Starting on Monday, the United States will restrict travel from South Africa and seven other nations in southern Africa as concerns mount over the “Nu” COVID-19 variant. UPDATE: We now have further details concerning the entry restrictions USA Restricts...
KLM 777-300ER With 350 Passengers From South Africa Trapped On Tarmac In Amsterdam
KLM592 took off on time from Johannesburg (JNB) last night, but during the flight Europe went into “variant panic.” When the Boeing 777-300ER landed in Amsterdam (AMS), Dutch officials did not know what to do with the passengers onboard…so...
“Nu” Coronavirus Variant Is Already With Us – Can We Not Panic, Please?
I’m not in a great mood this morning considering South Africa has been made a pariah state overnight for being transparent and countries are quickly shutting borders once again. My point is not to downplay or dismiss the new...
Review: First Class Lounge Cairo (CAI)
The only thing first class about this lounge is the name. If you thought the EgyptAir lounge in Cairo was bad, this takes “bad” to a whole different level. First Class Lounge Cairo (CAI) Terminal 3 Review I’m really...
My Thanksgiving Blessing At New Orleans Airport
It was 2015 around Thanksgiving time. I was trying to get home from Chicago and routed through Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans. That turned out to be a big mistake, but led to a moment I will...
United Airlines CEO Woos Employees In Thanksgiving Day Message
In an upbeat message directed at employees, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby focused his Thanksgiving Day message on thanking employees for their service. United Airlines CEO 2021 Thanksgiving Video While Oscar Munoz was much loved by United employees during...
Thanksgiving Travel Meltdown Fails To Materialize
Perhaps I am speaking a bit prematurely, but it is already approaching late morning on the U.S. east coast and it is shaping up to be a largely drama-free Thanksgiving travel day. What a difference a year makes. Thanksgiving...
Review: EgyptAir Gienah Lounge Cairo (CAI)
After stepping off my EgyptAir flight and then dealing with the drama at the transit desk, I was famished. Upstairs, I quickly found the Gienah Lounge, one of several EgyptAir lounges in Terminal 3. EgyptAir Gienah Lounge Review Rather...
Taste Test: Beatrix Market Mediterranean Grain Bowl On United Airlines
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. My upgrade did not...
Review: EgyptAir 787-9 Business Class
While EgyptAir has a lot to offer in terms of friendly service and a great business class seat, the unacceptable catering on my Boeing 787-9 flight from Washington to Cairo in business class really left me with a poor...
An Idiotic Refund Request On American Airlines
An infantile man faces a hefty fine for refusing to wear his mask and throwing a nasty temper tantrum onboard his American Airlines flight to Southern California when flight attendants denied his idiotic refund request. Maskless Man Creates Trouble...
United Airlines Adds Hot Chocolate Onboard
With all the bad news swirling around us, how about a nice cup of hot chocolate? Hot chocolate from Ghirardelli will soon be available onboard in all cabins on United Airlines. United Adds Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate Onboard Long a staple in...
Introduction: A Return To Asia
At the outset, I want to state what a privilege it was to return to East Asia…even under the conditions that I did. I have fond memories of pre-pandemic travel to Japan, Thailand, and Singapore that were only added...
Passenger Fined Over $40,000 For Smoking Marijuana In Lavatory, Sexually Assaulting Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant, Consuming His Own Alcohol Onboard
In its latest bevy of proposed fines for problematic airplane passengers, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has provided details about a vicious case of passenger misconduct on Southwest Airlines. Passenger Faces $40,000 Fine For Smoking, Drinking, And Assaulting On...
United Airlines Restores Milestone Anniversaries Program For Employees
It is often the little things done behind the scenes that can make the biggest difference in terms of employee morale and therefore their motivation to deliver great service onboard, at airports, or on the phone; in some cases...
A Hollow Threat From British Airways
British Airways is threatening to leave London Heathrow if a planned increase in departure taxes goes into effect. Talk about a hollow threat… Empty Threat: British Airways “Reconsidering Use of Heathrow.” The threat came from Luis Gallego, CEO of International...
The Dilemma: A Trip To Disneyland Or A “Real” Vacation?
I realized while walking though Disneyland that it is truly a substantial investment. I’m not telling you to avoid Disneyland, but do consider where that money can take you if you traveled instead. A “real” vacation may be much...
Miles, The Alternative To Sneaking Into Business Class
My post on a woman sneaking up to business class on my Singapore Airlines flight caused quite a stir, with many indignant about me calling her out. But she could have avoided the embarrassment of being marched back to...
United Airlines Flight Attendants Resist Return Of Pre-Departure Beverages
The union representing flight attendants at United Airlines is pushing back against the return of pre-departure beverages in premium cabins onboard. United Airlines Flight Attendant Union: No Pre-Departure Beverages The bulletin to flight attendants came from the Association of...
Time To Buy Etihad Miles? (1.2 Cents Each)
There’s no doubt the current Etihad purchased miles bonus promotion is attractive, but is now the time to buy Etihad miles? Etihad Miles On Sale For As Low As 1.2 Cents Each – Good Time To Buy Or Not?...
