Web: www.thetravelstrategist.com.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
31/10/2008 – The Weekly Round Up : Heathrow-on-Sea? : Perfect Travel Light Stand : Delta & Northwest Become One : Lufthansa & BMI : Lufty's Expansion
This has been a busy week on Flying With Fish. Wednesday provided no shortage of news for those who travel by air. Wednesday saw two major airline mergers/stock takeovers, and an airline cease to exist.
Before I move onto the whole weekly round up, I'd like to start off with the last post of this past week. Adorama has invited me host a workshop for educating photographers who travel, in conjunction with their Workshops @Adorama and I accepted. While some details are still being worked out, the first workshop is scheduled for the 29th of January 2009, so mark your calendars! You can read more about this evening workshop here:
30/10/2008 – Adorama To Host Flying With Fish Workshop Jan 29th
This week kicked off with the announcement that AeroChannel has started up an update info stream on Twitter AeroChannel is an excellent growing source of info for anyone traveling, primarily in the United States, and you should check them out at www.twitter.com/aerochannel . Find out more info here: 27/10/2008 - AeroChannel On Twitter
London Heathrow is one of the world's busiest airports. The airport is so busy it must operate on 'slot allotments' as the airport cannot easily handle all the traffic and seeks to use Heathrow, and London Mayor Boris Johnson has no proposed building a new Heathrow on a man-made island in the Thames Estuary. Is this idea a good idea? Is this idea possible? Find out more at this link: 27/10/2008 - Can Heathrow Be Replaced By A Man Made Island Airport?
As a traveling photographer, flying with lights can be challenging. With checked baggage fees and the potential for lost or delayed bags, I have opted to use the Manfrotto 3373 compact light stands for the past few years. Find out why I think the Manfrotto 3373 is the perfect traveling light stand here: 28/10/2008 - The Manfrotto 3373 : The Perfect Traveling Light Stand
With the global airline industry becoming increasingly volatile it is become less shocking to hear of airlines shutting down operations with little to no notice. Iceland's Sterling Airways has been teetering on failure for sometime due to Iceland's financial crisis. This week its finances ran out and the airline was forced to cancel all its flight standing thousands of flyers. To find out more about the airline's closure check here: 29/10/2008 - Iceland's Sterling Airways Shuts Down Stranding Thousands
This week I wrote a two part series on Lufthansa's growth. The first of these two parts addresses taking over 80% of BMI/British Midland's controlling stock. This purchase of 50.1% of BMI's stock does little for Lufthansa's routes, but it does make them the owner of second largest allotment of slots at London Heathrow Airport. To find out how this might affect the 70 year old, and profitable, BMI, read this: 29/10/2008 - LH Pt 1: Lufthansa To Control BMI & Become 2nd Largest At Heathrow While Also Trimming Expansion
The second part of entries on Lufthansa this week addressed the airline's announcement they would be trimming routes and reducing spending. The reduction of routes and expenses comes with the airline taking a 45% stake in one airline, an 80% stake in another airline, all while trying to take significant stakes in two other European airlines, and setting up Lufthansa Italy SpA. You can find out more about this interesting, and potentially hazardous, business plan in this entry: 29/10/2008 - LH Pt 2 : Lufthansa Trimming Expansion While Taking Over 2 Airlines & Making A Play For 2 More
This big news this week came as no surprise. The U.S. Department of Justice approved the merger of Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines, creating the world's largest airline. Find out where we go from here in this entry: 29/10/2008 – Northwest & Delta Are One Airline……well sort of…….
After a week off, the iPhone 'App' Of The Week series returns. This week I discuss the new Google Earth iPhone 'App.' This 'App' is fantastic, and an incredibly useful tool for not only photographers working on the road, but for any traveler on the road. Learn more about Google Earth for the iPhone by clicking here: 30/10/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : Google Earth
It has been a long week of posts on Flying With Fish and I plan to kick off next week with some fun exciting news. I've been working hard to help photographers, and all travelers, on the road, and in one area, these efforts have been recognized by a company I used and support.
For those of who get Flying With Fish's updates on Twitter, at www.twitter.com/flyingwithfish , some of this exciting news has already been mentioned........
That's it for this week HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!
Happy Haunting!
Showing posts with label Delta Northwest Merger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Delta Northwest Merger. Show all posts
31 October 2008
29 October 2008
Northwest & Delta Are One Airline……well sort of…….
Web: www.thetravelstrategist.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
29/10/2008 – Northwest & Delta Are One Airline……well sort of…….
I guess this is goodbye to an old friend. A few times this year I have written about the merger of Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines. Like many flyers, as I have mentioned before, I have had a love-hate relationship with Northwest Airlines.
