The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 19 2025

 

From Silicon Valley cabals to engine headaches and Qantas smackdowns, the day spans power, punishment, and punctuation.

1. The Palantir mafia worries me

   The WSJ maps out the network of ex-Palantir staff fueling Silicon Valley’s hottest startups. Influence and capital flow are undeniable — but so are the risks of concentrated mindsets.

   Read more.

2. Ford’s EV bet, Doug Field’s dilemma

   Ford’s strategy to catch Tesla involves heavy EV investment and an Apple alum at the wheel. But can scale and supply chains keep up?

   Read more.

3. Qantas fined $90 million — more than a wrist slap

   Australia’s flag carrier must pay for illegally sacking 1,800 workers. Beyond the fine, the reputational cost lingers.

   Read more.

4. USA dominates — and Europe worries

   The U.S. stock market’s overwhelming share is now deemed an “emergency” in Europe. Financial gravity is shifting east of the Atlantic.

   Read more.

5. Engines of discontent — but a glimmer remains

   Pratt & Whitney pushes Industry 4.0 to fix its GTF engine woes, while LEAP battles its own demons. Hope, but hard work ahead.

   Read more.

6. Quirky: Can you spot AI — or just my overuse of dashes?

   Jon Ostrower pokes at the over-em dash era, a human tick that AI hasn’t quite mastered yet. Yes — I confess, I too use too many dashes.

   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 #Palantir #SiliconValley #Ford #EVs #Qantas #LaborRights #StockMarkets #Europe #Finance #PrattWhitney #LEAP #Engines #AviationTech #QuirkyTravel #EmDash #AI

NOTE NORMAL SERVICE WILL BE DISRUPTED

 The Professor is speaking at the ASATA Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. I will try and post continuously but certain days may be off/ Back to normal August 25th. 

Thank you

The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 18 2025

 

Loyalty currencies morph into financing tools, airlines wage war on gatekeeping, and behind it all lie giants losing their edge — with a slice of legal herbal irony to close things out.

1. AirBnB hooks you—with installments

   AirBnB introduces “Reserve Now, Pay Later,” nudging users toward bookings via a financing model. The line between loyalty and leverage just blurred faster.

   Read more.

2. Booking.com keeps the free coffee flowing

   Booking.com debuts its own credit card – a direct push to lock in reward spend, not just reward travel. Disintermediation via plastic.

   Read more.

3. The sad soul of Boeing

   A hard look through The Atlantic lens: how failures of culture and manufacturing left Boeing unrecognizable from its glory days. A cautionary aerospace tale.

   Read more.

4. Porter pilots unionize—shouldn’t fix strategy

   Porter Airlines pilots vote to join ALPA. Yes, it’s not shocking—but unionization alone won’t solve Porter’s bigger fleet and network challenges.

   Read more.

5. Safety slack? Not so fast, says ICAO

   Latest safety stats from ICAO show improvement—but also a persistent reminder: aviation can’t coast. Renewed vigilance needed now.

   Read more.

6. Quirky: The law says ‘no kava in NYC’ — but why not on a plane?

   A NYC ban now prohibits the selling of kava drinks in cafes, citing health risks. Admittedly bizarre—but I wonder if the skies remain open…?

   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 #AirBnB #Fintech #BookingDotCom #Rewards #Boeing #Aerospace #PorterAirlines #UnionVote #ICAO #Safety #QuirkyTravel #Kava #FoodRegulation

The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 17 2025

Sabre’s woes deepen (are they the new Starbucks), CFOs hedge their bets, tech gathers in Seattle, and the industry dares to imagine clean slates — capped off with an oddly weighty passenger in aviation history.

1. Sabre still navigating the toilet

   Q2 aftershocks continue as Sabre struggles to convince investors it has a viable path forward. Analysts aren’t buying it.

   Read more.

2. Start here — what can be done with Sabre

   Felix Dannegger offers a thought-provoking LinkedIn series on how to reboot Sabre’s PSS/GDS platforms from the ground up.

