Changes to Elite Status Qualification… and It’s Good News?

    United MileagePlus unveiled some changes to its Premier status program for the upcoming year – and they’re actually good news for most flyers. While the fundamental elite requirements remain unaltered, there’s an expansion in the avenues to qualify for status. Notably, United is clearly directing focus towards encouraging members to increase spending on co-branded credit cards, which is arguably a bigger cash cow for most US airlines than actual flying.

    To reiterate the elite requirements for 2024, which remain unchanged from 2023 (keeping in mind that one PQP is equivalent to a dollar spent on United airfare):

    • Premier Silver necessitates 12 PQF and 4,000 PQP or simply 5,000 PQP
    • Premier Gold calls for 24 PQF and 8,000 PQP or merely 10,000 PQP
    • Premier Platinum requires 36 PQF and 12,000 PQP or just 15,000 PQP
    • Premier 1K demands 54 PQF and 18,000 PQP or merely 24,000 PQP

    Existing MileagePlus elite members get a nice little bonus, too. United will proactively inject PQPs into their accounts at the beginning of 2024, determined by the status achieved in 2023. This applies to all elites, except those engaged in a status challenge or trial.

    The PQP jumpstart for 2024 will be allocated as follows:

    • Premier Silver members will receive a boost of 250 PQPs
    • Premier Gold members will enjoy a jumpstart of 500 PQPs
    • Premier Platinum members will be granted an added 750 PQPs
    • Premier 1K members will get a princely sum of 1,250 PQPs

    Moreover, MileagePlus elite status is becoming more attainable through credit card usage. Cardmembers can now earn 25 PQPs for every $500 in qualifying credit card transactions, enabling a 20% quicker accumulation of PQPs, in smaller increments than before. These PQPs earned through credit card spending will count towards all elite tiers, including Premier 1K. The United Club Infinite Card from Chase previously capped out at 8,000 PQPs annually, but that’s increasing to 10,000 PQPs per year. Notably, there will no longer be a cap on the total number of combined PQPs that can be earned across United cards.

    The rationale behind these changes is apparent—airlines are facing a less favorable landscape compared to a year ago. Business travel hasn’t fully rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. Post-COVID “revenge travel” has all but evaporated, with domestic leisure travel falling off a cliff, and airfares dropping considerably vs. a year ago even in the face of rampant inflation. Nevertheless, this development is indeed welcome news, especially when juxtaposed with the changes in Delta SkyMiles.

    Surprisingly, this adjustment comes from United, which is arguably in a stronger position compared to many other US airlines, primarily due to its robust international route network. Despite post-COVID domestic travel falling off a cliff in the face of a slowing economy and rising interest rates, international demand remains robust, and United is arguably in the strongest position of any US airline to rise to the occasion; compare this to low-cost carriers like Spirit who primarily fly domestically, and are disproportionately feeling the brunt of the current economic headwinds. United also only has a singular A321neo currently in service, largely shielding it from the Pratt & Whitney engine issues.

    Southwest also recently made positive changes to its popular Rapid Rewards program, however, they are arguably in a much weaker position than United with their domestic-focused route network, as well as the fact they’re still trying to repair their tarnished reputation from the full-scale nuclear meltdown of their network during Christmas 2022. It seems logical that Southwest would throw their customers a bone to drum up some business at a time they’re trying to turn things around.

    I imagine 2025 will probably see much more drastic changes to simplify the MileagePlus program, but I sincerely doubt it will be that bad. The program right now is unnecessarily complex. Not everyone cares to learn the ins and outs of a program like that. However, I don’t see United going down the same path Delta has gone down. Rather, I expect these changes will more closely resemble AAdvantage’s “Loyalty Points” scheme, which has turned out to be a positive for everyone except those who earn status organically through flying AA metal in economy. Let’s not forget that United CEO Scott Kirby is an ex-American guy. He worked under Doug Parker for years, just like current AA CEO Robert Isom. I expect the next few years will be marked by AA and United following each other relatively closely, while Delta does its own thing.

    h/t One Mile at a Time

  • Bilt Rewards Adds Marriott Bonvoy as Transfer Partner: Why You Should Think Twice Before Taking Advantage

    Bilt Rewards Adds Marriott Bonvoy as Transfer Partner: Why You Should Think Twice Before Taking Advantage

    The Bilt Rewards MasterCard has been gaining attention as one of the best no-annual-fee credit cards. Spearheaded by Richard Kerr, Bilt Rewards has swiftly established an impressive rewards network, boasting quality transfer partners such as World of Hyatt, Aeroplan, and Flying Blue. Notably, it’s the sole transferable points system that links to AAdvantage, a feat even Citi’s ThankYou points can’t boast about.

