As 2022 draws to a close, it is time for my annual “Top 10” series. Here, I’ll look back on the top 10 airline lounges I visited in 2022. Note, this is not my all-time “top 10” list, but...
How I Secured United Airlines Premier 1K Status For Another Year
Thanks to a late push this year and a pricey trip to Africa, I was able to qualify for Premier 1K status again in the United Airlines MileagePlus program. A Bit Of Irony In Securing United Premier 1K Status...
Southwest Airlines Promises “Normal Operations” Will Resume Today
Today marks a day of reckoning for Southwest Airlines. The carrier has promised a return to normal operations today, but can it keep its word? Southwest Promises A Return To Normal Operations Starting Now…But Can It Keep Its Word?...
Review: Aviator Apartment Business Lounge Copenhagen (CPH)
The Aviator Apartment Business Lounge in Copenhagen was a cozy little lounge that felt like a comfortable Danish apartment. Aviator Apartment Business Lounge Copenhagen Review (CPH) I visited this lounge ahead of my Finnair business class flight to Helsinki....
I Won’t Condemn Southwest Passenger Who Paid $100 To Cut In Line…
If there is one thing I’ve seen in my travels around the world (with one glaring exception in Iran), it is that money talks. Money is the conduit through which we do business and having money, wherever you are,...
How I Secured Hyatt Globalist Status For Another Year…With 20 Nights
I’m ending the year with only 41 nights in the World of Hyatt program, yet I will retain my Globalist status for another year thanks to a 20-night Hyatt Fast Track challenge. Hyatt Globalist Fast Track – How I...
162 Hours Later…I’m Still Waiting For A Reply From Southwest On Twitter
I often recommend people reach out to airlines on Twitter as a “trick” to save long hold times on the phone. That is not excellent advice for Southwest Airlines, though, considering I am still waiting for a Twitter reply...
Tasting Menu In Qatar Airways Business Class
My Meal of the Week feature examines an airline meal from my travels over the years. This may be a meal from earlier in the week or it may be a meal served over a decade ago. I recently reviewed a...
Where To Smoke At Copenhagen Airport (CPH)
I am not a smoker, but provide airport smoking guides in an effort to help smokers and reduce second-hand smoke. My views on smoking at airports remain unchanged. Copenhagen Kastrup International Airport (DOH) offers convenient airside smoking lounges post-security,...
Official: US Adds Testing Requirement For Air Passengers From China
Rumors have been swirling that the United States will add coronavirus travel restrictions for China and that policy has now been announced. Travelers, regardless of nationality, flying to the United States from China will be asked to present a...
Review: Qatar Airways 787-9 Business Class
While not as spacious as its flagship Qsuite product, I found the Qatar Airways 787-9 business class suite quite user-friendly and very comfortable for my overnight journey from Doha to Copenhagen. Qatar Airways 787-9 Business Class Review When there...
Influential Captain Accuses Southwest Airlines Of Pride And Avarice, Predicts Total Collapse
A harsh note from the union representing Southwest Airlines pilots throws down the gauntlet, blaming the meltdown on “pride” and “avarice” by management and predicting a total collapse if concrete changes are not made as a result of this...
Pete Buttigieg Promises To Hold Southwest Airlines Accountable
US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg made media rounds last night, pledging that the Department of Transportation would hold Southwest Airlines accountable for what he called a “complete meltdown.” Pete Buttigieg: We’re In A Position To Hold Southwest Airlines Accountable...
Iran Orders Flight Diversion To Offload Family Of Popular Dissident
Iranian authorities ordered the diversion of a Mahan Air flight in order to offload the wife and daughter of Ali Daei, a football legend and political dissident in Iran. Mahan Air A310 Diverts To Kish Island To Offload Family...
How Southwest Airlines Addressed Meltdown Publicly Versus Privately
Southwest Airlines is in full meltdown…this is no hyperbole when the carrier is talking about canceling 2/3 of its flights for the rest of 2022. Let’s look at how Southwest is publicly and privately addressing its operational collapse. Southwest...
The New Southwest Effect: Price Gouging On Other Carriers?
Have you tried to book a domestic ticket this week? The “new” Southwest Effect in light of the carrier’s operational meltdown is frankly obscene pricing on other airline routes across the country. Is this just supply and demand or...
Great Coffee In Doha, Qatar
I spent a week in Doha, the capital of Qatar, and enjoyed many great cups of coffee…and did not even have to venture out far. Best Coffee In Doha, Qatar In one sense, I’m sure I missed out on...
My COVID Christmas Redux…
Another Christmas in California, another Christmas ruined by COVID-19… A Very COVID Christmas (Again) When we left off, I had just spent a lovely day with my kids in Orange County, California. Our plan was for a large family...
My Christmas Eve In Orange County, California
I had a great Christmas Eve with my kids in Orange County, California…a bit of calm before an unanticipated storm. Christmas Eve In Orange County My wife Heidi, a nurse, was working so I was left with the kids....
Review: Park Hyatt Doha
There’s a lot to like about the Park Hyatt Doha, a beautiful modern property in Doha’s Msheireb Downtown District. While my stay was not flawless, it was positive overall, with several enjoyable elements. Park Hyatt Doha Review After five...