A new United Airlines advertising campaign is directly targeting Southwest Airlines as the two compete for travelers in Denver.
The “Mile High Standards” campaign critiques Southwest for things like its on-time performance and open seating policy while boasting about United’s offerings like non-stop flights to Hawaii, as well as the airline’s long-time presence in Colorado’s capital city.
United is billing the strategy as “bold” and “unlike any you’ve ever seen from us before,” with its low-cost rival solely in the crosshairs. One example criticizes Southwest’s lack of direct flights to Hawaii and Cozumel from Denver.
United Airlines’ Denver advertising campaign.
United Airlines
Not all of United’s advertisements are directed towards Southwest with some aimed at highlighting the key role that Denver plays for the airline.
United in 2018 opened a flight training center in Denver that houses more than 30 flight simulators and trains around 10,000 pilots each year. United is also the only US airline offering intercontinental flights from Denver to cities like London; Frankfurt, Germany; and Tokyo, in normal times.
Rocky Mountain Rivalry
Denver has proved to be an important base for both Southwest and United during the pandemic. Travelers have flocked to the Mountain West thanks to pandemic-friendly activities like camping, hiking, and skiing.
United has invested additional resources to accommodate, including a luxury bus service from the airport to Breckenridge, Colorado that passengers can book just as they would a regular United flight. Operated by Landline, the bus departs from a terminal gate, and checked bags are transported directly from flyers’ incoming flights.
Southwest also added flights from Denver to Colorado cities like Colorado Springs, Steamboat Springs, and Montrose in direct competition with United. Some of the routes have done so well that daily service is now offered between Denver and both Steamboat Springs and Montrose.
The announcement was peculiar given that no exact timing was given for the once-daily flight and international travel between the UK and US is currently extremely limited. United also seldom launches transatlantic routes that don’t pass through one of its hubs.
The airline’s next target remains to be seen but United is positioning itself for a strong recovery, and clearly isn’t afraid to publicly challenge competitors to do so.
The West Coast of the US stretches more than 1,000 miles with no shortage of major cities from San Diego to Seattle.
Beach Media/Shutterstock
All the major US airlines serve this important region of the country but two are battling for dominance, Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
Comparing Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
Catharine Pierce and Markus Mainka/Shutterstock.com
Alaska is based in Seattle, although its name suggests otherwise, and is a mid-tier US airline with the bulk of its operations on the West Coast.
Philip Pilosian/ Shutterstock
Southwest, on the other hand, is the country’s largest low-cost carrier with a nationwide presence. And while the West Coast is an important region for the airline, it’s just one of many Southwest serves.
Both carriers have sought to grow market share on the West Coast during the pandemic. Southwest added Santa Barbara and Fresno to its California route network while Alaska has added routes from existing cities.
I flew on both airlines this year to see which one was truly the airline of the West Coast. Here’s what I found.
Flying on Southwest Airlines during the pandemic.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
West Coast connectivity: Alaska serves 29 cities up and down the coast, including smaller cities like Everett, Washington; Santa Rosa, California; and Medford, Oregon.
Southwest serves 15 West Coast cities and plans to serve two more this summer. Bellingham, Washington flights will also open sometime this year.
A Southwest Airlines aircraft departing from Los Angeles.
Light Orancio/Shutterstock.com
Winner: Alaska Airlines. The airline’s connectivity between West Coast cities large and small cannot be beaten by Southwest’s existing network.
Comparing Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
Markus Mainka and Catharine Pierce/Shutterstock.com
What comes with the ticket: Every Southwest ticket includes free seat selection anywhere on the plane after boarding, two checked bags, a carry-on bag, and all the onboard amenities.
Flying Southwest Airlines during the pandemic.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Southwest has open seating so any open seat is available for passengers.
Thomas Pallini/Business Insider
Alaska does allow free seat selection for economy but charges extra for seats close to the front and exit row seats.
Flying on Alaska Airlines during the pandemic
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Alaska, like many full-service carriers, has also embraced restrictive basic economy fares that replaced its cheapest fares. The product is generous with and limited advanced seat assignments and a free carry-on bag but flyers will have to pay more for better seats and checked bags.
Flying on Alaska Airlines during the pandemic
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Southwest doesn’t have change or cancel fees for any ticket.
Flying on Southwest Airlines during the pandemic.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Alaska has eliminated change fees but not for basic economy fares, known as “saver” fares.
Flying on Alaska Airlines during the pandemic
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Winner: Southwest Airlines. The flexibility and free extras offered by Southwest put it well and above Alaska. It’s worth noting, however, that even Alaska’s basic economy fares are more generous than many of its competitors.
