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One Air Travel Expert Weighs in on Flight Cancellations

by www.chron.com Leave a Comment

If you’ve been following the current state of air travel, you might have noticed that a lot of flights are being canceled these days. A certain number of cancellations are to be expected due to factors beyond anyone’s control, but the extent to which travelers’ schedules have been regularly disrupted this summer points to something much larger afoot. a new piece for The Atlantic , Derek Thompson spoke with Scott Keyes of Scott’s Cheap Flights , who offered an expert perspective on the industry’s problems. The Atlantic . “So when travel demand started rebounding much quicker than they anticipated, the airlines were caught flat-footed.”

Further complicating matters, Keyes said, is the fact that neither training pilots nor building passenger jets is an especially rapid process.

One of the most interesting statistics Keyes cited has to do with the way in which air travel is rebounding. “Leisure travel has fully rebounded, whereas business travel is still down 30 percent,” he said. That has its own set of cascading effects, from making security lines longer to benefitting the budget airlines that focus on leisure travelers. The Atlantic . “They’re just gone for this summer.” Which is encouraging for fall and winter travelers — unless, of course, the colder weather brings another big pandemic surge.

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The post One Air Travel Expert Weighs in on Flight Cancellations appeared first on InsideHook .

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For India’s airlines, the battle this time is over time, not price

by www.rediff.com Leave a Comment

Competition is intense and with the blurring of differences in service proposition and fares, it becomes imperative that airlines use their on-time performance for messaging and brand building.

A new battle has broken out in Indian skies and this time the fight is over punctuality and not the ticket price.

Airlines are promoting their on-time performance (OTP) records and also taking potshots at each other with equal measure in a bid to lure to customers and grab market share.

Interestingly, as it would seem from the war of words that has broken out between the airlines, time has emerged as the biggest differentiator among brands.

Given the high degree of commoditisation, where every player uses price to lure customers, time helps add value to the brand.

The domestic air travel market is growing at over 20 per cent and is fuelled by both corporate and leisure travel. Competition is intense and with the blurring of differences in service proposition and fares, it becomes imperative that airlines use their on-time performance for messaging and brand building.

Earlier in the month SpiceJet released print and television advertisements celebrating its achievement of clocking the best on-time performance in November.

Business travellers value on-time flights and the promotions were perhaps meant to attract a lucrative category of customers into their fold. But in this case the advertising is causing acrimony too as it hit a raw nerve with rival Indigo.

Since inception IndiGo has carved out a brand reputation of being an on-time airline which has been in sync with its low-cost discipline.

However in recent months its punctuality slipped below its rivals. IndiGo did not specifically name SpiceJet but it raised a storm of questions about the on-time performance calculation methodology in India and said the process is prone to fudging.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is now reviewing the process.

I ndiGo’s complaint has also led to a debate in aviation circles on how airline punctuality is measured and tracked. For instance, the DGCA releases airline punctuality data of only four airports (Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad) giving an incomplete picture of an airline’s performance.

Also the global indicators of on-time performance are not universally applied in the domestic space. Globally, a flight departure or arrival is considered on-time if it occurs within fifteen minutes of the scheduled time.

Several factors come in play while measuring and comparing OTP of different airlines – fleet size, airport infrastructure, stage length of flights (whether an airline flies more long-haul or short-haul flights).

Step away from the war of words over numbers say brand experts who ask two important questions. How do airlines manage customer expectations? And is punctuality an equally important factor as price?

“Price is important but it is not the only factor. Business travellers can be influenced by frequent flyer programmes, fast track security can be important, priority boarding can be valuable. But above all consumers are looking for a recognition of their value.

Punctuality is increasingly a key attribute as is being informed in a timely manner,” said Mark Clarkson, executive vice president (product development) of OAG, an air travel intelligence company.

Earlier this month OAG released a list of top twenty punctual airlines in 2016 and it was led by Hawaiian Airlines, Copa Airlines and KLM.

Another organisation, FlightStats, too released a similar report and stirred up a fresh controversy after it revealed Air India had the third-worst on-time performance in the world.

Air India complained that such a description tarnished its image and the agency clarified it only announced top ten punctual airlines and the list of worst airlines was a journalistic interpretation of the available data.

A re the airlines over reacting? “Statistics do not determine an individual experience. On a particular day the most punctual airline can have its flights delayed.