I grew up next to JFK Airport, in New York, and as a kid I flew from the 'old Terminal 2’, which was home to both Delta and Northwest. I have fond memories of watching DC-10s carrying the Northwest Orient logo flying over my house. I have memories of standing on the beach watching the cross-painted Northwest/KLM DC-10 flying low over Far Rockaway, crossing over the small patch of Atlantic Beach and disappearing over the horizon headed for Amsterdam.
Back in early May I wrote about touching down at Hartford's Bradley International Airport, and the feeling of flying Northwest Airlines for my last trans-Atlantic flight with the carrier. Looking out the window of seat 1A, watching the red-winglets of the 757-200 touch down, returning home from Amsterdam, would be the last international Northwest flight for me.
I have some funny stories about flying Northwest, some annoying stories about Northwest, some happy memories from Northwest.
..............anyway, onto the real point of this post. Today the United States Justice Department approved the merger of Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines. A few hours after the merger was approved by the Justice Department, Delta Airlines completed its purchase of Northwest Airlines. Given that Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines have minimal overlapping routes there was minimal objection to the marriage of the two carriers. The newly combined airline will operate nearly 800 aircraft generate an estimated US$35bil in annual revenue and employ approximately 75,000 people.
Over the next year the two airlines will gradually merge their two websites and frequent flyer programs. Until the bumps-in-the-road are worked out, the two airlines will maintain separate web sites and frequent flyer programs. Northwest Airlines' cabin crews will switch to Delta Airline uniforms on the 30th of March.
Northwest's unique partnership with KLM is somewhat unknown.
So, now we sit back and wait and see what happens. It will be exciting to see the first 747-400 rollout with Delta colours........however I will miss watching the big silver birds with their red tails flying out over the horizon.
Below is a photo of a Northwest Airlines 757-200 flying off into the distance from SFO.
Happy Flying!
--Click Image Below To Enlarge--
29/10/2008 – Northwest & Delta Are One Airline……well sort of…….
I guess this is goodbye to an old friend. A few times this year I have written about the merger of Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines. Like many flyers, as I have mentioned before, I have had a love-hate relationship with Northwest Airlines.
I grew up next to JFK Airport, in New York, and as a kid I flew from the 'old Terminal 2’, which was home to both Delta and Northwest. I have fond memories of watching DC-10s carrying the Northwest Orient logo flying over my house. I have memories of standing on the beach watching the cross-painted Northwest/KLM DC-10 flying low over Far Rockaway, crossing over the small patch of Atlantic Beach and disappearing over the horizon headed for Amsterdam.
Back in early May I wrote about touching down at Hartford's Bradley International Airport, and the feeling of flying Northwest Airlines for my last trans-Atlantic flight with the carrier. Looking out the window of seat 1A, watching the red-winglets of the 757-200 touch down, returning home from Amsterdam, would be the last international Northwest flight for me.
I have some funny stories about flying Northwest, some annoying stories about Northwest, some happy memories from Northwest.
..............anyway, onto the real point of this post. Today the United States Justice Department approved the merger of Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines. A few hours after the merger was approved by the Justice Department, Delta Airlines completed its purchase of Northwest Airlines. Given that Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines have minimal overlapping routes there was minimal objection to the marriage of the two carriers. The newly combined airline will operate nearly 800 aircraft generate an estimated US$35bil in annual revenue and employ approximately 75,000 people.
Over the next year the two airlines will gradually merge their two websites and frequent flyer programs. Until the bumps-in-the-road are worked out, the two airlines will maintain separate web sites and frequent flyer programs. Northwest Airlines' cabin crews will switch to Delta Airline uniforms on the 30th of March.
Northwest's unique partnership with KLM is somewhat unknown.
So, now we sit back and wait and see what happens. It will be exciting to see the first 747-400 rollout with Delta colours........however I will miss watching the big silver birds with their red tails flying out over the horizon.
Below is a photo of a Northwest Airlines 757-200 flying off into the distance from SFO.
Happy Flying!
--Click Image Below To Enlarge--
30 September 2008
From The Mail Bag : Pilot Pensions
Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
30/09/2008 - From The Mail Bag : Pilot Pensions
The other day "walp" left a comment on my post regarding the Delta & Northwest Airlines shareholders vote on the airlines merging (25/09/2008 – The Delta Airlines & Northwest Airlines Merger : The Shareholders Vote Today). The comment left by "walp" caused me to read it, and reread it, a number of times.
I was going to post a link to the comment left by "walp" in my weekly round up, however I have chosen to simply post their comment here directly for you all to read.
-----------
START
-----------
It probably seems to make sense to make this deal a reality but employees need to beware. Bad things happen to airline employees and you will read one sad story below.
According to several sources, Mr. Anderson, the current leader of Delta Air Lines, does not plan to reopen the issue of Delta Retired Pilots Pensions.
When Delta entered bankruptcy a little over 3 years ago, the very first day they requested and were given permission by the court to eliminate the retired pilots pension even though they had the funds in place to continue with these pensions.
