I really felt sad for my seatmate, who was engaged in a frenzied WhatsApp conversation on a flight up the California coast with his “girlfriend” that was impossible for me to avoid and left me very thankful that I...
Barking “Service Dog” Ruins My United Airlines Redeye Sleep
I know I sound like a broken record sometimes, but it seems like I cannot escape a trip without encountering a fake service animal, this time a barking dog on a United Airlines redeye flight. A Barking “Service Dog”...
Man Sneaks Onto United Airlines Flight With Fake Boarding Pass After Multiple Security Failures
A Houston man used a fake boarding pass to sneak onto a United Airlines flight at IAH, forcing the aircraft to return to the gate and triggering a major law enforcement response. It’s always curious me to how these...
Carnitas Breakfast Bowl On Alaska Airlines: Best Airline Breakfast Ever
My consolation for my first class upgrade on Alaska Airlines not clearing was the best economy class breakfast (and perhaps even the best breakfast period) I’ve ever enjoyed on an airplane: the carnitas breakfast bowl. Taste Test: Carnitas Breakfast...
Review: Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco (SFO)
I had a chance to stop by the new Air India Maharaja Lounge in San Francisco (SFO) during a recent layover and enjoyed a nice Indian dinner in this small but impressive lounge. Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco...
United Airlines Adds Four New Routes, Including First U.S. Nonstop To Chiapas
United Airlines is adding four new routes this fall and winter, including two from Washington Dulles, one from Newark, and one from Houston, including a new destination in Mexico and a new transcontinental flight to Southern California. United Airlines...
American Airlines Upgrades Lounge Dining With Better Hot Meals, A La Carte Dishes
Earlier this week, I wrote that American Airlines was winning me over with better food in its network of Admirals Club lounges. Now American has made clear this was not a lucky outlier, but part of a deliberate effort...
Spirit Airlines 2.0: Can A Grassroots Campaign Bring The Airline Back From The Dead?
A viral grassroots campaign wants everyday travelers, former employees, and Spirit fans to buy Spirit Airlines and relaunch it as a community-owned “Spirit 2.0.” It is certainly a long shot unlikely ever to come to fruition, but I love...
Is The Era Of Lufthansa First Class Awards With Partner Miles Over?
We are still waiting for clarity, but I fear the era of booking Lufthansa First Class with partner miles may be over. I truly hope I am wrong, but it would fit the broader Star Alliance trend: if United...
Review: American Airlines A321XLR Business Class
I flew a brand new American Airlines A321XLR from Los Angeles to New York in Flagship Business Class and enjoyed the sleek new cabin and individual seat. It’s not a perfect business class seat, but it is a big...
Kuwait Airport Reopens, But Can Airlines Trust A Gateway Iran Keeps Targeting?
Kuwait International Airport was struck by drones in a deadly attack attributed by Kuwait and the United States to Iran, damaging Terminal 1 and briefly halting flights. Operations are now resuming, but the larger question is whether Kuwait can...
Delta Air Lines Sees An Opening At LAX, But Los Angeles Has A History Of Humbling Airlines
Delta Air Lines appears increasingly serious about building up Los Angeles, but LAX has humbled many airlines before. The opportunity is real, but so are the limits. Delta’s LAX Ambitions Grow, But Can It Make Los Angeles Work? Yesterday,...
SAS First India Flight In 17 Years Becomes An Eight-Hour Flight To Nowhere
SAS returned to India after 17 years, but its first Copenhagen – Mumbai flight did not quite make it to India, turning back after four hours in the air due to missing final regulatory approval. SAS Returns To India...
Review: SWISS A330-300 Economy Class Zurich To Chicago
SWISS offers a solid economy class product on its A330-300 with excellent onboard dining and a comfortable seat, though there are some drawbacks as well. SWISS A330-300 Economy Class (ZRH-ORD) My children and I flew from Zurich to Chicago...
Delta’s LAX Ambitions Grow With A Second Delta One Lounge
Delta Air Lines officially plans to open a second Delta One Lounge at LAX in Terminal 2, but I suspect this will be less of a second standalone flagship lounge and more of a Delta One dining section within...
American Airlines Flight Met By Hazmat After “Service Dog” Turns Cabin Into Biohazard
An American Airlines regional jet was met by hazmat crews after a so-called service dog reportedly made such a disgusting mess onboard that passengers became sick. Genuine service animals can have accidents, but this is exactly why travelers are...
Alaska Airlines Atmos Cuts Saver Fare Earnings, Raises Partner Award Fees
Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards is making two negative changes: Saver (basic economy) fares will soon stop earning points, and partner award booking fees are going up. Neither change is catastrophic, but together they make the program a little less...
My First Domestic Polaris Flight On United Airlines Was Great, Except For One Thing
I flew from San Francisco to Newark in Polaris Business Class, my first time flying on a premium transcontinental flight on United Airlines since the carrier rebranded some of its domestic routes as Polaris. I Flew Domestic “Polaris” For...
American Airlines Is Winning Me Over With BBQ, Brisket, And Better Admirals Club Food
Kudos to American Airlines for really improving the food menu at its Admirals Club lounges. I’ve been seriously impressed by the beef brisket and BBQ pork along with fresh salads and new charcuterie options. American Airlines Has Upped Its...
Delta’s Swanky New A321neo Business Class Seat May Never Fly As Certification Delays Drag On
Delta Air Lines may reportedly abandon a new business class seat for its Airbus A321neo fleet after years of certification delays, a painful recognition that no matter how premium a seat looks on paper or even mocked up, it...
