United Airlines is improving its kosher menus with new choices of food and drink on Tel Aviv flights. A Kosher Meal Problem I have many clients at Award Expert who keep Kosher, meaning I frequently order Kosher meals on...
Wow! British Airways 747 Sets Transatlantic Speed Record
British Airways has reclaimed the crown for fastest transatlantic subsonic flight, with a record-breaking journey from New York to London. In 2015, British Airways set a transatlantic speed record for subsonic travel by crossing the Pond (JFK-LHR) in 5 hours,...
Why I Wasn’t Moved By Holy Sites In The Holy Land
For better or for worse, I was simply not moved by the holy sites in the Holy Land. And yet something happened that I will never forget. This post gets a little personal, but it was a central part...
World’s “Nicest” Airline? Here’s What It Looks Like
This week, airline pioneer David Neeleman introduced Breeze Airways, a new airline that will begin flying in the United States later this year. He dubbed it “world’s nicest airline” but offered few details how it would achieve that title....
The “Lufthansa Diet” Looks Promising
Each week, 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. This Meal...
New American Airlines Business Class Seats Are Only Half The Battle
News leaked yesterday of two new business class seats under consideration by American Airlines. While either seat looks promising, both must come with a corresponding investment in the soft product. We know that American Airlines is testing new business...
Negotiating For Lunch In Bethlehem
The most stressful part of my entire week in the Holy Land was negotiating for lunch in Bethlehem. Oh how I hate it when restaurants don’t have posted prices! We were right in tourist central, near the Church of...
Ryanair Ads Banned For Misleading Consumers
Irish budget carrier Ryanair has been told by the United Kingdom that its latest ad campaign must end and causes consumer confusion. Ryanair claims to be “Europe’s low CO2 emissions airline”. Its TV and radio ads cite the carrier’s...
United Flight Diverts After Passenger Threatens To Kill Flight Attendant
A Tokyo-bound United flight diverted to Anchorage earlier this week after a passenger told a flight attendant, “I will kill you” and slapped his face after he denied him more alcohol. Seksan Kumtong began banging on lavatory doors shortly...
How Breeze Airways Will Distinguish Itself From The Competition
David Neeleman, the founder of JetBlue Airways, has unveiled Breeze Airways, a new airline which will hit U.S. skies as early as this year. How will Breeze Airways distinguish itself from others? Dual Fleet Breeze Airways will operate two aircraft...
Coffee And Politics At The Walled Off Hotel In Bethlehem
If you’re ever in Bethlehem, don’t miss the Walled Off Hotel, even if just for a cup of coffee. It was the most memorable visit of the entire week. Bankrolled by the artist Banksy, this is not only one of...
Qatar Airways Accelerates Investment In Africa
Qatar Airways sees tremendous growth opportunity in Africa and has responded by picking a strategic hub: Kigali, Rwanda. Now Qatar Airways wants to invest in Rwanda’s national airline. Bugesera International Airport in Kigali is set to open in 2022,...
Lufthansa Has Really Hit Rock Bottom In Economy Class
Hey, it’s time for another Lufthansa Economy Class trip report from Los Angeles to Frankfurt. It just gets worse and worse… I flew from LAX-FRA aboard the A380 last Friday and did economy class again because…well, we’re tightening our...
A Pioneering United Captain Remembered
Bill Norwood is a legend, not just at United Airlines, but as one of the first Black American commercial pilots. Here’s a heartfelt note that United CEO Oscar Munoz shared with employees that recognizes Norwood as part of a...
My Seatmate Watched Porn On His Mobile Phone…
In-flight pornography has been in the news this week, with United sending its flight attendants to special training on how to handle passengers onboard who decide to watch porn. I have my own in-flight story relating to this subject...
Is Bethlehem Safe?
I’ve been talking to people about my trip to Israel and have heard the same question, over and over: Isn’t Bethlehem In the West Bank? Wasn’t that risky? You went into the West Bank? Is that safe? The very...
How To Get From Jerusalem To Bethlehem Cheaply And Easily By Bus
Taking Bus 231 between Jerusalem and Bethlehem is a cheap and easy option that I highly recommend over a taxi or private guide. If you’ve been reading my Israel trip report, you know that we tried to keep expenses...
United Airlines Suspends Last Hong Kong Route
Matching American Airlines, United Airlines will suspend its final link to Hong Kong for at least the next two weeks. United Airlines’ final flight to Hong Kong will depart later today from San Francisco (UA877). The final return flight...
Lufthansa Aggressively Hawks Upgrades
Lufthansa has fully embraced the upgrade monetization game with its upgrade bidding system and more aggressive fixed-price upgrade offers. A client is traveling from Paris to Frankfurt this week. We just booked an “Economy Classic” ticket for her, the...
How Southwest Airlines Made A Forlorn Boy Happy Again
You know that feeling you get when you’ve left something behind and you realize it when it is too late? For little Grayson Mulligan, that feeling hit home when he left his favorite stuffed teddy bear onboard a Southwest...