   See the post.

3. Uncertainty remains — “very mixed,” says a CFO

   Aviation finance leaders voice cautious outlooks. Growth exists, but so do storm clouds. “Mixed” sums it up.

   Read more.

4. Seattle Tech Week brings the tech universe together

   From AI to green tech, Seattle becomes the nexus of future-focused conversations across hundreds of events.

   Watch here.

5. If you had a clean sheet, how would you start?

   Distribution visionary Felix Dannegger poses the ultimate thought experiment: if airline systems were rebuilt from scratch, what would they look like?

   Join the debate.

6. Quirky: The heaviest man ever to fly

   In 1941, Robert Earl Hughes — who would weigh over 1,000 pounds in his lifetime — took a short airplane flight. Pilots reportedly described the takeoff as “memorable.” Aviation has carried elephants, cars, and spacecraft… but this human record remains a quirky footnote in flight history.

   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 #Sabre #GDS #PSS #AirFinance #SeattleTechWeek #TechInnovation #AirlineDistribution #QuirkyTravel #AviationHistory #RobertEarlHughes

The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 16 2025

For the Professor's celebration of the latest trip round the sun here are some tidbits for you. 

From loyalty currencies to luggage lessons, artificial horizons and digital borders—plus one bovine bucking gravity.

BA redirects its festive routes, Spirit Airlines’ fallout offers winners and losers, London’s chic meet-ups for travelers, AI rollout friction, Hawaiian route realignments—and one historic cow gets airborne.

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1. BA rings in festive cheer, flight-by-flight AVIOS only

   British Airways will operate select flights to Cape Town over the busy holiday season via Avios-only bookings—your points might finally fly you somewhere exotic.

   Read more.

2. Who wins in a post-Spirit world?

   IdeaWorks Company’s latest highlights the creative, often unexpected, revenue strategies gaining traction amid Spirit Airlines’ turbulence. Worth your coffee time.

   Read more.

3. The absolute latest must-have travel accessories

   Transport for London unveils a chic collection that will make your business trip Instagram-ready. Ready to carry your commuter cred?

   Browse here.

4. ChatGPT rollout still a mess

   CNN reports persistent hiccups, from login fails to hallucinations—reminder that “beta” in AI is often painful, live, and public.

   Read more.

5. Sayonara FUK

   Hawaiian Airlines pulls underperforming Japan routes—keeping only Australia connections. Hawaii to Japan: gone.

   Read more.

6. Quirky: Elm Farm Ollie — the first cow to fly in a plane

   In 1930, a Guernsey cow named Elm Farm Ollie soared over St. Louis, milked in-flight and dropped to eager crowds below. Aviation’s most udderly unexpected groundbreaker.

   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 #BA #Avios #SpiritAirlines #AirlineRevenue #TravelAccessories #LondonTravel #AI #ChatGPT #HawaiianAirlines #RouteChanges #QuirkyTravel #AviationHistory #ElmFarmOllie #FirstCowInFlight

The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 15 2025

 Airlines under pressure, travelers demanding more, and a mystery pilot who fixes what he steals

Spirit flirts with asset sales, new ideas surface for revenue growth, Silicon Valley whispers darkly, ICE flights spark debate, Heathrow hacks dig deep, and a quirky tale straight out of aviation folklore.

1. Spirit’s troubles are getting worse

   Spirit Airlines is weighing asset sales and sharp cost cuts after another bruising quarter. Investors hear “substantial doubt.”

   Read more.

2. Love Jay’s stuff — grab a coffee and take a gander

   IdeaWorksCompany shares eight clever revenue-boosting tactics for airlines. From à la carte upsells to loyalty nudges, worth the read.

   Read more.

3. Want to work for the dark side? Then this might be the place

   Andreessen Horowitz’s latest moves in travel tech raise eyebrows. Depending on your view, it’s opportunity — or empire-building.

