November 20, 2020

American & Alaska Announce Reciprocal Elite Benefits 

Beginning in March, elite members on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines will begin offering elite benefits — including upgrades — to each other’s elite frequent fliers, bringing the partnership of the two airlines closer together just as Alaska sells its soul to American joins oneworld.

We spoke with Rick Elieson, President of the AAdvantage program, and he explained that the goal was to eventually make sure that members of either program won’t feel like they have to pick one over the other. They want uniform benefits. That, however, won’t be ready to happen from day one.

When the reciprocal program begins on March 31, AAdvantage and Mileage Plan elites will receive the following shared perks:

  • Priority check-in
  • Lounge access
  • Additional baggage allowance
  • Same day flight changes
  • Preferred seating for elite members (Main Cabin Extra on American, Premium Class on Alaska)
  • Equally surly (or not surly, on a good day) service regardless of program

The two airlines have already begun offering reciprocal mileage earning and redemptions, but this takes the tie-up even further. While some of above perks are standard between oneworld members, the airlines are going above and beyond that program, offering things like upgrades and access to extra legroom seating that are normally provided by American only to joint venture partners… or not at all.

Initially, just AAdvantage Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum members will be eligible for complimentary domestic upgrades on Alaska, and Mileage Plan MVP Gold 75K members will be eligible on American. Eventually upgrade opportunities will be expanded to more elite tiers at both airlines including international upgrades for top tier elites. 


JetBlue Inflight Crew Rejects First Contract

JetBlue’s inflight employees represented by the Transport Workers Union (TWU) formally rejected the tentative agreement that had been made between TWU’s negotiating team and the airline. This would have been the airline’s first contract since choosing union representation more than two years ago.

The margin of the vote was not disclosed, nor have the vote counts been certified by any Secretary of State. Despite the potential for protests and lawsuits, there have been no proven reports of fraud, and it’s entirely clear that the “no” vote has won.

The item that led a majority of members to vote the deal down was not disclosed, but many believe it was the two-year moratorium on pay raises that was the key sticking point.

The negotiating team from the union will return to the bargaining table with JetBlue for another attempt to find a deal that the membership with ratify. Negotiations are not likely to begin until the new year.


Border Closures Extended Once Again

The closure of the United States land border with its two neighbors, Canada and Mexico, has been extended once again —this time through December 21. Travel is still flowing between all three nations via the air, but land crossings are being restricted to essential travel only. Importantly for the supply chain in all three countries, commercial shipments are able to move without any issues between the borders.

Canada has recently begun allowing extending family members of Canadians who live in the United States to receive an exemption to travel to Canada, provided they adhere to quarantine protocols for Canada and the Canadian province they are traveling to.

In the meantime, air travel to the United States is still available for Canadian citizens looking to escape for a warm-weather holiday, but Americans are not currently permitted into Canada except for essential travel. Some Americans have called for a protest of maple syrup and Canadian bacon due to the border closure, but neither have taken hold as both products are just too darn delicious to protest.


International Flights Return to Melbourne

International flights will return to Melbourne on December 7 with an initial cap of 160 passengers per day — or 1,120 per week. This is roughly the same as Brisbane and Perth which currently are allowing 1,000 international passengers per week. Sydney has upped its weekly international arrival capacity to 2,950 passengers per week.

The state of Victoria, which is home to Melbourne, is also working on a hybrid home/hotel isolation model where visitors from countries deemed low-risk (we can safely assume the United States will not be on that list) will be permitted to isolate at home rather than being required to pay for a hotel.

Passengers coming from the naughty list of countries would still be required to isolate for 14 days at their own expense at a government-selected hotel. Passengers from a VIP list of countries deemed “no-risk” — currently for Australia that list starts and ends with New Zealand — would be permitted without any quarantine — provided the passenger hasn’t visited a country on the naughty list in the previous 14 days.


Two Russian Pilots Make Cocky Error

Two pilots for Russian carrier Pobeda are under investigation for drawing a penis in the sky over Neftekamsk, a city of 121,000 in southwest Russia.

The pilots say that they had “permission to conduct tests on the radio navigation equipment,” which, if true, still doesn’t seem like a reasonable explanation.

The stunt was in apparent support of Russian soccer star Artem Dzyuba, who was banned from any international competition after a sexual video of him was leaked to the internet.

Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency is launching an investigation and is on record saying the pilots should be fired for the stunt. “These guys are not heroes,” a spokesman for the group said. “They should be embarrassed. No one thinks the use of federal air space for this purpose is appropriate. Don’t think anyone will erect a statue in their honor. It’s despicable.”


Airline Potpourri

  • Aegean Airlines announced 33 seasonal routes it will operate in Summer 2021.
  • Air France/KLM is seeking another $7.1 billion in state aid to secure its future. Same.
  • ANA is extending the life of points in its members accounts through September 30, 2021 — but only if you ask nicely.
  • Blue Air, which always leaves its passengers feeling a little sad, is moving its Milan operation from Milan/Malpensa to Milan/Linate, effective December 20.
  • Delta is expanding its biometric experience at its hub in Detroit, allowing passengers to check-in and pass through TSA with their face as their ID.
  • JetBlue is refreshing its catering offerings in Mint. It will surely include new wines written up to sound very fancy and food offerings designed to make you forget it was prepared days ago in a mass kitchen.
  • ZIPAIR is planning to operate flights from Tokyo to Honolulu from December 19 to January 31.

Andrew’s Moment of Levity

How well did I hang up that picture?
I nailed it.