025 LGB - limiting leg room reduction, United iPhones and secret frequent flyer program

SHOW NOTES

Captains' hat tips

Our thanks to Markus (STR), Cedric (CDG), Michael (FAB), Peter (BOH), Ivan (WAW), and Kendall (TXL) for their contributions to this episode and their feedback.
Note that due to the increasing incoming messages, we won't be able to thank everyone, nor reference all the news sent to us on each episode, for time's sake. please keep them going though! We really love the conversations and try to answer to each and everyone of you.

Special thanks to all those who hunted our last episode on Product Hunt.

News of the week

Disruption in air travel

• 3 Radical Ideas To Totally Disrupt Air Travel | Co.Design | business + design
• TEAGUE on Instagram
• The Disruptive Airline Concept That Puts Passengers First – Skift

LHR and pollution

• Heathrow CEO Says Volkswagen Scandal Will Help Fix Airport's Pollution Problem – Skift

Air India announces world's longest flight

• San Francisco to New Delhi flight could mark beginning of Air India’s turnaround | The Indian Express

Airline layoffs

• Air France Pilots Won't Budge, So The Airline Will Cut Flights and Routes – Skift
• Gatwick BA cabin crew face big pay cuts or redundancy | Business | The Guardian

Stop the leg room war

• Regulations.gov - FlyersRights.org

Innovation in seat design

• Seat-Maker Zodiac Falls as American Airlines Seeks to Sever Deal - Bloomberg Business
• The Qatar Airways A350 & a future double bed in business class
• New Saudia airliner offers ‘best seat in the world’ | Dr Asif Shahid
• The Aircraft Seat Supplier That Built a Business Designing a Better Premium – Skift
• 5 New Airline Cabin Features Changing the Way We Travel – Skift
• The Future of Flying Could Be More Like a Cruise – Skift
• Air Berlin Adds XL Seats To Long Haul Fleet
• This Brilliant New Design Makes the Middle Row the Best Seat on the Plane | Travel + Leisure
• Will Airlines Get Onboard With Easy-Boarding Side-Slip Seat? – Skift
• Airline seats with adjustable heights: Plan could spark mile-high fury | PerthNow
• We Found the Smart Aircraft Seat that Could Spare Millions of Passengers' Knees – Skift

Europe Court challenges airline excuses for delays

• Floodgates open for flight delay claims | Money | The Guardian

A lucky landing

• Close call for valley-based Mesa Air Group flight - Story | KSAZ

United apologizes

• United CEO's Open Letter to Passengers: We Haven't Lived Up to Expectations – Skift
• United CEO talks coffee, bag fees and lousy flights - Chicago Tribune
• United Air (UAL) Pilots to CEO Munoz: Buyback Not Best Use of $3 Billion - TheStreet

United pampers

• Inside United's Secret Club for Top Fliers - WSJ
• United Airlines is surprising its best customers with free upgrades. This is how the program works. — Brian Sumers
• United Begins New Secret Upgrade Program for Its Best Customers – Skift

United innovates

• What Do You Know About United's Allegedly Creepy New App for Flight Attendants?
• United Airlines Hopes To Turn Corner With Friendlier Skies, Better Flight Management - Forbes

A non-smart Bluesmart?

• Luggage Review: Bluesmart Smart Carry-On

Quebec airport and the Apple Watch

• Québec Airport Becomes World’s First to Use Apple Watch to Help Planes Take-Off – Skift

AirAsia is an internet company

• Yes, AirAsia just called itself an internet company

Malaysian won't re-brand

• Malaysia Airlines to ramp up services to help win back...