EDITION -100! The Professor’s Minute Minute – September 12, 2025

Today is our 100th edition of the Professors Minute Minute. 

Thanks to everyone who contributes (knowingly and unknowingly). 

And thanks to you for reading. 

AI innovation, central bankers under pressure, lounge disappointment, tech infrastructure, airline strategy—and crypto dreams.

1. AI Skyways takes flight

   Qatar Airways and Accenture unveil “AI Skyways” — a new AI-powered framework to revamp customer experience, operations, and predictive maintenance under one ethical model.

2. Central bankers trapped

   A declassified memo warns that central banks are struggling under the Fed’s political shadow — jeopardizing global inflation control.

3. Delta 360 isn’t worth the hype

   Fodor’s review slams Delta’s invite-only loyalty tier: too exclusive, not enough benefit. Elitism has a cost—and travelers probably paid enough.

4. Who powers travel sites?

   Daniel Pino pulls back the curtain on the tech teams behind the websites and booking platforms — unsung heroes of the travel economy.

5. Understanding indirect distribution

   Koen Karsbergen offers clarity on indirect airline distribution — a subtle but crucial channel that most travelers never see.

6. Quirky: Stelios Haji-Ioannou floated “EASYBitcoin” as an idea for your next getaway currency. Crypto meets vacation budget—because nothing says ‘easy travel’ like a volatile token.

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📣 Don’t forget:

The Professor’s Minute Minute → https://tinyurl.com/ynvpddfw

The OFFICIAL Professor Sabena Blog → https://tinyurl.com/j9x8cmhm

Explore the old archive → https://tinyurl.com/njj9z6p4

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#Tags:

#Travel #Aviation #AI #AirportInnovation #CentralBanking #Loyalty #EASYBitcoin #Distribution #Picasso

Sources:

• Qatar Airways & Accenture AI Skyways collaboration 

• Central banks under Fed pressure 

• Travel site tech infrastructure 

Style Verification: Friday → Surrealist Picasso (absurd, playful migrations)

Image: Surrealist twist — playful juxtaposition of AI, finance, crypto, and travel, wrapped in dreamlike tones.

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The Professor’s Minute Minute – September 11, 2025

Today is September 11th. It has been 24 years since that horrible day. Thank you flor remembering. 

Innovation, hidden pressures, guest lounges, alliances, and crypto dreams—accompanied by a surprising twist in easy travel.

1. Boeing’s speech-to-text for cabins

   Boeing demos a speech-to-text (STT) system designed to instantly caption cabin announcements—offline and noise-resistant—making inflight communication more accessible, especially for Deaf and hard-of-hearing travelers.

2. Central bankers caught in the Fed’s crosswinds

   Central bank chiefs worldwide fear that political interference with the U.S. Federal Reserve could undermine their policy independence—and potentially destabilize global inflation control.

3. Delta’s 360 loyalty program under fire

   Fodor’s reviews suggest Delta’s exclusive “360” tier isn’t worth the hype. High expectations, low returns—big memberships can fall short in the real world.

4. Tech powering travel’s front lines

   Daniel Pino explores which teams and technologies are running operator platforms behind the scenes—most travelers don’t see who keeps the websites and apps ticking.

5. Airline indirect distribution masterclass

   Koen Karsbergen’s latest explainer sheds light on how airlines use indirect distribution channels to broaden their reach—crucial infrastructure still underappreciated.

6. Quirky: Stelios Haji-Ioannou dropped a bomb: “EASYBitcoin.” Yes, EasyJet’s founder wants to make Bitcoin easy. Cryptocurrency meets flight convenience—what could go wrong?

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📣 Don’t forget:

The Professor’s Minute Minute → https://tinyurl.com/ynvpddfw

The OFFICIAL Professor Sabena Blog → https://tinyurl.com/j9x8cmhm

Explore the old archive → https://tinyurl.com/njj9z6p4

#Tags:

#Travel #Aviation #Clarity #Accessibility #CentralBanks #AirlineLoyalty #TechOps #Distribution #EasyBitcoin #Innovation #Picasso

Style Verification: Thursday → Synthetic Cubism (collage, layered)

Image: Synthetic collage — fractured forms suggests innovation layered over industry shifts.