Comparing Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
Markus Mainka/Shutterstock.com
Boarding: Alaska boards its aircraft in groups that are assigned based on seat location and fare class. First class boards first, followed by elite status holders, those sitting in “premium class.” Economy then boards back to front, for the most part, and basic economy flyers board dead last.
Flying on Alaska Airlines during the pandemic
Thomas Pallini/Insider
On Southwest, however, passengers are given a boarding number and group that’s determined by how early they check-in for the flight. Once on the plane, they can select any open seat.
Flying on Southwest Airlines during the pandemic.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Winner: Southwest Airlines. Alaska’s boarding process relegates basic economy passengers to the very last section while even the passenger with the cheapest ticket on Southwest has the opportunity to board earlier if they check-in at exactly 24 hours prior to departure.
Comparing Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
Markus Mainka/Shutterstock.com
Onboard amenities: Both airlines are in the process of modernizing their fleets but older aircraft remain. On Southwest, for example, I flew on the 737-700 fleet on my most recent trip and it was the furthest from modern.
Flying on Southwest Airlines during the pandemic.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
But its updated aircraft have a great, modern look, as I found on flights from New York to Orlando in 2020.
Alaska has the same issue. Its newer Max aircraft is a show-stopper but older aircraft seem tired.
Flying on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Both airlines also offer paid in-flight WiFi and streaming content.
Water onboard an Alaska Airlines flight from New York to Los Angeles.
Thomas Pallini/Business Insider
Alaska does surpass Southwest, however, by offering in-seat power to keep devices charged.
Flying on Alaska Airlines during the pandemic.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Winner: Alaska Airlines. Both airlines offer similar products but Alaska just eeks ahead with in-seat power.
Comparing Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
Catharine Pierce/Shutterstock.com
In-flight service: Both airlines have restored portions of their in-flight service since the pandemic began. Alaska, for example, serves soft drinks and snacks.
Flying on Alaska Airlines during the pandemic
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Southwest just brought back Coke, Diet Coke, and 7UP, as well as more snacks.
Before the pandemic, however, Alaska sold meals and snack boxes while Southwest just stuck to drinks and small snacks.
The contents of one of Alaska Airlines’ picnic packs.
Thomas Pallini/Business Insider
Winner: Alaska Airlines.
Comparing Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
Catharine Pierce/Shutterstock.com
West Coast feel: Alaska has its roots in the West Coast and that shows in its branding. The colors are vibrant, there is a focus on West Coast brands in the in-flight service, and the airline is based in Seattle.
Flying on Alaska Airlines during the pandemic.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Southwest has a generic appeal as it connects the US through bases across the country with no specific ties to the West Coast. There’s no West Coast feel.
Flying on Southwest Airlines during the pandemic.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Winner: Alaska Airlines: There’s an undeniable feeling when flying on Alaska that it’s more in tune with the West Coast vibe than Southwest.
Comparing Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
Catharine Pierce/Shutterstock.com
National connectivity: Alaska is highly concentrated on the West Coast while Southwest has bases across the US.
Flying on Alaska Airlines during the pandemic
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Southwest doesn’t have the sprawling West Coast network that Alaska does but it does offer connections between most of the region’s major cities and connections to the rest of the country through its mid-continent bases in places like Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas, and Dallas.
Southwest Airlines aircraft at Denver International Airport.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Alaska only has hubs in the West Coast cities of Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, and Portland, requiring a stop in one of those cities before heading east. The airline does partner with airlines like American to offer mixed-airline itineraries but that could be difficult if the airlines are in two different terminals.
Alaska Airlines aircraft at Los Angeles International Airport.
Thomas Pallini/Business Insider
Winner: Southwest Airlines. Having more mid-continent bases allows for more convenient journeys with lower travel times for customers.
Comparing Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
Markus Mainka/Shutterstock.com
Business traveler amenities: Corporate travelers have different priorities than most leisure travelers and will often spend more for seats in premium cabins and access lounges.
Flying on Alaska Airlines during the pandemic.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Alaska has premium lounges in six airports, and partners with American and Qantas on lounge access for members. Southwest does not have any lounges.
The Alaska Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Alaska’s jet aircraft also have first class cabins, the domain of the business traveling road warrior, while Southwest does not.
Flying on Alaska Airlines during the pandemic.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
A special section of economy is also available on Alaska. Called “premium class,” seats in the section offer additional legroom and come with complimentary alcoholic beverages.
Flying on Alaska Airlines during the pandemic.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Alaska is also a member of the Oneworld airline alliance and Alaska’s elite status holders can use their benefits on other airlines like American and British Airways, and vice versa. Southwest is not a part of any airline alliance.
