April Dispatches
Air travel growth has "largely stalled," first class, and regional consolidation
Notes from the Runway
I finally had the chance to check out one of San Francisco International Airport’s airside terraces (see above) a few weeks ago. It was neither of the airport’s two public ones but the one inside the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge. I have to say, the Gensler-designed space is very well done. There is a diversity of seating options from chairs to benches and even Adirondack chairs, fire pits, tables, and the surface is a mix of permeable pavers and rocks that just creates a more naturalistic feel even if the space is in the most manmade of places, an airport. Airports could really use more of these spaces. My only regret is that I was not able to see either of SFO’s public patios; the one at the end of Boarding Area G was just too far from my gate to walk there and back during my (short) connection, and the SkyTerrace in Terminal 2 is only open for limited hours from Friday through Monday.
Words
The travel slowdown is here, at least in the U.S. Earlier in April, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said “growth has largely stalled,” particularly in the domestic market and among economy fliers. The airline is cutting planned growth and others are likely to follow. (The Points Guy)
United’s new Asia strategy features the return of connecting operations in Tokyo and Hong Kong. Will it be a success? As network head Patrick Quayle put it: “You don't double down on something that does poorly.” (The Points Guy)
First class isn’t dead, far from it. While some carriers cut it in favor of better business class, the likes of Air France, Emirates, and Lufthansa are doubling down on the posh seats. I recently had a chance to preview Lufthansa’s new Allegris First Class and, for those willing to part with a pound of flesh, it is nice. (CNN Travel)
The number of Western Europeans flying to the U.S. fell by nearly 180,000 people, or more than 17% year-over-year, in March. It is the latest indication that Trump’s trade war and hardline immigration stance is dampening inbound travel demand. One note, the Easter holiday did shift to April from March but that typically only means a several-percentage-point change in travel numbers, not a double-digit decline. (The Points Guy)
Airlines have lofty decarbonization goals but they face the challenging realities of developing (and producing) everything from sustainable fuels to electric planes. “It’s companies that are able to adapt to be energy resilient, energy dominant that will succeed,” as
told me. (Business Traveler)Regional carrier Republic Airways is taking over Mesa Airlines in an all-stock deal that would cement Republic’s position as the second largest independent regional in the U.S. Barring any unexpected shareholder or regulatory objections, the airlines aim to close the deal by October. (The Points Guy)
Air Canada, Delta, and United have all cut U.S.-Canada capacity as bookings drop double digits (but not 70%-plus as OAG suggested). (The Points Guy)
Iberia is headed to Orlando. Spirit to Savannah under a new “Allegiant-light” route strategy. And Alaska set a date for Seoul. (The Points Guy)
Reading
“The Speed Project is the punkest, most counterculture s--- you can do. Running through the desert, nonstop, for days? That’s the most hardcore thing I can think of.” The Los Angeles-to-Las Vegas race with no set route or rules — just run fast — is a long-time running goal of mine.
For all the talk of America’s trade deficit, one of the many things that have bothered me in all of the rhetoric on the issue is the lack of discussion of America’s significant trade surplus in services — we are a services-based economy. That surplus was in the ballpark of $300 billion in 2024, and is under real threat in Trump’s trade war.
Some Chinese airlines, thanks to Trump’s trade war, are refusing new Boeing deliveries in the latest blow to the planemaker (though not as bad of a blow as it would have been pre-Covid).
United and Archer have unveiled their plans for an initial eVTOL network for New York. What jumps is the fact that, outside of Manhattan, all of the destinations are existing airports — so much for a network of “vertiports” in the suburbs.
Who is Bryan Bedford, Trump’s nominee to lead the FAA? A good deep dive from Will Guisbond into the long-time regional airline leader’s biography.
A good analysis from The Economist of the chances of Elon Musk’s SpaceX actually launching a crewed mission to Mars by the next launch window in late 2026 (the window during Trump’s second term). In short, the actual science of such a mission — from actually getting a Starship into orbit to in-orbit refueling — would be very, very hard for SpaceX to complete in less than two years.
Key West International Airport opened its new terminal on April 14 with only a few technology snafus.
A "clock wall” designed by Woods Bagot connects the old Sydney Central Station with its new Metro station. "A snapshot of an earlier technology that once ruled people’s lives."
European émigrés reshaped post-war America in the middle of the 20th century. The Trump administration’s crackdowns on universities and immigrants could end up doing the same for European cities.
After much hemming and hawing over the LA28 venue plan, the Olympics might actually be mostly transit-first as promised.
“The saga of Homewood … [has] a clear theme: The world of skiing is getting privatized and you’re either in the club, or you’re out of it.” Independent ski resorts are becoming private clubs around the U.S. but one Lake Tahoe community fought a plan at their local peak.
Listening
South Asia’s first Metro museum? Count me in! Located in the Patel Chowk station.
I’m a big fan of The Martian but the realities of human’s living on Mars are far more complex — and unknown — than the book and movie portrayed them.
