Each year on its anniversary – October 7 – KLM, Royal Dutch Airlines, unveils a new miniature Delft House.
This year’s house – #102 – arrived on time and is a tribute to the glamorous, historic Tuschinski Theatre in Amsterdam, which is about to celebrate its centenary.
We will be back soon with more details about the houses and the event, but running to catch a flight back to the U.S.
In the meantime here are some snaps from the ‘reveal’ celebration, courtesy of KLM.
Do you have a collection of KLM’s miniature Delft houses? Let us know about your favorites in the comments section below.
At first, Frontier Airlines suspended the flight attendants involved. The reason? They had not followed the proper procedures. That didn’t fly with the Association of Flight Attendants – and many others. But the airline later came to its senses and said it now supports the crew members and will pay them.
Frontier Airlines now says it "supports" and will pay the crew of flight attendants it had earlier said were suspended after restraining a passenger charged with groping and punching them. https://t.co/a7XxUPFaWp
Not all people on airplanes and in airports are crazy. Some are just charming.
A message crackled over the airport police radio this morning. "There's a T-Rex in the terminal looking for Stella." Here's what we found: grandfather greeting arriving grandchild. The masked man inside Rex was not Marlon Brando. #sgf#springfieldmo#AirportTwitter#417landpic.twitter.com/6y0rIk07UF
June 18 marks 50 years since Southwest Airlines flew its first commercial flight and to celebrate the airline is giving away prizes through June 18 and celebrating all month long.
The Southwest Airlines Sweepstakes
Through June 18, anyone can enter the sweepstakes here for a chance to win prizes that include 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000, or 50,000 Rapid Rewards bonus points.
We’ve been entering everyday, but so far we’re not a winner.
Be sure to enter the sweepstakes on June 18. That’s the day Southwest has dubbed “Wanna Get Away Day,” when the prizes – and the number of prizes awarded – balloon considerably.
On that day, you could win up to a million rapid rewards points, a $500 Southwest Airlines gift card, and a Companion Pass that lets you take someone with you every time you fly on Southwest Airlines.
The Party Goes On All Month
In addition to the sweepstakes, Southwest Airlines is hosting pop-up photo opportunities in 24 airport gate areas and rolling out Heart Carts full of swag and giveaways in more than 40 of its locations.
Southwest Airlines fans who want to celebrate with some swag can shop the Southwest Airlines online store for retro merchandise that includes a Retro Build-A-Bear wearing the airline’s original hotpants uniform.
While the U.S. Department of Transportation logged a record high number of complaints from airline passengers in 2020 – predominantly about ticket refunds – satisfaction with airlines now seems to be on the rise.
The results show that even with all the challenges the pandemic put forth for airlines in the past year, satisfaction is up by 27 points (to 819 on a 1,000-point scale), year over year.
“The airline industry adapted to a most unusual year by simplifying ticketing processes, waiving change fees and baggage fees which were key to persuading people to fly during the pandemic,” said Michael Taylor, travel intelligence lead at J.D. Power.
Flight crews on the front lines
The study finds that overall passenger satisfaction with flight crews increases by 26 points. This as flight attendants and pilots were tasked with explaining and enforcing many new health and safety measures during the pandemic.
High marks for no change fees
During the pandemic, most major airlines offered travel waivers that allowed passengers to change or cancel tickets without typical penalties. “Passengers responded favorably,” the study finds, “driving a 47-point increase in customer satisfaction with cost and fees.”
Airline rankings
Delta Air Lines ranks highest in customer satisfaction in this report, with a score of 860, the first time it has ranked highest since 1995.
Southwest Airlines (856) ranks second and Alaska Airlines (850) ranks third.
Delta also announced on Tuesday that it is extending the expiration date on travel credits and bringing snacks back starting April 14. Passengers flying Delta One or First Class on select domestic coast-to-coast flights will see hot food options return in early June. First Class customers on some other U.S. routes will be served boxed meals beginning in early July.
Alaska Airlines now part of oneworld airline alliance
As of March 31 Alaska Airlines becomes the newest member of the oneworld airline alliance. That means that “as a Mileage Plan member, you can earn Alaska miles on all 14 member airlines when you fly to as many as 1,000 destinations in more than 170 countries and territories,” the airline said in a statement.
The new membership also means the benefit enjoyed by Alaska’s elite flyers will be honored on other member airlines.
“You’re an MVP Gold? Without doing a thing, you now also have Sapphire tier status in oneworld (75K fliers are Emerald and MVPs are Ruby in the alliance),” the airline notes, and, “Depending on your tier status, oneworld travel priveleges include priority check-in, access to more than 650 international first and business class lounges, preferred boarding, fast track through security, priority baggage benefits and more.”
Hair Rollers harbor finches
People try to smuggle things – foods, animals, drugs, etc – through airports all the time. U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently spotted a guy who was trying to 29 finches in these hair rollers.
During a secondary baggage inspection at JFK Sunday, CBP officers discovered 29 finches concealed in hair rollers. After consulting with @USFWS, CBP ag specialists quarantined the finches and turned them over to @USDA Veterinary Services.
If Iceland wasn’t high on your travel list before now, the volcanic eruption going on now should be grabbing your attention. Another reason to make plans to head that way: this package offer from Icelandair available to book through April 13 for travel from 10 US cities. Along with roundtrip airfare and three nights hotel, with breakfast, vaccinated travelers get a visit to the new Sky Lagoon, a Northern Lights Board Tour and a one-day pass for the Hop On Hop Off city sightseeing bus.
Iceland looks more surreal than usual with the ongoing volcanic eruption: Glowing lava streams slowly make their way down the volcano. It’s a dark, mysterious & dramatic sight. Are you planning a trip to this epic scene? Watch nature‘s raw power at play: https://t.co/XAMDbieJfUpic.twitter.com/qB60O9CLPY