REUTERS/Mike Blake
Southwest does have a special fare for business travelers, called “Business Select,” that includes extras like priority boarding and free alcoholic drinks (suspended during the pandemic).
Thomas Pallini/Business Insider
And Southwest does have better connectivity outside of the West Coast. A business traveler in St. Louis looking to fly to New York couldn’t even choose Alaska if they wanted to.
Flying on Southwest Airlines during the pandemic from Miami International Airport.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Winner: Alaska Airlines. Business travelers have more premium amenities at their disposal on Alaska, if the choice is between Alaska and Southwest.
Comparing Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
Catharine Pierce/Shutterstock.com
Airline of the West Coast: Alaska Airlines. Both airlines are incredibly similar but Alaska has more West Coast-oriented amenities to help it pull ahead of Southwest.
Las Vegas is home to one of American Express’ 14 Centurion Lounges, widely considered to be the gold standard of airport lounges because of their high-end offerings including complimentary and meticulous crafted food items and alcoholic beverages.
McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas NV
The lounge is located in the airport’s D gate concourse, home to United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and JetBlue Airways, among others.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Passenger on any airline can access the lounge, however, if they have the American Express Platinum or Centurion card. American Express Delta Skymiles Reserve cardholders can also use the lounge when flying Delta or a Delta-marketed flight.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
I had a six-hour layover in the airport so I headed straight to the lounge. Departing passengers are normally only allowed to enter within three hours of their flight but connecting passengers are exempt from that rule.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Here’s what it was like inside the Las Vegas Centurion Lounge.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
I checked into the lounge using digital check-in via the American Express mobile application and was given a QR code to show the agent. I only had to show my boarding pass and identification as the agent saw my check-in on her end.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Within seconds, I was inside one of the most exclusive clubs in Las Vegas. Greeting me was this portrait of a dog resting on an American Express trunk accompanying two black armchairs, a staple of the Centurion Lounge that can be found in every location.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
The lounge was moderately crowded and employees, as a result, were escorting guests to particular seats to help ensure distancing.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
I was asked if I wanted to sit in one of the main seating areas….
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Or the dining area. I chose the former to take advantage of the more comfortable seating.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
I was traveling alone so I was given one of these cushioned cubbies, complete with my own table.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Capacity in the lounge is limited due to the pandemic so certain seating areas are blocked.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Along the wall where I was sitting, for example, every other cubby was blocked.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
It created an extra degree of privacy and meant I had more room to store my bags, and another table to hold my laptop while I ate lunch.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Once I got settled, I headed over to the buffet to get something to eat. These lounges are known for having good eats with menus crafted from local chefs. Chef Kim Canteenwalla had designed this menu.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
The offering was quite extensive and better than what I’d seen in competing airline lounges even before the pandemic. Light options included a chopped bacon, lettuce, and tomato salad…
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Butternut squash soup…
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
And mango cranberry couscous.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Hot items included kale pesto pasta…
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Brussel sprouts…
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Meatloaf…
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
And chimichurri fingerling potatoes.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
And for desert, peach cobbler was on offer.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Healthier options included fruits like apples, pears, and bananas. Cookies and honey mustard pretzels were also on offer but not many snacks were available other than that.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
All in all, it was some of the best airport food I’ve ever had. Every item was bursting with flavor and made for a great meal.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
And of course, the full bar is another big selling feature of the lounge as drinks are complimentary.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
The main bar was closed but this makeshift bar still did the trick. Most common cocktails can be ordered at the bar but American Express’ in-house mixologist, Jim Meehan, also crafts specialty drinks for each location.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
One such drink was the “air mail,” a sparkling wine drink with rum, honey syrup, and lime juice.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Plexiglass partitions were also erected at the bar for social distancing.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
After having lunch, I walked around the more than 13,000 square foot space. American Express just recently renovated the lounge and it showed.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
The decor was very modern and very Las Vegas. It made me feel like I was in the heart of the Strip despite only being at the airport.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Large sections of the lounge were blocked off but other sections included a sprawling conference table and more private seating.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
These lounges often lend themselves well to social distancing with high-walled chairs since privacy is a huge draw for discerning travelers.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
There are even private phone rooms that are enclosed for maximum privacy.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
I also discovered somewhat of a hidden room in the back of the lounge.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
It didn’t have any windows but was well-lit and has its own television.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
The lounge’s family room was, however, off-limits due to the pandemic.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Roped-off areas were opened once the lounge was sufficiently crowded. It wasn’t uncommon before the pandemic to see these lounges filled to the brim.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Departure information screens could also be found throughout the lounge so passengers could stay up to date on the status of their next flight.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Aviation enthusiasts will enjoy one of the seating areas near the window as a variety of aircraft can be spotted.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Hot beverages were also available with multi-beverage coffee machines capable of making anything from a standard cup of coffee to espresso, cappuccino, hot chocolate, and anything in between.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
A selection of teas was also available with hot water.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Visiting this lounge made my six-hour layover go by in what felt like an instant.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
The only downside is that it closes at 3 p.m., at which point the only other lounge available to passengers in the terminal is The Club LAS.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
But for the few hours I got to spend in the lounge, I can say that it will become a staple on my future visits to Las Vegas.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
Thomas Pallini/Insider
The renovations and superior offering make it a jewel in the Centurion Lounge network.
Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport
The airline’s strategy is offering flyers cheap non-stop flights to leisure destinations, and that’s in demand now that Americans are raring to get back in the air following an extended pandemic. But while Frontier may fly the same type of aircraft as its full-service competitors like American Airlines and United Airlines, the onboard product couldn’t be any different.
As with any ultra-low-cost carrier, Frontier is built for savings and that’s reflected in every aspect of the flying experience. Seats, for example, are bare-bones with minimal padding, menial tray tables, and as little as 28 inches of legroom on some planes, according to SeatGuru. But that doesn’t mean flights can’t be enjoyable.
Frontier flies from my local airport on Long Island in New York and I’ve had many an opportunity to journey on the ultra-low-cost carrier by taking advantage of its rock-bottom pricing. In my years of flying the airline, I don’t think I’ve paid more than $30 for a round-trip flight when traversing the East Coast as far south as Miami and have had a good experience nearly every time.
Here’s what you need to know when flying Frontier in order to get the best experience.
Know what you’re paying for
Flying Frontier Airlines during the pandemic.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Flyers should know that their $15 one-way ticket isn’t going to get them much more than a ticket to ride. Everything from an advanced seat assigned to the drinks onboard the aircraft is going to incur an extra fee.
But that’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you know what to pay for and what not to pay for. Personal items like a backpack can fly free of charge and so I avoid the baggage fees by skipping the carry-on and using a backpack for my items if the trip allows.
The seats onboard Frontier are also unlike anything passengers would find on a full-service airline. They’re thin “slimline” seats with no headrests, in-seat power, or even full-size tray tables. Legroom is also significantly reduced, which can make for an uncomfortable ride for taller passengers.
Ultimately, they’re not the most comfortable but I also know my limits when flying an airline like Frontier. I tend to get squirmish when flying Frontier after around three hours, especially if in a crowded row, so I wouldn’t generally book a flight longer than that.
Flyers wanting the extras can pay for them and those wanting seats comparable to a full-service carrier can book “stretch” seats in the first few rows of the cabin. They include full tray tables, extra legroom, and full recline capabilities.
Travelers with too high of expectations will ultimately be disappointed by Frontier but I’ve found that managing those expectations will result in a better experience.
Why I never pay for a seat and how to get a better one for free
Flying Frontier Airlines during the pandemic.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
I’ve taken 13 flights on Frontier and I’ve only been assigned a middle seat a total of one time. The science isn’t exactly clear on how Frontier randomly assigns leftover seats but my trick is checking in exactly 24 hours in advance and I’m typically given an aisle or window seat.
I prefer a window seat and so I always check with the gate agent to see if any have opened up if I’m assigned an aisle or middle. The gate staff are usually more than willing to help out and will often assign the closest open seat to the front.
As I found when flying basic economy to Europe in January 2020, there’s very little you can’t get for free when asking politely, even when flying on the cheapest ticket.
Why I subscribe to Discount Den and how to get it for “free”
Flying Frontier Airlines during the pandemic.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Discount Den is a paid membership product where customers get discounts on flights in exchange for a $59.99 annual fee. It’s separate from the MyFrontier loyalty program and perks can include discounts, free tickets for children, and buy one, get ones.
The savings are more pronounced on more expensive flights as the cheaper flights in Frontier’s network will only see a modest savings of only a few dollars. A $95 flight I booked from Islip, New York to Phoenix in June, however, was only $77 thanks to the program. The $18 savings was around a third of the annual fee so if I had two more flights with that amount of savings, I’d break even.
But I didn’t outright pay to join the program. I joined in January and discovered that I could use travel credit from a Frontier flight that I had canceled during the pandemic to pay for it, but only if I bought the membership while booking a flight.
Frontier sometimes offers signup bonuses when joining the program to make it an even better value. I signed up and was given a $50 voucher to fly on Frontier so the program basically paid for itself.
