Episode 060: Inflight peanuts, animals and innovations, oh my

08/30/18 • 34 min

First, Southwest Airlines has long served peanuts to passengers as a signature snack. But as of 1 August, the airline stopped offering peanuts to “ensure the best onboard experience for everyone, especially for customers with peanut-related allergies”. There is always some push-back when airlines take something away from passengers. Becca shares her thoughts on Southwest’s decision, explains why bagged nuts are better than loose nuts (found in premium cabins), and suggests way in which airlines can protect allergic passengers while improving #PaxEx overall.

Next, airlines are ramping up their crack-down of emotional support animals on board. And here again, Southwest has found itself in the headlines after issuing a statement with updates to its Service Animal Policies. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) will be limited to dogs and cats. Trained Service Animals (TSAs) align with recent DOT guidance and are limited to dogs, cats, and miniature horses. Also, now fully-trained Psychiatric Support Animals (PSAs) are formally accepted as Trained Service Animals. Previously the airline informally accepted them as TSAs. Co-hosts Max Flight and Mary Kirby discuss whether airlines can find a happy balance between being empathetic to passengers who need emotional support animals and fighting abuse of the system. And Becca shares her thoughts on some of the discrepancies between the different airlines’ policies. Should a standard be set for the industry?

Last but not least, the big APEX EXPO and co-located AIX, Americas shows will be held next month in Boston. These are considered must-attend events for many on the #PaxEx industry calendar. Mary and Becca are gearing up for the big show, and Mary shares the themes, topics and products she’s eager to explore.

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Episode 059: Fifty-year pilot John O. Graybill on flying private safely

First, while the business aviation market has grappled with a softening for the last several years, business aircraft charters are on the rise, especially with younger travelers. Given John’s background and new book, he tells co-hosts Max Flight and Mary Kirby about the safety considerations for booking private aircraft, the type of pilot behaviors that could lead to a crash, and why he warns about propeller aircraft.

Next, in the commercial airline space there is a well-reported debate over pilot shortages, but in business aviation, it is a reality. John shares his thoughts on how the business aviation sector can retain the best pilots.

Last but not least, the FAA recently confirmed it has no intention of setting baseline aircraft seat space standards for commercial flying. The agency told consumer advocacy group Flyers Right that it doesn’t see an imminent safety concern, and will not initiate rulemaking. John, Max and Mary discuss the latest developments, and consider whether government should regulate seat size on airlines.

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Podcast 061: Breaking down the passenger wins in FAA reauthorization

First, President Trump has signed FAA reauthorization legislation that, in addition to extending the FAA for another five years, instructs the agency to regulate aircraft seat size, among other provisions. Mary and Max consider whether the new law will result in a more comfortable situation for coach passengers, or if the FAA will be compelled to set standards based on already-approved layouts (which are tight). For instance, will the FAA require seat width to be 18 inches – as hoped by consumer advocacy group Flyers Rights – when the Boeing 737 workhorse accommodates 17-inch wide seats per the limitation of the tube?

Next, the FAA reauthorization bill also instructs the secretary of transportation to, among other things, create an Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights and, importantly, to study in-cabin wheelchair restraint systems, in coordination with disability advocates, airlines and aircraft manufacturers. Mary highlights some of the pushback she’s hearing from industry on the notion of using wheelchair restraints on board, which would allow disabled passengers to remain in their own mobility devices. Max and Mary also address the ban on inflight voice calls, as well as Congress’ decision not to privatize Air Traffic Control, as part of FAA reauthorization.

Last but not least, blogger and aviation expert CrankyFlier reports that American Airlines is limiting reaccommodation options for travelers when things go wrong. Max wonders if, in creating a negative #PaxEx for non-elite, domestic coach travelers, American is hurting its opportunity to turn non-elites into loyal passengers, and Mary wonders whether decisions such as these will prompt further regulation of the industry.

Mary also addresses the current troubling climate in the US and why she believes the aviation industry as a whole has an opportunity to spearhead positive change by ensuring women and people of color have a seat at the table, including importantly at the decision-making level. The airline passenger experience has been overwhelmingly colored by the white male perspective. And that has got to change.