The pension funds were given to the government entity called Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation. This outfit takes over failed pensions and throws all the funds from these failed plans into one pot and uses some magic formulas to come up with some pittance for the unfortunate pensioner. They were very happy to get all the hundreds of millions from the Delta pilots pension fund since they need the money to stay solvent. Now, instead of the retired Delta pilots receiving what they worked their entire careers earning the PBGC worked their magic and decided we should receive a very small percentage of our original earned pension. Yes, earned, it was part of our compensation that was put into the fund all during our career. Now it has been stolen by delta and they do not want to reinstate it but they will pay the pensions of the retired Northwest pilots.
Can anybody explain how it will be fair for a pilot that worked his or her entire career for Delta and now has only approximately 10-12% of his or her original pension paid by the PBGC.
Now, Delta and Northwest are going merge and the new airline will be called Delta and as I noted earlier, the retired Northwest pilots will continue to get their pensions from Delta and the original REAL Delta Pilots will not be reinstated to the same pension.
Totally unfair and nothing that the Delta retired pilots had the choice or opportunity to vote on. The deal was struck between ALPA (Air Line Pilots Association - the union) and the former Delta management. Again, retired Delta pilots had no choice.
I want the news media and every blog and internet source to jump on this discussion as well as any customer of this giant bully called Delta.
Almost no current Delta passenger or customer knows what happened to the small group of retired pilots that were treated so grossly unfair.
The NEW Delta needs to do what is right and that is to include the original Delta retired pilots in the new company pilot pension plan.
It will take some undoing of past agreements and require somehow reaquiring the pension moneys that were simply given to the PBGC but if the lawyers could figure out how to take it away from this group then, they can figure out how to reaquire the funds.
Delta spent untold millions to attorneys to do the bankruptcy and try as we could, the small group of retired Delta pilots could not ever come up with enough money to combat the army of Delta attorneys, we were simply railroaded.
Any legal costs to reinstate our pensions should be born by Delta since they are the ones that did the deed. It is only the right thing to do.
Come on folks, jump in on this issue. Lets hear what you have to say. Do you agree that Delta should reinstate the retired Delta Pilots Pension Fund that was taken away? If you disagree, speak up with your reasons.
Remember, it could be your group next. No labor group is immune.
-------
END
-------
I can't say I disagree with anything "walp" has said in this comment.
Happy Flying!
30/09/2008 - From The Mail Bag : Pilot Pensions
The other day "walp" left a comment on my post regarding the Delta & Northwest Airlines shareholders vote on the airlines merging (25/09/2008 – The Delta Airlines & Northwest Airlines Merger : The Shareholders Vote Today). The comment left by "walp" caused me to read it, and reread it, a number of times.
I was going to post a link to the comment left by "walp" in my weekly round up, however I have chosen to simply post their comment here directly for you all to read.
-----------
START
-----------
It probably seems to make sense to make this deal a reality but employees need to beware. Bad things happen to airline employees and you will read one sad story below.
According to several sources, Mr. Anderson, the current leader of Delta Air Lines, does not plan to reopen the issue of Delta Retired Pilots Pensions.
When Delta entered bankruptcy a little over 3 years ago, the very first day they requested and were given permission by the court to eliminate the retired pilots pension even though they had the funds in place to continue with these pensions.
The pension funds were given to the government entity called Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation. This outfit takes over failed pensions and throws all the funds from these failed plans into one pot and uses some magic formulas to come up with some pittance for the unfortunate pensioner. They were very happy to get all the hundreds of millions from the Delta pilots pension fund since they need the money to stay solvent. Now, instead of the retired Delta pilots receiving what they worked their entire careers earning the PBGC worked their magic and decided we should receive a very small percentage of our original earned pension. Yes, earned, it was part of our compensation that was put into the fund all during our career. Now it has been stolen by delta and they do not want to reinstate it but they will pay the pensions of the retired Northwest pilots.
Can anybody explain how it will be fair for a pilot that worked his or her entire career for Delta and now has only approximately 10-12% of his or her original pension paid by the PBGC.
Now, Delta and Northwest are going merge and the new airline will be called Delta and as I noted earlier, the retired Northwest pilots will continue to get their pensions from Delta and the original REAL Delta Pilots will not be reinstated to the same pension.
Totally unfair and nothing that the Delta retired pilots had the choice or opportunity to vote on. The deal was struck between ALPA (Air Line Pilots Association - the union) and the former Delta management. Again, retired Delta pilots had no choice.
I want the news media and every blog and internet source to jump on this discussion as well as any customer of this giant bully called Delta.
Almost no current Delta passenger or customer knows what happened to the small group of retired pilots that were treated so grossly unfair.
The NEW Delta needs to do what is right and that is to include the original Delta retired pilots in the new company pilot pension plan.