The only downside is that there are no perks when actually flying. I still have to pay for a seat, I don’t get to board any earlier, and I don’t receive any baggage allowance. But the discounts I get do help offset the cost of buying extras like a seat assignment or carry-on bag if I absolutely need them.
Frontier’s pandemic safety measures
Flying Frontier Airlines during the pandemic.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Like most major US airlines, Frontier flyers must wear masks when flying and acknowledge a health declaration that basically says flyers haven’t contracted COVID-19 recently and haven’t been exposed to the virus. But that’s about where the similarities stop.
All travelers flying Frontier must submit to a temperature screening at boarding. If a flyer shows a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, they’ll be denied boarding.
On the plane, Frontier has not blocked middle seats and does not proactively notify of full flights. Customers are also on their own to social distance, either by asking the gate agent to move to an empty row or asking the flight attendant to be re-seated.
The in-flight service has also been suspended with no snacks or drinks, besides bottles of water, available for purchase. Bottles of water are available on request for $2.99 or flyers can bring their own drinks from the terminal.
Two passengers who were aboard a United Airlines flight are suing the company after one of the plane’s engines caught fire in mid-air during a February flight.
Joseph McGinley and Jonathan Strawn who were traveling from Denver to Honolulu, are filing two separate lawsuits. Each claimed they suffered severe distress and trauma. Both are represented by Clifford Law and seeking $50,000 each for personal, emotional, and financial damages.
“The passengers on this flight thought it was going to be their last,” said Robert A. Clifford, founder, and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices in Chicago.
Clifford Law posted about the case on its website on Friday: “Imagine as a passenger looking out the window of a plane and helplessly watching the engine on fire. The terror you experience lasts a lifetime.”
The incident not only risked the life of the passengers aboard the flight but also the people living in Colorado neighborhoods below.
At the time of the emergency, a video was posted on Twitter showing the engine blasting up into flames after takeoff. Pieces of burning engine debris were also documented with one piece slamming into a resident’s home in Broomfield.
The plane, which was carrying 231 passengers and 10 crew members, was forced to return to Denver. No injuries were reported.
Clifford’s firm also represents the families of 72 passengers who died in a fatal Boeing 737 MAX crash in Ethiopia in 2019.
Fully self-flying planes are moving closer and closer to becoming an everyday reality.
Xwing’s autonomous Cessna Grand Caravan 208B.
Xwing
Xwing, a Bay Area aviation startup, just completed its first “gate-to-gate” autonomous flight with its flagship aircraft, a Cessna Grand Caravan 208B.
Xwing’s autonomous Cessna Grand Caravan 208B.
Xwing
All pilots had to do was sit back and monitor while the plane started up, taxied out, took off, flew, landed, taxied back, and shut down all on its own.
Xwing’s autonomous Cessna Grand Caravan 208B.
Xwing
The flight took place in February 2021 at Buchanan Field Airport in Concord, California just outside of San Francisco. A pilot was inside the aircraft but merely to watch over the systems, talk to air traffic control, and take over for the automated system if need be.
Xwing’s autonomous Cessna Grand Caravan 208B.
Xwing
Another pair of eyes was keeping close watch from Xwing’s “mission control center,” to where data from the aircraft include speed, altitude, pitch, and location was continuously fed.
Xwing’s autonomous Cessna Grand Caravan 208B.
Xwing
“Over the past year, our team has made significant advancements in extending and refining our AutoFlight system to seamlessly integrate ground taxiing, take-offs, landings, and flight operations, all supervised from our mission control center via redundant data links,” Marc Piette, chief executive officer and founder of Xwing, said in a statement.
Xwing’s autonomous Cessna Grand Caravan 208B.
Xwing
The Grand Caravan is a tried and true aviation workhorse, with Xwing’s model powered by a turboprop Pratt & Whitney PT6A-114A engine offering 675 shaft horsepower.
Its range is around 1,000 nautical miles, enough to fly non-stop from San Francisco to cities like Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Seattle, and even Denver, if conditions allow.
And as many as 14 occupants can be carried by the plane.
Xwing’s autonomous Cessna Grand Caravan 208B.
Xwing
The Grand Caravan has uses in both the passenger and cargo realm, with Xwing looking to serve the latter.
Xwing’s autonomous Cessna Grand Caravan 208B.
Xwing
“As we work to bring our technology to market, I’m particularly looking forward to building out our commercialization strategy to bring consumers and logistics companies the most effective air cargo solutions available,” Jesse Kallman, Xwing’s vice president of commercialization and strategy, said in a statement.
