Downgraded: Prospects for carrying on liquids in the European Union
While the European Union’s European Commission is aiming to allow you to carry on liquids again — as we reported back in October — airports and airlines are actually fighting the EC and lobbying to keep the nearly five-year liquid restrictions in carry-on luggage:

In recent months, trade groups representing hundreds of airports and dozens of airlines have quietly stepped up the pressure on the European Commission to abandon its plan for a gradual easing of restrictions. From April 29, the change would allow passengers passing through Europe from a third country to carry liquids, aerosols and gels purchased either at an airport duty-free shop or on board a non-European airline. They are calling instead for the ban to remain in place until 2013, when Brussels has vowed to eliminate all cabin restrictions on such goods.

“The existing technology is not fit for the purpose,” said Olivier Jankovec, the director general of the Airports Council International Europe, a lobbying group based in Brussels that represents more than 400 airports. “We risk paralyzing the big hubs.”
[...]
But the intense lobbying has so far failed to sway the commission, which committed two years ago to simplifying the often onerous security screening process. It remains a source of frustration for passengers who are forced to jettison drink containers, toothpaste, skin creams and even jars of marmalade before boarding planes.

Aides to Siim Kallas, the European transportation commissioner, said he remained unconvinced by the industry’s arguments and was satisfied by the performance standards set by European regulators for liquid-explosive detectors. Moreover, they said, the numbers of transfer passengers likely to be affected by this first phase of the plan should be manageable.

Upgraded: AA miles on Facebook
It’s a spin of the wheel, essentially, but you could earn a random number of American AAdvantage miles — between 100 and 1,000,000 — if you “like” the AAdvantage program on their Facebook page. I think these “like” campaigns are kind of lame, but hey, if you’re a Facebooker, have some free miles. Full details here.

Upgraded: Atlanta Braves parking for Delta SkyMiles Medallion members
I guess this is a thinking-outside-the-box perk for upper-tier Delta elite frequent fliers: Medallion-level members get access to a special parking area within the Green Lot for Atlanta Braves games at Turner Field. It’s not free parking — normal rates apply. I’ve never been to a game at Turner Field, but the Green Lot looks like it’s as convenient as it’s going to get.

Upgraded: Taiwanese analysis of American aviation
For those who appreciate the kitschy animations of global news by the Taiwanese animators at Next Media Animation, please enjoy this cartoon analysis of American aviation’s obsession with fees. Note the not-so-subtle digs at the age of U.S. flight attendants (ouch) and the ragging on US Airways in particular, going so far as to use their logo. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the video celebrates the triumphant Asian airline industry, singling out Cathay Pacific. Who knows, maybe Cathay paid for this episode. Watch it below.

Every few years, an airline comes up with the bright idea to ship high rollers to Vegas on classed-up scheduled service. “They’re big spenders! They’ll want to fly on limited-service commercial airlines, rather than on private jets!” Every time it’s offered up, it fails. (MGM Grand Air, anyone?)

And yet, like a zombie, this idea keeps coming back, hungry for the brains (and dollars) of investors.

So, once again, and yet, for the first time, the Las Vegas Sun reports that a startup, LV Air, is planning to fly four Boeing 767s between New York JFK and Las Vegas.

Some of this is actually interesting and creative. For example:

• The airline promises “straight to the room” baggage service. When passengers check a suitcase in New York, they won’t have to lug it from the baggage carousel to the hotel. It will be waiting for them in their hotel rooms.

• At flight check-in, passengers will get hotel front desk service, including room keys and have access to a 24-hour concierge line.

Not bad. I assume there’s no luggage fee, either.

Other features are more creepy than interesting:

• Smart-phone recognition software will be programmed so that front desk, limousine staff and club hosts will know immediately when a guest is within 100 feet of the front desk or entrance.

And then there’s the just plain weird:

• Onboard safety briefings will given by recorded holographic images of Las Vegas celebrities. Smith said iconic celebrities, living or dead, could present messages with that technology.

I think every airline should offer Liberace-themed holographic in-flight announcements.

And the airline’s model for filling seats?:

Smith plans to contract with casino companies to buy seats on the planes and give them to their best customers. The airline would reciprocate by feeding casinos its database of new customers reached in the New York area.

It’s nice that someone is thinking outside the box, and is looking to improve service. But will this ever work? I suspect that between the competition from private aviation and from commercial airlines (and their loyalty programs), this startup is going to get its block knocked off. Color me skeptical. Am I missing something?

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You’ve seen the cage-like hand luggage measuring stations in airports, I’m sure. On occasion, you’ve probably been asked to test your carry-on in one of these boxes right before entering the jetway.

If your bag fits in the box, your carry-on is of approved size. If it’s too big, you either pay a fee or check the bag, depending on which airline you’re flying, and in which country.

Well, British discount airline (and bmi subsidiary) bmibaby has apparently been messing with their gauges. And (gasp!), the discrepancy in measurement is not in the passenger’s favor.

A leading budget airline may have unfairly charged thousands of passengers because its measuring devices for hand luggage were too small.