The Professor’s Minute Minute – September 10, 2025

 

From strategy and KPIs to macroeconomics and alliances—plus a quirky twist in travel’s odd corners.

1. Travel is all travel

   Noam Toister reminds us: travel is far bigger than aviation alone. From leisure to business, the industry needs to broaden its lens and stop talking to itself.

   (LinkedIn)

2. Where boring wins

   Travel Tech Essentialist argues that incremental, unsexy improvements often matter more than big flashy launches. Consistency beats hype.

   (Substack)

3. Airline KPIs decoded

   Koen Karsbergen dives into the metrics that really matter in aviation—beyond revenue per seat mile. A masterclass in performance analysis.

   (LinkedIn)

4. 42% of all flights? Alliances explained

   Another piece from Koen Karsbergen breaking down the dominance of alliances: 42% of global flights sit under those umbrellas. Strategy by numbers.

   (LinkedIn)

5. Macroeconomics in motion

   Revman explores how macro variables like GDP, inflation, and currency flows affect airlines and tourism. Data meets demand.

   (Revman)

6. Quirky: In Venice, new pilot projects are testing “boat congestion fees” for gondolas—yes, surge pricing on the canals. Travel is truly all travel.

   (Source: City of Venice local reports / travel media chatter)

📣 Don’t forget:

The Professor’s Minute Minute → https://tinyurl.com/ynvpddfw

The OFFICIAL Professor Sabena Blog → https://tinyurl.com/j9x8cmhm

Explore the old archive → https://tinyurl.com/njj9z6p4

#Tags:

#Travel #Aviation #Tourism #AirlineKPIs #Alliances #Macroeconomics #Strategy #Venice #Picasso

Image: Analytical Cubism — fractured layers of numbers, strategies, and macro forces reflecting Wednesday’s sharp edges.

The Professor’s Minute Minute – September 9, 2025

 

Landing gear failures, drone confessions, rare moments, deep dives in airline finance, sharp 180s—plus a quirky sleep study.

1. Calgary closes its iconic viewing platform

   WestJet’s 737-800 right landing gear failure forced Calgary Airport to shut one of the world’s most loved plane-spotting terraces. A sad day for avgeeks.

   (LinkedIn)

2. Drone operator confessions

   What’s it really like to fly UAVs for defense? One operator lifts the veil on the hidden pressures and ethical trade-offs.

   (LinkedIn)

3. Not your usual sight

   Shared widely on Facebook: an image that captures an unusual, almost surreal moment in aviation. Worth a pause.

   (Facebook)

4. Airline finance deep dive

   Koen Karsbergen offers a fascinating, detailed view into airline strategy and financial resilience. Definitely more than a “minute”—but worth it.

   (LinkedIn)

5. The saga of this 180

   BBC reports on a controversial reversal that’s left industry watchers divided. Sometimes the biggest moves are U-turns.

   (BBC)

6. Quirky: The Economist takes on the “most important question of our time”: why do people sleep? Hint—our brains need it more than our bodies. Perhaps airlines should read this before scheduling redeyes.

   (Economist)

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📣 Don’t forget:

The Professor’s Minute Minute → https://tinyurl.com/ynvpddfw

The OFFICIAL Professor Sabena Blog → https://tinyurl.com/j9x8cmhm

Explore the old archive → https://tinyurl.com/njj9z6p4

#Tags:

#Travel #Aviation #Airports #DroneTechnology #AirlineFinance #WestJet #Policy #SleepScience #Innovation #Picasso

Image: Rose Period — warm, humanistic tones for a Tuesday mix of finance deep dives and human-centric quirks.

The Professor’s Minute Minute – September 8, 2025

 

New airports, autumn tools, policy retreats, A321XLR long-hauls—plus a quirky aviation flashback.

1. Pittsburgh’s new airport opens

   Christina Cassotis shares the news: Pittsburgh International unveils a new terminal complex on its existing site. Same place, very different passenger experience.

   (LinkedIn)

2. Fall foliage tracker 2025

   The Washington Post publishes an interactive tool showing peak fall color dates across the U.S.—a gift for travelers planning leaf-peeping trips.

   (Washington Post)

3. Passenger compensation plan dropped

   The U.S. administration has abandoned its attempt to impose mandatory airline passenger compensation rules. No surprise—industry lobbying wins again.