   Read more.

4. Who is flying the ICE detainees?

   A CNN investigation shines light on flights transporting immigration detainees, exposing routes and the operators behind them.

   Read more.

5. Aviation hacks dissect Heathrow’s future

   The Window Seat podcast takes apart what’s next for London Heathrow — expansion, constraints, and a few home truths.

   Read more.

6. Quirky: The mystery pilot who steals planes — and returns them better

   In California, a vintage 1958 Cessna Skyhawk keeps vanishing from its hangar — only to reappear after unauthorized flights, sporting fresh repairs and new gear. Aviation’s strangest Robin Hood?

   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 #AirlineRevenue #AndreessenHorowitz #TravelTech #ICEFlights #Immigration #Heathrow #AirportExpansion #Podcast #QuirkyTravel #MysteryPilot #Cessna #VintageAircraft

The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 14 2025

 From AI breakthroughs to airline brinkmanship — with a Beatles-style route twist and tomorrow’s quirky waiting in the wings

Claude gets an upgrade, Air Canada and its crew square off, a payments scandal raises alarms, Gen Z names its impossible travel wishlist, and AirAsia X adds a new long-haul link.

1. New Anthropic version out now

   Claude Opus 4.1 has landed, promising more nuanced reasoning and better context retention. The AI race just got another nudge forward.

   Read more.

2. Air Canada plays hardball — too bad about the passengers

   A looming strike and lockout battle with flight attendants threatens to disrupt schedules nationwide. Labor relations meet passenger patience.

   Read more.

3. If you use Zelle, this might be a concern

   New York is suing Zelle over alleged security lapses that led to $1 billion in fraud losses. Digital payments just got another cautionary tale.

   Read more.

4. Isn’t this what every traveler wants (but can never get)?

   Gen Z travelers say they value freedom, flexibility, and transparency. The gap between expectations and delivery remains wide.

   Read more.

5. Hum a bit of Beatles… you say goodbye, and I say hello

   AirAsia X launches a new route to Istanbul — expanding its long-haul network and giving travelers another East-West link.

   Read more.

6. Quirky: Oslo — the Nordic city making “Not Hot” lists for the right reasons

   Intrepid’s “Not Hot List” names Oslo one of 2025’s most unexpected travel picks: vibrant nightlife, accessible art culture, scenic fjord access—and, believe it or not, “beautiful locals.” Bonus: affordable flights and budget‑friendly eats are on offer too.

📣 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 #AI #Claude #Anthropic #AirCanada #LaborDisputes #PassengerRights #DigitalPayments #Zelle #FraudPrevention #GenZTravel #TravelExpectations #AirAsiaX #Istanbul #RouteLaunch #QuirkyTravel

The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 13 2025

From AI in banking to robot antelopes in the Himalayas — today is all about tech that’s real, absurd, and everything in between

AI finds its footing in finance, Gulf carriers keep raising the bar, clean fuel dreams falter, an internet relic finally bows out, a nostalgic ad stirs old anxieties, and a quirky conservation effort trots in from the high mountains.

1. Yes – REAL world

   CB Insights maps out practical, revenue-generating applications of generative AI in financial services — proof the hype can have substance.

   Read more.

2. You really should try these

   Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways are doubling down on premium cabins. Expect more suites, better service, and pricing to match.

   Read more.

3. Airlines’ clean fuels — a failure worth reading about

   Reuters breaks down why sustainable aviation fuels haven’t lived up to the promises. Spoiler: it’s not just about the technology.

   Read more.

4. So long, farewell — yes, REALLY long farewell

   AOL is finally ending dial-up internet service. For some, it’s a joke from another era; for others, it’s the last click of a long, slow modem handshake.

   Read more.

5. The memory lingers — and might still make you anxious

   That airline safety video you remember all too well is still out there, and yes, it can still raise your pulse.

   Watch here.