It will take some undoing of past agreements and require somehow reaquiring the pension moneys that were simply given to the PBGC but if the lawyers could figure out how to take it away from this group then, they can figure out how to reaquire the funds.
Delta spent untold millions to attorneys to do the bankruptcy and try as we could, the small group of retired Delta pilots could not ever come up with enough money to combat the army of Delta attorneys, we were simply railroaded.
Any legal costs to reinstate our pensions should be born by Delta since they are the ones that did the deed. It is only the right thing to do.
Come on folks, jump in on this issue. Lets hear what you have to say. Do you agree that Delta should reinstate the retired Delta Pilots Pension Fund that was taken away? If you disagree, speak up with your reasons.
Remember, it could be your group next. No labor group is immune.
-------
END
-------
I can't say I disagree with anything "walp" has said in this comment.
Happy Flying!
26 September 2008
26/09/2008 – The Weekly Round Up : Bags-&-Regional Jets : Choosing A Frequent Flyer Program : Make Your Own Modular Bags : A Dead Airline Rises, etc
Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
26/09/2008 – The Weekly Round Up : Bags-&-Regional Jets : Choosing A Frequent Flyer Program : Make Your Own Modular Bags : A Dead Airline Rises, etc etc
Wow, this week has been insane with travel news in the airline industry, particularly within the SkyTeam airline alliance. For starters Alitalia, an airline I have been watching die for more than a year appeared to be fading into the history books with the bagpipes gently growing in sound in the distance. I hoped for the best, but was sure the executioner was sharpening the blade........as of this morning it looks like Alitalia might have a ray of hope to live on and continue serving as Italy's National Flag Carrier. Alitalia has a long way to go to compete with a fierce European market, but with some strategic changes they can push forward and become a serious contender in the international and intra-Europe market.
Before I move into the week in review, I'd like mention an addition to my Get Up & Fly Photo Boot Camps. I have had some significant interest in these workshops, yet seats remain available! Just to entice those of you are interested to jump onboard I'm adding this offer.......for those photographers who join me on the New York and Los Angeles Get Up & Fly Boot Camps, I'll be supplying you with one of my favourite bags for the journey! Before we depart I'll ship you one of the bags I have discussed repeatedly on Flying With Fish so you can pack it up and bring it with you! Why am I doing this? Because I think this bag is outstanding and an excellent took for photogs to use, work out of and help dictate a stripped down minimalist kit on the road. For more information on the Get Up & Fly Boot Camps visit: www.comeflywithfish.com
For those of you who read Flying With Fish on a regular basis you'll notice my first ad went up this week. On the right hand column is now an ad from Adorama. Why Adorama? Well for starters I purchase a lot of my camera equipment from Adorama. Secondly would be Jeff Snyder, quite possibly the worlds great professional camera sales rep, I followed him from his old place of business to his current position at Adorama. Need any camera equipment, click the advertisement and a portion of your purchase will go towards supporting the maintaining of Flying With Fish. Don't want to support Flying With Fish but just want excellent service? Drop Jeff an e-mail at jsnyder@adorama.com or catch him on AIM at JSnyderAdorama
This week I kicked off Flying With Fish with an article on how do deal with leaving your bag at the stairs when boarding a regional jet or turbo prop flight. No one likes being separated from their bag, especially photographers, but there are ways to pack and minimize any risk of damage to your bag and the kit you've packed inside it. Find out more here: 22/09/2008 – Leaving Your Bag At The Stairs On Regional Flights, AKA: Valet Check, Stair Check, Planeside Check
On Monday I discussed the almost immediate demise of Alitalia. I am very happy to report that as of this morning they appear to be diverting disaster and have the possibility of continuing to fly. I have some significant concepts on what Alitalia must do to attract and retain premium passengers, and continue to reinforce passenger loyalty, in order to turn around their perception in the minds of business travelers and the flying public, but I'll keep those details to myself for the moment. To find out about Alitalia's saga, visit here: 22/09/2008 – Watching An Airline Die A Slow Death : Alitalia's Almost Certain Failure
Last week I asked the readers of Flying With Fish to suggest an ideal frequent flyer program for photographer Mark Rebilas in this post, 15/09/2008 – Choosing A Frequent Flyer Program : Help A Photographer Maximize His Miles. This week I revealed my detailed answers for what two frequent flyer programs I believe would most benefit Mark in this post: 23/09/2008 – Choosing A Frequent Flyer Program Pt-2 : Fish's Suggestions For Helping A Photographer Maximize His Miles
Who wants to go to Baghdad? It may not be a tourist destination, but now it will be serviced by Turkish Airlines' mainline flights from Istanbul. These are the first 'mainline' flights to fly to Baghdad, although Royal Jordanian flies regional jet service and Iraqi Airways flies a limited international schedule. This is a definite sign of progress for international business to progress as Iraq emerges into the global market place. Find out more here: 23/09/2008 – Baghdad Gets Scheduled Flights To Europe With Turkish Airlines