   (Northstar Meetings Group)

4. Düsseldorf looks to the A321XLR for long-haul revival

   Aviation Week reports on Düsseldorf Airport’s CEO banking on the Airbus A321XLR to rebuild thinner long-haul services, bypassing the hub bottleneck.

   (Aviation Week)

5. Quirky: Back in the day, Pittsburgh’s original “new” terminal (opened in 1992) was hailed as the world’s most advanced hub. Tomorrow’s cutting edge always becomes today’s retro chic.

📣 Don’t forget:

The Professor’s Minute Minute → https://tinyurl.com/ynvpddfw

The OFFICIAL Professor Sabena Blog → https://tinyurl.com/j9x8cmhm

Explore the old archive → https://tinyurl.com/njj9z6p4

#Tags:

#Travel #Aviation #Airports #Airlines #PassengerRights #A321XLR #FallTravel #Innovation #Picasso

The Professor’s Minute Minute – September 7 2025

Widebodies in competition, Ryanair’s bag play, visas, xenophobia, and a medical ethics twist—plus a quirky airport throwback.

1. Alaska’s 787-10 move

   Alaska Airlines takes a bold step with its 787-10 deployment. Question is—does this push Delta to lean harder on its A350 fleet to compete?

   (The Air Current)

2. Ryanair bumps up carry-on allowance

   Millions of Europeans cheer as Ryanair loosens its cabin baggage policy. A small win for passengers—though not all can benefit, especially post-Brexit Brits.

   (TravelMole)

3. Doctors face ICE dilemma

   VuMedi raises an uncomfortable question: do medical professionals allow ICE into their practices? The overlap of healthcare and immigration enforcement gets starker.

   (VuMedi)

4. US visa hikes: xenophobia as a business model?

   CNN highlights a controversial policy move—higher visa fees for foreign travelers. For tourism and business travel, it’s a tax that discourages rather than encourages.

   (CNN)

5. Carry-on politics, mobility barriers

   Airlines’ policies continue to reflect broader divides—what’s permitted often depends as much on geopolitics as on ticket class.

6. Quirky: Remember when airports flirted with “pay-per-minute” lounges? Some are making a comeback—charging travelers for just enough time to nap, shower, or scroll TikTok.

   (Source: industry trend chatter, e.g. ViewFromTheWing)

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📣 Don’t forget:

The Professor’s Minute Minute → https://tinyurl.com/ynvpddfw

The OFFICIAL Professor Sabena Blog → https://tinyurl.com/j9x8cmhm

Explore the old archive → https://tinyurl.com/njj9z6p4

#Tags:

#Travel #Aviation #WidebodyCompetition #Ryanair #Visas #Immigration #CarryOn #Innovation #Picasso

Image: Blue/Rose hybrid — Sunday’s reflective balance, capturing both optimism and unease in today’s travel stories.

The Professor’s Minute Minute – September 6 2025

 

Antitrust, train nostalgia, labor norms, the waning peace dividend, airline revenue nuance—plus a quirky twist from the cabin.

1. US v. Google ruling — must open search contracts

   Judge Mehta orders Google to end exclusive search deal terms and share search index data—but stops short of breaking up Chrome or Android. It’s a partial win, but still worth the read.

   (themedialeader.com PDF ruling)

2. Vintage rail adventures back for 2026 in NSW

   Heritage train tours through regional New South Wales — complete with gourmet meals and classic carriages — are now open for 2026 booking. Nostalgia on rails, anyone?

   (travelweekly.com.au)

3. Who works the hardest? Data suggests “hard” isn’t always meaningful

   KillerCharts dives into global work-hour stats and raises the existential question: Is “working hardest” a brag or a flaw? Sometimes the hustle hides inefficiency.

   (killercharts.substack.com)

4. The end of the peace dividend — war mindset returns

   The Times remarks: the post-Cold War era of reduced defense budgets is over. Trump’s latest move to rebrand DoD to “Department of War” symbolizes a deeper shift in U.S. military posture.

   (thetimes.com)

5. Airline “revenue” vs “yield” explained

   Revman breaks down the common mistake: reporting “revenue” when they mean “yield.” One is absolute dollars, the other is the true benchmark for route profitability.

