New Southwest Seats

Southwest is introducing new seats on the 737 fleet and are touting them as the widest coach seats on any 737 in service.  They did not mention the actual width, so I suspect they are less than 18in wide, the Airbus A320 family standard.  Wider seats are nice, but Boeing widening the 737 air-frame to accommodate 18in wide seats would be much better, but will never happen do to costs.

Good News For Southwest Regulars

Delta Ready For Anything

While very bored at AUS, I noticed Delta had tug tow bars sitting around the gate area for five different aircraft families, from CRJ to 757/767.  Delta wants to be prepared even though some of these are rarely, if ever, used.  Southwest only needs one for all their aircraft, so this is a good example of the value of fleet planning.

Delta Ready For Anything

Changes Coming to IHG Rewards Club in 2015

I picked up the IHG credit card from Chase recently so I could get a free night and top tier Platinum status for a $49 annual fee.  There are also bonus points to be collected, but I won’t spend anything on it later because the earn rate is pathetic.  I liked this plan and shared it with friends. 

I Mostly Have Airplane Photos

This morning I read an email from IHG announcing changes to the program.  I will no longer have top level status because “beginning in July, we’ll introduce a brand-new membership level for our members who stay with us the most.”  This is immensely frustrating because I was paying $49 to be on the top level.  I’ll keep the card for the free night and, soon, midrange status, but I’ll less likely to recommend it to anyone.  Also points will expire after 12 months of inactivity.  If this is a worry, sign up for the IHG dinning points program and you’ll be fine.  

Book British Airways Avios Awards Now

Spend your British Airways Avios on premium cabin awards now!  Award prices become ludicrous on April 27th and there is likely to be a mad dash for award space just before the prices change, so booking will be almost impossible after April 20th.  You can also save your Avios for short direct flights in coach, but that's not inspirational and won't make a good story.

Book While It's Still Worth While

Bad Email Subject Lines - ANA Edition

"ANA's Website will be simple and easy to use!"  This isn't the best email subject line in 2015.  I would expect that from any website, especially for a respected multinational brand that advertises in The Economist.  Maybe something was lost in translation?

ANA Does Run A Good Operation, With a Great Product

Airbus Shop Sale - 40% Off

A 1:100 scale PacMin A319 delivered to the USA for less than €200 is a great deal.  Shirts, stickers, and other models are also on sale.  Orders to the USA have VAT removed, but the shipping charges are high, so it's a wash.  Good deals though, especially with the cheap Euro.

1:1 Scale Airbus Model, Not On Sale

Update:  The store selection and frequent sales makes feel like Airbus isn't renewing this group's contract.  Maybe there will be a new and better store soon, I just hope they keep the custom A380 t-shirt.

I Wonder What's Beyond This Fence

I drove 1,200 miles last weekend to visit a radioactive hole in the ground. There was a large crowd that outnumbered off site protesters about 400:1 and it was an interesting continuation of my nuclear weapons tourism. It was really fun!

Let's See What's On The Other Side

White Sands Missile Range Landscape

Me at Ground Zero