I’m a day late to the party, but a friend shared with me a Mother’s Day note from United Airlines’ CEO Oscar Munoz that I wanted to share with you. Here’s the note, in full: Dear United family, At...
Ask The Pilot: When Lighting Strikes An Airplane
One working theory around the crash landing of the Aeroflot Sukhoi Superjet-100 that killed 41 in Moscow last week is that lighting struck the aircraft, causing significant damage. I asked LALF reader 121Pilot, a U.S. commercial airline pilot, if lightning can...
Airlines Made Billions In Baggage Fees Last Year (Here’s A Breakdown By Carrier)
U.S. airlines collected a whopping $4.9 billion in baggage fees in 2018. That figure alone explains why these airlines will likely never offer complimentary checked bags again. When American Airlines announced it would start charging for all checked bags...
Review: United Airlines 787-8 Business Class Zurich To San Francisco
I’ve asked my two-year-old son Augustine to offer his thoughts on our recent 787-8 flight from Zurich to San Francisco on United Airlines in Polaris Business Class. Last time Daddy asked me write up a trip report was after...
When Food Was Free On British Airways…
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. Last week...
Virgin Caribbean, A New Airline By Richard Branson?
Sir Richard Branson wants to invest in and expand LIAT, a troubled Caribbean airline. Is Virgin Caribbean around the corner? Leeward Islands Air Transport, or LIAT for short, may be seen as more of a public utility than a...
One Year Later: How Is United Polaris Lounge Holding Up At SFO?
Between flights last weekend, I had 2.5 hours in United’s SFO Polaris Lounge. How is it holding up one year later? I’ve reviewed this lounge twice already…once during a media preview and again as a passenger. The lounge is...
Immigration Mayhem At SFO
I’ve seen some bad immigration lines in the USA before, but never anything as horrific as what I saw at San Francisco International Airport last week. It was Saturday afternoon and my wife, son, and I had landed at...
Review: Park Hyatt Zurich (Corner Suite)
I finally scored a suite upgrade the Park Hyatt Zurich and enjoyed a short, but very comfortable stay. This hotel must be given great accolades for its consistency over the years. I’ve published a 2011 and 2017 review and...
Delta Pressures Workers Not To Unionize
Delta Air Lines is facing heat for encouraging its workers to buy a video game system instead of paying union dues. Delta’s baggage handlers and other ground workers are considering whether to unionize. Delta does not want this. Hoping...
The Real Reason Air Italy Won’t Receive 787
Air Italy has revealed it will not receive any Boeing 787s but instead maintain a longhaul fleet of exclusively Airbus A330 aircraft. In an interview with Aviation Analyst, Air Italy’s COO Rossen Dimitrov shared his rationale. Because of the...
United Airlines Shines…Unlike My Son
My family flew from Zurich to San Francisco on United after a few weeks in Europe. United was great. My son Augustine…not so much. Yesterday I wrote about how nice the flight was in terms of service, seat, food,...
“Wealthy” Woman Thrown Off Air New Zealand Flight For Refusing To Read Safety Card
Not everyone loves the Air New Zealand safety videos. A passenger who was far too self-important to pay attention to the safety briefing or glance at the safety card was ejected from her Air New Zealand flight. The passenger...
The Conspiracy Nut On British Airways
I was standing in the gate area waiting to board my BA flight from London to Basel on Friday when a man approached me and started talking. Let’s call him Nigel. Nigel showed me his bag from Dixons Travel,...
Scotland Backtracks On Pledge To Scrap Pricey UK Departure Tax
The Scottish government is abandoning plans to reduce and eventually eliminate the UK Air Passenger Duty at Scottish airports, citing climate change. In 2016, the Scottish National Party (SNP) promised to reduce the pricey UK departure tax, which can...
What Made My Latest United Flight Simply Fabulous
Last Saturday I flew from Zurich to San Francisco on United Airlines in business class with my family. While there were many positive aspects of the flight, the service was so excellent that it overshadowed everything else. I offered...
United Restores Two Polaris Cutbacks
United is restoring two cutbacks in Polaris Business Class on late-evening flights from Washington Dulles to Europe while extending its mandatory express dining trial another month. Last month I wrote about a one-month trial program at Washington Dulles on...
My Last Flight In British Airways Economy Class…
British Airways should go into the sardine packing business, as it has certainly pioneered the practice on its shorthaul flights. A couple thoughts. First, let’s always keep things in context. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to fly, even...
Air Serbia Plans 12 New International Routes
Air Serbia will begin international operations from the southern Serbian city of Nis with 12 international flights to European destinations. Nis is about 220 kilometers south of Belgrade and the Serbian government is attempting to build air service, which it views...
Review: United Airlines 787-9 Economy Class Los Angeles To London
Not only did I survive my economy class trip from Los Angeles to London on United, but I found it a far better experience than my recent flight from LA to Frankfurt on joint-venture partner Lufthansa. I took a...
