The first female flight attendant was a nurse. With COVID-19 ushering in new realities, might we be heading full circle? In 1930, 25-year-old Ellen Church became the first female flight attendant, then called stewardess, in the world. She was...
Review: American Express Lounge Sydney (SYD)
The new American Express Lounge in Sydney (SYD) is a nice improvement over the older one, with great coffee and a respectable selection of food and drink. American Express Lounge Sydney Location + Hours The lounge is open from...
Is It Proper For Adults To Order Off The Kid’s Menu?
This discussion came up in the context of my review of the Park Hyatt Aviara yesterday and I think it is an interesting question. Should Adults Be Able To Order Off The Kid’s Menu? I’m asking this generally, though...
Is Rapid Testing The Key To Flying In This New Era?
Would you feel safer stepping onto an airplane if you knew that everyone around you, even in close quarters, had developed antibodies to COVID-19? With rapid testing technology rolling out and even put into use by Emirates to screen...
The Demise Of South African Airways Is Truly A Tragedy
South African Airways is certainly poorly run, but its demise would be a huge loss to travelers. My recent trip on SAA is a testament to that. Reports have emerged that the South African government will provide no further...
Delta’s New Snack Bag Is Practical And Smart
In an era in which in-flight service has essentially been eliminated, Delta is at least thinking creatively when it comes to offering passengers food and drink onboard. Delta has eliminated meals on all domestic flights in the COVID-19 era,...
United Airlines Suspends Catering From Most Line Stations
While passengers won’t notice much difference, United Airlines is suspending catering operations at most line stations in an effort to cut costs and respond to reduced demand and service onboard. In a note to catering employees (most of whom...
Lufthansa And Cathay Pacific May Cancel 777-9 Orders
With passenger demand low and resources scarce, Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa are reportedly in talks with Boeing to defer or cancel 777-9 (777X) deliveries. Cathay Pacific Wants To Cancel 777-9 Order Cathay Pacific ordered 21 777-9 aircraft, set to...
Startling Statistics On Airline Demand
Buried in the note from United Airlines to employees were a pair of startling statistics that demonstrate just how hard the airline industry has been hit by shrinking demand. Sobering Statistics: Airlines Demand Is Down 97% Just how much has...
A Somber Prognosis From United Airlines On The Future Of Aviation
A dismal forecast for aviation is projected in a letter signed by outgoing United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz and incoming CEO Scott Kirby. With travel demand at “essentially zero” painful cuts are expected. The nearly 1000-word letter accomplishes several...
Dear United, Please Don’t Match AA On Lifetime Status Promotion
American Airlines is currently counting credit card spend toward Million Miler status. Several have asked me if United Airlines will match. My answer: I certainly hope not. What Is Million Miler Status? Million Miler status is special lifetime status...
Winners And Losers In American’s New AAdvantage Award Fee Structure
As part of its status extension announcement earlier this week, American Airlines also announced changes to its fee structure for AAdvantage awards. There are definite winners and losers in the new arrangement, depending upon your travel patterns. AAdvantage Award...
Stranded Americans Accuse U.S. Carriers Of Price Gouging
Should the U.S. government subsidize rescue flight for stranded Americans? Repatriation flights are not cheap and many Americans are expressing outrage over what they view as price gouging. Since late January, over 60,000 Americans have been repatriated from over...
What Constitutes A “Significant” Flight Schedule Change?
The U.S. Department of Transportation has made clear that even in the COVID-19 era, airlines must offer ticket refunds when a cancellation or significant schedule occurs. But what constitutes a significant schedule change? U.S. DOT Affirms Carriers Must Offer...
Editorial: Out-Of-Touch Airlines Whining About Generous Taxpayer Aid Is Appalling
In what world does someone demand money from someone else, get it, and then bitterly complain that it is unfair when asked to pay a small portion of it back? But listening to airlines and unions, which have suddenly...
Sweet Moment: United Airlines Pilot Emotionally Thanks Medical Personnel On His Flight
In a sweet moment captured on video, a United Airlines captain sincerely thanked medical volunteers heading to New York. Prior to boarding a flight from Washington Dulles (IAD) to Newark (EWR), United Captain Jim Crail asked all medical personnel...
American Airlines Announces AAdvantage Augmentations, Advantageous Award Adjustments, And Auspicious Auxiliary Allocations
I knew it was only a matter of time, but American Airlines dutifully matched Delta and United and will offer a full-year status extension to AAdvantage elite members. But wait, three’s more! American Airlines Extends AAdvantage Elite Status For One...
Cool: Turn Your Airline Window Seat Into A Stained Glass Chapel
Ok, I just love this innovative idea and cannot wait to try it out. Transforming Your Airline Window From Dreary To Dazzling Once we start flying again you can bring on your own portable “stained glass window” to give...
Wow: Emirates Now Only Serves Three Destinations
With the exception of a handful of repatriation flights, Emirates is only offering scheduled flights to three destinations. COVID-19 has eliminated most travel demand and government restrictions on travel further diminish whatever demand remains. Consequently, Emirates will operate regularly...
Fearing U.S. Tourists, European Union Travel Ban May Extend Until September
If we take French President Emmanuel Macron at face value, it seems clear he views American tourists as more of a liability than a reward. Hence, he’s pushing the idea of keeping European borders shut through September. European Travel...