   (revman.substack.com)

6. Quirky: A comfort survey reveals airline passengers often describe the faint whiff of Jet A-1 in the cabin as “nostalgic.” Who needs lavender-scented towels when jet fuel aroma triggers fond travel memories?

   (viewfromthewing.com)

   📣 Don’t forget:

   The Professor’s Minute Minute → https://tinyurl.com/ynvpddfw

   The OFFICIAL Professor Sabena Blog → https://tinyurl.com/j9x8cmhm

   Explore the old archive → https://tinyurl.com/njj9z6p4

   
   

   #Tags:

   #Travel #Aviation #Antitrust #RailTravel #WorkCulture #Defense #PeaceDividend #AirlineRevenue #JetA1 #Innovation #Picasso

   
   

   Image: Neoclassical clarity — Saturday’s sculptural calm set against sharp contrasts in aviation, labor, and policy.

The Professor’s Minute Minute – September 5 2025

 

Fines, trademarks, fleets, fading unions, Spirit’s cuts—and a flashback to 2022.

1. Google fined for data hoarding

   Law360: regulators slap Google for over-collecting personal data. Tech’s addiction to surveillance isn’t cheap anymore.

   Read more.

2. Premier Inn wins trademark fight

   TravelMole: EasyGroup loses its case—turns out “Easy” doesn’t stretch to hotels. Not so Easy after all.

   Read more.

3. American Airlines reaches 1,000 aircraft

   SimpleFlying: AA hits the milestone. But is bigger really better—or just harder to manage?

   Read more.

4. Labor unions in decline

   USAFacts: membership keeps shrinking. For aviation and travel workers, that means less bargaining power in turbulent times.

   Read more.

5. Spirit begins cutbacks amid bankruptcy

   The Points Guy: Spirit slashes routes and capacity. Bankruptcy pain is here, with passengers and employees set to feel it first.

   Read more.

6. Quirky: A 2022 flashback

   PhocusWire: rewind to tech headlines from three years ago. Remember when NFTs were hot? Proof the hype cycle never sleeps.

   Read more.

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📣 Don’t forget:

The Professor’s Minute Minute → https://tinyurl.com/ynvpddfw

The OFFICIAL Professor Sabena Blog → https://tinyurl.com/j9x8cmhm

Explore the old archive → https://tinyurl.com/njj9z6p4

#Tags:

#Travel #Aviation #Airlines #Tourism #Google #PremierInn #EasyGroup #AmericanAirlines #Unions #SpiritAirlines #Bankruptcy #TechHistory #QuirkyTravel #Picasso #Innovation

Picasso Style Note: Corporate fines, legal battles, shrinking unions, and bankruptcies all signal fragmentation and fracture. The right fit is Analytical Cubism—broken planes and figures, muted browns and greys, reflecting a week of stress cracks.

The Professor’s Minute Minute – September 4 2025

Lease exits, blocked corridors, startup fighters, nav jamming, ICE hiring—and a windmill turned tiny home.

1. Spirit sheds leased aircraft

   AirFinance: Spirit is giving back a tranche of leased frames, easing near-term capacity and pushing A320-family aircraft into the secondary market. Watch lease rates and redeployments.

   Read more.

2. Turkey bars Israeli ships, restricts airspace

   SCMP: fallout from the Gaza war hits sea lanes and sky routes; someone will pay—likely shippers, airlines, and ultimately consumers.

   Read more.

3. Forget eVTOLs—combat startup rises

   Aeralis pitches a modular fast-jet platform. Disruption isn’t just for taxis; defense is a ripe target.

   Read more.

4. Is anyone safe from jamming?

   Report suggests Russia interfered with an EU leader’s aircraft nav over Bulgaria. Geopolitics rides shotgun at FL350.

   Read more.

5. ICE is hiring—and applicants are lining up

   Demand spikes for immigration enforcement roles; whatever your politics, staffing is surging.

   Read more.

6. Quirky: Wind turbine → tiny home

   Repurposed blades become compact housing. Circular economy meets small living—actually useful.

   Read more.

