It shouldn’t be too much to ask for clean non-plastic utensils that actually cut through butter, but the only American airline to make the list is Virgin with its European role model.
Although this brings Etihad one step closer to the Sky Team alliance, it also begs the question: What does a growing airline with 40 code-share agreements need from an alliance?
This comes as Qatar joining Oneworld is being announced tomorrow, continuing the changes European airspace hub, driven primarily by outside forces like the Gulf airlines.
Europe's fiscal crisis is leading to some uncertainty in the markets, but it's really the changing face of aviation that's driving consolidation and bankruptcy in its skies.
Air France wants to buy Rolls-Royce engines for their 25 new Airbus jets, but are not willing to pay for the engine maker's long-term maintenance deal as they are eagerly developing their own support division.
The Syrian airport wouldn't accept Air France's credit card, but being asked for fuel money was just the cherry on top of these passengers' flight which had already be re-routed due to violence in Beirut.
The turmoil in European air space continues, and despite all cost cuttings, expect lots more consolidation to come in. Watch any combo of Qatar/Emirates/Etihad/Turkish to be big players.
Air France takes the cake for serving (free!) champagne, but most airlines do actually offer name brands and allergen-free snacks... just expect to pay for anything more filling than coffee and chips.