Choosing a 1-stop-shopping bag system for short trips that require minimal camera gear can be a challenge. While looking at a variety of systems I decided to make my own out of a few Mountainsmith bags. Find out what I have done to meet my needs and cut down on carrying excess weight here: 24/09/2008 – Simple Baggage Solutions : Make Your Own Modular System
Earlier this month I discussed American Airlines putting WiFi back in this sky in this entry, 2/09/2008 – American Airlines Puts WiFi In The Sky. This week I discuss American Airlines repackaging perks that have offered to their 'elite flyers' and how the new announcements of these perks make the airline appears as if they are only roughly a decade behind their competitors in offering these perks. American Airlines might want to focus on customer service (other airlines can focus on this as well) before repackaging its frequent flyer programs and muddling the AAdvantage frequent flyer program. You can read more about AA's 'new' PriorityAAccess here: 24/09/2008 – American Airlines Adds Perks For AAdvantage ‘Elites’...just a few years behind all of their competitors
On Thursday the shareholders of both Delta and Northwest voted overwhelmingly in favour of merging the two airlines. There will be some turbulence in the skies as the merger terms are smoothed out and the two giant legacy carriers move to become one. Both carriers bring significant advantages to the merger, and combined they will be a massive global powerhouse that will need to be factored in by nearly all other airlines servicing international routes into the United States. You can read up on the merger in this post: 25/09/2008 – The Delta Airlines & Northwest Airlines Merger : The Shareholders Vote Today
Looking for a fun iPhone 'App' to help you building a new doorframe at home or lining up your tripod on the edge of the ocean? This week's iPhone 'App' Of The Week is "A Free Level." Learn more about this fun took you can install in your iPhone here: 25/09/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : A Free Level
That's it for this week.......but feel free to visit www.comeflywithfish.com and join me on an upcoming journey!
Happy Flying!
26/09/2008 – The Weekly Round Up : Bags-&-Regional Jets : Choosing A Frequent Flyer Program : Make Your Own Modular Bags : A Dead Airline Rises, etc etc
Wow, this week has been insane with travel news in the airline industry, particularly within the SkyTeam airline alliance. For starters Alitalia, an airline I have been watching die for more than a year appeared to be fading into the history books with the bagpipes gently growing in sound in the distance. I hoped for the best, but was sure the executioner was sharpening the blade........as of this morning it looks like Alitalia might have a ray of hope to live on and continue serving as Italy's National Flag Carrier. Alitalia has a long way to go to compete with a fierce European market, but with some strategic changes they can push forward and become a serious contender in the international and intra-Europe market.
Before I move into the week in review, I'd like mention an addition to my Get Up & Fly Photo Boot Camps. I have had some significant interest in these workshops, yet seats remain available! Just to entice those of you are interested to jump onboard I'm adding this offer.......for those photographers who join me on the New York and Los Angeles Get Up & Fly Boot Camps, I'll be supplying you with one of my favourite bags for the journey! Before we depart I'll ship you one of the bags I have discussed repeatedly on Flying With Fish so you can pack it up and bring it with you! Why am I doing this? Because I think this bag is outstanding and an excellent took for photogs to use, work out of and help dictate a stripped down minimalist kit on the road. For more information on the Get Up & Fly Boot Camps visit: www.comeflywithfish.com
For those of you who read Flying With Fish on a regular basis you'll notice my first ad went up this week. On the right hand column is now an ad from Adorama. Why Adorama? Well for starters I purchase a lot of my camera equipment from Adorama. Secondly would be Jeff Snyder, quite possibly the worlds great professional camera sales rep, I followed him from his old place of business to his current position at Adorama. Need any camera equipment, click the advertisement and a portion of your purchase will go towards supporting the maintaining of Flying With Fish. Don't want to support Flying With Fish but just want excellent service? Drop Jeff an e-mail at jsnyder@adorama.com or catch him on AIM at JSnyderAdorama
This week I kicked off Flying With Fish with an article on how do deal with leaving your bag at the stairs when boarding a regional jet or turbo prop flight. No one likes being separated from their bag, especially photographers, but there are ways to pack and minimize any risk of damage to your bag and the kit you've packed inside it. Find out more here: 22/09/2008 – Leaving Your Bag At The Stairs On Regional Flights, AKA: Valet Check, Stair Check, Planeside Check
On Monday I discussed the almost immediate demise of Alitalia. I am very happy to report that as of this morning they appear to be diverting disaster and have the possibility of continuing to fly. I have some significant concepts on what Alitalia must do to attract and retain premium passengers, and continue to reinforce passenger loyalty, in order to turn around their perception in the minds of business travelers and the flying public, but I'll keep those details to myself for the moment. To find out about Alitalia's saga, visit here: 22/09/2008 – Watching An Airline Die A Slow Death : Alitalia's Almost Certain Failure