    Kerr, renowned in the points and miles realm, was a pivotal figure in formerly esteemed website that we’re not gonna name here – one which, in his absence, has devolved into a collection of AI-generated cruise “top 10” lists (seriously, what’s “GPT” spelled backwards?).

    While Bilt’s array of transfer partners is generally commendable, the recent addition of Marriott Bonvoy gives us some pause. Similar to Chase Ultimate Rewards, Bilt Reward points convert to Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio. However, unlike other partners, Marriott Bonvoy points traditionally carry a lesser value (significantly so). To help sorta-kinda mitigate this discrepancy, Bilt introduced an additional incentive: a 25% bonus with every 20,000 Bilt points transferred in a single transaction, yielding an extra 5,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

    While this measure is a noble gesture on the part of Bilt, despite the bonus, transferring points to Marriott Bonvoy may not be the most prudent choice. My valuation typically places Bonvoy points within the range of 0.6 to 0.8 cents per point (cpp). In contrast, World of Hyatt’s point value frequently exceeds 2.0 cpp; a judicious redemption strategy might even reach 4-5 cpp, though 2 cpp is a reasonable baseline for most redemptions.

    Should you just really need to use Bilt points for a Marriott property, utilizing the Bilt travel portal might still be your best bet here. Although you’ll forfeit any elite benefits or credits toward Bonvoy status, the fixed rate of 1.25 cpp might still make a lot more sense. If you are able to just pay cash and save your Bilt points for more valuable redemptions, that’s what I’d do.

    I suppose it’s good to have options. More options are (generally) better than fewer options. If you stumble upon a Bonvoy redemption with significant outsize value, this may be beneficial. In general though, I’d think very carefully before transferring to Marriott.

  • Right to jAAil? Kids Allegedly Left Overnight in “Jail-Like” Room at CLT

    Right to jAAil? Kids Allegedly Left Overnight in “Jail-Like” Room at CLT

    A recent incident reported in the New York Post involving American Airlines has stirred outrage and allegations as a Florida mother, Amber Vencill, took legal action against the airline, claiming they mishandled the travel of her two young sons. According to a lawsuit filed on October 31, Vencill’s 10- and 12-year-old sons, identified as RV and JV in court documents, were left in distressing conditions after their flight got canceled while they were using the airline’s unaccompanied minor service.

    Originally scheduled to fly from Missouri to upstate New York with a layover in Charlotte, the boys found themselves in a bewildering situation as their flight faced delays and ultimately cancellation. This unexpected turn left Vencill’s partner, identified as Ted, with a concerning message from the airline, assuring the children would be placed in a “nice room for unaccompanied minors,” equipped with beds and a private bathroom.

    Unfortunately, the actual experience the children faced sharply contrasted with the promised arrangements. The lawsuit alleges that the kids were left stranded without access to basic necessities—no food, water, blankets, or pillows. The supposed ‘nice room’ ended up being described as resembling a “jail cell,” with the children enduring a chilly environment and sleeping under bright lights on a sofa throughout the night. Hopefully this room wasn’t infested with mold like the Admiral’s Club is.

    Vencill’s attempts to reach her sons and acquire accurate information about their whereabouts hit a dead end initially. Hours of distress passed until a staff member at Charlotte’s Douglas International Airport (CLT) finally connected her to one of the children. The heart-wrenching revelation made by the child indicated a dire situation where they hadn’t consumed any food or drink since the previous night, not even the usual airline pretzels and Biscoff.

    It was only through the intervention of a non-AA employee (likely an employee of the airport or the City of Charlotte) that the children received some much-needed sustenance before finally boarding a flight to Syracuse, where they were reunited with Ted.

    In response to Vencill’s distressing ordeal, the airline apologized and refunded the fee charged for the unaccompanied minor service. However, the apology and reimbursement appeared to offer little solace for the significant trauma experienced by Vencill and her children.