6. Quirky: Robot antelopes in the Himalayas — but for a good cause

   Chinese scientists have built robot antelopes to help study and protect wildlife in the region. Equal parts bizarre and brilliant.

   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

The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 12 2025

From cruise ships retreating to Chinese booking shifts — a day of exits, limits, wins, and weirdness

Disney pulls out of Australian waters, Newark’s woes drag on, American Airlines faces another baggage blunder, a financing win makes waves, Travelsky flexes its domestic platform, and today’s quirky is… well… unexpected.

1. It’s not often that the Mouse retreats

   Disney Cruise Line will exit Australian waters, ending a short-lived venture into the market. For fans Down Under, the magic is moving on.

   Read more.

2. Newark ain’t going to get better for a while

   The FAA plans to extend Newark Liberty’s flight cap until late 2026, citing congestion and operational constraints. Passengers: brace for more of the same.

   Read more.

3. More baggage screwups

   American Airlines is facing a $216,000 lawsuit after a check-in glitch caused a baggage nightmare. Just another reminder of how fragile airline IT can be.

   Read more.

4. Wow! That’s terrific

   A major positive development in air finance is making industry insiders take notice. Sometimes the good news is just as striking as the bad.

   Read more.

5. Travelsky launches booking on Umetrip

   Chinese passengers can now book flights directly via the Umetrip app, part of a bigger push to consolidate domestic airline distribution.

   Read more.

6. Quirky: Some tech press releases really are works of art

   Today’s gem reads like a cross between overexcited marketing and sci-fi worldbuilding — proof that tech PR can be unintentionally hilarious.

   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 #Cruise #DisneyCruiseLine #Australia #NewarkAirport #FAA #FlightCap #AmericanAirlines #Baggage #AirlineIT #AirFinance #Umetrip #Travelsky #ChinaTravel #QuirkyTravel #TechPR

The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 11 2025

 From courtroom lessons to corporate woes, and a final laugh at travel’s expense

A plane retires from the spotlight, Sabre faces the lawyers, Sri Lanka joins the booking platform game, employment law bites, a sobering aviation hearing, and a quirky pick straight from the pages of satire.

1. I flew on this plane – now it goes back to being boring

   ANA’s specially painted jet, once a crowd-puller and AvGeek magnet, returns to regular livery. A reminder that aircraft fame is fleeting, but the flight goes on.

   Read more.

2. Sabre faces investor investigation

   Following a disastrous Q2, Sabre is now in the sights of Levi & Korsinsky for potential securities law violations. Not unexpected given market reactions.

   Read more.

3. Sri Lanka launches local flight booking platform

   ICanFly aims to offer a homegrown digital booking solution for domestic and regional travel — part of a wider trend toward national travel tech sovereignty.

   Read more.

4. Court ruling offers lessons for both employers and employees

   The UK Court of Appeal’s decision in Jason Lutz v Ryanair highlights the fine balance in employment law — and the risks when either side oversteps.

   Read more.

5. AA vs Military Helicopter crash hearings reveal shocking details

   The AvTalk Podcast dives into the hearings, shedding light on a tragic collision and the operational failings behind it. Sobering listening for anyone in aviation safety.

   Read more.

6. Quirky: Wankernomics — the Dilbert of the corporate BS world

   This book skewers management-speak, consultant culture, and corporate nonsense with razor-sharp wit. It’s absurdly relatable — and perfect for a laugh after a long day.

   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 #AvGeek #ANA #AircraftLivery #Sabre #InvestorAlert #SecuritiesLaw #SriLanka #TravelTech #DigitalBooking #Ryanair #EmploymentLaw #CourtRuling #AviationSafety #AA #MilitaryHelicopter #Podcast #QuirkyTravel #CorporateSatire

The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 10 2025

From robotaxis to runaway pilots, a day of travel tech breakthroughs and eyebrow-raising human moments

Today’s roundup takes you from surging Chinese traffic into Sydney, through AI-native travel platforms, autonomous rides with no steering wheels, an airline’s half-million-dollar mishap, the latest leap in AI, and… a pilot taxiing straight toward ground crew without clearance.

