by Lufthansa Flyer | Jun 16, 2017 | Cuba, Featured, Travel |
Ahead of an announcement from Washington tomorrow, details are starting to emerge regarding the policy as it relates to American citizens traveling to Cuba. The reversal of the policy first came to light a few weeks ago.
Under current rules, it became fairly easy for American citizens to qualify under 1 of 12 ‘reasons’ for traveling to Cuba, including humanitarian, religious, education, and healthcare provider categories.
With the new rules set to be unveiled tomorrow, Americans would no longer be allowed to travel to Cuba individually, but rather would need to be part of a group and have a very specific reason for going to Cuba. Tourism would not be one of those reasons. In addition, applications for travel to Cuba would be scrutinized severely as compared to the relatively lax process currently in place.
There was no indication if the announcement will include closing the US Embassy that was opened in Havana in 2015.
What if you have a ticket to Cuba for travel next week?
Don’t worry. People currently with plans to go Cuba can continue with their trip as scheduled. Tomorrow’s announcement will simply put in motion the process to change the policy and no dates have been announced as far as when the new rules would take effect. What will happen tomorrow is that the announcement will request that appropriate government agencies start working on new travel policies within 30 days in alignment with Trump’s directive, but not necessarily have anything in force until sometime after the 30 day window expires.
So go and enjoy your Cohiba Robustos and drams of Havana Club 15…….but hurry!
Related: Travel Ban To Cuba Set To Return?
by Lufthansa Flyer | Jun 14, 2017 | Electronics Ban, Featured, Passenger Experience, TSA |
In the soap opera known as ‘Will There, Or Won’t There Be An Electronics Ban’ it appears that the latest chapter suggests that we may not have much to worry about.
Speaking at the International Summit on Borders, Homeland Security boss John Kelly state that he ‘has a fair amount of confidence’ with the notion that aviation security measures can be improved and increased, thus benefiting passengers.
He added “The good news is, I think … with a fair amount of confidence, that we can raise the level overall of aviation security and not inconvenience the traveling public very much, if at all in some cases and just really add to the security and get our arms around”
Though he didn’t altogether come out say there’s nothing to worry about regarding a ban, it appears that he may be less keen than he was a few weeks ago on ruining travel for millions of people.
Let’s see how the story changes in the coming days and weeks. It seems like we get alternating positions from Homeland Security as far as the ban is concerned.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Jun 13, 2017 | Austrian, Featured, Industry News, Lufthansa, Passenger Experience |
Over the last few days, German media has been reporting a new concept being considered by Lufthansa to further enhance cost savings when it comes to flight operations out of the hubs in Europe.
Lufthansa’s Harry Hohmeister has unveiled plans that will create a potentially new ‘Flexible Routing’ fare that will allow Lufthansa to change already issued tickets for passengers willing to be more flexible in their trip routing.
The reasoning behind this concept will allow Lufthansa to self-direct passenger flow through hubs based on demand and pricing. For example, Frankfurt Airport charges Lufthansa up to 20% more for handling long haul LH flights and passengers than Munich, Zurich, or Vienna charge. Having passengers reroute through lower cost hubs obviously would net a positive impact on LH’s bottom line. In their planning, LH would be able to determine in advance if other hubs and flights have capacity to handle last minute changes. If not, the flex fare passenger would fly their original ticket.
An example could look like:
A passenger books a flight from Chicago to Berlin. The original booking would have the passenger transit through Frankfurt enroute to Berlin. Under a flex routing fare, Lufthansa could re-ticket the passenger a few days before the flight to have them fly Chicago – Munich – Berlin, Chicago – Vienna – Berlin, or Chicago – Zurich – Berlin and thus avoid the extra costs associated with routing a passenger through the more pricey Frankfurt.
Passengers flying under a flex routing fare would be informed days or weeks ahead of their trip, letting them know if their original routing has changed.
Please understand that only a ‘flex routing’ fare class would subject a passenger to a last minute rerouting. Passengers flying on traditional fare classes would not be subject to these kind of changes.
Lufthansa has already sent a ‘shot across the bow’ to Frankfurt by announcing a transfer of 5 A380 aircraft to Munich, thus already reducing capacity at Frankfurt and potentially preparing for the roll out of the new flex-routing fares and increasing capacity in Munich.
In his comments, Hohmeister indicated that passengers agreeing to a flex routing fare would be well rewarded for their willingness to be flexible.
Plans are in place to unveil the new program for Lufthansa and Austrian operated flights at the beginning of 2018.