Customers of bmibaby were routinely asked at departure gates to put their hand luggage in a metal cage to ensure it met size restrictions.

Many failed the test and had to put the bags into the hold at a cost of £60 for a return flight.

Just delightful. The airline imposes the fee, then puts its thumb on the scale to ensure that it’s collecting some cash, even from those who are working within the rules to avoid the surcharge in the first place.

Even if we don’t assume malice, the airline has a responsibility to ensure that its scales and gauges are accurate.

If you’ve been charged an oversized-carry-on fee by bmibaby in the past, consider contesting the charges or demanding a refund. £60 isn’t chump change.

And maybe it’s time to start packing a tape measure.

What a whirlwind for Mexicana, and their passengers: The airline entered bankruptcy, got bought by an alliance of investors and pilots, and shut down completely, all in the space of a month. And while the subsidiaries Mexicana Click (a discount airline) and Mexicana Link (a regional airline affiliate) were spared at first, they’re down for the count too.

Mexicana was once the largest airline in the country, so this is a major fall from grace. But regardless of the grandeur of it all, this affects a lot of people.

So how are their competitors responding? What are other airlines doing for stranded Mexicana passengers? Here’s a rundown for travel within Mexico and North America.

Mexico-based airlines:

Aeromexico
Passengers holding a Mexicana ticket issued on August 27 or earlier can fly standby on Aeromexico, if they are at the airport four hours in advance and pay a ticketing fee that varies according to destination. For example, a one-way flight to/from the US will run you $269-289. Intra-Mexican routes vary according to scheduled flight time, from 1599 to 2299 MXN. See their complete “passenger protection program.”

Volaris
Mexico’s main discount airline is offering “discounted” replacement fares for affected customers, but their website is mum about details.

Interjet
Intra-Mexican routes vary according to route, from 1399 to 1899 MXN. The published rules are vague.

U.S. based airlines:

American Airlines
Fellow oneWorld alliance member American is offering 20% discounts on replacement fares:

American and American Eagle are offering a special 20 percent discount off any published fare for customers holding tickets for confirmed bookings on cancelled Mexicana flights. Under this offer, effective today, American and American Eagle will replace a customer’s current travel itinerary with a new confirmed ticket to their original destination. Changes to the closest airport served by American or American Eagle are permitted only if American or American Eagle does not fly into the original destination. This offer is only valid for travel on American and American Eagle between the U.S. and Mexico within seven days of the original travel dates. Travel must be completed by Oct. 28, 2010. Tickets must be issued by Sept. 5, 2010.

Continental
$100 standby tickets — this is the best offer out there right now — but only through September 4:

Continental is offering Mexicana Airlines customers affected by the service suspension the ability to purchase a non-refundable standby ticket for $100 each way (plus applicable taxes) as long as their tickets were purchased on or before August 28, 2010 with travel scheduled through September 4, 2010. To purchase a standby ticket, present your Mexicana Airlines ticket to a Continental Airlines Ticket Counter representative at your departure airport.

Delta
Delta seems to be offering very little in the way of options:

Delta has terminated its ticketing and baggage agreement with Mexicana Airlines due to suspension of their operations. All reservations made and ticketed prior to August 28, 2010 will be honored as issued. Refunds are permitted if booked on Mexicana operated flight but ticketed under a Delta flight number. Please contact Reservations at 1-800-221-1212 for any questions.

United
… crickets chirping … I guess they’re letting future merger partner Continental carry the weight.

US Airways
US Airways isn’t giving much, but will accept electronic tickets issued by Mexicana if they included a US Airways flight. But paper tickets? “Customers without electronic tickets can purchase a new ticket on US Airways at the lowest available fare.” This is a first for me: that an electronic ticket is more easily transferable than an e-ticket. (Weird!) Other US Airways possibilities: “If a customer was originally ticketed on US Airways for travel on Mexicana Airlines and Mexicana Click, US Airways will offer a refund on any unused portion of the ticket or assist in obtaining a reservation on a US Airways flight to the final destination.” This is not much help.

Bottom line:
It looks like Continental is the way to go if flying from/to the US. If you’re within Mexico, Aeromexico has the network and breadth, but Interjet has the best replacement fares

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Four “Virgin” airlines, based in the UK, US, and Australia, are joining forces to create what may be the start of a fourth global airline alliance. Virgin Atlantic, Virgin America, and the already-partnered Virgin Blue & V Australia are joining forces to create what amounts to the groundwork for a new airline alliance.

It’s still very early, but if things go as planned, this could lead to a real competitor to Star Alliance, oneworld, or SkyTeam. (For better or worse… Alliance provide earning/redemption options and some timetable efficiencies, but they typically also include anti-consumer price collusion, through anti-trust exemptions. And Virgin’s Richard Branson has been vocally anti-alliance, until now…)

While a global-Virgin alliance makes perfect intuitive sense, it’s actually surprising, considering the contentious corporate history of the Virgin franchise in the US.