Xwing’s autonomous Cessna Grand Caravan 208B.
Xwing
Xwing has joined the worldwide COVID-19 airlift with cargo flights carrying 800 pounds of personal protective equipment to the Navajo Nation in Arizona, performed autonomously from takeoff to landing.
Xwing’s autonomous Cessna Grand Caravan 208B.
Xwing
And major cargo carriers already rely on the Grand Caravan for flights. FedEx Express is one of many that uses the aircraft to reach remote communities.
Enrico Powell / Shutterstock.com
Essential air service carriers, or those that are subsidized by the government to fly to underserved American communities, including Southern Airways Express and Air Choice One also use the Grand Caravan for some flights.
Fabrizio Gandolfo/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty
These flights could one day be operated autonomously thanks to Xwing’s technology.
Xwing’s autonomous Cessna Grand Caravan 208B.
Xwing
Xwing estimates that cost savings could be in the 20-30% range for an aircraft operator including everything from pilot training and salaries to overnighting expenses.
That doesn’t necessarily mean flights will be completely pilot-free, however, as companies like Airbus have said that their tech is intended to aid onboard pilots rather than replace them completely.
Thomas Pallini/Business Insider
Airbus is also leading the charge towards self-flying planes, having demonstrated successful autonomous taxi, takeoff, and landing maneuvers with an Airbus A350-1000 XWB.
Xwing just announced a total funding raise of $55 million and has been identified by venture capitalists such as Andrew Beebe of Obvious Ventures and Kirsten Bartok of AirFinance as one of the leaders in the autonomous aviation space. The company was operating in stealth until May 2020.
Xwing’s autonomous Cessna Grand Caravan 208B with founder and CEO Marc Piette.
“Since the onset of this crisis, U.S. airlines have relied on science, research and data to help guide decisions as they continuously reevaluate and update their processes and procedures,” a spokesperson for the trade organization Airlines for America, which represents the likes of American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, told Insider.
“Multiple scientific studies confirm that the layers of protection significantly reduce risk, and research continues to demonstrate that the risk of transmission onboard aircraft is very low,” the organization said.
Delta is currently the last airline to still block middle seats but will stop doing so on May 1, the longest run of any US airline to block seats. The CDC’s study hasn’t deterred the airline either, which held firm on the policy shift when asked by CNBC on Thursday.
“Our experts tell us that with vaccination rates where they’re at and demand being as strong as it is it’s absolutely safe to sit in that middle seat,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said.
Airlines and at least one aviation expert agree that the CDC study is flawed in multiple aspects including that it was performed in 2017 using maskless mannequins – while wearing masks on an airplane is now mandated by federal law – and wasn’t conducted on an actual airplane, unlike more recent studies.
But science aside, blocking middle seats served a valuable purpose during the pandemic: inspiring peace of mind among travelers returning to flying after months of being grounded.
My experience with blocked middle seats
I’m a life-long flyer and returning to the skies in June 2020 was not an easy decision. Like many, I’d feared catching the novel coronavirus and had a brief moment of panic when I boarded my first flight amid the pandemic.
I was lucky to be flying Delta, however, as I’m sure my panic would have been worsened if I was on a packed plane.
I do realize that airlines need to be profitable in order for me to keep enjoying their services. Delta, after all, estimated that it lost up to $150 million in potential revenue from blocking seats in March.
But, not all of the country is vaccinated and even those that are still might not feel comfortable with being packed into a plane.
My hope is that airlines giving up on seat-block will double down on other efforts to drive home the fact that flying is safe. I’ve seen this on airlines like Delta and United but some have a way to come in their efforts.
The findings of studies promoting air travel as safe are predicated on airlines following their recommended precautions. But even the industry-funded study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health specifically gives recommendations that some airlines aren’t following or enforcing.
One recommendation, for example, states: “Reduce the density of passengers embarking/disembarking the jet bridge at any one time.” Southwest Airlines just reverted to boarding in groups of 30 and doesn’t install social distancing placards, as Insider found on recent Southwest flights in February, even though the study recommends as much.
The Harvard study also mentions, “When one passenger briefly removes a mask to eat or drink, other passengers in close proximity should keep their masks on,” a rule not mandated by most US airlines.
So while crowded flights are here once more and justified by science, airlines aren’t completely off the hook and will still need to do their utmost to keep flyers safe.
CEO Ed Bastian appeared on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” Thursday morning and criticized the report’s shortcoming when asked, saying: “Our experts tell us that with vaccination rates where they’re at and demand being as strong as it is it’s absolutely safe to sit in that middle seat.”
