Day: November 24, 2020

November 24, 2020

Qantas to Require Vaccination for International Travel

In what may be a preview of the future of air travel, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said in an interview that the airline expects to require travelers get a COVID-19 vaccination before being allowed to travel internationally.

Qantas has been one of the most conservative airlines in one of the most conservative countries when it comes to allowing international travel. The airline currently isn’t taking bookings from the United States, for example, until at least October 2021.

Though details have not yet been worked out, it’s believed that there will be few exceptions — for example, people who check a can of beer as checked luggage and koalas, since they’re so damn cute.

Hawaiian Ends Seat Blocking on December 15

According to a memo sent to travel agents, Hawaiian Airlines has become the latest to end seat blocking on its aircraft with the removal of capacity caps beginning December 16. This leaves Delta as the only airline to block seats after this year’s holiday season concludes.

Hawaiian had been only selling 70% of available seats on its flights, and it committed to doing that through December 15. With the peak holiday season approaching and studies showing limited transmission of COVID on airplanes, Hawaiian has made the decision to remove the capacity caps.

Those who bought tickets before November 20 expecting middle seats to be blocked can opt to change their seat to the lavatory for social distancing… or request a refund, even if their ticket is non-refundable. Refunds have to be requested by December 2 or regular fare rules will apply.

IATA Predicts Worsening Industry Losses, Appoints New Leader

The irony was not lost on anyone when the airline industry lobbying group International Air Transport Association (IATA) had to have its annual general meeting virtually this week, but, well, welcome to 2020. The group announced its newest leader and put out an updated, weaker forecast for airlines.

IATA’s new forecast predicts losses for 2020 to be $118.5 billion. That’s considerably worse than the $84.3 billion forecast in June. The “good” news is that in 2021, the industry will lose a mere $38.7 billion, much less than in 2020 but still worse than the June forecast of $15.8 billion.

North America will be responsible for the biggest chunk of losses in 2020 with $45.8 billion but in 2021, North America’s $11 billion loss is actually only good enough for second place behind Europe’s predicted $11.9 billion. U.S. airline leaders promised to try harder to put North America back in first place where it belongs.

In other news, IATA has announced that former IAG CEO Willie Walsh will take over as director general next year. Willie is known as a blunt realist who might be expected to shake the stodgy place up a little. Then again, it’s unclear if anyone can actually make sweeping changes at at an old-line organization like IATA.

UK, Ireland Award Airport Slots to New Entrants

United Kingdom and Ireland airport plans for summer 2021 have been released, and at several slot-controlled airports, there will be some new airlines visiting. Those include:

Of course, these are airlines that hope to be flying. If you’d like to bet on Play actually taking a flight, we’ll be happy to, ahem, play along. May the odds be ever in your favor.

United Increases Holiday Bag Fees on Latin Routes

When travelers fly home from the US to Latin America for the holidays, they tend to bring a whole lot of gifts with them. This year, United will be increasing bag fees on some of those heavily-trafficked routes.

TPG reports that on flights to Bogota (BOG), Lima (LIM), Panama City (PTY), Quito (UIO), and San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO), the first bag fee will be $30, the second $100, and the third $200 for travel December 1 through January 15.

Airlines have been known to take the drastic step of limiting or blocking checked bags during the holiday period since they can’t physically accommodate them all. Once they realized, however, that they could actually just charge a lot more for bags to reduce demand while also making a bunch of money, they shockingly changed their plan.

Airline Potpourri

  • Advanced Air Charters will fly from Burbank, Carlsbad, and Hawthorne (near LAX) to Mammoth Lakes during ski season.
  • AirAsia X is hoping to begin losing money by flying airplanes again in early 2021.
  • Delta will add Comfort+ to its A350 aircraft by increasing legroom in some rows and reducing it in others.
  • El Al will fly twice daily from Tel Aviv to Dubai.
  • Love2Fly, a Malaysian startup, has returned its only aircraft to the lessor. If it really does love to fly, it doesn’t show.
  • Pakistan International will lay off a third of its staff, but it’s unclear if any fake pilots are included in the cuts.

Brett’s Moment of Levity

If I keep stress-eating at this level, the buttons on my shirt will start socially distancing from each other.