Most big US airlines have already stopped doling out frequent-flier miles based on the distance of a flight. Instead, they’ve moved to systems that offer miles (or points) based on the fare a flier has paid. Now that trend is spreading in Europe, where Lufthansa Group has become the latest to switch to such a scheme. Starting March 12, the carriers’ collective Miles & More frequent-flier program will move to a revenue-based system for awarding miles. Members of the program will receive a base of 4 miles per euro spent. Elite frequent-flier members will earn either 5 or 6 miles per euro, depending on which Miles & More airline they’re flying. That elite-level bonus falls fall short of what US carriers offer to their elite members. At Delta, for example, its basic earning rate of 5 miles per dollar more than doubles to 11 per dollar for its top-level elite fliers. Fliers with intermediate elite status earn anywhere between 7, 8 or 9 miles per dollar. American and United have similar structures. The Lufthansa Group says tickets purchased in US dollars will earn award miles “commensurate with the euro-dollar exchange rate.” “With this change, Lufthansa Group is setting up a flexible system that’s able to credit award miles based on the price of the ticket,” the Lufthansa Group said. Lufthansa says the process for earning elite status – which is based on factors that include the actual distance of flights – is not changing. Also not changing, according to the airline group, are existing elite-level status or perks.<br/>
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Air Canada launched Boeing 737 MAX 8 operations on the Toronto-Calgary route Dec. 11. The Canadian flag carrier has 61 firm orders for the 737 MAX, scheduled for delivery by 2021, with 18 to enter the fleet by the end of 2018. The aircraft’s first scheduled flights in North America include service to Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver and Montreal. The aircraft is also scheduled to operate internationally to Keflavik, Dublin and Shannon starting in summer 2018.<br/>