Airlines, desperate for cash, are running lucrative purchased miles promotions. The opportunities seem almost too good to pass up, don’t they? But don’t buy miles unless you have a very specific trip in mind. Not in this world of...
Trip Report: Flying United During COVID-19 Epidemic
Reader Mark, a family friend, travelled on United earlier this week. He shared with me with this report, which is interesting on so many levels about what it was like to travel across the country during the height of...
Booked! Air France A380 + 777 La Première First Class…For Now?
I took advantage of a cheap fare offered out of Algeria last weekend to confirm two trips in first class on Air France. But will Air France honor the tickets? Flying Air France First Class on the 777-300ER was...
Virgin Australia’s New Humanitarian Mission: Toilet Paper
With a worldwide shortage of toilet paper caused by mass hoarding in many nations, Virgin Australia has embarked upon a new humanitarian mission. Instead of its usual April Fool’s Day jokes, Virgin Australia is donating toilet tissue to vulnerable...
Democrats Demand Airline Ticket Refunds For Everyone Who Wants One
A group of nine U.S. Senators from the Democratic Party have signed a letter urging airlines to promptly refund tickets that consumers cancelled due to COVID-19. While I’m sympathetic to such pleas, I think that ship has passed… To...
My Interview With A COVID-19 Positive United Employee
A United employee who has contracted COVID-19 reached out to me. We spoke. He shared some disturbing information which United, not surprisingly, has pushed back on. But his story warrants our attention. The employee chose not to go on...
First Impressions: South African Airways A330 Business Class
I recently had the chance to fly South African Airways onboard the A330-300 in business class from Johannesburg to Accra. It turned out to be a very pleasant flight experience that greatly exceeded expectations. South African Airways is operating...
A Five-Page Application Worth Billions To U.S. Airlines
In case you’re curious how the aid process works for U.S. passenger airlines, the Treasury Department has made the application process quite transparent. Posted on its website (.pdf) with detailed instructions, airlines have until 5:00PM EDT on April 3,...
British Airways Suspends All Service To London Gatwick
London Gatwick was poised to grow in 2020. Then COVID-19 hit. EasyJet suspended all flights and now British Airways has followed. With the United Kingdom encouraging citizens to avoid all non-essential travel and travel demand greatly depressed due to...
I’m Dreaming About Future Travel, But Not Planning…
What will next year look like? How about next month? Or next week? Will we contain COVID-19? How much will it destroy the world economy? Short and honest answer: we don’t know. Are You Panning Travel Or Just Dreaming...
All-In Pricing: Marriott Deserves No Praise For What Should Be A Given
Marriott now gives you the option to see all-in pricing when making a reservation earlier in the search process than the final payment screen. Are we supposed to cheer for what should have always been the case? Oh, it’s...
U.S. Airlines Want To Party Like It’s 1977
Imagine a country where airlines were seen as a public utility, not merely an engine for profit. A body of civil servants determined what routes each airline would operate, how much they would charge, and limited any new entrants...
Brutal Honesty From United Airlines
On Saturday, I covered United’s latest letter to its customers. Today, I’ll cover its latest later to employees. One thing I admire, even though the bottom line is sobering, is the honesty. United Warns Of Jobs Cuts This Autumn...
Free Flights On Delta Air Lines…For Medical Volunteers
Delta has found one way to turn lemons into lemonade when it comes to dismal load factors: transport critical healthcare workers for free. As detailed on Delta’s website, medical volunteers can book round-trip travel on Delta for free to:...
United CEO Thanks Us For The Bailout…
If you’re a United MileagePlus member, you probably received an email last night from CEO Oscar Munoz thanking you for the bailout. It’s a nice note overall, in the sense that it is sincere in gratitude and cautiously optimistic...
What Is American Airlines Trying To Accomplish With $16 Fares?
One Mile at a Time notes that American Airlines is running $16 one-way fares between Los Angeles and Miami next month. Just what is AA trying to accomplish? I questioned the idea of quarantining early-on, but have largely signed...
The Existential Airline Dilemma: Refund Or Survive
I’ve been hard on airlines all week, noting they are breaking the law by refusing to issue refunds for flight cancellations. My opinion remains principally unchanged. Today, however, I want to look at the issue from the airline side....
United Airlines Drastically Reduces Service Onboard
I was wondering what took United so long. The carrier has finally matched the cutbacks to onboard product introduced by American and Delta during a time of heightened tension over COVID-19. United Airlines “Streamlines” Beverage + Meal Service Onboard In...
United Closes All Non-Hub Clubs; Only Nine Lounges Remain Open
Citing a continued decrease in demand, United is shuttering all of its lounges at non-hub airports, leaving open just a handful of clubs at mainland U.S. hubs. United Lounges Currently Closed Effective March 29, 2020 the following lounges will...
Video: New Airbus A350 German “Air Force One”
I’ve written before about the embarrassing mechanical problems Germany has had with its government jets. In an attempt to remedy the problem once and for all, the first of three new Airbus A350-900s will soon be delivered. First Airbus...