1. Where are those Chinese passengers going? Why Oz, of course.

   Sydney Airport hit the 10 million passenger mark in Q2, with Chinese passport holders up 11% year-on-year. The surge underscores the rapid rebound of outbound China travel — and the allure of Australia as a destination.

   Read more.

2. MCP to the rescue?

   A world-first AI-native travel platform has gone live, with promises to eliminate distribution friction. MCP (Model Context Protocol) could finally bridge fragmented content sources — if adoption follows the hype.

   Read more.

3. Robo taxis are coming (no steering wheel required)

   Amazon’s Zoox just pushed the future of urban transport one notch closer, unveiling autonomous robotaxis built from the ground up — without steering wheels or pedals.

   Read more.

4. A strange tail — fab if you were one of the lucky ones

   United somehow managed to lose $500,000 per customer in a rare operational/financial glitch. The beneficiaries? A tiny group of very happy travelers.

   Read more.

5. Yes, the hype is here — but it’s kinda important

   OpenAI has introduced GPT-5, promising major advances in reasoning, multimodality, and task automation. Expect a new wave of AI applications across travel, aviation, and beyond.

   Read more.

6. Quirky: This isn’t just quirky — it’s bizarre

   A pilot taxied without permission and nearly plowed into ground crew. It’s the sort of safety lapse that makes you wonder how many close calls never make the headlines.

   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 #AvGeek #AirportTraffic #SydneyAirport #ChinaTravel #MCP #AIinTravel #AI #TravelTech #Amazon #Zoox #Robotaxi #AutonomousVehicles #UnitedAirlines #AirlineMishaps #GPT5 #ArtificialIntelligence #PilotError #GroundSafety #AviationSafety #QuirkyTravel

The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 9 2025

 A day of grand promises, awkward codes, and warning signs for travel’s future

From Heathrow’s billion-pound dreams to Japan’s demographic time bomb — and yes, an airport code list that will make you snort into your coffee — today’s collection reminds us that big infrastructure bets, corporate missteps, and shifting populations are reshaping the travel world in real time.

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“Well, That Sux” – Airport Codes That Make You Snicker

Turns out Gaya Airport in India has the unfortunate code GAY, and it’s just the start of a list that includes PEE, POO, and YUM. The world’s airport codes are a goldmine for unintended giggles – and sometimes, rebranding debates. Read the full cringe list here.

1. Maybe This Time It Will Happen – Heathrow’s 3rd Runway Resurfaces

   London Heathrow has submitted a £21bn ($27bn) plan for a third runway, promising jobs, growth, and better UK connectivity. Decades of political wrangling have left many skeptical, but with post-Brexit trade urgency, the push is back on. Details here.

2. From Sicily With Span – Italy Approves the Mega Bridge

   After more than 50 years of talk, the Italian government has signed off on a bridge linking Sicily to mainland Italy. If built, it’ll be one of the world’s longest suspension bridges – and a seismic engineering marvel. Read the story.

3. Sabre Stock Gets Thrashed

   Sabre’s share price took a pounding this week after disappointing earnings and lowered guidance. For a company built on decades of GDS dominance, the market’s patience may be wearing thin. More here.

4. Is NPS Dead for Airlines?

   IATA seems to think so. In its latest communication, the airline trade body questions whether Net Promoter Score really works in aviation – hinting at a push for alternative passenger experience metrics. Read the IATA update.

5. Japan’s Population Decline – An Asian Travel Time Bomb

   Japan just posted its largest-ever recorded population drop. Fewer people means fewer domestic travelers, more labor shortages, and a tourism market heavily reliant on foreign visitors. See the CNN report.

