The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the global travel landscape, and U.S. no-frills airline carriers are pouncing. As legacy airlines shrink to contain costs, budget carriers Spirit Airlines, Allegiant Travel, and privately-owned Frontier Airlines are resuming pilot hiring and expanding networks to seize turf dominated by larger rivals. The three airlines’ combined U.S. market share, which barely topped 10% before the pandemic, could grow by 10 percentage points this year alone, said René Armas Maes of UK-based consultancy MIDAS Aviation. “Ultra-low-cost carriers want to attack head-to-head; they believe they’re in a better position to rebuild travel demand,” he said. Las Vegas-based Allegiant has told prospective pilots whose hiring was halted as the pandemic unfolded: “We have recalled all of our furloughed pilots and are now planning for exciting growth opportunities.” Spirit and Frontier have posted pilot job ads. They are taking delivery of Airbus A320neo jets that could … [Read more...] about US budget airlines predict pandemic breakthrough soon
Customer service airlines
Southwest Airlines adds free Beats Music streaming to its list of perks
Beats Music is getting some promotional support from an unlikely source: Southwest Airlines. The Dallas-based budget airline is now throwing in free Beats streaming complete with curated playlists to round out its on-board entertainment options. Southwest is known for its low prices and perks like free checked bags. Now the airline is throwing in free Beats Music on its in-flight Wi-Fi, which is also free if you’re using it to stream songs. The subscription-only Beats is normally $9.99 a month, so the partnership opens up the service to a new audience as Apple seeks to rebrand it. The deal includes hundreds of curated playlists that Beats Music subscribers already know and love, plus the service’s unique fill-in-the-blank feature, The Sentence. It creates a custom playlist for you based on what you’re doing, where you are, taste in music, and more. You get to fill in that sentence, Mad Libs-style. While Southwest doesn’t offer TVs, you can use your own devices to access the … [Read more...] about Southwest Airlines adds free Beats Music streaming to its list of perks
Top 10 things that changed in Thailand during the Covid outbreak
Things have changed. In some cases they’ve changed a lot and may never be the same again. Many people are suffering as a result of the impacts of lockdowns and the border closures. Entire industries, like aviation and entertainment, have been profoundly affected. Some people are being forced to re-invent their lives as a result. Fears over Covid-19 are causing people to change their habits and re-evaluate their lives. Here are some of the main things we believe have changed since January this year. Face Masks The now ever-present face mask will be with us for a long time. In Asia, it was never uncommon to see people wearing face masks for traffic, air pollution, fears of disease or just as a fashion statement. In the Covid-era, mask wearing will now just become part of what we wear when in public spaces. When we leave home we’ll check if we have our keys, our wallet AND our face mask. Even when the government relaxes the current laws about the wearing of face masks, most … [Read more...] about Top 10 things that changed in Thailand during the Covid outbreak
3 New Mac Ads Start Airing Featuring an Apple Genius
Apple has started airing three new Mac ads that focus on an Apple Store Genius who is called upon in three unusual circumstances. The TV spots started during the Olympic games and are quite unlike other ads Apple has put out recently . For the longstanding Apple users and technically inclined amongst us, they come across as quirky and even awkward, but it’s obvious the target audience here isn’t loyal Apple customers. Instead, the commercials are aimed at swaying newcomers to the Mac platform who haven’t yet experienced the convenience and ease of owning a Mac, or the excellent and savvy customer service the Genius Bar provides at Apple Store locations. The three new commercials are embedded below to watch, or see them on Apple.com : “Laborday” – the genius is awoken in the middle of the night with an unusual request: “Mayday” – the Apple genius assists an airline passenger with some tasks: “Basically” – features a guy talking to the genius about his PC … [Read more...] about 3 New Mac Ads Start Airing Featuring an Apple Genius
Covid-19: Expect flight cancellations from Monday, Air New Zealand says
Air New Zealand is set to cancel several flights in and out of Auckland as the city settles into the latest level 3 lockdown. Level 3 restrictions took effect in Auckland from 6am on Sunday , while the rest of the country moved into level 2 after the discovery of two new community cases. The restrictions will be in place for seven days. There were lengthy delays at Auckland Airport’s domestic terminal on Sunday as travellers attempted to leave the city. Air New Zealand said on Sunday its normal scheduled currently remained in place for those needing to get back to their homes, but was already cancelling flights for the week ahead. READ MORE: Covid-19 seven-day lockdown: What travellers need to know Live: Queues at Auckland airport and border as Covd-19 alert level 3 sets in Covid-19: Big schedule of major events cancelled due to community coronavirus case “A number of flights on our domestic network have been cancelled from Monday in response to reduced demand … [Read more...] about Covid-19: Expect flight cancellations from Monday, Air New Zealand says