January 15, 2021

American Introduces the VeriFLY Health Passport for Travelers

American Airlines is expanding its partnership with the VeriFLY app, allowing passengers to ensure their compliance with virus-related requirements for travel into the United States. The app will be available for AA travelers beginning January 23, three days before a negative COVID-19 test is required for anyone flying into the United States from elsewhere.

American has been using the app since late 2020 for travel to select destinations in the Caribbean, Central, and South America.

The app is QR code-based and will verify that a passenger has uploaded the correct documents and verification, reducing the need to have a paper copy of all paperwork available at all times. It will also allow AA ground staff to scan the QR code to confirm compliance, making a more streamlined process that should reduce lines and wait times.

The efficiency of the check-in process is important for American’s senior management. The airline places a great priority on passengers getting through the airport hassle-free in order to be in the gate area for the start of the boarding process to experience dozens of boarding groups called ahead of them — which could be solved by signing up for the AA Mastercard. (And no, there is no link to it, and we don’t make any money if you get it.)


Southwest Making Elite Qualifying Easier Through 2021

Southwest passengers who earned a Companion Pass (the ole’ fashioned way – not via a challenge or status match) which was set to expire on June 30 will see an extra six months tacked on, making the Companion Pass valid through December 31. In addition, the airline is reducing qualifying thresholds for 2021 for elite status and Companion Pass qualification for 2022. All members will receive:

  • 15,000 Tier-Qualifying Points (TQPs)
  • 25,000 Companion Pass Qualifying Points (CPQPs)
  • 10 qualifying one-way flight segments towards Tier Status
  • 25 qualifying one-way flights towards Companion Pass
  • An overly chippy, singing flight attendant on that really early morning flight when you just want to sleep

With the boost, Southwest passengers will begin the year 40% of the way to A-List and 20% of the way to a Companion Pass.

The boosted points will appear in Rapid Rewards accounts in the coming weeks. Passengers will need to visit Southwest’s website 24 hours prior to claim their spot in line to receive the points. Customers in wheelchairs will receive their points first. Accounts of small children or anyone needing a little extra time to log in will receive theirs about one-third of the way through the distribution process.


Alaska to Block Middle Seats in Premium Class

According to TPG, Alaska Airlines will be blocking middle seats in Premium Class – its upgraded coach product – through May. The airline will not be blocking seats in main cabin or first class, leaving the premium main cabin product the only chance for passengers to guarantee themselves an empty adjacent seat short of paying for it.

The airline will only guarantee the block when middle seats existing – meaning smaller aircraft with 2×2 seating in each row in Premium Class will not have one of the two seats blocked. Those sitting in Premium Class on Alaska receive many of the same perks as first class passengers including chateaubriand carved in the aisle, 30-minutes with the on-board licensed masseuse, complimentary beer & wine, and a fruit & cheese platter.

Seats in Alaska’s Premium Class are available as a complimentary upgrade for Mileage Plan elites and for a fee for everybody else.


UK Hopeful London to NYC Corridor Could Open with Biden Administration

UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is encouraged that an air corridor between New York and London could open with the new presidential administration being inaugurated this coming Wednesday.

Shapps told London’s LBC News on Friday that an executive order reached the desk of President Trump to jumpstart a NYC-London air corridor, but the president declined to sign the order. Airline execs on both sides of the pond have hope that President-elect Biden will sign the order during his first days in office.

Shapps says the UK has already vaccinated 3 million people, more than France, Germany, Spain, and Italy combined. That may be true, but the quartet does own 11 World Cup championships to England’s one. Ask English citizens which they would prefer – more vaccinations or more World Cups, and they’d likely choose the World Cup.


Malaysian Authorities Seize PIA Plane Filled with Passengers

It was a rough 2020 for Pakistan International Airlines, spending much of the year mired in a scandal in which we learned that many of the airline’s pilots weren’t actually pilots. It looks like 2021 is not off to a great start for the airline either, as a PIA 777 loaded with passengers in Kuala Lumpur and preparing to pushback from the gate en route to Islamabad was boarded and impounded by Malaysian authorities on Thursday.

The case involves a $14 million lease dispute in the UK on PIA’s two Boeing 777 aircraft, which it leases from Dublin-based AerCap, the world’s largest aircraft lessor. The order was issued by a Malaysian court in support of a ruling in London’s high court. PIA disputes the issue – naturally – and says it will fight the impounding via diplomatic channels.

Occam’s Razor is the problem-solving principal stating “the simplest explanation is usually the right one.” Occam is very relevant to this case, and can be applied by asking the simple questions, “Which is more likely? PIA is fully up-to-date on its payments on its two aircrafts and two courts in two countries made an egregious error? Or that PIA is underwater in its payments and hoped no one will notice?” This one will play itself out in the courts over the coming weeks and we’ll get our answer.


Airline Potpourri

  • Alaska will require passengers flying to/from the three DC-area airports to remain seated for 60 minutes after takeoff and before landing for the next week. The airline, along with American, Frontier, Southwest, and United joined Delta in banning firearms in checked baggage on flights to DC through January 21.
  • Azores Airlines completed a 9 hour and 49 minute nonstop flight between Lisbon and Bogota, setting the record for the longest flight operated by an A321LR.
  • Cathay Pacific plans to exclusively operate A350s on all Australian flights by November.
  • Emirates has suspended service to its three Australian destinations — Brisbane, Melbourne, & Sydney — indefinitely.
  • Wizz Air Abu Dhabi will begin service to Tel Aviv on February 12.

Andrew’s Moment of Levity

I bought coconut shampoo today. But when I got home I realized I don’t even have a coconut.