Layovers - Air Travel podcast

038 BOS - Behind Virgin America and its death, TSA, KLM Facebook Messenger, Tesla races 737

Episode Summary

Flight 038. The story behind Virgin America’s death: why Alaska bought it, why JetBlue didn’t, why Alaska might regret it, why it made sense for the investors to sell, how JetBlue goes after Virgin’s passengers, how we all lose out, and what will happen to the brand. A bit of hope for the 747. The dire state of the TSA. The confidence behind Emirates’ new booking system. A pillow that calls itself smart. KLM is boarding the new Facebook Messenger. Warheads board an Air Serbia plane. A Tesla and a 737 race each other.

Episode Notes

The death of Virgin America

• The Death of Virgin America's Brand and the Aftermath of the Alaska Airlines Sale – Skift
• Alaska Air Buys Virgin America in Healthy $2.6 Billion Merger - Yahoo Finance
• VIRGIN AMERICA SHAREHOLDER NOTICE: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Announces the Investigation of Virgin America Inc. (VA) Over the Proposed Sale of the Company to Alaska Air Group, Inc. - Yahoo Finance
• JetBlue Exec: Virgin America Was a Nice-To Have But Not Worth $2.6 Billion – Skift
• JetBlue Is the One to Watch as It Tries to Target Virgin America's Passengers – Skift
• Sour Over Failed Bid For Virgin America, JetBlue Gives Away Free Tickets – Consumerist

The 747 lives to see another day

• Boeing Gets $1.5 Billion Surprise With New 747 Jumbo Jet Orders - Bloomberg
• Sneak Peek at Malaysia Airlines 9M-MPP Boeing 747-400 #RetroJet #QueenOftheskies | AzuanZahdi.com

Shoutouts

• Levi Bloom on Twitter: "@papadimitriou 2 episodes from finishing every layovers episode. Listening from Minneapolis. Really enjoying this fantastic podcast."
• Heathrow Airport on Twitter: "@papadimitriou Hi Paul, the e-gates in T3 are being updated for new generation ones, to improve immigration at Heathrow."

KLM expands Messenger initiative

• Heathrow Airport on Twitter: "@papadimitriou Hi Paul, the e-gates in T3 are being updated for new generation ones, to improve immigration at Heathrow."

AF KLM CEO leaves for IATA

• Air France-KLM says CEO to leave airline for top IATA post | Reuters

US Congreas refuses to legislate on legroom

• Backed by Airline Dollars, Congress Rejects Effort to Address Shrinking Legroom

The state of air travel

• Come fly with me | 1843

Passengers rights in the EU almost impound a plane!

• An Airline Owed a Customer $680—and Its Plane Almost Got Impounded

Missiles on a commercial jetliner...

• US missiles found on Air Serbia plane | GulfNews.com

Yet another smart luggage

• Raden

A tracker with a twist

• Smart-Unit - Product Hunt
• How does it work ? Smart-Unit. Luggage locator | Smart-Unit

Facepalm for the TSA

• TSA paid $1.4 million for Randomizer app that chooses left or right | Apps and Software | Geek.com
• The TSA is a Mess; Won't Get Better Soon - Wandering Aramean

A smart… pillow??

• WOOLLIP Travel Pillow: Smart pillow for smart travelers! by DIANE & FRANCK LEVY — Kickstarter

A 737 races a Tesla

• Tesla vs. Boeing: Which wins the ultimate drag race? - CNET

BOS

• Massport - Logan Airport