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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

#Travel #Aviation #Airlines #Tourism #Infrastructure #AvGeek #AirportCodes #Heathrow #LHR #ThirdRunway #UKAviation #Italy #Sicily #MessinaBridge #Megaprojects #Sabre #GDS #AirlineTech #AirlineRetailing #IATA #NPS #CX #PassengerExperience #Japan #Demographics #AgingSociety #APACTourism

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The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 8, 2025

From brutal talent wars to pink animal cuisine, today’s lineup offers insight, irony, and a dash of the bizarre.

Air India gets serious

🔗 https://www.airindia.com/in/en/safety.html

A message from the CEO. A commitment to safety. 

Engine delays, still

🔗 https://www.flightglobal.com/aerospace/safran-aims-to-recover-leap-delivery-backlog-to-airbus-by-end-october/164013.article

Safran’s LEAP backlog lingers (Let's not forget the RTX challenges. Airbus keeps waiting. And so do we all.

Reality bites for travel startups

🔗 https://www.phocuswire.com/travel-funding-investors-view-phocuswright-europe-2025

Funding isn’t dead—it just demands a better pitch. If you’re building in travel, this is your new gospel.

Points or pesos?

🔗 https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/aeroplan/acearn.htm#/

Air Canada tweaks rewards. More cash-earning, less point-chasing. The monetization of loyalty continues.

Global talent tug-of-war

🔗 https://www.intelligenceonline.com/government-intelligence/2025/06/25/e255000-salary-free-schooling-china-s-new-campaign-to-attract-world-s-top-researchers%2C110468645-art

The U.S. throws out experts. China welcomes them with $255K salaries and tuition perks. One country’s loss…

Quirky: Danish zoo says it plainly

🔗 https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/08/05/zoo-denmark-pets-predators-aalborg/

“They’re eating the dogs.”

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Hashtags

#TravelNews #AviationSafety #GlobalTalent #TravelTechnology #Travel #Airlines

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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

The Professor’s Minute Minute August 7, 2025

It’s Education Day in Travel – today’s Minute Minute brings a dose of design, denial, data… and one very pink jet. Let’s dive in.

Balmer throws shade

LinkedIn: USAFacts statement

Steve Ballmer responds to Trump’s stats with his own. Rare political flex from the ex-Microsoft CEO turned stats evangelist.

Designing a better experience

Visitor Economy CRC

Australia doubles down on designing smarter, more inclusive tourism experiences. Watch this space if you care about experience-led recovery.

Bags – the final frontier

Substack: Baggage Issues

Baggage delays are rising again. Is it operational misfire or just too many passengers with overstuffed bags?

Why airlines boot you off

Substack: Airline Overbooking Explained

Ever been involuntarily bumped? Here’s why it happens—and why the model still persists.

Know your rights

Wikipedia: Air Passenger Rights

Before your next flight delay or bump, read this. You might be entitled to compensation—especially in the EU.

Quirky: Hilton takes flight

Robb Report: Paris Hilton’s Jet

Paris Hilton’s private jet looks like something Barbie and Elon collaborated on. Is it extra? Absolutely. But you know you’re curious.

Hashtags

#TravelNews #AirlineLife #TourismTrends #PassengerRights #TravelTechnology #Travel #Airlines

📣 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 

The Professor’s Minute Minute August 6, 2025

Great data – you just have to pay for it – sometimes.

Location, events, and demand signals all neatly packaged… for a fee. PredictHQ is trying to bring a little more science to travel forecasting.

🔗 https://www.predicthq.com/products

Want to know what those funny codes are? Airports and airlines?

This is the definitive source for IATA codes – essential for anyone working in or around aviation.

🔗 https://www.iata.org/en/publications/directories/code-search/

Search for the registration of a plane.

Curious about who owns that aircraft you’re boarding? This free lookup lets you peek behind the tail number.

🔗 https://www.regosearch.com/search/results/

Can ChatGPT really write like you?

A simple guide to training AI to mimic your writing style. It’s not perfect… yet.

