Good Sign for the Airline Industry

The airline business must be doing well. 3.5% on an unsecured loan is a great rate.  United had trouble with secured loans at 12% only a few years ago.

WestJet is Canada's Southwest

CALGARY, June 13, 2016 /CNW/ - WestJet Airlines Ltd. (TSX:WJA) today announced that it has priced an offering of US$400 million aggregate principal amount of 3.50% senior unsecured notes due June 16, 2021 (the "Notes"). The offering is expected to close on or about June 16, 2016. WestJet intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, which includes the purchase of aircraft.

Happy Weekend

United is running a sale for European award flights in coach - only 45,000 round trip. The big caveat is that all travel must be on United.  The sale is for premier status members with the Chase Visa card.  I'll pass.

Limited Destinations and Lousy Seats in Back

Fun Spotting

I enjoy airport hotels with a view of the field, so the Sheraton Providence Airport was enjoyable.  Here's an extra view from the room photo.

I Can't Quite Tell The State

Southwest 1027 - Nice Paint

I had some fun spotting at my hotel yesterday. I also had my scanner going and enjoyed the ATC comment "Southwest 1027 - nice paint."

Southwest 737-300 Leaving PVD

Hertz Rental Email

This is my first Hertz rental confirmation email. I'm not sure if this is new or I just never signed up, but it's reassuring to see when landing that your car is waiting.  It's also nice to know you can, in theory, change from a Chrysler minivan. Sadly there were no lateral moves offered and the Gold Choice area was cleaned out.

Nice New Feature

South African Airways’ Business Class Was Cool

South African Airways introduced the Airbus A340-600 in 2003. An obsolete jet now (the world prefers two engines); it was the height of innovation 12 years ago.  The interior was also state of the art with 42 angled flat seats in business class and 275 seats in coach. Every seat came with its own on demand video screen.  The A340 has an impressive range and can route anywhere because it isn’t bound by ETOPS restrictions.  

Upright Business Class Seat

Think back and recall what other airlines were flying in 2003.  United’s 777 flagship aircraft featured Lazy Boy style recliners in business class and a TV with 9 channels of looping video content. First class was a flat bed with on demand video because a flight attendant brought around video tape cartridges for the system.  ATA was an airline and flying L-1011’s while Northwest was going strong.  SAA looked like a cool foreign carrier with a top notch product.

Seat Fully Flat

Leg Room in Row 1

The average onboard experience has progressed in the last decade and SAA’s aircraft feels antiquated.  Flat beds not parallel to the floor are being removed and direct aisle access is the new norm.  The seats onboard are in good shape and reasonably comfortable.  Everything works as designed, TV’s were thicker and fuzzier back then, and there were no personal space issues even with a full business class cabin.

Breakfast 10 Hours After Take Off

Dinner Immediately After Take Off

I did enjoy my 11 hour flight from Perth to Johannesburg. The service and catering were great.  Dinner and breakfast were both satisfying and the wine list was wonderful.  I was easily able to sleep for 6+ hours and left the aircraft relaxed, rested, and excited for my wine tour the next day. The ground experience in JNB left much to be desired, but that’s a story for later.

United Bonus Miles

An exclusive offer, just for you: Fly your way to 50,000 bonus award miles

My travel is way down this year and I received an email from United offering me 50,000 bonus miles if I spend $6,500 on airfare flown before November 30.  I don’t know if others are getting emails like this and what their targets are, but keep your eyes open for an offer to your inbox. This all seems to follow United’s new “what have you spend lately” take on loyalty.

Spending Milestones

Upgrades are more Difficult These Days