Hawaiian Loosens Refund Restrictions
1 When the virus outbreak began this Spring, Hawaiian joined United in redefining what a “canceled” flight meant, allowing the airline to preserve cash and reduce the number of refunds issued to customers.
After DOT guidance, United relented and rejoined the rest of us on Earth with its cancellation refund policy from prior to the virus outbreak. Hawaiian has finally relented and altered its policy to join the rest of us in the land of the sane as well.
Effective June 29, when flights on Hawaiian Airlines are canceled and passengers cannot be reaccommodated on an alternate flight within two hours of their original flight, a refund will be in order. Hawaiian has not yet commented on whether or not the policy will be retroactive and apply to cancellations when passengers were held to the previous standard to receive a refund.
In the meantime, passengers can book with Hawaiian with more confidence knowing they won’t be left holding the bag (and the pog juice) if their flight is cancelled.
Travelers should, however, still avoid buying tickets on Canadian airlines. That’s a story for another time.
Oh (No), Canada: Air Canada Discontinues Service on 30 Domestic Regional Routes and Closes Eight Stations
2 With no CARES Act restrictions to worry about, Air Canada has axed service to eight airports across Canada and ended 30 domestic routes.
The eight airports losing service from Air Canada Express come after the airline reduced its workforce by approximately 20,000 employees — more than half of its pre-Covid workforce. The eight airports are:
- Bathurst, NB (ZBF)
- Wabush, NL (YWK)
- Gaspé, QC (YGP)
- Baie Comeau, QC (YBC)
- Mont Joli, QC (YYY)
- Val d’Or, QC (YVO)
- Kingston, ON (YGK)
- North Bay, ON (YYB)
While these cities are losing air service from Air Canada, they will not be losing access to their local Tim Horton’s or their NHL Center Ice package allowing them to watch all NHL games.
Delta’s Busy Day: New Health Partnership, Booze is Back, & Change Fee Extension
3 After United tied up with Cleveland Clinic and American did the same with Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Delta was not about to be left out of the “Health Experts Partnership” game. The airline announced it is engaging the Mayo Clinic and its experts to advise on making travel even safer.
The collaboration is another step in Delta’s efforts, known as the Delta CareStandard, to overly-build up consumer confidence and reduce the risk of transmitting the virus during air travel.
Delta will specifically partner with the Mayo Clinic on three initiatives:
- COVID-19 Testing for Full Delta Workforce
- Establish an Integrated Advisory Council
- Customer Health Consulting
Delta, likely in consultation with the Mayo Clinic, also announced that beer & wine are returning to domestic flights effective Thursday. The airline will resume its service of complimentary beer & wine to first class and Delta comfort passengers on flights over 500 miles. Despite serving Miller Lite on-board, which is basically water, Delta is insisting on only serving to passengers 21 and over. Totally lame, man.
Lastly, the airline is extending its offer of a two-year fee-free policy to change tickets through July 31. Set to expire today, June 30, the airline will now allow all tickets purchased by July 31 to be valid for up to two years from booking. Customers will have one year from booking to rebook, and travel must be completed no later than two years after the original booking date.
Norwegian Terminates Boeing Orders
4 Norwegian canceled its purchase agreements with Boeing for the remaining five Boeing 787 aircraft and 92 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on order along with the corresponding GoldCare service agreements (BSG). The GoldCare agreement was Norwegian’s first mistake — anyone who’s ever bought a car knows — never, ever buy the extended warranty.
Norwegian also filed a legal claim seeking the return of pre-delivery payments (PDP) as compensation for its losses related to the grounding of the 737 MAX and engine issues on the 787. The airline has begun discussions with Boeing on compensation for its losses.
AAdvantage Makes Members Under 21 Years Old Exempt from Mileage Expiration
5 They may not be able to legally drink or gamble in Las Vegas, but AAdvantage members under 21 years of age can sleep soundly tonight knowing that their AAdvantage miles will not expire anytime soon.
AA has an 18-month validity period on its AAdvantage frequent flier miles — if members do not record any activity in the program for 18 months, their miles expire. But the airline has now made an exception for its youngest members. Once a member turns 21, the 18-month clock begins, meaning the earliest one’s miles could expire would be their 22 and a half birthday. Now younger travelers have something to look forward to between the time they can drink and the time they turn 25 and can rent a car.
In honor of the new policy, the airline plans on sending a free drink ticket to each member of the program under 21 to allow them to raise a glass in honor of AAdvantage next time they’re on-board an American flight. Or not.
Airline Potpourri
- Aeroflot removed the A320neo and A321neo from service this summer.
- Air Canada is bringing in-flight meals back by the end of July.
- British Airways posted 11 routes that would not resume this summer from London/Gatwick.
- Etihad has been subpoenaed by a New York court to produce a document at the center of a $1.2 billion dispute between Alitalia and its debt agreement.
- Jet Time laid off 90% of its employees on Tuesday.
- LOT will resume weekly service from Budapest to Seoul/Incheon on July 20.
- RavnAir has been approved for a July bankruptcy sale.
- Rex plans to begin Australian mainline domestic operations with service planned to begin March 1, 2021.
- Singapore has cancelled the launch of its route to Brussels.
- Viva Aerobus is ramping up its operations in July, serving five U.S. destinations including: Chicago/O’Hare, Houston/Bush, Los Angeles, New York/JFK, and San Antonio.
Andrew’s Moment of Levity
My horse has insomnia and she keeps everyone awake. She’s a real nightmare.