Panama's COPA Airlines is one of two major international carriers flying back to SFO this month.
Chad Slattery, Copa AirlinesIn this week's TravelSkills on SFGATE newsletter...
Last week I sat down virtually with Jared Kamrowski, the energetic and informed founder of one of my favorite airfare deal-finding sites and newsletters, ThriftyTraveler.com. Take a read through our lively, advice-laden conversation to learn about the airfare outlook for the holidays, spring break and next summer; "crazy good" fare deals; how a COVID-19 vaccination will impact 2021 trips to Europe or Hawaii and lots more. Read: Expert advice on the near future of cheap travel
After years of expansion, airline growth at San Francisco International Airport hit a dry spell this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on air travel. That’ll end next month when Qatar Airways operates its first regularly scheduled flights to SFO — the only international airline to launch a new flight to SFO in 2020. Come take a look inside the two-class A350 jet we toured in Los Angeles last week to see the double beds and private suites onboard! Read: Qatar Airways to bring 'private living room' suites to SFO next month
In route news, Singapore Airlines will revive San Francisco flights next month; Cathay Pacific is dropping some U.S. routes; Copa is back at SFO this weekend; Frontier Airlines will move into Oakland; Southwest and Allegiant add California service; Alaska and American announce new mutual perks for their frequent flier members; major carriers extend change fee elimination to international routes; Delta pushes its empty-middle-seat promise into the spring; airlines prepare to put 737 Max aircraft back into service; Norwegian files for reorganization; new U.S.-U.K. bilateral air agreement is signed; Aer Lingus gets the nod to join AA/British Airways joint venture; Korean Air will buy a controlling stake in Asiana; and Los Angeles International opens COVID-19 testing facilities for passengers. Read: Routes- Singapore, Copa back at SFO, Frontier to OAK + Alaska/AA, change fees, 737 Max news, more
American Express will nearly double the size of its wildly popular Centurion Lounge at San Francisco International Airport — a welcome expansion that will alleviate crowding when travel picks up again. SFO’s Airport Commission unanimously approved the expansion project during its Nov. 11 meeting. Read: SFO's overcrowded Centurion Lounge to expand
Comments from a credit card executive are raising concerns that formerly frequent travelers are accumulating large amounts of miles and points in airline and hotel loyalty programs but not using them – for now. Once a COVID-19 vaccine becomes widely available, that could lead to a sudden rush to claim free flights and rooms, putting a strain on the availability of those rewards. Read: Frequent fliers could face this problem with post-pandemic travel
Planning to fly to Hawaii for the holidays? Better make sure your negative COVID-19 results are in hand, and not just pending, before boarding your plane under a change to the state’s Safe Travels program announced Thursday, Nov. 19. Read: Hawaii is tightening COVID-19 restrictions, from mask mandates to visitor testing
After nearly two years and a pair of deadly crashes, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has cleared Boeing’s 737 Max for flight. The nation’s air safety agency announced the move early Wednesday, saying it was done after a “comprehensive and methodical” 20-month review process. Read: It's official: The Boeing 737 Max will fly again this year
A San Francisco woman was arrested in Maui for allegedly violating Hawaii's quarantine rules to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The Maui Police Department says Colleen Proppe, 52, arrived at Honolulu International Airport on Nov. 7. Although travelers are required to stay in quarantine for 14 days upon arrival or show a negative test for COVID-19, police say Proppe did not fill out the Safe Travels application, failed to check into the lodging she listed as her quarantine site and continued with her travel. Read: San Francisco woman jailed for allegedly violating Hawaii COVID-19 rules
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United Airlines will slash travel and spending requirements for elite status in its MileagePlus frequent flier program — a change that reflects the realization that demand for air travel, especially among business travelers, will likely remain low well into 2021. On average, the spending required to hit elite levels will drop by a quarter and the number of flights required by a third when compared with the original conditions for each elite level. Read: United Airlines makes it easier to climb the elite status ladder
Ever since United Airlines' CEO Scott Kirby took the reins of the airline last May, he has wanted to rectify what he viewed as a big mistake: In October 2015, United moved out of New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and consolidated its NYC operations at Newark International. Last week, Kirby fixed that. Read: United to resume New York JFK nonstops from California
Chris McGinnis is SFGATE's senior travel correspondent. Email: chris@travelskills.com. Get up-to-the-minute travel news via Chris's social feeds: Twitter: @cjmcginnis | Facebook: @TravelSkills
