March 31, 2021

Delta to Offer Middle Seat Enhancements May 1

In a release expertly-titled “Ready, set, let’s go: Delta gives customers more ways to reclaim the joy of travel,” Delta Air Lines quietly announced that it would end its practice of blocking middle seats on its aircraft on May 1.

Delta tried to make the announcement on the sly, saying it will have “more available seats to choose from starting May 1,” which is a world-class effort in burying the lede. It’s like telling a prisoners they will have more opportunities to “enjoy our accommodations,” when their parole is denied.

Most airlines put in some sort of seat-blocking system at the onset of the pandemic last year, then ending the practice later in the year. Delta had been the last holdout, continuing the practice into 2021 and through the spring.  The airline blamed the COVID vaccine for its new plan, saying that it expects 65% of its 2019 travelers to have had the first dose by May 1, and that arbitrary number is the catalyst for ending the block.

Trying to soften the blow, Delta also announced in-flight snacks will come back April 14, it will be handing out bonus miles to travelers, it has extended ticket validity through the end of 2022, and it will continue to waive change fees through April 30.


Alaska Formally Joins Oneworld, Adds Reciprocal Upgrades With American

Tomorrow might be the real Opening Day, but today is Opening Day for Alaska Airlines as it officially becomes the 14th full member of the oneworld alliance. The airline celebrated by releasing a spectacular update of its Safety Dance video that includes execs and other employees from partner airlines straining to participate.

The airline took a major step towards joining the alliance 13 months ago when it announced its new tieup with oneworld-stalwart American Airlines. Alaska spent several decades avoiding alliances and playing both sides of the fence, partnering with both American and Delta. Once the Delta/Alaska break up was complete, this day perhaps became inevitable.

Beyond the oneworld participation, American and Alaska continue to inch closer. Today the airlines provided details of the plan giving repicrocal elite upgrades between the two airlines.

By joining the alliance today, Alaska gains a network of over 1,000 worldwide destinations in more than 170 countries. Alaska customers can earn and redeem points on all Oneworld member airlines and will receive reciprocal benefits. Those benefits include the right to wait for a delayed flight at an AA hub or be denied lounge access at a Royal Jordanian lounge in Amman because the agent doesn’t realize Alaska joined the alliance.


Puerto Vallarta Gets Spirited

The Mexican government must have finally agreed to pay Spirit its international destination expansion fee because the airline today announced its plan to launch service to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) beginning July 1. Puerto Vallarta will see Spirit flights from three cities – daily to Los Angeles and 3x-weekly to both Dallas/Ft Worth and Houston/Bush.

PVR will be Spirit’s third destination in Mexico including Cancún and Los Cabos – the latter of which will also see Spirit service begin on May 5 from Los Angeles. Los Angeles, meanwhile, will also get a new nonstop to Columbus, a market Delta abandoned earlier this year. This will make Los Angeles the airline’s fourth largest operation.

Spirit will accept fee payments in Mexican pesos for flights originating in Mexico but does intend to charge a hefty conversion fee for passengers who choose to do so since the airline is U.S. based and does business in dollars. The airline will also charge the conversion fee for payments in U.S. dollars on flights originating in Mexico because it is not the local currency of the departure airport.


Korean Air Plans to Phase Out Asiana Brand

Despite delaying its full takeover of rival Asiana to 2024, Korean Air is moving forward with its plan to completely phase out the Asiana brand when the purchase is complete.

Korean is lurching toward a $2.2 billion buyout of its chief Korean competitor, but it is currently being slowed by the process of receiving regulatory approval in several countries in which both airlines operate.

Korean is currently developing a post-merger integration plan for both brands as well as the three LCC subsidiaries – Korean’s Jin Air along with Asiana’s Air Busan and Air Seoul. It plans to consolidate the three LCCs into one brand we suggest naming Air Bujinoul Air that will become a top-level LCC in both Korea and the rest of Asia.

Additionally, there will be a merger of both airlines loyalty programs with Korean working out a conversion rate for Asiana Club’s members to transfer their miles to Skypass. Delta has offered to assist with the loyalty program, telling Korean that no one else has miles laying around that are worth basically nothing which Delta would be happy to offer to Asiana Club members during the transition.


Hong Kong Considering Removing Crew Quarantine Requirements

Democracy may be crumbling, but there is a bright spot for airlines in Hong Kong as local carriers are saying that the government plans to reduce harsh quarantine requirements if the vaccination rates amongst cabin crew and pilots continues to improve.

Hong Kong’s government has had punitive measures in place for flight crews flying onto the island since February 20. Currently, flight crews must quarantine for 14 days, followed by seven days of self-health checks at home for Hong Kong-based staff. The requirements have wreaked havoc with both Hong Kong-based and international airlines schedules flying to Hong Kong. The only exceptions to the policy were flights from either Anchorage or mainland China. Domestic Hong Kong flights were exempted as well, but with no other airport, that didn’t really help.

In a statement, the government said it was incorporating incentives for fully vaccinated people into its anti-epidemic measures. “As and when the evolving situation of the epidemic allows, the government will suitably review and adjust the prevailing air crew self-isolation arrangement,” a Transport and Housing Bureau spokeswoman added.


Airline Potpourri

  • Air Canada is extending elite status for all members through the end of 2022.
  • Blue Air has taken delivery of the first of its ten new 737-8 aircraft from Air Lease Corporation.
  • Jin Air is looking to sell $14 million worth of treasury stock. Proceeds will be used to pay for branding work for the new Air Bujinoul Air.
  • Ryanair is expanding in Croatia as it opens a new base in Zagreb (ZAG) and adds 17 new routes from Zadar (ZAD).
  • SWISS named Romain Vetter as Head of Western Switzerland, something it probably should have let the Swiss government know about.
  • TAP Air Portugal has announced it plans to operate 879 weekly flights this August, including eight domestic routes with 126 frequencies.

Andrew’s Moment of Levity

I quit my job as a treadmill tester. It just wasn’t going anywhere.