🔗 https://www.itsthatlady.dev/blog/how-to-train-chatgpt-to-write-like-you/

Google’s playtown: Labs FX.

Experimental ideas, AI demos, and sandboxed interfaces galore. Enjoy it before it disappears like so many other “labs.”

🔗 https://labs.google/fx

Quirky: Your ticket is someone else’s asset.

Turns out major U.S. airlines may be quietly sharing your travel history with DHS — no warrant required — through ARC.

🔗 https://boltzlegal.com/faq/product-liability/airlines-sold-your-travel-data-to-the-feds-what-you-need-to-know

#TravelIntelligence #AIWriting #SurveillanceCapitalism

#TravelTechnology #Travel #Airlines 

Don’t forget:

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

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

And explore the old archive: https://www.tumblr.com/professorsabena

The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 5, 2025

 One person running the control tower? Lawsuits, bounties, and microplastics—today’s edition is filled with the uncomfortable truths and a few strange splashes.

Not a good look – ONE guy was at the controls at the airport everyone loves to hate.

🔗 https://simpleflying.com/1-atc-managed-all-flights-newark-liberty-3-hours/

The Doorplug incident did not go unnoticed – Boeing gets sued again—this time by flight attendants.

🔗 https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/01/us/boeing-door-plug-flight-attendants-lawsuit-hnk

Plastics, eat, breathe, absorb – Yes, they are inside us now.

🔗 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01447-3/abstract

There is a bounty on people’s heads – AI deepfakes, surveillance, and yes—real-world consequences.

🔗 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3v3rygdrryo

Really, why? – Racist backlash forces NZ media to shut down public comments after Air New Zealand CEO appointment.

🔗 https://travelweekly.com.au/racist-abuse-forces-nz-media-to-limit-comments-after-air-new-zealand-ceo-appointment/

Do you like to swim? – The quirkiest stat of the day: who swims the most? Spoiler: not Americans.

🔗 https://www.statista.com/chart/34874/respondents-who-swim-dive/

#TravelTechnology #Travel #Airlines #Boeing #PublicHealth #AIethics

📣 Don’t forget: Follow the full archive at t2ni.blogspot.com and look out for the Best of the Week recap every Sunday on LinkedIn and Instagram.

You can also read the Professor’s musings here: https://t2impact.blogspot.com

And explore the old archive: https://www.tumblr.com/professorsabena

The Professor’s Minute Minute August 4, 2025

One airline’s tariff is another’s tax exemption. The travel world has never been good at fair. Did Concorde's nose grow?

Tariffs and Aviation

The unevenness is obvious. Some airlines fly through loopholes, others smack into regulatory walls.

🔗 https://weekly.visualapproach.io/p/tariffs-depart-for-some-not-for-others

Amadeus says it has challenges

Q2 wasn’t kind, but the long game still looks strong — if they can control distribution costs and market swings.

🔗 https://www.tipranks.com/news/company-announcements/amadeus-earnings-call-highlights-growth-amid-challenges

Unintended consequences

Cheaper EVs mean less gas tax… and more road tolls or other make-up charges. Pay now or pay weird later.

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/posts/russell-king-transport-leader_most-people-think-making-electric-cars-cheaper-activity-7356813419058024449-aICo

Mid vs Back Office

Need a better handle on how booking platforms and agency tech works behind the scenes? This breakdown helps.

🔗 https://www.altexsoft.com/blog/mid-office-back-office-systems-in-travel/

NDC and Direct Connect ROI

The costs are real, the benefits still hazy. Is this transformation or a tax on transformation?

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alexeyyanshin_ndcdistribution-traveltech-airlineretailing-activity-7357963807169626112-1LYc

Quirky Fact of the Day

The Concorde could stretch 10 inches during flight due to skin heating at Mach 2. That’s nearly a foot longer midair than on the ground. Supersonic swagger comes with side effects.

