Like any addiction, the flying compulsion rears its ugly head without warning and with great force. I had to chuckle at Ben’s recent piece entitled, “My Very Logical, Methodical, Review Trip Planning Process…” He and I think about review...
A Final Moving Tribute To A Deceased United Pilot

The United Airlines family again bonded together to give a proper sendoff to a pilot who died far too young. Last month I wrote about United Airlines’ moving tribute to Captian Sean Archuleta, who died in the Atlas Flight 3591 crash...
Ethiopian Lodges Lethal Charge Against Boeing

Ethiopian Airlines has released a preliminary report on the deadly crash of ET 302, placing the blame squarely on Boeing. At a news conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s Minister of Transportation Dagmawit Moges leveled this damning assertion: The crew performed...
Air Italy, The Clone Of Qatar Airways

It is becoming more difficult to distinguish Air Italy and Qatar Airways. Perhaps that is not such a bad thing. Yesterday, Air Italy launched nonstop service between Milan and Los Angeles. San Francisco starts next week. In celebration of...
Is This Emirates’ New Premium Economy Seat?

Emirates will debut a new premium economy seat in 2020 onboard its A380. One design firm has dropped a very strong hint as to what that seat will look like. Haeco Cabin Solutions showcased its new Eclipse seat in...
United Actually Is Reducing Meal Service In Polaris During April “Trial”

An update on the mandatory business class express dining on late-evening flights from Washington Dulles. As it turns out, some items have been cut from the menu. Last week I wrote about United’s trial of express meal service for each...
Dear American, Your New Award Search Engine Is VERY BAD

American Airlines is testing a new award search engine on aa.com that much more closely resembles the current mobile booking platform. That’s bad news… For the past couple of weeks, half the time I search for an award on AA.com...
An Unattractive Alaska Mileage Plan Redemption Becomes Even More Unattractive

Prices are going up for economy class award redemptions on Icelandair using Alaska Airlines’ miles. Put another way, a poor value will become an even poorer value. Alaska has many superb partners in its Mileage Plan program. It also...
The Conspiracy To Crush AirAsia In Indonesia

Two airlines in Indonesia…and arguably the Indonesian government as well…have teamed up to squeeze AirAsia out of Indonesia. It’s a fascinating story of deception and duplicity. Imagine a circular rope. In the center is AirAsia Indonesia. Around it are...
UPDATE: United Denies Link To Leaked Livery

We’re going to have to wait a bit longer to see what United’s new livery actually looks like. Earlier today I presented four renderings that appeared on the website of a San Francisco design firm that represented United Airlines...
Former United Executive Is Starting (Another) New Budget Airline

United’s former Chief Financial Officer, Andrew Levy, wants to start a budget airline to serve secondary airports in the USA. Levy also helped to establish Allegiant Air, but hopes to establish a more “reliable” airline than the current batch...
Simple Words Will Make Or Break United’s New Express Meal Service

It’s not about the product, it’s about how you sell it. That’s my admonition to United Airlines today. Last week I wrote about United’s decision to trial mandatory “express” meal service on late-night flights to Europe from Washington Dulles. Rather...
United Airlines Partners With Sunday Riley For New Amenity Kits

So long Cowshed, hello Sunday Riley. United has unveiled new amenity kits and a partnership with a niche American beauty brand. Later this month, United will roll out new amenity kits in Polaris (business class), Premium Plus (premium economy),...
A Fresh “Green New Meal” Era For Airline Food

You’ve heard about the Green New Deal, but have you heard about the Green New Meal? Singapore Airlines (SIA) embraced a “From Farm to Plane” concept a couple of years ago and has slowly been expanding it. This year, Singapore...
Final Four: Pick The Next United Airlines Livery

UPDATE: United Denies Link To Leaked Livery Perhaps deliberately, perhaps accidentally, it does appear we now have a very good idea of the next-generation United livery will resemble. Yesterday I wrote about a quartet of livery designs that suddenly appeared...
Is This What United’s New Livery Looks Like? (Pictures)

UPDATE: United Denies Link To Leaked Livery United is set to unveil an “evolution” to its livery later this month, but we may already have a very good clue as to what the new design will resemble. While it...
A Superb Southern California Airport Lounge

I just found a superb airport lounge that had better food than American Express Centurion Lounges but was empty…totally empty. Ontario International Airport, in Southern California’s Inland Empire, offers and Escape Lounge in Terminal 2. It’s not part of the...
First Class: Air France Vs. SWISS

Both Air France and SWISS offer exclusive first class products. Which overall product is better? Today I compare the 777-300 experience on both airlines. If you’re interested in reading complete flight reviews, I’ve carefully reviewed both products below: SWISS...
A Tribute To A Wonderful United Club Agent

Chris Orr, a longtime United Club agent in Denver, retires on Wednesday. Her consistently superior customer service…and public service…over the years serve as a remarkable testimony to her character. Orr began donating blood in 1976. Since then, she has...
Remembering The Hero Air France Pilot In Operation Entebbe

Although perhaps no longer a household name, a hero died last week. His name was Michel Bacos. He was an Air France pilot. Bacos was captain of Air France 139 on June 27, 1976, heading from Tel Aviv to Paris. The...