    The lawsuit argues that the airline’s conduct was not just a mere mistake but exhibited recklessness, carelessness, and negligence, alleging a breach of the airline’s own policies and procedures. Despite claiming a commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of unaccompanied minors, American Airlines faced severe criticism for what Vencill’s attorney, David Jaroslawicz, described as a “callous disregard” for the children’s welfare.

    As the legal proceedings unfold, Vencill seeks unspecified damages, highlighting the distress and trauma caused by the airline’s alleged mishandling of the situation. The lack of a thorough investigation or an earnest attempt to prevent such incidents in the future has intensified the concerns raised by the lawsuit.

    American Airlines, in response to these allegations, expressed its commitment to the safety and comfort of its customers, including unaccompanied minors, mentioning that they are in direct communication with Vencill and are reviewing the lawsuit’s details.

    As many as 7 million children travel using UM programs each year in the US alone. Out of 7 million, you expect a misstep or two. However, locking these kids in a room without basic necessities seems to rise to a new level. Hopefully AA will conduct a comprehensive review of their UM protocols.

  • Hyatt Doubles Down on Mexico, Announces Four New Properties in Pipeline

    Hyatt Doubles Down on Mexico, Announces Four New Properties in Pipeline

    Hyatt Hotels is doubling down on Mexico with the announcement of four new properties in the pipeline. Collaborating with franchisee Parks Hospitality Holdings, the brand is aiming to leave its mark in the vibrant landscapes of Mexico City, Los Cabos, and Cancun. With the first of these properties set to welcome guests starting in 2024, these developments underscore Hyatt’s commitment to meeting the rising demand for luxury and leisure travel experiences.

    Among the upcoming properties, the roster includes two Grand Hyatt hotels, a select-service Hyatt Place location near Cancun International Airport, and the debut of the Park Hyatt brand in Cancun. This strategic move appears to be a conscious effort by Hyatt to cater to the evolving dynamics of travel demand, especially with international demand remaining robust while demand for domestic travel largely evaporating, affecting low-cost carriers like Spirit (Spirit does fly to Mexico, but not Europe).

    Grand Hyatt Los Cabos rendering, courtesy PHH
    Grand Hyatt Los Cabos rendering, courtesy PHH

    While Hyatt’s international growth trajectory in recent years has often been marked by acquisitions, such as the recent additions from Apple Leisure Group’s resorts and Lindner Hotels and Resorts, these four properties all appear to be new builds, purpose-built for Hyatt’s portfolio.

    Camilo Bolaños, Senior Vice President of Development for Latin America & the Caribbean at Hyatt, emphasized the significance of these expansions, citing the brand’s intentional strategy to fortify its presence in Mexico. He highlighted the pivotal role of collaborative owners like Parks Hospitality Holdings in amplifying Hyatt’s reach and meeting the preferences of their guests, World of Hyatt members, and customers.

    Our intentional growth strategy for our portfolio in Mexico is driven by strong relationships with owners like Parks Hospitality Holdings who are helping expand Hyatt’s brand footprint across markets that matter most to our guests, World of Hyatt members and customers. Hyatt occupies a unique position in the marketplace, and we believe we are optimally positioned because of our size, scale and portfolio – we are agile enough to create personal relationships, draw on our own experiences and lead with empathy, which allows us to deliver the world-class hospitality for which Hyatt is known.

    Camilo Bolaños, Senior Vice President of Development for Latin America & the Caribbean

    Delving into the specifics, the forthcoming Park Hyatt Cancun, set to open its doors in 2025, promises a sophisticated experience, boasting beachfront access and a host of culinary delights amidst Cancun’s breathtaking scenery. Meanwhile, the Grand Hyatt Mexico Santa Fe, slated for a 2025 opening, will offer an urban retreat with panoramic views and ample meeting and event spaces as part of the Distrito Santa Fe project. This will be Hyatt’s first urban Grand Hyatt property in Mexico.

    Looking ahead to 2026, the Grand Hyatt Los Cabos will nestle itself within the OLEADA Pacific Living & Golf private resort community, presenting a lavish spread of luxurious amenities, including an 18-hole golf course designed by the renowned Ernie Els.

    Furthermore, the Hyatt Place Cancun Airport, also due to open in late 2026, will cater to travelers seeking both leisure and business accommodations, conveniently situated just minutes away from the Cancun International Airport (CUN).

