American Airlines

I Got a Free Pillow

Shortly after takeoff, we got a bag of corn chips. Then lunch. I had a choice of “pasta” or “beef.” Pasta sounded safer. I went with that.

– Henry Blodget, from a blog post entitled “I Was Quite Surprised By Some Things On My American Airlines International ‘Economy Class’ Flight”

Another Day, Another PayPal-esque Digital Wallet: Here’s MasterCard’s High-Tech Billfold

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on May 7, 2012 at 3:30 pm PT

No surprise here: MasterCard also has a digital wallet strategy. Details are being spilled tonight at a special event at the wireless industry’s CTIA event.

GoGo Goes for IPO

Lauren Goode in News on December 23, 2011 at 8:57 am PT

Stock symbol? You guessed it: GOGO.

American Airlines Pilot on Why He Won’t Be Stowing His iPad During Takeoff

Ina Fried in Mobile on December 14, 2011 at 3:46 pm PT

The head of the airline’s effort to replace inflight manuals with iPads talks with AllThingsD about the effort. And, no, he’s not really sure why the rest of us can’t use our iPads until after we hit 10,000 feet.

Joey, Have You Ever Seen a Paperless Cockpit Before?

John Paczkowski in News on December 13, 2011 at 2:37 pm PT

iPads for all phases of flight? Surely you can’t be serious.

Alec Baldwin Addresses Words With Friends-Gate by Spelling S-N-L (Video)

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on December 12, 2011 at 4:00 am PT

While hosting “Saturday Night Live” this weekend, Alec Baldwin apologized for the meltdown that resulted in him getting kicked off a plane. Except that it wasn’t much of an apology at all.

Don’t Put a Flight Attendant Between Alec Baldwin and Words With Friends

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on December 6, 2011 at 4:32 pm PT

Actor Alec Baldwin loves Zynga’s hit game Words With Friends, but right now he’s not too crazy about American Airlines, which he says booted him off a flight for playing while sitting at the gate.

Voices

Two Airlines Battle Mileage-Tracking Websites

Scott McCartney, Reporter, The Wall Street Journal in News on October 13, 2011 at 12:00 am PT

Websites that help consumers manage their frequent-flier miles are the hot new thing in travel. And that bugs Southwest and American airlines.

Will the Next Groupon-Killer Be Your Bank or Even a Hotel?

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on August 3, 2011 at 4:31 am PT

Just about every company wants to get into the daily deals space. Soon you may start getting offers from your bank, hotel chains or airlines.

News Byte

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab Joins Pretzels and Pillows Among American Airlines’ In-Flight Amenities

Ina Fried in Mobile on June 13, 2011 at 9:00 am PT

American Airlines said Monday that it plans to deploy about 6,000 Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 devices for use as in-flight entertainment in premium cabins on select flights. “We are working hard to revitalize our fleet and invest wisely in new products and services to modernize and enhance the travel experience,” American Airlines’ Chief Commercial Officer Virasb Vahidi said in a statement. “Working with Samsung to outfit our premium cabins with the innovative Galaxy Tab will give our premium customers a modern and innovative in-flight entertainment experience.”