Last week I asked the readers of Flying With Fish to suggest an ideal frequent flyer program for photographer Mark Rebilas in this post, 15/09/2008 – Choosing A Frequent Flyer Program : Help A Photographer Maximize His Miles. This week I revealed my detailed answers for what two frequent flyer programs I believe would most benefit Mark in this post: 23/09/2008 – Choosing A Frequent Flyer Program Pt-2 : Fish's Suggestions For Helping A Photographer Maximize His Miles
Who wants to go to Baghdad? It may not be a tourist destination, but now it will be serviced by Turkish Airlines' mainline flights from Istanbul. These are the first 'mainline' flights to fly to Baghdad, although Royal Jordanian flies regional jet service and Iraqi Airways flies a limited international schedule. This is a definite sign of progress for international business to progress as Iraq emerges into the global market place. Find out more here: 23/09/2008 – Baghdad Gets Scheduled Flights To Europe With Turkish Airlines
Choosing a 1-stop-shopping bag system for short trips that require minimal camera gear can be a challenge. While looking at a variety of systems I decided to make my own out of a few Mountainsmith bags. Find out what I have done to meet my needs and cut down on carrying excess weight here: 24/09/2008 – Simple Baggage Solutions : Make Your Own Modular System
Earlier this month I discussed American Airlines putting WiFi back in this sky in this entry, 2/09/2008 – American Airlines Puts WiFi In The Sky. This week I discuss American Airlines repackaging perks that have offered to their 'elite flyers' and how the new announcements of these perks make the airline appears as if they are only roughly a decade behind their competitors in offering these perks. American Airlines might want to focus on customer service (other airlines can focus on this as well) before repackaging its frequent flyer programs and muddling the AAdvantage frequent flyer program. You can read more about AA's 'new' PriorityAAccess here: 24/09/2008 – American Airlines Adds Perks For AAdvantage ‘Elites’...just a few years behind all of their competitors
On Thursday the shareholders of both Delta and Northwest voted overwhelmingly in favour of merging the two airlines. There will be some turbulence in the skies as the merger terms are smoothed out and the two giant legacy carriers move to become one. Both carriers bring significant advantages to the merger, and combined they will be a massive global powerhouse that will need to be factored in by nearly all other airlines servicing international routes into the United States. You can read up on the merger in this post: 25/09/2008 – The Delta Airlines & Northwest Airlines Merger : The Shareholders Vote Today
Looking for a fun iPhone 'App' to help you building a new doorframe at home or lining up your tripod on the edge of the ocean? This week's iPhone 'App' Of The Week is "A Free Level." Learn more about this fun took you can install in your iPhone here: 25/09/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : A Free Level
That's it for this week.......but feel free to visit www.comeflywithfish.com and join me on an upcoming journey!
Happy Flying!
25 September 2008
The Delta Airlines & Northwest Airlines Merger : The Shareholders Vote Today
Web: www.thetravelstrategist.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
25/09/2008 – The Delta Airlines & Northwest Airlines Merger : The Shareholders Vote Today
By the time many of you read this Northwest Airlines' stockholders will have voted on the proposed merger with Delta Airlines in New York, and Delta Airlines' shareholders will have voted on the merger with Northwest Airlines in Atlanta.
The recent recalculations of the merger show a potential for the two airlines to save approximately US$2-billion. With the merger a hot topic in both Delta and Northwest Hub cities, the two airlines have promised to keep all their hubs operating if there is a merger, giving the 'new combined airline' a total of six hubs, as well as a number of significant 'focus cities' to maintain their operations.
review of the merger is pending, and will be released after the share holders vote to merge the two airlines. The merger of the to airlines will create one airline flying under the name "Delta Airlines" and the long storied history of Northwest Airlines and its bright red tails will fade into our memories.
This merger is supposed to create the world's largest airline, eclipsing American Airlines' parent company, AMR. AMR is currently the world's largest airline operating more than 900 aircraft. This information tends to look quite incorrect when you look at the actual 'in-service' fleet aircraft numbers. Even after the merger the combined Delta/Northwest fleet will still be quite a bit smaller than AMR in terms of post-merger 'Delta owned aircraft.'
Currently AMR's fleet consists of 922 aircraft. 635 are flown by American Airlines with an additional 287 operated by American Eagle. Going by the current fleet size numbers, a combined Delta Airlines & Northwest Airlines fleet will consist of 716 aircraft. Delta brings 452 aircraft to the merger and Northwest brings 264 to the merger.
So while the merger press sheets stress a larger fleet that AMR, even if you add in Delta's subsidiary carrier Comair's fleet of 138 aircraft, the total aircraft still remains at 854 aircraft for Delta and 922 for AMR.
If the shareholders vote in favour of the merger, there are many hurdles ahead for the two airlines merge. The huge hurdle is merging the combined pilots Unions. The pay rates are quite different between the carriers. The seniority between the two airlines is different. Even the aircraft and routes the airlines fly are quite different.
