Airbus is openly studying a stretched A350-2000 to match Boeing’s 777X. Here is why Emirates and other giants suddenly care about a few extra rows. Background: From Superjumbos To Stretched Twins Once upon a time, airlines that wanted serious...
New Questions In The Carnival Cruise Death Of Anna Kepner
New details about how Anna Kepner was found on a Carnival cruise are raising hard questions for investigators, the cruise line, and her grieving family. Live And Let’s Fly reached out to Carnival weeks ago for comment as news...
Is The Airbus A320 Having Its Boeing 737-MAX Moment?
After a sudden dive, a global software recall and thousands of grounded jets, is the Airbus A320 staring down its own 737 MAX-style reckoning or just a painful reset? Background: From One Bumpy Flight To A Global Headache This...
Has The MD-11 Already Flown Its Last US Flight?
With every grounded MD-11, the trijet era slips further away. After the UPS crash and a sweeping FAA order, have we already seen its last US takeoff? A Crash, An FAA Order, And A Trijet In Trouble On November...
Disney Drops Major Travel Agency After Allegations Emerge
Disney cut ties with Smart Moms Travel. Here is what the owner says happened and what it means for anyone who books through a travel agency. Why A Disney Travel Agency Is In The Headlines Disney fans are used...
Photo Essay: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, “Ilma”
As part of a travel agency preview, I toured the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Ilma. It’s not a perfect product, but luxury travelers should take note. Tour Invitation As a luxury travel agency owner, I was invited to tour the...
United And Southwest Bring Back Airline Debit Cards
United and Southwest quietly revived airline debit cards. Here is who they help, what they offer, and when you should skip them. A Throwback Idea Makes A Comeback For years, the story in airline loyalty has been simple. If...
Will Thanksgiving Flights Calm Down After The 2025 Shutdown?
With the government finally reopening, will Thanksgiving flyers face chaos or find surprisingly calm skies at the airport this year? The Longest Shutdown Finally Blinks After forty-three days of political chicken, the federal government is open again, paychecks are...
Ryanair Profit Jumps As Europe Stays Close, Skips US For Now
Ryanair posts a significant increase in net profit as Europeans swap short hops over trips to the US, reshaping demand on both sides of the Atlantic. Profit Pop Fueled By Staying Closer To Home Ryanair just reported a superb...
EU Pushes Airlines To Clean Up Their Green Marketing
Airlines love to talk about being green, but the EU is cracking down on vague claims and forcing carriers to be clear, honest, and transparent. Scrutiny Over EU Airlines’ Green Claims Airlines have never been shy about promoting their...
Hilton’s Diamond Reserve Rumor Raises Real Program Questions
Hilton may add a Diamond Reserve tier with big spend rules. Here is how it stacks up to Marriott Ambassador and what it means for Aspire cardholders. Hilton’s Next Move At The Top Hilton Honors is reportedly cooking up...
Hyatt Hotels: Relying On Chase Deal as Growth Levels Off
Hyatt posts a small RevPAR gain, plans big asset sales, and leans on a richer Chase partnership while demand signals look flatter across the industry. Setting The Table Hyatt’s third quarter (2025) reads like a mix of steady progress...
California Candidate Says Ground Billionaire Jets
Katie Porter says cut private jets, not commercial. With a 10% flight reduction looming from the shutdown, is she right about where to trim? FAA Reduction: Why Airlines Are Being Told To Fly Less Because of the ongoing government...
Southwest Business Class, Lounges, Europe Flights Inevitable
Southwest Airlines has openly explored the possibility of adding business class, airport lounges, flights to Europe, and new aircraft – but it’s not if, it’s a matter of when. Southwest Will Move Into Premium Expansion, Here’s Why Management at...
Thanksgiving Travel Faces A Shutdown-Sized Stress Test
Record holiday demand meets a federal shutdown. Here is why Thanksgiving week could be a mess, and what changes if Washington flips the switch in time. A Perfect Storm For America’s Busiest Travel Week Thanksgiving is not a normal...
American Airlines: Whole Trip Upgrades Often Cheaper
On a recent domestic trip, I was offered upgrades on American Airlines. However, when re-pricing the trip, I found it was cheaper than upgrading the segments. Upgrade Offered I recently had a short trip for which I redeemed a...
Second Guest Dies at Disney World’s Contemporary Hotel
A guest death at Disney’s Contemporary Resort casts a shadow over the magic of Walt Disney World. The Scene Behind the Headlines Last week at Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort at the edge of its Magic Kingdom park the...
Younger Pros Turn Work Trips Into Lifestyle Upgrades
Hotels.com finds Gen Z and Millennials use business travel to upgrade hotels, meals, and rewards, and they post it all while stretching trips for fun. Background Business travel is not just a commute with a carry-on anymore. According to...
Isom, American Airlines, May Never Escape Crushing Debt
American Airlines’ ever higher pile of debt may never be paid off, meanwhile investors continue to support Isom, and give management a pass. Why? American Airlines Q3 2025 Earnings Call Lowlights American Airlines reported in its third quarter 2025...
AI And Apathy? American Airlines Service Suffers
A personal experience highlights the many service challenges that American Airlines continues to face – both technical and by staff. Tech Glitch Plays Musical Chairs It was a dark, and stormy night – a Thursday night consultants’ special –...
