Despite a long delay that ruined by Saturday plans, there is just something about EasyJet I still very much appreciate. Let’s start with the delay. It was mechanical in nature and began as a 30-minute delay and slowly grew to...
Analysis: Etihad Suffers Another Embarrassing Loss With Jet Airways Collapse

Etihad’s investments in airlines around the world have gone horribly wrong. The collapse of Jet Airways is just the latest example. What did Etihad do wrong? It took a certain hubris to invest in troubled airlines in the belief...
United Airlines Extends New Delhi Service Cancellation

United is extending the suspension of service to New Delhi until July. A flight attendant just forwarded me the following update: As we previously reported, seasonal winds and the continued closure of Pakistani airspace have caused us to suspend...
Loss, But Optimism For Philippine Airlines

While it still lost money in 2018, Philippine Airlines (PAL) is optimistic that it has turned the corner of profitability. I’m not so sure. Citing higher fuel and aircraft leases costs, PAL reported a loss of P4.33 billion ($101...
United Airlines Counts Up Accomplishments

United Airlines presented its first quarter results today, which are quite healthy. But do the numbers and many accomplishments tell the whole picture? I’m not going to breakdown the numbers, but it was a strong quarter. Q1 is traditionally...
United’s Diametrically Different Hawaii Strategy Than Southwest

United Airlines and Southwest could not differ more when it comes to how each approaches service to Hawaii. Southwest’s entry into the Hawaiian market has caused ripples. This has concerned some legacy airline employees who fear cutbacks. But for...
A Reasonable Airline-Backed Proposal To Modify EU261/2004 (Delay Compensation)

It is no surprise that airlines don’t like EU261/2004, which establishes a common flight compensation regulation across the European Union. But at least one airline is proposing a constructive change rather than just an attack. I’ve written about EU261/2004...
British Airways Attacked By Newspaper…For Cutting Onboard Newspaper

It’s no surprise that in an era of dwindling circulation, newspapers appreciate when airlines buy their newspapers and offer them to their captive customers. But The Financial Times is livid about the recent decision of British Airways to cut...
Why Are Garuda And Singapore Airlines Deepening Relationship?

Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines are deepening their relationship. My question is, why? It’s an unlikely relationship to begin with. Two different alliances. Overlapping routes. Competition for the same connecting passengers. So why? In 2010, Singapore and Garuda began...
EasyJet Offers Me 9EUR For Six-Hour Delay!

EasyJet may be my favorite budget carrier in Europe, but its provision for delayed passengers is…lacking. I ran into long and annoying EasyJet delay last Saturday from Rome to Basel. My flight was scheduled to depart at 8:20 AM...
A Millennial Anniversary Celebration in Switzerland

As Notre Dame burned in Paris last night, another historic cathedral was basking in its 1000th birthday. When I say millennial, I am talking about a thousand years, not a recent generation… I spent the weekend with my wife...
I Hope JetBlue Is Courting Etihad…

Etihad is shrinking while JetBlue is growing. That presents a strategic business opportunity at London Heathrow. Jet Airways is on the verge of collapse, but leaves behind some incredible assets…including three that may be particularly valuable to JetBlue. I’m...
United Airlines Returns To Africa, Announces New Service To Cape Town

United Airlines will resume service to the African continent with new seasonal service to Cape Town, South Africa. Starting on December 15, 2019, United will operate three flights weekly from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Cape Town (CPT). The...
All The Alliance Airlines I Have Not Flown

Ben recently wrote a story with a similar title, paying homage to his “fellow airline geeks” in the first line. It got me to thinking about which alliance airlines I have not yet tried. It matters because 1.) these...
I Love London City Airport!

I flew out of London City Airport for the first time last week and loved it. It will be my new go-to airport In London. Although I don’t have any hostility against London Heathrow or Gatwick itself, I don’t...
Qatar Airways Blasts U.S. Lawmakers For Air Italy Criticism

Qatar Airways is hitting back at U.S. lawmakers for the steady rain of criticisms over its investment in Air Italy. In a press release, Qatar forcefully and convincing lays out its case for why the fearing mongering from U.S....
SAS Worried As “Flying Shame” Grips Sweden

In Sweden, flying has become a social faux pas. That’s causing great concern for Swedish Airports and Scandinavian Airlines. Swedavia AB, which operates 10 airports in Sweden, noted two startling stats: In 2018, Sweden had its weakest overall growth...
Donald Trump Offers 737 MAX Advice To Boeing Via Twitter…

U.S. President Donald Trump began his Monday morning with some branding advice to Boeing. Speaking via Twitter, Trump stated: What do I know about branding, maybe nothing (but I did become President!), but if I were Boeing, I would...
FTU Chicago Discount and Hotel Expertise

Frequent Traveler University offers guests the opportunity to hear from and interact with some of the most experienced voices in the travel and loyalty game. At FTU Chicago, frequent hotel guests will learn about all of the major programs....
United Is Pretending This First Class Meal Isn’t A Snack Box?

United Airlines’ first-class food on some flights is a “cheese plate” on where a full meal service was previously available. But it’s rather obvious that this is essentially the same as the snack box sold in economy for less...