The Craziest Claims That Airlines Made at ITB Berlin
Sunday was the last day of ITB Berlin, the "World's Leading Travel Trade Show" (which, yes, is a registered trademark). While at the show, I stopped by all 100 airline booths to ask about new routes, products and developments. One of the most entertaining bits of talking with so many airlines is hearing some of the interesting claims they have. These four were the ones I found most surprising.
Qatar Airways: "World’s Fastest Growing Airline"
Qatar's press conference was quite entertaining, as I wrote about earlier this week. But, it was one of the first few sentences from that press conference that's still bugging me: Qatar called itself the "world’s fastest growing airline." I'm still trying to figure out how it got to that claim.
Routes Online has a comprehensive look at airline capacity growth from 2016 to 2017 and Chinese airline Lucky Air had the largest gain in that study, growing by 35.3%. But Qatar didn't even crack the top 10 — which would have required at least 16.1% growth.
The airline isn't publicly traded, so it can't be referencing stock price. What about the size of its route network? According to its website, the airline launched 11 new routes in that time period, but that was more than offset by the 19 destinations it lost due to the blockade.
Air New Zealand: Fitting Four Passengers on the SkyCouch
After reading about it for years, it was fun to finally try out the Air New Zealand SkyCouch — even if it was on the ground. As I suspected, just three seats across doesn't leave much room to lie down. Especially with the two of us in there, there's only so much scrunching I could do to get my 71-inch frame inside the bounds of the seats. I'm pretty sure my feet would be hit by service carts if Katie and I actually tried to sleep sideways on a flight...
So, with that in mind, check out what positions Air New Zealand suggests for the SkyCouch:
That's right. In seats that measure about 60 inches (5 feet) from end to end, Air New Zealand suggests a family of 3-4 should be able to fit. Or, two adults should be able to lie flat side-by-side. That's going to require some very small adults — less than five feet tall and less than 15 inches wide (since the seat pitch is only 33 inches). Maybe it's designed for hobbits?
Himalaya Airlines: Plans to Launch Flights to America
Ever heard of Himalaya Airlines? I hadn't either. Turns out it's a new, small airline with some big plans. Flipping through its materials, I saw that the airline, which started operations in 2016, "plans to acquire 15 aircrafts [sic] in the next 5 years." That's a 500% increase from its current fleet of three aircraft, but that's not the unreasonable part.
What's crazy are the routes it's hoping to launch to/from its hub at Kathmandu, Nepal's Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM):
"The airline also plans to introduce longhaul wide body A330 aircraft for direct flights to Japan, Korea, Europe, Australia and America."
There are around 30 commercial airlines that operate to Kathmandu — but all fly intra-Asia or from the Middle East. It looks like this new player expects to have quite the impact. Himalaya Airlines claims to be not only expanding to Europe and Australia, but also America. Not only that, but using Airbus A330s — which aren't exactly known for their operational efficiency on long routes. And that's going to be from an airport which has a single runway which doesn't have an instrument landing system. Good luck to them on that!
Cobalt Airlines: Larnaca, Cyprus as the Next Global Airport Hub
Another small airline has big expansion plans. Cyprus-based Cobalt Airlines currently has just six narrow-body Airbus aircraft (four A320s and two A319s), but it's also looking to the A330 to begin global operations. I'm guessing that it plans to buy a lot more than two wide-body aircraft, since the CAPA 2017 "Start-Up Airline of the Year" says it will...
"...establish Larnaca as a true hub airport, offering connections from the Middle East & Asia to Europe & beyond; and vice versa. Our geographical position and political situation as a safe, non-Schengen EU country will add to the attractiveness of the hub."
In this case, the airport might be a limiting factor in these growth plans. The airport's sole runway is long enough (9,823 feet) for most aircraft types, but the newly opened airport terminal has just 16 jetbridge gates. Yet, according to the airline's CAPA profile, it's planning to squeeze a lot of flights into those 16 gates.
"During the initial stages, Cobalt operates short-haul services to Northern European, Middle Eastern and North African destinations, with long-haul flights to South Africa, North America, China and India to be considered."
I certainly wish them the best of luck — just let me know when Amex puts in a Centurion Lounge.
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| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.