📣 Don’t forget:

The Professor’s Minute Minute → https://tinyurl.com/ynvpddfw

The OFFICIAL Professor Sabena Blog → https://tinyurl.com/j9x8cmhm

Explore the old archive → https://tinyurl.com/njj9z6p4

#Tags:

#Travel #Aviation #Airlines #Tourism #SpiritAirlines #A320Family #Leasing #Turkey #Geopolitics #Aeralis #Navigation #Jamming #ICE #Immigration #WindTurbine #TinyHomes #QuirkyTravel #Picasso #Security

Picasso Style Note: Today’s mix of defense, geopolitics, and clever reuse fits Synthetic Cubism—collaged forms, crisp separations, a hint of menace with a wink at ingenuity.

The Professor’s Minute Minute – September 3 2025

Open source wins, jetbridges lose, obscene profits, British musings, Chinese purges—and AI saving lives.

1. The power of Open Source

   KillerCharts runs the numbers: the largest, most durable companies are built on open frameworks. Why build on anything else?

   Read more.

2. Frontier doubles down: no jetbridges

   LinkedIn chatter points to a glaring gap: wheelchairs. Cutting costs is one thing—accessibility is another.

   Read more.

3. Qantas’s obscene profits

   Tony Webber calls it: the group’s FY25 results are record-breaking, and not in a way that flatters public perception.

   Read more.

4. British perspective on travel

   A sharp, thoughtful opinion piece. Sometimes it takes a U.K. angle to cut through the noise.

   Read more.

5. China’s nuclear purge

   Intelligence Online highlights the consolidation of power: spying, betrayals, and mass firings in China’s nuclear force. Travel may seem far away, but geopolitics has a way of catching up.

   Read more.

6. Quirky: AI aids stroke survival

   The Times reports diagnostic software that significantly improves survival and recovery odds for stroke patients. Quirky, yes—but also profoundly useful.

   Read more.

📣 Don’t forget:

The Professor’s Minute Minute → https://tinyurl.com/ynvpddfw

The OFFICIAL Professor Sabena Blog → https://tinyurl.com/j9x8cmhm

Explore the old archive → https://tinyurl.com/njj9z6p4

#Tags:

#Travel #Aviation #Airlines #Tourism #OpenSource #Frontier #Accessibility #Qantas #Profits #UK #China #Geopolitics #AI #HealthTech #QuirkyTravel #Picasso

Picasso Style Note: The day blends corporate power, accessibility failures, extreme profits, geopolitics, and life-saving AI. A good fit for Surrealist Picasso — exaggerated, dreamlike forms where contradictions coexist uneasily.

The Professor’s Minute Minute – September 2 2025

Tariffs bite, loyalty rules, Emirates pilots cash in, market shares shift, and a little AI 101—plus one quirky national mascot.

1. Trump tariffs bite U.S. aerospace

   Leeham notes the pain: American firms absorb costs while EU rivals cheer. Trade wars always come home to roost.

   Read more.

2. The loyalty manager: today’s airline MVP

   Revman calls it—the most important job in the business is running loyalty. Forget aircraft orders; points are the balance sheet.

   Read more.

3. Emirates pilot perks

   LinkedIn chatter lays out the benefits package. From housing to school fees, it’s a lifestyle gig as much as a cockpit job.

   Read more.

4. T2RL’s airline market share report

   The annual snapshot: who’s winning, who’s losing, and how tech partners are being reshuffled in the global pecking order.

   Read more.

5. LLMs explained simply

   YouTube primer lays out what large language models are and why they matter. A must-watch if you want to cut through the hype.

   Watch here.

6. Quirky: Japan’s Pikachu jet returns

   ANA has revived its Pokémon-painted aircraft, complete with yellow tails and cartoon mascots. Proof that aviation and whimsy can still share a cabin.

📣 Don’t forget:

The Professor’s Minute Minute → https://tinyurl.com/ynvpddfw

The OFFICIAL Professor Sabena Blog → https://tinyurl.com/j9x8cmhm

Explore the old archive → https://tinyurl.com/njj9z6p4

#Tags:

#Travel #Aviation #Airlines #Tourism #Tariffs #Aerospace #Loyalty #Emirates #Pilots #T2RL #MarketShare #LLMs #AI #QuirkyTravel #PokemonJet

Picasso Style Note: A day of contrasts—hard tariffs, soft perks, data snapshots, and cartoon mascots. Best captured with Rose Period cubism: softer pastel forms with whimsical details.