Southwest Airlines has been rumored to have Iceland in its sites for European expansion of its network. Yet another misstep by its wayward management team. Southwest Airlines Rumored To Add Iceland To Its Map I’m not breaking any news...
Tragic: Shocking Footage Of A Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident

Footage flooded social media of a tragic hot air balloon accident in southern Brazil. Shocking Footage Tragic and shocking footage from southern Brazil flooded X and various social media platforms of a hot air balloon accident. WARNING: Some of...
American Airlines Makes Good On Loyalty Points Data Snafu

At the close of the earning year for 2024 American Airlines loyalty points and Aadvantage elite status, there was a snafu – but American has made up for it and then some. What Happened I outlined a few weeks...
Starwood Hotels Is Back, And It May Be Better Than Ever

As of March 5, 2025, SH Hotels & Resorts has officially rebranded as Starwood Hotels, marking a significant return of the iconic brand under its original founder, Barry Sternlicht . The Return of a Hospitality Icon Barry Sternlicht, the...
The Worst Hotel Design Feature Is Everywhere

Modern hotel design, especially in refurbished business hotels, have a common problem – a sliding barn door in the worst possible place. Obvious Design Flaw Most hotel design features are intentional, use space and resources efficiently and make the...
United-JetBlue Tie Up Leaves American Airlines Bloodied

In a move that has sent ripples through the aviation industry, United Airlines and JetBlue have announced a strategic partnership dubbed “Blue Sky.” This collaboration aims to enhance customer experience by integrating loyalty programs and expanding route networks, all...
Flight Attendant Faces 25 Years, Allegedly Smuggled “Human Bone” Drug

A former flight attendant was caught allegedly smuggling a significant quantity of a new drug made of human bone and now faces up to 25 years behind bars in Thailand. In a case that has captured international attention, 21-year-old...
Delta’s Play In Orlando—New Focus City Strategy Emerging?

Delta Air Lines just did something that, on the surface, looks small: seven new Saturday-only flights from Orlando. But the implications run much deeper. Come December 20, Delta will begin service from Orlando (MCO) to Birmingham (BHM), Cincinnati (CVG),...
Private Clubs Are The Latest Trend In Luxury Hotels

After meeting with more than 60 hoteliers over a three-day period at an invite-only event, the next big trend for luxury hotels doesn’t involve guests at all. Private members’ clubs have long been the domain of the elite, offering...
ANA Passenger Tried To “Murder All Onboard”, Diverts To Seattle

On May 24, 2025, All Nippon Airways Flight NH114, en route from Tokyo Haneda to Houston, experienced a midair emergency when a passenger attempted to open an emergency exit door. Approximately nine hours into the flight, the individual, reportedly...
Sneak Peek At The Thompson Miami Beach (Opens Fall 2025)

I was invited to a behind the scenes sneak peek at the glorious new Thompson Miami Beach, and it looks amazing – even under construction. Address: 1685 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 Google Maps Link Under Construction In...
Spirit, Southwest, JetBlue: Time to Rethink Perceptions

In just the last nine months, three carriers with distinct identities, Spirit, Southwest, and JetBlue have significantly shifted but public perceptions might be harder to change. We cling to airline stereotypes like old luggage—worn out, busted at the zippers,...
What Hawaiian Airlines AMEX Exit Means For Alaska MileagePlan

As Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian merge their loyalty programs, a final date has been provided for American Express Membership Rewards to Hawaiian Airlines (and thus, Alaska Airlines.) The writing has been on the hangar wall for a while now:...
Global Airlines Defies Some Critics, Justifies Others

Most critics thought Global Airlines would never get off the ground, but this week it proved most of the critics wrong – but not all. In August 2023, I wrote about Global Airlines’ ambitious plan to break into the...
Crazy Chase Sapphire Reserve Changes Floated

Some radical changes were floated online for the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. They are drastic and flatly: crazy. Higher Fee, More Coupons In a report from Doctor of Credit, Chase is following the lead of American Express and...
A Deeper Dive Into Duffy’s Air Traffic Control Overhaul Plan

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced an ambitious plan to modernize the United States’ air traffic control (ATC) system, let’s take a closer look. Duffy aiming to address decades of underinvestment and technological stagnation. The initiative, prompted by recent...
Appreciation Of A Traveling Mother: My Wife

Throughout the year, the evidence of my wife’s dedication to our children is evident, especially when we travel. Always Sharing Her Seat When it comes to traveling as a family, especially with infants, it’s my wife that shares her...
Missing: Premium American Airlines Aadvantage Awards To Asia

Despite more partners to Asia, falling demand, and fewer business travelers, premium award space using American Airlines Aadvantage miles is mostly missing. So Many Partners, So Few Seats Within oneworld, American Airlines has partnerships with a number of Asian...
Mixed Financial Results Paint Murky Travel Picture In 2025

As airlines, hotel chains, and travel providers report earnings and adjust financial forecasts, 2025 is full of mixed results and conflicting signals. Financial Winners, Bright Points Focusing on the bright spots, the first quarter of 2025 produced some winners...
Boutique Hotels Are Eating Business Travel’s Lunch

Something’s happening on the hotel scene, and if you’ve blinked, you might have missed it. Boutique hotels, once niche and novelty, are now quietly becoming the go-to for business travelers—and that should have traditional business hotel brands very worried....