The different between airlines and routes is not only an issue for sorting out Union and Pay seniority; it also gets tricky when combining the fleets and route structures. Delta Airlines flies an all Boeing fleet, while Northwest flies a combined Boeing and Airbus fleet.
In creating parity between the two airlines Pilots' Unions, the 'best guess' is that a Delta 777 captain who flies long haul would be equal to a Northwest Airlines 747 captain who flies long haul. After that a Delta 767 captain who flies long haul would equal that of a Northwest A330 captain who flies long haul.......but wait....
Delta operates the 767-300 domestically and on long-haul international routes, as well as a 767-400 both domestically and internationally while Northwest Airlines only flies the A330 on long-haul international routes, including routes over the Pacific to service the Asia market. How will these line up?
In fact, the only common aircraft Delta and Northwest both operate is the Boeing 757-200 (Northwest also operates a 757 sub-fleet in Japan operating of their hub at Tokyo's Narita, as well as the Boeing 757-300).
Just to further complicate things, outside of the passenger fleet, Northwest Airlines also operates a complete fleet of 747 cargo aircraft.
The pilots Unions seem to be on-board with this merger, at least in public, so hopefully they can work these issues out.
On the operations side, Northwest Airlines has a long and intertwined history with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. The history between these two airlines is so intertwined that they have often alternated aircraft on routes, chosen to fly compatible fleets over the years and designed a strikingly similar business class......that they both branded as "World Business Class."
What happens to this relationship? Will Northwest's hub in Amsterdam become Delta's hub in Amsterdam to continue to operate in complete harmony with KLM?
It is clear that the frequent flyer programs will merger and that Northwest Airlines' WorldPerks will be folded into Delta Airlines' SkyMiles program. Currently Delta's frequent flyer program offers status based only on flown miles, while Northwest's frequent flyer program operates on both flown miles and/or flown segments. With many Northwest elite’s having many short-haul 'segment elites,' will Delta adopt segments, or will Northwest elites be forced out of their status sending them to other airlines and programs?
As the two frequent flyers are merged what is to become of Northwest’s relationship with the Air France-KLM Flying Blue frequent flyer program? With reciprocal upgrades for flyers between the two programs, and Air France-KLM elites having access to the Northwest WorldClubs, will they now have access to Delta's Crown Room Club’s?
I know I am getting bogged down in the relatively minor details. The shareholders are interested in the stock swap values, the buy out packages, the executive structure and the cost reduction of combining overlapping routes...
............wait, I'm interested in the cost reduction of combining overlapping routes.
There are certain flights I have enjoyed on both airlines that are popular flights and that fly out generally full with high revenue passengers. Most of these flights are early or late morning trans-continental routes. These routes are between cities such as New York and San Francisco, and they are fiercely competitive between Delta, American, United, JetBlue and Virgin America. These flights will now be 'overlapping' when combined with a route with a stop in Minneapolis on the Northwest vs a non-stop on Delta. Other routes would be Northwest's extensive flights between North America and Asia, via Tokyo Japan. Will some of these routes, which are all high traffic routes, be eliminated to allow the combined airline to continue its daily non-stop from Delta's 'Fortress' in Atlanta?
The two airlines compliment each other well. Northwest Airlines dominates the Midwest in many markets and has a strong hold on the Pacific routes, while Delta has a strong presence along the east coast and transcontinental routes, along with a significant route structure for Europe and a growing presence in the Middle East.
Overall, while I'd love to see the airline remain independent, I fully understand the merger. In my opinion as an observer sitting on the sideline this is possibly the best matched merger of airlines we have seen in a very long time, ever since......well since Northwest Airlines merged with Republic Airlines.
.............so let's see what the shareholders say. Will we be seeing 747-400s painted up in Delta's livery in the future?
Happy Flying!
25/09/2008 – The Delta Airlines & Northwest Airlines Merger : The Shareholders Vote Today
By the time many of you read this Northwest Airlines' stockholders will have voted on the proposed merger with Delta Airlines in New York, and Delta Airlines' shareholders will have voted on the merger with Northwest Airlines in Atlanta.
The recent recalculations of the merger show a potential for the two airlines to save approximately US$2-billion. With the merger a hot topic in both Delta and Northwest Hub cities, the two airlines have promised to keep all their hubs operating if there is a merger, giving the 'new combined airline' a total of six hubs, as well as a number of significant 'focus cities' to maintain their operations.
review of the merger is pending, and will be released after the share holders vote to merge the two airlines. The merger of the to airlines will create one airline flying under the name "Delta Airlines" and the long storied history of Northwest Airlines and its bright red tails will fade into our memories.
