American Airlines fails loyalty test

 

Are you an American Airlines frequent flyer who buys basic economy tickets?

The airline does not give a damn about your loyalty

American Airlines this week quietly ended the ability for customers traveling on basic economy tickets to earn miles and status as it chases more high-revenue flyers.

Basic economy tickets are the airline's most restrictive and already do not allow for changes or seat selection.

American customers with elite frequent flyer status who are flying on basic economy tickets will still be eligible for domestic upgrades.

So the airline only wants to reward its big spenders.

"We routinely evaluate our fare products to remain competitive in the marketplace," the airline said in a statement. 

"Customers who purchase a basic economy ticket on December 17, 2025, and beyond will not earn AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points towards AAdvantage status. 

"Basic economy customers will continue to receive one free personal item and one free carry-on bag, free snacks, soft drinks and in-flight entertainment."

No surprise that no spokesperson wanted to put their name to that slap down of regular flyers. 

Basic economy tickets are airlines' cheapest but most restrictive fares, rolled out across the industry over the past decade. 

Generally, they do not allow customers to change their tickets without fees, or pick their seats in advance.

More air routes between New Zealand and the US

American Airlines has announced a new seasonal service linking Auckland with Los Angeles for the southern hemisphere summer.

Launching on December 21, the new route marks the airline’s second Auckland route. It launched Dallas/Fort Worth New Zealand flights in late 2022.

The introduction of LAX flights is part of American Airlines’ focus on strengthening its Asia-Pacific footprint, Travel Mole reported.

“The response we had from the New Zealand public when we returned last year was overwhelmingly positive,” said Kyle Mabry, VP of Operations, EMEA & APAC.

“Working closely again with our partmers, we aim to provide customers with a sustainable, seamless travel experience.”

The southern hemisphere daily service from LAX will operate until March 3 using a Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

American also offers a codeshare service between Auckland and LAX operated by oneworld alliance partner Qantas.

When you wee with nowhere to flee

There has been another case of aviation urination - this time on an American Airlines flight.

In an incident the US media dubbed "pee-gate" the American carrier jhas banned an Indian traveller after he allegedly urinated on a seat in mid flight between New York and New Delhi.

Travel Mole reported that Indian student Arya Vohra allegedly urinated in his seat and on a fellow passenger while in a drunken state, local media reported.

The US airline said the passenger was "heavily intoxicated" and failed to follow crew instructions.

The man seated next to him complained, and Vohra then apologised.

The other passenger declined to take the matter further.

The incident was reported to the pilot, however, and Vohra was taken into custody on arrival in Delhi.

“He was repeatedly arguing with the crew, was not willing to be seated and continuously endangering safety,” the airline said.

“After disturbing the safety of fellow passengers, he finally urinated on a passenger.”

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) were informed and Vohra was later released on bail. 

The incident came just months after another similar incident when a drunk passenger urinated on a 72-year old woman in Air India business class.

Look out - that plane is about to hit us

An American Airlines plane collided with a shuttle bus on the tarmac at Los Angeles International Airport over the weekend - leaving five people injured.

The weekend incident saw four of those people taken to hospital.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident, local media reported.

American Airlines said the bus “made physical contact with an American Airlines aircraft that was being towed from a gate to a remote parking location on the airfield.”

There were no passengers on the plane at the time of the collision. The bus suffered damage including a broken windscreen.

Planes generally have right of way at airports and all other vehicles are expected to yield to them.

It was the third close call at a US airport in the past week, media reports said.