When Virgin America launched, its very existence was challenged by competitors and the US Dept. of Transportation, which initially ruled that the company didn’t meet the threshold of minimum US-ownership for an airline. After some tinkerings with the corporate structure, and replacing the CEO, the airline was allowed to fly.

So you’ll soon have reciprocal earning and burning privileges on each of these airlines, and through their respective partnerships as defined by each program. (Virgin Atlantic has the most extensive range of partnerships at this stage of the game.)

Details still need to be fleshed out a little, but here’s what their release states:

As of today, guests flying on Virgin Atlantic, Virgin America, and V Australia/Virgin Blue are all eligible to earn miles or points for their flights that can later be redeemed under any of the carrier’s frequent flyer programs. The reciprocal agreements enable Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club members to earn Flying Club miles/status points; Virgin America’s Elevate members to earn Elevate points; and V Australia/Virgin Blue Velocity members to earn Velocity points — wherever they are flying on a Virgin-branded carrier around the world.

Also as of today, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members and V Australia/Virgin Blue Velocity members can redeem their miles on either of the airlines. V Australia/Virgin Blue Velocity members and Virgin America Elevate members will be eligible to spend their miles or points to fly on either airline as of the fourth quarter of 2010. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members and Virgin America Elevate members will be eligible to spend their miles or points on either airline as of the second quarter of 2011.

How good this alliance ends up being for consumers remains to be seen. For now, it’s not a huge win. Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club isn’t the greatest program — you don’t earn full mileage on low-fare tickets, and as Wandering Aramean reminds us, they charge hefty fuel surcharges on mileage tickets.

But keep your eyes on this. It could get big.

Every so often, there’s an award given for an airline’s wine portfolio. It’s that time again, this time for Global Traveler’s competition. I generally dismiss these awards… and yet I pay attention. Hear me out.

For starters, let’s look at the rules:

To participate in the Global Traveler competition, airlines throughout the world that have long-haul international business-class service were invited to submit two white wines, two red wines and one Champagne or other sparkling wine currently on their international business-class wine lists, as well as the wine lists themselves. The same rules apply to the North American category for airlines that have first-class or, if not, business-class service.

The wines were coded by number and divided into flights, or categories, according to their type — for example, all German Riesling were served together, as were all California Cabernet Sauvignon — and poured in coded glasses. Judges knew only the type of wine, its place of origin and, when appropriate, the vintage. If judges felt a wine was flawed, a reserve bottle was served. The tasting was monitored by GT’s staff and professional assistants.

So, here’s why I think the awards are a load of hooey:

• Unrepresentative wines: Good luck drinking these on board
  As indicated, airlines could submit only two reds, two whites, and one sparkler. But those wines just had to fly at some point in recent memory. They didn’t necessarily need to be in the regular rotation. I understand putting your best foot forward, but if you throw a couple big hitters into the pool, it’s an easy way to game the competition.
  Bottom line: Are these wines truly a representative sample?
• Unrepresentative conditions: Wines at 36,000 feet taste different at 100 feet
  The palate is practically numb at higher altitudes. (It’s among the reasons why airline food tastes so bland.) For wine tasting, that means you lose a lot of the nuance in a wine when you’re above the clouds. And what tastes good — and matches your meal — at one altitude will likely taste very different when you’re back on the ground. The tasting conditions of the competition aren’t the same as the consumer’s.
• Unrepresentative airlines: Not every airline is in the mix
  While this latest competition included a selection of international carriers, some major players aren’t even in the competition. Singapore Airlines, anyone? Virgin Atlantic? Air New Zealand? Qantas? It’s as if you held the Olympics and only invited 20 athletes. Why weren’t more airlines included? Were there fees to enter? Regardless, a wider sample would be more illustrative.
• Nitpicking: Tasting methodology
  Why is the year of a given wine necessarily revealed to judges in a blind tasting? Nitpicky, I know, but why introduce vintage bias into the sample? (Ok, I’ll stop…)

So on the one hand, these announcements and awards are not really helpful to the traveler. (Especially not the coach traveler, who will be lucky to get a mini-bottle of Chilean plonk.) But yet… I read these things. And I think that it matters when an airline wins or performs well in these awards.

It’s not a fair competition, no, but if an airline regularly and consistently appears in these rankings, then it indicates something about their philosophy. Qatar Airways, for example, has been at or near the top more than once. That signals that, at a minimum, they are paying attention to their image among prospective wine-drinking customers. Wine has been central to several airlines’ marketing plans over the years. (See for example this mocking takedown of Lufthansa’s wine-centric marketing on DrVino.com.)

The competition may be flawed, but winning it regularly signals a commitment to wanting to be viewed as a wine-lover’s airline. Which signals a commitment to a quality experience, even if you don’t drink wine.

Will anyone choose an airline solely for the wine list, or for winning this sort of competition? Highly unlikely. But wine is part of the quality profile of an airline.

Wanting to excel in that area is something I can support, especially in this race-to-the-bottom age of travel. I just wish the competition were more representative of reality.

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