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News from August 2024
About six months ago, United Airlines implemented a new status match system aimed at automating the process of evaluating credentials for status matching. The system reviews the status a member already holds and typically approves matches instantly if the electronic card format appears correct.
A Voepass ATR 72-500, registered as PS-VPB, crashed near São Paulo, Brazil today while operating flight 2Z-2283 from Cascavel to São Paulo Guarulhos Airport. The aircraft was carrying 62 people on board, including 58 passengers and four crew members.
News and notes from around the internet:
Reducing waste onboard aircraft is a direct path to improving aviation’s eco-credentials, yet it will require behavioral changes at airlines, according to Matt Crane, founder and director of the non-profit organization Aviation Sustainability Forum (ASF).
A study conducted by student travel company Rustic Pathways, which analyzed data from Argus International, has revealed that Alaska leads the United States in per capita private jet departures.
At the end of May, American Airlines announced the departure of Chief Commercial Officer Vasu Raja and downgraded earnings projections due to a decline in business and managed travel revenue. This drop occurred amidst a cost-cutting campaign that shifted customer interactions with the airline online.
Air France is gearing up for a significant influx of Olympic and Paralympic athletes as the Paris 2024 Games draw to a close. The airline, an official partner of the event, anticipates peak departures on Monday, August 12th, with nearly 3,000 delegates expected to travel on 280 flights. This weekend will also see the arrival of the first Paralympic delegations, comprising nearly 200 accredited delegates on approximately 15 flights.
Amazon has announced the release of its annual Sustainability Report, stating that it achieved 100% renewable energy usage across global operations last year, seven years ahead of schedule. The company aims to meet its commitment to The Climate Pledge through various sustainability initiatives.
News and notes from around the internet:
American Airlines has made significant changes to its flight attendant staffing levels, a decision that has sparked concerns and potential regulatory intervention. The airline's flight attendants are set to receive boarding pay and higher 401(k) contributions, but these benefits will not take effect immediately. However, the staffing levels have not been restored to pre-pandemic numbers.
Southwest Airlines, historically known for its strict control over the distribution of its schedules and fares, has recently expanded its presence on online travel platforms. The airline, which previously only allowed fare information on its own website, now permits Google Flights and Kayak to display its schedules and prices.
Passengers on board Alaska Airlines flight 3492, operated by regional partner SkyWest, experienced an unexpected diversion that left many puzzled. The flight departed from San Francisco bound for Jackson Hole, Wyoming, but was rerouted to Salt Lake City when the pilot revealed he wasn’t qualified to land at the destination airport.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has acknowledged that its new Analogic screening machines are causing significant delays at airport security checkpoints. These machines, which use 3D imaging technology, were intended to expedite the screening process by reducing the need for manual inspections. However, a software glitch has resulted in increased manual interventions.
Beware of searching for airline phone numbers on Google, as scam travel agencies have corrupted the results. Passengers who believe they are contacting their airline may end up being charged for services that should be free, such as rebooking a canceled flight or securing seat assignments.
God Save The Points has highlighted 19 food experiences to try before you die. While many of these recommendations are commendable, some personal suggestions and comments on the list have been added.
A man narrowly avoided a tragic fate when he missed a flight that subsequently crashed in Vinhedo, São Paulo, Brazil. The individual was prevented from boarding the plane due to his late arrival. Despite initially arguing with the gate agent, he later embraced the agent upon learning of the crash.
In 1997, after earning elite status with United Airlines, a traveler experienced an upgraded flight from Los Angeles to Washington Dulles where lunch was served in courses. The meal included an almond-dusted shrimp appetizer, a steak entrée, and dessert.
There is one food that should never be served at an airport, especially before passengers board a plane where their stomachs will be subject to the vagaries of air pressure. Despite this, a decade ago Washington’s National Airport opened a Ben’s Chili Bowl, and now the idea is spreading.
A Renegade Air Dash-8 with 38 passengers and crew aboard made a successful belly landing after the gear was mostly torn off when it struck a dyke on takeoff from Maban in South Sudan. With portions of the long gear struts dangling from the nacelles, the aircraft continued to Malakal. The plane went into a holding pattern at Malakal to burn off fuel, and all 38 people were evacuated from the plane when it finished its slide.
A Skywest pilot informed passengers that he was not qualified to land the E175 aircraft at Jackson Hole, resulting in a diversion to Salt Lake City. The flight, operating as Alaska Airlines Flight 3491, departed from San Francisco as scheduled but spent several hours on the ground in Salt Lake City while another pilot was arranged to complete the journey.