Delta CEO Brushes Off Elon Musk, Says Amazon Offers More Than Starlink
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian defended the airline’s selection of Amazon’s low‑Earth‑orbit satellite network, Leo, over SpaceX’s Starlink. He emphasized that Amazon offers a lower price and a suite of services—including Prime video, gaming, retail and advertising—that go beyond pure connectivity. While Starlink is already deployed on multiple carriers and praised for speed, Delta’s Leo installation won’t begin until 2028, leaving a gap as rivals like United roll out Starlink fleet‑wide. The decision reflects a strategic bet on a broader digital partnership rather than immediate Wi‑Fi performance.
What I Booked Before Hyatt Devaluation
Hyatt announced a major award‑price devaluation, lifting redemption costs by as much as 70%. Anticipating the hike, the author secured five award stays—Park Hyatt New York, Paris, Tokyo, Vienna and Andaz Tokyo—before the new pricing took effect. He notes that points...
Europe Just Told Airlines They Owe You Compensation Anyway
European airlines tried to invoke “extraordinary circumstances” to avoid EC261 compensation amid a jet‑fuel shortage. On May 8, the European Commission issued formal guidance stating that high fuel prices are not an extraordinary circumstance, preserving passengers’ right to reimbursement, assistance and...
Delta Air Lines Passed On Starlink For A Reason More Valuable Than Wi-Fi
Delta Air Lines announced a partnership with Amazon’s low‑Earth‑orbit satellite network, Leo, to equip 500 aircraft beginning in 2028, opting out of SpaceX’s Starlink despite the latter’s proven airline deployments. The decision appears driven by Delta’s desire to retain its...
United Airlines Adds First-Ever Nonstop Flights From Continental U.S. To Sapporo
United Airlines is adding two Japan routes this winter, including a seasonal San Francisco‑Sapporo nonstop that will be the first nonstop service from the continental United States to Hokkaido, and a daily Chicago‑Tokyo Narita flight that will be the only nonstop...
Qatar Airways Makes Avios More Secure, But Far Less Flexible
Qatar Airways is tightening Avios redemptions by introducing a “My List” feature that caps eligible travelers to four Privilege Club members, supplementing the existing Family & Friends program’s six non‑member nominees. The new rules, effective early June 2026, lock nominees...
With Spirit Dead, JetBlue Got FLL, Frontier Took San Juan
JetBlue announced eleven new routes from Fort Lauderdale, boosting its schedule to roughly 130 daily departures and offering Spirit’s silver and gold elites a TrueBlue Mosaic status match. At the same time, Frontier quietly expanded its San Juan network, adding...
Amsterdam Bans Airline Ads As Flying Becomes The New Smoking
Amsterdam has prohibited public advertising for airlines, cruise ships, fossil‑fuel products and meat, with the ban taking effect on May 1 across all city spaces. The measure is part of a wider municipal climate strategy that seeks to align visual messaging...
Delta Air Lines Addresses Rumors Amid Reports Of Broader Corporate Cuts
Delta Air Lines pushed back against online claims that it was cutting 8% of its corporate workforce, saying the rumors vastly overstated the scale. The airline confirmed modest attrition tied to an ongoing organizational restructuring, especially within its IT and...
Of Course He Does: Ryanair CEO Wants Airports To Stop Selling Cheap Beer Before Flights
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary is urging European airports to limit alcohol sales before boarding, proposing a two‑drink cap and bans during early‑morning hours. He argues that pre‑flight intoxication leads to disruptive passengers, costly diversions, and safety risks. Critics note the...
American Airlines Upgrades Main Cabin Food And Snack Menu In Push To Improve Economy Class
American Airlines announced a refreshed buy‑on‑board menu for its Main Cabin, adding an Inflight Bites snack box, a turkey‑and‑Havarti sandwich on avocado bread, and an expanded cheese plate with premium cheeses and fruit. The new items roll out this month...
Rant: Saving Spirit Was Cheap, Letting It Fail, Expensive
Spirit Airlines ceased operations after a $500 million government loan was rejected, ending a low‑cost carrier that kept fares low on dozens of routes. The Department of Justice blocked a JetBlue‑Spirit merger, citing competition concerns, and the bailout would have cost...
Viking Owns The Brand. AmaWaterways Owns The Product.
Viking has long dominated the American perception of river cruising, but AmaWaterways is rapidly overtaking it in product quality and fleet growth. In April, AmaWaterways announced a plan to expand its fleet to more than 50 ships by 2032, adding...
Icon Of The Seas Is Moving To Galveston, Not Florida.
Royal Caribbean announced that its flagship Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, will relocate its homeport from Miami to Galveston in August 2027. The Port of Galveston approved a $2.4 billion, 20‑year master plan to add new terminals...
To Loyal Spirit Airlines Customers, Thank Judge Young
Spirit Airlines announced liquidation after failing to secure a last‑minute bailout, ending the ultra‑low‑cost carrier that had pressured fares nationwide. U.S. District Judge William Young had previously blocked JetBlue’s proposed acquisition of Spirit, citing competition concerns. The shutdown underscores that...