When it comes to Airbus A380 operators, there are many airlines. Then there is Emirates, the outlier with over 100 in its fleet. But even Emirates is mulling the grounding of its A380s. Already, we’ve seen Lufthansa, Air France,...
First Impressions: Air Canada Signature Suite Toronto
The Air Canada Signature Suite in Toronto exceeded my already-lofty expectations with great service and delicious food. I spent several hours in the Signature Suite at Toronto Pearson (YYZ), enjoying a very tasty multi-course meal and several great cups...
Why I Oppose Bailouts For Airlines, Hotels, And Especially Boeing
I’ve chewed on this issue for several days, trying to place logic over emotion and seek pragmatism over pettiness. But I simply cannot support the sort of widescale bailouts that airlines, hotels, and even Boeing are now seeking. First,...
How Delta Air Lines Will Combat Falling Demand
In a note to employees, Delta CEO Ed Bastian outlines the aggressive steps Delta is taking to address growing fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Bastian notes “it is safe to travel, but always make sure you are taking the...
Social Distancing Is Hard Work For This Restless Traveller…
It’s only day three of my self-imposed social distancing campaign and this is proving to be very difficult. This traveler is just not a homebody. Monday was supposed to be the start, but I went into the office…I’m just...
Man Spits On Flight Attendant, She Slaps Him, He Decks Her…
In a nasty brawl filled with foul language and violence, a passenger spit on a flight attendant then tackled her when she slapped him. I would start by watching the video below, which was allegedly filmed last Friday. The...
How Airport Lounges Are Adapting To Our New World…
Airport lounges are adjusting to the our new world by reducing shared spaces, especially those involving food. I flew though Istanbul Sunday and spent a few hours in the Turkish Airlines Business lounge, one of my favorite lounges in...
Here Are The Domestic Routes United Will Suspend Next Month
United Airlines will suspend several domestic and transborder Canadian routes next month, though the cuts are not as deep as I originally anticipated. Only one city, Mammoth Lakes, California, will lose service completely. Other cities will see cuts from...
United Will Operate Only 45 Daily International Flights In April 2020
United Airlines will dramatically reduce its international service in April 2020, operating only about 45 daily flights and 36 routes. United Arlines International Schedule For April 2020 United will reduce international flights in April by 85% over 2019 levels....
Cute: Now Even The Silvers Get Upgraded
With demand for air travel cratering, even low-tier elites are receiving complimentary upgrades on many U.S. domestic routes. It was so cute to watch the joy of a young couple who were upgraded on my recent flight from Washington...
First Impressions: Air Canada 787 Business Class
Let’s take a break from the coronavirus headlines for a brief look at my recent Air Canada flight in business class from Toronto to Los Angeles. Air Canada really impressed me with service, comfort, and meals on what felt...
Why British Airways Is Not Seeking Government Aid…Yet
While airlines around the world are approaching governments for aid, British Airways has taken a different approach. In the United Kingdom, Flybe went out of business early after the COVID-19 outbreak due to depressed demand. Virgin Atlantic has now...
U.S. Airlines Seek Over $50 Billion In Government Assistance
U.S. airlines have asked the U.S. government for $50 billion in assistance, citing continued negative pressure from COVID-19. As reported by CNBC, Airlines For America, the lobbying arm of the major U.S. passenger and cargo airlines, has asked the...
My Surprisingly Smooth Day Of Travel Through Istanbul, London, And Washington
My trip from Cotonou, Benin all the way back to Los Angeles yesterday was surprisingly smooth. I flew from Cotonou to Istanbul via Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on Turkish, connected to London on Turkish, then flew from London to Los Angeles...
United’s Schedule Change Policy: Refunds Will Come…In One Year
With United Airlines facing financial uncertainty like it has at no point in company history, United will defer schedule change refunds for a period of one year from date of booking. I’ve covered the schedule change saga in depth....
TSA Waives Liquid Ban…For Hand Sanitizers
You can now take bottles of hand sanitizer as large as 12 ounces when going through a U.S. airport security checkpoint. TSA loosened the rule in light of anxiousness over COVID-19. Here’s the full statement from the TSA: TSA...
United Airlines Projecting 20-30% Load Factors And Warning Unions Of Cutbacks
In a sobering letter to employees, United warned of plummeting demand, more flight reductions, and a need to reduce payroll expenses. The memo came from outgoing CEO Oscar Munoz and incoming CEO Scott Kirby and paints a bad and...
USA Travel Ban Extends To UK, Ireland
The Schengen Area ban on non-resident travel to the United Sates is expanding to include the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, effective Monday evening. Vice President Mike Pence shared the news at a press conference earlier this afternoon....
The Only Thing We Have To Fear Is Fear Itself…
It has been quite a week, hasn’t it? My week started at Frequent Traveller University in Washington, DC followed by a pair of United flights from Washington National to Cape Town via Newark. Less than a week later, the...
Ironic: Delta Asks For Government Aid (But This Is Different…)
In a sobering note to employees, Delta CEO Ed Bastian shared about the sudden and rapid collapse in demand that is posing the greatest threat ever to face Delta Air Lines. Now Delta wants a handout from Uncle Sam....
