Hilton joins Four Seasons, Aman, and Ritz-Carlton in launching a luxury cruise line, Waldorf-Astoria is joining the party, and it’s coming to the Nile in 2026. A River of Dreams: Hilton Enters the Cruise Market There was a time,...
Will American Follow Delta, United Into Business Basic?
Delta Air Lines and United have both indicated they will unbundle elements of their business class products, will American Airlines follow suit? Basic Business Class Is Coming, Whether We Like It Or Not Delta first indicated that it would...
Global Airlines Flew Four Times And Parked Its A380
The airline that swore it would revolutionize the trans-Atlantic air market completed a pair of flights and has now put its A380 super jumbo jets to pasture. Global Airlines Completed A Pair Of Roundtrips Against Heavy Speculation As covered...
Travel + Leisure Names JSX Best Airline In US, But Should It Be?
World’s Best Airlines survey from Travel + Leisure awards JSX best US domestic carrier, but it shouldn’t really be eligible. JSX Wins The Hearts Of Travel + Leisure Readers Travel magazine, Travel + Leisure issued a survey for the...
Some AI Great At Evaluating Award Charts, Value, Some Not
A recent experience with xAI’s Grok demonstrated that AI can be surprisingly good at evaluating award charts and redemption value. Turkish Airlines’ Miles&Smiles Offered Million Mile Challenge In the last couple of weeks, Turkish Airlines announced a challenge to...
Ride-free Theme Park, Puy Du Fou, Voted Best In The World
The theme park most have never even heard of, Puy du Fou, was voted best theme park but doesn’t have a single ride. The Anti-Theme Park If you’ve never heard of it, you’re in good company, I hadn’t until...
Questions (And Answers) About Ritz-Carlton Yachts “Struggles”
Another blogger raised questions about Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s “struggles” and trouble with the brand, and market. Here is my response as a luxury travel agency owner specializing in this market. Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Financial “Struggles” Details were released this...
Days After Hyatt Bought Playa Resorts It Sold The Properties
Just days after Hyatt closed its $2.6bn acquisition for Playa Resorts, it sold the hotels for $2bn – but why? Hyatt Buys Playa Resorts, And Then Immediately Sells Playa Resorts… Kind Of Nearly as soon as the stories were...
Spirit Airlines Foam Incident In Detroit Will Cost It Dearly
Spirit Airlines maintenance hangar in Detroit suffered a massive foam release which will cost the beleaguered airline millions. Safety Foam Release A fire suppressant foam was released in a Spirit Airlines maintenance hangar at Detroit Metro Airport (Wayne County)...
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...
The JetBlue Mosaic Challenge And Why I Can’t Pass It Up
JetBlue is offering American Airlines Executive Platinum, Concierge Key and Delta Platinum, 360 members a status challenge I can’t say no to. Status Match, Challenge JetBlue has rolled out a status match for competing carriers to its markets. Significant...
Southwest’s (Possible) European Expansion Another Misstep
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...
