Welcome to my next trip report, a brief series that will recount my autumn trip to Germany and France, with flights on Virgin Atlantic and JetBlue and a nice stay at Hôtel du Louvre in Paris. Autumn Trip To...
Even Europeans Can Be Rude (Like My Seamate On Finnair…)
As a conscientious world traveler with an American passport, I take exception to the arrogant belief that Americans are rude travelers while enlightened Europeans are models of politeness and civility. My Finnair flight from Helsinki to New York demonstrates...
“Woke” American Airlines Bumps First Class Passenger To Accommodate Joe Biden
A woman’s outrage over being bumped out of first class by “woke” American Airlines for a government official turned into delight when the passenger turned out to be Joe Biden and the former president signed a birthday card for...
Southwest Survey Suggests Major Cuts To Companion Pass Eligibility
Southwest Airlines appears to be testing changes to one of its most beloved perks, the Companion Pass. A recently leaked Rapid Rewards survey suggests the airline could drastically overhaul the program and restrict its availability to only the highest...
JetBlue Challenge Accepted, With A New Twist
JetBlue came through and approved my status challenge, but then added a twist this week with a new 25-year status opportunity and I might go from novice to forever Blue. JetBlue Accepts My Application, Caveat For Others I was...
Hyatt Completes Playa Resorts Acquisition, Deepens All-Inclusive Lead
Last week, Hyatt quietly closed on its $2.6bn acquisition of the remaining stake in Playa Hotels & Resorts, a move that’s flown somewhat under the radar but has outsized implications for the luxury all-inclusive space. If you blinked, you...
My Body And Health Keeps Changing My Travel Plans
For the second time in two weeks, my body has told me I need some time away, and it’s twice affected my travel plans. Hospitalized, Stuck A couple of weeks ago I was in Florida and found a familiar...
Review: American Airlines A321T Business Class “Reverse Redeye” New York – Los Angeles
For the final leg of my trip home from Hong Kong, I flew on American Airlines on a “reverse redeye” onboard the A321T in business class from New York to Los Angeles. American Airlines A321T Reverse Redeye Business Class...
China Refuses To Reveal Cause Of China Eastern 737 Crash, Citing “National Security”
The People’s Republic of China is covering up the crash of a China Eastern 737-800 jet, saying that revealing crash investigation details would endanger “national security and social stability.” The Incredulous Reason China Won’t Reveal Details About Deadly China...
Fly To Six Continents, Earn One Million Turkish Airlines Miles (Sample Itinerary)
Turkish Airlines is the latest carrier to offer an intriguing new promotion, with a payout of 1,000,000 miles for anyone who flies the carrier to six continents. While I think I’ll let the JetBlue promo go, I’m seriously considering...
Review: Finnair A330-300 Business Class (HEL-JFK)
After missing my connection from Helsinki (HEL) to Los Angeles (LAX), I was rebooked home via New York (JFK). That gave me a chance to experience Finnair’s transatlantic A330-300 business class product instead of another flight on the A350-900....
United Airlines Launches Mobile App Update With Gate-To-Gate Navigation And Connection Status
United Airlines has quietly launched one of the most useful app updates in years, especially if you have a connecting flight. United Mobile App Gets Major Upgrade for Connections, With Turn-by-Turn Gate Directions and Real-Time Updates The latest United...
Virgin Atlantic Doubles Award Surcharges On Business And Premium Economy Redemptions
With no notice, Virgin Atlantic doubled surcharges on both business class and premium economy award tickets. Surcharges on economy class awards have also gone up in price. Virgin Atlantic Quietly Doubles Surcharges On US – UK Award Tickets Virgin...
Watch the Wild Moment Thai Police Drag UK Tourist Off Lion Air Flight After Aisle Seat Meltdown
A bloated Brit in an orange Garfield shirt was dragged off a Thai Lion Air flight after throwing a temper tantrum when flight attendants refused to give an exit row seat at no additional charge. UK Tourist Dragged Off...
Review: Finnair A350-900 Business Class
Although it was only a short journey from Amsterdam to Helsinki, I quite enjoyed the Finnair A350-900 in business class…the onboard experience was lovely. The delay that caused me to misconnect in Helsinki? Not so lovely. Finnair A350-900 Business...
Intriguing JetBlue Promotion: 350K Points, Mosaic Status For 25 Years
Admittedly, I’m quite tempted by the latest JetBlue promotion in celebration of the carrier’s 25th anniversary. That said, I live on the wrong coast so maybe someone can talk some sense into me before I rush out to take...
Amazing Service Recovery From Qatar Airways After Iran Attack
Qatar Airways boasts that it got all 20,000 stranded passengers on their way within 24 hours after a brief airspace closure grounded all flights. That’s quite an impressive feat. Qatar Airways Rebounds Swiftly After Airspace Closure, Moves 20,000 Passengers...
Sorry Sir, Your Wife’s Middle Seat Is Not My Problem…
It never ceases to amaze me how passengers so rudely inconvenience others over seating, even on very short flights. A United flight from San Francisco to Las Vegas provides a prime case study. Man Hassles Flight Attendant Over A...
Delta Adds Rome And Barcelona Flights From Seattle, Edging Out Alaska
The competition in Seattle is heating up with a pair of new European routes just announced by Delta Air Lines. Delta Adds Two New Europe Flights from Seattle, Targets Alaska Airlines with Rome Route Delta is launching two new...
American Airlines, United Airlines Extend Middle East Flight Cancellations
6/25/25 UPDATE: American Airlines and United Airlines have extended their suspension of service to the Middle East. American Airlines has extended its pause in service between Philadelphia (PHL) and Doha (DOH) until June 20, 2025: AA120 PHL-DOH: Flights canceled...
