I was extremely impressed with the facilities, service, and amenities at the Shangri-La Colombo. This hotel is easily the best in Colombo and well worth the small premium over other upscale properties in town. Sadly for the hotel and...
A Jam-Packed Layover In Reykjavík
I made the most of my seven hour layover in Reykjavík, Iceland, squeezing in three of my favorite activities into a relatively compact schedule. My first thought was just to head to the Blue Lagoon. It’s only 20 minutes...
Foolish Avianca Chairman Admits Airline Is Bankrupt In Leaked Video
It’s nice to be open and honest…to a point. But idle words can cause unnecessary pain, as the Avianca Chairman found out this week. Roberto Kriete attempted to “rally the troops” to push the troubled airline back to profitability....
Your United MileagePlus Miles Will No Longer Expire
Effective immediately, your United MileagePlus miles will no longer expire. That’s it. No strings attached, no minimum activity needed, and no United credit card or other gimmick required. In fact, United will even retroactively reinstate miles for those members...
TSA Bans Star Wars “Thermal Detonator” Coca-Cola Bottles
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration has banned special-edition Star Wars-themed Coca-Cala bottles from Disneyland onboard checked and carry-on baggage. It claims the cans look too much like bombs. First, a picture is in order. In celebration of the newly...
Review: Cathay Pacific A330-300 Business Class
My Cathay Pacific A330 fight from Hong Kong to Colombo was comfortable, but unremarkable. Perhaps I was on too much of a high after a great trip in first class from Beijing and visit to The Pier? I arrived...
This Is What Passes For Business Class On A Three Hour SAS Flight…
In the swinging pendulum between budget and luxury, SAS really has swung too far in the budget direction for a product it still markets as business class. This is not breaking news; SAS eliminated “business class” on flights within...
United Adds Biscoff Cookies To Economy Class Snack Basket!
United is copying American and Delta, but in this case the news good: biscoff cookies will soon be available onboard for free. Stroopwafels, which United introduced onboard in 2017, have become a household name in the USA in part...
How Airlines Make In-Flight Food Tasty
Fly United this month and you can order a smoked beef and pork sausage link smothered in BBQ sauce and served on a pretzel roll. But its journey from kitchen to airplane demonstrates how difficult it is to offer...
The Updated SAS Gold Lounge In Copenhagen Is Superb!
After a day in Berlin, I flew to Copenhagen where I spent the night before continuing on to Reykjavík the next day. That gave me plenty of time to check out the beautifully refurbished SAS Gold Lounge. One way...
Review: Cathay Pacific The Pier First Class Lounge Hong Kong (HKG)
The Pier is not only Cathay’s Pacific’s finest first class lounges, but one of the best first class lounges in the world. For years I have been looking forward to visiting this lounge. Finally, during a recent layover, I...
Emirates, A Gimcrack New Transfer Partner From Chase
Emirates Skywards is now a Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner. Try to hold back your excitement… A gimcrack is a cheap and showy ornament, something flimsy or poorly made but deceptively attractive. I think that’s a great way to...
Review: Cathay Pacific The Deck Lounge Hong Kong (HKG)
As far as business class lounges go, Cathay Pacific’s The Deck lounge in Hong Kong is among the nicest I’ve seen. Cathay Pacific’s latest business class lounge in Hong Kong feels a bit like The Pier, with a noodle...
Man Arrested After Very Negative Hilton Hotel Review
A Texas man was arrested in Florida after incorporating death threats into a negative hotel review. Joseph Lee McKinney, 40, had a very bad stay at the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront Hotel. So bad, apparently, that he made death...
Why Airlines Struggle In Italy
The joke goes that Italian airlines will be profitable…when hell freezes over. Why is it that airlines seem to struggle in Italy? In an article entitled, Good Luck To Any Airline That Tries To Make A Profit Flying U.S.-Italy, Ted Reed...
A Whole Lot Of Turkey On Aegean
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. Why have...
Review: Cathay Pacific 777-300ER First Class Beijing To Hong Kong
Whether on a short flight or a long flight, Cathay Pacific has always shined in first class. My flight from Beijing to Hong Kong was flawless. Literally flawless. Although I thought about trying Cathay Dragon First Class, when I...
Richard Branson’s Daughter Sets Example For Heather “Nut Rage” Cho
Holly Branson is being praised as “down-to-earth” after she was spotted in economy class on a recent Virgin Atlantic flight from Antigua to London. I’m impressed too. I don’t buy the virtue signaling of flying economy class. If that is the...
Review: Cathay Pacific Lounge Beijing (PEK)
The Cathay Pacific Lounge in Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) is full of natural light, comfortable furniture, and offers far better internet speeds than the tepid airport network. I had a bit of trouble finding the lounge: the signs kept...
United Reducing Service To Hong Kong + Buenos Aires
Citing weak demand, United Airlines will suspend two long-standing international routes to Hong Kong and Buenos Aires. This autumn, United will suspend its Chicago to Hong Kong flight, its Newark to Buenos Aires flight, and accelerate the suspension of its...