    Hyatt really seems to be focused on where the demand is here – Mexico and Europe. Domestic travel within the US is going to be weak for a long time. While Hyatt still has a considerable domestic pipeline, all but three properties are select-service. Two of those three properties are Captions. They’re opening a ton of Hyatt Houses and Hyatt Places, but we really don’t see any full-service growth at all. It really seems that for those who are traveling domestically at all, budget travel is the order of the day.

    See the full press release from Hyatt here

  • BloodbAAth at Bergstrom: AA Slashes Almost Half of AUS Routes, Threatening Mini-Hub Status

    BloodbAAth at Bergstrom: AA Slashes Almost Half of AUS Routes, Threatening Mini-Hub Status

    American Airlines’ sudden move to axe 21 out of 46 routes at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), as quietly revealed by Cirium data, has sent shockwaves through the frequent flyer community. This significant cut is a detrimental blow, effectively scaling down what was shaping up to be a ‘mini-hub’ into more of a standard focus city.

    The airport has grown at a breakneck pace in the past five or so years, evolving into something of a reliever hub for AA’s DFW fortress 190 miles to the north. During IRROPS at DFW, it wasn’t uncommon for agents to reroute passengers through AUS for connecting flights when nonstop options were limited from DFW.

    Curiously, despite the announced route cancellations, the airline has continued to sell flights that are due to be axed. It raises a question—Is American pulling a Qantas here? While it’s unlikely there’s any correlation here, it’s interesting to note that former AA CEO “Discount Doug” Parker recently joined the board at the Australian flag carrier.

    The Austin area has been a thriving hotspot, experiencing tremendous growth driven by the tech industry and its vibrant local culture. I miss my previous role requiring frequent visits to the Texas capital, even though the company’s Concur portal forbid us from staying at Hyatt’s many wonderful downtown properties, forcing me to resort to the airport Hyatt Place. The local culture, food, and music scene is unlike any other, and people are generally quite friendly.

    While crowding issues persist, my soft spot for Austin-Bergstrom Airport remains intact. The Admirals Club stands out, offering modest facilities but top-notch service from the AAngels—leaving visitors feeling like VIPs (I’m not the only one who has noticed this). The diverse range of local food and beverage options on the airport concourse also sets AUS apart, a refreshing contrast to the typical airport fare of Cinnabon and Auntie Anne’s found at many airports in the U.S. (though I am a sucker for Auntie Anne’s). The airport has long featured an outdoor observation deck, though that’s no longer open to the public as Chase has transformed it into a terrace for CSR cardholders.

    Photo I took of the view from the outdoor terrace at AUS, shortly before it closed to make way for the Chase Sapphire Terrace (C) Points & PDBs

    Getting in and out of AUS is relatively straightforward, and despite complaints by some about long security lines, as a member of both CLEAR and TSA PreCheck, I’ve never waited more than a minute or two for screening, even on the worst days. The walk to the rental car facility might confuse newcomers, but as a seasoned pro, the convenience of a quick walk through the parking garage outweighs waiting for a shuttle (and the National staff at AUS are wonderful).

    However, AUS has its fair share of challenges, as highlighted in a comment made on our site by industry expert Gary Leff of View From the Wing, who is based in Austin. His insights shed light on the airport’s growing pains, pointing out the surge in flights overshadowing premium air traffic. Gate squatting and the absence of significant capacity growth until a midfield terminal is established further compound the issues. The impending demolition of the South Terminal while accommodating other carriers in the main terminal without extra gates adds to the complexity. Leff states that “right now Austin is overall a place that yields go to die.”

    Moreover, the downturn in the tech sector, marked by layoffs and hiring freezes, could impact Austin’s economy disproportionately. Virgin Atlantic last week announced its exit from Austin, citing the softening in the tech sector – though Leff seemed to think they weren’t telling the whole story.

    I’ve always questioned the sustainability of having a mini-hub just 190 miles away from DFW. It was certainly nice to have AUS as an alternative to DFW or CLT when flying out of my home airport, TUL. Most of the time I’d choose DFW barring a substantial price difference, but those substantial differences did materialize often (probably a result of poor yields at the airport). Losing AUS-TUL, usually operated by a comfortable Embraer E175, is going to hurt. Southwest continues to operate the route, though I’d happily kill some time at DFW before I’d subject myself to a flight on WN.