Passengers these days are looking for a sum total experience. A good OTP is a given. By advertising its OTP SpiceJet is targeting IndiGo customers. I do not think this can be a long-term strategy and the focus should be on overall improvement in customer experience,” said N Chandramouli, CEO of brand insight company TRA Research.

A Vistara spokesperson said that OTP is a basic hygiene factor that is expected of any airline. The spokesperson added that the airline’s entire efforts are devoted towards offering seamless experience to its customers by building highly efficient touch points right from booking a ticket to onboard experience and on to baggage claim.

Ajay Singh, chairperson of SpiceJet says, “OTP and reliability are key factors. The more you increase reliability, the better it is for consumers.”

“For first time air travellers and holiday makers from India, it’s the price that will be the primary consideration while booking. For slightly mature as well as business travellers, OTP will be critical and they will make choices basis the reputation of the airline.

For the evolved consumer, service and the overall experience in the flight will be the key determinant while making bookings. India has a higher mix of the first and the second category currently, with very few who focus on the service as a primary factor. OTP is most critical for corporate travellers residing in metro cities,” said Manmeet Ahluwalia, marketing head of Expedia India.

Akasa Air takes delivery of first aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX

by www.rediff.com Leave a Comment

Ace investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-promoted Akasa Air’s first aircraft Boeing 737 MAX arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday, bringing it closer to securing the mandatory Air Operator Permit to start operations.

Boeing

The airline had received the ceremonial keys for the aircraft in Seattle, the US, on June 15, Akasa Air said in a statement.

This is the first delivery out of the 72 Boeing 737 Max planes that Akasa Air placed an order with Boeing last November.

“Akasa Air today, welcomed the arrival of the first of its 72 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, in the presence of its leadership team,” the airline said in the statement.

“The arrival of our first aircraft is a very happy moment for all of us and marks an important milestone, bringing us closer to our vision of building India’s greenest, most dependable, and most affordable airline,” said Vinay Dube, founder, managing director and chief executive officer, Akasa Air.

Akasa Air is a prime example of the progress made by Indian aviation in recent years, he said, adding “this is not just a significant milestone for us and Indian aviation, but it’s the story of a new India”.

Boeing is proud to partner with Akasa Air as they embark on their journey towards making air travel inclusive and affordable for all, said Boeing India president Salil Gupte.

“India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and offers enormous growth and productivity opportunities for the aviation industry.

“We are excited that the advanced 737 MAX will help Akasa Air drive efficiencies in business and operations while providing its customers with a superior flying experience,” he added.

I’m a travel expert – here’s how to cut your boarding time at airports

by www.thesun.co.uk Leave a Comment

QUEUEING at airports is one of the few downsides to going on holiday.

A trip away should be about relaxing, but actually getting on the plane can often be a slow and stressful process, particularly at the moment with continuing travel chaos .

However, a travel expert has revealed a handy hint that could help passengers speed up their boarding and cut the amount of time they spend waiting in line.

Jane Hawkes, a former flight attendant and consumer expert, explained to holidaymakers how some tactical queueing could get them on the plane and into their seat quicker .

She told The Express that lining up next to business class passengers could lead to a faster boarding time.

She said: “Opt for the check-in desk nearest to business class because they’ll probably have a shorter queue at business class.

“There’s a chance that if that queue empties quicker, they will wave you over because they want to speed up that check-in process.

“They’re not there just to separate passengers .”

Hawkes also revealed how to get through security gates quicker as well, by being properly prepared to pass through monitors.

Her recommendation is to remove anything that will set off the detectors as soon as possible to prevent hold ups.

She also said that using the airport’s see-through plastic bags for liquids was a good idea, to make sure they were up to the expected standard.

Hawkes is not the only flight attendant to have provided information on how to speed up boarding for passengers before.

Earlier this year, Glenn Reuben, a flight attendant for more than 30 years , revealed why passengers should wait until they’re flying before asking for things from the cabin crew.

Glenn shared his frustration on question and answer site Quora .

He wrote: “During boarding , if you need a sip of water ‘for a pill’ or because you are ‘so thirsty’, please use the water fountains in the boarding area.

“During boarding, the company comes down on the crew and agents very hard about on time departures.

“During the boarding process we are verifying catering supplies, inventorying special meals and setting up for the service.

“We are finding storage spaces for passengers and coordinating passengers’ seating.

“Ten minutes before departure , all bags must be stowed and passengers seated so that the door can be closed.

