
Empty flights typically suck, but sometime airlines still fly them and make money doing so.







Also in this episode:




* Ghost flights’: Qatar Airways flying near-empty planes in Australia to exploit legal loophole



* DOH-PHL/JFK Update



* NTSB report on UA 777 Maui climb-out issue



* Mexicana relaunch coming next month



* DOT extends N90 slot waivers



* US-China frequencies increasing



* Yet another Frontier Go Wild pass option




For our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:




* Air India rebranding, including new seats



* More 767s Moving



* Air Peace to Antigua




And plenty more. Enjoy the show!



 

DLD 445: Ghosts in the sky

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Technology

Tech News

Podcasting

Gadgets

Software How-To

Aviation

Games & Hobbies

Leisure


Why do executives have so much trouble making tough decisions? Or are they just blind to the challenges?







Also in this episode:




* Qantas shifting capacity from Shanghai to Philippines [while Philippines Airlines is forced to lease Wamos Air A330s]



* New Frontier model



* Automated Singapore immigration is now open to all



* Austrian’s 787s are not quite ready



* DCA slots from the FAA bill



* Swiss completes AeroSHARK rollout (More on AeroSHARK)




For our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:




* Breeze Adventures



* Boeing’s annual meeting



* United can (maybe?) resume growth, but trimming Australia ops next Winter



* Lisbon might get a new airport in 2034



* A few bits from AvFest Americas



* Fozz loves O’Hare




And plenty more. Enjoy the show!

DLD 484: Board games


Is change good? Is it bad? Should you get a refund? Or fly the new routes? Come join us for these conversations and more…







Also in this episode:




* DOT Rules and Schedule Changes



* Updated Lufthansa Group/ITA proposal for merger remedies



* JetBlue’s new SJU routes and Mint moves (plus some cuts, too)



* Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport's new terminal: When it will be built and how big it will be



* Delta adds the CRJ550 to its fleet (some Scope Clause details)



* DOJ has until August 5th to decide on AS/HA merger



* Expectations on domestic carriers and the gap between LCCs and full service



* Dorkfest and Braniff Show




For our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:




* MHT-GSP on Avelo



* New Zoom airlines (previously dubbed Air Flo)



* AI for airlines: Alaska Airlines Tests AI for Loyalty and Flight Search, United integrating into SHARES




And plenty more. Enjoy the show!

DLD 483: Change is coming


Who will be the first to fly the A321XLR? And when will the 777X ever fly? At least now we have some A350 confirmed flight times and an A380 on the move…







Also in this episode:




* Aer Lingus confirms it won’t be launch customer for new Airbus XLR jet 



* Lufty now sees 2026 for 777X



* TPA-AMS coming back on DL in October (A333)



* Bonza is dead in Australia amid fraud claims against 777 Partners 



* Global’s A380 made it to Europe



* Qantas settles with regulators over selling already canceled flights



* Emirates announces A350 routes



* Spirit sees a need to pivot the on-board product



* Frontier adds Frontera as a brand name, but probably not tortas on board




For our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:




* Boite Noire



* United’s App Update



* Boeing locked out its firefighters, while WestJet reached a TA with maintenance techs



* Southwest is bringing back last-minute fare sales, or maybe not



* Southwest should buy Breeze to solve its missing MAX 7 problem



* BermudAir’s funky bond



* €50mn Push for more Chunnel traffic



* “Bubble” concept for views from a plane




And plenty more. Enjoy the show!

DLD 482: Plane problems


Regulators are forcing airlines to do good things for passengers, which is refreshing. Plus maybe a new Dubai airport a decade from now, and lots more.







Also in this episode:




* New DOT rules on refunds for changed/canceled flights



* Airline systems still have a two-digit year problem



* New IFE on JetBlue tries for real personalization



* AA, WN both lost money in Q1



* IndiGo A350 order



* Avianca brings back biz on A320neo fleet



* Ethiopian adds ATH-WAW, but no local traffic rights



* Listener Q about the terrible experience at AUS



* Is DWC really finally going to be built and Emirates move there?



* You might want to delete your OpenTable reviews



* JetBlue’s anti-union play



* Austrian puts the 787 on BER/FRA from 17 May, adds DUS 17 June, before TATL comes over the summer




For our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:




* United finally refunded the Chase UR points for phantom inventory



* United charter with pax on flight deck



* New T&Cs; for travel to the T&Cs;



* States Attorneys General get power to investigate airlines



* Beregional might be a (very stupid) thing



* Avelo adding MIA-MCO



* Maybe bags passing to final destination for inbounds from Japan



* Beond 5th freedom rights on ZRH-DWC




And plenty more. Enjoy the show!

DLD 481: A dash of regulatory oversight


Aircraft orders shifting, service types are switching, and one major airport is underwater in this week's show.







Also in this episode:




* Spirit fleet deferrals



* United’s earnings, fleet adjustments, and eventually segmented “Polaris Plus”



* American’s Flagship Business Preferred



* Provo is American’s Future – Cranky Flier



* Aegean A321LR play



* Norse to CPT




For our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:




* CapOne travel portal



* Allegiant trip report (and mess of buying the tickets)



* DXB storm and recovery




And plenty more. Enjoy the show!

DLD 445: Ghosts in the sky

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