    The extensive list of route cuts includes destinations such as Washington Dulles (IAD), Tampa (TPA), Cozumel (CZM), my home airport of Tulsa International (TUL), and others, effective between January and April 2024. The full list, uncovered by industry observer Adrian Waltz, is below:

  • Spirit Airlines Exits DEN Amid Financial Woes, P&W Engine Issues

    Spirit Airlines Exits DEN Amid Financial Woes, P&W Engine Issues

    Just a few months ago, airlines were riding high on unprecedented post-COVID revenge travel demand. People were itching to get back in the skies and explore the world after a long hiatus. Airlines were expanding their routes, booking up planes, and staffing up. But, as they say, the only constant in the airline industry is change, and here we are – another day, another airline doing layoffs, hiring freezes, or exiting a market.

    The latest to join this trend is none other than Spirit Airlines, which has announced its exit from Denver International Airport (DEN). The reasons cited for this decision include demand in the market and ongoing woes with Pratt & Whitney engines. The ultra low-cost carrier will be wrapping up its operations at DEN on January 9, 2024.

    Denver, Colorado, is an intriguing market. It’s home to one of the largest airports in the world, and yet Spirit Airlines chose to serve only three cities from this bustling hub. Two of those cities, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Miami (MIA), are within close proximity to each other, and the third is Las Vegas (LAS). In total, that’s just 240 flights a month, with a daily rotation of one flight to FLL, one to MIA, and two to LAS. Even with strong competition from other ULCCs, one would expect Spirit’s presence at such a large airport to be just a little bigger, especially with DEN commanding a large amount of leisure travel during ski season.

    One of the key factors contributing to Spirit Airlines’ decision is the ongoing trouble with Pratt & Whitney engines. In August, the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) issued an Airworthiness Directive for aircraft equipped with Pratt & Whitney’s PW1100G engines. Approximately 20 of Spirit’s aircraft were affected by this directive, and they are expected to remain grounded for about six to eight weeks. These engine issues have hampered Spirit’s ability to operate its flights effectively.

    Financially, Spirit Airlines has also been facing turbulent times. Last week, we brought you news about the airline enacting a hiring freeze, pausing training of new pilots and flight attendants indefinitely. In the Q3, the company reported a staggering $157.6 million loss. This loss is against the backdrop of $1.2 billion in revenue for Q3, with total revenue until September standing at $4 billion. The loss is attributed to several factors, including the engine problems we mentioned earlier and a shrinking domestic demand for air travel.

    Low-cost carriers like Spirit have been hit especially hard because the bulk of their routes are domestic. International travel, particularly to Europe, remains relatively robust, but U.S.-based LCCs typically don’t venture across the Atlantic. The result of reduced demand is lower fares in the short to medium term, putting pressure on the profitability of these airlines – not only are they selling fewer seats, but the margins on the seats they do sell are considerably smaller. Some economic experts have been warning of an impending recession for a while now, and the rapidly shrinking demand for air travel could indeed be a leading indicator of broader economic trends.

    And amidst these challenges, there’s an ongoing legal tussle at play. JetBlue Airways has been aggressively pursuing a takeover of Spirit Airlines. However, this attempt is currently being litigated in court. The outcome of this legal battle could potentially shape the future landscape of the airline industry, should the merger go through.

    One might wonder if part of why Denver is such a challenging market for Spirit is the presence of their largest rival, Frontier Airlines, which is based at DEN. Frontier recently made headlines by launching a status match promotion that’s, well, quite wild. They’re allowing virtually any elite status, even from hotels, to be matched to their Frontier Miles program for a fee. Additionally, rival Southwest likely commands a disproportionate share of ski traffic, as the airline gives all passengers (regardless of elite status) a generous allowance of two free checked bags on every flight, no matter what. The airline also is more flexible with oversize and odd-shaped baggage, a boon to those bringing gear with them to the slopes.

    The airline industry is a complex and ever-evolving beast. Spirit Airlines’ exit from Denver illustrates just how quickly things are changing in an industry that was riding high just a few short months ago. The ongoing engine problems and financial challenges are causing turbulence for this low-cost carrier. And with the domestic travel demand in flux, we’ll continue to keep a close eye on how these developments, including the JetBlue takeover attempt, affect the industry as a whole.

    h/t KDVR – Fox 31