Guiding Delta’s decision, according to Bastian, are experts from the Mayo Clinic, Emory University, and Delta Chief Health Officer Dr. Henry Ting, formerly of the Mayo Clinic. The airline deferred to trade organization Airlines for America when asked for comment on the CDC report.
“Since the onset of this crisis, US airlines have relied on science, research, and data to help guide decisions as they continuously reevaluate and update their processes and procedures,” a spokesperson for the organization said in a statement to Insider. “Multiple scientific studies confirm that the layers of protection significantly reduce risk, and research continues to demonstrate that the risk of transmission onboard aircraft is very low. “
Henry Harteveldt, an industry analyst and cofounder of Atmosphere Research Group, told Insider that the CDC study and its release were flawed for multiple reasons, chiefly because it doesn’t take into account the new realities of travel. Researchers ran the trials in 2017 using maskless mannequins while masks are now mandatory in airplanes under federal law.
Harteveldt and airlines instead point to more recent studies, including one by the US Department of Defense where masked mannequins were tested onboard a United Airlines wide-body aircraft. Airlines similarly tout a Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study that declares the risk of air travel to be “below that of other routine activities during the pandemic, such as grocery shopping or eating out” when precautions are taken.
Both support the claims by airlines that flying is safe thanks to measures like mask-wearing and the use of high-efficiency particulate air filters, or HEPA filters, regardless of whether seats are blocked. Harteveldt noted, however, that the Harvard study was funded by the airline industry while the DOD study was not.
Delta was an early and ardent adopter of the seat-blocking policy and kept seats blocked the longest of any major US airline, most of which started filling planes in late 2020. The policy cost Delta up to $150 million in potential revenue in March but even still, the month was successful as the airline saw positive daily cash flow thanks to a surge in travelers.
“Thanks to the incredible efforts of our people, we achieved positive daily cash generation in the month of March, a remarkable accomplishment considering our middle seat block and the low level of demand for business and international travel,” Bastian said in an earnings statement, adding that he expects the airline to be profitable once more in September.
All major US airlines, confident in measures like mask-wearing and the use of high-efficiency particular air filters, or HEPA filters, are moving away from the practice with no signs of reverting back to it while others never adopted it and are not likely to. Delta Air Lines is the last hold out with its policy slated to end on May 1.
But the reasoning goes well beyond the desire of airlines to turn a profit by filling planes.
“Multiple scientific studies confirm that the layers of protection significantly reduce risk, and research continues to demonstrate that the risk of transmission onboard aircraft is very low,” Airlines for America, the trade organization representing many of the country’s major airlines including Delta, American Airlines, and United Airlines, said in a statement to Insider.
Airlines are already walking a fine line to prevent an onboard outbreak while trying to get flyers to come back. If an outbreak were to occur, the industry could go right back to where it was in March 2020 with mass cancellations and billions of dollars being lost.
Masks have been required onboard commercial airline flights for almost a year now and any major outbreak would have been well noted and investigated. The 2017 study also doesn’t take into account the measures being taken by airlines, one industry expert says.
“This is months-old data that overlooks a lot of changes in the real world policies and practices that the air transport industry has implemented since the study was first conducted,” Henry Harteveldt, industry analyst and co-founder of Atmosphere Research Group, said of the just-released CDC report. Researchers ran the tests in a laboratory setting using mannequins that were not wearing face masks.
More recent studies from the US Department of Defense and Harvard School of Public Health better-simulated pandemic conditions by using actual airplanes – the DOD partnered with United Airlines and used commercial aircraft, for example – and by masking up the mannequins.
Harteveldt noted that each stud likely isn’t perfect, as the Harvard study was industry-funded. And while the DOD study is more dependable, it only used wide-body aircraft for its testing, a factor that Harteveldt says isn’t a major limiting issue considering the filtration systems are comparable on narrow-body aircraft.
Reverting back to the days of blocking middle seats would also wreak havoc on airlines that have begun selling tickets on planes to capacity for the summer.
“If you were to tell a passenger now, ‘oh, we have to rebook your vacation because we’re blocking middle seats,’ I think you’d have a lot of upset travelers,” Harteveldt said, noting airlines would like demand compensation from the government if it became law.
Travelers have indicated time and time again that they’re willing to fly on any airline if the price is right, regardless of the seat block. American Airlines and United Airlines had no trouble filling some flights in the first summer of the pandemic when flights were sold to capacity, as Insider found on multiple flights in June 2020.
“The consumers went where they could get the flights and fares that they could afford,” Harteveldt said. “And this was before vaccines were available and before wearing a mask was a federal mandate.”