🔗 https://www.concordesst.com/faq.html#Stretch

#aviation #traveltech #ndc #airlinedistribution #tariffs #backoffice #amadeus #airlineretailing #transportationpolicy #professorsminuteminute

📣 Don’t forget: Follow the full archive at t2ni.blogspot.com and look out for the Best of the Week recap every Sunday on LinkedIn and Instagram.

You can also read the Professor’s musings here: https://t2impact.blogspot.com

And explore the old archive: https://www.tumblr.com/professorsabena

The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 3, 2025

Direct is dead. Pets are in. UX from porn. And Oshkosh? Always magic.

So much for Direct.

The final big UK brand selling direct has been gobbled up. Who wins when the last ones fall?

https://www.law360.com/competition/articles/2360291

Pets in cabin? It’s a thing now.

Italy and Virgin Australia are opening the doors (and aisles) to cats and pups. No emotional support iguanas… yet. (You’ll have to look that up yourself—true story.)

OnlyFans as a UX lesson?

Yes. The adult industry has long pioneered digital experience. Ignore it at your peril—even if you don’t get it.

https://www.economist.com/business/2025/06/24/how-onlyfans-transformed-porn

Oshkosh magic

You missed it. It was thrilling. Thousands of planes landing by color dot and radio jazz.

https://blog.flightaware.com/the-magic-of-oshkosh-how-thousands-of-aircraft-arrive-each-year

Track flights like a pro (or a pilot)

Wader Aviation’s slick platform is worth your time—even if you’re just stalking your cousin’s Ryanair ride.

https://www.waderaviation.com/

Quirky: Most popular in-cabin dog breed for first class travelers in 2024?

The French Bulldog. Loud snores, (some farts), zero chill, infinite loyalty. Just like some status flyers you know.

🔗 https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2024/04/09/flying-with-dogs-airline-pet-policies/

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📣 Don’t forget: Follow the full archive at t2ni.blogspot.com and look out for the Best of the Week recap every Sunday on LinkedIn and Instagram.

You can also read the Professor’s musings here: https://t2impact.blogspot.com

And explore the old archive: https://www.tumblr.com/professorsabena

#TravelTech #UX #AirlineIndustry #Oshkosh2025 #OnlyFansUX #PetsInCabin #FrenchBulldogsFlyToo #AviationCulture #DirectBooking

The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 2, 2025

When the real world outpaces parody, it’s time to buckle up.

No you cannot make this stuff up

An Indonesian official tried to fake a degree by generating it with ChatGPT—live, on TV.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g0z1d28e5o

Wow that wasn’t expected

Net migration has pushed the UK into one of its biggest population jumps in 75 years.

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/net-migration-fuels-second-biggest-population-rise-in-75-years-5ppzpzmf7

It only applies to 9 planes

But FAA’s flag on suspect titanium in Boeing 787s shows just how fragile aircraft supply chains still are.

https://airguide.info/faa-flags-unapproved-titanium-in-boeing-787-ram-air-turbines/

Southwest tightens the belt

Their “Customer of Size” policy just got less friendly. Not exactly a PR win.

https://www.gatechecked.com/southwest-tightens-the-belt-on-customer-of-size-policy-10643

Greenway is letting Airbus know

Great interview with JetBlue’s Robin Hayes on why OEMs need to shape up—fast.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-air-show/id1735858856

Really Quirky: The World’s First Laundry-Free Underwear

Yes, this is real. Kickstarter has truly jumped the shark.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/techkonic/the-worlds-first-laundry-free-underwear-redone

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📣 Don’t forget: Follow the full archive at t2ni.blogspot.com and look out for the Best of the Week recap every Sunday on LinkedIn and Instagram.

You can also read the Professor’s musings here: https://t2impact.blogspot.com

And explore the old archive: https://www.tumblr.com/professorsabena

#aviation #Boeing787 #UKimmigration #JetBlue #SouthwestAirlines #weirdnews #kickstarter #ChatGPTfail #supplychain