View from the Wing

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Bets $2.6 Billion On Delta — After Decades Warning Against Airlines

Gary Leff — Fri, 15 May 2026 21:34:36 +0000

Warren Buffett spent decades warning that airlines destroy capital, joking that investors needed to be talked down before buying them. Now Berkshire Hathaway is back anyway, disclosing a $2.6 billion stake in Delta — its third major run at an industry Buffett once treated like an addiction.

Comments

@Tim Dunn — Warren is 95. Maybe he’s not concerned about ... by 1990
Feel better, Christian? There is help for those kind of harmful ... by Tim Dunn
Interesting that this happened after Buffet retired. If nothing ... by Christian
“ Warren always had a knack for Delta quality and that has ... by Roberto
@ Maryland — He may still come to the office most days, but ... by Gene
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American Airlines Wants Commercial Flights Back To Naples, Florida — The Airport Locals Tried To Move

Gary Leff — Fri, 15 May 2026 21:04:38 +0000

American Airlines wants to bring commercial flights back to Naples, Florida — a wealthy, convenient Gulf Coast airport that locals have spent years fighting, and even tried to move. The plan is for Charlotte service starting this winter, but the real story is whether one of Florida’s most contested small airports is finally opening the door to airline service again.

Comments

@Mantis — Woah, that’s some pretty extensive SW FL ... by 1990
@KR And what about all the extra traffic on I-75 for those ... by Mantis
The most ridiculous possible future for Naples, Fl. Currently, ... by KR
“See Naples, and then die.” – popularized by Goethe. by O'Hare Is My Second Home
(Would be better if they used the XLR for Naples, Italy, ... by 1990

The Travel Review Trap In Europe — How I Avoid Bad Hotels And Restaurants Built For Tourists

Gary Leff — Fri, 15 May 2026 19:32:25 +0000

I do not read hotel and restaurant reviews abroad the same way everywhere. In Europe, bad reviews can be easier for businesses to challenge or remove, so I rely less on average ratings and more on patterns, photos, trusted local sites, and avoiding obvious tourist traps.

Comments

@BBT — ‘Dang! DaNang…’ by 1990
That thing about German reviews is so true. Had a 1 star review ... by BBT
Whatever Rick Steves reommends has to best. 😉 by Gene
Are you suggesting me going to the Olive Garden in Florence was ... by Michael
Woah, a rare non-pro-BILT comment from @L3! (For real, I’d ... by 1990
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American Airlines Board Faces Shareholder Vote To Loosen Management’s Grip After Profits Collapsed 87%

Gary Leff — Fri, 15 May 2026 15:58:52 +0000

American Airlines shareholders will vote next month on a board reform that could make it easier for outside candidates to break through management’s slate. The proposal is almost certain to fail — but after profits collapsed 87%, executive pay barely budged, and shareholders lagged the S&P 500 badly, the fact that board accountability is even on the ballot says something.

Comments

In reply to James. @james – AI doesn't make typos, does it? by Gary Leff
Did AI write this article? Spelling mistakes everywhere. by James
“American generated nearly $55 billion in operating revenue, ... by DPTNash
“CEO Robet Isom received pay equal to 12.5% of the ... by Mikey
Robert Isom is the scum of the USA airline industry. 100% ... by Honest1967abe
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California Couldn’t Build High-Speed Rail — Now It’s Studying 140 MPH Buses [Roundup]

Gary Leff — Fri, 15 May 2026 14:04:32 +0000

California couldn’t build high-speed rail, so now officials are studying 140 mph buses. Plus: MrBeast says he only books flights with Starlink, Southwest passengers complain about forced bag checks, and a woman says the wrong soap triggered TSA explosives screening.

Comments

@Christian — Still hoping to hear some better ideas on here. ... by 1990
@Speaking for the People, and We All Agree – So you agree ... by Christian
I'm here to see people defend a graft-infused, incompetently ... by Thing 1
@ 1990 Just stop. You have become a running joke. No one ... by Speaking for the People, and We All Agree
So yes, trains around mountainous California through very rural ... by Eric M Boromisa
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Jessica Simpson Flew First Class While Her Kids Sat In Coach — And Ran Into Ex-Husband Nick Lachey Onboard

Gary Leff — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:04:08 +0000

Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey apparently went 20 years without seeing each other after their divorce. They both were in the same cabin of a flight to Hawaii, while Simpson's second ex sat in back with their three kids.

Comments

It's between her, her kids, and her kids' future therapists. by Thing 1
@ Gary — Ok, and why on earth would we care? by Gene
Flying LAX to KOA, one upgrade available…I'm #1 my wife is ... by VibePilot
I regularly put my teen daughter in coach while I'm flying ... by Charles
@1990 – You forgot Freon, PTFEs and Carbon Tetrachloride. ... by Denver Refugee
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Chase Gives 30% More Southwest Points — Mostly Replaces What Rapid Rewards Took Away

Gary Leff — Fri, 15 May 2026 10:30:39 +0000

Chase is offering a 30% bonus on transfers to Southwest Rapid Rewards, which sounds like value — until you remember how much Southwest has already taken away. The bonus mostly restores the value Rapid Rewards lost through devaluation, while showing how the new Southwest is happy to sell more points now that those points cost less to redeem.

Comments

You can book Basic fares with Southwest points and have no need ... by nsx at FlyerTalk
Southwest used to be my back up carrier, now I avoid. by Nick
Finally burned my $500 Chase credit. At least it posted ... by 1990
WN morphed into an undifferentiated carrier in which schedule ... by Principal Lewis
I lost all interest in flying on Southwest. by Jason
Lots of Chase transfer bonuses this year – my guess is they ... by Peter

American Airlines Adds Restaurant-Style Ordering To Miami Flagship Lounge — Cubanos And Croquetas Delivered Tableside

Gary Leff — Thu, 14 May 2026 21:05:13 +0000

The American Airlines Flagship lounge has introduced food items to order via QR code, delivered tableside. That's something they already have in their most-recently opened Flagship lounge in Philadelphia.

Comments

“Why produce foods that suck”? Probably because in Miami ... by Frank
Why produce foods that suck? by This comes to mind
So happy CLT will finally and I mean FINALLY get a new Admirals ... by Lisa Anniston
Actually, the majority of the time food and service on AA is ... by sunviking82
What…? They used to have a full menu like 2 years ago in the ... by Jack
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Delta CEO Says AI Has No Soul — His Airline Uses It To Price Your Ticket [Roundup]

Gary Leff — Thu, 14 May 2026 18:34:03 +0000

Delta’s CEO says AI lacks soul and warmth — while his airline uses AI to help price tickets. Plus: Air Force One’s China-trip meal gets roasted, American tells a passenger stuck in the lav to try knocking, and TSA’s SFO screening contract fight heads to court.

Comments

No soul in my fare pricing?…that is NOT premium! Oh, and Paul ... by Jason
@ Tim — Still living in the past I see. Delta USED to be ... by Gene
@ gennady — Someone must be paying those prices! by Gene
Ed Bastian is a loser. Maybe it's not AI pricing his tickets, ... by gennady
While the current AF1 planes (the 742s) can refuel in air, I ... by This comes to mind
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How To Max Them Out Citi Strata Elite’s Impressive Credits

Gary Leff — Thu, 14 May 2026 18:04:01 +0000

Citi premium card looks complicated at first, but the real value is straightforward once you know how the credits post. The Strata Elite’s hotel, Splurge, Blacklane, Priority Pass, and Admirals Club benefits can make the first cardmember year far more lucrative than the $595 fee suggests.