Delta Air Lines is set to end its middle-seat block on May 1, at which point none of the 11 major US airlines will offer the policy. Airlines are also not alone as Amtrak and Megabus have also announced definitive ends to their seat blocking policies, as well.
Narrator: This is the bathroom door on an airplane and it can save your life. Not because it’s the only thing standing between you and the guy that ate an airport burrito before he got on board. It actually has a hidden safety feature. Can you figure it out?
1. Yellow hooks
In case of an emergency that requires the pilot to land on the water, you’ll be grateful for these little yellow hooks. The number and placement of hooks on each wing vary from plane to plane, but they all do the same thing: help passengers to safety. They’re an anchor for ropes, which passengers use to steady and pull themselves across the wing especially during a water landing. The ropes and hooks can also be used to tether rafts to the plane so they don’t float away as passengers board.
2. No oxygen tanks
Let’s say your plane does depressurize. You know the drill – pull down on the mask to extend the tube, cover your nose and mouth with the yellow cup, and always put your own mask on first. But wait, why do you have to pull down on the mask? It’s not to reach your face. It’s actually to start a chemical reaction. T
here are no oxygen tanks on airplanes. They’re just too heavy and bulky to be practical. Instead, the panel above your head contains a chemical oxygen generator. It’s a small canister that holds sodium chlorate, barium peroxide, and a pinch of potassium perchlorate. And when all three mix together, the extremely hot chemical reaction lets off oxygen.
3. Fire-resistant cushion
Your seat cushion functions as a flotation device, but did you know it’s also fireproof? Let’s take this back a few decades. During a 1967 test for the first Apollo moon mission, three astronauts were killed when the interior of the capsule caught on fire. An investigation showed that the craft was filled with highly flammable materials including the foam in the seat cushions.
This led NASA to conduct a whole slew of research for a way to cover flammable things with a fire-resistant material. So in 1984, the Federal Aviation Administration issued new regulations regarding the flammability of airplane seats. And in fact, it’s estimated that 20 to 25 lives are saved each year because their seats don’t catch on fire.
4. Black triangle
Above some of those flame-resistant seats, you might see a little black or red triangle. Those triangles actually signify what’s nicknamed “William Shatner’s seat.” It’s a reference to a 1963 episode of “The Twilight Zone,” in which Shatner’s character sees a gremlin on the wing of the plane. The triangles signal to the crew which windows have the best view of the wings in case a flap malfunctions or to check to see if they’ve been deiced.
5. Little window hole
While you’re staring at the gremlin on the wing, you might notice a small hole in the window. Usually not a good feature for a window, but necessary in this case. It’s called a bleed hole. And it prevents your airplane window from blowing out. That’s because the air pressure inside the plane is so much greater than outside, which would cause any normal window to explode.
But the windows on an airplane are made up of three panes: inner, middle, and outer. The outer pane takes the pressure, the middle acts as a fail-safe, and the inner is just there so passengers don’t mess with the other two. The hole also lets moisture escape from the gaps so the windows don’t fog up or freeze.
6. Dimming lights
If the idea of your window popping out mid-flight causes you stress, just try to keep the shade up anyways. That simple action could give you peace of mind and potentially save your life. Before taking off and landing at night, crews will often dim the cabin lights and ask passengers to open their shades. This is to give their eyes time to adjust to the darkness. In case of evacuation, passengers’ eyes will already be acclimated to the blackness outside. If the lights stayed on, their eyes would need time to adjust and they’d end up wasting precious seconds stumbling blindly instead of quickly evacuating.
7. Hidden bathroom lock
While joining the mile-high club might seem like a fun idea, you won’t get the kind of privacy you might expect. In fact, a crew member could open the bathroom door at any moment no matter if you locked it or not. On the outside of most airplane bathroom doors is a little plate that says “LAVATORY.” And under that little plate is a latch that unlocks the door from the outside. This allows the crew to access the bathroom in case of an emergency.
8. Ashtray
While you’re in the bathroom, you might notice an ashtray. “But wait,” you think to yourself, “I thought it was illegal to smoke on planes!” You’re right! Smoking on an airplane has been banned on US airlines since the late 1980s and could saddle you with a fine of up to $25,000. Even with the threat of a fine, the Federal Aviation Administration isn’t taking chances. It lists ashtrays in bathrooms as legally required to meet the minimum equipment needed for a plane. Trash cans on a plane are mostly filled with flammable materials, like cocktail napkins. So tossing a cigarette butt into one of those would not be good.
After all, there are still plenty of things in a plane that aren’t covered in flame-resistant material.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This video was originally published in December 2019.