“Bottom line – we don’t find it cute, when you stop us from what we’re doing to crack open the seals on the water and cups for a single glass of water.”

If anyone is after a drink on a plane, this flight attendant has revealed how to get one for free .

Meanwhile, another cabin crew member revealed exactly how much personal information they know about each of their passengers .

Delta Air Lines Passenger Accused of Groping a Girl, Then Blaming the Ambien

by www.thedailybeast.com Leave a Comment

A California man sexually assaulted a young girl while her mother sat nearby during an overnight flight from Los Angeles to Orlando, then groped a woman who came to the child’s aid, prosecutors say—but the 51-year-old suspect claims the Ambien made him do it.

Brian Patrick Durning was arrested Friday by federal agents who met Delta Air Lines flight 2954 at Orlando International Airport after it landed at 7:32 a.m., according to a criminal complaint first obtained by The Daily Beast . He has since been banned from Delta, a company spokesperson said in an email.

Durning, who lives in the L.A. suburb of Altadena, was in an aisle seat directly next to the alleged victim, who is described in court filings as older than 12 but younger than 16. The girl’s mother, who, like her, is not identified in the complaint, was seated elsewhere due to “reservation issues,” it states.

After the flight took off, Durning ordered an alcoholic beverage, according to the complaint. His accuser, who is referred to as “MV” in court filings, for “Minor Victim,” was in a middle seat, to Durning’s right.

“After consuming the drink, Durning began to cough and sneeze on MV,” the complaint continues. “At some point thereafter, Durning began to touch MV’s hair and neck. He also tried to put his arm around MV. When he did so, MV tried to lean away from Durning.”

Durning, who works in the fitness industry, according to public records, then reached over with his right hand to “touch [MV’s] inner left thigh, moving her thigh toward him, as he called her ‘honey-boo,’” the complaint says. “He then started to move his hand up her inner left thigh toward her groin area.” Durning then allegedly penetrated MV “over her clothing,” according to the filing.

A woman sitting on the other side of MV was asleep during the alleged assault and did not witness it directly, she later told investigators. However, when she woke up and glanced over to her left, “S.J.,” as she is referred to in the complaint, “saw Durning quickly move his right hand away from inside MV’s thigh.”

“S.J. asked MV, ‘Did he touch you?’ and MV responded affirmatively,” the complaint states, noting that MV was “shaking and crying at that time.”

S.J. then switched seats with MV, putting herself between the girl and Durning. She notified a flight attendant about what was happening, and called for MV’s mom, who was two rows forward.

“S.J. told Durning not to talk to MV ‘because you’re scaring her,’” the complaint says. “At that time, Durning attempted to touch S.J.’s breast.”

When MV’s mother stood up and turned back to see what was going on, she said she saw her daughter mouth the words, “He touched me,” according to the complaint. As she walked back to confront Durning, she noticed that his pants were unzipped, it alleges.

“Shortly thereafter, a flight attendant reassigned seats to remove Durning from MV’s presence,” the complaint explains.

Upon arrival, a federal air marshal at the Orlando airport interviewed Durning, who said he had had “one or two beers” before boarding the plane.

“Durning stated that during the flight, he took an Ambien pill and had one glass of white wine,” the complaint concludes. “Durning stated that he fell asleep. He stated that the next thing he remembered was someone waking him up and asking him to switch seats.”

So far this year, the FAA has received some 1,542 reports of unruly passengers, or about 1.7 incidents for every 10,000 flights, according to the agency’s most recent data . Of those, 80 cases have been referred to the FBI for criminal review . In April, as first reported by The Daily Beast, Southwest passenger Antonio Sherrodd McGarity was accused of masturbating a whopping four times during a short flight from Seattle to Phoenix. The airline subsequently banned him for life.

Durning is charged with committing a crime aboard an aircraft in flight, and abusive sexual contact involving young children. He was released pending trial by a judge on Friday, and surrendered his passport. Durning must undergo alcohol testing and treatment, be home between 9 p.m. and 6:30 a.m., and have no contact with minors unless a “responsible adult” is also present, according to the court’s conditions of release .

“Delta continues to cooperate with law enforcement in this matter,” Delta spokesperson Morgan Durrant told The Daily Beast in an email. “We have zero tolerance for this type of alleged behavior on our flights and at our airports and the charged individual is no longer welcome to fly Delta.”

Durning’s court-appointed lawyer, Nicole Mouakar, did not immediately respond to The Daily Beast’s request for comment.