Southwest Airlines has resisted a basic economy fare class for years. But with competition fierce, is Southwest reconsidering? Earlier this year, Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly promised: “You’re not going to see basic economy from Southwest. That’s not what...
South African Airways Placed In Business Rescue: What Does That Mean?
South African Airways will receive a bailout even though all parties deny it is a bailout. But what does this mean for the airline and its customers? I sort of asked this question already in a post last week,...
What United Airlines Told Employees About Leadership Change
What is United telling employees about the leadership shakeup that will pivot Scott Kirby to the position of CEO next May? Earlier today I wrote about the upcoming leadership change at United. In 2020, Oscar Munoz will step down...
Scott Kirby Will Replace Oscar Munoz As United CEO In 2020
United CEO Oscar Munoz will step down in 2020, passing the CEO reigns to Scott Kirby, United’s President. In May, Munoz will transition to Executive Chairman and Kirby will assume the role of CEO. As rumors swirled that he...
Edible Coffee Cups On Air New Zealand Are Cool, But Unacceptable (To Me)
Ok, now I get to really play coffee snob. There’s something you should know about me. I know we are all have our little idiosyncrasies, but when it comes to coffee…well, I’m a little finicky. I drive my wife...
Review: Delta 767-300 Business Class Los Angeles To New York
This is a tale of two very different experiences on one Delta flight, taking place on two sides of the same Delta One cabin. I had one primary objective on my redeye flight from Los Angeles to New York...
Analysis: United Orders 50 Airbus A321XLRs, Defers A350-900 Order
Airbus has scored another victory with a large A321XLR order from United Airlines. United will also defer its A350-900 order until at least 2027. United Orders 50 Airbus A321XLR To Replace Boeing 757s For years, United has sought a...
Qatar Airways Would Ditch Oneworld For Lufthansa Partnership
When it comes his relationship with oneworld, Qatar Airways’ Chief Akbar Al-Baker acts like a victim. He’s quick to cry foul and threaten to leave, but never follows through on his threat. And yet his charges are largely delusional and...
A Rainy But Lovely Weekend In Carmel
I spent Thanksgiving weekend in Carmel, which has now become a family tradition. Even with the rain, we had a wonderful time together. A Great Weekend In Carmel California highways and interstates can get very crowded around the holidays,...
A Cringeworthy Rant From A Callow Airline Passenger
A freelance writer for the Washington Post penned an essay entitled “Air travel shows what happens when we give companies ruinous power over us”, sharing of an “ordeal spanning 53 hours, six gates, three airports and two airlines.” His...
Genius: Hoping For Upgrade, Woman Fakes Medical Emergency On Single-Cabin Aircraft
A woman was arrested after admitting to faking an emergency onboard in hopes of securing an upgrade. Small problem, though: the aircraft had no premium cabin. The incident took place on American Airlines flight 3508 from Pensacola to Miami last...
Amtrak Won’t Let You Sue, Even After A Crash
You buy an Amtrak ticket. Your train derails. You are severely injured. And you can’t sue. Why? Blame the fine print in your ticket rules. Back in January, Amtrak quietly revised the language of its ticket terms and conditions....
What’s The Longest Possible Commercial Flight?
The list of the longest airline routes in operation is hardly a surprise, but what about theoretical routes? What is possible with more technical innovation? The 10 Longest Airline Routes Currently Flying Currently, the 10 longest flights in the...
Malaysia Airlines Cozies Up To Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines and Malaysia Airlines have signed a new codeshare agreement. What does the increased cooperation between the two carriers mean for travelers? Turkish Airlines will place its flight number on all Malaysia Airlines domestic flights as well as...
South African Airways Survives…But Now What?
South African Airways (SAA) will survive…at least for now…thanks to another government infusion. But will the government finally force the carrier to change? Let’s zoom right into the text of statement from South Africa’s Department of Public Enterprises, as...
The Innocuous Pasta Dish On Lufthansa
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. What’s the...
Emirates Wants To Add More Fifth Freedom Flights To USA
Emirates is walking a fine line between targeting commercially lucrative routes and trying to keep protective U.S. carriers quiet. Even so, it is exploring options to add new Fifth Freedom routes between the USA and Europe. Fifth Freedom routes...
Man Impersonates Lufthansa Pilot For Free First Class Upgrades
Catch me if you can? The man has been caught…and wait till you hear his defense. Man Arrested For Impersonating Lufthansa Pilot Rajan Mahbubani is a self-identified frequent flyer. The 48-year-old acquired a Lufthansa’s pilot uniform and fake ID...
Mother Gives Birth On American Airlines Jetway, Names Her Daughter “Sky”
How does a flight arrive with 165 passengers when it left with 164? Ask Nereida Araujo. Araujo was 38 weeks pregnant and had to fly from Tampa (TPA) to Pittsburgh (PIT) via Charlotte (CLT). She was cleared by her...
Delta’s Outstanding TUMI Amenity Kit
While my overall flight on Delta from Los Angeles to New York was average at best, I want to commend Delta for offering passengers a very practical and useful amenity kit. Although I have a huge collection of amenity...
