Blackstone is reportedly nearing a deal to buy a $2 billion stake in Air Canada’s Aeroplan program. Air Canada previously spun Aeroplan off in 2005, bought it back cheaply after deciding not to renew its exclusive relationship with Aimia, and now appears ready to monetize part of a larger, rebuilt program.
KLM is cutting free beer, wine, soft drinks, and its familiar cheese sandwich from European economy, replacing them with water, coffee, tea, orange juice, and a stroopwafel while selling food and drinks onboard. The airline calls this more “warm and hospitable,” but it is really a cost-and-revenue move that strips away cheap, distinctive touches that once made KLM feel Dutch.
Five United employees met a passenger off the aircraft after she declined a seat swap, telling her to cover or remove a profane New York souvenir shirt. The written policy supports United; the handling raises questions.
Chase has increased the World of Hyatt Credit Card offer by 15,000 points, bringing it to a headline 75,000 points. The card also provides elite-night credits, an annual free-night award and strong rewards on Hyatt spending.
A United Express CRJ-200 sat in Watertown, South Dakota, for more than two hours awaiting a Denver ATC release. Passengers missed Noah Kahan at Coors Field—but an airport employee brought pizza from the terminal restaurant directly onto the plane.
Frontier swapped a 186-seat aircraft for one with 180 seats and federal rules excused mandatory cash compensation. Frontier reported 4,327 passengers under that exception in 2025. Some analysts think they’ve discovered a ‘loophole’ to avoid paying.
Delta once tried to make long-haul economy feel premium, but a passenger’s “onion sandwich” on LAX–Sydney suggests a very different direction. Also Amanyara potentially dropping Aman, JetBlue’s latest operational headaches, American’s bare-bones vegan meal, and United’s confusing job application.
A union leader warned that privatizing airport screening would make air travel less safe, but TSA’s own record hardly inspires confidence — including a BuzzBall that apparently made it through screening. Also Citi nerfing the old Barclays Aviator Silver, and progress on the Austin Admirals Club.
Alaska Airlines flight 305 returned to the gate in Miami after flight attendants reported passenger threats, including one customer allegedly threatening to take over the aircraft. The pilots stopped departure, placed the cockpit under lockdown protocol, requested law enforcement, and returned to gate E6 while the incident continued to develop.
A passenger says TSA missed two loaded ammunition magazines in his carry-on before a family trip to Jamaica, only for Jamaican airport security to find them on the way home — leaving him facing up to 15 years in prison. Also American Airlines parody bag tags, soaked gate-checked bags, strange United Club food choices, and a Swissport lounge so grim it deserves its own literary genre.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
