More on Baltia Airlines

My first post regarding start-up Baltia Airlines has generated quite a few comments, and now that more information about the airline is available, I figured that I'd write a follow-up post. For those of you who aren't familiar with Baltia, it was originally established in 1989 but has only made real strides towards getting off the ground within the last year and a half or so. (I do recommend that you check out my previous post - it gives a better history of Baltia.) I'd say that the airline's odds of long-term success are pretty long, but the company...

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The end of Virgin Atlantic's 'splendid isolation'?

photo by 900hp from Flickr, licensed under CCThe proposed tie-up between British Airways and American Airlines is moving closer to getting the green light from US authorities, and as such, Virgin Atlantic President Richard Branson is apparently worrying (saying - Branson doesn't seem like the type that worries a lot) that his airline might have to find a partner in response.He's no doubt speaking in response to the continuing trend of consolidation...

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Passenger Bill of Rights

Yesterday, I had my first encounter with the Passenger Bill of Rights, otherwise known as the Tarmac Rule. It was in no way a positive experience. Bottom line? The law of unintended consequences strikes again. I genuinely do not think those who drafted this law intended these results. First, let me give you my basic interpretation of the law. It is generally accepted practice to start the clock at the "out" time, which is the time that the aircraft...

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Is US Airways the 'ugly girl'?

flickr photo by Caleb's PhotographyIt's been posted elsewhere already, but in case you haven't heard, Continental CEO Jeff Smisek got in a little hot water after referring to US Airways, in decidedly un-diplomatic language, as an 'ugly girl.' “I recognized that United was the best partner for Continental, and I didn’t want to marry the ugly girl; I wanted to marry the pretty one,” he said.A bad choice of words, no doubt. Smisek evidently apologized...

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A few thoughts on the United-Continental merger

I thought I'd share a few thoughts on the just-announced United-Continental merger. There's a lot out there about the terms of the deal and other specifics, but just to recap, the $3 billion merger (which has yet to be officially approved) would create the world's largest airline. The airline would be based in Chicago and keep the United name (but the Continental logo) and would be led by Jeff Smisek, the current Continental CEO.(Yes, that is a 787.)Here...

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