This week Icelandic discount carrier, WOW Air, folded. Passengers, aircraft, and employees were left stranded across destinations when the airline ceased operations. While WOW Air was part of the cheap Trans-Atlantic flight revolution, it won’t go away simply because they did. If...
Iberia Bungled My Avios Balance, Risk It or Leave It?
As part of Iberia’s excellent Avios promotion, I earned 90,000 Avios for less than $400. However, despite following the promotion, I have a negative balance and a booked trip. I can’t decide if I should leave it negative or...
The Power of Points Is Freedom, Not Just Savings
The true power of miles and points is not in saving travelers money, but in offering them freedom. On a recent trip, we made a change in plans and decided on a whim to visit the Cayman Islands for...
In Search Of Great Pizza On An Airplane
Each week, my Meal of the Week feature examines an airline meal from my travels over the years. This may be a meal from earlier in the week or it may be a meal served over a decade ago. Is it...
Flying United Airlines This Weekend? How To Make Some Money On The Side…
If you’re flying on United Airlines this weekend in longhaul business class, you’re in for a special treat. And I’m not necessarily talking about the seat or food or service. Instead, I’m talking about an extra amenity United will offer...
United Will Trial New Express Dining Service Concept In Business Class
United will trial express dining service for all Polaris Business Class passengers on late-evening transatlantic departures from Washington Dulles next month. I’ve written about the problem of late-evening departures to Europe before. Eastbound transatlantic flights from the East Coast are short...
Details On The New Breakfast Coming To American Airlines
American Airlines will “enhance” onboard meal service in several areas next month, but breakfast in economy class will actually improve. Citing an internal memo, View from the Wing reported several negative changes to AA catering set to kick in soon....
Passengers Hospitalized After United 737-800 From Baltimore Diverts To Washington Dulles
A United flight from Baltimore diverted to Washington Dulles after passengers and crew became sickened by noxious fumes. The smell of fumes was present upon boarding only worsened as the flight took off. Passengers complained of nausea, headaches, chest pain,...
The Mysterious 777 At LAX
As my son and I were plane spotting in the Tom Bradley Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport, I noticed a very odd 777 pulling up to the gate. Take a look at the pictures below. It is clearly...
Warren Buffett’s Delta “Mistake”
Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Warren Buffett’s company, now owns more than 10% of Delta Air Lines. Buffett calls that an unintended mistake. Last month, independent of one another, Delta bought back more of its own stock. Meanwhile, Berkshire Hathway increased its...
WOW Air CEO Blames Collapse On One Strategic Blunder
Skuli Mogensen, the former CEO of now-defunct WOW Air, is angry. He believes the collapse of his airline was avoidable. In a letter to (now ex-) employees, Mogensen said: I will never be able to forgive myself for not taking...
A History Of Aircraft Groundings (Part 3 – Boeing 737 MAX)
121pilot, a commercial airline pilot in the USA, has graciously written a three-part series on the history of aircraft groundings. Today, we explore part three, on the current Boeing 737 MAX grounding. Click here for part one on the...
The Best Lounge At LAX For Young Children
Traveling with infants or children is often not only stressful in the air, but on the ground. But one lounge at LAX stands out as the superior choice for parents or guardians traveling with young children. The oneworld lounge...
Flight Attendant Shows The Powerful Bond Of Language
Sometimes we can touch the lives of others in unexpected ways. One United flight attendant did exactly that without ever opening her mouth. For John Maucere, flying can often be a pain. The seasoned Hollywood actor and comedian is deaf....
Why Lufthansa Bought 787s And More A350s
The only reason why Lufthansa bought 40 Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s last month was because it can no longer grow in Frankfurt. Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr is in the USA this week. Yesterday, he told Flight Global in Washington,...
What Meal Service Looks Like In United Premium Plus (Premium Economy)
On March 30, 2019 United Airlines will officially roll out Premium Plus service on 17 longhaul routes, with more to follow as aircraft are retrofitted or new 787-10s are delivered. United’s new premium economy product will greatly resemble domestic...
A History Of Aircraft Groundings (Part 2 – The Jet Age)
121pilot, a commercial airline pilot in the USA, has graciously written a three-part series on the history of aircraft groundings. Today, we explore part two, the jet age. Click here for part one. McDonnell Douglas DC-10 The fifth aircraft...
Hey Guys, See Something? Say Something. (Airplane Edition)
What would it take to get you to intervene when a creep hassles another passenger, especially a female teenager? Joanna Chiu, bureau chief for the Toronto Star, witnessed something quite dismaying on a recent late-night domestic flight in Canada....
Another Day Of Father-Son Bonding At LAX
My son and I had such a marvelous time at LAX a couple of weeks ago that we (and I do mean we) decided to return for round two. After our last visit, my son woke up each morning...
Lufthansa May Buy 100+ Boeing 737 MAX
Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr claims his airline has not lost faith in Boeing and is mulling a narrowbody order for over 100 aircraft. Speaking about Boeing, Spohr told Reuters: We have not lost our trust in Boeing. They’ve built...