This merger is supposed to create the world's largest airline, eclipsing American Airlines' parent company, AMR. AMR is currently the world's largest airline operating more than 900 aircraft. This information tends to look quite incorrect when you look at the actual 'in-service' fleet aircraft numbers. Even after the merger the combined Delta/Northwest fleet will still be quite a bit smaller than AMR in terms of post-merger 'Delta owned aircraft.'
Currently AMR's fleet consists of 922 aircraft. 635 are flown by American Airlines with an additional 287 operated by American Eagle. Going by the current fleet size numbers, a combined Delta Airlines & Northwest Airlines fleet will consist of 716 aircraft. Delta brings 452 aircraft to the merger and Northwest brings 264 to the merger.
So while the merger press sheets stress a larger fleet that AMR, even if you add in Delta's subsidiary carrier Comair's fleet of 138 aircraft, the total aircraft still remains at 854 aircraft for Delta and 922 for AMR.
If the shareholders vote in favour of the merger, there are many hurdles ahead for the two airlines merge. The huge hurdle is merging the combined pilots Unions. The pay rates are quite different between the carriers. The seniority between the two airlines is different. Even the aircraft and routes the airlines fly are quite different.
The different between airlines and routes is not only an issue for sorting out Union and Pay seniority; it also gets tricky when combining the fleets and route structures. Delta Airlines flies an all Boeing fleet, while Northwest flies a combined Boeing and Airbus fleet.
In creating parity between the two airlines Pilots' Unions, the 'best guess' is that a Delta 777 captain who flies long haul would be equal to a Northwest Airlines 747 captain who flies long haul. After that a Delta 767 captain who flies long haul would equal that of a Northwest A330 captain who flies long haul.......but wait....
Delta operates the 767-300 domestically and on long-haul international routes, as well as a 767-400 both domestically and internationally while Northwest Airlines only flies the A330 on long-haul international routes, including routes over the Pacific to service the Asia market. How will these line up?
In fact, the only common aircraft Delta and Northwest both operate is the Boeing 757-200 (Northwest also operates a 757 sub-fleet in Japan operating of their hub at Tokyo's Narita, as well as the Boeing 757-300).
Just to further complicate things, outside of the passenger fleet, Northwest Airlines also operates a complete fleet of 747 cargo aircraft.
The pilots Unions seem to be on-board with this merger, at least in public, so hopefully they can work these issues out.
On the operations side, Northwest Airlines has a long and intertwined history with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. The history between these two airlines is so intertwined that they have often alternated aircraft on routes, chosen to fly compatible fleets over the years and designed a strikingly similar business class......that they both branded as "World Business Class."
What happens to this relationship? Will Northwest's hub in Amsterdam become Delta's hub in Amsterdam to continue to operate in complete harmony with KLM?
It is clear that the frequent flyer programs will merger and that Northwest Airlines' WorldPerks will be folded into Delta Airlines' SkyMiles program. Currently Delta's frequent flyer program offers status based only on flown miles, while Northwest's frequent flyer program operates on both flown miles and/or flown segments. With many Northwest elite’s having many short-haul 'segment elites,' will Delta adopt segments, or will Northwest elites be forced out of their status sending them to other airlines and programs?
As the two frequent flyers are merged what is to become of Northwest’s relationship with the Air France-KLM Flying Blue frequent flyer program? With reciprocal upgrades for flyers between the two programs, and Air France-KLM elites having access to the Northwest WorldClubs, will they now have access to Delta's Crown Room Club’s?
I know I am getting bogged down in the relatively minor details. The shareholders are interested in the stock swap values, the buy out packages, the executive structure and the cost reduction of combining overlapping routes...
............wait, I'm interested in the cost reduction of combining overlapping routes.
There are certain flights I have enjoyed on both airlines that are popular flights and that fly out generally full with high revenue passengers. Most of these flights are early or late morning trans-continental routes. These routes are between cities such as New York and San Francisco, and they are fiercely competitive between Delta, American, United, JetBlue and Virgin America. These flights will now be 'overlapping' when combined with a route with a stop in Minneapolis on the Northwest vs a non-stop on Delta. Other routes would be Northwest's extensive flights between North America and Asia, via Tokyo Japan. Will some of these routes, which are all high traffic routes, be eliminated to allow the combined airline to continue its daily non-stop from Delta's 'Fortress' in Atlanta?
The two airlines compliment each other well. Northwest Airlines dominates the Midwest in many markets and has a strong hold on the Pacific routes, while Delta has a strong presence along the east coast and transcontinental routes, along with a significant route structure for Europe and a growing presence in the Middle East.
Overall, while I'd love to see the airline remain independent, I fully understand the merger. In my opinion as an observer sitting on the sideline this is possibly the best matched merger of airlines we have seen in a very long time, ever since......well since Northwest Airlines merged with Republic Airlines.
.............so let's see what the shareholders say. Will we be seeing 747-400s painted up in Delta's livery in the future?
Happy Flying!
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